The Great Ruler Episode 26 Recap
> The Great Ruler Recap
Luo Li cautioned that if they failed to lift White Dragon's seal, they could be permanently trapped within his spiritual realm. Despite the abnormal and hazardous fluctuations in White Dragon's consciousness, Mu Chen insisted they could not delay, as North Sect and White Horse City faced imminent threats. To accomplish their mission, everyone decided to collectively enter White Dragon's consciousness. Luo Li volunteered, believing her spiritual power could help pacify White Dragon. Jiu You also stepped forward.
Mu Chen instructed Bai Tong to remain outside to protect their vulnerable bodies and to alert Mr. Bai should any trouble arise. Bai Tong reluctantly agreed, emphasizing the need for their caution, especially Jiu You. Mu Chen, Luo Li, and Jiu You entered White Dragon's consciousness, finding themselves in a vibrant Dragon Palace, teeming with Dragon Clan members. Mu Chen deduced they were in a dream reflecting the Dragon Clan's glorious past, with White Dragon Lord appearing as a child.
He explained that White Dragon’s memories were fragmented, manifesting in disconnected stages, all representing his cherished recollections. The trio realized they were mere illusions to the dream inhabitants, unable to interact with White Dragon. Mu Chen believed the key to awakening him lay hidden within these dream fragments, perhaps linked to a specific person or event.
Their dream journey then transported them to a scene where young White Dragon and Black Dragon were formally initiated as apprentices under Master Yalong, tasked with learning the Dragon Clan's secret arts. Master Yalong declared that their mastery would mark the succession of the next Dragon Clan king, who would be bestowed with the sacred Sumeru Pillar. He also delivered a prophecy foretelling that the Dragon Clan would either face perishment or rebirth through their hands during a future crisis.
Mu Chen tried in vain to call out to the young White Dragon. The dream then shifted to a sparring match between the youthful White Dragon and Black Dragon. Black Dragon employed deceit to win, asserting that victory justified any means, a philosophy that White Dragon vehemently condemned as dishonest. Mu Chen reiterated their inability to interact with the dream figures, speculating that a pivotal person or object within these fragmented memories would be the key to awakening White Dragon.
Next, they witnessed a brutal battlefield, the site of Evil Deity's assault on the God of Heaven. Jiu You recounted the legend of the Dragon Clan fighting as guardians against the Evilness Clan, ultimately suffering complete annihilation. Mu Chen identified this as the "perish" aspect of Master Yalong’s prophecy. They observed Black Dragon and White Dragon wielding the Sumeru Pillar against Evil Deity, only for Evil Deity to turn the weapon against them.
Luo Li noticed that the Sumeru Pillar in this dream was a tangible entity, leading Mu Chen to conclude that White Dragon’s deep obsession was centered on the Sumeru Pillar. He reasoned that individuals of Lord-level spiritual power could manifest their consciousness as an entity, implying that destroying this dream-Sumeru Pillar would awaken White Dragon's consciousness. The group then entered a dream reflecting an intense argument between Black Dragon and White Dragon.
Black Dragon, resentful of the Dragon Clan’s heavy sacrifices for world peace, declared it was time for humanity to repay their debt. He expressed his intention to revive the Dragon Clan by hatching petrified dragon eggs using the Sumeru Pillar, believing it would usher in a new era for their clan. White Dragon fiercely opposed this, stating that the eggs were long dead and could not be hatched.
He accused Black Dragon of intending to "slaughter innocents" by using the holy Sumeru Pillar to extract energy from other beings to revive the eggs, an act that would dishonor their clan. Black Dragon, unwavering, challenged White Dragon to kill him if he wished to stop his plan, vowing that the Dragon Clan would never perish. Luo Li sensed White Dragon's consciousness fluctuating violently, confirming this dream's critical importance. They resolved to destroy the Sumeru Pillar.
Jiu You attempted to strike it, but her spiritual power was too weak, depleted by the insidious Eye of Bliss. Realizing the urgency, Mu Chen, Luo Li, and Jiu You pooled their remaining strength for a combined attack, successfully shattering the dream-Sumeru Pillar. Outside the dream, Bai Tong celebrated their achievement. Inside, Luo Li could no longer sense White Dragon’s consciousness, fearing he was dying, which would leave North Sect vulnerable to Black Dragon.
Mu Chen suddenly recalled an unlocking incantation for the Sumeru Pillar that White Dragon had imparted to him years ago during a desperate battle against Black Dragon. He quickly recited the spell, successfully awakening White Dragon. White Dragon, emerging from what he described as a "long dream," acknowledged Mu Chen and expressed gratitude for everyone’s assistance.
He recounted that during his fierce battle with Black Dragon a decade earlier, he had a premonition and instinctively entrusted the unlocking spell to the young Mu Chen, recognizing a kindness in his eyes that remained unchanged. White Dragon expressed remorse for his failure to prevent Black Dragon's decline and to protect the world, attributing the disaster to Black Dragon's alliance with Evil Deity. He vowed to atone for his past errors now that he was awake.
Meanwhile, Bai Tong struggled to maintain the transmitting circle, his spiritual power and that of the Sunvo Seal nearly exhausted. White Dragon intervened, lending his energy to stabilize the transmitting circle. Meanwhile, the Evil Deity detected an abnormality with the Eye of Bliss; its energy flow, which should have been continuous, had suddenly been disrupted, and the amount of energy received was significantly reduced. The Evil Deity suspected White Dragon had awakened from his dream.
Black Dragon, for whom the revival of the Dragon Clan was paramount, declared he would handle the matter, reassuring the Evil Deity that he would not hide anything. He then internally threatened Mu Chen to succeed and bring back the Sumeru Pillar. Back in White Horse City, Liu Mubai arrived via a secret passage from North Sect. He approached Mr. Bai, feigning concern for Mu Chen.
Mr. Bai, cautious, initially claimed Mu Chen had left the city, which was suffering under the control of the Eye of Bliss. However, Liu Mubai's passionate defense of Mu Chen’s character and his indignant criticism of Mr. Bai's apparent indifference eventually swayed the City Leader.
Mr. Bai then disclosed that Mu Chen and his companions were in an underwater illusion, attempting to rescue the sealed White Dragon and destroy the evil eye, having used an ancestral Sunvo Seal to create a transmitting circle. He warned that the Sunvo Seal's power was fading, and if they did not return soon, they would be forever trapped. Upon their return through the transmitting circle, Mu Chen and his group discovered Mr. Bai unresponsive.
Bai Tong, devastated, rushed to his father. Liu Mubai asserted that Mr. Bai had died from a spiritual power backlash and that he had arrived too late. Bai Tong vehemently rejected this, arguing that his father’s damaged spiritual channels would prevent such a backlash. Mu Chen offered to investigate further, assuring Bai Tong that he would uncover the truth if his father was murdered. White Dragon also expressed profound sorrow, feeling that his awakening had come at a heavy cost.
Jiu You stayed to comfort Bai Tong while the others left. Liu Mubai informed Mu Chen that North Sect's grand formation was still active, but increased Evilness Clan activity had prompted his arrival to assist. White Dragon confirmed he required three days of seclusion to fully recover his spiritual power before he could help destroy the evil eye.
Mu Chen accepted Liu Mubai's offer of assistance but warned everyone to prepare for a decisive battle, as Evil Deity would soon realize the Sumeru Pillar was unsealed, likely prompting Black Dragon to attempt to seize it. Later that night, still suspicious about Mr. Bai's death, Mu Chen informed Bai Tong about a bruise he had observed on Mr. Bai's wrist earlier. He explained it indicated external force, not a spiritual backlash, making the death highly suspicious.
Bai Tong recalled a faint mark but had dismissed it. Mu Chen requested to examine the body to confirm his suspicions, which Bai Tong agreed to. Their examination confirmed the bruise was external and revealed traces of evil power within Mr. Bai’s body, proving Liu Mubai had lied. Hearing a commotion from White Dragon's room, they rushed to find Liu Mubai attacking White Dragon. Mu Chen confronted Liu Mubai about his use of the Power of Whisper.
Liu Mubai, no longer feigning innocence, bitterly revealed his transformation. He recounted how his family had been decimated in battles against Evil Deity, leaving him as the sole survivor. He felt his family were merely "sacrifices" in their war, while Mu Chen was hailed as a hero, leaving him only with pity. He questioned the fairness of his fate. Mu Chen retorted that this did not justify betrayal.
Liu Mubai countered, claiming no one had truly trusted or defended him when he was falsely accused by He Yao, and that Mu Chen had secretly come to White Horse City without informing him, making him feel used. Mu Chen sorrowfully stated that he had always considered Liu Mubai and Qingshan his closest brothers. Liu Mubai, consumed by bitterness, declared that Mu Chen had taken everything that rightfully belonged to him. He vowed to no longer be lenient or allow anyone to exploit him, asserting his determination to become the ultimate power.
