Martial Universe: Season 1 Episode 31 Recap
> Martial Universe: Season 1 Recap
Lin Langtian was in his secret chamber when Qingtan awoke. He happily embraced her, expressing relief and asking about her injuries. Qingtan assured him she felt much better, filled with newfound energy, crediting his meticulous care. Lin Langtian suggested sending her back to Lin Dong, noting that her brother now led the two groups of Talisman Gurus and wielded great power and prestige. However, Qingtan refused, insisting she would stay with Lin Langtian, unable to bear leaving him.
Lin Langtian confessed his fear that he lacked the ability to protect her. Qingtan then revealed she had overheard his previous words and offered her help by resuming their old training method to strengthen his fighting skills, ensuring no one would ever look down on him. She reminded him their vital channels were already connected, stating, "You have me. I have you. If I don't help you, who will I help?"
Lin Langtian began to object, mentioning her recent brush with death, but Qingtan silenced him with a kiss. Huanhuan, feigning sleep, watched Lin Dong, who had spent the entire night reading, patiently waiting for her to awaken; she was secretly overjoyed. Xiao Yan entered, observing Huanhuan still "sleeping." Lin Dong warned Xiao Yan not to disturb her, or he would know no peace.
Xiao Yan offered him porridge, but Lin Dong, determined, vowed to wait for Huanhuan, even if it took until nightfall. Xiao Yan then probed if Lin Dong was growing fonder of Huanhuan, revealing he and Marten had a bet on whether Lin Dong preferred "Miss Fairy" (Ling Qingzhu) or "the Tigress" (Huanhuan).
Lin Dong initially dismissed it, but when Xiao Yan pressed, asking if he would marry Huanhuan if she remained unconscious, Lin Dong declared he would, asserting he couldn't be irresponsible since she was injured because of him. Xiao Yan, having lost the bet, was disappointed. Lin Dong then announced it was time to clean Huanhuan's wounds, jokingly offering to help remove her clothes, stating Huanhuan was a woman he would marry eventually.
This prompted Huanhuan to "wake up" in alarm, refusing the treatment. Lin Dong feigned surprise at her sudden awakening, but Huanhuan accused him of lacking conscience, reminding him of her injury. Lin Dong retorted that she seemed perfectly fine and suggested she return to the Dao Sect to recuperate, adding he only saved the genuinely dying and wounded. Xiao Yan further provoked Huanhuan by asserting Lin Dong clearly preferred "Miss Fairy." Angered, Huanhuan declared she would leave immediately.
As she departed, Xiao Yan commented to Lin Dong that he had upset her, but Lin Dong placed the blame on Xiao Yan. Lin Dong then went to search for Huanhuan, calling her name. Hidden from sight, Huanhuan muttered to herself that no one should hold a more important place in Lin Dong's heart than she. Xiao Yan observed that "Tigress" seemed to be troubled, explaining that Marten had said it, and that Huanhuan simply didn't want to see him.
Realizing Marten was missing, Lin Dong deduced he might have gone to search for an ancestral talisman alone. The two decided to split up to find Marten, leaving Huanhuan behind. Unbeknownst to them, Mu Qianqian watched from a distance, finding the romantic entanglement quite "interesting." Ling Qingzhu tried to explain to her Master Shen Qing that she had not acted excessively, attributing her conflict to Mu Qianqian's obstruction and the Yuan Gate's potential hidden secrets.
However, Shen Qing sternly ordered her to stop interfering with Yuan Gate affairs, reminding Ling Qingzhu that as Talisman Envoy, she had no business meddling in "other affairs." Ling Qingzhu insisted that any threat to the Ancestral Talisman Successor was her concern, but Shen Qing cut her off, warning her that she could both bestow and revoke the position of Talisman Envoy.
Ling Qingzhu's senior sister then gently advised her, acknowledging her desire to find the Yi-Demon but stressing that recklessly visiting Yuan Gate could attract criticism given the existing tension between the sects. She explained that Master Shen Qing, caught in a political "vortex," was prioritizing the overall situation and was also worried Ling Qingzhu might "follow in the steps of your mother" and become confused.
She reiterated that Ninth Heaven Taiqing Palace maintained neutrality and advised Ling Qingzhu to do her best, promising to handle their Master. Later, Yan Shi, after being playfully admonished by Xuan Su for his disheveled appearance, discussed Shen Qing's neutral stance with Ling Qingzhu.
Ling Qingzhu felt incompetent, but Yan Shi comforted her, advising her not to be "obstinately persistent" and assuring her that "there will always be a crooked path that will lead to your destination" and that "the mist will disperse" eventually. Ling Qingzhu, still seeking answers her mother wouldn't provide, felt more confused by Yan Shi's words and accused him of keeping secrets.
Xuan Su then returned with news that Lin Dong had deciphered another spiritual map, revealing the location of the Thunder Talisman. Xuan Su expressed concern that if Lin Dong acquired another ancestral talisman, he would become a prominent figure attracting unwanted attention, especially since they hadn't heard from him in days. Ling Qingzhu volunteered to meet him, which prompted Yan Shi to remark that the "beautiful lady" was clearly serious about Lin Dong.
Xuan Su then informed Yan Shi that the Thunder Talisman was located on Demon Cloud Summit near the Yin Puppet Sect and stressed that Ling Qingzhu absolutely could not go to Demon Cloud Peak. Marten, true to form, was already on Demon Cloud Peak, diligently searching for the Thunder Talisman and consuming yang yuan-pellets to maintain his strength.
He grumbled about the arduous climb, exhausted but determined to find the talisman before his thousand-year deadline to transform into a human expired. He eventually stumbled upon a desolate place with fresh fruits laid out for a deity. Marten sampled the offerings, observing the perceived lack of sincerity. He then noticed the Thunder Talisman on the deity itself, exclaiming that the heavens were truly helping him.
Suddenly, the Mountain Deity materialized, identifying himself as "Mountain Deity Grandpa," and seized Marten, intent on eating him for a change of taste. Marten, terrified, tried to escape and then pleaded, describing himself as a mere rat with tough, stinky flesh, unsuitable for consumption. The Mountain Deity retorted that Marten's body was full of yuan energy and, as a thousand-year-old spiritual marten, he wouldn't miss such a meal. He began preparing firewood and salt, intending to roast Marten.
Marten desperately invoked his powerful friends, boasting about Lin Dong, the Guild President of the Talisman Guild and Fu Zu's destined Ancestral Talisman Successor who wielded the Devour Talisman, and Xiao Yan, a winged Fire-Python Tiger. The Mountain Deity remained unimpressed, even jokingly offering to roast Xiao Yan's wings along with Marten. Just as Marten faced his fiery doom, Xiao Yan arrived, calling out his name. Marten immediately cried for help, screaming that he was about to be roasted.
Lin Dong and Huanhuan, having reunited after her brief disappearance, continued their journey. Lin Dong teased Huanhuan for foolishly following him, then went to fetch her water. He discovered the water in the area had a stinging, electric quality, which he suspected might be the aura of the Thunder Talisman. Huanhuan spotted a village ahead, leading Lin Dong to believe Marten might have already found the talisman. Simultaneously, the heavens seemed to shift.
In another part of the region, Ling Qingzhu, washing her face, was also shocked by electrified water. She saw villagers performing a ritual, with their leader being struck by lightning. Ling Qingzhu intervened, dispersing the thundercloud and bringing calm. The grateful villagers asked her identity. Ling Qingzhu introduced herself and explained she was searching for friends and the Thunder Talisman. The Village Chief claimed he had never heard of a Thunder Talisman and offered her hospitality, which she politely declined.
However, the Chief noticed her cosmic bag and asked if she was connected to the Talisman Guild. Ling Qingzhu confirmed her identity as the Talisman Envoy from Ninth Heaven Taiqing Palace, serving the Guild President of the Talisman Guild, and then asked the Chief if he knew the Talisman Guild.
The Chief, recognizing her cosmic bag, admitted he had lied, revealing that his entire Thunder Clan Village had been guarding the Thunder Talisman, awaiting someone from the Talisman Guild, and promised to retrieve it for her. Meanwhile, Xiao Yan found Marten still in the clutches of the Mountain Deity. The Mountain Deity, feigning innocence, claimed he was trying to save Marten, who had fainted and appeared to be dying, by giving him yuan energy.
Xiao Yan, seeing Marten unresponsive, grew worried. The Mountain Deity then commented that Xiao Yan lacked wings, contrary to Marten's earlier boasting, and, catching himself, jokingly claimed he needed to add more firewood. Marten then "woke up," immediately revealing to Xiao Yan that he had been faking his unconsciousness to wait for the "fatty" Mountain Deity to leave. Marten suspected the Mountain Deity was an Yi-Demon, describing how the entity had intended to cook and eat him.
Marten, eager to escape, urged Xiao Yan to leave and find Lin Dong. However, before they could depart, the Mountain Deity blocked their path, expressing surprise at Marten's quick recovery. Marten then directly accused the Mountain Deity of being an Yi-Demon. The Clan Chief, after confirming Ling Qingzhu's identity, asked if the cosmic bag's previous owner was Qing Zhi. Ling Qingzhu confirmed she knew him.
The Clan Chief then revealed that Qing Zhi and he had been good friends for decades. Ling Qingzhu then added that her relationship with Qing Zhi was "special" and asked if the Chief had any news, as she had been searching for him. The Chief then deduced that Ling Qingzhu must be Qing Zhi's daughter, expressing feigned relief at entrusting the Thunder Talisman to her due to her outstanding fighting skills.
However, he then unexpectedly struck Ling Qingzhu, knocking her unconscious. He declared his intention to use Ling Qingzhu as an offering to the Thunder Talisman, blaming her "hateful father," whom he called an "evil demon," for the annihilation of the Thunder Clan Village. Lin Dong and Huanhuan arrived, with Lin Dong observing that the Thunder Talisman was indeed present. Huanhuan questioned who the "evil demon" was. Lin Dong resolved to retrieve the ancestral talisman and save Ling Qingzhu.
He held the Clan Chief hostage, demanding the Thunder Talisman. However, Huanhuan discovered the location was empty. Lin Dong then realized the "old crafty man" was no ordinary human and asked if he was human or ghost. The Clan Chief revealed that he and the entire Thunder Clan Village were merely spiritual remnants, as the true clan had died years ago, rendering him immune to the hostage threat.
Huanhuan realized, muttering, "No wonder this place didn't look lived in at all." The Clan Chief stated that Qing Zhi had come to Demon Cloud Peak and fallen into Thunder Lake, where the former Clan Chief saved him. Qing Zhi had lied about being a disciple of the Three Super Sects and being wounded by an Yi-Demon, earning the village's trust and learning the Thunder Talisman's location.
That night, Qing Zhi led the Fifth Yi-Demon Prince to the village to steal the talisman, killing hundreds of Thunder Clan people and leaving only their spiritual remnants to seek vengeance. He further accused Qing Zhi of abandoning humans and allying with Yi-Demons. Ling Qingzhu, hearing this, was in disbelief, denying her father could be such a murderer.
The Clan Chief, amidst thunderous attacks from the spiritual remnants, declared that Ling Qingzhu would pay for her father's crime, vowing to kill her. Lin Dong tried to protect Ling Qingzhu from the relentless attacks, but the sheer force of the remnants was overwhelming. Ling Qingzhu, overwhelmed by the accusations, repeatedly mumbled that her father was a murderer, unable to accept the truth.
The Clan Chief intensified his assault, summoning images of the deceased, telling Ling Qingzhu that her body was filled with their blood, demanding she pay for her father's "criminal blood" that would mark her for life. Ling Qingzhu, torn, insisted she was a disciple of the Ninth Heaven Taiqing Palace, duty-bound to eliminate Yi-Demons and protect the righteous path.
The Clan Chief countered, questioning her "righteous path" and suggesting she should eliminate Qing Zhi and herself first, as they were on the same path as Yi-Demons, also questioning if the Yi-Demon she was fighting was an embodiment of Qing Zhi. Despite Ling Qingzhu's earlier arguments, Lin Dong did not want her to die.
As Ling Qingzhu succumbed to despair, calling herself a sinner and wishing to die, Lin Dong awakened an Ancestral Talisman to protect her, piercing through the dense thunderclouds and momentarily holding off the spiritual remnants. He then held her, comforting her. He told her that her father was her father, and she was herself; she shouldn't bear his sins. Huanhuan, having arrived, supported Lin Dong's words, reminding Ling Qingzhu they risked their lives to save her.
Huanhuan then lightened the mood, playfully telling Ling Qingzhu she would "lend" Lin Dong to her for a hug, but only for a while. As they embraced, Lin Dong also noticed the Thunder Talisman finally appearing.
