Echoes of the Phantom Needle Legacy
The Immortal Doctor in Modern City (Du Shi Gu Xian Yi or Ancient Immortal Doctor of the Metropolis), the ongoing donghua adaptation of Chao Shuang Black Beer’s web novel, continues its blend of urban fantasy, medical miracles, and martial intrigue with episode 117, released on October 26, 2025, via iQIYI Produced by Xing Yi Kai Chen.
Directed with a focus on seamless transitions between modern hospital corridors and ethereal ancient realms, episode 117 delves deeper into protagonist Ye Bufan’s dual life as a prodigious med student and heir to forbidden immortal arts. At 150 episodes planned, the series—premiered October 2, 2024—has captivated audiences with its unique fusion of xianxia cultivation and contemporary drama, amassing over 50 million views on iQIYI alone. 0 3 Episode 117, fan-subbed as “Echoes of the Phantom Needle Legacy” (official Chinese: “幻针传承之影”), picks up from episode 116’s cliffhanger, where Ye Bufan’s experimental acupuncture on a high-profile patient triggered a ripple of ancient qi backlash, alerting shadowy rivals to his growing power.
With its compact runtime, the episode masterfully balances pulse-pounding action, emotional family ties, and lore-rich revelations, rewarding viewers with a narrative that bridges the mundane cityscape and mystical heritage.
The donghua, rated 6.7/10 on MyAnimeList, stands out in the 2025 donghua wave for its accessible take on xianxia tropes—think Battle Through the Heavens meets medical procedurals—where Ye Bufan’s journey from desperate scammer to miracle healer resonates with themes of redemption and resilience.
Plot Overview: Veins of Destiny and Rival Shadows
Set against the neon-lit sprawl of a bustling metropolis—where skyscrapers pierce the sky like modern sword peaks—episode 117 thrusts Ye Bufan into a maelstrom of intrigue following his mother’s worsening condition. The narrative opens with a tense hospital scene: Ye Bufan, the sharp-witted junior med student voiced with earnest grit, hovers over his comatose mother, her vitals flickering like unstable qi meridians.
The ancient medicine inheritance he gained from his fantasy world accident—a ethereal tome of immortal techniques—pulses in his mind, urging him to deploy the “Phantom Needle Array,” a forbidden acupuncture method that channels soul-binding energy to mend shattered life forces. 7 But as golden needles pierce the air with luminous trails, the procedure backfires subtly: residual qi from episode 116’s patient—a corrupt tycoon with demonic ties—seeps into his mother’s veins, manifesting as shadowy phantoms that claw at her spirit.
This complication draws Ye Bufan into a web of urban conspiracy. Fleeing the hospital under the cover of night, he encounters a clandestine meeting in an abandoned warehouse district, where rival cultivators from the “Shadow Veil Society”—a modern syndicate blending ancient sects with corporate espionage—plot to seize his inheritance. Led by the enigmatic Zhao Ling, a seductive operative with veiled martial prowess, the society views Ye Bufan’s powers as a threat to their black-market elixir trade.
In a fluid montage, Ye Bufan infiltrates the lair using his enhanced senses, eavesdropping on revelations: the female driver from his origin accident (episode 1) was no random assailant but an agent tied to the society’s ancient rivals, deliberately thrusting him into the fantasy realm to awaken his dormant bloodline. 5
The episode’s core action erupts in a warehouse brawl, where Ye Bufan unleashes a hybrid technique: the Phantom Needle evolves into “Soul Thread Barrage,” weaving invisible qi filaments that ensnare foes like spectral webs. The animation here is a highlight—needles streak like comets through dim fluorescents, clashing against Zhao Ling’s shadow palms that warp reality into ink-black voids. Amid the chaos, Ye Bufan rescues a young informant, a fellow med student harboring a minor inheritance, forging an uneasy alliance.
Flashbacks intercut the fight, delving into the fantasy world’s lore: the ancient doctor who bestowed the inheritance warns of a “city-devouring curse” that mirrors his mother’s affliction, hinting at a larger plague engineered by the society to monopolize cures.
By the climax, Ye Bufan stabilizes his mother remotely via a qi-linked talisman, but not without cost—his dantian overheats, forcing a partial breakthrough to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, visualized as azure flames licking his silhouette. The episode closes on a razor-sharp cliffhanger: Zhao Ling escapes with a stolen needle fragment, whispering, “The city’s veins run deeper than your ancient dreams,” as sirens wail and society reinforcements converge on the hospital. This hook teases episode 118’s urban siege, blending medical urgency with escalating cultivation rivalries.
Key Plot Beats:
- Mother’s Qi Backlash: The Phantom Needle’s unintended side effect introduces horror elements, with shadowy tendrils symbolizing the clash between ancient purity and modern corruption.
- Warehouse Infiltration: Ye Bufan’s stealthy probe uncovers the driver’s true role, layering mystery onto his origin story and expanding the world’s syndicate lore.
- Soul Thread Showdown: A dynamic 3-minute fight sequence where Ye Bufan’s threads counter shadow arts, showcasing growth in his martial-medical fusion.
- Breakthrough Tease: The dantian surge grants temporary power but risks exposure, foreshadowing internal conflicts in his dual life. 1
This pacing keeps the short format engaging, prioritizing emotional hooks and visual flair over dense exposition.
Character Developments: Healer’s Heart, Warrior’s Edge
Episode 117 refines Ye Bufan’s arc, portraying him not as an invincible prodigy but a burdened son whose compassion fuels ruthless efficiency. His hesitation during the needle procedure humanizes him, while the breakthrough hardens his resolve, echoing the novel’s theme of balancing mercy with martial necessity. Zhao Ling emerges as a compelling foil: her flirtatious taunts mask a tragic backstory—cursed by a botched inheritance, much like Ye Bufan’s mother—hinting at potential redemption or deeper betrayal.
Supporting Layers:
- The Informant Ally: A fresh face with budding romantic tension, her minor healing arts complement Ye Bufan’s, setting up team dynamics against the society.
- Mother’s Subtle Agency: Even comatose, her faint qi responses guide Ye Bufan, reinforcing filial piety as a cultivation motivator.
- Society Minions: Cannon fodder with glimpses of desperation—addicted to elixirs—critiquing the dark underbelly of modern xianxia ambition.
These nuances enrich the harem-tinged ensemble, making relationships feel organic amid the action.
Themes and Symbolism: Ancient Roots in Concrete Jungles
The episode probes xianxia’s core—defying fate through inherited wisdom—while grounding it in modern ethics: Ye Bufan’s needles symbolize healing’s dual blade, mending bodies but risking souls, much like the city’s “veins” of corruption mirroring polluted meridians. The warehouse shadows evoke Daoist yin-yang imbalance, where urban greed devours ancient harmony. Amid the spectacle, subtle commentary on healthcare inequities shines through Ye Bufan’s pro-bono desperation, resonating universally.
Production Quality: Needles That Pierce the Screen
Xing Yi Kai Chen’s animation impresses with hybrid 2D/3D: qi threads glow with particle precision, warehouse fights lit by stark neon contrasts. The soundtrack—pulsing electronic beats fused with traditional flute—amps tension, while voice acting captures Ye Bufan’s weary determination. At 10 minutes, it’s efficient, though some note subtitle sync issues in early streams. It holds an 7.2/10 fan average on DonghuaStream, lauded for “innovative medical-xianxia visuals.”
Conclusion: Healing the Fractured Horizon
Episode 117 of The Immortal Doctor in Modern City is a vital pulse in Ye Bufan’s saga, where needles weave destinies and shadows test wills. Its urban-mystical alchemy captivates, blending heart-pounding cultivation with poignant humanity in a donghua that defies its modest origins.
