Martial Universe: Season 1 Episode 20 Recap
> Martial Universe: Season 1 Recap
Lin Dong told Ling Qingzhu that a grown man should not follow behind a woman, stating that even the wind would mock him. Ling Qingzhu argued that as a Talisman Envoy, such distinctions didn't matter, but Lin Dong countered by calling her the most beautiful woman in the world before releasing her hand.
He then charged towards the bone-chilling astral wind, asking if they both had to die, could he at least die holding her hand, as he possessed the Great Sun Lightning Body from his previous lightning tempering. At this moment, the Talisman Guru Tower began to collapse due to the intensifying astral wind. Witnessing the situation, Teng Sha, along with his Yin Puppet Sect, decided to leave.
His son, Teng Lei, gloated that the "Bone-devouring Astral Wind" was achieving what he could not, certain that Lin Dong, being merely of Heavenly Yuan Rank, could not survive it. Meanwhile, Ying Huanhuan anxiously asked Master Yan what was happening. Master Yan explained that without the tower guardians' protection, the tower was destined to disappear. Realizing Lin Dong was still inside, Ying Huanhuan, despite Master Yan's pleas, rushed into the collapsing tower, vowing to bring Lin Dong back to everyone.
She urged Master Yan to find a way to slow the tower's collapse and ensure that she and Lin Dong would come back alive. Master Yan then commanded all the Talisman Guild disciples to activate an enchantment to protect the tower. Inside the tower, Lin Dong entered the spiritual realm again, encountering a remnant memory of the Devour Talisman's owner. The owner informed Lin Dong that only the successor of the Devour Talisman could see this memory.
When Lin Dong questioned if he was the successor, admitting he had lost the talisman, the owner explained that even if stolen, no one could refine it without occupying the position. He revealed he had placed a seal within the Devour Talisman, which could only be broken by releasing its spirit. To make the spirit recognize him, Lin Dong had to immerse his mind energy into the Devour Realm.
He warned Lin Dong that his success depended on his comprehension and luck, and if he couldn't escape before the Talisman Guru Tower vanished into the ground, he would be trapped there forever, eternally accompanying the non-existing remnant image. As Lin Dong struggled in the spiritual realm, the Talisman Guild disciples outside cried out to Master Yan that they could no longer hold on.
Master Yan ordered Xuan Su to convert the treasures from the Odd Objects Tower into energy to protect the tower. However, a disciple reported interference, which was from Mu Qianqian. Master Yan dismissed further concerns, proclaiming that saving Lin Dong was paramount. Meanwhile, Ying Huanhuan reached the top of the tower and found Lin Dong buried under debris, constantly calling out to him, reminding him of his "nine lives" and vowing to save him.
Master Yan, sensing that Lin Dong had awakened the original master of the Devour Talisman, shouted guidance: "Lin Dong, while in darkness, use your heart to find the path! Persist on your innate temperament. All kinds of illusions are fabricated! Or else, you'll forever fall into the dark!" Hearing Master Yan's voice, Lin Dong regained his resolve, affirming that all illusions were fabricated and he would break free from the dark world.
He then received a spiritual map marking the location of the Dimension Talisman. The Devour Talisman owner's remnant memory instructed him to gather all eight ancestral talismans, embracing his destiny and fearing no future. Outside, Ying Huanhuan pulled Lin Dong's physical body from the rubble, insisting that his life belonged to her and she wouldn't let him die. She threatened to hit him if he didn't wake up. Lin Dong eventually stirred, complaining that she had disturbed his peaceful sleep.
As the Talisman Guild disciples could no longer hold back the collapse, the tower slowly sank. Mu Qianqian, observing the scene, remarked that even if they got the Ancestral Stone, it would be in vain, and then departed. Just as despair set in, Lin Dong and Ying Huanhuan emerged from the ruins. Lin Dong remarked to Master Yan that being a Guild Chief was difficult, and he wondered if it was too late to back out.
Master Yan reassured him that as long as he was alive, nothing was too late. Lin Dong then displayed the Ancestral Stone, affirming that despite the difficulties, he had succeeded. Teng Lei informed his father, Teng Sha, that although they didn't secure the Ancestral Stone, causing the Talisman Guild to lose fighters could be considered a draw, and he still held a bargaining chip. Returning to their camp, they discovered several disciples injured and Qingtan missing.
The injured disciples reported that Lin Langtian, Lin Dong's brother from Yuan Gate, had abducted Qingtan not long ago. Teng Lei then questioned what Mu Qianqian was doing. Back at the Talisman Guild, Wu Dao was tending to Ying Huanhuan's wounds. She exaggerated her pain and demanded that Lin Dong come to treat her, threatening not to eat, drink, or heal until he did.
Wu Dao tried to persuade her to cooperate, mentioning that her father, Ying Xuanzi, was on his way. This enraged Ying Huanhuan, who accused Wu Dao of gossiping to her father and lashed out at him, questioning his manhood. However, upon seeing Lin Dong approach the doorway, she instantly transformed, becoming incredibly gentle and sweet, expressing her severe injuries and blaming Lin Dong for his delayed arrival. She continued to feign injuries to get Lin Dong to fuss over her.
After confirming Ying Huanhuan was mostly fine, Lin Dong tried to leave. Ling Qingzhu called him over to change his dressings, holding a small jar of precious medicine. Xiao Yan began to divulge that Ling Qingzhu had changed Lin Dong's clothes, but Lin Dong quickly silenced him. Ying Huanhuan, witnessing Ling Qingzhu caring for Lin Dong, grew silently jealous, internally lamenting that Lin Dong would forget a friend upon seeing a woman. Just then, Ying Xuanzi arrived.
Ying Huanhuan immediately ran to him, playfully complaining about her injuries and asking for a hug. While Ling Qingzhu continued to dress Lin Dong's wounds, she advised him to properly thank Ying Huanhuan for risking her life to save him. Lin Dong mused about his unexpected fortune in having so many people care for him, contrasting it with his past, when only Qingtan would attend to his injuries after a fight.
At this, Xiao Yan reminded Lin Dong that Qingtan had not yet returned. Lin Dong immediately rose to search for her, but Ling Qingzhu stopped him, revealing that both Qingtan and Lin Langtian were missing, and Xuan Su had already dispatched search parties, but there was still no news. Lin Dong was surprised they had kept this from him. Meanwhile, Lin Langtian, cradling a shivering Qingtan in a forest, encountered Mu Qianqian.
Lin Langtian explained he was rescuing Qingtan, acting on Lin Dong's behalf. Mu Qianqian expressed disappointment in him, then advised Lin Langtian that Qingtan possessed a rare evil Yin Qi, and it would be a pity to simply return her to Lin Dong. She explained that Qingtan harbored energy from the Dark Palace, possibly the long-lost Darkness Talisman, which could be exploited by Lin Langtian instead of Qingtan.
Mu Qianqian subtly urged Lin Langtian to use Qingtan's power for himself, reminding him that Lin Dong had already succeeded in the tower and gained the Talisman Guild's support. She challenged Lin Langtian, asking if he didn't want to be the revered hero who eliminated the Yi-Demons instead of helping Lin Dong achieve that status.
Back at the Talisman Guild, Ying Xuanzi congratulated Master Yan on the successful Tower Competition, expressing concern for his daughter, Ying Huanhuan, who had been injured. Master Yan reassured him that Ying Huanhuan was intelligent and had been a great help. Master Yan then shared a grave concern: several tower guardians had been brutally murdered by Yi-Demons during the competition, describing the method as ruthless and strange. Ying Xuanzi immediately suspected the Yi-Demons again.
Master Yan emphasized that the immediate priority was to gather the remaining ancestral talismans, and expressed his faith in Lin Dong, just as Ying Xuanzi had faith in Ying Huanhuan. Ying Xuanzi hoped Lin Dong could lead them in defeating the Yi-Demons and restoring order to the universe, adding that Ying Huanhuan also bore a significant responsibility. The two patriarchs agreed to meet for drinks once peaceful days returned.
Teng Lei later confronted Mu Qianqian, accusing her of playing games and questioning why she allowed Qingtan to leave, especially after Lin Dong had obtained the Ancestral Stone. He believed Qingtan could have been a valuable hostage. Mu Qianqian dismissed his concerns, stating that every person had a weakness, and the presence of a hostage wasn't the sole determining factor.
Teng Lei subsequently instructed his father to return to Dakui City with the Devour Talisman while he remained behind to devise other strategies. Despite his father's initial resistance and threats towards Lin Dong, Teng Lei insisted on his plan, leaving his father to be forcibly taken away. In the forest, Lin Langtian comforted a shivering Qingtan, giving her his cloak.
Qingtan asked about her brother, and Lin Langtian told her Lin Dong was slightly injured and they wouldn't return to him just yet. He explained that gathering the ancestral talismans was crucial for defeating the Yi-Demons, but Lin Dong was injured, and he didn't want him to risk danger again. Lin Langtian proposed that Qingtan accompany him to collect the talismans on Lin Dong's behalf.
Qingtan, though hesitant about her own abilities, agreed when Lin Langtian explained that her ice toxin, combined with his strong Yang energy, could drastically change the situation, a risk Lin Dong's brother would never permit. Lin Langtian then stressed that their training would require extreme proximity, never separating, and ultimately, for their bloodlines and vital channels to merge, physical intimacy would be necessary.
Qingtan, unwavering in her desire to protect her brother, declared her willingness to do anything for him, stating that her brother and Lin Langtian were the most important to her. They then embraced tightly.
