While the player is in Battle Through the Heavens, the system is in The Great Ruler.

Chapter 136 Initial Establishment of Power, Harmonious Union

"Now that it's over, let's go."

Lu Yu stood with his hands behind his back, looking at Xiao Yan who was walking closer with a smile.

Xiao Yan nodded, about to say something.

A hearty laugh came from not far away.

"Hahaha, kid Lu, it's only been half a year, and you've already broken through to the Dou Zong realm. That speed is truly astonishing!"

Hai Bodong strode over, his silver hair fluttering in the wind, a rare smile on his face. Behind him, Jia Xingtian, Fa Ma, and others arrived one after another.

With a broad smile, Jia Xingtian cupped his hands and said, "If I had known that Mr. Lu and young friend Xiao Yan were on good terms, my Jia Ma royal family would have lent a hand in today's competition no matter what."

Lu Yu smiled calmly and said, "You're too kind, everyone."

Hai Bodong patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder, his eyes full of admiration: "Good lad, you've grown so much in just three years!"

After saying that, he turned to Lu Yu and warmly invited him, "Young Lu, my Mittel family has recently acquired a batch of Cold Spring Brew. It is said that even a Dou Huang expert will be knocked out after three cups. Why don't we go and have a taste together?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Xingtian immediately stepped forward, beaming, and interjected, "How can such fine wine be enjoyed alone? I have recently acquired several rare medicinal herbs..."

Hai Bodong frowned slightly, about to politely decline, but Lu Yu's eyes flashed with a thoughtful look. He nodded and said, "Very well, I happen to have a business deal I'd like to discuss with you all..."

Before leaving, Lu Yu's gaze casually swept over a certain spot on Yunlan Mountain, but he quickly looked away with a normal expression.

Even after everyone had left, the disciples of the Yunlan Sect remained in shock. Meanwhile, deep within the shadows of Yunlan Mountain, two figures in black robes appeared and disappeared.

“Guardian Vulture, that person just now…”

One of the dark figures spoke in a hoarse voice, tinged with surprise and doubt, in a low voice: "He seemed to have sensed our presence? That glance gave me the illusion that he could see right through me..."

The Vulture Protector narrowed his crimson eyes slightly, his withered fingers gently stroking his chin as he let out a chilling laugh: "Interesting... This person's soul perception is so sharp..."

"but……"

He abruptly changed the subject, his voice laced with greed, "This is quite an unexpected gain. Such a powerful soul, if it could be offered to the Elder..."

The two exchanged a smile, then let out a chilling laugh before their figures gradually disappeared into the darkness, like ink spreading through the air.

……

On the mountain path, Lu Yu walked with an ordinary expression, his slender fingers unconsciously stroking the snow-white ring on the ring finger of his left hand.

"Sect Master, just now near Yunlan Mountain..."

The solemn voice of Venerable Heavenly Fire came from the ring.

"It doesn't matter."

Lu Yu walked with composure, his tone calm, and transmitted his voice: "They're just petty scoundrels. If they behave themselves, fine; but if they harbor evil intentions..."

Before he finished speaking, the Heavenly Fire Venerable in the ring had already understood his meaning.

……

Soon after,

The capital of the Gama Empire, the Holy City of Gama.

Inside an elegant private room at the headquarters of the Mittel auction house, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

Hai Bodong personally poured everyone a glass of his treasured "Cold Spring Brew," the crystal-clear liquid shimmering with a pale blue glow under the light of the luminous pearl.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly pleasant.

Lu Yu's slender fingers gently traced the rim of the glass before he suddenly put it down.

With a light tap of his fingertip on the table, an invisible energy barrier instantly unfolded, completely isolating the entire room from the outside world.

"Everyone."

Lu Yu cupped his hands in a respectful greeting and said in a calm and unhurried voice, "I have invited you here today to discuss a matter."

With a flick of his wrist, a scroll emitting a faint glow slowly unfurled on the table. Several trade routes, shimmering with light, were clearly visible on the scroll.

"I intend to establish the 'Lingbao Pavilion' to specialize in the business of elixirs, cultivation techniques, weapons, and the like."

Lu Yu's slender fingers moved slowly across the scroll, finally stopping at the location of the Black Corner Region. He explained in a calm voice, "The headquarters of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion will be located in the Black Corner Region."

After saying that, he pointed his finger toward the direction of the Izumo Empire, "The trade route to the Izumo Empire has been opened up, and the Tianwu Mansion, which is based in the Tianxie Mountains, is in charge of supplying medicinal materials."

Then, his finger moved to the location of the Gama Empire: "The Gama Empire is near the Monster Mountain Range, and I hope to use this place as a source of weapons, mainly to obtain magic cores and monster souls..."

Upon hearing this, Jia Xingtian's eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands, saying, "Brilliant! In this way, wouldn't the magic cores of the Jia Ma Empire, the medicinal herbs of the Chu Yun Empire, and the high-level cultivation techniques of the Black Corner Region be able to be exchanged?"

"That's what it means."

Lu Yu nodded slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips, and continued, "Lingbao Pavilion is willing to purchase the souls of fifth-tier and above magical beasts from you on a long-term basis at a price half a percent higher than the market price. If you are willing to establish a long-term cooperation and not resell the raw materials to other forces, you can also enjoy a 10% discount when purchasing goods from Lingbao Pavilion."

Hai Bodong immediately clapped his hands and laughed loudly, "I thought it was something serious, but why can't we agree to this? My Mittel family will be the first to agree to this long-term cooperation!"

Guild Master Fama stroked his snow-white beard thoughtfully, a shrewd glint in his eyes, and said, "If we could also bring the Alchemist Guild into this system..."

"Of course, you're welcome."

Lu Yu seemed to have been prepared, casually taking out a jade slip that glowed with a purple halo and gently pushing it in front of Fa Ma.

"This is an improved formula for the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill. Consider it a small gift."

Fa Ma eagerly probed the jade slip with his soul power, and after a moment his eyes widened suddenly, almost dropping the jade slip in his hand: "This...this pill can actually directly enhance the cultivation of a Dou Ling expert?!"

Mu Chen dropped his wine glass on the ground with a "clatter," his eyes filled with shock.

Jia Xingtian even crushed the jade cup in his hand, splashing wine all over himself without realizing it.

Faced with everyone's shock, Lu Yu simply smiled calmly, picked up his wine glass, and took a small sip.

Once everyone had calmed down a bit, he slowly added, "Oh, right, I forgot to tell you all, I am, in my humble opinion, already a peak sixth-grade alchemist..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present: "The Breakthrough Pill can also be refined."

With a "boom," these words exploded in the room like a thunderclap.

Hai Bodong suddenly stood up, his fighting spirit uncontrollably surging outwards, shattering the chair behind him. Jia Xingtian stood there dumbfounded, his lips trembling but unable to utter a word.

Breakthrough Pill! That's a peerless pill that can allow a peak Dou Huang expert to break through to the Dou Zong realm!
How many years has it been since a new Dou Zong appeared in the entire Jia Ma Empire?
The room fell into a deathly silence, with only the sound of everyone's rapid breathing rising and falling.

Lu Yu remained calm, his slender fingers tapping lightly on the table, as if what he had just said was nothing out of the ordinary.

After a long time,

Jia Xingtian was the first to recover. This peak Douhuang expert rubbed his hands together, his face full of smiles, and said ingratiatingly, "Mr. Lu, the Jia Ma royal family is willing to stand with Lingbao Pavilion through thick and thin!"

His eyes gleamed, and he thought to himself, "Are you kidding me? How could I, Jia Xingtian, miss out on a Dou Zong expert who can refine a Breakthrough Pill?"

"Once I break through to the Dou Zong realm, do I still need to fear the insignificant Yunlan Sect?"

Hai Bodong snorted coldly, but immediately declared, "The Mittel family will naturally provide full support. Young Lu, just let me know what medicinal herbs or magic cores you need!"

President Fa Ma took a deep breath and solemnly said, "The Alchemist Guild is willing to establish a long-term cooperative relationship with Lingbao Pavilion. If Master Lu needs anything, the entire guild will be at your service."

Mu Chen took a deep breath and then said, "The same applies to the Mu family."

Lu Yu nodded in satisfaction and took out a pre-prepared contract from his storage ring: "In that case, please take a look."

After reading it carefully, everyone used their soul power to imprint their mark on the contract.

After everyone left, Lu Yu left Xiao Yan alone.

"Brother Yan, what level have you reached in your alchemy skills?"

Lu Yu picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and casually asked.

Xiao Yan scratched his head and said, "Peak of the fourth rank, I can occasionally refine some simple fifth-rank pills. Why did you suddenly ask about this, Brother Lu?"

Lu Yu put down his teacup, a smile in his eyes: "Would you be willing to become an alchemy elder at my Lingbao Pavilion?" Xiao Yan was taken aback at first, then laughed heartily and said, "Why wouldn't I be willing!"

"After my teacher fell into a deep sleep, I was worried about having nowhere to go. Following Brother Lu, I can continue to study alchemy."

"Don't worry, your brother Lu won't treat you badly. I have three more gifts here, I'm sure you'll like them."

As he spoke, Lu Yu clapped his hands and laughed. With a light wave of his sleeve, a jade bottle, a medicine cauldron, and a jade slip floated in front of Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan's gaze was first drawn to the crimson jade bottle, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Lu Yu pointed to the medicine cauldron and explained with a smile, "This medicine cauldron is the Crimson Flame Cauldron, a low-grade spiritual artifact. You've seen it before, so I won't go into its specific uses."

"This jade slip contains an eighth-grade alchemist's inheritance, which is different from that of this world and is of great benefit to the art of alchemy. With your talent, you will surely not let this inheritance go to waste."

"As for this jade bottle..."

Lu Yu paused, then looked at him with a smile and said, "Why don't you guess what's inside?"

Xiao Yan licked his lips, a glint of longing flashing in his eyes, and said, "Brother Lu, I sensed the aura of a strange fire on this jade bottle, could it be..."

"What's inside this jade bottle is something called Earth Core Flame Elixir, or rather, a nascent form of a strange flame..."

"You're familiar with this too. I saw it when I was still in the Xiao family, learning alchemy from Senior Yao..."

Upon hearing this, a look of realization flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes, and he said, "It's the Earth Core Flame?"

"Of course..."

Lu Yu smiled and nodded.

This Earth Core Flame Elixir was one of the items he obtained during his three months of simulation.

In addition, there is a Level 5 Spirit Array Master inheritance and a Level 5 Weapon Refiner inheritance.

The Spirit Array Master's legacy was passed down to Venerable Heavenly Fire, while the Weapon Refiner's legacy has yet to find a suitable successor.

After all, for the Lingbao Pavilion to develop in the long term, it is imperative to establish its own weapon-refining system, as the pavilion master cannot obtain all spiritual artifacts from simulations.

By the time Lu Yu finished explaining, Xiao Yan was so excited he was incoherent.

The medicine cauldron, the inheritance of an eighth-grade alchemist, and the strange fire—the three things that all alchemists in the world dream of, Brother Lu actually managed to gather for him all at once!

This is simply...

"Brother Lu..."

Xiao Yan's voice trembled slightly as he suddenly hugged Lu Yu tightly, saying with deep gratitude, "You treat me like this, even better than my own brother!"

"What are you doing? Let go of me!"

Lu Yu's expression changed drastically. He frantically pushed and shoved Xiao Yan, saying urgently, "I don't have that kind of special fetish!"

Just as the two were struggling, the carved wooden door of the elegant room creaked open.

A young healer, dressed in white, stood at the doorway carrying a tea tray, her beautiful face filled with shock. The teacup in her hand clattered to the ground, splashing warm tea onto the hem of her skirt.

"you……"

Little Fairy Doctor stood at the door, her slender hand still in the posture of pushing the door open.

Her eyes, as clear as autumn water, darted back and forth between the two men, finally settling on Xiao Yan's arm, which was still draped over Lu Yu's shoulder. Her red lips parted slightly, revealing an expression of disbelief.

"Xian'er, it's not what you think..."

Lu Yu quickly pushed Xiao Yan aside and hurried out the door. He was about to explain when he saw Little Fairy Doctor suddenly burst out laughing.

She winked mischievously: "Why are you so nervous, Brother Lu?"

Lu Yu was taken aback, then chuckled and shook his head, saying, "You little rascal, are you deliberately teasing me?"

"It's because Brother Lu always looks so serious."

With a light laugh, Little Fairy Doctor naturally took his arm and said softly, "There's a lantern festival in the capital tonight, why don't you come with me for a stroll?"

Lu Yu nodded, and then the two of them walked away.

Xiao Yan stood there, unconsciously touching the tip of his nose, watching the two figures gradually disappear into the distance. In the moonlight, he scratched his head, a hint of envy flashing in his eyes, and muttered softly, "They're gone already?"

"When will I be able to find a Daoist partner like Sister-in-law Xian'er...?"

……

The two strolled along the main street of the holy city, where lanterns hung high on both sides of the street and crowds thronged in front of various stalls.

Lu Yu bought a string of candied hawthorns for Little Fairy Doctor. She took a bite, and the sweet and sour taste made her eyebrows and eyes curve into crescents.

"Brother Lu, would you like to try some?"

She suddenly held a candied hawthorn to Lu Yu's mouth. Lu Yu took a bite from her hand, and the two smiled at each other.

Suddenly, a loud "whoosh" sound came from afar, and fireworks burst across the night sky.

Little Fairy Doctor looked up, her fingers unconsciously intertwining with Lu Yu's. Bathed in the glow of fireworks, she leaned on Lu Yu's shoulder, her breathing gradually becoming steady.

……

Soon after,

Back in the guest room prepared by the Mittel family, Lu Yu gently placed her on the bed. Just as he was about to leave, his sleeve was tugged.

"Brother Lu, don't go..."

Little Fairy Doctor, her eyes still sleepy and cheeks flushed, mumbled, "I'm not a child anymore..."

Lu Yu stopped in his tracks. The cool moonlight shone through the window screen, outlining mottled contours on her exquisite face.

He sighed inwardly, then bent down and gently straightened the edges of the quilt for her: "Rest assured, I'm in the next room."

Before he could finish speaking, Lu Yu suddenly felt his wrist tighten as Little Fairy Doctor pulled him in front of him.

She tilted her snow-white neck back, her eyes sparkling as if stars were falling: "Brother Lu, am I... not beautiful?"

Her slender fingers gently stroked Lu Yu's burning cheeks, the touch making her own face glow even brighter, like the morning sun.

"Xian'er..."

Lu Yu's voice was deep and husky, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly. He didn't answer directly, but the emotions surging in his deep eyes said it all.

When Little Fairy Doctor met his gaze, her heart skipped a beat. The courage she had just mustered vanished like spring snow meeting the sun.

"Then you..." She bit her lower lip lightly, her voice barely audible, even the tips of her ears turning blush. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, casting dappled shadows in the moonlight.

Seeing her blushing cheeks and shy, delicate appearance, Lu Yu's heart skipped a beat. His slender hand first covered her slender waist, and then his other hand disappeared into her long, black hair.

When her warm palms touched her soft hair, a soft moan escaped her lips. As their breaths mingled, their lips finally met and became one.

……

The next day, early in the morning.

As dawn broke, the thin, misty gauze curtains were tinged with a hazy gold. Amidst the disheveled brocade quilts, two figures embracing could be vaguely seen.

Beside the bed, a snow-white bodice embroidered with lotus patterns hung quietly, its delicate ties still showing the way they had been hastily untied the night before. Scattered beside it were a plain white silk skirt and a moon-white undergarment...

Beneath the bed, Little Fairy Doctor's embroidered shoes with colorful butterflies lay askew, leaning against Lu Yu's cloud-patterned boots.

A gentle breeze lifted a corner of the gauze curtain. Little Fairy Doctor's black hair was scattered on the pillow, her snow-white undergarment half-open, revealing red marks on her neck. Lu Yu's black inner garment was also loose, his strong arms still wrapped around her waist.

What happened last night is self-evident.

……

(End of this chapter)