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

Chapter 224 The Demon Master's Battleground, The Flower Sect's Old Lover

A few days later,

Lingbao Pavilion is located at the summit of Tianmu Mountain.

A figure stood silently atop the cloud-shrouded peak—it was Lu Yu. His eyes were slightly closed, his aura resonating with the heavens and earth, and the vast purple-gold battle qi within his body was surging and circulating according to the profound path of the Dragon Ascension Technique.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes, a sharp glint in them!
"Roar--!"

A dragon's roar, seemingly from the ancient primordial era, resounded across the sky. A vast expanse of purple-gold battle qi surged from his body, condensing behind him into a solid dragon tens of feet long!
Dragon Ascension Technique, the second level of the "Dragon Ascension" realm!
With a mere thought, the colossal purple-gold dragon lowered its head and lifted him up. Then, with a flick of its tail, its massive body transformed into a streak of purple-gold light, shooting away through the air. Its speed was incredible, as if it were truly chasing the stars and the moon, covering a thousand miles in an instant!
Such speed is unmatched, not to mention a Dou Zun expert, even an ordinary Dou Zun expert at the Transcendent Realm would find it extremely difficult to catch up.

"According to the cultivation technique, if one can cultivate to the highest level of 'Dragon Escape,' one can transform into a giant dragon and traverse the void. At that time, even ordinary Dou Sheng experts would probably find it difficult to match my speed..."

Feeling the howling wind rushing past his ears, Lu Yu felt a surge of heroic spirit.

However, amidst his joy, he also keenly sensed something amiss. This time, his comprehension of the Dragon Ascension Technique and his breakthrough to the "Dragon Ascension" realm had been far smoother than he had imagined; a breakthrough in just a few days was simply unbelievable.

"strangeness……"

He frowned slightly, carefully savoring his breakthrough. Although the Dragon Ascension Technique emphasizes speed, its advanced levels all involve the exquisite application of spatial power.

When I broke through, I felt that the surrounding space was cooperating with me, as if it were my own arm and fingers, and that it was all happening naturally.

Thinking of this, Lu Yu's body trembled violently, and he couldn't help but recall the Ancestral Symbol Crystal that had already merged into himself.

"Could it be the Ancestral Symbol Crystal?"

He suddenly realized, "That's right, the simulation said that after fusing with the Ancestral Symbol Crystal, in addition to increasing the chance of breaking through to the Heavenly Supreme level, it will also increase the affinity of a certain attribute. I hadn't noticed it before, but it turns out that this affinity is related to the spatial talent!"

It makes sense, considering that the Ancestral Symbol Crystal contains the power of the eight Ancestral Symbols, including the power of the Spatial Ancestral Symbol. This subtle transformation has unexpectedly enhanced his talent in spatial matters.

"Judging from this, with such spatial talent as my aid, it probably won't take me long to break through to the final level of the Dragon Ascension Technique, the 'Dragon Escape' realm!"

Lu Yu's eyes grew brighter as he carefully sensed the subtle fluctuations in the surrounding space, and an unprecedented sense of control arose within him.

Currently, he only possesses three Heavenly Rank combat techniques: the Quasi-Heavenly Rank movement technique Dragon Soaring Technique, the Heavenly Rank low-level sword technique Great Luo Heavenly Flame Sword, and the Heavenly Rank low-level finger technique Four Symbols Sword Finger.

Because of his previous practice of the Heavenly Dragon Flame Finger and the Two Elements Returning to Origin Sword Technique, he had already mastered the Great Luo Heavenly Flame Sword and the Four Symbols Sword Finger, even reaching an extremely profound level.

Now, only this movement technique remains to be mastered.

With this in mind, Lu Yu devoted himself to practicing on the summit of Tianmu Mountain for several more hours until he had mastered the various mysteries of the "Dragon Soaring" realm and had a preliminary understanding of it. Only then did he ride the purple-gold dragon back to the Lingbao Pavilion.

……

After returning to the pavilion,

Lu Yu did not immediately go into seclusion, but instead went to the training ground at Tianshan Platform. From afar, he could feel a cold yet powerful aura gathering and surging within the area.

Cai Lin was sitting cross-legged in the center of the arena, her body surrounded by seven-colored energy surging like the tide. Behind her, a towering ancient sword was faintly condensing, but the phantom seemed somewhat stagnant, and the flow of energy was occasionally obscure.

Clearly, someone is trying to reach a higher level.

"The Nine Heavens Sword Primordial Spirit Chapter truly lives up to its reputation as a Sword Domain technique; it possesses such grandeur even at the Dou Zong level."

Lu Yu silently praised her in his heart, then stood quietly to the side and observed for a while. After the energy fluctuations around her gradually subsided, indicating that she had clearly completed her breakthrough, he slowly stepped forward.

Upon hearing the voice, Cai Lin opened her beautiful eyes. Seeing that it was Lu Yu, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her usual coldness: "You've come out of seclusion?"

"Congratulations on breaking through to the Nine-Star Dou Zong realm."

Lu Yu smiled slightly and took out a uniquely shaped lotus-shaped spiritual artifact. The lotus was seven-colored, and each petal emitted a warm luster, subtly drawing in the surrounding天地能量 (heaven and earth energy).

"This item is called the Seven Apertures Spirit Lotus. It is a top-grade spiritual artifact that can assist in cultivation. It can calm the mind and accelerate energy absorption. Now that I have reached the peak of the Ninth Rank Dou Zun, this item will not be of much use to me, so I will give it to you."

He paused, then added, "Using it in conjunction with the Spirit Gathering Array should allow you to accelerate your breakthrough to the Dou Zun realm."

Cai Lin gazed at the lotus flower radiating seven-colored light before her, gave Lu Yu a deep look, and did not rush to accept it. Instead, she raised the corners of her lips slightly and asked, "Does Xian'er know that you are giving this to me?"

"Cough cough..."

Lu Yu was taken aback by these words, never expecting that Queen Medusa would ask such a question.

He coughed twice to cover his embarrassment and explained, "Xian'er and I have a dual cultivation technique, and we are both improving very quickly. She is already at the peak of the two-star Dou Zun and will soon be a three-star Dou Zun. This item is not very useful to her."

Seeing that Cai Lin was still looking at him with a half-smile, he added, "Besides, I gave this to you because of your hard work and great contributions to the Lingbao Pavilion. Ordinary people are not qualified to receive this spiritual artifact."

Cai Lin then reached out and took the lotus flower. She examined the exquisite spiritual artifact, saying calmly, "Since that's the case, I'll accept it. However..."

She turned her beautiful eyes slightly and glanced at Lu Yu: "If Xian'er misunderstands anything, you'll have to explain it clearly yourself."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu couldn't help but touch his nose and give a wry smile.

Her Majesty the Queen accepted the gift, but then turned the tables on him first, truly displaying her usual domineering nature.

Forget it, I'll let it go considering how she helped me with the affairs of the cabinet during this time.

……

Soon after,

In a quiet courtyard of Lingbao Pavilion.

"Xiao Cai..."

Looking at the small snake coiled on the stone table, its body radiating a seven-colored glow, Lu Yu said gently, "Now that you've stabilized your eighth-tier magical beast realm, how about we shed some blood?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Cai, who had been lazily coiled up, suddenly raised its snake head. Its seven-colored snake eyes were full of vigilance and reluctance, and it even shrank back a little.

"hiss~"

Seeing this, Qinglin quickly stepped forward, gently stroking Xiaocai's scales and softly comforting her, "Little Cai, the young master needs your blood to refine pills for Sister Cailin and help her break through to the Dou Zun realm."

She gently stroked Xiao Cai's back with her slender fingers, her voice becoming even more tender: "Just a little bit, okay? Young Master said he needs three drops of your primordial blood essence as a medicinal guide. When Sister Cai Lin breaks through, you'll be a great contributor too."

Under Qinglin's gentle words, Xiaocai's tense body gradually relaxed. Although there was still some reluctance in her snake eyes, she finally raised her head slightly, revealing the scales on her neck that shimmered with a seven-colored halo.

Lu Yu watched with a smile as Qing Lin comforted Xiao Cai, then with a wave of his hand, the Meteor God Sword appeared in his palm.

After being carefully nurtured and repeatedly tempered by the three strange fires within his body, this natal sword faintly exudes a chilling sharpness.

Although it has not yet shown any signs of becoming an advanced artifact, its power is clearly much stronger than before.

"Xiao Cai, just bear with it."

With a slight flick of his wrist, Lu Yu precisely touched the seven-colored scales on Xiao Cai's neck. Three drops of seven-colored essence blood, containing immense energy, slowly seeped out and were carefully caught in a jade bottle.

Xiao Cai hissed in grievance, but gradually calmed down under Qing Lin's gentle caress.

After putting away the jade bottle, Lu Yu nodded to Qing Lin and then turned to walk out of the courtyard.

Outside the courtyard, the Little Fairy Doctor, dressed in white, was already waiting quietly. Seeing him come out, she stepped forward and said softly, "Brother Lu, that Miss Tang Huo'er has temporarily agreed to our conditions."

"Temporarily?" Lu Yu raised an eyebrow. "Yes."

Little Fairy Doctor nodded slightly and said, "She said she needs to return to Burning Flame Valley to discuss things with Valley Master Tang Zhen, and she is already preparing to set off back."

She paused, then continued her report: "Besides Burning Flame Valley, the Pill Tower, Ice River Valley, and Flower Sect have also sent people. They have all arrived outside Tianmu Mountain and wish to discuss exchanging the Spirit Gathering Array inheritance with our sect."

Upon hearing this, a look of understanding flashed in Lu Yu's eyes. It seemed his prediction was correct; the news of the Lingbao Pavilion's array inheritance had indeed attracted the attention of major forces in Zhongzhou.

Even a behemoth like the Dan Tower was not to be outdone.

"It came pretty quickly."

He smiled calmly and said, "In that case, please ask them to wait in the council hall. I will go and meet these distinguished guests later."

Little Fairy Doctor nodded, then turned and left.

—————————————————————

Soon after,

Inside the council hall of Lingbao Pavilion,
The moment Lu Yu stepped into the main hall, the previously whispering hall fell silent, and a vast and boundless aura naturally spread out.

Although no pressure was deliberately exerted, it made everyone present feel a chill and they all straightened their postures.

On the left, at the head of the table, Dan Ta sat gracefully in a black dress and black robes, her arm naturally linked with that of the old man beside her, their posture intimate. The old man was none other than Yao Chen, who had previously mentioned visiting Dan Ta.

Faced with Xuan Yi's actions, Yao Chen wore a gentle smile with a hint of helplessness, but his gaze unconsciously drifted to the opposite side.

Opposite them, at the head of the table, sat a beautiful woman dressed in a pale yellow robe. She had a lovely face and skin as smooth as jade, with only a few faint lines at the corners of her eyes adding to her unique charm.

What's astonishing is that the aura emanating from her was even stronger than that of Xuan Yi, a peak Dou Zun, making her a true half-saint powerhouse.

At this moment, the beautiful woman in yellow gently stroked the teacup with her slender fingers, but her gaze was as cold as frost as she looked at the arm of the man in black who was holding Yao Chen's arm.

Her icy gaze seemed to lower the temperature around her, and even the Flower Sect elders standing behind her involuntarily held their breath, clearly sensing that their Supreme Elder was not in a good mood.

Caught between the two women, Yao Chen felt the burning gazes from both sides and could only give Lu Yu a slightly apologetic bitter smile, his expression full of helplessness.

Compared to this subtle atmosphere, the people from the Glacier Valley on the other side seemed out of place.

The leader was dressed in a white robe, with a slender figure and a rather young and handsome face, but his brows revealed an indifferent and effeminate temperament.

It was none other than Ice Venerable, the Valley Master of Ice River Valley, who personally arrived!

Beside him sat an elderly man also dressed in white robes, who was the Grand Elder of Ice River Valley, Tian Shuangzi.

This lineup is truly impressive. Clearly, after Lu Yu displayed strength comparable to a half-saint at Tianmu Mountain, these top forces in Zhongzhou now regard him as an equal.

Sending such a distinguished representative is a testament to the recognition of Lingbao Pavilion's strength and status.

Lu Yu took in the subtle scene unfolding in the hall, his gaze first falling on Elder Yao. He raised an eyebrow, his eyes questioning, as if to say, "Senior, what's going on here?"

The old apothecary gave a wry smile, and a subtle voice transmission sounded in Lu Yu's ear: "Alas, young Lu, this is a long story, and I never expected it to turn out this way... I'm afraid I'll have to cause you trouble this time."

Lu Yu's gaze swept over the black-clad man next to Yao Lao, and then glanced at the beautiful woman in yellow from the Flower Sect opposite him with a frosty expression. He immediately had some guesses in his mind.

He walked calmly to the head of the table, a knowing smile playing on his lips, and said loudly:

"I apologize for not welcoming you properly, everyone, since you have come from afar."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Elder Tian Shuangzi, who was standing beside the Valley Master of Ice River Valley, spoke first. His voice, as cold as his name, broke the slightly tense atmosphere:
“Lord Lu, you are too kind. I am Tian Shuangzi, and I have come on behalf of Ice River Valley to discuss the inheritance and transaction of the ‘Spirit Gathering Array’ with your esteemed establishment.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu smiled calmly and said, "Of course, of course. My Lingbao Pavilion welcomes guests from all over the world. There is nothing that cannot be traded. As long as Ice River Valley can afford the price for a mere Spirit Gathering Array, it can naturally be traded."

"I wonder what price your esteemed valley intends to pay in exchange for my pavilion's Spirit Gathering Array inheritance?"

Upon hearing this, Tian Shuangzi subconsciously looked towards the Ice Venerable.

The Ice Venerable remained silent and nodded slightly.

Tian Shuangzi took a deep breath, took out a jade slip that gleamed with a cold, eerie blue light, and said in a deep voice, "To be honest, Pavilion Master, my Ice River Valley once obtained a secret method in ancient ruins... that can cultivate the Calamity Poison Body after birth!"

"what?"

These words shocked everyone present. Even Yao Chen, Xuan Yi, and the Supreme Elder of the Flower Sect, who had maintained a calm demeanor, showed surprise. The Calamity Poison Body was a rare and special physique in the world, and if it could be cultivated, its value would indeed be immeasurable.

The little fairy doctor standing behind Lu Yu trembled slightly, her beautiful eyes widening involuntarily, her slender hands clenching quietly in her sleeves. She quickly lowered her eyes to hide her inner turmoil.

Lu Yu took the jade slip and quickly scanned its contents with his spiritual power. After a moment, he frowned slightly, gently placed the jade slip back on the table, and shook his head:
"This method... uses thousands of young children as materials, imprisoning them in poisonous caves from childhood, forcing them to kill and devour each other to create a single person's martial arts. It is too sinister and vicious, and it goes against the natural order. My Lingbao Pavilion does not engage in such transactions."

His gaze shifted to Tian Shuangzi, whose expression had subtly changed, and to the still indifferent Ice Venerable, his tone calm yet unquestionable:
"Guigu, you should try a different bargaining chip."

As soon as he finished speaking, Tian Shuangzi was speechless. He opened his mouth but didn't know how to respond.

A slight ripple finally appeared on the Ice Venerable's usually indifferent face; his brows furrowed as if he were deep in thought.

At this moment, Danta Xuanyi gently released Yao Chen's hand, stood up gracefully, and said, "Since Ice River Valley does not have a suitable bargaining chip, then let my Danta go first. My Danta is willing to exchange a complete ninth-grade treasure pill alchemist inheritance for your esteemed pavilion's spirit gathering array inheritance."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Senior Xuan Yi..."

Before she could finish speaking, Xuan Yi interrupted her with a smile: "Since you are Yao Chen's half-disciple, you don't need to be so formal. Just call me Aunt Xuan."

Upon hearing this, the face of the Supreme Elder of the Flower Sect opposite him turned even colder, and his teacup paused slightly.

Lu Yu readily agreed, smiling slightly, "I appreciate Aunt Xuan's sincerity. However..."

He changed the subject, continuing, "While the inheritance of a ninth-grade alchemist is precious, unfortunately, I already possess one. I wonder if the Pill Tower has any other bargaining chips?"

"Humph!"

At this moment, a clear, cold snort suddenly rang out. The beautiful woman in yellow opposite the Flower Sect slowly raised her eyes, her tone carrying a hint of arrogance:

"Since the Pill Tower's offer does not meet Pavilion Master Lu's expectations, my Flower Sect is willing to exchange it for three Seven-Colored Exquisite Flowers. These flowers can help people cleanse their meridians and marrow, which is of great benefit to breaking through the bottleneck of Dou Zun. They have always been a closely guarded secret of my Flower Sect."

Her gaze swept over the man in black, a faint smile playing on her lips: "It's more substantial than some empty alchemy traditions."

Xuan Yi immediately stood up, her eyes flashing with cold light, her black skirt fluttering even without wind: "What do you mean by that, Fairy Qing? The inheritance of my Pill Tower is the crystallization of the hard work of countless predecessors, how can it be insulted!"

"It's just stating the facts."

The beautiful woman, known as the Azure Fairy, picked up her teacup, smiled calmly, and said, "After all, not everyone can be like Yao Chen, able to carry forward the Pill Tower's legacy..."

Green Fairy?
The most beautiful woman in the Flower Clan, who was famous throughout the Central Plains back then?

Upon hearing this title, a look of sudden realization flashed in Lu Yu's eyes. No wonder this elder of the Flower Sect possessed such an outstanding aura; even as the years passed, one could still discern his former unparalleled brilliance.

He subconsciously glanced at Yao Chen, only to see the usually composed senior Yao Chen gently rubbing his forehead, casting an apologetic and helpless look at him, as if to say, "This is a long story..."

The atmosphere inside the hall suddenly became subtle. Two powerful women, renowned throughout the Central Plains, faced off across the distance, as if invisible sparks were flying in the air.

(End of this chapter)