Martial Universe: Season 1 Episode 13 Recap
> Martial Universe: Season 1 Recap
Master Yan led Lin Dong and Ling Qingzhu to a wall inscribed with the epic battle between Fu Zu and the Yi-Demon Emperor. He then sent them into a spiritual domain he created, instructing them to close their eyes and release their fear, allowing the history of the Talisman Guild to unfold before them. Lin Dong, initially confused, learned that there was more than one Yi-Demon and an Yi-Demon Emperor.
Hundreds of years prior, Fu Zu attained enlightenment on the power of spirit and mind, inadvertently opening the Door of Planes. Yi-Demons from another plane seized this opportunity to invade the mystical domain, plundering energy and plunging the world into disaster. Master Fu Zu, alongside his eight disciples, bravely fought the Yi-Demons. Utilizing the rules of nature, they forged eight Ancestral Talismans: the Devour Talisman, Ice Talisman, Dimension Talisman, Flame Talisman, Darkness Talisman, Thunder Talisman, Prehistoric Talisman, and Life-Death Talisman.
To seal the Yi-Demons, Fu Zu and the eight ancestral masters made the ultimate sacrifice. Subsequently, the Eight Talismans scattered across the world, their whereabouts unknown. For centuries, the descendants of the Talisman Gurus have vigilantly monitored the Yi-Demons' movements and tirelessly sought the talismans to prevent the Yi-Demons' resurgence. After witnessing this profound history, Master Yan asked Lin Dong if he understood his duty.
Lin Dong, feigning understanding, declared his duty was to guide the Talisman Guild brothers and not give the Yi-Demons a sliver of hope, vowing to kill any Yi-Demons that appeared, just as Fu Zu and the original eight masters did. However, his bravado quickly dissolved into panic as he declared, "I'm not going to be any Chief," passing the position back to Master Yan and calling him an "old liar," wanting to go home with Qingtan.
As Lin Dong prepared to leave, he discovered numerous Talisman Gurus, who had been living dormant among the citizens, gathered outside, awaiting his orders. Lin Dong claimed he didn't know how to give orders, but Master Yan reminded him of his earlier courageous words. Lin Dong expressed concern that being Chief was a life-threatening job, worrying about his companions, Xiao Yan and Qingtan.
Still hesitant, Lin Dong asked Master Yan to find one of the other seven ancestral talisman successors to be Chief. Master Yan explained that while other successors existed, the Master of the Devour Talisman, as Fu Zu's eldest disciple, was obligated to assume the Chief's position, and finding the other seven was Lin Dong's responsibility and honor.
Lin Dong tried to physically hand the ancestral talisman to others, but Master Yan refused, reiterating that only the Talisman Guild Chief could wield the ancestral talismans. Frustrated, Lin Dong questioned why it had to be him. Xuan Su, witnessing his reluctance, openly chastised him as a coward.
Ling Qingzhu also questioned Master Yan, asking if it was possible to retrieve the Natal Spiritual Charm from Lin Dong, arguing that with so many willing demon slayers in the world, why choose someone so unenthusiastic. Master Yan countered that intentions could evolve, and implied Ling Qingzhu herself might have personal motives for her dedication. He then cryptically mentioned having met Ling Qingzhu’s father. Meanwhile, Ying Huanhuan, upon hearing Lin Dong was at Qiwu Tower, rushed there.
She encountered Lin Langtian, who informed her that the Talisman Guild had a new Chief, and it was Lin Dong. Unconvinced, Ying Huanhuan hurried to Qiwu Tower, pushing past Ling Qingzhu and demanding Lin Dong's whereabouts. Qingtan affirmed that Master Yan had promised her brother would become Chief. Ying Huanhuan suspected Master Yan of trickery and was determined to take Lin Dong back to Dao Sect immediately.
Qingtan, however, defended Master Yan, citing his sincerity towards Lin Dong and the newfound stability for them. Ying Huanhuan reminded them that Lin Dong had promised to return to Dao Sect with her. Inside Qiwu Tower, Master Yan praised Lin Dong, who was pleased but worried about his low cultivation, believing he couldn't shoulder such a heavy burden.
Master Yan highlighted Lin Dong's unique ability to sense his spiritual domain, his strong comprehension skills, and his endurance through trials, concluding that no other young person was better suited for the role. He stated that the Natal Spiritual Charm's acknowledgment of Lin Dong, even with the Devour Talisman's remaining seal, proved he was the ancestral talisman successor destined to save the world.
Master Yan then pointed out various Talisman Gurus hidden among ordinary citizens, from fish sellers to farmers, all patiently enduring loneliness, ready to be called upon should the Yi-Demons stir. After some playful banter with Ling Qingzhu, Lin Dong set three conditions for accepting the Chief position. First, Master Yan must cure Qingtan’s ice toxin, which Master Yan readily agreed he already had plans for.
Second, Lin Dong demanded to learn all the fighting skills of the Talisman Guild to avoid being bullied, to which Master Yan also consented. Third, Lin Dong insisted that everyone must always listen to him, and no guild rule, not even those established by Fu Zu, could be used to suppress him, provided his commands did not violate the core intention of eliminating Yi-Demons. Master Yan agreed to all conditions.
Lin Dong, still wary, warned Master Yan not to trick him, or he would leave immediately. Master Yan then declared his commitment to follow the Guild Chief’s lead. Lin Dong promptly informed Ling Qingzhu of his decision, even suggesting that as Talisman Envoy, she must guard him day and night. Just then, Ying Huanhuan arrived, wielding a token and ordering Lin Dong to return to Dao Sect. Lin Dong, however, steadfastly refused, insisting he would remain.
He then brazenly flirted with Ling Qingzhu in front of Ying Huanhuan, declaring he would be wherever Ling Qingzhu was. Ying Huanhuan, enraged, denounced him for forgetting his friends for a woman and stormed off, crying alone and vowing not to leave silently. Ling Qingzhu, meanwhile, politely excused herself to gather some daily necessities, leaving Lin Dong bewildered by their sudden departures.
Xiao Diao jokingly remarked on Lin Dong's reduced charm, and Master Yan advised Lin Dong to move into Qiwu Tower to commence his training. Ying Huanhuan, lamenting Dao Sect's inability to secure the Talisman Envoy and her inability to leave Lin Dong, decided to formally bid farewell to Master Yan the following day.
Master Yan then examined Qingtan's ice toxin, explaining that it wasn't an acquired evil Yin Qi but an innate energy akin to Yuan power, though it was extremely yin and cold, causing her blood to flow slowly. He attributed this energy to the legendary Dark Palace. Master Yan then delivered the "bad news" that the Dark Palace was concealed within the Chaotic Sea of Demons, its exact location unknown for thousands of years.
Lin Dong, frustrated by the "useless knowledge," was chided by Qingtan for his impoliteness. Master Yan reassured them, promising to send Guild disciples to search for the Dark Palace. For Qingtan, he stated she merely needed to learn control and guidance methods, similar to Lin Dong, to ensure her life was not in danger. Master Yan then instructed Lin Dong to begin learning the Talisman Guild's skills the following morning.
That night, Ling Qingzhu visited Qingtan, offering her a box of mud facial cream from the Ninth Heaven Taiqing Palace, explaining it was made from volcanic minerals to rejuvenate skin. Qingtan, delighted, asked if it would make her as beautiful as Ling Qingzhu. She then confided in Ling Qingzhu, revealing that Lin Dong genuinely liked her. Ling Qingzhu simply acknowledged this and advised Qingtan to stop having "foolish thoughts" before departing for the night.
Qingtan applied the cream and admired her fairer, prettier skin, wishing that "Brother Lang" (Lin Langtian) were there. As if on cue, Lin Langtian arrived at Qiwu Tower and met Qingtan. Xiao Yan, sensing Lin Langtian's presence, immediately attacked him. Qingtan intervened, asking Xiao Yan to step aside so she could speak with Lin Langtian alone. Lin Langtian noted Qingtan’s recent transformation and inquired about her ice toxin. Qingtan mentioned Master Yan's theory about the Dark Palace.
Lin Langtian then asked if Lin Dong had decided to become Chief and inquired about the whereabouts of other ancestral talismans. Qingtan, perceiving his underlying motives, expressed her brother's and her contentment with their new home. Lin Langtian, deeming Master Yan cunning, warned Qingtan to be cautious and instructed her to find him in the backwoods if anything occurred, as he would remain in Yan City for a few more days.
Qingtan offered to try and reconcile Lin Dong and Lin Langtian, but Lin Langtian, dismissing the idea due to her illness, expressed remorse for having "harmed Uncle Xiao" (Lin Dong's father). Qingtan reassured him that her father had long forgiven him. Lin Langtian then offered to teach Qingtan a cultivation method to remove the ice toxin from her body. After Lin Langtian left, Xiao Yan, watching him from the rooftop, sensed his "evil intentions."
Xiao Diao, also on the rooftop, humorously complained about Lin Dong now having "three fierce tigresses" around him and suggested Xiao Yan follow him instead. Back at the Yin Puppet Sect, Teng Lei reported to his father that the attack on Qiwu Tower was a mere diversion. He confidently stated that the half of their wealth given to the Talisman Guild would ultimately buy them the entire guild.
He revealed that he and Mu Qianqian had devised two talismans, which they had implanted into two individuals close to Lin Dong. These talismans would seize control of their minds, transforming them into manipulated Talisman Puppets, allowing Teng Lei to easily capture Lin Dong and take over Qiwu Tower once chaos erupted. Teng Sha, however, expressed distrust in Mu Qianqian, recognizing her as a scheming Deacon Elder of Yuan Gate, and warned Teng Lei to distance himself from her.
Teng Lei dismissed his father's concerns, defending Mu Qianqian's sincerity. Separately, Xuan Su tried to dissuade Master Yan from appointing Lin Dong as Chief. Master Yan, in a lighthearted manner, spoke of his plans to travel the world once he passed on the Chief's position. Ling Qingzhu arrived, seeking answers about her father. Master Yan, deeming it "not the right time," stated that finding the truth depended on her "performance."
He then imparted a chain of wisdom: "Wherever Lin Dong is, the ancestral talisman is there. Wherever the ancestral talisman is, the Yi-Demons are there also. And wherever the Yi-Demons are, the truth will be there, too." He concluded by telling her that by protecting Lin Dong, she would ultimately help herself find the truth. Finally, Ying Huanhuan confronted Lin Dong at Qiwu Tower, asking him why he was still there.
She was visibly upset that he had chosen neither Dao Sect nor Yuan Gate, accusing him of staying only for Ling Qingzhu. Lin Dong denied she was angry, but she asserted she was happy and going home. She then presented him with a new set of clothes, urging him to change his "dirty clothes" so that Ling Qingzhu wouldn't find him "stinky," before abruptly departing.
