Once Upon a Time in Lingjian Mountain Episode 9 Recap
> Once Upon a Time in Lingjian Mountain Recap
Wang Lu successfully distracted the other students, allowing Hai Yunfan enough time to hide the Flaming Fruit near the campsite. However, Wang Zhong soon arrived and confronted Hai Yunfan, who attempted to deflect suspicion with an absurd excuse about finding a "feng shui" spot for personal relief, claiming it would bring good fortune to his journey.
Wang Zhong, unconvinced and aware of Wang Lu's previous attempts to deter them, pressed Hai Yunfan, asserting that he and Wang Lu had found the Flaming Fruit. Zhu Qin then appeared, joining Wang Zhong in demanding the fruit. Despite Wang Lu and Hai Yunfan's initial denials, the Flaming Fruit unexpectedly revealed itself. With the Flaming Fruit visible, a dispute erupted among the students, threatening to escalate into a brawl.
Yue Yun intervened, suggesting a combat trial to determine who would claim the fruit. They agreed to a series of one-on-one duels in a crossover match, with the last team standing winning the right to take the Flaming Fruit. As the combat trial began, Wang Zhong, seizing an opportunity, tried to sneak away to pick the Flaming Fruit. Before he could reach it, he was engulfed by a dark, boundless space.
Inside, he encountered Yue Yun, and they realized their summoning charms were missing. Soon, all the other entrants were drawn into this strange, dark realm and subsequently knocked unconscious by unseen figures. Hai Yunfan awoke to an attack by a man-in-black. He managed to trap the assailant with a Six Lights Prison, and during their brief exchange, he learned that the man-in-black and others were following Hai Tiankuo's orders to eliminate him.
The man-in-black then realized Hai Yunfan was the son of General Hai Zheng, the rightful General of Junhuang Mountain. Suddenly, Master Xu, a Junhuang Mountain elder, appeared, swiftly killing the first man-in-black. Master Xu declared his actions were for Junhuang Mountain, despite Hai Yunfan being a legitimate prince. As Master Xu moved to kill Hai Yunfan, Wang Lu arrived.
Having anticipated their presence due to a signal from Zhu Qin earlier, Wang Lu activated a summoning charm, calling forth his master, Wang Wu. Unbeknownst to Master Xu, Wang Lu's artifact broadcasted their conversation to the entire Lingjian Sect. Although Master Xu was at the Stage of Nascent Soul and Wang Wu was only at Golden Pill, Wang Wu did not back down. She demanded 10 billion Spirit Stones for Hai Yunfan's life, taunting Master Xu.
Hearing Wang Wu's voice and the implications of her presence, Elder Liu Xian and Hua Yun, concerned that Wang Wu might steal the numerous Flaming Fruits and other treasures from Qingyun Peak, rushed to the scene. Just as the conflict escalated, Hai Tiankuo appeared. He swiftly executed Master Xu and his accompanying men-in-black for their unauthorized abandonment of their posts, declaring that Junhuang Mountain's military laws were absolute.
Hai Yunfan, seeing the murderer of his family, pursued Hai Tiankuo relentlessly, but he was no match for him. As Hai Tiankuo prepared to strike a fatal blow, Liu Xian and Hua Yun arrived, engaging Hai Tiankuo in battle. When they found themselves at a disadvantage, Wang Wu joined them, and together they formed the Three-talent Formation.
Seeing this, Hai Tiankuo scoffed, telling Hai Yunfan that he would never be able to harm him, even if he cultivated for another ten thousand years. With that, Hai Tiankuo retreated. After returning from Qingyun Peak, the elders gathered the entrants. Elder Fang He confronted Wang Lu, revealing that Wang Lu had stolen Yue Yun's summoning charm.
Fang He accused Wang Lu of attempting to achieve two goals: stealing the Flaming Fruits from Qingyun Peak and using the summoning charm to call Wang Wu to resolve Hai Yunfan's crisis. He emphasized that the elders were fully aware of Junhuang Mountain's movements and had been observing them, intending to expose the mastermind behind the black-clad figures. Wang Lu's impulsive actions had nearly led to disastrous consequences for Hai Yunfan.
Wang Lu admitted his misjudgment and offered no further excuses. As the meeting concluded, the Leader called out Zhu Qin, stating that his betrayal of the sect and attempt to harm fellow disciples would result in expulsion according to the Lingjian Sect's laws. Zhu Qin immediately knelt and confessed, tearfully explaining that Master Xu had threatened his parents' lives.
Wang Lu, however, interceded on Zhu Qin's behalf, arguing that Zhu Qin was temporarily misguided due to filial piety and that, given their sect's principle of inclusiveness, allowing him to reform might be a better outcome. The elders agreed, deciding to strip Zhu Qin of all his cultivation, forcing him to start anew as a severe lesson for all disciples to uphold loyalty and mutual trust.
Meanwhile, Wang Wu, having successfully absconded with thousands of Flaming Fruits, countless ginsengs, and hundreds of the finest reishi from Qingyun Peak, had feigned chasing Hai Tiankuo and vanished. The elders lamented her usual antics but acknowledged her loyalty in principle. The elders then discussed Hai Tiankuo's power, deducing that he had reached the Stage of Disassembling.
The Leader assured the other elders that the sect would protect Hai Yunfan, affirming that Lingjian Sect would not be intimidated by Junhuang Mountain and was capable of fighting a Stage of Disassembling cultivator. Hai Yunfan, recovering from his injuries, was deeply distraught by his inability to defeat Hai Tiankuo, constantly reliving his brother's taunts about his weak cultivation. This emotional wound lingered, making it difficult for him to sleep.
Wang Lu attempted to comfort and counsel him, bringing him handmade goodies and Cold Spring Liquor, which Wang Lu had secretly taken from Wang Wu's stash, but Hai Yunfan remained in despair, ultimately pushing Wang Lu out of his room. Despite this, Wang Lu patiently waited outside Hai Yunfan's door in the rain, determined to help his friend overcome his inner demons.
