Martial Universe (Chinese: 武动乾坤) is a 2018 Chinese television series based on the novel Wu Dong Qian Kun by Tiancai Dudou. It stars Yang Yang, Zhang Tianai, Wang Likun and Wu Chun.[2] The series is divided into two seasons.[1]
The first season of the series aired on Dragon TV starting August 7, 2018.[3] The second season of the series aired on Youku starting October 11, 2018.[4]
Synopsis
A mysterious seal introduces male protagonist Lin Dong to the art of cultivation, and he travels across the lands in order to hone his skills. He meets two vastly different women in Ling Qingzhu and Ying Huanhuan on his adventures, and gets romantically entangled with both.
Through sheer grit and determination, Lin Dong eventually becomes one of the most powerful and respected cultivators. As Lin Dong's powers increase, so does his knowledge of the world's deadliest secrets. He soon discovers the demon sect's plot to take over the world, and the three youths join forces with the righteous martial artists to defeat all evil and return peace to the land.
Protagonist. A descendant of the Lin clan. He is chosen by the Emblem stone to be the successor of the Emblem master, who sealed away the Yimo demons a century ago, and take up the duty of fighting against the re-emergence of the Yimo. He first liked Ling Qingzhu but later fell in love with Ying Huanhuan.
Daughter of the leader of Dao Sect. Lin Dong's Lover. Her real identity is that of a reincarnated ice lord and she awakens her powers in order to protect Dao Zong and help Lin Dong in his quest for revenge. She risked her life and did everything for Lin Dong.
Princess of Nine Heaven's Tai Qing Palace. Through an unexpected turn of events, she and Lin Dong end up sleeping with each other and she tracks him down to get her revenge, but instead becomes moved by his determination and fell in love with Lin Dong.
A martial arts prodigy who bears the burden of leading the entire Lin Clan to greater success. However, he loses his way along the journey and succumbed to the schemes of the villains.
A tiger demon who used to follow Lin Dong around until he eventually transformed into a human. He possess immense strength, courage and loyalty. He is later found to be the successor of the Prehistoric ancestral emblem.
Liu Yan[8] as Mu Qianqian (穆芊芊) / Heavenly Seat King （天王殿）
Lin Langtian's senior sister. She is a seductress and a cunning, manipulative elder of the Yuan Sect she is eventually shown as a Heavenly Seat King - Yi Demon.
A martem demon from the heavenly monk tribe. He was trapped inside a stone amulet until eventually discovered by Lin Dong. He starts out completely indifferent towards Lin Dong but ends up becoming his sworn brother alongside Xiao Yan. Later in the series, he became the acknowledged successor of the Thunder ancestral emblem.
Lin Dong's foster younger sister. She harbors a dark and chilling power within her, which she eventually turns it into her cultivation. She is the successor of the Darkness ancestral Emblem.
Yang Haoyu as Master Yan (岩大师)
Master of Yan Cheng Wizard Sect. Lin Dong's teacher.
Li Xinliang as Teng Lei (腾儡)
Lord of the Wilderness, Prince of Magic Puppet Sect.
Prince of Dayan Royal Dynasty. Eventually became Lin Dong's good friend as he follows Lin Dong at Dao Sect where he died in Lin Dong's arms on their escape from the demon swarm.
Lin Dong's senior. A genius who was the only disciple who mastered the Desolation formation from the Dao Sect before Lin Dong. He died after their encounter with the Third Seat King - Yi Demon.
Sun Yulin as Shen Qing (沈清)
Palace Leader of the Nine Heaven's Tai Qing Palace.
Production
In March 2016, Azure Media Corporation announced that they have begun pre-production for Martial Universe and has engaged Zhang Li as the director for the series.[18][19] The script for the series took two years to complete. Zhang Li revealed that the drama will be set in the culturally vibrant Spring & Autumn / Warring States Period, and that there would be increased emphasis on the wuxia elements.[20][21]
Principal production began on November 14, 2016, at Xiangshan.[22]
Filming halted for two months for lead actor Yang Yang to recover from his injuries.[23]
The second stage of filming resumed in September 2017.[24]
On October 31, 2017, the production wrapped filming after 258 days.[25]
Casting
On August 29, 2016, Yang Yang was announced as the male lead, Lin Dong.[26]
On October 10, 2016, the lead actress was announced to be Zhang Tianai, who would play the role of Ling Qingzhu.[27]
On November 14, 2016, the production team announced that lead actress Zhang Tianai would play Ying Huanhan instead. Actress Wang Likun was added to the production, taking over Zhang's previous role as Ling Qingzhu.[28] A controversy arose there were rumors stating that Zhang had snatched the role of Gina Jin's, who was initially cast to play the role of Ying Huanhuan. In response to this, director Zhang Li said that after reviewing the script, the production team decided that Zhang Tianai was more suitable to play Ying Huanhuan, hence explaining the change in roles.[29]
