In Episode 9 of "Hell's Paradise," the narrative is driven by two main threads: the story of the islanders as told by Hoko, and Gabimaru's intense battle with the terrifying Tensen, Zhu Jin.

At the beginning of the episode, the island's population is illuminated through Hoko's tale. According to him, the villagers, including himself, were originally humans afflicted by a mysterious disease that turned them into trees. These are the "praying trees" that Gabimaru encounters. As Hoko reveals that he, too, is nearing the end of his life, he speculates that the villagers' plight may be connected to the elixir of life. The disease slowly drained their vitality and transformed them into plants, much like other humans stung by the island's insects.

Gabimaru's fight with Zhu Jin, the orange-haired Tensen, takes center stage in the latter half of the episode. The Tensen were initially regarded as gods, but Gabimaru's near-success in eliminating Zhu Jin challenges this belief. Gabimaru overcomes Zhu Jin's regeneration through rapid attacks, forcing Zhu Jin to transform into his final form—a flower monster.

The encounter leads Gabimaru to reflect on what preparations are necessary to truly defeat a Tensen. Even cooperation with allies like Sagiri, Yuzuriha, Senta, Fuchi, and Gantetsusai, who appear toward the end of the episode, might not be enough. However, the episode introduces Mei as a potential solution, as she possesses unique abilities similar to those of the Tensen.

Mei, a centuries-old girl, displays powers akin to Zhu Jin's, including a striking attack and the ability to generate force fields. This sparks speculation that Mei might herself be a Tensen, an idea supported by Zhu Jin's recognition of her. If she could teach Gabimaru her techniques, he might stand a chance against the Tensen—perhaps even going so far as to save his wife by killing his immortal father-in-law.

Later in the episode, we learn that the seven hermits of Shinsenkyo are, as expected, the Tensen themselves. Interestingly, all seven hermits originated from a single entity that split into seven bodies. The "master" referred to by the leader of the Tensen is likely this original being. Mei could be another offshoot of this entity, though she is not acknowledged as such by the other Tensen.