Martial Universe: Season 1 Episode 30 Recap
> Martial Universe: Season 1 Recap
Yan Master recounted the history of Qingzhu's parents. He explained that Qing Zhi, Qingzhu's father, was once the most outstanding disciple of the Talisman Guild, while her mother served as his Talisman Envoy. Together, they journeyed to various places in search of ancestral talismans, eventually developing feelings for each other, which the Talisman Guild welcomed. However, Qing Zhi later vanished.
A widespread search by the Talisman Guild ultimately revealed that Qing Zhi had joined the Yi-Demons and departed for the Monster Domain with Fifth Prince. Yan Master was then appointed to temporarily oversee the Talisman Guild. Qingzhu inquired if there had been any subsequent news of her father, but Yan Master stated that the Mortal World and the Monster Domain are vastly separated, and no one has seen Qing Zhi since.
Qingzhu, uncertain if her father truly aligned with the Yi-Demons, expressed a desire to confront him in person. Yan Master observed that Qingzhu, now a Talisman Envoy, was seemingly trying to atone for her father's alleged transgressions. He advised her that many matters in the world remain inexplicable, and only time would unveil the truth, assuring her that she and Qing Zhi would inevitably meet, especially following Seventh Prince's escape.
Mu Qianqian presented the Yuan energy from the Yin Puppet Sect to the Demon Emperor, who noted she hadn't removed her human face. Mu Qianqian retorted that her true identity was irrelevant to the Demon Emperor and expressed her intense frustration despite their recent success. The Demon Emperor then commanded her to rescue Qingtan. Mu Qianqian defiantly refused, calling Qingtan manipulative for deceiving her junior. Disregarding Mu Qianqian’s protests, the Demon Emperor destroyed her human face as a warning.
Mu Qianqian complained about the costly damage, but the Demon Emperor reprimanded her, asserting that loyalty to the master was paramount in the Demon clan and that her judgment was clouded by human desires. He reminded her that any human, once they acquire a weakness, becomes a puppet. Lin Langtian stood over Qingtan's lifeless body, confessing aloud that he had repeatedly used her, yet she had always foolishly trusted him.
He admitted that he initially believed he was merely exploiting her, but now, with her gone, his heart was aching as if being torn into pieces. Following the battle, Talisman Guild disciples had secured the Yin Puppet Sect, and most of its members had surrendered. However, the Dimension Talisman remained missing.
Xuan Su believed the Yi-Demon might still be present and assigned tasks to guard the city and report any activity, while the rest were instructed to return to Yan City to protect Qiwu Tower. Qingzhu confided in Xuan Su that many things confused her, especially Lin Dong, who was hiding in his room and refusing to see anyone despite the formidable enemies they faced. Resolved, Qingzhu decided to go and persuade him.
Lin Dong remained deep in sorrow over his sister's death, haunted by a childhood memory of Qingtan wishing to be strong enough to protect him and their father, and not be a burden. Qingzhu visited him, relaying Yan Master's message that Lin Dong was now qualified to be promoted to a Second Level Talisman Guru, having successfully united the two factions of the Talisman Guild.
Observing his continued despondency, she urged him to stop hiding and walk with her, suggesting that Qingtan would not want him to grieve for so long. She revealed her suspicions about Yuan Gate, particularly Mu Qianqian, and her intention to investigate. Lin Dong offered to accompany her, but Qingzhu declined, insisting that he must focus on refining the Devour Talisman to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands again.
When Lin Dong expressed his unworthiness, Qingzhu reassured him, acknowledging the significant changes in him and affirming his rightful claim to the talisman. Qingzhu then bid farewell to Lin Dong, stating she was leaving to confront the "demons in her heart" at Yuan Gate. Lin Dong called her back, asking her to stop addressing him as "President."
Qingzhu, in turn, thanked him for his kindness, explaining that her actions were her duty as a Talisman Envoy to the Ancestral Talisman Successor. She departed, promising to return soon. After her departure, Lin Dong wondered aloud if Qingzhu would keep her promises, recalling her words about his transformation, his worthiness, and their future walk. Suddenly, Huanhuan appeared, teasing him about Qingzhu's departure and offering him wine, playfully reminding him that he still had her company.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan and Xiao Diao debated who Lin Dong would ultimately marry between Ling Qingzhu and Ying Huanhuan. Xiao Diao admitted his uncertainty, noting Lin Dong's apparent affection for both "Miss Fairy" (Qingzhu) and the "tigress" (Huanhuan), despite the latter's occasional fierceness.
Xiao Yan playfully called Xiao Diao a "virgin tiger" for his lack of understanding of women, to which Xiao Diao, boasting his 900 years of life, lamented that if Lin Dong were from the Monster Domain, he could marry both. Xiao Yan then pressed Xiao Diao about his own marital status in the Monster Domain, causing Xiao Diao to become flustered and refuse further bets on the subject. Qingzhu traveled alone to Yuan Gate.
While waiting, she sensed a familiar cold energy. She subsequently discovered Mu Qianqian manipulating Qingtan's body, which shocked Lin Langtian, who realized Mu Qianqian’s long-standing malicious intent. Mu Qianqian explained that Qingtan's body possessed immense potential, and to unlock it, her blood and veins had to be recreated by placing her in a "field of death"—a perilous procedure Lin Langtian would never have approved.
She confessed to using Teng Cha as a pretext, knowing Lin Langtian would not have consented to Qingtan’s endangerment. Lin Langtian was furious, demanding to know what if Qingtan had died. Mu Qianqian coldly retorted that sacrifices were unavoidable in the fight against the Yi-Demons. She then instructed Lin Langtian to transfer Qingtan to a secret room and daily circulate her blood, promising Qingtan would awaken within half a month.
Qingzhu’s trespass into Yuan Gate’s forbidden territory led to an immediate confrontation with Mu Qianqian, who accused her of audacity. Their skirmish was interrupted by the First Senior Brother, who then inquired about Qingzhu’s well-being. Mu Qianqian challenged Qingzhu’s presence, but Qingzhu explained that after announcing her arrival and waiting, she sensed an unusually cold breeze, not from Yuan Gate, which prompted her investigation. Mu Qianqian dismissed this as a fabricated story.
However, the First Senior Brother, observing no damage, decided to drop the matter to maintain cordial relations among the three super sects. Mu Qianqian angrily accused him of showing undue protection to an outsider. The First Senior Brother then reminded Mu Qianqian that the three teachers had returned and summoned her to the main hall for a report on sect affairs. He firmly told Qingzhu to depart immediately due to Yuan Gate’s strict regulations, and Qingzhu thanked him before leaving.
Lin Langtian greeted the three teachers in the great hall. Mu Qianqian reported to the secluded teachers that she had discreetly aided the Talisman Guild in eliminating Yin Puppet Sect Leader Teng Cha, who was under Yi-Demon influence. She announced the reappearance of two ancestral talismans: the Dimension Talisman, obtained by Lin Langtian in the Ancient Tomb of the Great Wilderness, and the Devour Talisman, acquired by Lin Dong.
She confidently stated that both would soon belong to Yuan Gate and petitioned for rewards for Lin Langtian’s significant contributions. However, Ling Zhen, another senior, scorned Lin Langtian as a fortunate but lowly disciple, accusing him of arrogance and demanding he surrender the ancestral talisman to the teachers. Mu Qianqian openly championed Lin Langtian, arguing that it was more fitting for him to retain and cultivate the Dimension Talisman since he had discovered it.
The First Senior Brother intervened, rebuking them for arguing before the teachers and suggesting that Lin Langtian should be permitted to cultivate the talisman, aligning with Mu Qianqian’s proposal. The three teachers silently assented, and Ling Zhen was instructed to cease his objections. Afterward, Mu Qianqian reassured Lin Langtian about Ling Zhen's harsh words and inquired about Qingtan, whom Lin Langtian confirmed was still unconscious.
Mu Qianqian then cautioned Lin Langtian to guard Qingtan's secret closely, especially from Ling Qingzhu, due to the existing biases against him among Yuan Gate disciples. She offered further assistance, but Lin Langtian declined, expressing his desire to prove his capabilities independently. Mu Qianqian, pleased by his ambition, remarked that with such aspirations, they would soon become "of the same kind." Lin Langtian spoke to Qingtan's still body, imploring her to awaken.
He confessed his profound fear of solitude, recounting his lonely upbringing in an orphanage where he endured constant bullying from other Lin Clan members until Uncle Xia offered him a home. He cherished the sense of family he found with Lin Dong and Qingtan, but lamented that he himself had shattered it. He admitted his ambition to escape bullying and carve out a name for himself, which led him to Yuan Gate.
However, he realized that his inherent weakness had kept him trapped, and ultimately, he had to rely on his own strength for protection. He spoke of Qingtan’s unwavering presence and her promise to protect him, and how through her, he experienced the feeling of family with renewed intensity. He apologized for his failure to protect her, attributing it to his insufficient power, but vowed to Qingtan that he would become strong enough to shield them both from any future harm.
Huanhuan presented Lin Dong with a trove of intelligence from the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce, urging him to delve into it. She explained that their previous attempt to decipher the Nine Yin Demons' enchantment was rushed, and now, with Teng Cha dead, these books were their only means to unravel the ingenious traps and countless talisman puppets of the Yin Puppet Sect. She stressed that as the unifier of the Talisman Guru factions, he needed this knowledge.
While engrossed in the scrolls, Lin Dong stumbled upon a Spiritual Map identical to one previously found at Talisman Guru Tower. He deduced that Xia Wanjin might have discovered another ancestral talisman and concealed it. He and Huanhuan investigated, discovering that the Yin Puppet Sect was near Demon Cloud Peak, a hundred miles to the northeast. A signet on the Talisman Script indicated it might be the Thunder Talisman, capable of controlling thunder magic.
However, during their investigation, Huanhuan was injured by an enchantment and collapsed, having bravely endured the pain. Lin Dong felt remorse for his carelessness but noted that, as a well-trained Dao Sect disciple, she would recover after some rest. Qingzhu lay in bed, receiving comfort from her mother, who observed her thinness and assumed she had endured significant hardship.
Qingzhu, however, affirmed that despite encountering numerous dangers during her mission, she had fulfilled her duty as a Talisman Envoy and found profound happiness in it. Her only regret was failing to capture the Yi-Demon despite several close encounters. Her mother then asked her to describe the Ancestral Talisman Successor she was guarding. Qingzhu found him difficult to describe in just a few words.
Her mother gently advised her to remember that as a Talisman Envoy, hardship would always be balanced with happiness. Separately, a voice, seemingly from a villain, remarked on the peculiarity of the Thunder Talisman being at Demon Cloud Peak near the Yin Puppet Sect, emphatically stating that Qingzhu must not go there, while disclaiming any intention to harm her but blaming her "hateful father."
