The Great Ruler Episode 1 Recap
> The Great Ruler Recap
Nine Evil Eyes are making their presence known, signaling the imminent revival of the Evil Deity. The Black Dragon, driven by the desire to propagate his clan, has willingly aligned himself with the Evil Deity, gathering various forces to serve his dark purpose. A prophecy speaks of a young boy, destined to restore peace to the world by resolving all conflicts.
He is said to possess the bloodlines of three divine clans, be skilled in magic circles, wield a divine sword, and possess the Eight-Buddha Pagoda Thunder-Lightning Body, making him an invincible force. As the chaotic war approaches and the gods fall before the Evil Deity, this boy is fated to stand alone, protecting the Great Thousand World and becoming the sole Great Ruler. However, Mu Chen, the current Young Master of Mu Territory, is far from this prophesied savior.
His spiritual meridians are sealed from birth, leaving him without spiritual power and often scorned by others. Only his friends, Tan Qingshan and Tang Qianer, are willing to associate with him. Mu Feng, Ruler of Mu Territory and Mu Chen’s father, attempts to comfort his despondent son. He emphasizes that true strength comes from a powerful mind, not spiritual power or the ability to activate magic circles.
Mu Feng reminds Mu Chen of his exceptional talent in drawing magic circles and encourages him to attend Beiling School to hone his skills and strengthen his resolve, as the Five Great Academies' selection is fast approaching. Mu Chen, who can only draw magic circles but not activate them, assures his father he will never give up. After their conversation, Mu Feng sends Mu Chen back to Beiling School, needing to discuss a sensitive matter with General Zhou Ye.
General Zhou Ye inquires whether Mu Feng intends to finally reveal the truth of Mu Chen's background now that he is older, but Mu Feng believes the time is not yet right. Later, Mu Feng meets with Mr. Mo, the Head of Beiling School, entrusting Mu Chen to his care and expressing lingering unease about a mysterious "eye in the lake" incident at the Dragon Abyss Lake ten years prior.
With the rotation to guard the Dragon Abyss Lake with Liu Territory approaching, Mu Feng asks Mr. Mo to particularly look out for Mu Chen, also mentioning his mother, Jing. At Beiling School, Mu Chen and his reliable friend, Tan Qingshan, are practicing. Qingshan attempts his "Mountain Fist," but Mu Chen easily evades it, playfully chiding him for always using the same move and correcting his clumsy use of idioms.
Qingshan, however, insists that dedication to even a single technique can lead to mastery. Their sparring is interrupted by Liu Yang, Liu Mubai’s aggressive cousin, who mocks Mu Chen and Qingshan. In response, Mu Chen and Qingshan make remarks about a foul, moldy smell, clearly aimed at Liu Yang, which enrages him. Liu Yang attacks Qingshan. Mu Chen attempts to retaliate by drawing a magic circle, but his inherent lack of spiritual power renders it ineffective.
Liu Yang, mocking him as a "loser" and comparing him unfavorably to Liu Mubai, lunges again. Just then, Tang Qianer, Princess of Tang Territory, intervenes, using a rope to restrain Liu Yang. Qianer playfully scolds Mu Chen and Qingshan for getting into trouble again. Liu Yang refers to Qianer as his "sister-in-law," but she emphatically rejects the childhood engagement to Liu Mubai, stating she would marry anyone but him. Mr. Mo arrives, putting an end to the squabble.
He sternly warns all students against private fighting, stating it will lead to expulsion, but pointedly makes an exception for Mu Chen. Shortly after, Mr. Mo receives an urgent message from his old friend, Luo Tianhe, Leader of the Luo God Clan. The clan is in grave danger from the advancing Xue God Clan, and Luo Tianhe has sent his granddaughter, Luo Li, Goddess of the Luo God Clan, to Beiling School for sanctuary.
He begs Mr. Mo to protect her, as the fate of their entire clan rests on Luo Li. Meanwhile, Xue Shi, a subordinate of Xue Lingzi of the Xue God Clan, is relentlessly pursuing Luo Li, with strict orders to capture her alive. Unaware of these events, Mu Chen is on a secluded beach, experimenting with a "Spirit Binding Array."
He explains that it's the only magic circle he knows that doesn't require spiritual power to activate but can trap those who possess it. His plan is to trick someone with spiritual power into stepping into it. As he considers calling Qingshan to test it, Luo Li, fleeing her pursuers, accidentally stumbles into the circle. Mu Chen, ecstatic that his new magic circle worked, emerges from hiding.
Luo Li, mistaking him for a member of the Xue God Clan, draws her sword, defiantly declaring she would die before going to them. Mu Chen quickly clarifies he is a Beiling School student and profusely apologizes for accidentally trapping her, promising to release her. However, having activated the Spirit Binding Array for the first time, Mu Chen has no idea how to undo it.
Realizing Mu Chen lacks spiritual power, Luo Li unleashes her own potent spiritual energy to shatter the circle, the resulting shockwave knocking Mu Chen unconscious. The sudden surge of spiritual power from Luo Li alerts Xue Shi to her presence. Luo Li swiftly drags the unconscious Mu Chen into the cover of nearby trees before making her escape, inadvertently dropping her special Jiezi Coin. Mu Chen awakens later to find himself alone.
Mr. Mo reassures Luo Li of her safety at Beiling School and inquires if she is there to find the Nine Netherbird, which she confirms. Luo Li explains the Nine Nether Clan are extraordinary mythical creatures renowned for their speed, strength, and wild spirit. She must sacrifice the Nine Netherbird's essence blood at the Luo God Sacrifice to receive the Spirit of Luo River's recognition.
If successful, she will gain the ability to summon the Spirit of Luo River, access knowledge of the Great Thousand World, and restore her clan to its former glory, liberating them from the Xue God Clan's tyranny. Her grandfather, Luo Tianhe, gave her a Jiezi Coin—a distinctive copper sheet with a bird symbol—to guide her to the Nine Netherbird. Mr. Mo acknowledges the legend of the Nine Netherbird in Beiling but notes its location is unknown.
He is impressed by Luo Li's spiritual power, which is almost at the Divine Soul Realm, a feat only matched by Liu Mubai among the students. However, he warns her that subduing the Nine Netherbird, an entity ranked eleventh on the Ten Thousand Beast Record's Earth List, will be fraught with peril. It is then that Luo Li discovers her Jiezi Coin is missing. Recalling her encounter with Mu Chen, she concludes he must have taken it.
Meanwhile, Xue Shi's forces receive intelligence that Luo Li is hiding within Beiling School, confident that she cannot escape them now. Back at school, numerous students are vying for Tang Qianer's attention with lavish gifts, though she accepts only one. Mu Chen seems preoccupied, reflecting on Luo Li and feeling a sense of familiarity with her. Luo Li confronts Mu Chen, demanding her Jiezi Coin.
Mu Chen, confused by her cryptic description of a "copper sheet with a special bird" and finding her behavior illogical, denies any knowledge of it. When Luo Li attempts to search him, he resists, reminding her of the school’s strict no-fighting policy and warning her not to provoke him further as he has many friends. Just as the situation escalates, Liu Mubai arrives.
He explains to Luo Li that Mr. Mo has tasked him with her care and vouches for Mu Chen’s integrity, suggesting a misunderstanding. With a final glare at Mu Chen, Luo Li leaves. Tang Qianer and Qingshan then approach. Qianer teases Mu Chen, suggesting Luo Li's aggressive behavior might indicate romantic interest, but quickly dismisses the idea as absurd.
Mu Chen then offers to ascertain Qianer's plans for the Five Great Academies selection for Liu Mubai, which greatly pleases Liu Mubai. That night, Mu Chen, still bothered by Luo Li’s accusations, searches the beach for the Jiezi Coin. He eventually spots it, but before he can retrieve it, a Beiming Golden Eagle swoops down, attracted by the glint of the coin, and snatches it despite Mu Chen’s frantic pleas.
Later, Luo Li arrives at Mu Chen’s room, having used an acupoint technique to immobilize Qingshan, who was sleeping. Mu Chen, covered in dirt from his search, explains that a "big, shiny bird" ate the Jiezi Coin. Luo Li, unconvinced, thoroughly searches his room but finds nothing, leaving disappointed after Mu Chen fails to get the incapacitated Qingshan to corroborate his story.
Qingshan later admonishes Mu Chen for his predicament and suggests he should have just fabricated a replacement coin, but Mu Chen steadfastly maintains that he never lies. The following day, Luo Li takes Qingshan's usual seat in class. Mr. Xi conducts the final lesson before the Five Great Academies' selection, teaching the "Spirit Rain Array" magic array.
He meticulously explains the fundamental principles of magic circle deployment: maintaining stable spiritual power in the core, precise drawing, and channeling ample spiritual power into the array. Mu Chen, believing magic circles should be dynamic and without rigid rules, attempts to create his own innovative version of the Spirit Rain Array. However, his attempt backfires, resulting in an explosion that covers him in soot and minor injuries.
Mr. Xi, while acknowledging Mu Chen's creativity, advises him to be more cautious and realistic, noting that innovation inherently carries risks. Before dismissing class, Mr. Xi announces a crucial two-person team assessment in ten days, the final hurdle before the Five Great Academies' selection. Students who fail this assessment will be disqualified from the main exam. Luo Li approaches Mu Chen and proposes they team up.
Mu Chen, citing his lack of spiritual power and potential to be a liability, expresses hesitation. Luo Li dismisses his concerns, stating it doesn't matter. Mu Chen then agrees, but only on the condition that they follow Liu Mubai.
Elsewhere, in the Dragon Palace, the Black Dragon, Guardian of the Dragon Clan, who allied with the Evil Deity to revive his lineage, laments that the White Dragon absconded with the Great Sumeru Devil Pillar, preventing him from resurrecting the dragon eggs. Another voice challenges Black Dragon's alliance with the Evil Deity, reminding him of a past betrayal five millennia ago.
Black Dragon retorts that only the Evil Deity's power, channeled through the Great Sumeru Devil Pillar, can resurrect their clan. The other voice vehemently argues that the Great Sumeru Devil Pillar must never be used as a tool for destruction. As preparations for the assessment begin, each student receives a jade bottle designed to collect spiritual power. The task is straightforward: enter a secret realm, slay spiritual beasts, and their spiritual power will be automatically transferred into the bottle. The assessment concludes once the bottle is full and safely brought out of the realm. Students speculate that the spiritual beasts encountered in the secret realm will primarily be snakes.
