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

Chapter 49 The Library, Selecting Treasures
"Strange fire?"

Lin Qingtian's pupils shrank as he felt the terrifying heat descending from the sky. His expression changed drastically, and the earthen-yellow battle qi armor around him emitted a piercing "crackling" sound as spiderweb-like cracks quickly spread across its surface.

High in the sky, Lu Yu's expression remained calm as still water. He gently pushed forward with his right palm, and the Earth Core Flame in his palm condensed into a dazzling crimson-blue palm print, which roared down with earth-shattering power, truly like a blazing sun falling from the heavens to the mortal world, unstoppable!
The sidelines fell silent instantly, everyone staring wide-eyed at the scene in disbelief.

"boom--!!!"

A deafening explosion shook the heavens. The earth-yellow shield that Lin Qingtian had hastily conjured shattered like paper, and the violent shockwave sent him flying more than ten feet away.

Only when his legs plowed two deep furrows in the ground, scattering gravel, did this top-ranked contestant from the inner court finally manage to kneel on one knee and barely steady himself.

"Do you want to continue?"

Lu Yu landed gracefully, and with a flick of his sleeve, the crimson battle aura surging around him slowly subsided.

Lin Qingtian wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, leaned on his heavy sword, and said with a wry smile, "I lost... I didn't expect your battle qi to be so profound, and you also possess such a treasure as a strange fire..."

"Thank you for your mercy!"

Lu Yu nodded and didn't say anything more.

That's right, he did hold back with that attack just now. If it had been the Earth-rank Battle Technique Heavenly Dragon Flame Finger, enhanced with Earth Core Flame, Lin Qingtian would probably have been seriously injured even if he didn't die.

Just as the battle on this side was coming to an end, the contest on another arena was also drawing to a close.

On the dueling platform, the purple figure was like a dream. With each step, Little Fairy Doctor seemed to be walking on clouds. Every time she passed by Liu Yu, a crystal-clear purple butterfly would quietly alight on her clothes.

Liu Yu gritted her teeth, her body crackling with lightning, and the long sword in her hand transformed into a blinding bolt of lightning, aiming straight for Little Fairy Doctor's throat. But then, the purple figure drifted past like a wisp of smoke.

Not only did she easily evade the fatal blow, but with a flick of her delicate hand, another purple butterfly fell.

In the blink of an eye, eighteen purple butterflies had adorned Liu Yu's entire body.

"burst."

The Fairy Doctor parted her lips slightly and formed a hand seal.

boom!
In an instant, eighteen purple butterflies bloomed simultaneously, and a tidal wave of poisonous mist swept across the entire arena. The mist had an eerie purple hue and gleamed dangerously in the sunlight.

Vice Dean Hu Qian's expression changed drastically as he watched from below the stage. With a flick of his sleeve, a powerful surge of battle qi swept through the air. When the poisonous mist dissipated, Liu Yu was found lying unconscious on the ground, but her complexion was surprisingly rosy and normal.

"Don't worry, Vice President."

Little Fairy Doctor gave a graceful bow, a faint smile appearing beneath her purple veil, and said, "I know my limits. Senior Sister Liu Yu will wake up safely in half an hour."

Upon hearing this, Hu Qian's tense expression relaxed. He turned around, looked around, and waved his sleeve: "Disperse! Those who need to cultivate, cultivate; those who need to attend class, attend class!"

After the onlookers gradually dispersed, Hu Qian glanced at Lu Yu, Little Fairy Doctor, and the other three students who had not yet made a move, and nodded slightly, saying, "You five, come with me."

"According to the academy's rules, the top five in each selection competition are eligible to enter the library and choose a treasure."

As Hu Qian walked, he explained, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority.

"Since Lin Qingtian and Liu Yu have chosen to take on the challenge, they should bear the consequences. If they win, all will be well; if they lose, they will have to pay the price, and this opportunity to choose the treasure will be out of their reach."

Lin Qingtian nodded silently. Hu Qian had already informed them of the rules before the competition.

Fighting is never forbidden in Canaan Academy. Although failing a challenge will not disqualify them from the inner academy, it is wishful thinking to expect any extra rewards.

A moment later, everyone returned to Hu Qian's study.

The vice-dean walked to a bookshelf and rhythmically tapped the wall several times. With a deep rumble, a deep passageway slowly appeared. "Follow me."

Hu Qian stepped into the passage first, followed closely by Lu Yu and the others after exchanging glances.

As they passed through the winding passage, blinding sunlight suddenly poured in. Everyone instinctively squinted, and when their vision returned, the sight before them was breathtaking—

This is a valley surrounded by cliffs on three sides, and in the center of the valley stands a magnificent and ancient pavilion.

On the mottled plaque, three powerful and ancient characters are faintly visible, yet they still exude a chilling aura despite the erosion of time.

Library!
Hu Qian led the five people slowly toward the library. Just before they arrived, he suddenly stopped, bowed in the direction of the library, and said, "The top five in this year's inner court selection competition have been determined. According to the rules, I have brought them here. Please open the door, elders!"

The deep voice, amplified by the fighting spirit, echoed endlessly through the valley, startling several birds into flight.

No sooner had the words been spoken than two figures in gray robes suddenly appeared without warning in front of the library's main entrance. The two sat cross-legged, as if they had been waiting there all along. Their bodies showed no trace of fighting spirit, yet they exuded an unfathomable sense of oppression.

"The two elders of Qianbai..."

Lu Yu's pupils contracted slightly, and he felt a chill run down his spine. These two seemingly ordinary old men were actually the secret guardians of Canaan Academy, peerless experts at the peak of the Dou Zong realm.

They sat there silently, yet seemed to merge with the surrounding space, indistinguishable from it.

The two elders slowly swept their gazes over the crowd, but suddenly paused when they passed over Lu Yu.

One of the elderly men in gray robes frowned slightly and let out a soft exclamation:
"Strange fire?"

"It's a mix of blue and red, seemingly born from deep within the magma of the earth. Is it the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame?"

"wrong……"

The old man shook his head and muttered to himself, "The Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame is bluish in color and shaped like a lotus, resembling a volcanic eruption. Your flame may resemble it in form, but its spirit is different..."

"Could it be some kind of strange fire that wasn't recorded in the Strange Fire Ranking?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu immediately clasped his hands respectfully and said, "Senior, your insight is truly remarkable. My fire is called Earth Core Flame, and it is indeed not one of the twenty-three strange fires on the Strange Fire Ranking."

Another gray-robed elder also cast an interested glance, stroking his beard and laughing, "Interesting. Although this fire is not on the list, in my opinion, its power is no less than that of the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame, which ranks nineteenth on the Strange Flame List."

"Little fellow, what a lucky opportunity."

Lu Yu smiled slightly and said nothing more.

However, the three students next to Hu Qian looked surprised, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Strange Fires are already extremely rare, and the twenty-three strange fires recorded on the Strange Fire Ranking encompass almost all known strange fires in the world. For this person to have found a strange fire not even listed on the ranking—such luck is truly enviable!

The two elders exchanged a glance and simultaneously raised their hands to form a hand seal. In an instant, ripples spread across the space in front of the library, and a silver-glowing spatial gate slowly took shape before everyone.

"go in."

One of the elders said calmly, "Remember, each person can only take one item. Each treasure has an energy layer on it, so don't force it."

As the portal opened fully, a sense of antiquity and antiquity washed over us.

Hu Qian's expression was solemn as he earnestly instructed, "Remember, you only have one hour. Opportunities cannot be forced; only what is most suitable for you is the best. Remember to act within your capabilities and do not be greedy."

The five nodded in unison, then took a deep breath and stepped into the dazzling spatial portal. As they entered, ripples spread across the portal before finally returning to calm.

(End of this chapter)