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

Chapter 240 Simulation Again, Endless Fire Domain, Emperor Yan's Decree!

After completely sealing Yao Ming's soul within the Floating Pagoda, Lu Yu's gaze fell upon the withered body bound by thick chains.

With a slight thought, the Fallen God Sword materialized from within him, its black flames burning silently. Lu Yu intently observed the structure of the four chains and quickly located the weakest point in the energy flow.

With a slight twist of his wrist, four sword beams imbued with black flames were unleashed with pinpoint accuracy. Accompanied by a crisp snapping sound, the four hundred-foot-long iron chains broke in response, and the skeletal-shaped body slowly fell to the ground.

Lu Yu rolled up his sleeves to hold the body firmly in place, while his soul power carefully scanned every inch of the body to confirm that there were no hidden tricks before storing the body into the Floating Pagoda.

"A two-star Dou Sheng's body, plus a complete soul..." Lu Yu thought to himself, "If I could refine it into an ancient human puppet, it would be a great help."

Having done all this, he spun around like a fish, black flames rising around him to form a protective shield. Wherever the shield passed, the thick Yellow Spring water parted automatically, forming a passage. He lightly stepped on the lakebed, and his entire body shot upwards like an arrow released from a bow, leaving a dazzling trail of black flames behind him.

In the blink of an eye, he broke through the lake's surface, splashing water everywhere, and landed steadily on the shore. The protective shield quietly dissipated, and his clothes remained completely dry.

“There was a group of strange snakes at the bottom of the lake whose strength was comparable to that of a half-saint, but I have already eliminated them. You can now cultivate here in peace.”

Lu Yu turned around and spoke gently to Cai Lin, who was waiting on the shore.

Cai Lin nodded slightly, and the slender hand that had been protecting her from her sleeve slowly loosened. Little Cai couldn't wait to dart out, letting out a joyful cry, drawing a seven-colored arc in the air, and gracefully disappearing into the Yellow Springs.

She turned to Lu Yu, her beautiful eyes filled with complex emotions. Recalling their intimacy a few days ago, a faint blush rose to her ears. She turned her head slightly, and finally whispered, "Wait for me to come out of seclusion."

Although these four words are short, their profound meaning made Lu Yu's eyes light up: "What to do after leaving the pass?"

Cai Lin glanced back at him, her eyes flashing with a hint of reproach, but she did not answer.

She turned gracefully, lightly touched the water's surface with her bare feet, and slowly stepped into the Yellow Springs. Eight-colored light flowed around her, gradually merging with the deep yellow spring water, and finally completely disappeared into the lake.

Seeing Cai Lin and Xiao Cai enter the Nine Netherworld, Lu Yu finally relaxed and was about to sit cross-legged to study the ancient method of making puppets.

At this moment, Qinglin walked lightly to his side and whispered, "Young Master, I also want to go down..."

“Go down and do it…” Lu Yu turned to look at Qing Lin, then suddenly stopped midway through his sentence, as if he had remembered something. “By the way, Xiao Cai is your natal Gu, and you can use its devouring power. You can indeed absorb and refine the energy in the Nine Netherworld Yellow Springs.”

Qinglin nodded gently upon hearing this, and said softly, "That's not all, young master. You've forgotten, you gave me and Sister Cailin each a strange flame with the attribute of Yin and cold—the Ice Soul Frost Flame. I sensed that the energy in the Nine Netherworlds is also greatly beneficial to this strange flame..."

A blue-ice flame slowly rose from her palm. The flame danced gently in the chilling aura emanating from the underworld, as if it had seen a beloved object and was overjoyed. The surrounding chilling aura spontaneously gathered towards the flame.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu's eyes flashed with surprise. He stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, and then nodded, saying, "In that case, you may leave. With Cai Lin looking after you, I feel at ease."

Watching Qinglin gracefully step into the Yellow Springs, Lu Yu suddenly remembered something. If his memory served him correctly, there should be an ancient lair of a seven-colored, sky-devouring python hidden deep within the Nine Netherworlds.

In his previous life, Cai Lin entered the realm with the peak cultivation of a Dou Zun. After obtaining its inheritance and combining it with the Nine-Colored Origin Stone, he broke through the shackles of his bloodline in one fell swoop and transformed into the supreme Nine-Colored Devouring Python, directly advancing to the four-star Dou Sheng level. It was truly a complete transformation.

"Although there are no nine-colored raw stones this time..."

Lu Yu unconsciously tapped his knees, silently pondering, "But Cai Lin is now an eight-colored being, her bloodline power far surpassing that of a seven-colored being. Coupled with her cultivation of the Nine Heavens Sword Primordial Spirit Chapter, I wonder what realm this opportunity will allow her to reach..."

"However, it seems she went into seclusion for two or three years back then, which is quite a long time."

Lu Yu frowned slightly. He couldn't stay here for so long; there were still many matters to attend to in Zhongzhou. Turning his gaze to the demon's soul and body sealed within the Floating Pagoda, he immediately made a decision.

"Hey, are they going to be down there for a long time?" Zi Yan kicked at the pebbles at her feet listlessly. "I'm so bored here."

Lu Yu snapped out of his reverie: "Cai Lin's seclusion this time will probably last for two or three years. If you find it boring, you might as well go and travel to other places."

Zi Yan's eyes lit up immediately: "Really? Then I'm going to explore other parts of the underground world! I've heard there are a lot of fun places here."

“Go,” Lu Yu nodded slightly. “Remember to stay in touch. If there is any danger, immediately crush the spatial jade slip I gave you.”

"understood."

Zi Yan responded cheerfully, and in a flash, she transformed into a stream of light and disappeared at the end of the passage.

After watching Zi Yan leave, Lu Yu turned his gaze to the Nine Netherworld before him. With a flick of his sleeve, a dark gold scroll containing the ancient method of creating human puppets appeared in his palm.

Materials of the two-star Dou Sheng level are extremely rare. If successfully refined, they can perfectly protect the Rainbow Scales in place of oneself.

After all, the strongest members of the Nine Netherworld Python Clan were only two one-star Dou Sheng, and even combined they were no match for a two-star Dou Sheng.

————————————————————

Half a month later, beside the Yellow Springs of the Netherworld.

Lu Yu sat cross-legged, his body enveloped in leaping black flames. Before him, a pure white body floated silently.

After half a month of continuous tempering by Xiao You, Yao Ming's originally withered and skeletal body has been completely transformed. His skin has a jade-like luster, and every inch of his skin flows with pure, cold energy, like a sleeping ancient beast.

"It's time to take the final step."

Lu Yu lightly tapped the Floating Pagoda with his fingertip, causing the pagoda to tremble slightly. Yao Ming's sealed soul slowly emerged. The instant the seal loosened, Yao Ming's urgent thoughts immediately echoed from within the soul: "Young friend! You've finally come to your senses? Quickly release me, and I will certainly..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lu Yu had already activated his soul cultivation technique, the Thunder Emperor's Book. Streaks of purple lightning, like serpents, coiled upwards, piercing straight into the depths of the soul. Yao Ming's consciousness instantly turned to terror: "Stop! What are you doing... Stop! This power of lightning..."

"Quietly accept your fate." Lu Yu said indifferently, the lightning in his hand intensifying.

"No—! I have cultivated for thousands of years, how could I..." Yao Ming let out a final lament, but it was abruptly cut off amidst the dazzling lightning.

Chi Chi Chi!
Countless strands of lightning swirled and flowed through the soul, completely purifying the last vestige of self-awareness. The once restless soul gradually calmed down, becoming crystal clear, retaining only the purest fighting instincts and vast memories of combat techniques.

Lu Yu bit his fingertip, and crimson blood traced mysterious paths in the void. He wielded his brush in mid-air, precisely imprinting crimson runes onto the demon's body. With each stroke, purple lightning flowed within the runes, emitting a deep hum.

When the last rune was completed, the entire body was covered with dense purple patterns, resembling a meticulously crafted work of art.

Lu Yu flicked his finger, and the purified soul transformed into a stream of light that entered the body. In an instant, all the runes lit up simultaneously, and the body and soul merged perfectly. A terrifying pressure suddenly erupted, causing ripples to spread throughout the surrounding Netherworld.

The puppet slowly opened its eyes, revealing a pair of empty pupils. Its appearance was seven parts similar to the demonic demon, but the pure, cold power flowing around it was even more condensed than before.

"Early stage of a two-star Dou Sheng..."

Lu Yu examined the creation with satisfaction. Although Yao Ming was originally a late-stage Two-Star Dou Sheng, some losses were inevitable during the crafting process. Even so, the strength of this ancient puppet was enough to intimidate the entire Nine Netherworld Python clan.

"You stay here and don't let anyone near."

Lu Yu gave the instructions.

"Yes, Master." A purple glint flashed in the puppet's empty eyes, its voice mechanical and cold.

After the ancient puppets stood solemnly guarding the edge of the Yellow Springs, Lu Yu found a flat stone platform and sat down cross-legged. With a slight thought, he summoned a pale blue light screen.

"I haven't used any of this month's simulation opportunities yet, so I'll take this opportunity to see what identities I can simulate..."

As he confirmed it with his mind, a familiar pale blue light screen unfolded before his eyes:

[Simulation count has been refreshed. Current simulation count: 1. Start simulation?]

"Turn on."

[Ding! Extracting a simulated identity for the host—]

[Draw successful. Please choose one of the following three identities.] [One, Northern Sea Dragon Cub—You are a Northern Sea Dragon Cub wandering the Hundred Spirits Continent. You possess the natural qualities of a divine beast, and as an adult, you may even have the potential to glimpse the Earthly Sovereign Realm. However, you are currently just a little creature at the Divine Soul Realm.]

[Second, Descendant of the Wind Spirit Clan—You are born into a declining branch of the Wind Spirit Clan. In exchange for cultivation resources, your clansmen reached an agreement with the Azure Sky Spirit Academy to send you there for training, on the condition that you represent the Azure Sky Spirit Academy in the competition to win the Academy's championship.]

[Third, Disciple of the Endless Fire Domain—You are from a branch of the Xiao family, a disciple from the outer domain of the Endless Fire Domain, and grew up in the Endless Fire Domain from a young age, enjoying a privileged upbringing.]

Please make your choice——

"Are these ancient races really in such a sorry state? The Wind Spirit Clan even offers to lend out geniuses?"

Looking at the options presented in the simulation, Lu Yu couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle. These ancient races truly "gained and were also ruined by their bloodlines."

Since the ancient war, the ancestors of various races have fallen one after another, and it has become difficult for their descendants to produce any outstanding talents. Now they have fallen to this state.

His gaze lingered between the three options: the Northern Sea Dragon Kun, though a divine beast, had an excessively long growth cycle; the Wind Spirit Clan descendant seemed to have many opportunities, but he cultivated at the Azure Heaven Spirit Academy. But this Endless Fire Domain…

"A branch of the Xiao family, disciples from the outer realms of the Endless Fire Domain..."

Lu Yu pondered for a moment, "This is the second time I've drawn this identity, so it's not bad."

"I choose three."

[Selection successful, identity loading...]

[Simulation begins——]

[In your first year, you turned six. Given your Earth-grade spiritual vein talent, you should have been sent to an Earth-grade academy for cultivation. However, in this life, you are exceptionally gifted. At one year old, you could identify hundreds of herbs; at two, you could draw qi into your body; at three, you created your own fire control technique; at four, you achieved enlightenment and became a first-level alchemist; and at five, you could even refine third-grade pills. Such talent shocked the entire outer realm.]

After deliberation, the higher-ups of the Outer Domain of the Endless Fire Domain decided to make an exception and admit you to the Heavenly Rank Academy. On your first day of school, you were surprised to discover that your mentor was none other than Xiao Lin, the son of the Flame Emperor and the young master of the Endless Fire Domain!

[You are overjoyed by this; with this connection, you can be considered a direct descendant of the Endless Fire Domain.]

[Upon entering the academy, you discover that it is filled with extraordinary talents: Gu Ling'er, the legitimate daughter of the ancient clan, is born with eight divine veins; Zhu Cang, the young master of the Taixu Ancient Dragon, possesses the bloodline of the Dragon Emperor; and Xiao Potian, the direct descendant of the Xiao clan, has already reached the Transformation Realm at a young age...]

Looking around, one truly sees hidden talents and brilliant minds.

Compared to these prodigies with extraordinary bloodlines, you, a transmigrator who barely manages to show off thanks to your past life's alchemy skills, have become the most inconspicuous figure in the academy.

[The following year, the Heavenly Rank Academy Grand Competition begins. Xiao Potian, whose cultivation has reached the Heavenly Realm, challenges Zhu Cang, who possesses the bloodline of the Dragon Emperor, on the arena. When the two clash, divine techniques abound; mountains crumble and space trembles wherever their fists pass. You, whose cultivation is still at the Divine Soul Realm, can only cower in the far corner of the audience, shivering while clutching a plate of melon seeds.]

Watching the two monsters on the arena fight to the death, you silently etched the words "survive and develop" onto your forehead. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was looking, you secretly slipped a pebble stained with the Dragon Emperor's blood that had just hit your feet into your sleeve—this was the essence blood of a descendant of the Heavenly Sovereign, priceless in the outside world.

As you happily count your spoils, you suddenly notice Gu Ling'er watching you, this oddball "junk collector," thoughtfully from across the stands.

To this, you can only sadly conclude that you're terrified of being poor!

[In the second month, your cultivation successfully broke through to the peak of the Divine Soul Realm, and your alchemy skills improved by leaps and bounds, reaching the level of a fifth-grade alchemist, ranking among the top three in the academy. However, the two ranked ahead of you are a genius from a medicine clan and a born spirit of a different kind of fire.]

Faced with these two exceptionally talented classmates, you couldn't help but grit your teeth. The Medicine Clan member was born with a soul-nourishing body, his blood capable of nourishing his soul; his soul power at birth was comparable to that of a powerful being of divine soul strength. The other, a spirit of strange fire, was a natural master of fire control, his mastery of flames seemingly innate.

Compared to these exceptionally gifted individuals, your current achievements are entirely the result of painstakingly building upon your memories from your past life.

"They're...a bunch of monsters!" You clenched your fist and forced out the words through gritted teeth.

[In the third month, according to academy tradition, students at the Divine Soul Realm can choose one of the three rare flames treasured in the Endless Fire Domain—the Flame of Life, the Fallen Heart Flame, and the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame. You chose the Flame of Life without hesitation, for this flame, renowned for its life force, will be of great use to you in the real world.]

[In your third year, thanks to your solid foundation and the assistance of the Flame of Life, you successfully broke through to the Heavenly Fusion Realm and graduated smoothly from the Heavenly Rank Academy. Based on your outstanding talent in alchemy, you were selected to study at the Inner Domain Pill Tower.]

[It should be noted that any alchemist who can enter the Inner Domain Pill Tower can become a disciple of the Flame Emperor, receiving personal instruction from the Celestial Supreme Medicine Saint. This is a coveted opportunity for any alchemist.]

[In your fourth year, you joined the Pill Tower, secretly cultivating your medicinal arts, and also trained at the Inner Domain Burning Heaven Tower. Your cultivation progressed rapidly, and you soon broke through to the Heavenly Realm. Just then, the Endless Fire Domain Inner Domain Grand Competition began, and you signed up to participate without hesitation.]

To rapidly enhance your strength, you refined rare elixirs such as the Nine-Bearded Blood Ginseng Pill, the Heavenly Spirit Pill, and the Nine-Turn Ice Clarity Pill. With the power of these medicines, you swiftly transcended the Lesser Three Tribulations of the Supreme Realm, reaching the peak of the Divine Soul Tribulation.

Knowing your cultivation was still shallow, you turned your attention to the study of spirit arrays. After countless sleepless nights of deduction and enduring hundreds of painful backlashes of spiritual energy, one starlit night, as you gazed at the heavens, a sudden inspiration struck you, and you finally comprehended the profound mysteries of the Zhou Tian Xing Chen Locking Spirit Array, a low-grade spirit array.

[In the third month, the grand competition began. You used your unparalleled Dragon Soaring Technique to maneuver, supplemented by several advanced divine techniques, and defeated powerful opponents one after another, advancing unstoppable into the semi-finals.]

The four finalists of this year's Endless Fire Domain Competition are none other than your old classmates: Xiao Potian, known as the "Little Flame Emperor"; Zhu Cang, known as the "Little Dragon Emperor"; and Gu Ling'er, known as the "Spirit Array Fairy".

In the first match of the semifinals, Gu Ling'er faced off against Xiao Potian. Facing the terrifying power of the Seven-Colored Buddha's Wrathful Lotus, Gu Ling'er displayed astonishing skill in spirit arrays, weaving countless interlocking arrays, ultimately securing a narrow victory over Xiao Potian with her exquisite formations.

[You faced Zhu Cang, confronting his domineering Dragon Emperor physique. You skillfully maneuvered using your mastered Dragon Soaring Technique. Weaving like a fish through a multitude of dragon fists, you seized the opportunity to unleash the Heaven-Burning Blazing Sword Formation, ultimately achieving a stalemate with this young master of the Ancient Void Dragon.]

[After a prolonged and unsuccessful battle, Zhu Cang, enraged, broke through the Supreme Realm and forcibly broke the formation with a perfected divine technique. You remained calm under pressure, decisively detonating the Triple Heaven-Burning Blazing Sword Formation. The violent sword energy severely injured Zhu Cang, ultimately securing victory.]

In the final battle, you faced Gu Ling'er, who was equally skilled in spirit arrays. Each displayed their unique strengths. Countless spirit seals intertwined to form a dazzling curtain of light, arrays within arrays, strategies within strategies. After three days and three nights of fierce fighting, the two ultimately fought to a draw.

This spectacular duel has made you famous throughout the inner region, and the title of "Genius of Spirit Arrays" has spread far and wide.

[In the fifth year, as one of the champions of the Inner Region Tournament, alongside Gu Ling'er, you were given the opportunity to make a small request to Emperor Yan. After a moment's thought, you cautiously requested a means of self-preservation that could not only be used by yourself but also given to others.]

Emperor Yan shook his head slightly: "Your cultivation is still shallow; ordinary life-saving items are hardly of great use."

After a moment's contemplation, Emperor Yan wrote a decree of true meaning for you: "This decree seals the power of a seventh-rank supreme being's strike, which you can just barely activate with your current cultivation. Any greater power, you would be unable to control."

[Afterwards, you departed with Emperor Yan's decree, and in the same year, you broke through to the Supreme Realm.]

[In the sixth year, after breaking through to the Supreme Realm, you naturally displayed your mastery of high-level alchemy. The Pill Tower bestowed upon you a Supreme-level Flame of Life, and with the nourishment of this extraordinary flame, your cultivation level naturally broke through to the Second Grade Supreme.]

[In the seventh year, your alchemy skills have broken through to the Earth Rank. With your superb alchemy abilities, you successfully gathered all the materials for the Sword Sun Undying Body, forging this supreme physique.]

[Just as the extraterrestrial evil race launched a massive invasion, you resolutely joined the war. In the ensuing bloody battles, you repeatedly distinguished yourself with your Sword Yang Undying Body and mastery of spirit arrays, accumulating a wealth of merits. After the war, you used your merits to exchange for two perfected divine arts: the body-refining divine art "Nine Revolutions Thunderous Body" and the sonic divine art "Primordial Azure Dragon Roar."]

Not long after, you began a three-year period of seclusion, preparing to integrate all the knowledge you had acquired throughout your life.

[In the eighth year, you combined the essence of the Burning Heaven and Boiling Sea Palm with the Emperor's Seal Technique, and after countless revisions, finally created the great divine technique "Burning Heaven Seal." This technique retains the domineering power of the Burning Heaven and Boiling Sea Palm while incorporating the majesty of the Emperor's Seal Technique; with a single strike, all laws fall silent.]

In the ninth year, you devoted yourself to studying the Four Symbols Sword Finger, integrating its profound mysteries from the Great Emperor's Inner Classic, and elevating it to the realm of Yin and Yang. The Yin and Yang energies flowed at your fingertips, transforming into the "Yin-Yang Breaking Void Finger," where one finger divides Yin and Yang, and two fingers determine life and death.

[In the tenth year, you perfectly combined the agility of the Dragon Soaring Technique with the versatility of the Phoenix Wings Soaring, creating the great divine technique "Dragon and Phoenix Wings Soaring Freely." When cast, the shadow of a dragon and the wings of a phoenix accompany it, covering thousands of miles in an instant, roaming freely across the heavens and earth.]

As for the Great Luo Heavenly Flame Sword, this growth-type divine technique will naturally increase in power as you collect more exotic flames; there's no need for deliberate deduction. By the time you emerge from seclusion, you will have mastered several great divine techniques, plus two perfected divine techniques, making your strength vastly different from what it was before!

[Then, you will record all these divine arts into the inheritance jade slip.]

[This simulation ends——]

You can choose one of the following three items.

【Part 1, Emperor Yan's Decree (containing a wisp of Emperor Yan's true essence of ten thousand fires)】

[Second, the Flame of Life (Supreme Level)]

[Three, your inheritance jade slip.]

(End of this chapter)