Is this proper?

harpoon Tuoba Yan gave the order, then settled down cross-legged on the floor. His knees slammed against the blue brick floor with a dull thud.

He formed hand seals in front of his Dantian, took a deep breath, and slowly began circulating the Saint Dragon Meditation Technique passed down through the Tuoba Clan.

In an instant, strands of golden patterns spread from his fingertips, like ancient totems brought to life, crawling up his arm, across his neck, and finally converging at his brow, forming a faintly visible dragon-shaped mark.

The intensely hot energy formed from Whale Rubber surged through his meridians, like a runaway fire dragon.

Tuoba Yan gritted his teeth, his temples bulging, and large beads of sweat rolled down his cheeks.

He looked inward at his body, and saw that his formerly slender meridians were expanding at a visible rate under the impact of this energy.

It felt like a long-dried riverbed suddenly flooded with a torrent of water. Every inch of his meridians was enduring immense pressure, yet adapting and growing stronger.

The Whale Rubber energy seeping through his blood vessels was like ravenous Taoties. They greedily drilled into his skin, muscles, and bones, and wherever they went, a strange golden glow appeared on his skin, muscle fibers were constantly tearing and reforming, and golden patterns faintly emerged on the surface of his bones.

Tuoba Yan felt as if every inch of his skin was burning, and every bone was emitting a "crack" sound, as if about to burst outwards.

This combination of pain and the growth of power was both agonizing and exhilarating.

The temperature in the forging room rose sharply as Tuoba Yan cultivated.

Tuoba Xi, standing nearby, looked tense, his fists clenched, his fingernails almost digging into his palms.

He watched as his grandson's skin began to sweat profusely, the droplets falling to the ground and hissing before instantly turning into white smoke.

Even more astonishing was the increasingly brilliant golden light radiating from Tuoba Yan, illuminating the entire forging room. The shadows on the walls twisted and distorted, as if countless golden dragons were dancing wildly.

Time passed second by second, each second feeling incredibly long for Tuoba Xi.

Finally, when Tuoba Xi confirmed that Tuoba Yan's aura was gradually stabilizing, and that the frenzied energy was no longer rampaging, he slowly exhaled.

Tuoba Xi's back was soaked with sweat, and his legs trembled slightly from the prolonged tension. He turned to look at the several pieces of Ten-Thousand Year Whale Rubber on the forging platform, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

Tuoba Xi murmured to himself, his voice laced with a hint of bewilderment.

"Whale Rubber is a tonic and aphrodisiac, it's never been used by a Soul Master for serious cultivation."

After a while, Tuoba Yan slowly opened his eyes. His pupils flickered with golden light, and his entire demeanor seemed to have changed.

Tuoba Xi quickly stepped forward, anxiously asking, "Yan'er, how do you feel?"

Tuoba Yan clenched his fist, and a series of crisp cracking sounds echoed from his bones, his face showing undisguised joy. "I feel like I've gotten stronger."

Tuoba Xi's voice was full of astonishment, "Whale Rubber is beneficial for cultivation?"

Tuoba Yan nodded. "Yes."

Tuoba Xi questioned, "Using a tonic and aphrodisiac for cultivation… is that proper?"

"Whether using Whale Rubber for cultivation is proper or improper, I don't know. I only know that after taking Whale Rubber, my meridians have widened, and my strength and constitution have significantly improved. I'll be able to absorb Soul Rings of a higher age in the future."

An excited Tuoba Yan looked towards the forging platform.

He spent a total of ten Gold Soul Coins on this trip to the Heaven and Earth Nightclub, purchasing eight pieces of Ten-Thousand Year Whale Rubber, and twelve pieces of Thousand Year Whale Rubber.

Because the Heaven and Earth Nightclub was a high-end establishment, catering to Soul Masters and nobles, Tuoba Yan hadn't been able to buy any Hundred Year Whale Rubber.

The Douluo Continent had developed for over twenty thousand years. The cultivation of Soul Masters was in its nascent stages, and many cultivation resources had not been properly utilized on the Douluo Continent.

To date, Whale Rubber had only been used by Soul Masters as a tonic and aphrodisiac, a grave misapplication.

A fist-sized piece of Ten-Thousand Year Whale Rubber sold for one Gold Soul Coin.

Tuoba Yan walked to the forging platform, skillfully placing a piece of Whale Rubber into the crucible, activating his Soul Power and using the high-temperature furnace to melt it into a semi-liquid state, then turned to Tuoba Xi and said, "Grandfather, words are cheap, experience is best. Try the miraculous effects of Whale Rubber!"

Tuoba Xi walked to the forging platform, pointing at the golden Whale Rubber in the bowl. "Just drink it straight?"

Tuoba Yan nodded.

Tuoba Xi took a deep breath, his Martial Soul instantly manifesting, complex patterns covering his skin. Trusting his grandson, he picked up the bowl and downed the golden liquid in one gulp.

Unlike Tuoba Yan's violent reaction when he took it, Tuoba Xi only frowned slightly. His powerful physique and Martial Soul's defenses allowed him to withstand the discomfort.

After a moment, Tuoba Xi, who had been in a meditative state, opened his eyes, revealing an excited expression. "Amazing! My meridians have widened. Yan'er, you've made a great contribution to the Spirit Hall!"

Hearing this, Tuoba Yan frowned. "The Spirit Hall? Grandfather, are you going to report the method of taking Whale Rubber to the Spirit Hall?"

Tuoba Xi nodded. "Of course. This will certainly earn you a place on the merit roll!"

Tuoba Yan's frown deepened. He had underestimated his grandfather's loyalty to the Spirit Hall, and quickly advised, "Grandfather, the reason Whale Rubber is so inexpensive is because Soul Masters don't know its true effect. Once the Spirit Hall knows, I can guarantee that this news will spread quickly. Whale Rubber will become impossible to obtain."

Tuoba Xi nodded, agreeing with Tuoba Yan's analysis. "What do you suggest?"

Tuoba Yan said, "While Whale Rubber is still cheap, let our clan members go out and gather Whale Rubber. Let's make a fortune. Don't limit the location to the Spirit Hall; search every city on the continent."

"Then, will we submit the method of using Whale Rubber?"

Hearing this, Tuoba Yan stared at Tuoba Xi.

Tuoba Xi looked bewildered. "Did I say something wrong?"

Tuoba Yan took a step closer to Tuoba Xi, and with each step he took, Tuoba Xi retreated one step.

"Do you like reporting?"

"Do you like earning merit?"

"Is your loyalty so great that you don't even care about the clan?"

"My Martial Soul is the Saint Martial Spirit. You might as well hand me over to the Spirit Hall as well."

Tuoba Xi was silenced by the retort and kept retreating, awkwardly trying to smooth things over. "How could that be? How can Whale Rubber compare to you?"

Tuoba Yan perked up, continuing to approach Tuoba Xi. Each step he took was like a lecturing elder, scolding Tuoba Xi: "How can't it compare? Both I and Whale Rubber are treasures!"

"Just look at you from beginning to end—where's the demeanor of a clan leader?"

"Loyalty doesn't guarantee absolute sincerity."

"As clan leader, everything should prioritize the interests of the clan."

"The right to speak comes from strength."

"Only when you and the clan become powerful will you have a voice in the Spirit Hall."

"I'm already a grandfather—can't you give me a little peace of mind?"

"You're not allowed to eat dinner in the forge. Eat when you come to your senses."

As he spoke, Tuoba Yan ignored the aggrieved Tuoba Xi and turned to leave the forge, leaving Tuoba Xi alone to stare blankly in the room.