Chapter 166: Eight Rings Unleashed, Astonishing Everyone

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One day later, in the Heaven Dou Palace!

Behind Dugu Bo, Wang Li and Dugu Yan followed closely. In Dugu Bo's hand was a special token, which allowed them to move through the palace without any obstruction.

Eventually, the three of them arrived at the residence of Emperor Xue Ye.

The guards here were noticeably more vigilant. Even with the token in hand, Dugu Bo's identity was confirmed multiple times before they were allowed entry.

Once inside the chamber, only a few people were present. Lying on the bed was Emperor Xue Ye, along with his younger brother, Xue Xing, and his two sons—Xue Qinghe, his eldest son, and Xue Beng, his fourth son.

Xue Qinghe was calm, confident, and scholarly. However, there was a slight anxiousness in his brows, as if he was worried about his father, Emperor Xue Ye.

In contrast, Xue Beng slouched, his head drooping like a quail, exuding a completely disinterested and lethargic demeanor.

When Dugu Bo entered, Emperor Xue Ye sat up weakly in bed. His face was pale, and black mist seemed to swirl around his forehead. Just three or four years ago, he had been full of vitality, but now he looked as if he were on the verge of death.

However, Emperor Xue Ye mustered his strength and forced a smile, saying to Dugu Bo, 

"Lord Bihuan, you've come. I entrust my body to you."

"Your Majesty," Dugu Bo responded solemnly, 

"The mixed poison you've been afflicted with is beyond my capabilities. Identifying each individual poison, and administering the proper antidotes while accounting for the unpredictable nature of the mixed toxins, is beyond my skill."

After Dugu Bo finished speaking, a flash of satisfaction appeared in Xue Qinghe's eyes, though it quickly transformed into sorrow once again.

But Dugu Bo continued, 

"Although I am powerless, my grandson-in-law possesses a remarkable soul skill that can heal injuries and suppress deadly poisons. It may have a miraculous effect, so I have brought him here."

At that moment, Dugu Bo stepped aside, revealing Wang Li and Dugu Yan.

The attention of everyone in the room immediately shifted to Wang Li.

Wang Li took a step forward, calmly saying, 

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Emperor Xue Ye recognized Wang Li. It was thanks to Wang Li and Dugu Yan that the Heaven Dou Empire won the first-ever Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament. Wang Li, in particular, had single-handedly broken the Soul Fusion skill of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation—Hu Lena and Xie Yue. He was truly a prodigy.

In the years since, he had frequently stirred up turmoil across the continent, though this genius remained focused on his cultivation, indifferent to worldly power.

Today marked their official meeting. Although Emperor Xue Ye did not believe that a mere healing or detoxifying soul skill could cure the poison in his body—otherwise, he wouldn't have been suffering for so long—he still displayed the grace of an emperor, offering trust mixed with encouragement as he said, 

"Wang Li, I entrust you with this task. I have been poisoned by treacherous men. If you truly can help me rid myself of this poison, I will not be stingy with my rewards. Whether it be gold, silver, treasures, or land and titles, they shall be yours."

Wang Li cupped his hands and smiled gently, 

"Thank you, Your Majesty. However, let us discuss rewards after I have removed the poison. I have some confidence, but not absolute certainty. Please allow me to approach you."

Emperor Xue Ye looked at Wang Li, who remained unbowed, calm, and composed. He admired Wang Li even more and nodded, saying, 

"Granted. Come closer."

Upon hearing this, Wang Li stepped forward. As he did, many eyes, hidden in the shadows, watched closely, monitoring his every move, fearful of any attempt on the emperor's life.

At this moment, Xue Qinghe sincerely spoke, 

"Brother Wang Li, please, I beg you. My father cannot be lost. The Heaven Dou Empire cannot survive without him!"

Wang Li was deeply moved by Xue Qinghe's words; the acting was truly superb, and he couldn't help but be deeply impressed.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, I will do my best!" he replied earnestly.

With that, Wang Li approached Emperor Xue Ye's side and began to summon his martial soul.

The Blue Silver Emperor, with its sapphire-like radiance, surrounded Wang Li. Eight soul rings appeared in sequence: two yellow, two purple, three black, and one red. The final red soul ring exuded an aura of dominance, as if declaring, "I am the one above all."

Emperor Xue Ye, Xue Xing, Xue Qinghe, Xue Beng, and even the hidden royal court attendants were all stunned, gasping in awe.

Only Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan remained calm; they knew that this was the true power Wang Li had been hiding all along.

Although Wang Li had a few more cards up his sleeve, his cautious nature meant he couldn't reveal everything.

Before anyone could speak, Wang Li gripped Emperor Xue Ye's wrist and activated his second soul skill, Revival. His second soul ring glowed brightly.

Soul power was transformed into life energy and flowed into Emperor Xue Ye's body. In an instant, Emperor Xue Ye's bodily functions were revived.

The poison that had been accumulating in his system for three or four years had recently flared up, severely weakening his body. The poison had already penetrated deep into his bones, joints, and internal organs, deeply ingrained within him.

At this moment, the body's awakened functions began to work autonomously, expelling the poison that didn't belong there.

White smoke rose from Emperor Xue Ye's body as his complexion worsened, changing colors rapidly like a strange, multi-colored black.

Wang Li waited for the right moment, keeping his grip on Emperor Xue Ye's wrist while placing his palm on his chest. Emperor Xue Ye immediately spat out a mouthful of seven-colored poisonous blood.

Wang Li nimbly dodged, and the poisonous blood landed on the ground. Its seven colors intertwined, brilliant yet deadly, representing the toxins that had accumulated in Emperor Xue Ye's body.

Although Wang Li couldn't detoxify, he could encourage the body to expel toxins naturally. The power of life energy was truly wondrous.

At this moment, Wang Li released Emperor Xue Ye's wrist and smiled, saying: 

"Your Majesty's poison has been completely expelled with this blood. The next step is to nourish your body. You may take supplements, but they should be gradual. After all, the toxins have ravaged your system for a long time, and your body is extremely weak."

"It's gone... truly gone..." Emperor Xue Ye still wore an expression of disbelief.

"Haha, the poison in my body is really gone!" he exclaimed joyfully.

As his voice echoed, the people around him congratulated him, saying: 

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

But soon, all eyes turned toward Wang Li. An eight-ringed Soul Douluo, with a ten-thousand-year soul ring, and so young—such a talent could no longer be described as merely a genius. He was truly an unparalleled prodigy.

In Xue Qinghe's eyes, a trace of longing appeared. He knew he had failed, but he no longer cared.

He gazed at Wang Li, not out of affection, but because he saw a version of himself in Wang Li.

If he hadn't been sent on this foolish undercover mission, if he had been focused solely on cultivating in Spirit Hall, with his terrifying innate talent of having soul power at level 20 from birth...

Now, he would be a peer to Wang Li—radiant, brilliant, and dazzling, not the slow, mediocre person he had become.

(End of Chapter)