The Pill Tower Team, Xue Ye critically ill

Time flows like water, quietly passing by.

In the blink of an eye, a full six months had passed since Zhao Ming went into seclusion.

The most eye-catching event in the Soul Master World on the mainland right now is undoubtedly the Imperial Fighting Team.

The Imperial Fighting Team, led by Captain Qin Ming, began their travels six months ago.

They traveled to the Soul Fighting Arena in major cities of the Heaven Dou Empire, participating in team Soul Fighting Battles and sweeping all before them without a single defeat.

With all members at the Soul Ancestor or above, and the captain at the Soul King level, possessing Super Martial Soul like the Emerald Swan, this lineup is simply overwhelming in the Soul Fighting Arena of major cities.

In every Soul Fighting, the Imperial Fighting Team defeated their opponents with overwhelming force, winning cleanly and decisively. In no time, the name "Imperial Fighting Team" resounded throughout the Heaven Dou Empire, becoming an idol in the hearts of countless young Soul Master.

In comparison, Pill Tower Academy is much more low-key.

The Pill Tower Academy has only been established for a little over a year. Although it has the resources of Pill Tower's pills and the Titled Douluo Dugu Bo in charge, its foundation is still shallow, and its reputation in the Soul Master World is far inferior to that of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

However, despite their low-key approach, the selection process for the Pill Tower Team members was quietly completed six months ago.

If we only look at the Soul Power Level, the lineup of the Pill Tower Team is indeed not as dazzling as that of the Imperial Fighting Team.

Captain Dugu Yan, Martial Soul: Jade Phosphorous Poison Dragon, Level 56 Power Attack System Soul King.

Vice Captain Ye Lingling, Martial Soul Nine-Hearted Begonia, Level 55 Healing-type Soul King.

Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, one is the strongest spear, the other is the strongest shield.

With the two working together, Dugu Yan could unleash her full power without any reservations, because no matter how much she was exhausted or how badly she was injured, Ye Lingling could pull her back in an instant.

Ye Lingling can now focus on treatment without worry, because any enemy attempting to ambush her will have to get past Dugu Yan first.

In Dugu Bo's words, "With just Yan Yan and Lingling, even if all those brats from the Imperial Fighting Team came at them together, they wouldn't stand a chance."

Besides the two Soul King- level captains and vice-captains, the Pill Tower Team also has five official members and one substitute.

Ye Qingyuan, a control-type Soul Master, Martial Soul Sacred Green Vine and is a level 41 Soul Ancestor.

Ye Qingyuan is Ye Lingling's cousin, one year older than Ye Lingling, and is 15 years old this year.

His father is Ye Renxin's nephew, and his mother is a female Soul Master with the Azure Sky Vine Martial Soul.

When Ye Qingyuan was born, his Innate Soul Power was only level seven, and his Martial Soul was only the Azure Sky Vine. Among the young people of the Ye Clan, he was considered the most talented after Ye Lingling.

Later, after consuming a Purple Ganoderma Pill refined by Zhao Ming, Ye Qingyuan's Martial Soul evolved, transforming from the Azure Sky Vine into the Sacred Green Vine, and his Soul Power also broke through from level thirty-five to level forty in one fell swoop.

He then absorbed a 5,500-year-old plant Soul Ring and officially became Soul Ancestor.

The Sacred Green Vine Martial Soul possesses extremely strong control abilities. Its vines are incredibly tough and also contain paralyzing toxins. Once entangled, it is extremely difficult for Soul Master of the same level to break free.

Yang Zhizhen, Power Attack System Soul Master, possesses the Martial Soul- Soul Breaking Spear and is a Level 38 Soul Elder.

Yang Zhizhen is Yang Wudi's grand-nephew. He is sixteen years old this year and has a level 7 Innate Soul Power, making him an outstanding individual among his peers.

Yang Wudi placed high hopes on this grand-nephew, personally instructing him in spear techniques and imparting to him the Soul Breaking Spear Art, a ancestral secret of the Breaking Clan.

Sun Youyou is an agility-based Soul Master with the Martial Soul Shadow Leopard Soul. She is a level 36 Soul Elder with only level 5 Innate Soul Power.

Sun Youyou came from a commoner background; her parents were ordinary people. Her awakening of the Shadow Leopard Martial Soul was purely due to good luck.

After entering the Pill Tower Academy, she received the full support of the Pill Tower, with an abundance of pills, and her beginner meditation method was replaced with the "Nine Profound Art".

In just over a year, his Soul Power increased from level 25 to level 36, a speed that was astonishing.

The Shadow Leopard Martial Soul is known for its speed and stealth. When Sun Youyou unleashes its full power, her figure is like Gui Mei, almost impossible to catch with the naked eye.

Next up is the Power Attack System Soul Master, Qiangu Changming, Martial Soul Coiling Dragon Staff, and who is a level 35 Soul Elder.

Qiangu Changming has quite a Spirit Hall; he is a descendant Douluo Worship Hall Qian Jun and seventh Demon Subduing Douluo...

With Innate Soul Power at level eight, and being fourteen years old this year, his talent is considered outstanding among his peers.

Qiangu Changming had a strong interest in alchemy. During his studies at the Pill Tower Academy, he successfully condensed his own Pill Fire and then voluntarily swore allegiance to the Pill Tower, thus gaining the qualification to Pill Tower Team.

Support-type Soul Master Zhou Ce, Seven-Colored Martial Soul Seven-Colored Treasure Codex, Level 33 Soul Elder.

Zhou Ce was also born into a commoner family and had Innate Soul Power level 5. His Martial Soul, the Seven-Colored Treasure Codex, was an extremely rare support-type Martial Soul that could provide teammates with a variety of buffs, such as strength enhancement, speed enhancement, defense enhancement, and accelerated Soul Power recovery. The seven colors corresponded to seven different support abilities.

Although the effect of a single amplification is not as extreme as that of the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda, it is superior in its comprehensiveness, and one person can do the work of several people.

As for the substitute, it was Zhao Ming himself.

Of course, with Zhao Ming's Soul Saint level cultivation, if he were to actually participate, it wouldn't be Soul Fighting Battle competition, but a one-sided massacre.

His nominal substitute status is primarily to provide a safety net in crucial moments and ensure that the Pill Tower Team doesn't encounter any unexpected problems.

After the Pill Tower Team was established, Dugu Bo devoted most of his energy to training the team.

This level 95 Titled Douluo personally served as the head coach, dragging the team members out of bed to train every day before dawn. He taught them everything, from individual combat strength to team coordination, from frontal attacks to flanking maneuvers, from response and control to breaking through defenses.

"Listen up, all of you!" Dugu Bo stood on the training ground, hands behind his back, his emerald green eyes sweeping over the seven young men before him. His voice was like a rumble of thunder, "The Pill Tower Team is the first team of the Pill Tower Academy. When you step out, you represent the face of Pill Tower! Anyone who embarrasses me will face my wrath, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

The seven young people shivered simultaneously and shouted in unison, "Yes!"

Dugu Bo nodded in satisfaction, and then began a new round of grueling training.

While the Pill Tower Team was training intensively, a sudden change occurred in the imperial palace of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Xue Ye's health has been deteriorating over the past six months.

At first, it was just occasional dizziness and weakness. The imperial physician diagnosed it as overwork and prescribed a few doses of herbal medicine to get rid of it.

However, as time went on, Xue Ye's symptoms became more and more serious. He lost his appetite, could not sleep at night, and became increasingly thin. Later, he could not even attend the morning court sessions. He would often turn pale and break out in a cold sweat halfway through a speech.

The imperial physicians were at a loss. They tried every method imaginable: herbal medicine, Soul Skill, and even purchased elixirs from the Pill Tower. They tried everything they could, but to no avail.

Xue Ye's body was like a leaky wooden bucket; no matter how much water was poured into it, it would silently leak out through the unseen cracks.

Finally, on this day, while reviewing memorials, the Xue Ye suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed onto his desk.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" The eunuch standing nearby was terrified and cried out in a shrill voice, "Help! His Majesty has fainted!"

The palace was thrown into chaos.

The message spread like wildfire throughout the entire Heaven Dou City.

Upon hearing the news, civil and military officials rushed to the scene and gathered outside the emperor's palace. Everyone had a solemn expression and whispered among themselves.

They had heard about Xue Ye's health condition before, but no one expected it to deteriorate so quickly.

Crown Prince Xue Qinghe arrived at the palace immediately. Her face was solemn, her eyes were slightly red, and she looked like a worried and filial son, but deep in her eyes was a coldness.

All of this was part of her plan.

"Quickly, go to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and invite Sect Master Ning!" Qian Renxue ordered in a deep voice, "Then go to the Pill Tower and invite Tower Master Ye! Father Emperor is seriously ill; only with the help of these two will Father Emperor have a glimmer of hope!"

"Yes!" Several guards accepted the order, mounted their horses, and headed off in different directions towards the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Pill Tower.

Ning Fengzhi arrived extremely quickly. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had a close relationship with the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. Upon receiving the message, he didn't hesitate and immediately had Bone Douluo Gu Rong use his spatial Soul Skill to tear through space and bring him to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

The person in the lead was tall and upright with a refined appearance; he was none other than Ning Fengzhi, the sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Behind him followed an old man, thin and frail, yet exuding a chilling aura of oppression. This was none other than Gu Rong, the Guardian Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, a level 95 Titled Douluo, Bone Douluo Gu Rong.

"Teacher!" Qian Renxue rushed forward, her expression anxious, "My father, the Emperor..."

"Your Highness, please don't panic. Let me check on His Majesty's condition first." Ning Fengzhi patted Qian Renxue's shoulder and strode into the palace.

Inside the palace, Xue Ye lay on the dragon bed, his face ashen, his breathing weak, his whole being like an oil lamp about to burn out.

Ning Fengzhi walked to the bedside, flipped his right hand, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda appeared out of thin air in his palm.

Seven-colored rays of light emanated from the tower, illuminating the entire palace with dazzling brilliance.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda suddenly lit up, and a soft light shone from its tip, enveloping Xue Ye's entire body.

This light contains powerful healing energy, capable of repairing all bodily damage and dispelling all negative states.

However, even after the light enveloped him for a moment, Xue Ye's complexion did not improve in the slightest.

Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly. He increased his Soul Power output, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda shone even brighter, but Xue Ye's body was like a dried-up sponge. No matter how much healing power was injected, it would be completely absorbed without any improvement.

"Strange..." Ning Fengzhi muttered to himself, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

He put away the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda, reached out and placed his hand on Xue Ye's pulse, examining it carefully for a moment, his brows furrowing even more deeply.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door. Ye Renxin hurriedly entered the palace under the guidance of a guard, followed by Dugu Bo, who was clearly worried about his old friend's safety and had come to accompany him.

"Sect Master Ning." Ye Renxin cupped his hands in Ning Fengzhi.

"Tower Master Ye," Ning Fengzhi smiled and nodded in greeting, then gestured for him to proceed. "I have already inspected it. Tower Master Ye, please."

Ye Renxin walked to the dragon bed and reached out to check Xue Ye's pulse. As soon as his fingers touched Xue Ye's wrist, his brows furrowed sharply.

This pulse...

Ye Renxin subtly raised her eyelids and glanced at Xue Qinghe standing to the side.

Qian Renxue looked at Xue Ye on the dragon bed with a worried expression. Noticing Ye Renxin's gaze, she turned her head and met Ye Renxin's eyes with a calm expression.

Ye Renxin understood immediately; it seemed that Xue Ye's current state was the work of the Crown Prince.

Ye Renxin really didn't want to get involved in these messy things, but Zhao Ming was one of the five Permanent Councilor of the Pill Tower, the proposer of the Pill Tower's establishment, the Chief Alchemist of the Pill Tower, and a promising junior.

In Heaven Dou City, everyone knows that Zhao Ming is an adopted child of the Crown Prince's Palace. If the Crown Prince gets into trouble, Zhao Ming will also be affected.

"Fine! I'll go against my conscience this time." With that thought, Ye Renxin withdrew his gaze, flipped his right hand, and the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul appeared out of thin air in his palm.

Ye Renxin pretended to envelop Xue Ye in the light of the Nine-Hearted Begonia, making it seem as if she was doing her best to save him.

After a moment, Ye Renxin put away the Nine-Hearted Begonia and slowly shook his head.

"Tower Master Ye, His Majesty...?" Ning Fengzhi asked.

Ye Renxin sighed, his voice low and heavy. "His Majesty is neither injured nor poisoned; he has simply reached the end of his lifespan, his life force waning. I am powerless to save him."

Upon hearing this, the palace fell into a deathly silence.

Ning Fengzhi silent for a long time before finally sighing. The results of his examination were exactly the same as what Ye Renxin had said.

Xue Ye's body showed no signs of injury or poisoning, but his life force was completely exhausted, like a candle that had burned to its end and could not be rekindled no matter how much the wick was adjusted.

"Father!" Qian Renxue rushed to the dragon bedside, tears streaming down her face, crying her heart out.

The eunuchs and palace maids around them also knelt down on the ground, weeping uncontrollably.

Ning Fengzhi watched this scene, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He had known Xue Ye for many years. Although their relationship was mainly based on conflicting interests, they could still be considered friends if those interests were set aside. Seeing his friend about to pass away, he felt somewhat dazed.

But Ning Fengzhi was, after all, the sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and had seen countless life and death. He quickly suppressed his emotions and began to think about what to do next.

Once Xue Ye passes away, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe will succeed him. Xue Qinghe is Ning Fengzhi's disciple. He is usually gentle and refined, and treats scholars with respect. He has an excellent reputation in the court and among the people.

After he ascends to the throne, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's position in the Heaven Dou Empire should not be greatly affected, and may even become more stable.

Thinking of this, Ning Fengzhi felt a little more at ease.

Ye Renxin stood to the side, his gaze lingering on Qian Renxue's back for a moment before shifting away, his expression unchanged.

Xue Ye was indeed showing signs of exhaustion, but beneath this apparent exhaustion, Ye Renxin sensed an extremely subtle anomaly—the traces left by a highly sophisticated, slow-acting poison.

More importantly, Ye Renxin had seen the recipe for this poison before. It was recorded in the family's records after the Yang family Pill Tower.

As far as Ye Renxin knew, some members of the Yang family had joined the Spirit Hall.

At this point, Ye Renxin had already figured it out. It was likely that the Crown Prince in front of him had already made contact with the Spirit Hall, and most likely, he was one of the people from the Worship Hall.

Because that brat Zhao Ming easily recruited the Worship Hall and the Angel Lineage his ranks.

Ye Renxin wouldn't believe it if someone said there was no relationship between them.