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

Chapter 39 Yun Yun's Gift of Gratitude, Returning to the Xiao Family
At this moment, inside the Qingnangzhai Hall.

Yun Yun sat cross-legged on the bed, her battle aura surging like a tide, her black hair moving without wind. She slowly opened her eyes, her pupils seemingly reflecting stars, the pressure of a Dou Huang powerhouse faintly visible.

"Congratulations to Sect Master Yun on recovering your cultivation."

Lu Yu bowed respectfully, his voice gentle and refined.

Yun Yun's eyes flickered as she gazed deeply at him: "Thank you so much for saving me, Young Master Yu."

She stepped off the bed barefoot and suddenly stepped forward, "May I ask... if you may tell me your real name?"

Lu Yu subconsciously stepped back and coughed lightly: "Why should we need to have known each other before? Sect Master Yun, I am only here because of Master Guhe's bounty."

"Is it……"

A sly glint flashed in Yun Yun's eyes, and her jade-like hand suddenly shot out like lightning. "Then let me see your true face!"

"Sect Master Yun!"

Lu Yu hurriedly dodged to the side, but was still half a step too slow. Half of the silver mask was lifted, revealing his angular profile—a straight nose, slightly pursed thin lips, and a resolute jawline.

The room fell silent.

Yun Yun stared blankly at the faintly visible young profile, the cool touch of the mask still lingering on her fingertips. She parted her lips slightly, as if wanting to say something, but then stopped herself.

Lu Yu quickly put his mask back on and said with a wry smile, "What does Sect Leader Yun mean by this?"

"I……"

Yun Yun's fair cheeks flushed, her jade-like hands unconsciously clenched, and she whispered, "I just... wanted to remember what my benefactor looked like."

Lu Yu gave a wry smile, but there was nothing he could do.

"I never imagined that Young Master Yu would be so young..."

Yun Yun said softly, then seemed to remember something and awkwardly adjusted her clothes, "Young Master, could you... step outside for a moment? I've just recovered and need to recuperate..."

Lu Yu was slightly taken aback, then nodded: "Then I, Yu, will take my leave first."

Turning and walking out of the inner hall, he saw Gu He pacing anxiously back and forth in the outer room. Upon seeing Lu Yu emerge, he immediately rushed forward and grabbed his wrist: "Master! Sect Leader Yun…"

"She is fine now, she just needs to rest for a while."

Lu Yu bowed respectfully and said solemnly, "I have not failed in my mission."

Gu He let out a long sigh of relief and solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute: "I, Gu, always keep my word. What do you require from the three alchemy sessions you previously promised?"

Lu Yu pondered for a moment, then said, "One Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill, one Battle Spirit Pill..."

He paused, then said, "I'd like to exchange the last pill for a portion of the Ice Spirit Cold Spring."

Gu He frowned, then said, "I don't have any Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pills. I wonder if I could use two Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pills as compensation?"

Lu Yu pondered for a moment and said, "Okay."

As soon as he finished speaking, Gu He nodded, then took out three exquisite jade bottles from his storage ring and carefully placed them on the table.

"These are two Purple Heart Breakthrough Pills and one Fighting Spirit Pill."

He pointed to each item in turn, and finally presented a jade box that radiated a cold aura. "This Ice Spirit Cold Spring is my brother Gu Te's treasured possession, and its quality is absolutely top-notch."

Lu Yu took the jade box, and as soon as he opened it a crack, a chilling aura rushed out. Inside the box was a milky white liquid, its surface covered with fine ice crystals that refracted a dreamlike halo in the light.

"What pure and clear spring water!" Lu Yu exclaimed.

Gu He's face showed a hint of smugness, then he seemed to think of something and lowered his voice, saying, "Since you were able to break the Five Serpent Poison Seal, you must have some connection with the Serpent Clan?"

Lu Yu calmly closed the jade box: "The Pill King is overthinking it. It was just a coincidence that I learned some detoxification methods."

Just as the two were talking, the beaded curtain in the inner room suddenly rustled softly.

Yun Yun, dressed in white, stepped out gracefully. Although her face was still somewhat pale, her fighting spirit had returned to normal. Her gaze lingered on the jade box in Lu Yu's hand for a moment, her lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she only nodded gently.

Then, with a gentle wave of her hand, she took out a soft armor shimmering with a deep blue light from her storage ring: "This is the Sea Heart Armor, made from a strange metal produced inside the belly of a sixth-tier sea monster, the three-tailed blue whale. Its defensive power depends on the strength of its wearer." She lightly traced the flowing water patterns on the armor's surface with her fingertips, her voice soft, "If it weren't for Young Master Yu's intervention today..."

Lu Yu was about to politely decline when Yun Yun handed him the shimmering armor. It was cool and supple to the touch, and he could vaguely sense the surging water energy contained within it.

"Sect Master Yun, this..."

Before he could refuse, Yun Yun had already personally draped the soft armor over him. Her slender fingers brushed against his neck unintentionally, carrying a faint fragrance.

Guhe, who witnessed the whole thing, stood there dumbfounded, his heart filled with indescribable complex emotions.

He had pursued Yun Yun for many years, but he had never seen this aloof and noble sect leader be so close to others.

"Well, it's time to go."

Hai Bodong's voice rang out at the right moment, breaking the delicate atmosphere. Lu Yu then came back to his senses, lightly tapping his fingertip on his storage ring to collect all the treasures, including the Sea Heart Armor and the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill.

"Since Sect Master Yun is unharmed, I shall take my leave."

He bowed respectfully and spoke in a gentle voice.

Yun Yun parted her lips slightly, as if wanting to persuade him to stay, but in the end she only nodded gently: "Take care, Young Master Yu." A barely perceptible trace of melancholy flashed in her usually aloof eyes.

Just as Lu Yu turned around, Gu He suddenly stepped forward: "Master Yu, please wait!"

He took out a jade slip from his pocket. "This is my token. If you ever need anything in the future, take this to any alchemist guild, and I will do my best to help you."

Lu Yu was slightly taken aback, then solemnly accepted the jade slip: "Thank you, Pill King."

As they stepped out of Qingnangzhai, the setting sun shone brightly. Hai Bodong glanced at the tightly closed door behind him and said meaningfully, "Kid, you've really made a fortune this time..."

"In my opinion, that Dan Wang Guhe has probably lost both his wife and his army..."

"Ebi."

Lu Yu coughed lightly, interrupting him, and changed the subject, saying, "We should go find Little Fairy Doctor and the others."

……

After many days,

Wu Tan City, Xiao Family.

A magnificent carriage drawn by four snow-white horses slowly came to a stop. The curtain was lifted, and Lu Yu leaped down first, his black robe fluttering, the third-grade alchemist badge on his chest shining brightly in the sunlight.

"Finally back."

He turned around and reached out to help Little Fairy Doctor and Qinglin out of the carriage.

Upon seeing this, the Xiao family guards quickly stepped forward and bowed: "Mr. Lu! You've finally returned! The clan leader has been talking about you these past few days..."

Before he could finish speaking, hurried footsteps echoed from inside the mansion. Xiao Zhan, accompanied by several elders, rushed out to greet them, his face beaming with delight: "Young friend Lu, you are...?"

His words trailed off, his gaze fixed on the badge on Lu Yu's chest, his lips trembling slightly: "This...this is..."

Lu Yu smiled slightly: "I was fortunate enough to pass the third-grade alchemist assessment, which has made Clan Chief Xiao worry."

Xiao Zhan was struck dumb, and the elders behind him gasped in shock.

Even though Lu Yu is only a guest of the Xiao family, the status of a third-grade alchemist is enough to elevate the Xiao family's standing in Wutan City!

"Good! Good!"

Xiao Zhan's voice trembled with excitement. Suddenly, he noticed the old man in blue robes behind Lu Yu, and his pupils shrank immediately. This extraordinary old man made even a five-star Great Dou Master like him feel an inexplicable sense of pressure.

Lu Yu stepped aside and introduced, "This is Senior Hai Bodong, who will be traveling with us for the time being."

Xiao Zhan hurriedly bowed, but his heart was filled with turmoil. Could this being, who could make him feel so oppressed, be... a legendary Dou Wang powerhouse?!

I'll be updating two more chapters today, please give me some monthly tickets.

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(End of this chapter)