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

Chapter 210 A Distinguished Guest Arrives, Gu Long Comes to Visit

The next day, as dawn broke.

Deep within the Lingbao Pavilion, in the alchemy chamber, a medicinal cauldron stood silently. Xiao Yan sat cross-legged before it, his expression focused, dark azure-colored fusion flames dancing at his fingertips. He carefully placed precious medicinal herbs into the cauldron, intently controlling the heat.

Inside the medicine cauldron, flames danced like sprites, and the essence of the medicinal herbs slowly fused together. The whole process was orderly, but it seemed to lack a touch of lively charm.

Lu Yu, who had been observing quietly from the side, raised an eyebrow slightly and spoke up to remind him, "Brother Yan, the nascent form of the condensed pill has appeared, but the heat is a bit stagnant. This pill has already reached the threshold of the eighth grade, and its key lies in nurturing the spirit. You might as well guide the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to naturally flow into the pill body, and do not forcibly restrain it."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyes flashed, and he immediately understood. He took a deep breath, and his vast soul power spread out in a subtle way, resonating with the energy of the surrounding world.

The previously somewhat dull flames suddenly became lively and vibrant, and the energy fluctuations within the cauldron instantly became much more harmonious and smooth. Just as the elixir was about to be fully formed—

"Buzz!"

A strange fluctuation suddenly came from the side hall not far away, followed by a violent boiling of the energy of heaven and earth!
A seven-colored beam of light shot into the sky, illuminating half of the sky with dazzling brilliance. A huge seven-colored phantom could be seen swimming within the beam of light, emanating a terrifying pressure.

"This is... the aura of an eighth-tier Devouring Python!"

Lu Yu suddenly stood up, his eyes flashing with surprise and understanding. "It's Qing Lin's little Cai who broke through at this moment!"

This extraordinary phenomenon was so magnificent that it drew countless astonished gazes from both inside and outside the Lingbao Pavilion.

However, the strange phenomenon did not last long. As the seven-colored pillar of light slowly receded, another powerful aura erupted from the side hall, as if breaking through some kind of shackle, rising steadily and finally stabilizing at a new level—Nine-Star Dou Zong!
Clearly, as his natal Gu advanced and nourished his body, Qing Lin seized the opportunity to break through to the Nine-Star Dou Zong realm!
Inside the alchemy room, Xiao Yan's expression was solemn, his aura as steady as a rock, completely unaffected by the external phenomena. He focused his mind and concentrated all his attention back on the medicine cauldron before him.

Inside the cauldron, the pill, under his precise control, shone brightly, and its fragrance became increasingly rich and mellow.

Lu Yu turned his gaze away from the side hall and back to Xiao Yan, nodding slightly with a hint of approval in his eyes.

He knew that with his younger brother Yan's current strength, which had already broken through to the Spirit Realm Soul level, the refining of this Grade 7 Yin Yang Xuanlong Pill was already a success.

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Soon after,

"Brother Lu, isn't this too much?"

"Sigh, Brother Yan, the capable should do more work. Anyway, you've just broken through to the peak of the seventh-grade alchemist, so it's a good time for you to practice more and consolidate your realm..."

With a warm smile on his face, Lu Yu magically took out a thick scroll from his storage ring and unfurled it in front of Xiao Yan.

He pointed to the densely packed list of medicinal herbs and pill requirements on the scroll, his tone full of "sincere" pleading: "Besides, you are not only the young master of Xingyun Pavilion, but also the rightful elder of our Lingbao Pavilion. Currently, the pavilion has a backlog of orders for seventh-grade pills and a shortage of high-level alchemists. If you don't help, who will?"

Looking at the sheer number of orders that would make any ordinary seventh-grade alchemist's scalp tingle, and then at Lu Yu's shameless expression that seemed to say, "I won't leave until you agree," Xiao Yan could only shake his head helplessly and chuckle as he said, "Brother Lu, you planned this all along, didn't you?"

Even so, he still reached out and took the scroll. After all, Lu Yu was right; as an elder of the Lingbao Pavilion, he should also make some contributions to the pavilion.

Moreover, refining a large number of seventh-grade pills would greatly benefit him in consolidating his current alchemy skills.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu chuckled, waved his hand, and said, "I'm leaving. You can continue refining these pills slowly. In a while, a few seventh-grade alchemists will come from the Pill Tower, and you'll be free then. I'll have to trouble you to hold on for a while."

Xiao Yan watched his departing figure, sighed softly, but did not actually complain.

If Lu Yu hadn't given him the Heavenly Fire Forging God Technique, he wouldn't know when he would have broken through to the Spirit Realm. Helping him refine some pills now is really nothing.

—————————————————————

The atmosphere in the quiet courtyard was rather eerie.

Lu Yu held Xiao Cai, who had just broken through to the eighth rank and transformed into a seven-colored snake, in one hand, and gripped a gleaming crimson longsword in the other, muttering incantations:
"Little Cai, now that you're an eighth-tier magical beast, equivalent to a human Dou Zun powerhouse, it's time for you to make some contributions to the Pavilion. Come, let me shed some blood for you to study. The essence blood of the Seven-Colored Devouring Python is a priceless treasure for alchemy..."

The little rainbow, held between his fingers, squirmed pitifully, making a soft hissing sound, and looked pitifully at its master, Qinglin, beside it.

Qinglin looked anxious and reluctant, her hands nervously twisting together, hesitant to speak: "Young Master, Xiao Cai has only just broken through, could you..."

Lu Yu seemed not to hear, his gaze shifting to the graceful, stunningly beautiful woman in purple robes beside him, his tone carrying a hint of teasing disappointment:

"And you, Da Cai," he actually used the nickname he gave Cai Lin, "Look at you, still only a Seven-Star Dou Zong. When I first met you, you were already a Dou Zong. So much time has passed, and you still haven't broken through to Dou Zun. You'd better work harder. You can't... be inferior to Xiao Cai, can you?"

With her arms crossed, Cai Lin leaned against the pillar. Upon hearing this, her stunningly beautiful face instantly darkened, a cold glint flashed in her eyes, and a faint seven-colored battle aura began to circulate around her.

The temperature in the courtyard seemed to drop suddenly, and she practically spat out five words through gritted teeth: "Who are you calling Da Cai?"

Seeing the growing coldness in the Queen's eyes, Lu Yu chuckled and with a flick of his wrist, the crimson longsword vanished into thin air.

He loosened his grip, and Xiao Cai was immediately relieved, darting back into Qing Lin's sleeve with a "whoosh," only peeking out her little head to warily examine Lu Yu.

"It was just a joke, why get angry?"

Lu Yu smiled and waved his hand, immediately easing the tension. He turned to Qing Lin, his tone becoming serious: "Xiao Cai is now an eighth-tier magical beast, with strength comparable to a Dou Zun, while you are still at the Dou Zong realm. The slight reprimand I gave you just now was to remind it who its true master is, so that it won't become arrogant and harm its master when it grows stronger in the future."

His gaze swept over the slight bulge at Qinglin's cuff, and he added with a hint of teasing, "But now it seems that this little guy is just like you, not very brave and easily frightened."

Then, he looked at Cai Lin and explained sincerely, "As for the matter of essence blood, it's not entirely a joke. You and Xiao Cai both belong to the Seven-Colored Devouring Python bloodline. If we can use a trace of Xiao Cai's essence blood as the main ingredient, supplemented with other rare and precious materials, we might be able to refine a pill that is extremely suitable for your physique. It will not only help you break through your current bottleneck, but it will also greatly benefit the evolution of your own Seven-Colored Devouring Python bloodline."

He paused briefly, then continued calmly, "Of course, the matter of taking its blood ultimately depends on Xiao Cai's own will. If it had shown even the slightest ferocity just now, I might have forcibly taken its blood. But since it remains docile and has accepted its master, there's no need to rush. We can discuss it again after its cultivation level has stabilized."

Upon hearing this, the coldness in Cai Lin's eyes gradually faded. She glanced at Xiao Cai, who was huddled in Qing Lin's sleeve, and then looked at Lu Yu, remaining silent in contemplation.

Qinglin gently stroked the frightened Xiaocai, seemingly lost in thought.

Just then, Lu Yu's expression shifted slightly, and he let out a soft "Eh," turning his gaze towards the main hall of the Lingbao Pavilion: "A distinguished guest has arrived."

He then gestured to Cai Lin and said, "Cai Lin, come with me to the main hall. Qing Lin, you take care of Xiao Cai and help her consolidate her cultivation."

Cai Lin's eyes flickered slightly, but she didn't say anything, simply following Lu Yu's steps in silence. The two moved in a flash, and the next moment they appeared in the magnificent main hall.

Inside the hall, Zi Yan stood gracefully in the center, with familiar faces Hei Qing, Little Fairy Doctor, and Venerable Heavenly Fire standing beside her.

Before everyone stood an old man dressed in ancient robes, whose aura was as deep as the sea. Although his face was peaceful, the pressure he exuded was even more terrifying than that of Venerable Tianhuo beside him.

When the old man saw Lu Yu, a warm smile appeared on his face. He cupped his hands and said, "I am Zhu Li, from Donglong Island. I have come uninvited, and I hope that Pavilion Master Lu will not take offense. I have come here for two reasons: first, to welcome back my clan's Dragon Emperor, Zi Yan, and second, to express my gratitude for your esteemed pavilion's previous care for the Dragon Emperor."

"Zhu Li? The Third Elder of Donglong Island? A half-saint level expert?"

Lu Yu's gaze narrowed slightly, and information about Donglong Island flashed through his mind. However, he put on a warm smile and returned the greeting with a cupped hand, saying, "So it is Elder Zhuli who has come. I am so sorry for not welcoming you properly. Ziyan has a deep connection with my Lingbao Pavilion. I dare not accept the honor of being looked after."

He glanced at Zi Yan without leaving a trace as he spoke, and saw that although the little girl was pretending to be calm, there was still a faint hint of joy and a touch of melancholy about parting in her eyes.

"It is a blessing for Zi Yan to be personally welcomed by Donglong Island, and it is also an honor for my Lingbao Pavilion," Lu Yu said with a smile, his tone sincere.

Upon hearing this, Elder Zhuli's smile widened, clearly pleased with Lu Yu's humble attitude.

He pondered for a moment, then flicked his sleeve, and a crystal with dark gold color and dragon-shaped flame patterns appeared in his hand. Instantly, a burst of scorching energy containing the might of a dragon spread out.

"I came in a hurry this time and did not prepare any generous gifts. This eighth-order Dragon Flame Crystal is a specialty of my Ancient Dragon Island. It is of great use to fire attribute cultivators or alchemists. I hope that Pavilion Master Lu will not refuse this small token of my appreciation, as a way to thank your esteemed pavilion for taking care of His Majesty the Dragon Emperor."

Upon seeing this, Lu Yu's eyes flashed with surprise, but he repeatedly said politely, "Elder Zhuli, you are too kind! How can I accept this? Taking care of Ziyan is my duty. Such a generous gift is unworthy of my humble status!"

However, before he finished speaking, his hands moved swiftly. Almost simultaneously with his words, he naturally took the blazing fire crystal and quickly put it into his storage ring. The whole process was smooth and effortless, as if he had practiced it countless times.

After accepting the gift, Lu Yu's smile became even more sincere. He cupped his hands and said, "Elder, your gift is too kind. I would be impolite to refuse it. Lingbao Pavilion will always remember the kindness of your island."

Zi Yan, standing to the side, couldn't help but secretly pout and mutter under her breath, "Lu Yu's hand speed... is faster than me snatching pills..."

Hei Qing and Venerable Tianhuo exchanged a glance, their lips twitching slightly involuntarily. Cai Lin, however, turned her gaze elsewhere, as if she hadn't seen anything.

Elder Zhuli was clearly surprised by Lu Yu's "frankness." He was slightly taken aback, then stroked his beard and laughed heartily, which made him even more fond of Lu Yu's unpretentious nature.

(End of this chapter)