Martial Universe: Season 1 Episode 23 Recap
> Martial Universe: Season 1 Recap
Lin Diao mischievously appeared, being pursued by multiple individuals. He taunted them, daring them to catch him. Observing this, Teng Sha, speaking to a stone talisman, remarked that Lin Dong was indeed an unusual and formidable lad, not to be easily provoked. Meanwhile, Lin Dong was on the streets of Dakui City seeking guidance on how to repair a spiritual treasure.
A man, who seemed to recognize Lin Dong as a guest from Yan City through a coded greeting, advised him to go to the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce on the eastern side of the city, a place known for its treasures and services, but at a cost. Lin Dong and Lin Yan arrived at the Chamber, which appeared to be a wealthy establishment, and found an auction underway for a beautiful "maid attendant" named Kui Yue.
Lin Yan, mistaking her for a live person, urged Lin Dong to rescue her. Lin Dong, agreeing, quickly bid 50,000 yang yuan-pellets. Lin Yan then rushed forward to snatch Kui Yue, prompting Lin Dong to use his power to block Xia Wanjin, the owner, who demonstrated a powerful spiritual energy. However, when Lin Yan pulled on Kui Yue's arm, it detached, revealing she was not a real person but a meticulously crafted puppet maid attendant.
As Lin Dong and Lin Yan tried to leave, Xia Wanjin blocked them, explaining that his Chamber of Commerce had three "don'ts": don't come empty-handed, don't leave empty-handed, and don't be disrespectful to him. Lin Dong clarified that they had come to have a spiritual treasure fixed, not empty-handed. Xia Wanjin's attitude immediately shifted, and he cheerfully introduced himself as Xia Wanjin, also known as Xia One Hammer.
Lin Dong presented his spiritual treasure, which Xia Wanjin identified as an Earth-level item. Xia Wanjin boasted of his unparalleled skill in fixing treasures, but stated that this unique treasure would require many precious assisting items, making the repair fee higher. He initially quoted 50,000 yang yuan-pellets, which Lin Yan found excessive, but Xia Wanjin quickly raised the price to 70,000. Lin Dong agreed to the price, and Xia Wanjin promised the repaired treasure in three days.
Lin Dong explained to Lin Yan that he suspected Xia Wanjin was a Talisman Guild member because he had used talisman spells in the main hall. Lin Dong had deliberately exposed the Ancestral Stone to test Xia Wanjin, and Xia Wanjin's reaction confirmed his identity as the hidden decipherer, who had been waiting for them for many years.
While they were talking, Mu Qianqian, disguised as Ying Huanhuan, arrived in Dakui City searching for "an idiotic guy followed by another idiotic guy" – a description Lin Dong overheard and found amusingly inaccurate. Lin Dong decided it would be better for them to "cheat" her than for her to be swindled by others. At this time, members of the Yin Puppet Sect were still chasing Lin Diao.
The fake Huanhuan captured Lin Diao, but Lin Yan drove off the pursuers. Lin Diao and Lin Yan then ran into Xia Wanjin, requesting shelter. Xia Wanjin, ever the businessman, quoted a price of 30,000 yang yuan-pellets for their lives and the "little fairy girl" (fake Huanhuan). The fake Huanhuan immediately paid, asserting it was a loan to the Talisman Guild.
They took refuge inside the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce, where Xia Wanjin had set up talisman spells to camouflage the area, making it impossible for outsiders to find them and causing anyone who entered to wander in circles. Inside, Xia Wanjin explained that the Yin Puppet Sect wouldn't dare offend him due to his vast collection of magical medicines and treasures, which they relied on for training.
To fully confirm Xia Wanjin's identity, Lin Dong forcibly removed Xia Wanjin's outer clothing, revealing the Talisman Guru Seal stitched onto his rear. Exposed, Xia Wanjin justified his secrecy by claiming there were "ears all around" and that he needed to plan comprehensively, step-by-step. Lin Diao, however, sarcastically accused him of simply being greedy and wanting to keep the money.
Xia Wanjin defended his "business is business" philosophy, also pointing out that Lin Dong wouldn't have brought out the Ancestral Stone to test him if he hadn't used such methods. He even complained that Lin Diao had eaten one of his yang yuan-pellets and demanded payment. Annoyed by Lin Diao's close-fisted remarks, Xia Wanjin offered "bone-melting pellets" to Lin Diao and Lin Yan to help them conceal their animal forms.
He warned that the transformation would be excruciating and potentially fatal. Lin Diao, fearing the side effects, refused, but Lin Yan eagerly took one, hoping to become truly human. However, the pellet had no effect, which Xia Wanjin attributed to it being expired. Meanwhile, Mu Qianqian, still disguised as Huanhuan, observed Lin Dong, confident that no matter his abilities, he would not escape her grasp.
Elsewhere, the true Ying Huanhuan embarked on a journey to find Lin Dong, guided by a Beidou Bird. She tearfully sought out Yan Master, asking him to decide if she should go down the mountain, as she struggled with the idea of severing her emotions as the Mystic Ice Ancestral Talisman successor.
Yan Master, aiming to make the situation more mysterious to help Lin Dong gain the support of Taiqing Palace and Dao Sect, advised her to follow her heart to avoid future regrets. Ying Xuanzi watched her departure, lamenting that if she severed all emotions as required by her mission, she would have no capacity for regret.
He explained to Wu Dao, who was frustrated by his master's decision to let Huanhuan go, that if her heart was filled with yearnings, she couldn't focus on training, and allowing her to experience hardships would better prepare her. Huanhuan herself understood her mission but yearned to see Lin Dong one last time to bid him a proper farewell and avoid any lingering regrets.
Meanwhile, Qingtan and Lin Langtian were in a cold, foggy forest, searching for the Space Talisman based on a map. Lin Langtian protectively held Qingtan's hand, guiding her forward. Mu Qianqian, observing their intimacy from a distance, was consumed by jealousy. Back at the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce, Xia Wanjin worked on repairing the Ancient Earth Scales Halberd, with Lin Dong assisting by calcining ancient crocodile skull for two hours.
Lin Dong flattered Xia Wanjin's craftsmanship and then attempted to negotiate for free repair, claiming the Talisman Guild was poor. Xia Wanjin refused, but offered a cheaper price for deciphering the spiritual map. Lin Dong, however, leveraged Xia Wanjin's desire for reputation, threatening to publicly expose his eccentricities and the location of the Talisman Guru Seal on his body. Xia Wanjin, unwilling to have his secrets broadcasted, reluctantly agreed to decipher the spiritual map for free.
The fake Ying Huanhuan secretly watched. Xia Wanjin then tried to decipher the spiritual map but found it extraordinarily complex, unlike anything he had seen. He revealed that it required the Spiritual Revolving Mirror, a legendary treasure from the Great Wilderness Ancient Tomb.
He explained that a hundred years ago, someone used this mirror to reopen the Great Wilderness Ancient Tomb, after which they disappeared, and the Yin Puppet Sect's power mysteriously surged, leading to their split from the Talisman Guild. Xia Wanjin advised patience, stating they should focus on fixing the halberd first before seeking the mirror.
As Lin Dong left the chamber, he encountered the fake Ying Huanhuan, who feigned concern for his safety and offered to help find the Spiritual Revolving Mirror. Lin Dong noticed a subtle difference in her, realizing she had applied cheek powder, which he teasingly pointed out. Suddenly, Lin Yan appeared, insistent on immediately searching for Qingtan, who he believed was with an "evil man."
Lin Dong tried to persuade Lin Yan to wait until the halberd was fixed, but Lin Yan was determined and rushed off alone. Concerned that Lin Yan might trespass into Yin Puppet Sect territory, Lin Dong decided to split up with the fake Huanhuan, asking her to keep an eye on things while he went to find Lin Yan. After Lin Dong departed, Mu Qianqian, still in her disguise, examined the spiritual map and realized it was fake, wondering how Lin Dong could have possibly deceived her.
