I Am Nobody Episode 8 Recap
> I Am Nobody Recap
The Outsider Martial Arts Contest was announced by Zhang Zhiwei, the 99th Chief Celestial Taoist of Mount Longhu. He explained that the contest, alongside traditional rituals, serves as an opportunity for qi practitioners to interact and compete. There were 128 participants, and only one champion would emerge through elimination rounds. The first round involved four contestants competing head-on, with the sole winner advancing.
Knocking down an opponent was the only criterion for victory, with no other rules, although contestants could admit defeat or forfeit if strength disparities were too great. Participants were instructed to use the official Mount Longhu application to draw lots, which assigned them a sequence for their match (Heavenly Stems) and a creature group (four contestants with the same creature symbol competed together).
Zhang Chulan noted the difficulty of the four-into-one format and his seemingly bad luck after drawing White Tiger. Zhang Zhiwei expressed regret about Zhang Chulan's grandfather, Huaiyi, wishing he had found him, lamenting what happened to him, and regretting letting Xu Xiang search alone, which led to his abilities being wasted. The first match pitted Feng Baobao, in the Chital Deer, Group One, against the Jinwei Peach Garden Trio, consisting of Liu Fang, Guan Ling'er, and Zhang Cai.
According to records, these three were childhood friends who later joined and were expelled from the same sect, earning a reputation for being troublesome and having been repeatedly detained and warned by NDT Express. The trio was known to be formidable when they fought together. Initially confident, they recognized Feng Baobao and recalled a past encounter where she had given them a "compassionately educational" experience by locking them in a container and throwing it into the Pacific Ocean.
Faced with her again, they quickly decided to admit defeat, making Feng Baobao the winner of the first match. Subsequent matches showcased diverse abilities. Jia Zhengliang, of Vermilion Bird, Group Two, impressed with his object manipulation skills, manipulating multiple flying daggers simultaneously. His opponents quickly forfeited, and he won his match.
Xiao Xiao, from Azure Dragon, Group Two, demonstrated the Sniff technique, which involves using specific vocalizations to expel qi and could even temporarily disperse an opponent's primordial spirit, leaving them utterly defenseless if hit directly. It was noted that observing when he accumulated power and keeping distance was the key defense. Xiao Xiao secured his victory using this formidable skill.
Bai Shixue, in Chital Deer, Group Three, possessed the ability to devour others' qi, a skill noted to be particularly effective against techniques like the Gold Brilliance Spell. She won her match. Wang Ye, in Black Tortoise, Group Two, faced three opponents, including Jin Meng, known for his great strength and impervious body, and Zhuge Bai, who used Qimen skills. Zhuge Bai, despite being young, attempted to use a small Bagua Array but was overwhelmed by Jin Meng.
Wang Ye then quickly defeated Jin Meng with a powerful palm strike, demonstrating his extraordinary strength effortlessly and winning his match, which caught the attention of Zhuge Qing. Zhuge Qing, in Vermilion Bird, Group Three, showcased his mastery of Wuhou Qimen, an art that uses time and space as entry points to decipher the Way of Heaven and find loopholes, allowing him to seemingly predict his opponents' attacks.
When his opponents attempted to gang up on him, one quickly admitted defeat, and Zhuge Qing emerged victorious. Zhang Lingyu, from Black Tortoise, Group Two, also demonstrated overwhelming power, defeating all his opponents in a single strike, solidifying his reputation as a formidable practitioner. Zhang Chulan's match was scheduled next, but he was initially absent, leading his three opponents to wonder if he had fled and discuss teaming up against the rumored inheritor of Qi Apotheosis.
Zhang Chulan eventually arrived, shrouded in a black cloak. Addressing the contest, he declared he was there to avenge his grandfather, who had been wronged by the Outsiders. He boldly claimed he would defeat all powerful figures, including the head of The All-Encompassing Guild, the Ten Elders, and all strong individuals. As he spoke, unusual weather phenomena occurred, including a gust of wind that blew away the Chief Celestial Taoist's banana.
This display led some to believe he possessed terrifying power, possibly the legendary Qi Apotheosis, capable of summoning nature and altering weather with mere thought, perhaps even surpassing the Chief Celestial Taoist's level, despite the fact that no qi flow could be sensed from him. Although intimidated, his opponents decided to attack him 3v1, noting that he was alone. Zhang Chulan dismissed them as "ants" and challenged them to crawl to him for their pathetic defeat.
One opponent, feeling reprimanded and inspired by Zhang Chulan's words, asked for a head-on duel to test his limits against a powerful adversary and uphold his dignity as a challenger. Zhang Chulan surprisingly sat down and told the opponent to adjust his breathing and qi to his best state, stating he wouldn't fight him until he was ready, an act the opponent thanked him for, considering it an honor to face such an opponent.
However, while the opponent was apparently preparing, Zhang Chulan suddenly placed his black cloak over him and proceeded to beat him up, securing victory through this unexpected and widely condemned method. After the match, commentators expressed shock and called Zhang Chulan shameless for his actions. As Zhang Chulan walked away, he faced insults and criticism from others.
He cheerfully approached Zhang Lingyu and called him "Martial Uncle," but Zhang Lingyu reacted coldly, telling him to maintain self-respect and stop using that address, visibly trying to distance himself. Zhang Chulan was confused by Zhang Lingyu's attitude, noting that he seemed kind to everyone else but was consistently mean to him. Later, over drinks and food like crayfish and roujiamo at Xu's Restaurant, two junior Taoists attempted to explain Zhang Lingyu's behavior to Zhang Chulan.
They initially hinted at jealousy due to special favor from the Chief Celestial Taoist, but corrected themselves, stating the true reason was related to their respective Lightning Techniques. Zhang Lingyu practices Five Elements Yin Lightning, a modified version of half the complete technique, suitable for those who have broken their virginity. Zhang Chulan, however, cultivates Five Elements Yang Lightning, the original version of half the technique, which requires the practitioner to remain a virgin.
The junior Taoists confirmed that Zhang Lingyu had previously been in a relationship, and "this" difference in their cultivation of the Lightning Techniques, particularly Zhang Chulan having access to the pure Yang version due to his state, was the source of Zhang Lingyu's jealousy. Hearing that even Zhang Lingyu had experienced romance left Zhang Chulan deeply saddened about his own lack of a love life.
In his sadness, Zhang Chulan was dragged away by Feng Baobao, who said she would cheer him up. She took him to where Shan Shitong, his next opponent, was tied up. Feng Baobao explained she intended to bury Shan Shitong in a hole, leaving his head exposed, reassuring Zhang Chulan that she had checked the area for privacy and even bought food like chicken heart, kidney, and meat so he wouldn't starve.
She revealed that this was her way of working – clearing obstacles for Zhang Chulan's path to victory. Zhang Chulan was horrified, calling it despicable and worrying it would ruin his reputation. Feng Baobao dismissed his concern about reputation and insisted she was witty and not silly. Zhang Chulan continued to object, asking about her shovel and her inclination to bury people, fearing they would be reported.
Feng Baobao suggested denying it and washing Shan Shitong before letting him go to eliminate evidence. Zhang Chulan then untied Shan Shitong. Enraged, Shan Shitong immediately attacked Feng Baobao, calling her a "madwoman." Zhang Chulan tried to intervene, suggesting they talk things out instead of resorting to violence. Shan Shitong threatened to beat Zhang Chulan as well if he didn't get out of the way, but Zhang Chulan persisted in trying to mediate the situation.
