Once his address ended, Xue Ye sat back down in his chair.
He discreetly rolled up his sleeve, revealing a pill hidden inside, and swallowed it whole. Color immediately returned to his face.
No one present noticed anything unusual about Emperor Xue Ye.
After all, Xue Ye was getting on in years, so minor ailments were perfectly normal. Besides, he had behaved normally just now. No one would suspect that something was wrong with his health.
"Next, please welcome Grand Duke Lei Zhen to deliver his address," the host announced.
Lei Zhen rose, his voice booming like a great bell. "I have nothing much to say. However, if any of you talented young people are willing to join the empire's army and defend its lands, I would be more than happy to welcome you."
The host hurriedly said, "Grand Duke Lei Zhen certainly refuses to be bound by convention. Still, as citizens of the empire, we ought to safeguard its peace..."
Changing tack, he turned his attention to Ning Fengzhi. "Next, please welcome Sect Master Ning to deliver his address."
Ning Fengzhi stood with a serene smile that felt like a warm spring breeze. "I am delighted to see so many talented young people gathered here. I wish you all the results you hope to achieve in this tournament."
Lei Zhen was difficult to deal with, and the host dared not provoke him. Ning Fengzhi, however, enjoyed making an impression in public, so the host naturally would not let this opportunity slip away.
"Then, might I ask whether there is a team you particularly favor, Sect Master Ning? Or rather, which team do you think has the greatest chance of achieving good results?"
Ning Fengzhi fell silent for several seconds before speaking. "If I must name a team I favor,