The Great Ruler Episode 7 Recap
> The Great Ruler Recap
During the Five Sects assessment, Luo Li intentionally held back, allowing Mu Chen to win their confrontation. Mu Chen, however, felt a deep sense of inadequacy, believing that her concession meant he wasn't strong enough to secure first place on his own. Luo Li patiently explained that her intention was for him to become a disciple of Ling Xi, a powerful master, which would greatly benefit his cultivation.
She reassured him that despite his nascent spiritual power, she truly believed he possessed the strength to earn first place. Touched by her words, Mu Chen promised to win the overall first place in the current assessment solely through his own abilities. In the final match, Liu Mubai trapped Mu Chen with a powerful restraint. No-Face Taoist secretly observed the entire event from the shadows. Despite being weakened, Mu Chen refused to surrender, recalling his promise to Luo Li.
Seeing Mu Chen in distress and recognizing his weakening spiritual power, Jiu You intervened, attacking Liu Mubai and allowing Mu Chen to win. No-Face Taoist witnessed the entire event. However, Mu Chen felt that his victory was undeserved, believing Liu Mubai was the rightful winner. Luo Li, noticing a flash of purple light, suspected Jiu You's involvement, but Mu Chen, burdened by his unearned victory, implicitly avoided the topic by expressing his shame and weakness.
Still grappling with feelings of shame, Mu Chen expressed his weariness to his father, Mu Feng, who was overjoyed by his son's first-place achievement. Mu Chen then confronted Jiu You, accusing her of cheating and making his win dishonorable. Jiu You, frustrated by human complexities, argued that their blood connection meant their powers were intertwined, and her intervention was partly to protect him and her own spiritual energy.
She defiantly declared that she would not help him again, even if he faced mortal danger. Feeling he had let down both Liu Mubai and Luo Li by not winning honorably, Mu Chen grew angry and walked away in frustration. No-Face Taoist reported to Wen Qingxuan that the owner of the Great Futu Spell was one of the two heirs, either Liu Mubai or Mu Chen.
Wen Qingxuan saw this as an opportunity to use Black Dragon's influence to instigate a war between Liu Territory and Mu Territory. No-Face Taoist’s immediate task was to confirm the spell's exact location. He then visited Mu Feng at Mu Mansion, presenting a spiritual formation map that he claimed could gather immense spiritual power and potentially reveal a Heavenly Secret Circle, promising unparalleled power and wealth. Mu Feng asked Mu Chen to examine the map.
Mu Chen, sensing its sinister and deceptive nature, rejected it and advised No-Face Taoist to leave. Enraged, No-Face Taoist attempted to strike Mu Chen with a Dark Blood Spell, but Mu Feng intervened. No-Face Taoist, still questioning Mu Chen about his cultivation, disappeared after confirming the Great Futu Spell resided within Mu Chen, thus proceeding with his scheme. Mu Feng suspected that the "monster" was using a blood clan spell and that Mu Chen was his target, fearing ancient retribution.
Liu Mubai was deeply affected by his defeat, withdrawing into himself and giving Tang Qian'er a cold reception when she tried to comfort him. Meanwhile, No-Face Taoist visited Liu Qingtian in Liu Territory, offering the same spiritual formation map. He claimed it contained hidden military strategies that would not only enhance Liu Qingtian's power but also help him unify the world, offering his services as a Retainer.
Despite Advisor Liu Zong's warnings about the map's malevolent aura, Liu Qingtian, swayed by ambition, accepted it and appointed No-Face Taoist. No-Face Taoist then brutally murdered Liu Zong, viewing him as an impediment. When Liu Qingtian learned of Liu Zong's death, he confronted No-Face Taoist but was quickly subdued. No-Face Taoist manipulated Liu Qingtian by asserting that Liu Zong's elimination was for his own benefit, removing a potential threat.
He then revealed his alliance with Black Dragon, reminding Liu Qingtian of their existing plan to attack Mu Territory, thereby coercing him into a partnership to instigate war. Luo Li, hearing other students gossip about Liu Mubai's unprecedented defeat and subsequent reclusiveness, sought him out. He dismissively told her that she, as a "goddess," couldn't understand his pain. Luo Li countered by sharing her own past experience of losing publicly to a peer in her clan.
This defeat led to her people questioning her status and even considering marrying her to the Blood God Clan for peace. She explained that this painful experience ultimately motivated her to grow stronger and prove herself, leading to her quest for the Jiuyou Spirit Blood. However, she admitted she couldn't comprehend the specific agony of being defeated by a friend, as her strict upbringing had left her without any. Liu Mubai apologized for his dismissive remarks.
Luo Li then reflected on her time in Beiling, noting that despite their short lives, humans possessed remarkable resilience, courage in crisis, and a unique capacity for genuine friendship, which she deeply cherished and envied. Their conversation significantly uplifted Liu Mubai's spirits. Liu Qingtian publicly announced Liu Zong's death, attributing it to a spiritual pulse damage, and temporarily appointed No-Face Taoist as his advisor.
No-Face Taoist quickly assumed command, issuing new decrees: reorganizing military armaments, distributing spiritual stones and equipment, summoning battle array masters and spiritual array masters for training, and ordering city leaders to mobilize troops. When subordinates voiced alarm about these preparations for war, Liu Qingtian silenced them, asserting that all policies were decided jointly with No-Face Taoist and that any dissent would be considered insubordination. Tang Qian'er confronted a still-gloomy Mu Chen about his distant behavior.
Mu Chen confessed that his victory in the assessment was not his own but achieved through Jiu You's power, explaining their blood connection from the Beiling Field. Understanding Liu Mubai's defeat, Tang Qian'er advised Mu Chen to confess the truth to Liu Mubai and yield the first-place title if he felt undeserving. Mu Chen acknowledged the severe impact this defeat had on Liu Mubai.
Tang Qian'er then asked Mu Chen to comfort Liu Mubai and bring Luo Li back, to which he agreed. She decided not to accompany him, asserting that Liu Mubai needed to learn a lesson for his coldness. Liu Mubai returned to Liu Territory to find everyone in mourning for Liu Zong.
Sensing foul play, he questioned Liu Yang, who informed him that Liu Zong had been with Liu Qingtian and No-Face Taoist just before his death, and that No-Face Taoist had now assumed Liu Zong's position as Liu Qingtian's advisor. Liu Qingtian formally introduced No-Face Taoist to a wary Liu Mubai. Liu Mubai directly interrogated No-Face Taoist about the recent military reorganization and troop mobilization.
No-Face Taoist offered evasive answers, claiming the measures were for "emergencies" and to "prevent those who covet Liu Territory." Liu Mubai's suspicions were greatly heightened, especially given No-Face Taoist's recent arrival and his vague knowledge of threats. After No-Face Taoist's unsettling visit, Mu Territory became highly vigilant. Mu Feng informed Luo Li about the incident, including No-Face Taoist's use of a "killing array" and the Dark Blood Spell.
Luo Li initially feared the Blood God Clan was targeting her, but Mu Feng reassured her it was unlikely. Later, as Mu Chen and Luo Li walked towards the academy, she voiced her concern that the Blood God Clan was pursuing him again. Mu Chen clarified that while No-Face Taoist used the Dark Blood Spell, he was not a Blood Spirit Clan member, and thus not one of the Blood God Clan assassins who had pursued him before.
Mu Chen shared his intention to go to the academy to apologize to Liu Mubai, and Luo Li suggested gifting him a new fan. Luo Li then led Mu Chen to a secluded spot and used her power to stop time. She emotionally asked Mu Chen if he was the boy who saved her in the Dragon Palace a decade ago.
She revealed her isolated childhood, devoid of friends due to her unique identity and her grandfather's strict protection, and the political strife within the Luo God Clan. She passionately explained that his heroic act at the Dragon Palace fundamentally transformed her world, dissolving her feelings of isolation.
She also informed him that more Blood God Clan killers were at large, and she believed she was the only one who could help Mu Chen escape his predicament and avert a crisis for her own clan. With deep regret, she told him she had no choice but to leave. Time resumed, and Mu Chen was delighted that she remembered their past, though Luo Li admitted Tang Qian'er had helped her recall it.
Luo Li informed Mu Chen that she must travel to Luo’s Sacred Mountain to find an alternative to Jiuyou Spirit Blood, arranging to meet him again in three days. Mu Chen, worried for her, urged her to be careful.
