Martial Universe: Season 1 Episode 18 Recap
> Martial Universe: Season 1 Recap
Master Yan, still fuming, stormed off, but Ling Qingzhu pursued him, profusely apologizing and taking blame for failing as a Talisman Envoy. Master Yan, however, had resigned himself to fate, acknowledging that the Heart of Nirvana was destined for her. He recalled how she had brought it from the ancient tomb and used it to save their disciples.
His only request now was for her to discard her prejudices against Lin Dong and wholeheartedly protect him, emphasizing Lin Dong's rare, innocent heart, calling him a "diamond in the rough" and asserting that Ling Qingzhu was the only one who could truly protect him. Meanwhile, Lin Dong sat dejectedly in the corridor. Ying Huanhuan approached, attempting to comfort him and suggesting he seek refuge with the Dao Sect, reminding him he didn't lose much.
Lin Dong, however, refused, stating he felt Master Yan still had something important to tell him and that he needed to take responsibility for his actions. Elsewhere, Lin Langtian reported the Talisman Guild's activities to Mu Qianqian, specifically mentioning Ling Qingzhu's degraded cultivation rank. Mu Qianqian, seemingly unconcerned, instructed him to keep a close watch on Lin Dong, as their true objective was the ancestral talismans.
She noted that Lin Dong had gained control of the Devour Talisman, which Teng Lei was currently unable to master. Lin Langtian, however, requested that Lin Dong's life be spared when the time came. After Lin Langtian departed, Teng Lei appeared, informing Mu Qianqian that the Tower Competition was approaching and suggesting they further destabilize the situation at Qiwu Tower.
Lin Dong eventually found Master Yan and, embracing him tightly, continued to admit his mistakes as Guild Chief, citing his personal motivations for the role, his negligence in disciple safety, and his laziness in training. A frustrated Master Yan cut him off, telling him to save his apologies until after the Tower Competition. When Lin Dong then asked how to win, Master Yan alluded to a challenging method involving significant hardship.
Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by Xiao Yan, who rushed in, shouting that Lin Qingtan was missing. Unbeknownst to them, she had been captured by Teng Lei near Qiwu Tower. Master Yan tried to reason with Lin Dong, warning him that the Yin Puppet Sect was attempting to manipulate him and urged him to remain calm.
But Lin Dong, unwavering, declared that he would rescue Lin Qingtan, prioritizing his sister's safety over the "stupid stone" of the Tower Competition and his position as Guild Chief. Xuan Su attempted to block him, but Lin Langtian arrived, offering to save Qingtan himself, arguing that his status as an outsider would allow him to surprise their captors. He also reminded Lin Dong of their shared bond with Qingtan.
Despite Xiao Yan's visible distrust, Lin Dong handed Lin Langtian a defensive artifact, stating he had no choice but to believe in him, and they reaffirmed their brotherhood. Lin Dong then turned to Master Yan, stating his commitment to follow him, acknowledging that he now had "no way back" in either saving his sister or fighting demons. Teng Lei, having carried Lin Qingtan to a desolate wilderness, grumbled about her weight.
Mu Qianqian suddenly materialized, sensing the "power of the Dark Palace" within Lin Qingtan and linking it to the Darkness Talisman. She ordered Teng Lei to guard Lin Qingtan closely, referring to her as a valuable "treasure." To bolster Teng Lei's combat prowess for the impending Tower Competition, Mu Qianqian provided him with additional living people, instructing him to practice his puppet spell on them.
Back at the Talisman Guild, Lin Dong asked Master Yan about the hardship he had mentioned. Master Yan revealed the only way for Lin Dong to rapidly reach the Heavenly Yuan Rank was to "attract the lightning to cultivate himself," enduring three days and three nights of direct lightning strikes.
He explained that with Master Yan's Yuan Pellet still residing within him, this ordeal could open twenty-four vital channels, facilitate his rank upgrade, and enable him to learn the "Great Sun Lightning Body" for enhanced defense. Despite initial concerns about the pain and its effect on his appearance, Lin Dong bravely accepted the challenge, declaring himself ready for the "trial of a thousand lightning bolts."
Master Yan then summoned the lightning, and Lin Dong began his perilous "Myriad Lightning Tribulation" on the rooftop. Ling Qingzhu and Ying Huanhuan watched from a distance. Ying Huanhuan, growing anxious, wanted to intervene, but Ling Qingzhu stopped her, citing the lightning's immense power. Ying Huanhuan teased Ling Qingzhu, remarking on her good fortune that Lin Dong, a stubborn man, would kneel for her, and proclaiming she would willingly die for such devotion.
Ling Qingzhu, though verbally dismissing talk of love while the "Yi-Demon" remained, harbored changing feelings internally. Inside, Xuan Su suggested Master Yan check on Lin Dong. Master Yan, however, calmly stated that if Lin Dong succeeded, he would return on his own.
He added that if Lin Dong failed to recover and couldn't participate in the Tower Competition, he, despite his own injuries and the absence of his Yuan Pellet, would personally represent the Talisman Guild to uphold its honor and prestige. In the Great Puppet City, Teng Sha and the Yin Puppet Sect, brimming with confidence, set off for Yan City, convinced they would claim the Ancestral Stone and ensure Lin Dong's demise.
Simultaneously, Mu Qianqian, in her "Heavenly King" form, reported to the Demon Emperor, delighting in Lin Dong's self-destructive act of sacrificing the Heart of Nirvana for a woman, which she believed had crippled the Talisman Guild. She predicted an effortless acquisition of the ancestral talismans once Master Yan was eliminated. Unaware of Mu Qianqian's malicious plans, the lightning storm on the rooftop finally ceased. Ying Huanhuan, fearing the worst, rushed to the motionless Lin Dong and carried him away.
Ling Qingzhu quickly followed, examining Lin Dong and discovering a critical meridian that remained blocked, requiring external assistance. With Ying Huanhuan's help, Ling Qingzhu successfully cleared Lin Dong's meridian. Observing from a distance, Master Yan confirmed that Lin Dong's Yuan Pellet had fully infused his body, and his rank was indeed upgrading. Master Yan then led the Talisman Guild towards the Tower Competition, resolved to participate in Lin Dong's stead.
Xiao Yan and Xiao Diao quickly found Lin Dong and informed him that Master Yan, despite his injuries and missing Yuan Pellet, had gone to compete. Lin Dong immediately rushed to the Talisman Guru Tower. There, Teng Lei confronted Master Yan about Lin Dong's absence. Master Yan calmly replied that he was "saving that disciple of mine to fight the Yi-Demons," and he would act as the vanguard.
Just as the confrontation escalated, Lin Dong dramatically arrived, declaring that he, as the Talisman Guild Chief, would personally compete. He playfully scolded Master Yan for trying to embarrass him and instructed him to stand aside. Teng Sha accepted Lin Dong's participation but reminded him of the rule: the Guild Chief must personally chant the "Divine Movement Record" to awaken the tower guards and open the Talisman Guru Tower. Lin Dong, flustered, admitted he hadn't memorized it.
Teng Lei seized the opportunity to mock him, highlighting the difficulty of memorizing the extensive record. Despite his lack of knowledge, Lin Dong boastfully began chanting the only line he knew: "Divinity is divided into yin and yang. When divinity moves, destiny starts." He repeated the line, puzzled by the tower's non-appearance.
Ying Huanhuan clarified that the chanting would cause the Talisman Guru Tower to "grow from the ground" and that the Ancestral Stone was at its dangerous peak, a place no one had ever reached. She realized Lin Dong was attempting a feat even Master Yan couldn't achieve. At this critical moment, Xiao Diao discreetly prompted Lin Dong with the next lines.
A surprised Lin Dong learned that Master Yan, anticipating his inability to memorize the text due to his focus on cultivation, had ingeniously tasked Xiao Diao, utilizing his special abilities as a Sky Marten Monster, to learn the entire "Divine Movement Record" in advance to ensure the Tower Competition could proceed.
