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

Chapter 177 Alliance, Xun'er's Joy
"They're rolling in money..."

Lu Yu looked at the simulation results, his eyes narrowing slightly. Even he hadn't expected that this simulation of living off a woman could go this far, actually managing to seduce the Heavenly Supreme's own granddaughter.

"First, let's rule out the Source Fire Divine Lotus. Although it's excellent, feeding it to a spirit of a different kind of fire could indeed help it germinate prematurely. However, the attributes of my spirit of a different kind of fire are already close to perfect. If an uncontrollable mutation occurs after fusion, turning it into other ordinary attributes, then it would be a huge loss..."

"As for the Bodhi tree branch and the jade slip of inheritance..."

"According to the simulation, the Bodhi tree branch contains a wisp of the Bodhi ancestral tree's essence, possessing extremely powerful vitality. It can be cultivated as a spiritual plant seed on its own. The value of a supreme-level Bodhi tree seed is self-evident..."

"However, its greatest use is to increase comprehension, but if I choose this item, I can't refine it without the Wood Spirit Clan's Eternal Evergreen Scripture. Besides, I cultivate the Great Floating Pagoda Technique, so changing my cultivation method would definitely be the worst choice..."

"It seems the greatest use of this item is in alchemy, but I don't have any high-level medicinal formulas that use Bodhi tree branches as the core. I have the precious material but don't know where to start. Perhaps there are such formulas recorded in the inheritance jade slip, but if I choose Bodhi tree branches, I won't be able to obtain the jade slip..."

Lu Yu frowned and fell into deep thought.

Ultimately, only by choosing to inherit the jade slip can the value of the Bodhi tree branch be maximized.

However, if one chooses the Bodhi branch, one loses the jade slip containing countless secret techniques, prescriptions, and cultivation information, and even if one obtains the Bodhi branch, it will be difficult to use it immediately.

"The inheritance of a Heavenly Grade Advanced Alchemist corresponds to the Ninth Grade Supreme. In the Great Thousand World, Supreme-level alchemists are divided into three grades: Heaven, Earth, and Human. Each grade is further divided into three levels: low, medium, and high..."

"A Heavenly-Rank Alchemist, when converted to the Dou Qi Continent, is comparable to a Ninth-Rank Golden Core Alchemist Grandmaster, enough for me to use until the peak of Dou Sheng..."

Lu Yu hesitated for a moment, deciding that he could save the Bodhi tree branch for future use.

The option to inherit the jade slip can be used now.

Strictly speaking, neither choice is bad.

"By choosing the inheritance jade slip, I can quickly improve my strength and alchemy skills with the inheritance within. Moreover, there is also the Bodhi Ancient Tree on the Dou Qi Continent. In the future, there may be an opportunity to obtain a branch from its body, or even a better opportunity."

"Conversely, if one chooses a Bodhi tree branch,"

He then thought, "Although it is difficult to use for the time being, its origin level is extremely high and its potential is infinite. In the future, it may be possible to cultivate it into a spiritual plant of the Earth Supreme level."

Lu Yu's gaze shifted between the two awards, his fingertips unconsciously tapping lightly on his knee.

After a long while, the hesitation in his eyes vanished, replaced by clarity and decisiveness.

"While the Bodhi branch is valuable, it requires specific cultivation techniques to work with, and its future is uncertain and unpredictable. On the other hand, the inheritance of an alchemist is the foundation of one's livelihood and a tangible asset that can be immediately converted into combat power! Moreover, the ancient Bodhi tree on the Dou Qi Continent may not be inferior to this branch."

His mind raced, quickly sorting out the pros and cons: "The most urgent task is to enhance our existing strength to deal with the conflicts in Zhongzhou and the future threat from the Soul Clan. With this Heavenly Grade Inheritance, I can refine high-level pills faster, cultivate my power, and even help me break through to a higher realm sooner! Right now, this item is far more valuable than a branch that requires a long period of cultivation and whose future is uncertain."

"As for the future... wouldn't it be better to go to that desolate ancient domain and meet the legendary Bodhi Tree in its true form when I am strong enough?"

Having made up his mind, he no longer hesitated, his consciousness sinking into the simulated light screen, and he made his final choice:

"I choose... the inheritance jade slip!"

The next moment, a flash of light appeared, and a jade slip, entirely emerald green and shimmering with a lustrous sheen, fell into his palm.

Lu Yu slowly probed the jade slip with his soul power, and in an instant, a vast and boundless torrent of information surged into his mind.

"Low-level Heavenly Rank combat techniques: Four Symbols Sword Finger, Spirit Fusion Secret Technique, Eternal Evergreen Scripture, Improved version of Heaven-Burning Spirit-Igniting Secret Technique..."

"Huh? This secret technique..."

However, when his attention swept over the improved version of the Burning Heaven Spirit Technique, his brows furrowed slightly involuntarily. The direction of the improvement was completely different from his original plan of "Three Transformations of Burning Spirit".

He originally thought that the so-called "three transformations" meant relying on three different kinds of strange fire to achieve three independent power enhancements, similar to the Three Mysterious Transformations of Heavenly Fire.

However, the improved version recorded in the jade slip is still based on a strange fire, but its amplification effect is ingeniously divided into three completely different directions: Burning Spirit Transformation, Burning Heaven Transformation, and Forging God Transformation.

Lu Yu calmed his mind and carefully studied the essence of this secret technique. He quickly realized that it incorporated the mysteries of the Burning Heaven Glazed Body and the Heavenly Fire Forging God Technique, and its name was taken from the core words of these two techniques.

These three changes correspond to amplifying battle qi, blood qi, and soul power, respectively.

It can be said to enhance one's spirit, energy, and vitality in all aspects, while still retaining the original Heaven-Burning Spirit Secret Technique's extremely low side effects.

The downside is that the duration of the amplification is greatly reduced. After all, the core is still a single strange fire, but the amplification has become three aspects, which consumes too much of the strange fire and naturally reduces the duration.

"Combined with the Spirit Fusion Secret Technique, this improved technique is absolutely valuable enough to be ranked among the Heavenly Rank techniques, and even among the top Heavenly Rank techniques..."

Lu Yu stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming with excitement, and murmured his own evaluation.

"However, amplifying the three aspects of essence, energy, and spirit—doesn't that perfectly correspond to the attributes of the spirit of the strange fire? This secret technique is practically tailor-made for this purpose; I've actually considered so many aspects during the simulation..."

"Let's see what's inside this Heavenly Grade Alchemist's inheritance..."

With a thought, he scanned the vast amount of alchemy knowledge contained within the jade slip once more. Instantly, countless invaluable medicinal formulas came into view, making his eyes grow brighter and brighter, and he couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice:

"The formulas for Divine Soul Pill, Lesser Bodhi Pill, and Dragon-Phoenix Supreme Pill... the Nine-Bearded Blood Ginseng Pill, Heavenly Spirit Pill, and Nine-Turn Ice Purity Pill to aid in breaking through the Lesser Three Tribulations of the Supreme Realm... and the formula for the Supreme Pill..."

"Huh? They even have the recipe for the 'Supreme Heaven Pill'!"

Lu Yu's eyes lit up suddenly, and an overwhelming joy welled up in his heart.

The Supreme Heaven Pill is a highly sought-after elixir among low-grade Supreme experts in the Great Thousand World. It is said that if an expert below the fourth grade Supreme level consumes and refines it, it can raise their strength by one grade without any side effects. Its effect is similar to the Imperial Extreme Pill in the Dou Qi Continent, both being precious elixirs that can directly enhance strength.

Although it is only a Divine Pill for Human Character, its value is no less than that of a Divine Pill for Earth Character.

In other words, as long as one breaks through to the Dou Sheng level, one can immediately upgrade to a two-star Dou Sheng by consuming a Supreme Heaven Pill.

"And this 'Ascension Spirit Crossing Array' is actually a supreme-level spirit array that can increase the success rate and grade of supreme divine pills!"

Lu Yu carefully studied the complex spiritual array recorded in the jade slip, his heart filled with joy. The value of this array to an alchemist was no less than that of a ninth-grade medicinal formula. After he had finished initially processing the information in the jade slip, he awoke from his deep meditation and slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze immediately fell upon the colorful Tianshan Blood Pool beside him.

Suddenly, ripples appeared on the once calm surface of the pool, followed by countless tiny bubbles. The next moment, with a splash, a figure in white broke through the viscous, blood-red water and landed gracefully on the edge of the pool like a lotus emerging from the water—it was Little Fairy Doctor.

At this moment, the aura around her was vast and profound, indicating that she had successfully broken through to the level of an eight-star Dou Zong!

Even more surprisingly, as she left, the blood pool that originally contained violent fire poison and immense energy seemed to become a little clearer, and the unpleasant stench within it also dissipated somewhat.

Seemingly noticing Lu Yu's gaze, Little Fairy Doctor slowly opened her pale purple eyes, a gentle smile appearing on her lips, and said softly, "You've also come out of seclusion? The fire poison deep in this blood pool is far more powerful than I expected; I still haven't been able to completely absorb it."

She sensed the still surging poison power within her body and continued, "At this rate, if I can absorb all the fire poison here, perhaps... I can use this to break through to the Nine-Star Dou Zong realm."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu was about to speak when the space around him rippled, and the figure of Venerable Heavenly Fire quietly appeared.

Venerable Tianhuo stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "Hehe, Pavilion Master, Little Fairy Doctor, you've come out of seclusion at just the right time. I have not failed in my mission and have already set up two great formations in this Tianmu Mountain Range."

He waved his sleeve and pointed to the surrounding void: "One is a level five spirit gathering array, which is enough to gather the energy of heaven and earth within a thousand miles of this place to supply cultivation and nourish the mountain range; the other is a level five illusion array - the 'Nine Locks Bewildering Array'. Once this array is fully activated, it is enough to trap and even confuse high-level Dou Zun, and ordinary villains will find it extremely difficult to break into the core area."

"The energy in the Tianmu Mountains is already exceptionally rich, and it naturally possesses the ability to isolate soul detection. Now, with Elder Yao's 'Nine Locks Heavenly Array' assisting it, it's like adding wings to a tiger. Thank you for your hard work, Elder Yao."

Lu Yu smiled calmly, then solemnly cupped his hands towards Venerable Tianhuo.

"You flatter me, Your Excellency. You are too kind."

Venerable Tianhuo quickly waved his hand, but a gratified smile appeared on his face. "It is my duty to share the burden for the Pavilion Master..."

Before he finished speaking, his brows furrowed slightly, he let out a soft "Eh," and looked towards the direction outside the maze with a slightly strange expression.

"Hehe, it seems we have guests visiting."

Venerable Tianhuo stroked his beard and chuckled, his tone tinged with a familiar teasing, "However, this guest seems to be in a bit of a hurry. He rushed into the outer edge of the maze without waiting to be announced, and is now trapped in the maze, going around in circles."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu's soul power stirred slightly, and he instantly sensed the familiar aura within the formation. He couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head: "It's Venerable Lei. Elder Yao, let's bring him in. We shouldn't keep our guest waiting."

Venerable Tianhuo nodded with a smile, and with a gentle wave of his sleeve, the pervasive clouds and distorted space in front of him seemed to possess a spirit, automatically separating to reveal a clear path.

He stepped into the formation first, followed closely by Lu Yu and Little Fairy Doctor.

The group moved through the changing formations, and soon they saw a figure surrounded by silver arcs of electricity, his aura slightly agitated. He was trapped by countless mists, futilely shifting and turning in place. Who else could it be but the Thunder Venerable of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion?
"Venerable Lei, how have you been? What brings you to my newly opened mountain gate, where you're even practicing your movement techniques?"

Lu Yu's faint laughter rang out leisurely.

Upon hearing the sound, Thunder Venerable abruptly stopped what he was doing, looked in the direction of the voice, and saw that the person who came was Lu Yu. His face immediately showed a mixture of embarrassment and surprise.

He laughed to cover his embarrassment and cupped his hands, saying, "Master Lu, it's you! I heard that Lingbao Pavilion has established itself here, so I came to offer my congratulations. I didn't expect the scenery here to be so beautiful that I was momentarily blinded by the sight. Please forgive my embarrassment."

“Your Excellency is a guest from afar. Please come inside with us for a chat.”

Lu Yu didn't expose him, but smiled slightly and stepped aside to invite him.

A moment later, on the wide Tianshan Terrace halfway up Tianmu Mountain, several people sat down as host and guests at a stone table made from a single piece of bluestone.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Venerable Lei got straight to the point, his tone filled with admiration and a hint of urgency: "Sect Master Lu, I've heard that you've successfully advanced to the eighth rank of alchemist. Is that true?"

Lu Yu did not answer directly, but smiled slightly, and a vast soul force spread out, almost tangible, emitting a heart-palpitating fluctuation.

Thunder Venerable's eyes flashed with lightning as he clearly felt the soul pressure that far surpassed that of an ordinary seventh-grade alchemist. He took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "As expected!"

He paused, his voice growing increasingly solemn: "In that case, I will speak frankly—Fenglei Pavilion wishes to form an alliance with Lingbao Pavilion. Our Fenglei Pavilion of the Northern Region is willing to use its resources and foundation as collateral to reliably purchase large quantities of high-grade pills from Lingbao Pavilion, especially those of grade seven and above. I wonder what Pavilion Master Lu thinks?"

—————————————————————

At the same time, ancient tribes and ancient boundaries.

This is an exceptionally mysterious and independent world. In the distant sky, endless clouds and mist swirl eternally, resembling a fairyland. The energy of this world is so dense that it has become tangible; cultivating here for a day is far more effective than cultivating for dozens of days outside.

Beneath the clouds and mist, thousands of precipitous mountains stand tall, with occasional streaks of light piercing the sky. The powerful aura they inadvertently exude is enough to cause a stir in the outside world.

At this moment, deep within the ancient realm, the stone door of a quiet chamber, shrouded in a light mist and filled with energy, slowly opened.

A graceful figure emerged slowly. She wore a simple light blue dress, her slender waist lightly bound by a pale purple ribbon, outlining her captivating curves. Her gaze moved upward, revealing a serene and exquisitely beautiful face, her eyes clear and ethereal, seemingly containing the essence of heaven and earth, making one forget the mundane world upon seeing her.

Such elegance is like a pure white lotus, untouched by the dust of the world, exuding an innate ethereal and noble quality. Simply standing here, one cannot feel the slightest sense of desecration.

The immense aura emanating from her body clearly indicated that she had already reached the Dou Zun level.

Ling Ying, who had been waiting outside, immediately stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Congratulations, Miss, on successfully emerging from seclusion and advancing to the Dou Zun realm!"

Xun'er nodded slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Ling Ying then lowered her voice and said, "Miss, news has come from Zhongzhou. It is said that a very young eighth-grade alchemist named Lu Yu has recently appeared in the Pill Tower. This person has become famous and is said to have close ties with the Starfall Pavilion and the Wind and Thunder Pavilion."

Upon hearing that name hidden deep in her heart, Xun'er's tranquil eyes flashed with an uncontrollable joy, instantly shattering her composure.

She said softly, almost without hesitation, "Elder Ling, prepare. We'll set off for Zhongzhou immediately."

……

(End of this chapter)