Martial Universe: Season 1 Episode 26 Recap
> Martial Universe: Season 1 Recap
Xiao Yan, held captive by the Yin Puppet Sect, was being cruelly tortured by Teng Lei. Despite his pain, Xiao Yan continued to resist, prompting Teng Lei to vow he would torture him to death and use his lifeless body to intimidate his master. Mu Qianqian, however, intervened, reminding Teng Lei that Xiao Yan was still useful and should not be killed.
She noted that Lin Dong had taken the bait, believing an auction would lure her out, and stated they would play along to give him a surprise. The auction at Wanjin Chamber of Commerce began with Diao Qianjin presiding, offering various spiritual treasures like a thousand-year-old shell, a Supreme Exquisite Ball, and a thousand-year-old monster egg.
As the auction progressed, with the Yi-Demons slow to arrive, Lin Dong introduced his own unique treasure: a map of the legendary Ancient Tomb of the Great Wilderness. The authenticity of the map was questioned by the crowd until Ling Qingzhu and Ying Huanhuan began bidding, adding credibility. Suddenly, Teng Lei made a million-yang yuan-pellet bid. Lin Dong declared that he would sell the map to anyone but the Yin Puppet Sect.
Teng Lei retorted that he had no intention of buying it, only exchanging it, and then revealed a bound Xiao Yan. Diao Qianjin, realizing Teng Lei recognized him as the Talisman Envoy, knew he couldn't openly assist. Teng Lei then threatened to dismember Xiao Yan and auction off his parts, like his demon crystal and skin.
Ying Huanhuan, desperate, offered herself in exchange for Xiao Yan, declaring that as the princess of Dao Sect, she was worth more than a beast. Lin Dong refused, but with Teng Lei ordering Xiao Yan's execution, he had no choice but to surrender the spiritual map in exchange for Xiao Yan. Lin Dong vowed to make Teng Lei pay double for Xiao Yan's suffering and for his arrogance.
Back at the Yin Puppet Sect, Teng Lei jubilantly presented the acquired map to his father, Teng Sha. He also mentioned the Spiritual Revolving Mirror, which was with Mu Qianqian, confident that with these, he would soon possess two ancestral talismans, making the Yi-Demons inconsequential. Teng Sha, however, questioned Mu Qianqian's motives for helping them, suggesting there might be something suspicious. Teng Lei dismissed his father's concerns.
Mu Qianqian subtly cautioned Teng Lei, informing him that Lin Dong was much smarter than he thought, and did not act according to norms. She revealed that Lin Dong had made a hundred copies of the map and was now distributing them freely at the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce, publicly disclosing the location of the Ancient Tomb of the Great Wilderness. Lin Dong announced that powerful fighters were converging on Dakui City, provoking Teng Lei, who was furious.
Lin Dong then challenged Teng Lei to open the tomb with the Spiritual Revolving Mirror. Teng Lei asserted the Mirror was Yin Puppet Sect's possession, but the gathered crowd, incited by Lin Dong, declared they would not tolerate monopolization. Mu Qianqian then appeared at the merchant association, greeting everyone and acknowledging Lin Dong's rise to Guild President. She proposed that everyone unite to explore the Ancient Tomb.
Lin Dong seized the opportunity, suggesting that the Yin Puppet Sect, as hosts, should treat everyone to a grand banquet. Mu Qianqian, with a smile, agreed, much to Teng Lei's fury. Later, Mu Qianqian warned Teng Lei to be cautious of those coveting ancestral talismans, as the Yin Puppet Sect would soon be a bustling place. Teng Lei, still bewildered, asked why she was so willing to allow his sect to acquire two ancestral talismans.
Mu Qianqian explained that Yuan Gate needed strong alliances, and the Yin Puppet Sect was a suitable partner for now. Privately, she thought Teng Lei was an idiot. Meanwhile, back with Lin Dong's group, Xiao Diao complained that they had traded the Spiritual Revolving Mirror and the map for "an almost dying sick cat." Lin Dong, however, remained resolute, declaring he would make Teng Lei suffer a great defeat in the tomb's competition.
Mu Qianqian later reported to the Demon Emperor that Lin Dong's actions had inadvertently helped them by attracting many powerful warriors. She then discussed Qingtan's training, stating that Lin Langtian was training with her, but Qingtan had not yet reached her full potential. To unleash her full power, she suggested, Qingtan must be placed in an extremely desperate situation. The Beidou Bird arrived at the Yin Puppet Sect, carrying a message for rival factions to cease their fighting.
Teng Lei was enraged by the audacity of other cultivators eating and drinking at his sect and having copies of the map he had acquired. Teng Sha advised his son to accept the support of various powerful figures if he wanted their sect to prosper. He also reminded Teng Lei of the Yin Puppet Sect's responsibility to eradicate Yi-Demons, which Teng Lei dismissed as an excuse fabricated by the Talisman Guild out of fear.
Lin Dong infiltrated the Yin Puppet Sect and overheard Teng Sha warning his son not to be manipulated. Teng Lei, however, firmly believed in Mu Qianqian, refusing to listen. Lin Dong then spotted Qingtan and pursued her, only for Teng Lei to discover Lin Dong's presence and give chase. Lin Dong caught up to Qingtan, who was also with Lin Langtian.
Teng Lei, deciding to wait for the next day's tomb opening, called off his pursuit, vowing to deal with Lin Dong then. Lin Dong confronted Qingtan, asking why she was at the Yin Puppet Sect. Qingtan calmly told him not to worry, saying Lin Langtian treated her well and had helped her develop a yuan energy seed.
She declared her intention to join Lin Langtian in seeking ancestral talismans to destroy the Yi-Demons, no longer wanting Lin Dong to protect her constantly. Lin Dong was furious that Qingtan had to side with her brother, questioning Lin Langtian's intentions regarding Qiwu Tower. Lin Langtian claimed his actions were for Lin Dong.
Qingtan ran off when Lin Dong wasn't paying attention, and Lin Langtian also left, stating his belief that those on the same path were friends, and those who hindered were enemies. Back at the merchant association, Huanhuan worried about Qingtan leaving with Lin Langtian. Lin Dong reflected on Lin Langtian's words, acknowledging that having more paths offered more guarantees. Meanwhile, Mu Qianqian confronted Lin Langtian and Qingtan, chiding Lin Langtian for lying to her and calling Qingtan a "naughty girl".
Lin Langtian explained he planned to steal the Devour Talisman during the banquet. Mu Qianqian questioned Lin Langtian's loyalty, asking whose side he was on. Lin Langtian, in turn, questioned her loyalty to him versus the Yin Puppet Sect. Qingtan expressed concern that they might have hurt Lin Dong, but Lin Langtian reassured her that her brother would eventually understand her sincerity.
Back with Lin Dong, Huanhuan offered to confront Mu Qianqian and worried about Lin Dong having to fight Qingtan and Lin Langtian for the ancestral talisman. Lin Dong, believing Lin Langtian looked down on him for losing the Devour Talisman, resolved to reclaim the Dimension Talisman tomorrow, not to disappoint Qingtan or let Lin Langtian defeat him.
As the powerful factions gathered at the Great Wilderness Ancient Tomb, Lin Dong objected to Qingtan holding Lin Langtian's hand, leading to another argument between them. The Yin Puppet Sect also arrived, with Teng Sha explaining that the tomb was an ancient training ground containing various martial arts, including those of the Ancient Great Wilderness God, attainable only by fate. Teng Lei then used the Spiritual Revolving Mirror to open the tomb. Mu Qianqian observed.
The Talisman Script on the tomb revealed that only ten cultivators with at least Level 8 martial arts skills could enter by meditating, their spirits guided by the tomb's symbols. Inside, everyone saw martial arts essences. Lin Dong managed to grasp a Level 6 technique, but Ling Qingzhu swiftly captured a Level 8 one and was the first to enter the deeper space.
