Once Upon a Time in Lingjian Mountain Episode 21 Recap
> Once Upon a Time in Lingjian Mountain Recap
Disguised as a Wanfa Xianmen elder, Wang Lu, accompanied by He Elder, boldly confronted Lord Tianlun, the mysterious leader of the Qianling Sect. Wang Lu initially tried to intimidate Lord Tianlun, but upon realizing he was in the presence of the true sect leader, he quickly changed his tune. He attempted to leverage his identity as the successor disciple of Wang Wu, a Master of the Lingjian Sect, hoping to find common ground.
However, Lord Tianlun immediately recognized Wang Wu as the "crazy woman" who had destroyed a branch of the Qianling Sect, declaring that Wang Lu, as her disciple, must pay her debt with his life. Wang Lu frantically tried to disavow his master, even offering to report her to the Lingjian Sect's leader, but Lord Tianlun, seeing through his desperation, ordered their capture, mocking them for their shamelessness.
Meanwhile, Wang Zhong, on a trial mission, stumbled upon news of the Heart Sect, a rapidly growing organization founded by Wang Lu that promised its followers prolonged life. He reported this to Zhu Qin, who was skeptical, knowing that traditional cultivation required Spirit Roots, which common people lacked. Zhu Qin suspected Wang Lu was using illicit methods, perhaps even teaching evil magic.
Despite Wang Zhong's initial hesitation, recalling Wang Lu's past kindness, Zhu Qin, reflecting on his own growth, determined that harming innocent people was an unforgivable act. He resolved to report Wang Lu to Master Fang He, hoping for a lenient punishment while still preventing Wang Lu from straying further. Concurrently, Hai Yunfan and Wen Bao had finally located Liu Li Xian within the Qianling Sect headquarters.
To Hai Yunfan's dismay, Liu Li Xian, who introduced herself as Ye Li, denied knowing him or anyone from the Lingjian Sect, even destroying a significant badge he had given her years ago. Just as Hai Yunfan desperately tried to remind her of their shared past, Lord Tianlun appeared. He revealed that Wang Lu and Wen Bao were already his captives and offered Hai Yunfan a chance to live if he knelt and remained with his daughter, Ye Li.
Ye Li, however, coldly stated she didn't know him and had no desire for his company. This prompted Lord Tianlun to change his mind, ordering Hai Yunfan to join Wang Lu and the others to their deaths. Seemingly to save them, Ye Li hastily intervened, suggesting that Wang Lu and Hai Yunfan possessed rare Spirit Roots and that Wang Lu's Void Spirit Root made them ideal candidates for a blood sacrifice to the Blood Matrix during the upcoming moon eclipse.
This would prolong their lives for a few more hours, buying them time. Lord Tianlun praised her foresight, declaring it an honor for them to be sacrificed for the Blood Matrix. Imprisoned together with He Elder, Hai Yunfan despaired over Ye Li's apparent heartlessness. However, Wang Lu, ever the strategist, saw through her actions.
He explained to a bewildered Hai Yunfan that Ye Li's cold demeanor and her suggestion of a blood sacrifice were merely a clever ruse to delay their immediate execution. Had she truly wished them dead, she could have easily done so when Hai Yunfan first intruded. Her actions were a desperate attempt to buy them time and save their lives, a "delaying tactic." Realizing their dire predicament, Wang Lu decided to call upon Wang Wu for help.
Knowing his master's eccentricities and her deep attachment to her senior disciple, Ouyang Shang, Wang Lu concocted a lie, claiming to have found a major secret about Ouyang Shang at the Qianling Sect headquarters. Wang Wu, who was still recovering from a severe poisoning, immediately abandoned her healing regimen and rushed off. Other Lingjian elders expressed concern for her health and hoped Wang Lu had not lied, fearing her disappointment.
Wang Lu also attempted to enlist Liang Qiu's aid, but the sword spirit, still annoyed by his deceitful nature, refused to help him. Back in the prison, Ye Li secretly released Wang Lu, Hai Yunfan, and Wen Bao, urging them to escape through the back mountain. She reiterated her stance that she was not the "Liu Li Xian" they knew, and she only freed them to prevent further unnecessary sacrifices.
Hai Yunfan, however, refused to abandon her, pledging to "fall with her." Seeing the stalemate and the approaching danger, Wang Lu knocked Hai Yunfan unconscious, then prompted Ye Li to lead them out. Lord Tianlun, who had observed the exchange, revealed to his subordinate, Takashi Arashi, that he allowed them to escape because he could see Ye Li's affection for Hai Yunfan and did not wish to cause her pain, especially with his grand plan nearing completion.
Hai Yunfan awoke outside, furious at Wang Lu for knocking him out and seemingly abandoning Ye Li to her fate. Wang Lu patiently explained that knocking him out was a tactical necessity to ensure their escape and that their ultimate goal was always to rescue Ye Li. He reminded them of their promise that "no one can leave us." With He Elder positioned as their external contact, Wang Lu, Hai Yunfan, and Wen Bao set off for the sacrificial altar.
As the auspicious hour arrived, Lord Tianlun began the ritual at the Blood Matrix. He chanted ancient spells, activating the formation. Black Tide, a monstrous and destructive force, was heard approaching, its presence palpable. Lord Tianlun comforted a terrified Ye Li, promising to join her after she completed her sacrifice and the seal was repaired.
Just as he was about to make the final cut to begin the blood sacrifice, Wang Lu, Hai Yunfan, and Wen Bao burst onto the scene. Driven by desperation, Hai Yunfan immediately charged at Lord Tianlun but was easily defeated and knocked unconscious. Wang Lu then stepped forward, holding up a Frozen Charm and threatening to freeze the entire Blood Matrix, rendering it useless.
Seeing the imminent danger posed by Black Tide, Lord Tianlun reluctantly agreed to release Ye Li from the sacrifice. He then trapped Wang Lu and Ye Li within a powerful Ice Barrier, created from his primordial spirit, and turned to face the incoming Black Tide alone. Inside the barrier, Wang Lu witnessed the horrifying advance of the Black Tide, remembering its devastating impact on the world over a century ago.
He realized that Lord Tianlun's true purpose was not to cultivate an evil magic, but to repair the Qingmu Mark, a crucial seal that held back the destructive Black Tide. Ye Li confirmed Wang Lu's theory, revealing the full, tragic truth.
Lord Tianlun's extreme actions, including driving away his brother, Lord Dilun, killing his wife, all his concubines, and dozens of their children, were all part of a desperate, decade-long plan to collect enough blood to reactivate the Blood Matrix and reinforce the failing Qingmu Mark. He had left only Ye Li alive because her pure bloodline was the most potent for the ultimate sacrifice.
She recounted how, four years prior, she had begun collecting blood through slaughter under her father's orders, but was stopped by Elder Ao Guanhai, who reported the Qianling Sect's actions to the Immortal Union. Forced to cease the killings, Lord Tianlun resorted to manipulating people into "donating" their blood to the Heart Sect. Ye Li confirmed that her "Liu Li Xian" persona was a result of being taken in by Elder Ao, who believed her to be a victim.
Her father had allowed her to remain at Lingjian Sect until the "Blood Moon" approached, signifying the time for the final sacrifice. Wang Lu was stunned by the immense, horrifying sacrifices Lord Tianlun had made, but Ye Li maintained there was no other way, comparing it to an inevitable "exchange of pieces" in a game of chess. Despite Lord Tianlun's monumental efforts, the formation he had painstakingly prepared could not hold back the might of the Black Tide.
The malevolent force surged forward, overwhelming him and consuming his body. His eyes turned black, his form twisted, and Lord Tianlun, once a desperate protector, was transformed into a monstrous, indiscriminate demon.
