The Great Ruler Episode 35 Recap
> The Great Ruler Recap
Mu Chen used his power to trap Xue Lingzi. However, Xue Lingzi broke free using his Power of Whisper, injuring Mu Chen in the process. Luo Li immediately stepped in front of Mu Chen, declaring that while she had previously agreed to marry Xue Lingzi for her clan's survival, she would now die to protect Mu Chen.
She told Xue Lingzi that if he insisted on killing Mu Chen, he would have to kill her as well, otherwise she would take her own life, as she and Mu Chen were bound by life and death. Unwilling to see Luo Li die, Xue Lingzi released them, urging them to leave before he changed his mind. At that moment, Evil Deity appeared, expressing profound disappointment in Xue Lingzi for allowing personal feelings to overshadow his grand ambition.
Evil Deity accused him of defiling the powerful energy he had been granted and proceeded to reclaim all the power he had given Xue Lingzi, including the Power of Whisper. Evil Deity then warned Mu Chen and Luo Li that their current reprieve was fleeting, promising them unimaginable suffering upon his full revival. As Evil Deity departed, Xue Lingzi learned that the Luo God Clan and human forces had breached the city walls.
He declared that while they may have won the battle, he would not admit defeat, then quickly made his exit. Following Mu Chen's signal, Mu Feng rallied the human and Luo God Clan armies, leading a full-scale assault on Luo City. He instructed the Luo God Clan forces, who were familiar with the terrain, to secure strategic high ground immediately after breaching the city walls, preventing any counterattack from the Xue God Clan.
Meanwhile, Xue Shi, who was guarding the captive Leader Luo and Xun'er, was informed of the invading forces. He defiantly refused Leader Luo's call to surrender, threatening to drag everyone present to their graves with him. As Xue Shi lunged to attack Xun'er, Qingshan arrived, striking him down. Xue Shi soon succumbed to his wounds. Xun'er, overcome with relief, embraced Qingshan, who promised never to leave her side again.
Luo Qingya and the rest of the Luo God Clan army joined the allied forces, swiftly recapturing Luo City. With the Xue God Clan army routed, Xue Lingzi remained with his last few warriors, still unwilling to yield. Mu Chen and Luo Li confronted him, urging him to surrender to prevent further bloodshed.
Xue Lingzi, with a laugh, declared that surrender was not in his nature but offered a desperate pact: if his remaining clansmen were allowed to leave unharmed, he would swear an oath that the Xue God Clan would never again invade the Luo God Clan. Luo Li, seeking an end to the long-standing animosity between the two clans, accepted his terms, with everyone present as a witness. Unexpectedly, Xue Lingzi lunged at Luo Li with his weapon.
Acting in self-defense, Luo Li fatally wounded him with her sword. In his dying moments, Xue Lingzi reaffirmed his earlier oath to Luo Li. He acknowledged his defeat but revealed that his actions were a desperate measure for atonement, to prevent his people from sacrificing for him, as the Luo God Clan would not spare him. He lamented losing Luo Li, calling it his life's greatest regret, and wished he could live life anew for her.
Mu Chen mused that Xue Lingzi's sacrifice had, in a way, prevented a wider slaughter for the Xue God Clan, contributing his last strength. Luo Li subsequently arranged for the surviving Xue God Clan soldiers to be escorted back to their territory. However, Luo Li’s sympathetic remarks about Xue Lingzi, especially noting his death on Luo God Clan land, sparked a flicker of jealousy in Mu Chen, who playfully chided her for defending him.
Later, Leader Luo met with Luo Li. He expressed gratitude for Mu Chen’s invaluable help in their clan's survival, but also suggested that Mu Chen, as the Young Master, should return to the Mu Territory to oversee its reconstruction after the recent war. Leader Luo then candidly addressed Luo Li about her relationship with Mu Chen.
He affirmed her position as the Luo God Clan’s Goddess, possessing the purest bloodline, making marriage to an outsider impossible according to ancient clan rules. He stressed that after barely escaping the Xue God Clan's threat and reuniting, the clan could not afford any new internal divisions.
Citing historical tragedies of human-god romances, Leader Luo argued that separating from Mu Chen was, paradoxically, a form of protection for him, as their union would draw the wrath and punishment of all other god clans. Leader Luo confessed his weariness and guilt as a leader after the recent disaster. He revealed his discovery of Mu Chen’s true identity and connection to the Futu Clan, which he believed would bring future trouble.
Therefore, he decreed that Luo Li would undergo the Luo River test to become Saintess and assume the leadership, solidifying his belief that a relationship with Mu Chen was impossible. Luo Li, distraught, voiced her desire to simply be with Mu Chen, but Leader Luo sternly reminded her that her destiny was to protect her people. Mu Feng sought out Mu Chen, acknowledging his understanding of Mu Chen and Luo Li's feelings.
He cautioned Mu Chen about the serious consequences of a human-god romance, including punishment for Luo Li within her clan and hostility towards Mu Chen from other god clans. Mu Chen, however, declared that he and Luo Li had considered these risks and were prepared to face them together. Mu Feng expressed his deep wish for Mu Chen's happiness but didn't want him and Luo Li to repeat the tragedy he and Qing Yanjing had endured.
He hoped Mu Chen would one day grow powerful enough to defy these rigid rules, though he warned of the immense challenges ahead. Meanwhile, Luo Qingya reported on the ongoing threat of Evil Deity. Four of his Nine Evil Eyes had been eliminated, but five remained, continuously siphoning spiritual energy to hasten his revival. Locating and destroying these remaining eyes was paramount.
Luo Qingya suspected that one of these Evil Eyes was the source of the Xue God Clan's power and might be responsible for the transformation of the forest border between the Luo God Clan and Xue God Clan territories into an expanding desert within just a month. Man Tuluo offered her spiritual power to halt the desert's advance and mitigate the Evil Eye's influence.
Leader Luo publicly thanked all the allies for their aid and announced his decision to pass the leadership to Luo Li, with the Ascension to Saintess ceremony to be held in the coming days. Mu Chen voiced his concern for Luo Li's safety during the impending test. Mu Feng explained that undergoing the Luo River test was a mandatory step for any Luo God Clan leader, and it was Luo Li's destiny and duty as their Goddess.
With Evil Deity’s revival imminent and time running out, Mu Feng decided to seek powerful allies from the Great Thousand World. He named Yan Emperor Xiao Yan, residing in Fire City of the Endless Fire Territory, and Martial Ancestor Lin Dong, in Heaven City of the Martial Territory, as legendary figures whose help was crucial. He entrusted Qingshan and Cangsheng with tokens to deliver to these two masters, urging them to set off immediately.
Xun'er insisted on accompanying Qingshan, reminding him of his promise never to leave her. Qingshan eventually agreed, making her vow not to hinder his mission. Mu Chen approached Luo Li, sharing his father’s approval and his plan to propose after her successful ascension. However, Luo Li, disheartened, told him to stop comforting her, reiterating that humans and gods could not be together due to unbreakable rules.
Mu Chen dismissed these rules, promising to stand by her, but Luo Li called his faith naive, stating that "trust is of no use." The Ascension to Saintess ceremony began, presided over by the Spirit of Luo. Luo Li commenced the arduous test. The final and most critical step to becoming the Saintess and fully inheriting the Luo bloodline required receiving the bloodline of a close relative.
Leader Luo, reaffirming that his life was insignificant compared to the future of the Luo God Clan, sacrificed himself, transferring his entire bloodline to Luo Li. With this profound act, he vanished, leaving Luo Li to shoulder the immense responsibility of her clan's future. After the funeral, Mu Chen found a grieving Luo Li. He gently offered comfort, but Luo Li, now bound by her new role, pushed him away.
She explained that as the Luo God Clan’s Saintess, it was her duty to bear such responsibilities. She told him they needed to maintain distance, emphasizing the fundamental differences between humans and gods and the urgent threat of Evil Deity. She declared she had no time for personal relationships, leaving Mu Chen heartbroken.
Luo Qingya further advised Luo Li that as leader, she must prioritize the clan's future over personal feelings, warning that Mu Chen's connection to the Futu Clan could bring calamity to the Luo God Clan, and began to recount the ancient story of Qing Yanjing. Meanwhile, Evil Deity interrogated Liu Mubai about taking command of his army. Liu Mubai pledged his life to Evil Deity. Under Wen Qingxuan's dark spell, Liu Mubai was fully subjugated, becoming Evil Deity's devoted servant.
