The Great Ruler Episode 22 Recap
> The Great Ruler Recap
The North Sect students and faculty suffered severe injuries from Xue Lingzi's attack. Just as hope waned, Mu Chen and his companions arrived, revitalizing everyone. Headmaster Ling Xi led the effort to reinforce the protective array, but her severe injuries left her spiritual power depleted, rendering her efforts ineffective. She decided to sacrifice herself using a forbidden technique that burned her primordial spirit to protect the North Sect. Seeing the combined strength of the North Sect's defenders, Xue Lingzi retreated.
Ling Xi, her primordial spirit ravaged, became an aged woman. In her final moments, she revealed to Mu Chen that his mother, Qing Yanjing, was her adoptive mother. Qing Yanjing was a goddess of the Futu Ancient Clan who had suppressed the Evil Deity under a pagoda five thousand years prior. Ling Xi had recognized Mu Chen the first time he used the Great Futu Spell but had delayed revealing their connection.
She told him that the array diagrams she taught him were left by his mother and formed the foundation of the North Sect's spirit array, which he could master with a little more understanding. Ling Xi emphasized that the Great Futu Spell was the only method in the world capable of restraining the Evil Deity, making Mu Chen the ultimate hope for the Great Thousand World.
She further explained that only the White Dragon could contend with the Black Dragon, and both the White Dragon and the Great Sumeru Devil Pillar were sealed near White Horse City, awaiting Mu Chen to awaken them. Mu Chen clasped her hand, determined not to fail her. Shortly after, Black Dragon appeared before the North Sect, demanding Mu Chen's surrender and threatening to flatten the academy otherwise.
As he attacked Ling Xi's protective array, North Sea Dragon Roc arrived, deeply pained to see Ling Xi's critical condition. Ling Xi urged Shen Cangsheng and Senior Dragon Roc to protect Mu Chen and help him find the White Dragon before she passed away, leaving everyone in profound grief. Black Dragon warned Dragon Roc to mind his own business. Mu Chen, however, declared his resolve to avenge Ling Xi and all the fallen students and teachers.
Luo Li pledged to fight by his side, regardless of life or death, a sentiment echoed by the unified students. Dragon Roc then re-established the North Sect's spirit array, with Mu Chen assisting him, recalling Ling Xi's earlier words about the array's foundation. Meanwhile, City leaders from the Eight Territories, along with their soldiers, raided the Dragon Palace, destroying dragon eggs. Upon learning of this, Black Dragon hastily returned to the Dragon Palace, granting the North Sect a temporary reprieve.
Mubai, observing Mu Chen's growing prowess, was filled with mixed emotions. He then destroyed the Transmitting Circle and departed for the Dragon Palace with Mo Xingtian. Back at the Dragon Palace, Black Dragon encountered Mubai, who sought an audience with the Evil Deity.
Mubai offered to replace He Yao as an "inner agent" within the North Sect, vowing to eliminate Mu Chen for the Evil Deity because Mu Chen had killed his father, and in return, Mubai wished to receive power to rebuild Liu Territory. The Evil Deity agreed, bestowing upon Mubai the Power of Whisper and cleansing him of his poison.
The Evil Deity then instructed Mubai to cooperate with Black Dragon to decisively take down the North Sect and kill Mu Chen, warning against any further failures and promising Liu Territory the top position among the Nine Territories. The Evil Deity then instructed Wen Qingxuan to meet with Mubai. During their conversation, Mubai inquired about the Great Sumeru Devil Pillar.
Wen Qingxuan revealed it to be the Dragon Clan's genesis artifact and the key to their revival, explaining that its holder could gain immense power. She also mentioned that Black Dragon had been relentlessly searching for it since losing it after being severely wounded by the White Dragon ten years prior.
Wen Qingxuan further stated that Black Dragon's intentions couldn't be hidden from her adoptive father, the Evil Deity, and cautioned Mubai against asking too many questions or harboring inappropriate ambitions. The North Sect held a solemn memorial for Ling Xi and all the heroes who sacrificed their lives. Mu Chen reiterated his vow to protect the North Sect and honor the departed. A corrupted Mubai returned to the North Sect, appearing injured but recovering.
He deceived Shen Cangsheng with a fabricated tale of encountering Evil Deity clansmen in the Dragon Palace and forcing them to hand over an antidote, thus claiming to have cured himself. Shen Cangsheng, unaware of Mubai's true allegiance, was grateful for Mubai's supposed bravery in destroying the Transmitting Circle and securing the antidote, bowing in thanks.
Mubai further lied that he hadn't encountered Lord Tang or Lord Mu, claiming they had already retreated, and that their ambush had created the opportunity for him to destroy the array. Luo Li explained to Xuantong that she and Mu Chen must journey to find Lord White Dragon, urging him to remain at the North Sect. Xuantong was to help Shen Cangsheng restore the spirit array and ensure the academy's safety.
She stressed the critical importance of their mission, warning that if Black Dragon was not stopped, Beiling and the entire Human Clan faced destruction, and that only Lord White Dragon could avert the crisis of the Evil Deity's full resurrection. Xuantong, although reluctant to be separated from Luo Li and prioritizing his duty to protect her, eventually conceded, prioritizing the greater good. Shen Cangsheng bade farewell to Mu Chen, Luo Li, and Jiu You in a secret passage.
He cautioned them about the dangers ahead on their journey to White Horse City and assured them that their departure would be kept secret, publicly announcing they were in secluded cultivation to avoid Black Dragon's watchful eyes. He also informed Mu Chen that Mubai had returned, injured but recovering, and Mu Chen asked Shen Cangsheng to look after him.
Shen Cangsheng provided directions, indicating they would reach a town after a forest, with White Horse City about two days beyond that. Meanwhile, Mubai sought out Huo Feng. Huo Feng expressed his loyalty to the North Sect, disavowing He Yao's betrayal. Mubai, however, revealed his allegiance to the Evil Deity and announced he was taking He Yao's place, inviting Huo Feng to join him.
Huo Feng initially resisted, pointing out Mubai's past actions against him, but Mubai attributed those to He Yao's manipulation, urging Huo Feng to prioritize the larger cause. Realizing the gravity of the situation, especially after Mubai subtly threatened him by mentioning He Yao's death, Huo Feng agreed to cooperate and handed over He Yao's remaining possessions, among which Mubai discovered the "Soul Erasing Spell." Mu Chen, Luo Li, and Jiu You arrived at a bustling town.
This was Jiu You's first time entering a human settlement after her transformation, and she was captivated by everything. Mu Chen, concerned about her conspicuous attire and potential dangers, asked Luo Li to find her some normal clothes and prepare travel provisions. Jiu You, seeing some trinkets, impulsively tried to buy everything without money, causing a commotion. Mu Chen intervened, resolving the situation with a valuable item.
As they left the town, Mu Chen discreetly gave Luo Li a bracelet he had bought. Jiu You, seeing the gift, became visibly upset, misinterpreting the gesture as mockery. To console her, Luo Li gave the bracelet to Jiu You, explaining that despite their clan differences, she valued Jiu You as a friend and would find a way to extract her blood essence without harming her.
