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

Chapter 253 One Sword!
After a few hours,

Tianmu Mountain Tianshan Terrace.

Lu Yu stood with his hands behind his back in front of the square, with two women beside him, each with a different air about them.

On the left, Little Fairy Doctor was dressed in white, her body faintly exuding the powerful aura of a peak Seven-Star Dou Zun.
The green-scaled snake on the right had shimmering blue eyes. Although its cultivation level as a five-star Dou Zun was slightly inferior, the seven-colored snake coiled on its shoulder exuded a terrifying pressure from a peak Dou Zun.

Behind them, fifty elders of the Lingbao Pavilion at the Dou Zong level stood solemnly. Although they were silent, a chilling aura of killing intent permeated the air.

As for the seventeen ancient puppets at the Dou Zun level, Lu Yu entrusted them to Little Fairy Doctor for management, so they could be deployed into battle at any time.

“Cai Lin is still in seclusion, so it’s perfect for her to oversee the headquarters.” Lu Yu instructed Venerable Tianhuo beside him, “I’ll leave the affairs of the pavilion to you, Venerable Tianhuo.”

Venerable Heavenly Fire nodded solemnly: "Don't worry, Pavilion Master."

Just then, four powerful auras approached from afar. The members of the ancient clan arrived gracefully, with Elder Gu Zhenshan leading the way.

Elder Gu Zhenshan's gaze swept over the Lingbao Pavilion's fully prepared lineup, his white eyebrows slightly raised, his tone filled with approval: "Pavilion Master Lu is indeed adept at managing the pavilion."

His expression immediately turned solemn, and he said in a deep voice, "According to the intelligence our clan has, the Earth Palace is located deep in the Fallen Soul Mountains in the western region of Central Continent. As the main hall of the Soul Palace, second only to the headquarters, this place is not only heavily guarded, but also has been fortified with multiple layers of barriers."

Gu Zhenshan's gaze swept over everyone, his tone growing increasingly solemn: "Since the decision has been made, the clan leader's meaning is very clear—we must nip this in the bud and eliminate any future troubles."

He turned to Lu Yu, his tone solemn: "Does Pavilion Master Lu understand?"

Lu Yu nodded solemnly: "Elder Zhenshan, rest assured, since we have decided to take action, Lingbao Pavilion will do its utmost."

"So good."

Gu Zhenshan's expression softened slightly, and he continued, "Elder Tongxuan is familiar with the route, so he will lead the way. In addition, Pavilion Master Lu need not worry about the distribution. Our Gu Clan is large and powerful. This time, apart from needing to make copies of various inheritances, we will not take a single penny of the spoils of war; they will all belong to the Lingbao Pavilion."

"But afterwards, the prescription for the Heavenly Spirit Pill will belong to our clan."

Lu Yu nodded slightly: "That's natural."

Elder Tongxuan stepped forward, and with a flick of his sleeve, a spatial passage slowly formed: "Please follow me, everyone. This time, we will make the Soul Palace suffer."

……

After a few days,

In the western region of Central China, at the Fallen Soul Mountain Range.

This mountain range, stretching for tens of thousands of miles, is like a sleeping ancient serpent coiled deep in the Western Regions. It is shrouded in a gray, poisonous miasma all year round, and sunlight cannot penetrate the thick fog, making the entire mountain range gloomy and dark all day long.

Towering ancient trees can be seen everywhere in the mountains, but these trees are eroded by yin energy, and their branches are twisted like ghost claws. The eerie howling wind can be heard from time to time in the forest.

Even more bizarrely, the strange poisonous fog permeating the mountains is said to be able to interfere with the soul perception of ordinary people. Even a Dou Zun powerhouse would have their soul power suppressed by more than half here. Because of its perilous nature, this place has been a sparsely populated area since ancient times, and ordinary powerhouses dare not set foot here lightly.

However, at this moment, this desolate mountain range welcomed an uninvited guest.

"Shhhhhh!"

Several streaks of light suddenly tore through the thick fog, shattering the ancient silence of the mountains. Lu Yu and his companions appeared silently atop a steep mountain peak.

Everyone gazed solemnly towards the deepest part of the mountain range, where the space appeared unnaturally distorted, faintly radiating chilling energy fluctuations.

"The underground palace is just ahead."

Elder Tongxuan lowered his voice and pointed to the distorted space, "The Soul Palace has set up a spatial barrier here, which not only protects the main hall but also provides early warning. Ordinary people, even if they come here, cannot break in without the strength of a Dou Sheng."

Elder Gu Zhenshan narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "This spatial barrier is indeed ingenious, but since we have seen through it, it is nothing to fear."

Lu Yu stared at the distorted space, clearly sensing the chilling aura emanating from behind the barrier. He nodded slightly: "In that case, let's proceed according to plan."

"Xian'er".

Little Fairy Doctor understood and stepped forward. With a gentle wave of her slender hand, she absorbed all the surrounding poisonous mist, like rivers flowing into the sea. At the same time, several Dou Sheng powerhouses attacked simultaneously, their powerful Dou Qi bombarding the spatial barrier.

"Crack!"

The deafening roar of the shattering spatial barrier was like a thunderclap, the ear-piercing sound of cracking echoing violently through the valley. Countless spatial fragments scattered like glass, revealing the eerie and terrifying scene behind them.

On a vast expanse of black earth, countless white skeletons lay scattered, and a majestic black palace stood silently, exuding a chilling aura.

Almost at the same moment the barrier shattered, a piercing alarm blared from within the hall. Countless black chains trembled violently, and the black mist figures wrapped around them let out mournful howls. The entire underground palace was instantly enveloped in a crimson light.

"Who dares to trespass into my Soul Palace!"

A dark figure shot out from the hall; it was none other than the Soul Hall Elder, who was stationed at the entrance. However, before he could finish speaking, Lu Yu had already appeared before him like a ghost, his hand casually reaching out.

"Uh!"

Before the elder could even activate his battle qi, an irresistible force gripped his throat. Lu Yu's fingertips crackled with lightning, instantly stripping away the elder's soul, while the remaining physical body was sealed by the Floating Pagoda and stored in his storage ring.

"Kill them if you can, safety first." Lu Yu instructed Little Fairy Doctor calmly, his gaze sweeping over the Soul Palace guards who were frantically surging out. "Leave the task of capturing prisoners to me."

The atmosphere in the entire area suddenly froze, the thick black mist surged violently, and countless Soul Hall experts poured out of the giant hall like a tide. However, before they could form ranks, the elites of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion behind Lu Yu had already made their move.

With a gentle wave of her jade hand, the Little Fairy Doctor caused the poisonous mist to transform into countless wisps, causing the guardians of the Soul Palace to fall one after another wherever it passed.

The small rainbow on Qinglin's shoulder transformed into a seven-colored stream of light, each flash bringing with it a spray of blood. The seventeen Dou Zun puppets, like tigers among sheep, stirred up a bloodbath among the crowd.

Countless dark figures stopped in their tracks in shock, finally realizing that these uninvited guests had not come rashly, but had made thorough preparations!
"Insolence! How dare you run wild in my Soul Palace! All Heavenly Venerables, form the formation!"

Just as the Lingbao Pavilion members launched their attack, a cold, angry roar echoed from the depths of the giant hall. More than ten figures flashed out like lightning, led by a one-star Dou Sheng and three half-saints. They quickly formed a formation, and as the black mist surged, it condensed into a hideous ghost face that blotted out the sky, rushing towards Lu Yu and the others with a mournful howl.

"Little tricks."

Lu Yu stood with his hands behind his back, took a step forward, and a profound yin-yang energy flowed between his fingertips. With a casual tap, the enormous ghost mask shattered like glass, and the Heavenly Venerables who were forming the array all coughed up blood and flew backward.

"interesting……"

A voice, seemingly emanating from the depths of the netherworld, slowly resounded, and the temperature of the entire underground palace plummeted to freezing. Lu Yu's gaze narrowed slightly as he saw the space in the center of the hall begin to distort, with viscous, almost tangible black mist gushing out from the void rifts, swallowing even the light in its wake.

"It's been a long time since anyone dared to attack my Soul Palace..."

A blurry figure slowly emerged from the black mist, its voice carrying a chilling aura that sent shivers down one's spine:
"I'd like to see who dares to come here to seek death."

The figure gradually became clearer, yet it remained shrouded in swirling black mist, with only a pair of scarlet eyes flashing in the darkness. With each step he took, black ice crystals condensed beneath his feet, and the terrifying pressure made many present gasp for breath.

Upon seeing this figure appear, the previously panicked members of the Soul Palace immediately perked up. Several semi-saint level experts showed expressions of reverence and bowed in unison.

"Greetings, Vice Hall Master!"

"We implore the Vice Hall Master to take action and annihilate these madmen!"

The Soul Hall's deputy hall master's crimson eyes slowly swept across the entire hall, his deep laughter echoing throughout the space:

"You do have some skill to break my Myriad Souls Devouring Array. But since you dare to cause trouble in the Soul Palace, you'll stay here forever and become nourishment for the Myriad Souls Array."

Just as the Soul Hall's deputy hall master finished speaking, a calm voice suddenly rang out:

"The Soul Palace certainly has a big mouth."

Elder Gu Zhenshan stepped forward slowly, and with each step he took, his body radiated brilliant golden light. Wherever the golden light passed, the eerie black mist melted away like spring snow, and the warm aura instantly dispelled the chill in the hall.

"Your opponent is me."

With a flick of his sleeve, Gu Zhenshan conjured a golden light barrier between Lu Yu and the Vice Hall Master of the Soul Palace. Ancient runes flowed across the barrier, emanating a chilling aura.

The Soul Hall's deputy hall master narrowed his crimson eyes slightly: "An ancient clan? No wonder you dare to be so arrogant. However, you alone are probably not enough to deal with."

The black mist suddenly surged, and countless hideous ghostly faces emerged from it, emitting piercing shrieks. However, Gu Zhenshan merely smiled faintly, a golden sun already condensing in his palm.
"Whether it's good enough or not, you'll know once you try it."

Before the words were even finished, the golden sun exploded with a deafening roar, transforming into countless golden arrows that shot towards the black mist.

The Vice Hall Master of the Soul Hall snorted coldly, and countless ghostly hands immediately emerged from the black mist, colliding fiercely with the golden light. The two figures instantly intersected, and terrifying Saint-level energy clashed wildly in the arena, each exchange causing the entire Earth Palace to tremble violently.

Just as the two three-star Dou Sheng were locked in fierce combat, Elder Gu Yuan quietly approached Lu Yu's side:
"Sect Master Lu, how about we join forces to deal with that one-star Dou Sheng?"

His gaze swept over the three Soul Palace Half-Saints who were eyeing him menacingly in the distance, and he continued:
"As for those three half-saints, leave them to Tongxuan and Tongyou."

Upon hearing this, Elders Tongxuan and Tongyou immediately understood and stepped forward, their fighting spirit surging as they locked onto the three Soul Palace Half-Saints.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu gently shook his head and said calmly, "There's no need for that. I've already made the arrangements."

As soon as he finished speaking, his hands swiftly formed hand seals, and ripples spread throughout the entire underground palace. Countless crimson spirit seals suddenly lit up in the void, instantly weaving together into a massive sword array that enveloped the heavens and earth—the very same high-grade human-rank spirit array, the "Myriad Flames Burning Heaven Sword Array"!
"Buzz!"

As the sword formation operated, countless blazing fiery sword energies flowed and converged within the formation, eventually condensing into a massive crimson-gold sword that stretched across the heavens and earth. The sword's blade burned with raging flames, its surface flowing with profound ancient runes, radiating a terrifying pressure that made the heavens and earth tremble.

The Soul Hall's deputy hall master, who was fighting Gu Zhenshan, sensed this terrifying aura, and his pupils suddenly contracted. The black mist around him surged wildly, instantly condensing into a thick black barrier in front of him.

"cut."

Lu Yu uttered a single word, and the crimson-gold giant sword slashed down in response. Wherever the sword passed, space shattered inch by inch, and the violent energy fluctuations shook the entire underground palace violently.

"Boom!"

The giant sword pierced through the black mist barrier with overwhelming force. The deputy hall master of the Soul Hall was violently shaken, and with a muffled groan, he knelt heavily on both knees. The crimson-gold giant sword pressed down on him like a towering mountain, pinning him to the spot. He struggled to lift his head, his face drained of color, and for the first time, disbelief and horror appeared in his eyes.

The entire room fell into a deathly silence.

Whether they were members of the Soul Palace or powerful figures from the ancient clans, everyone was stunned by this earth-shattering sword strike. No one had ever imagined that the Master of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion could unleash such a terrifyingly powerful sword formation single-handedly!

In the silence, a faint light appeared in Lu Yu's palm, and a phantom ancient figure slowly materialized.

“Senior Mo You,” Lu Yu said softly to the remnant soul, “what do you think about using this person’s body as your revival form?”

"Ahem, young friend..."

The illusory remnant soul rippled slightly, emitting an aged and weak voice. Mo You's remnant soul slowly drifted towards the Soul Hall's deputy hall master, who was suppressed by the sword formation. After carefully examining him for a moment, a hint of satisfaction appeared in his tone:

"The physical body of a late-stage Three-Star Dou Sheng is solid, and its attributes are quite compatible with mine. I will accept your kind offer, young friend."

The remnant soul suddenly emitted a deep, eerie light, and an ancient and powerful aura gradually awakened. Mo You's voice gradually became more solid:

"Once I merge with this body, I will do my utmost to help you, young friend."

"Trying to take over my body? Wishful thinking!"

At this critical moment, a fierce glint flashed in the eyes of the suppressed deputy hall master of the Soul Hall, and a strange blood-red flame suddenly ignited around his body. He was willing to burn most of his essence blood to forcefully break free!

The violent energy instantly broke free of the sword formation's restraints, and the person transformed into a blood-red shadow, retreating rapidly.

"puff!"

Although he barely escaped, he was severely injured, his breath rapidly weakening, and his face ashen. He glared venomously at Lu Yu, a jet-black jade slip already clutched in his hand.

"Since you insist on driving us to extermination..."

His voice was hoarse as he suddenly exerted force with his fingertips. The jade slip shattered upon impact, and a strange wave pierced through layers of space at an incredible speed, instantly disappearing into the depths of the void.

"He is summoning Soul Annihilation!"

Elder Gu Zhenshan's expression changed slightly, and his battle aura suddenly surged to its peak. He quickly scanned his surroundings, speaking rapidly, "If the Hall Master of the Soul Palace were to arrive in person, we fear..."

Elder Tongxuan immediately understood and formed hand seals to set up several spatial barriers: "We must end the battle before he arrives!"

Lu Yu's gaze darkened slightly, but he was the first to calm down. His formation could only suppress a three-star Dou Sheng in his prime, but a heavily injured three-star Dou Sheng...

With a light tap of his fingertip, the Myriad Fires Burning Heaven Formation started operating again. At the same time, he said to Gu Yuan beside him, "Senior, let's finish this quickly."

(End of this chapter)