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

Chapter 158 The High and Mighty Black Robe

Soon after,

As soon as Lu Yu and Venerable Feng stepped off the stone platform, a large crowd immediately surrounded them.

“Master, we are from the Ye family of Cangwu City, a branch of the Ye family of Danta…”

"Our Xuanming Sect is willing to appoint the Master as our Chief Guest Elder and provide us with seventh-grade medicinal herbs every year..."

"Our city lord cordially invites the master..."

A cacophony of recruitment calls rose and fell, dozens of invitation cards were eagerly handed over. Lu Yu frowned slightly, ignoring the commotion. Venerable Feng snorted coldly, waved his sleeve, and an invisible pressure spread out, pushing the crowd back several steps.

"Get out of the way!" Venerable Feng shouted in a deep voice, leading Lu Yu and the other two away.

Although the crowd was unwilling, they dared not stop a Dou Zun expert. Soon, the four disappeared at the end of the street.

Venerable Wind led them familiarly to a secluded inn in the city. The inn was simple on the outside, but inside it was a hidden paradise, with a deep courtyard and abundant energy.

"Let's rest here for today and set off for Saint Pill City tomorrow," Venerable Wind instructed.

Everyone nodded, and none of them had any objections.

After nightfall, Lu Yu sat quietly in his guest room to regulate his breathing. Once he was in peak condition, he took out a fiery red jade slip, which contained the famous ultimate technique of Venerable Heavenly Fire—the Five-Wheel Fire Separation Method.

In Lu Yu's view, this formation is definitely at the level of a fifth-grade spirit formation. With the support of the four different flames, it is even comparable to a heaven-rank fighting skill.

Of course, it is comparable to a Heaven-rank combat skill, but not to a Supreme-rank spirit array; these are two different concepts.

After all, the supreme-level spirit arrays of the Great Thousand Worlds can truly kill a supreme being, while the heavenly-rank fighting techniques of the Dou Qi Continent may not necessarily kill a Dou Sheng.

Even so, this Five-Wheel Fire Technique is still quite remarkable among level five formations. Simultaneously controlling four different flames to condense fire spirits for a long time to fight would probably require a spirit realm soul to sustain such consumption.

Fortunately, he is now a Spirit Realm Soul, and possesses five different flames, making this formation most suitable for him. Immediately, with a thought, five flames of different colors appeared in his palm:

The golden pagoda is masculine and sacred, as radiant as the sun.

The blue-green subterranean flames were violent and intense, like a volcanic eruption;

The black Netherworld Demon Flame is unpredictable and ever-changing; the blue Ice Soul Flame is chillingly cold; the transparent Fallen Heart Flame is formless and intangible, yet it scorches the soul.

With Lu Yu's precise control, the five strange flames began to operate according to mysterious trajectories. The Floating Pagoda Flame transformed into a majestic fiery lion, the Netherworld Heart Demon Flame condensed into a ferocious fire tiger, the Earth Core Flame transformed into a lithe fire dragon, the Fallen Heart Flame coalesced into an agile fire leopard, and the Ice Soul Cold Flame solidified into a fierce fire wolf.

The room temperature changed drastically, sometimes as hot as a furnace, sometimes as cold as an ice cellar, and even the space itself seemed to distort slightly.

Suddenly—"Bang!"

With a soft sound, the fire spirits formed by the Floating Pagoda Fire and the Netherworld Heart Demon Fire suddenly dissipated. The golden flames transformed back into a fire dragon, the black flames turned back into a fire python, and only the other three flames maintained their forms.

Two strange flames swirled around Lu Yu, their slight trembling seemingly carrying a hint of grievance.

"This is……?"

Lu Yu frowned. Logically speaking, with his Spirit Realm soul, there was almost no possibility of failure in condensing a fire spirit. How could this be?

He immediately used his soul power to carefully investigate. After a moment, he suddenly realized:
"So these two strange flames have already begun to gain sentience..."

In his perception, the Floating Pagoda Fire and the Netherworld Demonic Fire possessed a significantly stronger spirituality than the other three strange fires. They instinctively resisted changing their inherent form, as this would hinder the growth of their spirituality.

Lu Yu stroked his chin thoughtfully, a hint of realization flashing in his eyes: "I didn't expect that having too much fire elemental power would become a limitation..."

He suddenly chuckled, "But that's fine too. Since the flames are unwilling to change their form, then we'll just change the formation."

He looked down at the white storage ring on his hand, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Anyway, the founder of the Five-Round Fire Technique is right here, so why not use a ready-made array master?"

Thinking of this, Lu Yu gently tapped the white storage ring on his hand.

"Buzz!"

A white soul slowly emerged, taking the form of the Heavenly Fire Venerable. Compared to its initial weakness, the soul was now much more solid, radiating powerful soul energy.

"How are you feeling, senior?" Lu Yu asked with concern.

Venerable Tianhuo laughed heartily and cupped his hands, saying, "Thanks to the Heavenly Soul Fruit bestowed by the Pavilion Master, after consuming it, not only did I recover my Spirit Realm cultivation, but my soul power also improved considerably."

His gaze swept over the five strange flames that had not yet dissipated in the room, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes: "Is this someone cultivating the Five-Ring Fire Separation Technique?"

"Exactly."

Lu Yu smiled and nodded, then recounted the situation he had just encountered to Venerable Tianhuo in detail.

As for the Heavenly Soul Fruit that Venerable Heavenly Fire consumed, it was an important gain he had obtained through simulation over the past two months.

In addition, another simulation was less fortunate. He started as a spirit beast, but was snatched away at the beginning and became food for a ferocious beast.

Upon hearing this, Venerable Tianhuo's eyes flashed with a sharp light: "Interesting! A strange fire with spiritual power—this is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity."

He pondered for a moment, then suddenly raised his hand and waved it. The five strange flames immediately began to operate along a completely new trajectory. The Floating Fire Dragon and the Netherworld Fire Python remained in their original forms, while the other three strange flames transformed into tiger, leopard, and wolf forms. The five fire spirits resonated with each other and achieved perfect balance in an instant.

A dazzling radiance erupted from the fire spirit's body, countless beams of light intertwining and crisscrossing, outlining profound and intricate array patterns within the room. As the light trails intersected, a magnificent spirit array had taken shape!

"This..." Lu Yu looked at the completely renovated formation in front of him in astonishment and said incredulously, "Senior, you fixed it so quickly?"

Venerable Tianhuo chuckled and said with some pride, "Since receiving the array inheritance from the Pavilion Master, I have studied it day and night. I dare not say that I am completely different from before, but altering a once-mastered array is naturally a piece of cake!"

"Moreover, even if the Pavilion Master hadn't mentioned it today, I had long intended to improve this Five-Round Fire Formation!"

"This is just a premature embarrassment."

"Master, are you satisfied with what you've seen?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu carefully sensed the operation of the new formation and discovered that it not only perfectly solved the problem of the strange fire's form, but also increased the power of the Floating Fire Dragon and the Netherworld Fire Python by more than 30% because they maintained the most compatible form.

"Senior is indeed remarkable." Lu Yu took a deep breath and couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

This array master was totally worth the trouble to recruit!

Venerable Tianhuo waved his hand, but couldn't hide his pride: "Sect Master is too kind. If it weren't for the array inheritance you provided, I wouldn't have made this breakthrough."

The two talked for a while, and before they knew it, it was already late at night.

After Venerable Tianhuo returned to his storage ring to rest, Lu Yu immediately immersed himself in comprehending the new formation. Five fire spirits swirled and danced around him, sometimes transforming into formation patterns, sometimes condensing into beasts, illuminating the entire room with dazzling light.

……

The next morning, the thin fog had not yet dissipated.

Venerable Feng stood with his hands behind his back in the courtyard, his green robe fluttering slightly in the morning breeze. Seeing Lu Yu push open the door and emerge, his brows furrowed with undisguised joy, he raised an eyebrow and asked, "Young friend, you look excellent today. Have you encountered some joyous occasion?"

Lu Yu smiled but did not answer, only cupping his hands and saying, "I've kept you waiting, senior." After some comprehension last night, he has now fully mastered the Five-Round Fire Formation. With the support of the five different flames, he is now a completely different person!

In short, he is now a man with a Heaven-rank fighting skill by his side!
Zi Yan skipped and hopped out of the room, half a piece of spirit cake still dangling from her mouth: "Finally, we're off! This awful place is so suffocating!"

Little Fairy Doctor stood quietly to one side, dressed in white, her clothes as white as snow, while Venerable Chaofeng nodded slightly.

Venerable Wind laughed heartily and said, "Now that everyone is here, let's set off!"

With that, he waved his sleeve, and a delicate blue flying boat was already suspended in mid-air.

Just as everyone was preparing to board the boat, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the inn. Dozens of figures rushed over, the leader of whom was none other than the alchemist from the Ye family branch who had claimed to be there yesterday.

"Master, please wait!" the man called out. "The direct descendant of the Ye family of Danta has arrived in the city and has specially ordered me..."

Venerable Feng snorted coldly, and the flying boat suddenly burst into a burst of azure light, instantly transforming into a streak of light that shot into the sky, leaving the noise far behind.

On the boat, Lu Yu sat cross-legged. When he heard the words "Ye family," he frowned slightly, then shook his head and chuckled.

As a transmigrator, he was naturally aware of the Ye family's current predicament, but he was no savior. With his current spiritual realm soul and near-eighth-grade alchemist strength, the declining Ye family was not worth his trouble in befriending.

……

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, ten days have passed.

Saint Dan City, Outer Realms.

Venerable Wind led the group through the bustling streets to a secluded courtyard in the outer realm. Ancient trees towered in the courtyard, and rare spiritual herbs were scattered among the artificial hills and flowing water, clearly indicating that this was no ordinary residence.

"Friend Lu."

Venerable Feng pushed open the carved wooden door and explained, "Sacred Pill City is divided into inner and outer domains. The inner domain is where the Pill Tower is located, and only forces closely related to the Pill Tower, or high-level alchemists holding medals of the seventh rank or above, can reside there."

He turned to Lu Yu and said, "Although you are already a Spirit Realm Soul, you have not yet passed the Pill Tower's certification and cannot stay in the Inner Domain for the time being. I will go to the Inner Domain to visit 'that person' now. You should rest here for a few days."

Zi Yan pouted, skipped over to the stone bench in the courtyard, and said somewhat unhappily, "We have to wait again! We've been waiting all this way!"

Little Fairy Doctor gently stroked a spiritual herb in the courtyard and said softly, "The energy here is abundant, perfect for regulating your breath."

Venerable Feng smiled and took out a jade slip from his sleeve, handing it to Lu Yu: "If you get bored while waiting, there are also alchemist assessment sites in the outer realms. With your strength, getting a seventh-rank medal will be a piece of cake."

After saying that, he swayed and impatiently transformed into a streak of azure light, rushing towards the inner region.

"Senior Feng is truly decisive and efficient..."

Lu Yu sighed and then looked around. The courtyard was elegantly decorated, and the side rooms were equipped with excellent alchemy furnaces and various basic medicinal herbs, clearly intended as living quarters for alchemists.

"This place is quite nice."

Lu Yu nodded in satisfaction, then turned to the two women and said, "Since Senior Feng has gone to the inner region on business, we will stay here for a few days."

Zi Yan cheered and skipped over to choose the largest room: "I want this one! The spirit fruit tree outside the window is mine!"

Little Fairy Doctor smiled faintly, and with her slender hand, she led Lu Yu into a private room: "Brother Lu and I can stay in this room together."

Although his tone was soft, it carried an undeniable firmness.

Zi Yan pouted and made a face: "Tch, they're stuck together again." Then she skipped and hopped towards the room she had chosen.

Lu Yu smiled without saying a word, naturally taking Little Fairy Doctor's hand, and the two walked side by side towards the room. Pushing open the carved wooden door, a faint scent of sandalwood wafted out.

The room was elegantly furnished, with a large bed covered with simple bedding and two futons placed in front of the window, clearly a quiet place prepared for Daoist couples.

The Fairy Doctor took light steps and gently removed Lu Yu's outer robe with her delicate hands, saying softly, "You've been traveling these past few days, you should get some rest."

Lu Yu pulled her into his arms, gently stroking her slender waist with his hand, a mischievous smile playing on his lips: "Having a beautiful and gentle fairy like Xian'er in my arms is more effective than any magic pill."

Upon hearing this, Little Fairy Doctor's jade-like earlobes flushed slightly, yet she still nestled obediently against his chest, her slender fingers gently tracing circles on his heart: "Smooth talker..."

Lu Yu chuckled softly, leaned down and whispered in her ear, "These words are only for Xian'er..." His warm breath brushed against her sensitive earlobe, causing the person in his arms to tremble slightly.

The two of them lay down on the soft mattress, the gauze curtains hanging down, completely concealing the spring scenery in the room.

……

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains into the quiet room.

The room was slightly messy, with a plain white gauze curtain hanging halfway down, and a white bodice embroidered with lotus patterns casually draped over the edge of the bed. Little Fairy Doctor was combing her long hair with her back to the door, and a few faint red marks remained on her snow-white neck.

Lu Yu stood by the window, wearing an outer robe, looking at the spirit flower in the courtyard, which was full of morning dew, with a satisfied smile on his lips.

He turned around to speak, but saw that Little Fairy Doctor was already dressed and inserting the last jade hairpin into her hair.

"Awake?" Little Fairy Doctor turned around and smiled gently, her eyes full of tenderness. "I'll go prepare breakfast."

Just as Lu Yu was about to respond, his expression suddenly hardened, and he abruptly turned to look outside the courtyard.

A figure in black suddenly appeared in the courtyard. The woman wore a long black dress, her hair was tied up in a high bun, and her features were exquisite yet dignified. She exuded an air of elegance and nobility.

"You're Lu Yu?"

The woman's voice was clear and cold; though it was a question, her tone was extremely firm.

Lu Yu straightened his clothes, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Junior Lu Yu greets Senior Xuan Yi."

Standing with his hands behind his back, Xuan Yi's gaze swept over Lu Yu, who had just pushed open the door, and then glanced at Xiao Yi Xian, who was tidying the bed inside the room. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly: "It seems that I have come at an inopportune time?"

Upon hearing the sound, Little Fairy Doctor quickly stepped out. Although her face remained unchanged, her ears were slightly flushed. She gave a dignified bow and then stood quietly beside Lu Yu.

The man in black robes scrutinized Lu Yu from head to toe with lightning-fast eyes, then suddenly changed the subject: "You know me?"

"I've heard Elder Yao mention it before," Lu Yu replied calmly.

"Oh?"

Xuan Yi raised an eyebrow and gave a noncommittal hum. Suddenly, a vast and overwhelming pressure enveloped the entire courtyard, causing even the morning dew to tremble.

She parted her lips slightly, her voice still cold, yet carrying a hint of barely perceptible resentment: "Then let me ask you—how is that old bastard Yao Chen now?"

Her eyes, as cold as stars, flickered slightly, concealing a faint expectation. Although Venerable Feng had already told her everything about Yao Chen's current situation, she still insisted on hearing Lu Yu tell her the truth herself, as if that would make it more real and believable.

The man in black robes slightly raised his chin, his gaze sharp as lightning as he stared directly at Lu Yu, maintaining his haughty demeanor. However, the unconscious tension in his shoulders betrayed the undisguised concern he felt deep inside.

……

(End of this chapter)