After Sōma's fateful battle, the Bronze Saints reach the famed Lushan fairylands in China, and are rejoined by Dragon Ryūhō. Shortly afterward, the teens suffer the assault of the ferocious Perseus Mirfak, who turns them to stone, with the exception of Ryūhō, who barely manages to defeat Mirfak, repeating the miraculous feat his father performed years ago, against Perseus Algol. Continuing their journey, the Saints tresspass the Lushan waterfall with the help of the Libra Gold Cloth, only to be greeted by the challenge of a mysterious young man named Genmu, who takes the Libra Gold Cloth as his rightful heirloom, as he reveals himself to be the Libra Gold Saint.

Dragon Ryuhou arrives to the Temple of the Twins, being greeted by a strange, peaceful atmosphere and talking animals. Gemini Paradox, the guardian of the temple, gently welcomes the young Saint and exposes to him her motives for her allegiance to Mars, and reminisces about her past. Disagreeing with Paradox's amoral perspective, Ryuhou engages her in battle, managing to overpower the gentle Paradox. Much to his surprise, she emerges full of hate and with no trace of her previous loving personality. Meanwhile, Aquila Yuna arrives to the Cancer Temple.