Saving a Life

The referee was also stunned, unsure of what to do.

"Stop!" Yan Zu's clear and unquestionable voice rang out. He was the first to withdraw all his Soul Skill, signaling the Dawn Team members to step back and disengage from their fighting stances.

The other members of the Imperial Fighting Team also gathered around Dugu Yan. Seeing her miserable state, their expressions changed drastically, and they were at a loss for what to do.

"Lingling! Quick! Save Yanzi!" Yu Tianheng shouted to Ye Lingling, who was rushing over, as if grasping at the last straw.

Ye Lingling mobilized her Soul Power, and the Nine Heart Begonia reappeared, its pure white petals carrying healing power as they drifted toward Dugu Yan.

However, when the vibrant white light came into contact with the bluish-black poisonous gas surrounding Dugu Yan's body, it reacted like water droplets falling into boiling oil, triggering an even more violent reaction! Dugu Yan's body suddenly arched, letting out an even more shrill scream, more black blood spilling from the corner of her mouth, and her breath becoming even weaker!

"It's no use!" Yan Zu frowned. He could clearly feel that the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison had become completely entangled with Dugu Yan's chaotic Soul Power, becoming "part" of her body. The healing power of the Nine Heart Begonia was an "external force." Forcibly injecting it at this moment not only failed to remove the poison, but it seemed to be attacking her own body, provoking an even more ferocious backlash from the poison.

"The poison has penetrated deep into her body, and now it's backfiring due to the disorder in her Soul Power. Ordinary healing Soul Skill will not only be ineffective, but will also worsen her pain and accelerate the poison's erosion," Yan Zu warned.

"What do we do now?! What do you suggest we do?!" Yu Tianheng suddenly looked up, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Yan Zu, filled with panic and a hint of doubt on the verge of collapse. "Was it you?! Did you use some underhanded trick just now?!"

Concern clouded his judgment, and extreme panic caused him to lose his usual composure.

Faced with this unfounded accusation, Yan Zu remained calm, though his eyes held a solemn expression. "If I wanted to harm her, why would I have stopped just now? Besides, our Dawn Team has fought so many matches in the Soul Fighting Arena, have we ever used any underhanded methods?"

Yu Tianheng was speechless, but holding his lover's increasingly cold body, his heart ached as if it were being torn apart. He slammed his fist on the ground and roared, "Who can save her? Who can save her!"

The audience fell silent. Everyone was stunned by the sudden turn of events, and the intense atmosphere of the battle was instantly replaced by worry.

Just then, Yan Zu stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "I can give it a try."

All eyes instantly focused on Yan Zu. Yu Tianheng looked up sharply, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes, quickly replaced by suspicion. "You? You can save Yanzi? What's your purpose?" Everyone was at a loss; how could a young boy possibly have a solution?

Moreover, they had just defeated the Heaven Dou Royal Team, so he couldn't help but suspect that Yan Zu had ulterior motives.

"I have no ulterior motives," Yan Zu said calmly. "Her current condition is caused by a disorder of her Soul Power, which I can treat. However, my treatment methods must be kept secret and cannot be seen by outsiders. If you are willing, find a quiet room now, and I can attempt to treat her."

"No way!" Yu Tianheng immediately refused. "Who knows if you're trying to take advantage of Yanzi!"

"Tian Heng!" Ye Lingling said urgently, "Yanzi's condition is becoming increasingly critical. If this continues, her life will be in danger! During the battle just now, Dawn and the others didn't go all out, and their fighting style isn't ruthless. Perhaps we can trust them this once!"

Yu Tianheng looked at the agonizing Dugu Yan in his arms, his heart breaking. He gritted his teeth and finally bowed his head. "Yan Zu... I beg you, save Yanzi... I'll agree to any condition as long as you can save her!"

Soon, the group arrived at the VIP lounge. Ao Buyi tactfully withdrew and ordered his men not to let anyone approach. Yu Tianheng placed Dugu Yan on the bed, looking at Yan Zu: "You can begin, but I must remain by your side!"

"No." Yan Zu shook his head. "My treatment methods require absolute secrecy. No one else can be present except me. If you're worried, you can wait outside. I promise I won't harm her."

Yu Tianheng's expression changed, and he wanted to retort, but Ye Lingling stopped him. "Captain, trust Yan Zu! He's the only one who can save Yanzi now! We'll wait outside, and if anything unusual happens inside, we'll rush in!"

Looking at the weak-breathing Dugu Yan on the bed, Yu Tianheng finally gave in, glaring fiercely at Yan Zu: "I'll give you half an hour. If anything happens to Yanzi, I'll make you pay with your life!"

After saying that, he led the other members of the Heaven Dou Royal Team out of the room and closed the door. The four members of the Dawn Team also stood guard outside the door.

Yan Zu turned and walked to the bedside. Looking at Dugu Yan, who was struggling in pain on the bed, a trace of pity flashed in his eyes. Little Jade on his shoulder jumped down and transformed into a jade-colored Qilin that was half a person tall. Auspicious aura slowly spread, enveloping the entire room and calming Dugu Yan's rampaging Soul Power.

"Fourth Soul Skill, Life's Praise!" Yan Zu shouted, and his Fourth Soul Ring —a deep black Soul Ring —suddenly lit up. A pale golden light emanated from Little Jade's body, gently enveloping Dugu Yan.

The light of the Life's Praise, carrying the pure essence of life, intertwined with Little Jade's auspicious aura, forming a warm light curtain. Wherever the light curtain touched, the bluish-purple color on Dugu Yan's body faded at a visible speed, her rampaging Soul Power gradually stabilized, and her painful convulsions slowly stopped.

Yan Zu could clearly sense that the Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison within Dugu Yan's body was like countless small, dark green snakes writhing wildly through her meridians, constantly eroding her Soul Power and body. He manipulated the light of the Life's Praise, carefully enveloping the toxins and peeling them away from her meridians, purifying them.

Little Jade also exhaled a wisp of pure, auspicious energy, stabilizing her disordered mental energy and easing her pain.

The treatment process was not easy. The Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison had become deeply bound to Dugu Yan's Soul Power, and completely separating it would require a large amount of Soul Power and mental energy. Fine beads of sweat appeared on Yan Zu's forehead as his Soul Power continuously flowed in to support the release of the Life's Praise.

After a cup of tea, the bluish-purple discoloration on Dugu Yan's body completely faded, her breathing became steady, and her complexion gradually regained its color. Most of the toxins in her body had been purified, leaving only some deep-rooted toxins that required further treatment.

Yan Zu withdrew his Soul Skill, and Little Jade shrank back to his shoulder; both of them looked somewhat tired.

On the soft couch, Dugu Yan's eyelashes trembled as she slowly opened her eyes.

Those once eerie and cold vertical pupils, though still showing weakness and confusion, had regained their clarity, and deep within them was a trace of unbelievable ease.

She had never felt so "light" before.

The intractable poison that clung to her like a bone-deep wound, constantly tormenting her and making her temperament gloomy and irritable, although not eradicated, had had much of the source of the poison at its core purified, most of the backlash toxins cleared away, and the remaining part suppressed back into a controllable balance.

A long-lost vitality, the kind that should belong to a girl her age, seemed to be slowly reviving within her.

She struggled to sit up, and when she saw Yan Zu standing by the bed, a look of confusion flashed in her eyes. Then, remembering what had happened before, her expression changed slightly. "You saved me?"

"It was nothing," Yan Zu said calmly. "Your Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison has corroded your body. This time, it was caused by the excessive consumption of your Soul Power, leading to a disorder that triggered the poisoning. I have already purified most of the toxins and stabilized your Soul Power, but there are still some residues. You will need to gradually recuperate. Do not over-consume your Soul Power in the short term."

Dugu Yan felt the changes within her body, her heart filled with shock and gratitude.

She had been plagued by the Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison for many years, and each attack was excruciating. She never expected that Yan Zu could alleviate her pain and purify most of the toxins in such a short time. Such a treatment method was simply unheard of.

"Thank you." Dugu Yan's voice was slightly hoarse, but incredibly sincere. "I apologize for any offense I may have caused in the Soul Fighting Arena. Also... my poisoning is a secret I've never told anyone. I hope you can keep it a secret for me."

"Don't worry," Yan Zu nodded, "I won't tell anyone else. You need to rest and replenish your Soul Power now, so I won't disturb you."

After saying this, Yan Zu turned and walked towards the door, preparing to leave.

"Wait!" Dugu Yan suddenly called out to him, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "What exactly is your Martial Soul? Your healing abilities are incredible."

"The Auspicious Beast Qilin," Yan Zu said without concealment, "Possesses innate vitality and purifying power."

Although Dugu Yan didn't know what the Auspicious Beast Qilin was, she had already truly felt the power of this Martial Soul. Looking at Yan Zu's back, her heart was filled with complex emotions, including gratitude and curiosity.

Yan Zu opened the door, and the crowd outside immediately surrounded him. Yu Tianheng rushed into the room first and saw that Dugu Yan had already sat up, her face regaining its color. His heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down, and he asked excitedly, "Yanzi, how are you?"

"I'm alright now, much better." Dugu Yan smiled slightly and looked at Yan Zu, "Thanks to Yan Zu, he saved me."

Yu Tianheng turned to look at Yan Zu, the wariness and hostility in his eyes lessening considerably, replaced by gratitude. He took a deep breath and solemnly cupped his hands in thanks to Yan Zu: "Yan Zu, thank you for saving Yanzi. We lost the previous match, and we accept it wholeheartedly. If needed in the future, the Heaven Dou Royal Team will certainly repay you!"

The other members of the Heaven Dou Royal Team also thanked Yan Zu, and the previous hostility completely dissipated.

Yan Zu nodded slightly. "No need to be so polite. Sparring is fine, but life is more important. Dugu Yan needs to rest, so we'll take our leave now."

Qin Ming suddenly said, "Yan Zu, where are you staying now? It's not convenient today, but we'd like to pay you a visit tomorrow to formally express our gratitude."

Yan Zu said, "We are currently staying at the Rose Hotel. We look forward to your arrival tomorrow."

After saying that, he turned and left with Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Oscar, leaving the members of the Heaven Dou Royal Team to take care of Dugu Yan in the room.

At that very moment, something occurred to Yan Zu—

[Bite!]

(Thanks to reader "Ye Cang, you died so tragically" for the monthly ticket and reward.)