Martial Universe: Season 1 Episode 38 Recap
> Martial Universe: Season 1 Recap
Lin Dong desperately tried to force his way into Heaven Hall, much to Huanhuan's joy. However, as a disciple of the Wilderness Hall, he was not permitted to enter Heaven Hall, and he was severely beaten by the senior disciples there. Though Huanhuan heard Lin Dong calling for her and longed to go outside, Ying Xuanzi advised her that it was better not to meet. Lin Dong continued to shout from outside, but Huanhuan had already made her decision.
The senior disciples warned Lin Dong that if he tried to trespass again, they would not hold back. Despite this, memories of Huanhuan spurred Lin Dong on, and he relentlessly crawled step by step into the hall. The senior disciples felt conflicted but followed him, only for Ying Xuanzi to ultimately stop Lin Dong. A senior disciple from Wilderness Hall insisted that Lin Dong be punished.
When asked by Ying Xuanzi, Wu Dao stated that stealing a waist badge and trespassing into Heaven Hall was punishable by expulsion from Dao Sect. Lin Dong explained that he only wished to see Huanhuan. A junior prince interceded on his behalf, and Lin Dong voiced his concern that Huanhuan had never had the chance to choose her own destiny, being forced into the role of Ice Master from birth.
Ying Xuanzi argued that their shared responsibility was to eliminate the Yi-Demons, which was their fate. Lin Dong countered that they could not disregard Huanhuan’s feelings, asking if fate was harder to defeat than the Yi-Demons, and if they had truly tried to fight it. He emphasized that Huanhuan was being thrown into such a fate without considering her feelings. Lin Dong declared that he would not leave until he could see and help her.
Ying Xuanzi then stated that if Lin Dong could endure rigorous training in the Snow Mountain, he would consider allowing them to meet. Later, Ying Xuanzi reflected that with the Devour Talisman and Ice Talisman both at Dao Sect, the sect was now the most likely target for Yi-Demon invasion. He revealed to a disciple that his intention in making Lin Dong undergo hard training away from the main sect was also to protect Dao Sect from the Yi-Demons.
Meanwhile, Mu Qianqian, aware of Lin Dong's entry into Dao Sect, subtly provoked Lin Langtian. She remarked that he was no longer the sole Lin Clan member in a Super Sect and that Lin Dong had preempted his opportunity to kill demons. Mu Qianqian suggested that in the future, people might only remember Lin Dong, not Lin Langtian. Lin Langtian, recalling his earlier vow not to soften his heart, resolved to acquire all the ancestral talismans.
Mu Qianqian then advised him to focus on healing, assuring him that she had other methods and that all of Lin Dong's actions were under her control, implying she could leverage internal conflicts within Dao Sect. Lin Dong began his arduous training in Snow Mountain, pushing himself to his limits for Huanhuan. Ying Xuanzi later approached Wu Dao, initiating a discussion about stepping down and offering Wu Dao the position of Sect Leader.
Wu Dao expressed his confidence, but then revealed he saw through Ying Xuanzi's disguise, addressing her as Sky Prince. Wu Dao acknowledged that the real Ying Xuanzi would never have passed the Sect Leader position to him. Sky Prince (Mu Qianqian) observed that Wu Dao had learned that to surpass his master, Dao Sect could not remain peaceful. Wu Dao admitted he had spent over a decade with the old man to realize this truth.
Sky Prince offered Wu Dao anything he desired, except the Sect Leader position, in exchange for cooperation, including information on Lin Dong's Devour Talisman, the whereabouts of the Third Yi-Demon Prince, and Ying Huanhuan’s Ice Talisman. Wu Dao asked for time to consider. Lin Dong, still determined, pondered how he could reach Heaven Hall, believing that by walking step-by-step, he would eventually reach Huanhuan's side.
Wu Dao approached him and suggested a faster, legitimate way to advance to Heaven Hall: killing someone on the hit list. He explained that this list, created by the Three Super Sects, contained names of individuals who had committed heinous crimes, and eliminating a high-ranking target would earn significant merit for Dao Sect, leading to quicker promotion. Lin Dong, both curious and competitive, chose Zhou Tong, a formidable figure.
Other disciples warned Lin Dong about Zhou Tong's strength, noting that he had risen from Wilderness Hall to Heaven Hall in just one year and was once considered a candidate for Sect Leader. They added that Zhou Tong was on the hit list for allegedly betraying Dao Sect, though the Sect Leader forbade discussing it. Wu Dao directed Lin Dong north to the desert where Zhou Tong was often seen.
Lin Dong, however, remained curious about Zhou Tong's true crime, acknowledging he was "a bit scared" but still wanting to meet him. Xiao Diao and Xiao Yan waited for Lin Dong in the forest, fretting over their inability to help him or find ancestral talismans. Xiao Yan suggested helping Lin Dong defeat Zhou Tong, but Xiao Diao scoffed at the idea, highlighting Zhou Tong's strength.
Xiao Diao then mused about why Huanhuan had to be the Ice Talisman Successor when he himself was a talisman successor. He went on to describe Zhou Tong as a rare martial arts genius. Unbeknownst to them, Mu Qianqian was listening nearby, finding the idea of using Zhou Tong to deal with Lin Dong quite appealing. Lin Dong eventually found Zhou Tong, who recognized Lin Dong from earlier warnings about not trusting anyone in Dao Sect.
Zhou Tong declared them enemies and challenged Lin Dong to make his move. Lin Dong, not wanting to fight someone who killed Yi-Demons, was forced into a fierce hand-to-hand combat due to Zhou Tong’s relentless attacks. The fight was evenly matched, and Zhou Tong eventually advised Lin Dong to leave Dao Sect, promising to spare his life. Lin Dong refused, finding surrender to be the greatest insult, and insisted Zhou Tong kill him if he truly desired it.
Suddenly, Huanhuan appeared, grabbed Lin Dong, and fled. Zhou Tong recognized Huanhuan and halted his pursuit. Lin Dong embraced Huanhuan, believing she remembered him, and spoke words of affection. Huanhuan, however, left without a word, though Ying Xuanzi was observing nearby. Lin Dong, understanding her predicament, vowed to wait for her. Huanhuan then had a conversation with her father, Ying Xuanzi.
He noted that her facial scar had vanished, indicating she had completed the first stage of her Ice Master training, which was divided into three stages. Ying Xuanzi stressed the difficulty of the second stage, "Fixed Attention," which required tempering her body and mind in the Ice Room. He urged Huanhuan to abandon her willfulness. Huanhuan countered, asserting that she no longer saw being the Ice Master as an inescapable destiny.
She declared her intention to use her own willpower to control the Ice Talisman, not just for Lin Dong, but for herself as well. She argued that the ancient Ice Master wasn't the only one who could fight the Yi-Demons, suggesting Lin Dong could also become Fu Zu, and asked her father to believe in them.
Ying Xuanzi explained that only by entering the third stage, "Becoming Holy," could she truly become the Ice Master, and until then, she remained herself. Huanhuan was pleased, but Ying Xuanzi cautioned that she must first accept the Ice Talisman, and Lin Dong's fate also played a role. Huanhuan, content with the sliver of hope, expressed her willingness to trust him, affirming that she would always be his precious daughter.
Later, Wu Dao approached Lin Dong, acknowledging his performance against Zhou Tong. He subtly suggested that Zhou Tong's current strength was partly due to his illegal training of half of the Great Wilderness Classics, a rare martial arts technique from Wilderness Hall that was too profound for most disciples to comprehend. Wu Dao implied that Lin Dong, with his talent, could match Zhou Tong if he too comprehended it.
Lin Dong's interest was piqued, and he asked how he could learn it. Wu Dao then led him to the Martial Arts Hall at the edge of Wilderness Hall, explaining that while access was usually prohibited due to Zhou Tong's illegal training, Lin Dong's status as an Ancestral Talisman Successor and his connection to Huanhuan made him an exception. Lin Dong confidently remarked that he enjoyed challenging "hard bones."
However, an Elder at the Martial Arts Hall refused Lin Dong entry, calling the Great Wilderness Classics an ominous item that brought tragedy to anyone connected with it and stating that Lin Dong was not qualified. Lin Dong, undeterred, claimed to have faced more tragic things and that his endings were never good, so he was not afraid. Despite his persistence, Wu Dao advised him to return and train more, as the Elder's word was final.
Unseen, the Elder reflected on his "huge sacrifice" and expressed concern about a long-imprisoned Yi-Demon seeking revenge, pondering if Dao Sect would be massacred. He mused that an escaped Yi-Demon's first task would be to seek revenge, not just escape.
