Martial Universe: Season 1 Episode 21 Recap
> Martial Universe: Season 1 Recap
Lin Langtian made a solemn vow to Qingtan, cutting off a lock of his hair as a promise and proclaiming, "Starting today, your life is my life." Qingtan reciprocated his feelings, telling him, "In this world, other than my brother, you're the only person that I trust. I like you. And I'd like to help you." Meanwhile, Lin Dong and Xiao Yan frantically searched for Qingtan in the forest, calling out her name.
Xiao Yan pointed out they were nearing the Yin Puppet Sect's camp. Ling Qingzhu intervened, advising Lin Dong not to panic. She speculated that Qingtan might not be in immediate danger, believing the Yin Puppet Sect was using her as a bargaining chip for something Lin Dong possessed. She suggested that Lin Langtian's status as a Yuan Gate disciple might prevent the Yin Puppet Sect from directly harming him or Qingtan, as it wouldn't benefit them.
She advised Xiao Yan to take Lin Dong back, stating that worrying was pointless. The unusual energy fluctuations from Lin Langtian and Qingtan's cultivation, however, did not go unnoticed by Ling Qingzhu. Back at Qiwu Tower, Lin Dong inquired about Qingtan, only to receive a cryptic message about the fated nature of gatherings and separations. Ying Huanhuan then confronted Lin Dong, expressing her strong suspicions about Lin Langtian.
Xiao Yan echoed her concerns, questioning how Lin Langtian had previously escaped a talisman spell unharmed and suggesting he might have ulterior motives, potentially even concealing Qingtan's true whereabouts. Lin Dong, however, remained steadfast in his trust, regarding Lin Langtian as a brother he had lost and then regained, who had saved him multiple times. He told them not to interfere. Ying Huanhuan pressed him, asking if he believed her, and Lin Dong replied he could only believe her.
Xiao Yan, however, voiced his continued distrust of Lin Langtian. Later, Ying Huanhuan's father, Ying Xuanzi, doted on her while trying to get her to take a bitter medicine. Ying Huanhuan, however, tried to save a sweet treat for Lin Dong, only to then decide against it, grumbling about how Lin Dong called her a "Wild Girl" and didn't appreciate her kindness.
Ying Xuanzi gently urged her to return home to Dao Sect, reminding her that it was her true home and that prolonging her stay would only make parting harder. Alone by the door, Ying Huanhuan continued to vent her frustration, criticizing Lin Dong for his perceived obliviousness to who genuinely cared for him and for being overly attentive to Ling Qingzhu, despite Ying Huanhuan having risked her life for him.
The next morning, Lin Dong went to find Ying Huanhuan, only to learn from Xuan Su that she had departed with her father. Ying Huanhuan had left a note for Lin Dong, instructing him not to apologize and declaring she would not forgive him. Lin Dong tasted a sweet treat she left behind, noting its sweetness.
Soon after, the Yin Puppet Sect sent a talisman puppet, delivering a message: Lin Dong was to bring the Ancestral Stone to a marked location to exchange it for Lin Langtian and Qingtan, or they would die. Lin Dong immediately declared his intention to save them. Both Ling Qingzhu and Xuan Su suspected a trap.
Ling Qingzhu questioned how Lin Langtian, with his cultivation, could be so easily captured, and pointed out that Teng Lei would likely not dare harm a Yuan Gate disciple. She warned against risking the Ancestral Stone. Yan Shi, however, advised them to let Lin Dong follow his instincts, explaining that while others focused on the 80% falsehood of the message, Lin Dong was driven by the 20% that might be true.
Meanwhile, Ling Qingzhu ventured into the forest and discovered black ice, a clear trace of Qingtan's potent cold poison. She deduced that for Qingtan to use such power, she would need assistance from someone of Yuan Pellet Rank or higher. With only herself, Yan Shi, and Lin Langtian in Yan City possessing that capability, Ling Qingzhu grew increasingly suspicious that Lin Langtian might not be a captive and began to actively search for him.
Lin Dong then discussed the situation with Yan Shi, admitting that the Ancestral Stone hadn't brought him good luck and seemed merely a symbol of status. He proposed giving it to the Yin Puppet Sect to retrieve Qingtan, planning to reclaim it later. Yan Shi affirmed Lin Dong's authority as Guild President to make the decision, noting that profound concern ultimately transforms into belief.
Lin Dong then requested Yan Shi to guard Qiwu Tower once more, as he would not feel at ease leaving without going himself. Yan Shi confirmed that he had already instructed Xuan Su to gather the disciples at the main gate for Lin Dong's departure. Lin Dong, Xuan Su, and the assembled disciples set out for the designated meeting place.
Lin Dong apologized to his companions for the risk, and Xiao Yan urged him to leave first if a fight broke out, but Lin Dong insisted they would all leave together. Upon arrival, they realized they had walked into Teng Lei's ambush. Teng Lei mocked them and ordered his numerous talisman puppets to leave no one alive. As the battle intensified, Ling Qingzhu appeared, swiftly confronting Teng Lei.
She threatened him with her sword, compelling him to retreat his talisman puppets. Lin Dong questioned Teng Lei about the whereabouts of Qingtan and Lin Langtian. Teng Lei cryptically replied that Lin Dong should ask Lin Langtian, suggesting that Lin Langtian himself might not want Lin Dong to know. This revelation immediately made Xuan Su realize the true intent behind the ambush. Exclaiming, "Oh, no. Hurry! We have to go back to Qiwu Tower!"
she led Lin Dong and the others in a desperate rush back. However, they arrived too late, finding Xuan Su kneeling in despair before the lifeless body of Yan Shi. In Taiqing Palace, Shen Qing was informed of Yan Shi's death. She reacted with a furious outburst, lamenting the weakness of her disciples and questioning how they could protect themselves and the world if they grieved so deeply.
A disciple explained that her distress began upon hearing of Yan Shi's demise. Shen Qing denied any personal connection, claiming her anger was only about not wanting her disciples to die in vain. At Qiwu Tower, Yan Shi's body was prepared for a ceremonial cremation. Xuan Su explained that according to the Talisman Master Guild's ancient rules, a deceased President is not buried but cremated, their spiritual blaze merging with the Talisman Master Tower.
Lin Dong asked everyone to leave, wishing to spend a final moment alone with Yan Shi. He spoke to Yan Shi's body, expressing his sorrow and confusion, questioning why Yan Shi had not kept his promise to stay with him. He reflected on how Yan Shi had saved him and how he now felt lost without his guidance. Xuan Su, who remained nearby, suggested that Yan Shi's death was a message for Lin Dong to learn to lead himself.
Lin Dong, however, felt he was "nothing" without him. Meanwhile, in a forest, Lin Langtian attended to a recovering Qingtan. He explained that a senior had helped her after she nearly harmed her Yuan energy, and joyfully informed her that a Yuan energy seed had formed in her naval area, enabling her to regularly practice and transform her ice toxin into Yuan energy.
Qingtan then inquired if the senior who helped her was the same one who allowed her to practice martial arts with Lin Langtian. This prompted Lin Langtian to realize she had overheard his previous conversation, but Qingtan assured him, "I'm sincere in helping you."
Qingtan articulated her understanding that Lin Dong had his own path and couldn't always be by her side, expressing her desire to "journey on together with you, Brother Lang," reiterating their agreement to help each other and Lin Dong. Soon after, Mu Qianqian arrived, presenting Lin Langtian with a map to the Spatial Ancestral Talisman and instructing him to retrieve it immediately.
When Lin Langtian questioned the map's origin, Mu Qianqian claimed Lin Dong had given it to her, asserting that with the Talisman Master Guild in chaos, Lin Dong had no time for such matters, making it proper for Lin Langtian to undertake the task. She challenged him to ask Lin Dong directly if he doubted her.
Qingtan interjected, reminding Lin Langtian that Mu Qianqian was a senior from the Three Super Sects who had saved her life, and Lin Dong would trust her. Lin Langtian accepted the map, believing that if he found the Spatial Ancestral Talisman, it would spare Lin Dong the risk. Mu Qianqian then departed, wishing him success and cautioning him that she couldn't protect him indefinitely. Moments after Lin Langtian's departure, Teng Lei reappeared, immediately seeing through Mu Qianqian's deceptive tactics.
He accused her of using the Ancestral Stone as a mere decoy to "lure the tiger out of its lair," implying her true goal was to kill Yan Shi and obtain the map. Teng Lei angrily confronted Mu Qianqian for entrusting the map to Lin Langtian after he had risked his life to acquire it. Mu Qianqian, however, skillfully lied, dismissing the map's authenticity as unverified and suggesting it could be a "fiery pit" into which Lin Langtian would jump.
She then ordered Teng Lei to return to Da Kui City with his men and guard it carefully. Lin Dong, still alone with Yan Shi's body, attempted to light the pyre, but the flames repeatedly extinguished. Believing Yan Shi had an unfulfilled wish, he asked if he had any final words. To Lin Dong's utter shock, Yan Shi suddenly awoke, complaining that Lin Dong had disturbed his sleep. Lin Dong, exclaiming "My god, a fake corpse!"
, was both terrified and relieved. Yan Shi explained that he had indeed been gravely injured and had to stop his breathing and hibernate, hence his apparent "death." He playfully chided Lin Dong, saying he was lucky to have woken up before being cremated during a good dream. Lin Dong, relieved but still shaken, tearfully embraced Yan Shi, begging him not to leave again, stating, "You scared me to death!"
Yan Shi then revealed that the mourning period and the continued search for maps would serve as Lin Dong's cover, treating Yan Shi as truly deceased. He told Lin Dong that his mission was to find a specific person, implying a larger purpose, and declared that Lin Dong would soon inherit his life mission.
