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

Chapter 230 The Evolution of the Rainbow Scales, Uncontrollable Desire

Soon after,

After bidding farewell to the people of the Pill Tower, Lu Yu set off to return to the Spirit Treasure Pavilion.

Now that he is a half-saint, he is not afraid of the consumption of battle qi at all. He directly and continuously uses the quasi-heaven-rank movement technique, Dragon Soaring Technique. His travel speed is naturally far beyond that of ordinary experts. In just half a day, he arrived in the Northern Region of Central State!

Half a day later, a clear and melodious dragon's roar resounded across the summit of Tianmu Mountain.

A colossal dragon of battle aura, hundreds of feet long, pierced through the clouds. On its head, Lu Yu stood with his hands behind his back, his robes fluttering. He did not deliberately conceal his aura; the immense pressure belonging to a half-saint naturally enveloped the entire mountain.

"It's the Pavilion Master! This aura... is several times stronger than when he left!"

"Such overwhelming pressure... Could it be that the Pavilion Master has already broken through to that realm?"

"A half-saint! Definitely a half-saint! Our Spirit Treasure Pavilion now has a saint-level expert!"

"With the Pavilion Master here, let's see who dares to underestimate our Lingbao Pavilion in the future!"

Inside the Lingbao Pavilion, many elders were the first to sense this aura and excitedly rushed out of the hall. Although the disciples could not accurately determine the cultivation level, they could also feel the awe-inspiring and powerful aura, and the entire sect immediately erupted in excitement.

Several white-haired elders who came from the Northwest Branch were moved to tears, their eyes filled with excitement and respect. They witnessed how this emerging force, under Lu Yu's leadership, had risen to the ranks of the top forces in Central State in just a few years.

Above, Lu Yu looked down at the familiar sect buildings below, feeling the heartfelt joy of everyone, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.

At that moment, a streak of crimson light flashed across the sky, and the figure of Venerable Heavenly Fire appeared.

"Quiet down, everyone!"

Venerable Tianhuo's booming voice echoed throughout the hall, drowning out the cheers of the crowd: "The return of the Pavilion Master is a joyous occasion, but it is only right that everyone perform their duties. The Alchemy Hall will continue to operate, the Cultivation Room will remain open as usual, and the Array Apprentices will practice the Level One Spirit Gathering Array passed down today."

Under the arrangement of Venerable Tianhuo, the excited disciples gradually dispersed, each with an excited expression on their face.

Lu Yu landed gracefully, and Venerable Heavenly Fire immediately stepped forward, his eyes filled with undisguised joy: "Sect Master, your aura is several times stronger than before this time. Could it be...?"

"By sheer luck, I broke through to the Half-Saint realm."

Lu Yu nodded slightly, then changed the subject, asking, "Has everything been peaceful in the pavilion while I was away?"

Venerable Tianhuo lowered his voice and said, "The day before yesterday, the Ancient Clan and the Thunder Clan sent envoys. The Thunder Clan sent Elder Mang, and the Ancient Clan sent a middle-aged man. According to Elder Tongxuan, he is a reclusive elder of the Ancient Clan who recently broke through to the Dou Sheng realm, and the outside world should not know his name."

A knowing glint flashed in Lu Yu's eyes. The fact that these two ancient races sent representatives at the same time was both unexpected and reasonable; they must have discussed it beforehand.

He took out a pill that exuded an icy aura and handed it to Venerable Tianhuo, saying, "This is the Nine-Turn Ice Purification Pill, which should help you break through the bottleneck of the Heavenly Realm."

Venerable Heavenly Fire accepted the pill and, feeling the pure and boundless energy within, was deeply moved.

He solemnly accepted the gift and bowed deeply to Lu Yu: "Thank you, Pavilion Master! Once I break through to the Heavenly Realm, I will be able to better serve you."

"Elder Yao, you flatter me."

Lu Yu reached out to help him up, and said gently, "You have done a lot for the Lingbao Pavilion, and you deserve it. Go into seclusion first, and I will go see the Dean and that ancient clan elder."

Upon hearing this, Venerable Tianhuo shook his head and said, "There's no rush for seclusion. I will first guide you, Pavilion Master."

As he spoke, he led the way, and the two passed through layers of palaces and arrived at a quiet courtyard. Ancient trees towered in the courtyard, and two people sat around a stone table—it was Mang Tianchi and a middle-aged man with an extraordinary demeanor.

Upon seeing Lu Yu arrive, Mang Tianchi stood up laughing: "Good lad, it hasn't been that long since we last met, and you've already broken through to the Half-Saint realm!"

The ancient clan elder slowly rose to his feet, his gaze sweeping over Lu Yu like lightning, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Dean, you're too kind. I've only refined that Three Thousand Burning Flames and gained a little something."

Lu Yu returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

Mang Tianchi clicked his tongue in amazement: "You're quite something, kid! When I saw you in the Void Thunder Pool, you were only a Seven-Star Dou Zun. How long has it been? What kind of elixirs and miraculous medicines have you taken to make your cultivation advance so rapidly?"

Lu Yu smiled slightly and said frankly, "To be honest, Dean, the reason I was able to so quickly advance past the ninth level of Dou Zun is because I took a pill called the Heavenly Spirit Pill."

He had no intention of hiding this, after all, his cultivation had broken through too quickly and the pill would be exposed sooner or later. In any case, he was already a half-saint, so he was not afraid of outsiders coveting it.

Furthermore, he had also traded a copy of the pill formula to the Pill Tower, which could, to some extent, divert the attention of various forces.

In contrast, the Nine-Turn Ice Purification Pill is what truly needs to be hidden—this pill, combined with the Supreme Spirit Array Inheritance, is enough to cultivate a Spirit Array Master comparable to a Battle Saint.

This is the true foundation of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion's future. After all, a hundred Rank 9 Dou Zun cannot compare to the value of a single Spirit Array Master.

Upon hearing this, Mang Tianchi slapped his thigh, his face full of regret, and said, "Damn it! If I had had this pill back then, I wouldn't be stuck at the Half-Saint level at this age. I should have broken through to the Dou Sheng level long ago!"

At this moment, the ancient clan elder who had been silent all along suddenly spoke, his eyes flashing with a sharp light: "Sect Master Lu, may I ask if the prescription for this pill is available for trade?"

"Naturally."

Lu Yu smiled and nodded, saying, "To be honest, besides subduing the Three Thousand Burning Flames, the reason I went to the Pill Tower this time is also to exchange this pill for some cultivation resources I need."

He glanced at the two of them and continued, "However, this pill is not easy to refine; it requires a peak eighth-grade alchemist to be capable of it. If you two are interested, you can inform your clan, and we can discuss it in detail later."

Upon hearing this, the elder of the ancient clan nodded slightly and said, "It was my fault for not introducing myself. I am Gu Yuan, and I serve in the clan's council of elders."

He paused, his tone calm: "This matter of the pill is something I can decide alone. I wonder what kind of reward Pavilion Master Lu desires?"

Lu Yu pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "To be honest, I haven't decided what I need yet. Perhaps we can discuss it again after I've clarified my needs in a few days?"

This answer caused a flicker of surprise to cross Gu Yuan's eyes. Few could remain so composed when faced with the opportunity to trade with an ancient race.

However, this composure beyond his years evoked a hint of admiration in his eyes. He nodded slightly, his tone carrying a touch of approval: "Not bad. To be able to resist temptation at such a young age and know how to weigh choices is a rare quality."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu glanced at the other party with some surprise. The way this ancient clan elder spoke always made him feel as if he were listening to an elder commenting on a junior, naturally revealing the sense of superiority that belonged to a powerful ancient race.

But then he thought that as an ancient race, it was reasonable for the elders of the ancient clan to have some arrogance, so he didn't delve into it and simply replied humbly, "Senior, you flatter me. It was just following my heart."

Mang Tianchi, however, rubbed his hands together somewhat awkwardly: "Little Lu, I have reported the matter of the Spirit-Nourishing Powder that we discussed earlier to the clan. The Lei Clan sent me to guard Tianmu Mountain, saying that it is to ensure the smooth progress of the transaction."

He smiled helplessly: "I don't have the same authority as Elder Gu Yuan. The clan only assigned me to be in charge of the garrison duties. The specific terms of the transaction will have to wait for someone from the clan to come and discuss them."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu smiled and said, "Dean, you're too kind. It's just a transaction, and it can be done whenever we want. I wonder how Elder Su Qian and Vice Dean Hu Qian have been since you returned to the academy?"

"Sigh, not ideal."

Mang Tianchi sighed softly, stroked his beard, and said, "That kid Su Qian, even after I've been away for so long, is still only at the Dou Zong realm, his progress is slow. But that kid Hu Qian is already half a step Dou Zong, I'm sure he'll break through to the true Dou Zong realm soon."

"Haven't broken through yet?"

Lu Yu frowned slightly, then smiled and said, "This is simple. I will immediately send Wu Ya to the academy to deliver a Breakthrough Pill to Vice Dean Hu Qian."

Back in Canaan Academy, Vice Dean Hu Qian had taken good care of him, a favor he had always remembered. Now that he had the ability to repay that kindness, he naturally wanted to lend this senior a hand. "Hehe, I've been waiting for you to say that."

"Dean, I've spent a lot of resources over the years trying to break through to the ninth level of Dou Zun and the Half-Saint realm. I'm practically penniless now."

Upon hearing this, Mang Tianchi chuckled, then shook his head helplessly.

As a member of the Lei Clan, although he possesses the bloodline of a Dou Di, the power of his bloodline is already of limited help when breaking through to the Dou Sheng realm. Unless he has a ninth-grade or even a legendary divine-grade bloodline, it is difficult to guarantee a 100% breakthrough to Dou Sheng.

He was able to make a great name for himself in the Central Plains and even establish Canaan Academy in the Northwest, so his bloodline grade was naturally not low, at least sixth or seventh grade. But at the level of a half-saint, such a bloodline is indeed not enough.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu smiled slightly but didn't say much. This dean was straightforward, and he was quite satisfied that the Lei Clan had sent him to Tianmu Mountain to guard it.

Just then, a strong energy fluctuation suddenly came from the distant horizon. A seven-colored beam of light shot into the sky, and its immense pressure instantly enveloped the entire Tianmu Mountain.

"This is... Cai Lin has broken through?" Lu Yu sensed the familiar aura and his eyes showed joy.

Mang Tianchi narrowed his eyes, sensing the sharp yet majestic aura, and exclaimed, "What pure Seven-Colored Devouring Python bloodline! It seems that Queen Medusa has successfully broken through to the Dou Zun level."

Even Gu Yuan, who had maintained a calm demeanor, couldn't help but glance at the seven-colored pillar of light and nodded slightly: "Indeed extraordinary."

Lu Yu gazed in the direction of the pillar of light, a relieved smile appearing on his face. Cai Lin's ability to break through to the Dou Zun realm in such a short time must mean she had completely refined his improved version of the Blood Burning Mortal Transformation Pill.

However, the next moment, Lu Yu suddenly frowned, looked up at the sky that had darkened at some point, and said in a serious tone: "Something is not right."

“Something is definitely wrong. The energy of heaven and earth has suddenly become turbulent.” Gu Yuan stared at the sky and said in a deep voice.

The once clear sky was now shrouded in layers of dark clouds that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, as gloomy as if night had fallen. This sudden change left all three people present looking puzzled.

"Dean, if a seventh-tier magical beast breaks through to the eighth tier, will it still attract a lightning tribulation?" Lu Yu asked, puzzled.

Mang Tianchi's eyes widened: "I don't know either! Doesn't your Lingbao Pavilion already have an eighth-tier Seven-Colored Sky-Swallowing Python? Why are you asking me instead?"

Lu Yu fell silent. He clearly remembered that when Xiao Cai broke through to the eighth rank, it didn't cause such a strange phenomenon.

Just as everyone was filled with doubt and uncertainty, Gu Yuan stared at the churning thunderclouds in the sky, his expression growing increasingly solemn: "I have read in ancient books that when legendary magical beasts in ancient times broke through or were born, they often caused strange phenomena in the heavens and earth due to the enormous energy within their bodies. The best of these beings could even rival the powerhouses of the Dou Sheng."

“These days, legendary magical beasts like this are extremely rare on the Dou Qi Continent… Judging from the power of this tribulation lightning, it is probably triggered by the ancient bloodline within her.”

Before he finished speaking, a thick bolt of silver lightning tore through the sky, carrying earth-shattering power, and struck fiercely towards the direction of the seven-colored pillar of light.

In an instant, the entire world was illuminated by blinding lightning, turning it a ghastly white. The silver lightning bolt, like a thunder dragon from the heavens, struck down with a destructive aura, causing subtle ripples in the space it passed through.

Lu Yu's pupils contracted slightly, and he was about to lend a helping hand when Gu Yuan reached out and stopped him.

"Wait a minute."

Gu Yuan gazed intently at the churning thunderclouds in the sky and explained, "For magical beasts, this tribulation is both a calamity and a blessing. If we intervene rashly, we might cause them to miss this opportunity for bloodline purification."

Seeing that Lu Yu still had doubts, Gu Yuan continued to explain: "The reason why ancient magical beasts are so powerful is because they have undergone the baptism of the power of heaven and earth. This lightning tribulation contains a lot of energy, which can help her temper her bloodline and solidify her foundation. If she avoids this baptism, even if she forcibly advances to the eighth rank, she will eventually be left with irreparable defects."

He pointed to the colorful scales that were faintly visible in the lightning: "Look, although she seems to be struggling, her aura is constantly solidifying in the lightning tribulation. This is a sign that her bloodline is transforming in the lightning."

Lu Yu stared intently and indeed discovered that the seven-colored light around Cai Lin was undergoing subtle changes under the tempering of the lightning. The originally evenly distributed seven-colored radiance was now faintly showing an eighth color halo.

Although the color of new life was still faint, it gradually became clearer under the reflection of the lightning.

Just then, an even more dazzling light burst forth from the seven-colored pillar of light, and the figure of the colorful scales became clearly visible within the pillar.

She stood in mid-air, facing the earth-shattering lightning tribulation without any fear. With a slight lift of her slender hand, a solid seven-colored barrier instantly condensed in front of her.

"Boom——!"

The lightning struck the barrier fiercely, unleashing a deafening roar. The seven-colored barrier trembled violently, yet remained standing. A sharp glint flashed in Cai Lin's beautiful eyes; with a light tap of her fingertip, the barrier absorbed all the violent lightning power, transforming it into pure energy to nourish itself.

"What a trick!"

Mang Tianchi couldn't help but clap his hands in admiration, exclaiming, "He can actually turn the power of the lightning tribulation into his own use!"

A hint of surprise flashed across Gu Yuan's eyes: "It's the power of devouring. It seems that the bloodline of the Devouring Python in her body is even purer than I imagined."

The second lightning tribulation arrived in quick succession, this time as red as blood, carrying scorching heat. Cai Lin remained calm, and a huge phantom of a seven-colored sky-devouring python appeared behind him. The phantom opened its massive maw and swallowed the blood-red lightning directly into its belly.

As each lightning tribulation was resolved, Cai Lin's aura rose steadily, and the seven-colored light around her became increasingly dazzling.

As the ninth golden lightning bolt struck, she finally unleashed her true form. A hundred-zhang-long, seven-colored, sky-devouring python coiled in the sky, its scales shimmering in the lightning, radiating a terrifying ancient pressure.

The golden lightning tribulation and the seven-colored Sky-Devouring Python collided violently in mid-air, unleashing a dazzling light. When the light dissipated, a charred Sky-Devouring Python was seen falling from the sky, its body surrounded by an unprecedented eight-colored glow.

Eight-colored Sky-Swallowing Python!
Lu Yu immediately leaped forward and carefully caught the heavily injured giant python. The python's breath was weak, but its eyes gleamed with relief as it whispered, "It's a success..."

"Excuse me, everyone."

Lu Yu nodded to Gu Yuan and the other two, then, carrying Cai Lin, transformed into a stream of light and headed straight for the main hall.

Watching them depart, Mang Tianchi stroked his beard and sighed, "The Eight-Colored Sky-Swallowing Python... this is a bloodline rarely seen even in ancient times. It seems that the Lingbao Pavilion truly harbors hidden dragons and crouching tigers."

Gu Yuan's gaze was profound: "She survived nine tribulations of lightning and instead completed her bloodline evolution. This woman's future achievements are limitless."

……

Inside the main hall, Lu Yu gently placed the giant python on a soft couch and fed her several healing pills. As the medicinal effects took hold, colorful light swirled around Cai Lin's body, the charred scales gradually faded, and the giant python began to transform into human form.

In the hazy light, a pair of long, slender legs slowly appeared, their skin so white it was almost translucent. Then, a slender waist and graceful curves gradually emerged, and full breasts rose and fell with slightly rapid breathing.

As the last ray of light dissipated into the air, the face revealed on the soft couch made Lu Yu's breath catch in his throat. Cai Lin's already exquisite face was now shrouded in a sacred halo, and her purple hair had completely transformed into a dazzling eight-colored brocade.

However, her cheeks were flushed an unnatural red, and her long, multicolored hair was scattered messily on the brocade cushions, like a spilled palette. She struggled to lift her eyelids, and her usually cool eyes were now shimmering with tears, the corners of her eyes tinged with a captivating crimson, revealing a hint of restless unease.

"hot……"

She murmured unconsciously, her slender, jade-like fingers gripping the soft cushion beneath her without her noticing, her knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

"hot?"

Lu Yu immediately noticed her unusual behavior and was about to reach out to check her pulse when her burning palm gently grasped his wrist. A glimmer of clarity flashed in Cai Lin's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a dazed look. She bit her lower lip lightly, her voice tinged with impatience: "That pill... its effects are too strong..."

"Is the medicine too strong?"

Lu Yu was taken aback at first, then his expression changed drastically. "Oh no! I lack experience in modifying a prescription for the first time, and I'm afraid I used too much medicine..."

(End of this chapter)