Introduction
Among the donghua adaptations of Tiancan Tudou’s popular xianxia novels, The Great Ruler (大主宰, Da Zhuzai) stands as the third installment following Battle Through the Heavens (斗破苍穹, Doupo Cangqiong) and Martial Universe (武动乾坤, Wudong Qiankun). Together, these three works form a connected cultivation universe where protagonists of different eras carve their paths toward supremacy.
The donghua adaptation of The Great Ruler brings to life the journey of Mu Chen, a determined young cultivator who strives to reach the peak of martial power and protect those he loves, while facing gods, demons, and cosmic struggles along the way.
Plot Overview
The story follows Mu Chen, a youth from the Northern Spiritual Realm, who begins as a relatively unknown cultivator but soon rises as one of the strongest figures in the Great Thousand World.
Key elements of the story include:
- Mu Chen’s Rise: Starting as a young genius of the Mu clan, Mu Chen embarks on a journey to prove himself and grow stronger through relentless cultivation and battles.
- Bond with Luo Li: Luo Li, the elegant and powerful princess of the Luo God Clan, plays a central role in his journey, offering both romance and alliance.
- Great Thousand World: Unlike earlier series focused on smaller realms, The Great Ruler spans vast universes with countless races, sects, and dimensions.
- Heavenly Sovereign Ambition: Mu Chen aims to reach the legendary title of Great Ruler, a sovereign who governs the countless worlds of existence.
The plot blends adventure, romance, cultivation trials, sect rivalries, and cosmic warfare, making it an epic continuation of the shared universe.
Main Characters
- Mu Chen (牧尘) – The protagonist, known for his intelligence, talent, and persistence. His ultimate goal is to ascend to the position of the Great Ruler.
- Luo Li (洛璃) – The graceful and powerful princess of the Luo God Clan, and Mu Chen’s destined partner.
- Nine Netherbird (九幽) – A divine beast who becomes Mu Chen’s contracted partner, aiding him in battles.
- Lin Dong & Xiao Yan (cameos) – Protagonists of Martial Universe and Battle Through the Heavens, who appear later in the story to tie the universes together.
Themes and Highlights
- Cultivation and Transcendence – The series follows classic xianxia tropes where power comes through perseverance, comprehension of the Dao, and breakthroughs in martial realms.
- Romance – The bond between Mu Chen and Luo Li is more fleshed out compared to many cultivation donghua.
- Cosmic Scale – The setting expands to multiple worlds, divine clans, and heavenly rulers.
- Legacy Connections – As the third in Tiancan Tudou’s trilogy, it ties together the journeys of Xiao Yan (BTTH), Lin Dong (Martial Universe), and Mu Chen.
Production & Release
- Chinese Title: 大主宰 (Da Zhuzai)
- English Title: The Great Ruler
- Source: Novel by Tiancan Tudou (author of Battle Through the Heavens & Martial Universe)
- Studio: Motion Magic (same studio behind BTTH donghua)
- First Release: 2020
- Episodes: 48 (Season 1)
- Runtime: ~20 minutes per episode
While the novel spans over 1,600 chapters, the donghua only covers the early arcs of Mu Chen’s journey, leaving fans eager for continuation.
Reception
The reception of The Great Ruler donghua has been mixed to positive:
- Strengths:
- Beautiful character designs and refined animation.
- Engaging cultivation sequences and battles.
- Strong romantic subplot with Luo Li.
- Expansive world-building.
- Weaknesses:
- Pacing issues due to condensing large story arcs into fewer episodes.
- Some fans felt the adaptation lacked the depth of the novel.
- As of now, only one season exists, leaving the story unfinished in animation form.
Why Fans Love It
- Connection to BTTH & Martial Universe – Seeing another protagonist within the same grand universe excites fans.
- Romantic Development – Unlike many cultivation stories, the relationship between Mu Chen and Luo Li feels central and meaningful.
- Epic Power Scaling – The Great Thousand World setting allows for nearly limitless growth and epic battles.
- Adaptation of a Beloved Novel – The source material is already popular, giving the donghua a strong fanbase.
Where to Watch The Great Ruler Donghua
- Official Platforms: Tencent Video (WeTV)
- International Access: Available with subtitles on streaming sites like WeTV (depending on region) and select anime platforms.
Reference listings:
Final Thoughts
The Great Ruler (Da Zhuzai) stands as a grand continuation of Tiancan Tudou’s cultivation trilogy, following Battle Through the Heavens and Martial Universe.
Although its donghua adaptation has only covered a fraction of the source novel, it provides a visually stunning and emotionally engaging introduction to Mu Chen’s journey toward becoming a sovereign of the worlds.
For fans of long cultivation sagas, romance-driven plots, and epic universes, The Great Ruler is a must-watch. Hopefully, future seasons will continue adapting Mu Chen’s path, eventually bringing the trilogy full circle with Xiao Yan, Lin Dong, and Mu Chen standing together as true rulers of the Great Thousand World.
