Douluo: Jianmu Martial Soul, Am I an Abomination of Abundance?

"Wasn't that old bag of bones supposed to be the continent's number one defensive Spirit Master? I want to see whether he can withstand my poison now."

Mu Ci looked helplessly at the furious Dugu Bo.

"Grandpa Dugu, if you do this, won't everyone else become even more curious about the secret?"

"It's better to guide than suppress. Just like soul rings and Whale Rubber—once it's publicized, no one will be curious anymore."

Dugu Bo was no longer angry. He and Dugu Yan both looked at Mu Ci.

"So what do we do?"

Mu Ci did not explain the details to them.

"I'll speak to the Crown Prince about it tomorrow. Ning Fengzhi is his teacher, and we'll need his help with the specific arrangements afterward."

Mu Ci then noticed the worry on Dugu Yan's face and gently stroked her pretty cheek.

"Don't worry. It's nothing serious. As long as I'm here, nothing will go wrong."

A luxurious royal carriage carried Xue Qinghe and Mu Ci along the palace roads at high speed.

"Brother Xue, do you think Xue Ye can accept what we discussed earlier?"

Xue Qinghe answered Mu Ci without much thought.

"Of course. Aside from the matter of the fiefdom, which needs to be mentioned to Xue Ye, I can handle everything else for you."

"Still, little brother, are those pills of yours really that miraculous? I've done so much for you. Shouldn't you show me some appreciation?"

Mu Ci smiled and nodded. "Of course I won't let Brother Xue help me for nothing, but you should prepare yourself mentally."

"Pills aren't omnipotent. Regarding Martial Soul Evolution, the lower the bloodline grade of the Martial Soul, the greater the benefits it can receive.

"For someone like you, Brother Xue, I can only slightly increase your Soul Power and fire attribute."

Xue Qinghe nodded. He did not particularly care about Martial Soul Evolution.

After all, the Six-Winged Angel was already at the pinnacle of the human world. Very few could stand shoulder to shoulder with it.

He merely felt a trace of imbalance. Everyone else had one while he did not, which made him feel rather awkward. That was why he had said those words.

As they chatted, the carriage stopped before the entrance to a bedchamber.

The moment they stepped out, a eunuch came forward and bowed.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, Young Master Mu Ci, His Majesty is already waiting for you both inside. Please follow me."

Xue Qinghe smiled and nodded at the eunuch, then extended a hand toward Mu Ci in invitation.

"Please lead the way, Eunuch. Little Brother Mu Ci, this way!"

Mu Ci followed behind him through winding corridors before finally arriving in a grand hall.

Looking up, Mu Ci saw Xue Ye seated in the place of honor.

He wore lavish Imperial Family robes and a crown symbolizing imperial authority. Such attire should have fully displayed the majesty and bearing of a great emperor.

Yet Xue Ye's ashen face and clouded pupils made him look, at a glance, like a gravely ill old man, utterly lacking the bearing an emperor should possess.

"Greetings, Father Emperor!" "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Xue Qinghe and Mu Ci walked before Xue Ye and bowed.

"Cough, cough. No need for formalities. Quickly, bring them seats."

Seated above them, Xue Ye hurriedly waved for them to stop bowing.

During this, he coughed violently several times, terrifying the eunuchs and palace maids serving nearby. They hurried forward to pat his back.

Seeing this, Mu Ci looked at Xue Qinghe with confusion.

Didn't you say Xue Ye's illness wasn't that serious? What's going on? Was he poisoned again?

Xue Qinghe caught Mu Ci's expression from the corner of his eye and quickly gave a slight shake of his head, indicating that he did not know either.

After a while, Xue Ye gradually recovered under the palace maids' care and looked at Mu Ci as he asked,

"Is His Excellency Changsheng still in Heaven Dou City?"

"My apologies, Your Majesty. Grandfather returned to the academy after the exchange meeting ended. I have disappointed you."

Xue Ye showed no reaction upon hearing this. He had expected it.

The Imperial Family currently had no Title Douluo-level retainers, so it had no choice but to invite those Title Douluo who had not yet pledged allegiance and inquire about their intentions.

Moreover, the only Title Douluo openly present in Heaven Dou City, Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, had only reluctantly sided with the Imperial Family because he owed Prince Xue Xing a favor. And once a favor was used up, it was gone.

Thus, even though he knew Longevity Douluo's family had connections with Spirit Hall, he still had to make the customary inquiry.

Xue Ye was still somewhat unwilling to give up and questioned Mu Ci again.

"Then does Young Master Mu Ci currently have a marriage arrangement? My youngest daughter, Xue Ke, is close to you in age. If you do not mind, I can grant you a marriage decree right now."

The moment he said this, Mu Ci looked helpless, while even Xue Qinghe unconsciously frowned.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me, but I cannot accept this marriage decree. I am already engaged to Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er of Skywater Academy, and I have also confirmed my relationship with Miss Huo Wu of Blazing Fire Academy."

"Please find another worthy match for the princess."

Mu Ci politely declined Xue Ye.

"Beauty is meant for heroes. Young Master Mu Ci has already won the hearts of so many beauties. What difference would one more daughter of mine make?"

Mu Ci hurriedly interrupted Xue Ye before he could continue.

Although he had never met Princess Xue Ke, the original description made it clear that she was certainly a peerless beauty no less stunning than Huo Wu or Shui Bing'er.

But Mu Ci truly could not accept her. Once what he intended to do succeeded, he would become her father's killer.

There were plenty of ways to keep Xue Ke from ever learning the truth, but Mu Ci still could not get past his own conscience.

"Your Majesty, I came at the Crown Prince's invitation to treat your illness. Let us attend to the proper matter first."

Seeing that Mu Ci's refusal was extremely firm, Xue Ye did not press the matter any further.

"Then I ask Young Master Mu Ci to examine me."

Mu Ci did not rise, but his Martial Soul and soul rings had already appeared around him.

His first and second soul rings lit up, and a golden ear of wheat radiating emerald light appeared in his hand.

Holding the golden ear, Mu Ci swept it toward Xue Ye.

Golden-green radiance, carrying incomparable vitality and purifying power, surged into Xue Ye's body, which was riddled with ailments.

"Ah!"

Feeling the effects of Mu Ci's soul skill, Xue Ye felt as though his entire body had been immersed in a hot spring. Endless warmth nourished every part of his body.

As the soul skill took effect, wisps of gray mist, invisible to the naked eye, continuously seeped out of Xue Ye's body.

The Breaking Clan's mixed poison was indeed formidable, and very few could cure it. But before Abundance Power, it was nothing more than a trivial trick, not worth mentioning.

As time slowly passed,

Xue Ye's complexion regained its healthy flush. Once nothing remained wrong with his body except a slight depletion, Mu Ci withdrew his soul skill.

"Your Majesty, how do you feel now?"

Feeling his restored health, Xue Ye immediately stepped down from his seat and briskly walked a circle around the hall.

"Good, good! Excellent!"

Xue Ye returned to his seat with a glowing face, repeatedly praising Mu Ci.

"Although my soul skill has restored Your Majesty's health, you have only just recovered from a serious illness. Please take good care of yourself and consume some medicinal soups to nourish your body."

Xue Ye nodded in agreement. Then, recalling the rumors about Mu Ci among the common folk, he hurriedly asked,

"Then does Young Master Mu Ci have any recommendations?"

Mu Ci had been waiting for that question.

"I prepared something for Your Majesty before coming. It is a spiritual pill that greatly replenishes vital energy. While nourishing your vitality, it can also allow Your Majesty to experience the condition of a young man once more."

As he spoke, Mu Ci took out a small porcelain bottle from his storage Soul Tool and handed it to a palace maid beside him.

The palace maid presented the bottle, and Xue Ye immediately opened it impatiently.

A crimson pill rolled from the mouth of the bottle into Xue Ye's wrinkled hand.

Seeing this, the old eunuch beside him hurriedly spoke to stop him.

"Your Majesty!"

Of course, Xue Ye understood what the eunuch meant.

As an emperor, everything he consumed had to be tested by designated personnel first.

But at this moment, whether to demonstrate his trust in Mu Ci or for some other reason, Xue Ye casually waved the eunuch aside.

"It is fine. I trust Young Master Mu Ci."

As he spoke, he tossed the crimson pill in his hand into his mouth.

The pill entered his stomach.

At first, Xue Ye did not feel any effect.

But as the pill rapidly dissolved, Xue Ye felt as though a small sun radiating energy had appeared inside his abdomen.

Strands of medicinal power began stimulating the vitality within Xue Ye's body, restoring vigor to that aged shell and returning it to the peak condition of his twenties.

Under the pill's effects, Xue Ye finally experienced the feeling of youth again.

The exhilaration of a clear mind and boundless energy intoxicated him.

"How does Your Majesty feel?"