The Great Ruler Episode 2 Recap
> The Great Ruler Recap
The secret realm assessment was revealed to involve snake-like spirit beasts. Mu Chen, aware of Qian'er's fear of snakes, suggested she skip the exam, noting his own preparations with snake-repelling items. Liu Mubai offered his protection to Qian'er, but she sharply told him to focus on himself. Upon entering the Transmitting Circle, the group navigated a dangerous Snakes Trap, where Luo Li's Cold Moon Whip proved crucial.
Mu Chen tried to offer Qian'er some beast blood for defense, but Qian'er retorted that the scent would only attract more snakes. Mu Chen clarified that its effectiveness depended on precise placement. As they neared the den of Python Tunshan, Liu Mubai proposed they find snake-repelling grass. Qian'er, exhausted, insisted on resting.
After Liu Mubai departed to scout ahead, Mu Chen tried to praise him to Qian'er, but she expressed her disdain for Liu Mubai's constant lecturing and revealed their engagement was the sole reason for his attentiveness, an engagement she did not acknowledge. Meanwhile, Xue Shi of the Xue God Clan arrived at Beiling School, demanding the return of Luo Li, whom he claimed was the fiancée of their chief and was suspected of hiding there.
Mr. Mo, the President, denied any knowledge of Luo Li. Xue Shi then threatened the lives of all teachers and students, provoking the ire of both Mr. Mo and Mr. Xi. Sensing the escalating tension, Xue Shi opted to withdraw and formulate a new plan. Shortly after, Liu Mubai discovered a large beast tooth, which Qian'er speculated was from a snake. When Liu Mubai decided to scout further, the group was suddenly attacked by numerous snakes.
They fought together, and the snakes mysteriously retreated, leading them to realize they were standing on the back of the massive Python Tunshan, a spirit beast ranked eighty-sixth on the Record of Beasts. With Liu Mubai injured, Mu Chen decided to use the beast blood to lure the Python Tunshan away. As Mu Chen was cornered, Luo Li swiftly killed the enormous snake with her sword.
Grateful for his rescue, Mu Chen profusely thanked Luo Li, who then inquired about her lost Jiezi Coin. Mu Chen pledged to help her find it to locate Jiuyou Bird, promising to search Beiling School, the Five Sects, and even the entire world. Impressed by her strength, Mu Chen asked Luo Li to accept him as a student, but she declined.
Back at Beiling School, Mr. Mo explained to Mr. Xi that the Xue God Clan's pursuit of Luo Li was due to their unique marriage custom of combining spiritual veins, and Luo Li possessed the purest Luo God Clan bloodline. It was also possible that Xue Lingzi genuinely loved her. Concerned that the Xue God Clan's search might endanger other students, Mr. Xi suggested sending Luo Li to the Nine Territories.
Mr. Mo agreed, stating he trusted Mu Feng there, but worried that Mu Chen's mischievous nature might inadvertently bring trouble to Mu Feng. Despite this, they decided it was the safest option and resolved to arrange Luo Li's transfer to the Mu Territory. Qian'er tended to Liu Mubai's injuries, using a piece of her clothes to bandage him. Liu Mubai complimented her appearance, even in her torn attire.
Mu Chen and Luo Li found empty Tianling Lotuses (snake-repelling grass) that crumbled upon touch. They then entered a nearby cave. Soon after, Liu Mubai and Qian'er joined them. Inside, they discovered numerous spirit plants with intact exteriors but no spiritual power, crumbling upon touch. Realizing this anomaly wasn't part of the assessment, the group speculated on the disappearance of the spiritual power.
Mu Chen proposed using a Power-detecting Circle to trace the energy's path, and Liu Mubai, capable of activating such a magic circle, agreed. The Power-detecting Circle pointed towards the Lake of Dragon, the dwelling of Black Dragon. Mu Chen, recalling a ten-year-old memory of witnessing Black Dragon's evil aura and its fight with White Dragon, suspected the Black Dragon of malevolent intentions.
Given the gravity of the situation, they decided to split up: Liu Mubai and Qian'er would inform their respective clans, while Mu Chen took one of the drained spirit plants to show Mu Feng in Mu Territory. At the Mu Territory, Mu Chen and Liu Mubai informed Mu Feng about the drained spirit plant and the Power-detecting Circle's findings, linking it to the Lake of Dragon. Mu Chen reiterated his decade-old suspicions of Black Dragon.
Mu Feng confirmed their fears, explaining that the situation aligned with an ancient prophecy: "When the Nine Evil Eyes appear, the Evil Deity will manifest." He recounted a flashback to ten years prior, where Black Dragon had announced the need for guardians for the Lake of Dragon, which he claimed was a powerful place for cultivation. Liu Qingtian of the Liu Territory offered to guard it, but Mu Feng, skeptical, also offered, sparking a long-standing feud.
Mu Feng now believed his past concerns were proving true. Liu Mubai earnestly requested that Mu Feng ally with Liu Qingtian to confront the looming disaster. Mu Feng expressed reservations due to his deep-seated animosity with Liu Qingtian, fearing his refusal. However, Liu Mubai vowed to do everything to resolve their families' grievances.
Convinced, Mu Feng agreed to journey to the Liu Territory with Liu Mubai, instructing Mu Chen to return to Beiling School and proceed discreetly to avoid raising suspicion, emphasizing safety. In the Liu Territory, Liu Mubai introduced Mu Feng to his father, Liu Qingtian, who immediately recalled their decade-long rivalry. Mu Feng presented the withered spirit plant, explaining how the Power-detecting Circle indicated the Lake of Dragon was draining spiritual energy.
Liu Qingtian dismissed this, attributing the plant's state to natural decay and accusing Mu Feng of manipulating Liu Mubai with ulterior motives. Mu Feng, however, urged Liu Qingtian to consider Black Dragon's historical disdain for humans and questioned his motives, appealing to him to set aside personal feuds for the safety of the entire Beiling region.
Liu Qingtian, though skeptical, agreed to Mu Feng's proposal for a covert investigation into the Lake of Dragon's potential to absorb spiritual power and backlash. If confirmed, he pledged to unite their forces to destroy it. Mu Feng confidently declared he had a long-term strategy for confronting Black Dragon, revealing Mu Territory had been secretly preparing for this calamity for ten years.
Outwardly agreeing to the alliance, Liu Qingtian privately suspected Mu Feng's true aim was to gain control of the Liu Territory. Liu Mubai praised his father for setting aside old grievances, but Liu Qingtian coldly instructed him to focus on his studies and prioritize the Liu Territory's interests above the entire region. Later, Luo Li asked Mu Chen about the progress of his investigation into the drained spirit plants.
Mu Chen stated there were no conclusive results yet, but expressed confidence that a method to protect spiritual energy would be found. Luo Li, intrigued, then asked about Power-gathering Circles. Mu Chen explained their function as common magic circles that greatly accelerate cultivation, making practice twice as effective. Seeing her continued confusion, he promised to personally take her to a Power-gathering Circle the following morning.
Luo Li also commented that the Lake of Dragon shouldn't have been in such a state, hinting at a past visit, to which Mu Chen agreed its true nature remained uncertain and cautioned her to keep their suspicions secret. The next morning, Qian'er visited Liu Mubai, inquiring about his wound. He assured her he was fine and tried to give her some snake repellent, but she playfully rebuffed him.
He then returned the handkerchief she had used to bandage him, which secretly delighted her. Qian'er shared her plans to attend Sky Sect or Sage Sect, being at the Rotating Level, and expected him to choose North Sect. Liu Mubai, however, declared that he would go to whichever of the Five Sects she chose, visibly pleasing her despite her cool demeanor.
She playfully challenged him, saying she would go to Phoenix Sect, daring him to follow, to which he calmly responded that the Five Sects were close enough for daily visits. At the Power-gathering Circle, Liu Yang mocked Mu Chen for occupying two spots and sleeping, calling him useless for having no spiritual power. Liu Mubai intervened, telling Liu Yang to rein it in, and then asked Mu Chen to free up a spot.
Mu Chen quickly called out to Luo Li, who had just arrived, revealing he had purposefully claimed the spot for her by arriving before dawn, explaining that without spiritual power, he could only watch others cultivate.
