The Great Ruler Episode 18 Recap
> The Great Ruler Recap
Ling Xi, the Headmaster, treated the unconscious Mu Chen. She noted his eyes had recovered but found a dark red, violent spiritual power flowing chaotically through his body, which she feared could negatively impact his mind. Mu Chen explained that He Yao had cured his eyes, but he felt Luo Li was upset with him, and Jiu You also seemed unwell due to the treatment's effects.
Ling Xi reassured him that Luo Li would understand, and she had temporarily subdued Jiu You. She then took Mu Chen aside, warning him against further treatment from He Yao due to the potential side effects of his reckless experimental research, especially since Jiu You had been traumatized by Mu Chen's sudden attack. To help Mu Chen and Jiu You, Ling Xi gifted him a Psychic Spell.
She explained that by cultivating it, Mu Chen could strengthen Jiu You's power and allow Jiu You to reside outside his body, preventing future troubles. Mu Chen found Jiu You, apologized for hurting her, and assured her he would never do so again. Initially hesitant and fearful, Jiu You eventually accepted his comfort. Mu Chen practiced the Psychic Spell, successfully releasing Jiu You from the Futu Pagoda within him.
Delighted to be free from her confinement, Jiu You expressed her excitement. However, Mu Chen was worried, realizing Luo Li had been missing for an entire day. He asked Jiu You to help him find her, and Jiu You agreed, noting that Mu Chen now owed her a favor. Meanwhile, at the border, Liu Mubai captured a dragon slave and interrogated him about the Black Dragon's plans.
The slave confessed that Lord Mo Xingtian intended to infiltrate the populace and turn them into puppets, using them as leverage against North Sect. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Liu Mubai and Shen Cangsheng hurried back to inform Ling Xi. It was later revealed that this information was a deliberate leak by Mo Xingtian, intended to disrupt North Sect's peaceful cultivation. Concurrently, Wen Qingxuan instructed He Yao to swiftly establish a teleporting formation within North Sect.
Her plan was to send her own forces to infiltrate and collaborate with He Yao, launching a decisive attack to conquer the academy and harvest its spiritual power for her godfather, the Evil God. He Yao assured her he would manage the secondary stone for the Space Stone, despite the academy's fully sealed barrier. Upon their return, Shen Cangsheng introduced Liu Mubai, praising his talent and expertise in formations, to Ling Xi.
They reported Mo Xingtian's scheme to use the civilians. Ling Xi informed them that her years of research on the North Sect Spiritual Array were nearing completion, which would allow them to shift from a defensive to an offensive position. She entrusted Shen Cangsheng and Liu Mubai with the crucial task of protecting the civilians during this sensitive period.
Liu Mubai then proposed a bold plan: to infiltrate the Dragon Palace while its forces were focused on North Sect, seeing it as a prime opportunity to gather intelligence. Ling Xi approved, urging them to prioritize their safety above all else. At North Sect, students observed an unusual surge in power points on the Dragon Roc List, indicating that someone had entered Lei Territory. Mu Chen immediately suspected it was Luo Li.
In the Lei Territory, Luo Li and Xuantong discovered a Wood Elemental Orb, a valuable artifact connected to space formations, which seemed out of place in the environment, suggesting it had been deliberately placed. Soon after, Luo Li was abducted by a mysterious black-clad figure.
Mu Chen confirmed his suspicions when he learned that Luo Li had pawned her Luo God Sword to gain 16,000 power points, which allowed her to acquire a Lei Territory pass to search for Jade Knot grass. He attempted to pawn his own item but could only secure 200 power points, far short of the amount needed.
Qingshan, having also noticed the unusual activity on the Dragon Roc List, approached Mu Chen, revealing a rumor that a hidden entrance to Lei Territory existed within the cloister. Jiu You, now free, confirmed this, explaining that she knew of a mysterious spot in North Sect. Qingshan was astonished to hear the bird speak and recognized her as the legendary Jiu You Bird. He then expressed anger at Mu Chen for having kept their bloodline connection a secret.
Determined to find Luo Li, Mu Chen sought Qingshan's help. Qingshan tried to gather information from Ye Sun'er by engaging her in conversation about North Sect's history and the Lei Territory. Ye Sun'er shared details about the academy's ancient origins and the Dragon Roc List, which was established to honor the Northern Sea Dragon Roc, the guardian of Lei Territory.
She also explained that the high power point requirement for entry was implemented centuries ago after many top students perished within. She briefly alluded to alternative entry methods, including a jade pendant kept by her and her sister, but remained tight-lipped about the details. Mu Chen and Qingshan successfully located the hidden entrance to Lei Territory in the cloister, protected by a spiritual power ban.
As Mu Chen attempted to forcefully break the ban, the commotion attracted Shen Cangsheng and Liu Mubai, who had just returned. Mu Chen explained Luo Li's situation and his determination to rescue her, even if it meant risking his life. Shen Cangsheng, understanding Mu Chen's resolve, informed him that besides the power point pass, the Lei Territory gate could also be opened with a special jade pendant guarded by the Ye sisters.
He advised Mu Chen to be cautious, acknowledging the immense danger of the Lei Territory. Qingshan volunteered to retrieve the pendant. He attempted to sneak into Ye Sun’er’s room but discovered she wore it constantly. He narrowly avoided detection when she returned to change her clothes. Mu Chen then devised a plan: Qingshan bought an expensive Illusion Vetch flower from another student after some haggling.
He then presented the flower to Ye Sun’er, causing a scene by insistently trying to make her accept it. During this elaborate distraction, Qingshan managed to discreetly steal the jade pendant. Annoyed by his persistent disruption of her patrol, Ye Sun’er initially punished Qingshan with seven days of transcribing books. Armed with the jade pendant, Mu Chen and Jiu You entered the Lei Territory.
Jiu You immediately noted the extreme peril of the maze, with its constantly shifting walls and frequent lightning strikes. To Mu Chen's dismay, his eyes suddenly became blind once more. Jiu You expressed concern about He Yao's unreliable treatment. Undeterred, Mu Chen, accustomed to his blindness, relied on Jiu You to guide him through the treacherous, ever-changing environment, dodging falling lightning. Back at North Sect, Ye Sun’er realized the jade pendant was missing.
Observing Mu Chen's rapidly increasing power points on the Dragon Roc List, she deduced he had entered Lei Territory. She angrily extended Qingshan's punishment to ten days of confinement. Shen Cangsheng arrived and confirmed that Mu Chen had indeed entered Lei Territory to rescue Luo Li, expressing regret that his current mission to eliminate dragon slaves prevented him from joining Mu Chen in exploring the dangerous territory.
