A Chinese Ghost Story: Love at Lanruo Temple

On a moonlit night, weak scholar Ning Caichen hurries to the capital for exams but trips over bones in a dark forest. A white fox stares at him, and he flees in panic. While being chased by fox demon Nie Xiaoqian, he meets a wounded imperial guard. Demon hunter Yan Chixia arrives to save them both. They hide in Lanruo Temple where the dying guard writes a blood letter for Ning to deliver to Captain Zhuge Jing. After Yan Chixia drives away Nie Xiaoqian and leaves Ning a scripture book, the injured demon reports to Lord Huai, who orders her to steal the scholar's pure heart. At the imperial office, Ning's scripture book catches the attention of Kunlun sect disciple Zhiqiu Yiye, who helps him sneak in to deliver the letter. Imprisoned for trespassing, Ning is told he can redeem himself by finding the guard's body. Back at his lodging, a portrait of a beautiful woman floats in, and the woman in the painting, Nie Xiaoqian, sits by his window watching him.