Once Upon a Time in Lingjian Mountain Episode 5 Recap
> Once Upon a Time in Lingjian Mountain Recap
Over the past two years, Wang Lu excelled as Master Wang Wu's Successor Disciple. His intelligence set him apart in classes, earning him the nickname "Lingjian Academic Ace" among his peers. He completed all his courses, including math, foreign languages, history, etiquette, and even embroidery, with top marks, becoming a legendary figure within the Lingjian sect. Meanwhile, Hai Yunfan, an outer disciple, secretly entered the forbidden Scripture library with Wang Lu's assistance.
Wang Lu used an Invisible Charm to ensure they wouldn't be seen. Hai Yunfan diligently studied, particularly focusing on formations and charms, mastering the 3rd Level Skill "Butterfly Shadowing" after observing it just once. Despite his remarkable talent in these areas, Hai Yunfan admitted he still struggled with attack and recovery skills. In stark contrast to Hai Yunfan's progress, Wang Lu, despite possessing the fabled Void Magic Root, found himself unable to cultivate any magic.
No matter how earnestly he studied, he could not advance. His master, Master Wang Wu, seemingly neglected his cultivation, spending her time drinking and only instructing him to run and bathe. She even used his salary and allowances to buy wine, completely shattering Wang Lu's initial fantasies of immortal cultivation. Facing his lack of martial power and anticipating revenge from the Ninth Prince, Wang Lu resolved to rely on his wit.
As expected, Zhu Qin and Wang Zhong emerged from their two-year seclusion and immediately sought out Wang Lu. Wang Zhong presented a Heaven Guarding Hammer, a magic item he claimed he and Zhu Qin had crafted during their closed training, offering it to Wang Lu for self-defense while subtly mocking his lack of practical skills. Unimpressed, Wang Lu scornfully remarked, "Did you two mess up your brains in inner sect training?
After two years of studying, you came up with this garbage? How come the inner sect teaching level is so bad?" He then produced his own, superior Heaven Guarding Hammer and shattered Wang Zhong's with a single strike. Zhu Qin and Wang Zhong were left speechless and humiliated, especially upon learning of Wang Lu's perfect scores in all his courses, including equipment maintenance. Just then, Master Hua Yun appeared, providing a timely distraction.
She used an illusion to recount the millennial bloodbath, a brutal war that had raged for nine centuries. She explained that a century ago, the Golden Generation of the Lingjian sect, led by Senior brother Ouyang Shang, had sacrificed nearly all their lives to defeat the last demon coalition army, thus ending the ancient conflict and ushering in the current era of peace.
As the bells tolled, all members of the Lingjian sect paid their respects to the fallen heroes commemorated by a monument. Under the cover of a dark and windy night, Zhu Qin re-established contact with the mysterious one in black who had previously assisted him.
The one in black acknowledged that the Stellar Valley, where Zhu Qin had been in seclusion, was a forbidden zone with a Stellar Formation that blocked all spiritual energy fluctuations, explaining the two-year delay in communication. He revealed that their superiors were impatient and would now resort to extreme measures, taking action and attacking proactively, requiring Zhu Qin's full cooperation. Zhu Qin pledged to do his utmost, aware that success would bring him glory, but failure would invite ruthless retribution.
Later, Zhu Qin and his companions found Wang Lu and Hai Yunfan studying in the Scripture library. Recognizing Hai Yunfan as an outer disciple in a restricted area, Zhu Qin threatened to report them, which would result in severe punishment for both. He then proposed a challenge: a fair two-on-two duel at the back training field that afternoon, with him and Wang Zhong facing Wang Lu and Hai Yunfan. No matter the outcome, all past offenses would be forgiven.
Despite Hai Yunfan's concern about Wang Lu's inability to use magic, Wang Lu confidently accepted, stating he would disable the monitoring formations and take full responsibility for any repercussions. At the designated dueling ground, Wang Zhong boastfully declared his intention to defeat Wang Lu and send him back to a mundane life. Unfazed, Wang Lu waited for Wang Zhong to make his move, then produced a small hamster.
Wang Lu reminded him of a childhood incident: when he was nine, he failed to steal sweet potatoes and was cornered by three hamsters on a tree for two hours, eventually wetting his pants. Wang Zhong, who had a deep-seated fear of rodents from childhood, immediately turned pale and was rendered incapable of fighting. Wang Lu had won the first round through clever tactics rather than force.
As Hai Yunfan prepared to face Zhu Qin, an unknown assailant suddenly ambushed him from behind. Wang Lu, acting swiftly, intercepted the attacker. Despite his lack of magical abilities, he skillfully defeated the person in close combat. The ambusher fell unconscious, wounded by his own dagger. The group immediately panicked, knowing that engaging in private brawls violated sect rules and reporting the incident would lead to punishment for everyone involved.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Zhu Qin quickly dispatched Wang Zhong to Tongming Peak's Lingxi Pond to summon Liuli, a Successor Disciple. Liuli arrived, her attention fixated on the "token"—a corn cob. She immediately began aggressively questioning Wang Lu, demanding he confess his guilt and surrender to the Law Enforcement Elder.
After some probing, Wang Lu and Hai Yunfan realized that Liuli was incredibly naive and had been manipulated by Zhu Qin, who promised her sweet corn if she recited specific accusations. To appease the food-obsessed Liuli, Wang Lu offered her popcorn, quickly winning her over and securing her friendship. However, before Liuli could attend to the injured assailant, the man, upon being lifted by Wang Lu, suddenly vomited blood and died.
Everyone present instantly concluded that Wang Lu was the murderer. Just as the situation escalated, Master Ao Guanhai, the Seventh Elder, arrived. Surprisingly, Liuli, who had been fiercely attacking Wang Lu moments earlier, completely forgot the reason for her anger. Wang Lu seized this opportunity to assert his sincerity. Master Ao Guanhai took Zhu Qin, Wang Zhong, and Hai Yunfan as witnesses, ordering Wang Lu and Liuli to await their punishment at the monument.
As they awaited judgment, Wang Lu engaged the innocent Liuli in conversation. With a little prodding, she unwittingly revealed a secret about Master Ao Guanhai: he and his parents had migrated from the West Continent. He had become lost and was almost abducted before Master Wang Wu discovered him, sensing his immense spiritual energy, and brought him into the Lingjian sect. Liuli realized her blunder only after divulging the information.
Meanwhile, before the assembled elders, Wang Zhong fabricated a story, falsely accusing Wang Lu of killing the outer disciple. Zhu Qin then subtly reinforced Wang Zhong's narrative, carefully choosing his words to imply Wang Lu's guilt without making direct accusations. The elders seemed convinced by their testimonies. It was at this critical moment that Master Wang Wu, Wang Lu's master and the Fifth Elder, intervened. As Wang Lu's Successor Disciple, she was determined to uncover the truth. She declared confidently that as long as the body remained, the truth could certainly be uncovered through a thorough investigation.
