Martial Universe: Season 1 Episode 39 Recap
> Martial Universe: Season 1 Recap
Defying the sect's regulations, Lin Dong attempted to sneak into the Martial Arts Hall, only to be forcefully repelled by the powerful senior guarding it. Lin Dong complained about the Dao Sect's peculiar rule that Wilderness Hall disciples couldn't learn its martial arts. Wu Dao dismissed his concerns, while other disciples chastised Lin Dong for presuming to learn the Great Wilderness Classics.
Lin Dong passionately explained his reasons, which everyone knew, yet they believed even their combined strength couldn't overcome the senior. Lin Dong challenged their inaction. While others hesitated, Mo Ling, the Little Prince, supported Lin Dong, declaring his readiness to help with all his effort, given Lin Dong's persistence. He then convinced another senior, Tong Chuan, to help by offering more yang yuan-pellets from his royal father.
Lin Dong revealed a loophole in the Martial Arts Hall's security, and with Mo Ling, they entered the hall, knowing the senior guard disappeared once a month, and this was the opportune moment. Inside, Lin Dong noted the immense energy emanating from the stone monuments. He recalled hearing that the creator of the Great Wilderness Classics had engraved the martial arts into four "Wilderness Tablets."
He noticed one tablet was covered and, upon uncovering it, he and Mo Ling were both absorbed into it. Lin Dong awoke to find the senior, who advised him to trust his words now. The senior then explained that "Wilderness" referred to a fearsome Yi-Beast named Huang, which once devastated humanity with wind power. Ancient cultivators, seeking supreme martial arts power, captured the Huang Beast to create the four moves of the Great Wilderness Classics.
To master the art, one must first withstand the wind in the Wilderness Tablet. The senior revealed that Zhou Tong had already learned three of these movements. Confident, Lin Dong proclaimed he could learn all four and requested the senior teach him. The senior initially demurred, stating Lin Dong's current cultivation was too weak to re-enter the Wilderness Tablet without being torn apart.
Mo Ling intervened, arguing that since the only other practitioner was a "betrayer," it would harm the world if this knowledge wasn't passed to Lin Dong. Convinced, the senior agreed, but only if Lin Dong never called him "Master," as he wished no association with Sect Leader Ying Xuanzi. The training began. Lin Dong was blindfolded, forbidden to speak, and instructed only to listen.
The senior taught him the first movement, "Great Star Fist," emphasizing sensing the wind's direction rather than speed. Next was the "Great Wilderness Body," the second movement, where Lin Dong had to resist the wind not with brute force or ancestral talismans, but by becoming one with it through his flesh and blood. Lin Dong, determined, declared his great ambitions. Finally, the senior introduced the "Great Yin Eclipse Sword," the third movement, designed to match the wind's speed.
He challenged Lin Dong to use the sword to catch the wind, reminding him that Zhou Tong had used such a sword to defeat him. Lin Dong struggled, but the senior pressed him to increase his leg speed to match his arm speed. Lin Dong made significant progress and, feeling a surge of power, demanded to learn the fourth movement. The senior quickly covered the tablet, revealing that Lin Dong had almost unleashed a great disaster.
Lin Dong confessed that he had sensed the aura of an Yi-Demon. The senior confirmed Lin Dong's keen perception, disclosing that the Third Yi-Demon Prince was imprisoned within the tablet. This prince was born of the wind, moving with incredible speed and without form, and only the Great Wilderness Classics could restrain it. The senior warned Lin Dong against rushing the fourth movement, explaining that doing so would cost him his sight, just as the senior himself had gone blind.
He recounted how he had willingly sacrificed his eyes to defeat the Yi-Demons, believing it a worthy price for global peace, but lamented that his efforts had ultimately failed. Outside, the disciples of Dao Sect were alarmed by the sounds emanating from the Wilderness Hall. Ying Xuanzi appeared, calming them by explaining it was merely an echo, and strictly forbade anyone from discussing the secret martial arts.
Despite his warning, the disciples speculated that Lin Dong had mastered the Great Wilderness Classics. Meanwhile, Wu Dao met with Mu Qianqian, who expressed her satisfaction that they had "found the target" and were now ready for "something interesting." Lin Dong diligently continued his cultivation. Suddenly, Zhou Tong appeared and attempted to attack the Wilderness Tablet. The senior intercepted him, and they engaged in a fierce battle.
The senior recognized Zhou Tong and understood he had come for the Third Yi-Demon Prince. Later, Lin Dong returned to the Martial Arts Hall to find the senior had been killed. Ying Xuanzi arrived, asking Lin Dong who he suspected. Wu Dao immediately pointed to Zhou Tong, claiming he must have colluded with the Third Yi-Demon Prince, who was now confirmed to have escaped. The Dao Sect issued a pursuit order for the Prince.
Heartbroken and filled with a desire for vengeance for his teacher, Lin Dong tearfully vowed to avenge the senior. However, Ying Xuanzi expressed his belief that Zhou Tong was innocent. He explained that ten years ago, Zhou Tong was Dao Sect's most promising disciple, rising quickly and destined to bear the heavy responsibility of supporting the sect. The senior, Ying Xuanzi's uncle-master, also held Zhou Tong in high regard and intended to teach him the Great Wilderness Classics.
Zhou Tong, an orphan, relied solely on his elder sister, who was tragically killed by an Yi-Demon. This Yi-Demon then escaped into Yuan Gate. When Yuan Gate prevented Zhou Tong from pursuing the demon, he refused to back down, stating that if he couldn't protect his own family, he couldn't protect the world. Frustrated by the Three Super Sects' inaction, he declared he would eliminate all Yi-Demons himself.
He angrily rebelled, illegally learned the Great Wilderness Classics, and swore allegiance to none of the Three Super Sects, dedicating his life to slaying Yi-Demons. Ying Xuanzi, newly appointed as Sect Leader, was unable to protect Zhou Tong when Yuan Gate's masters demanded an explanation, leading to Zhou Tong's expulsion and the senior’s lifelong resentment towards Ying Xuanzi. Over time, the true events became a forgotten "old case."
Lin Dong, hearing this, resolved to uncover the truth and find the Third Yi-Demon Prince. In the desert, Lin Dong encountered Zhou Tong, who was murmuring about killing Yi-Demons. Meanwhile, Mu Qianqian met Wu Dao in secret. Mu Qianqian revealed that Wu Dao was the one who released the Third Yi-Demon Prince. She goaded Wu Dao, saying the Prince wasn't satisfied with merely one life (the senior's) after centuries of imprisonment and wanted greater revenge on the Dao Sect.
She enticed Wu Dao with the prospect of becoming Sect Leader if Ying Xuanzi also died, filling him with ambition. Lin Dong confronted Zhou Tong, asserting that both Ying Xuanzi and the senior had always believed in him. Zhou Tong, reluctant to discuss the past, admitted his injuries were from the Third Yi-Demon Prince, confessing he couldn't defeat it because he hadn't mastered the final movement of the Great Wilderness Classics.
Lin Dong observed that the Third Yi-Demon Prince, instead of fleeing, was still lingering near the Dao Sect. They both realized the Prince was seeking revenge on the sect. An ominous atmosphere settled over the Dao Sect, filling its disciples with fear. As predicted, the Third Yi-Demon Prince launched a devastating attack, causing a massacre among the disciples who valiantly tried to resist.
Amidst the chaos, Lin Dong recalled the senior's words: to destroy one's eyes and embrace the desolate, barren state, for only by burning one's boat can one truly survive death. He also remembered Huanhuan's ongoing training for the second level of Ice Master, and his commitment to wait for her, just as she would wait for him.
