Martial Universe: Season 1 Episode 8 Recap
> Martial Universe: Season 1 Recap
Lin Dong vehemently questioned Lin Langtian about why his father had to die to eliminate the Yi-Demon, asserting that the Yi-Demon was none of his concern. Lin Langtian rebuked Lin Dong, saying he was the one who provoked the Lei family, harmed Qingtan, and harbored the stone talisman that lured the Yi-Demon, claiming Lin Dong's low cultivation level left his family vulnerable. Lin Langtian further asserted that if he hadn't covertly protected Lin Dong, he would have died long ago.
Lin Dong countered by asking if he and his father were merely tools for Lin Langtian. Lin Langtian dismissed Lin Dong's arguments, maintaining that the Yi-Demon must die and promising to answer Lin Dong's questions once he left Qingyang Town. Clan Chief Lin Mu led his clansmen to the Lei family residence, proclaiming that with Lei Zhong and Lei Li dead, Qingyang Town would now belong solely to the Lin Clan.
His subordinates lauded him as the new ruler of the territory. However, Lin Mu was wary, knowing Lin Xiao had gained prestige with his sacrifice, and Lin Dong would not easily let the matter rest. He also mused that the townspeople had long depended on the Lei Clan for their livelihood, and with the Lei Clan in disarray, an explanation would be needed for the Nation Ruler.
Upon returning home, Lin Dong and Lin Qingtan found the townspeople attacking their Fire-Python Tiger, accusing Lin Dong and his father of destroying Qingyang Town and demanding revenge for the Lei brothers, who they claimed were killed by the Lin father and son. Lin Mu then arrived with his men, ordering Lin Dong to be bound and the Fire-Python Tiger locked up.
Lin Mu addressed the crowd, stating that Lin Xiao and his son had disregarded the safety of the Lin and Lei clans, inviting disaster. He assured the villagers that the Lin Clan would take over Ironwood Villa, ensure Qingyang Town remained stable, and provide everyone with a livelihood, promising that the Lin Clan would address the troubles caused by Lin Dong and his father. Ling Qingzhu approached Lin Langtian, demanding the Yi-Demon sealed within him.
She explained she only wished to question it and wasn't there to steal his credit. However, Lin Langtian refused, stating he had paid a heavy price to capture the Yi-Demon and could not risk releasing it again. Ling Qingzhu, recalling their previous agreement to subdue the demon together, left in anger, feeling betrayed. Meanwhile, Lin Dong was imprisoned in Ironwood Villa. Lin Mu visited him, feigning regret.
He told Lin Dong that he and his father had caused such immense trouble that Qingyang Town was now in chaos and the Nation Ruler would condemn them. To protect the entire Lin Clan from misfortune and suspicion, Lin Mu stated the most convenient plan was to secretly hand Lin Dong over to the Nation Ruler overnight to decide his fate. Lin Mu asserted that even Lin Dong's father would have understood this sacrifice.
Later, Lin Qingtan desperately sought Lin Langtian's help. She found him in agony, struggling with the Yi-Demon sealed inside his body. He was losing control, his behavior becoming erratic. When Qingtan tried to help him, he lunged and bit her arm, drinking her blood. The shock, combined with the activation of her cold poison, brought Lin Langtian back to his senses, and he apologized to Qingtan.
Qingtan then urgently informed him that Lin Dong had been captured by the Clan Chief and pleaded with him to save her brother. From a hidden spot, Ying Huanhuan overheard their conversation. She confronted Lin Langtian, declaring that if he wouldn't go save Lin Dong, she would. Conflicted in his cell, Lin Dong was suddenly addressed by Xiao Diao, the marten spirit from the stone talisman.
Xiao Diao offered Lin Dong a chance to enter the stone talisman, instructing him to close his eyes, concentrate, and recite the incantation he had previously learned. Lin Dong successfully entered the stone's inner world, a beautiful but cold realm. Xiao Diao, having observed Lin Dong's every move and thought from within the talisman, revealed that Lin Dong was preoccupied with thoughts of his father.
Xiao Diao reminded Lin Dong that his father wished for him to explore the outside world, find his true calling, and become a true hero. Initially, Lin Dong questioned the value of being a hero, accusing Xiao Diao of merely trying to manipulate him into releasing the marten spirit.
Xiao Diao retorted that Lin Dong was simply scared and, mocking him for being an "embarrassment," claimed he had only prevented Lin Dong from falling off a cliff, not comforted him, and demanded thanks for his intervention. Lin Dong refused to acknowledge Xiao Diao as his master, and Xiao Diao defiantly declared he could choose an indignant death. Resolved not to die an unjust death, Lin Dong's determination solidified.
As Lin Mu ordered the execution of the Fire-Python Tiger, a report arrived claiming Lin Dong had committed suicide. Lin Mu rushed into the cell only to find Lin Dong feigning death. Lin Dong took Lin Mu hostage, demanding the release of the Fire-Python Tiger. As the standoff escalated, Ying Huanhuan arrived. Lin Mu tried to dismiss her, reminding her she was not a Lin clansman and should not interfere.
Just then, Lin Langtian also arrived, blocking Lin Mu's men and instructing Ying Huanhuan to take Lin Dong and the Fire-Python Tiger to safety. As Lin Dong and Ying Huanhuan escaped, Lin Mu's men tried to pursue, but Lin Langtian stopped them. He told Lin Mu that he would take the sealed Yi-Demon back to Yuan Gate, ensuring peace and preventing the Nation Ruler from investigating further, and that Lin Dong would no longer cause trouble.
Lin Dong and Ying Huanhuan successfully found Lin Qingtan. Lin Dong comforted his sister, promising to take care of her. Lin Langtian then urged Lin Dong not to stay in Qingyang Town and to join him at Yuan Gate. However, Ying Huanhuan interrupted, suggesting Lin Dong join Dao Sect instead, criticizing Yuan Gate members as snobbish.
Lin Dong, weary of their arguments, firmly declared that he would walk his own path and would not go with either of them, promising Qingtan he would never leave her. He then looked at Lin Langtian and vowed that one day, he would surely defeat him. Ying Huanhuan then taunted Lin Langtian, telling him to hurry back to Yuan Gate and claim his reward for the Yi-Demon. Meanwhile, Master Shen Qing of Taiqing Palace inquired about Ling Qingzhu's whereabouts.
Su Rou explained that Ling Qingzhu had not returned because she was investigating matters related to her father and also trying to retrieve the Yi-Demon subdued by a Yuan Gate disciple. Shen Qing was angered, stating that while Ling Qingzhu might be acting on her own, her actions were perceived as representing Taiqing Palace. She reminded Su Rou that Ling Qingzhu, despite her talents, was young and immature, and her impulsive actions could bring destruction to the entire sect.
Shen Qing instructed Su Rou to tell Ling Qingzhu to return quickly, emphasizing that to the world, it mattered not which sect subdued the Yi-Demon. Later, when Ling Qingzhu returned, she faced her master's wrath. Shen Qing warned her that subduing one Yi-Demon prince (the Seventh Prince) was not enough, as four more princes and the sealed Yi-Demon Emperor still remained, and that her youthful zeal blinded her to the true dangers.
However, Ling Qingzhu argued that she had done nothing wrong. This defiance enraged Shen Qing, who declared she could not tolerate disobedient disciples and ordered Ling Qingzhu's name to be removed from Ninth Heaven Taiqing Palace. Concurrently, Xuan Su suggested to Yan Shi that Lin Dong, now homeless, should be persuaded to join the Talisman Guild.
Yan Shi, however, believed that Lin Dong would seek them out when desperate, and cryptically remarked that the "game was just beginning" and that "one trouble just left, the other trouble is here as we speak," referencing the continuous emergence of Yi-Demons. He observed that the Talisman Guild's days were numbered but their mission to protect the ancestral talismans, secretly passed down by talisman gurus, meant they had to work together.
He concluded that their Qiwu Tower would need to reopen as peace was fleeting without the complete elimination of the Yi-Demon threat. Heeding his father's words to broaden his horizons and become a real man, Lin Dong decided to leave Qingyang Town with Qingtan and head to Qiwu Tower to join the Talisman Guild. Qingtan reassured him that wherever he was, that was her home, and Lin Dong vowed to protect her.
Unknown to them, another Yi-Demon emerged in the Yangyuan Stone Mine in Beast Valley, devouring miners and absorbing the mine's energy before escaping when Yan Shi arrived. Back at Yuan Gate, Lin Langtian, struggling to contain the Yi-Demon within his Yuan pellet, sought an immediate audience with the Sect Master. He was intercepted by his senior, Ling Zhen, who demanded the Yi-Demon, claiming it was his place to submit it to their Teacher.
Ling Zhen dismissed Lin Langtian's mission, mocking Mu Qianqian for sending a junior disciple against a Yi-Demon prince. Lin Langtian insisted on presenting the dangerous Yi-Demon himself, but Ling Zhen, accusing him of being reluctant to part with the credit, attempted to forcibly take it. Mu Qianqian intervened, stopping Ling Zhen and scolding him for trying to steal a junior's efforts and for insulting Lin Langtian, her subordinate. She assured Ling Zhen that he would still receive credit from the Teacher but advised him against rushing. Lin Langtian, increasingly strained by the internal struggle, could barely hold on.
