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

Chapter 258 Ancient Abyss? Ancient Yuan!
"who are you?"

Zi Yan frowned slightly, sensing the dangerous aura emanating from the other party.

Soul Fiend raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, revealing a surprised expression: "Little girl, you don't even know my name?"

He then turned and glanced at Hun Miesheng beside him, his tone filled with undisguised contempt: "Can't even handle a little girl, what a waste."

Upon hearing this, Hun Miesheng's expression froze, and he coughed up several mouthfuls of stagnant blood, a hint of humiliation flashing across his face.

He felt a surge of resentment and muttered to himself: "If you're so capable, why don't you fight her at the same cultivation level... She's just spouting nonsense here because of her superior cultivation!"

But he naturally dared not say these words, and could only suppress his anger, lower his head and remain silent.

Soul Fiend's blood-red eyes lingered on Zi Yan for a moment, then a look of understanding flashed across his face: "So that's how it is... This pure bloodline power, it's the Ancient Void Dragon?"

"From ancient times to the present, only your race has been able to maintain such a pure magical beast bloodline..."

The ghost-headed broadsword on his shoulder trembled slightly, emitting an excited hum: "No wonder Hun Miesheng was in such a sorry state. The Ancient Void Dragon Clan is indeed qualified to be my opponent."

"It just so happens that I'm in need of a mount. Little girl, if you're willing to submit, I might spare your life later."

Upon hearing this, Zi Yan's expression turned cold, a flash of anger appeared in her eyes, and her body shone with a burst of purple-gold light: "You think you're worthy of making this emperor submit?"

Just as tensions were about to rise, a calm voice suddenly rang out: "Senior Soul Fiend, please reconsider."

Lu Yu had somehow broken through his cultivation barrier and quietly appeared beside Zi Yan. In his hand, he held a golden decree that exuded an ancient aura. The decree shimmered with a faint light and subtly emitted a chilling pressure.

Lu Yu looked calmly at Hun Sha, his tone peaceful yet firm: "The Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan is on good terms with my Lingbao Pavilion. If you want to take action forcefully, it might not be appropriate."

Soul Fiend's blood-red eyes shifted slightly, and after sensing Lu Yu's cultivation level as a two-star Dou Sheng, a hint of contempt flashed in his eyes: "Junior, with your meager cultivation, you dare to try and stop this Saint?"

Despite facing the oppressive aura of a Seven-Star Dou Sheng, Lu Yu remained calm. He slowly unfurled the golden decree in his hand, and instantly, radiant light flowed, releasing a chilling pressure that permeated the air.

"This junior would naturally not dare to contend with a sage."

Lu Yu's tone was calm, yet it carried a deeper meaning: "However, I have by chance obtained a decree that seals the full power of a peak Seven-Star Dou Sheng expert. If activated, even a Saint would have to go through some trouble to defend against it."

"I hope Your Majesty will consider today's matter carefully."

Soul Fiend narrowed his blood-red eyes, carefully sensing the golden decree. With his cultivation as a Seven-Star Dou Sheng, he actually detected a faint but real sense of danger within it, which immediately surprised him.

But then, a domineering smile appeared on his lips, and the ghost-headed broadsword on his shoulder emitted a low hum. As one of the four Demon Saints of the Soul Clan, he had experienced countless life-and-death battles; how could he be intimidated by a decree of unknown origin?

"It's a pretty good item..."

A hint of amusement flashed in his blood-red eyes. "Unfortunately, this alone is not enough to make this saint back down."

Soul Fiend's blood-fiend aura surged like a tide, his voice carrying an innate arrogance: "Let alone a mere decree from a peak Seven-Star Dou Sheng, even if he himself were here, he would still have to give me some face on this Dou Qi Continent."

He slowly raised his right hand, crimson energy flowing between his fingers: "This saint will see what your decree can do to me!"

Just as the situation reached a stalemate, thunder suddenly rumbled across the sky. A streak of purple lightning ripped through the air, and Mang Tianchi's figure suddenly appeared amidst the flashing lightning.

He arrived through the air, his expression solemn, and said in a deep voice, "Soul Fiend Saint! The eight ancient clans have long agreed that experts above the Five-Star Dou Sheng level cannot act arbitrarily. Do you intend to violate the alliance between the clans?"

Upon hearing this, Hun Sha glanced at Mang Tianchi with his blood-red eyes, a cold smile playing on his lips: "So you're from the Thunder Clan..."

A mocking glint flashed in his eyes, then he suddenly burst into laughter, his body surging with bloodthirsty aura: "An agreement? Once you're all buried here, who will know what happened today?"

The demon-headed broadsword in his hand trembled violently, and a boundless bloodthirsty aura instantly enveloped the entire world. The Soul Fiend's voice was like a chilling wind from the depths of hell: "This saint will see what this so-called agreement... can do to me!"

Before the words were finished, the blood-red aura suddenly condensed into a crimson blade of light that stretched across the heavens and earth, and slashed down with a devastating force!

Wherever the blade's light passed, space shattered inch by inch, and the piercing shriek sounded like the wailing of countless vengeful spirits. The entire Tianmu Mountain trembled violently under this attack.

Lu Yu's expression turned solemn, and the golden decree in his hand instantly burst forth with dazzling golden light; Zi Yan's body was surrounded by a surge of purple-gold light, and her dragon-phoenix bloodline was operating at full power; Mang Tian Chi was even more horrified, his half-saint cultivation seemed so insignificant in the face of such power.

At this critical moment——

"Wait a minute."

A deep, steady voice suddenly rang out. The voice was not loud, but it contained a kind of vast power, which caused the world-destroying scarlet blade light to pause slightly in the air.

In an instant, ripples suddenly appeared in the void. A spatial vortex silently unfolded, and a slender hand emerged from it, effortlessly grasping the world-destroying blade of light.

Under the shocked gaze of the crowd, the blade light that had gathered the full power of a Seven-Star Battle Saint shattered like glass, turning into a sky full of bloody light and disappearing without a trace.

The spatial vortex slowly expanded, and a middle-aged man in a green robe stepped out. He had a refined face and eyes as deep as the starry sky, standing with his hands behind his back in the void. Although he made no movement, the pressure emanating from his body froze the entire world.

"Senior Gu Yuan!"

Lu Yu and the others gasped in shock, their faces filled with disbelief. They never imagined that this ancient clan elder, who usually kept a low profile, would possess such terrifying strength.

Soul Fiend and Soul Extinction both paled simultaneously. They exchanged a glance, both seeing an unprecedented level of solemnity in each other's eyes. Soul Fiend lowered his ghost-headed broadsword slightly, his blood-red eyes fixed on the suddenly appearing powerhouse, his voice tinged with apprehension:

"Who are you?"

Gu Yuan smiled slightly, his expression changing under everyone's gaze: "I have used quite a few identities while traveling across the continent."

As he spoke, the ordinary face gradually transformed into that of a middle-aged man around forty years old. His blue robe fluttered in the wind, his face was gentle and refined, and a warm smile played on his lips, making him look like an ordinary neighbor.

"Gu Yuan!"

When they saw the face clearly, Hun Sha, Hun Miesheng, and even Mang Tianchi all gasped in shock.

"It's actually the patriarch of an ancient clan!"

Gu Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, his blue robe swaying gently in the breeze. His tone remained calm, yet carried an undeniable authority: "Betraying the alliance with the various races, Soul Fiend, is this your intention, or the Soul Emperor's?"

Soul Fiend's expression suddenly darkened, a hint of fear flashing in his blood-red eyes. His grip on the Ghost Head Greatsword tightened unconsciously, but he remained silent.

Seeing that Hun Sha remained silent, Gu Yuan gently shook his head, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes: "Since the Soul Clan has already broken the alliance first..."

He slowly raised his right hand, and a chilling energy began to gather in his palm: "Then leaving you here today is understandable."

Upon hearing this, Hun Sha's expression changed drastically, a hint of panic flashing in his blood-red eyes. He suddenly grabbed Hun Miesheng beside him and roared, "Gu Yuan! Do you really intend to fight my Soul Clan to the death?!" Before he finished speaking, he had already hurled Hun Miesheng at Gu Yuan, and then transformed into a bloody shadow and fled into the sky.

"Want to go?"

Gu Yuan's voice remained calm and composed. With a flick of his sleeve, the thrown Soul Extinction collapsed to the ground like a kite with a broken string. At the same time, he lightly pressed down with his other hand, and the entire world seemed to freeze under this seemingly effortless palm strike.

"No!" Soul Fiend cried out in terror, "Gu Yuan, Lord Soul Emperor would never..."

"boom!"

The blood-red shadow, which had already escaped a thousand feet, crumbled instantly as if crushed by a mountain. The Soul Fiend plummeted from mid-air, crashing into the ground and creating a deep crater. He struggled to lift his head, blood continuously spilling from the corner of his mouth, and hissed, "Gu Yuan... do you truly wish to forge a mortal enmity with my Soul Clan?"

Gu Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, his blue robe swaying gently in the breeze. His gaze swept indifferently over the two people who were lying on the ground: "Since you dare to break the alliance, you must pay the price."

He slowly raised his right hand, and a destructive energy fluctuation began to gather in his palm. At this critical moment, the entire world suddenly fell into an eerie stillness.

"Hehe, Brother Gu, why get so angry..."

A soft laugh rang out, and ripples spread through the space, slowly forming a vortex. From within the vortex, a slender hand gracefully emerged, gently touching the edge. Then, a figure stepped out and appeared in everyone's sight.

The newcomer was dressed in grey and white clothes, appeared to be around thirty years old, with a handsome and refined face, and exceptionally bright eyes that seemed to see right through people. He resembled a frail scholar, and if he were holding a book in his hands, he would be no different from any other scholar.

However, this seemingly frail man caused Gu Yuan to raise an eyebrow and slowly withdraw his hand the moment he appeared:

"The Soul Emperor?"

"Greetings, Chieftain..."

The collapsed Soul Fiend struggled to rise and pay his respects, but was stopped by a glance from the Soul Emperor. The seemingly gentle and refined scholar stepped forward slowly, his gaze sweeping over everyone present before finally settling on Gu Yuan.

"It's been many years, but Brother Gu still retains his charm."

The Soul Emperor smiled slightly, his tone as gentle as if he were exchanging pleasantries with an old friend, "I just don't know why you're making such a big fuss about my subordinates today?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Yuan calmly replied, "Why don't you ask them yourselves..."

He looked calmly at the Soul Emperor, his tone carrying a deeper meaning: "Soul Fiend, one of the Four Demon Saints of the Soul Clan, has openly violated the ancient alliance of the eight clans and attacked the forces on the continent. Could this action have been authorized by you?"

The Soul Emperor raised an eyebrow and turned to Soul Fiend: "Oh? Is that so?"

His voice remained gentle, but Hun Sha couldn't help but shiver.

Hun Sha's face turned ashen instantly, and beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. He hurriedly pointed to Hun Miesheng beside him, his voice trembling slightly: "Clan leader, please understand! This matter was entirely Hun Miesheng's doing; I was merely ordered to come and assist..."

Soul Extinction's expression changed drastically upon hearing this. He struggled to prop himself up and hissed, "Clan leader, please forgive me! This was all the Great Celestial Venerable's idea..."

He coughed violently, blood constantly spilling from the corner of his mouth. "He said that the five-star Dou Sheng of the Lingbao Pavilion attacked us first, and we were only forced to retaliate..."

He forced back his pain, his voice tinged with grievance: "If the Spirit Treasure Pavilion hadn't injured several of my Soul Palace's Heavenly Venerables first, the Great Heavenly Venerable wouldn't have perished with such resentment... How could we have..."

Before he could finish speaking, Hun Miesheng coughed violently again, blood staining his chest and making him look extremely miserable. He secretly circulated his remaining battle qi to make his face appear even paler, trying to gain some sympathy.

The Soul Emperor listened quietly to their explanations, his handsome face expressionless, only a barely perceptible glint of cold light flashing in his bright eyes.

"What about people?"

He uttered two words softly, his voice still gentle, yet it sent a chill down the spines of both Hun Sha and Hun Miesheng.

Hun Miesheng trembled and said, "The Great Celestial Venerable... the Great Celestial Venerable... he has already perished..."

His voice trembled, and he dared not look directly into the eyes of the Soul Emperor: "Just now... I was blasted to death by that Ancient Void Dragon with a single punch... even my soul couldn't escape..."

By the end, his voice was barely audible, and he lay trembling on the ground.

"Ah……"

The Soul Emperor chuckled softly, but the sound sent a chill down the spines of everyone present.

"Are you saying that a dead man commanded you, the Lord of the Soul Palace, and that you, Soul Extinction, commanded Soul Fiend?"

He walked slowly forward, his grey-white sleeves fluttering even without wind. His tone remained gentle, but every word struck Hun Sha and Hun Miesheng's hearts like a heavy hammer.

"Could it be that my Soul Clan has now stooped so low as to make the dead take the blame?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the whole world seemed to fall silent.

The Soul Emperor still wore a smile, but that gentle smile sent chills down one's spine. His gaze swept indifferently over the kneeling Soul Fiend and Soul Extinction, then turned to Gu Yuan, his smile still warm.
"Brother Gu, what do you think should be done about this?"

Gu Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, his blue robe fluttering gently in the breeze: "Since you are a member of your Soul Clan, it is naturally up to you to decide."

"That's true." The Soul Emperor nodded slightly, then changed the subject, "However... what should we do with that five-star Dou Sheng from the Spirit Treasure Pavilion?"

His gaze seemed to casually sweep over Zi Yan, his tone remaining calm, yet it made everyone present hold their breath.

Gu Yuan remained calm and said indifferently, "Lingbao Pavilion is an emerging force, so it is understandable that it is unaware of the Eight Clans Alliance."

Upon hearing this, the Soul Emperor's eyes flashed with amusement, and he gently shook his head: "Oh? Then this will be difficult to handle..."

His gaze shifted between Gu Yuan and Zi Yan, his tone remaining gentle: "If we follow Brother Gu's logic, wouldn't all emerging forces be able to disregard the alliance?"

Gu Yuan's expression was calm, but his tone carried an undeniable firmness: "It is understandable that emerging forces are unfamiliar with the ancient covenant. However, the Soul Clan, as one of the eight clans, knowingly violated it and should be punished more severely."

The Soul Emperor chuckled lightly, his sleeves fluttering slightly: "Brother Gu, you are mistaken. Soul Fiend and the others are only trying to uphold the dignity of the Soul Palace. If they didn't even have this much courage, how could my Soul Clan stand among the Eight Clans?"

His gaze swept over the two kneeling figures, and his tone turned cold: "As for the Lingbao Pavilion, they injured several Heavenly Venerables of my Soul Palace first. How should this debt be settled?"

Gu Yuan frowned slightly: "Soul Emperor, you are just making excuses."

"Soliciting nonsense?" The Soul Emperor's lips curled into a meaningful smile. "Brother Gu, your blatant favoritism towards the Spirit Treasure Pavilion suggests you may have ulterior motives."

(End of this chapter)