Chapter 45

The carriage was enveloped in a powerful surge of Soul Power, ensuring that their conversation could not be overheard by outsiders.

Shen Hanyu looked at the Shui Bing'er sisters and said calmly:

"You don't need to give anything. Just keep the secret."

That did not mean Shen Hanyu completely trusted them. Human Soul Masters developed quickly, and before long, they would discover the various uses of all kinds of treasures.

He was not some selfless saint. In fact, he was entirely self-interested much of the time. At least before others discovered it, it was enough for those close to him to know this secret and benefit from it.

At the very least, the situation on the continent was still relatively stable. If some spark suddenly appeared, the whole continent would become a powder keg, ready to explode at a touch.

Shui Bing'er froze, as though she had not expected his demand to be so simple. Somewhat puzzled, she asked:

"Just that?"

Shen Hanyu rolled his eyes and said helplessly:

"What, did you expect me to make you swear to marry me someday? I might dare say it, but would you dare do it?"

At that, a faint blush spread across Shui Bing'er's pretty face. She spat lightly and said softly:

"You really haven't changed. Still as delusional as ever, you lecher..."

Shui Yue'er and Shen Liuyu, who sat to the side, both wore smiles that said they understood perfectly, eagerly awaiting what came next.

Shen Hanyu waved a hand helplessly and said:

"See? You simply don't have anything that could move me. What could I possibly ask of you?"

Shui Bing'er fell silent for a moment before saying:

"Then you're right. I really don't have anything worth offering."

Though she and her sister were the nieces of Skywater Academy's dean, and had received the best education and cultivation resources, those things truly seemed unworthy when placed before Shen Hanyu.

Shen Hanyu nodded without denying Shui Bing'er's words.

"Exactly. So what are you hung up over?"

Shen Hanyu said.

Shui Bing'er took a deep breath, took Shui Yue'er's hand, and said:

"I agree. Yue'er and I swear upon our Martial Souls that we will not reveal your secret. Is that enough?"

Shen Hanyu nodded, acknowledging their rather informal oath.

Once the two had finished speaking, silence fell over them. Shui Yue'er could no longer sit still and asked anxiously:

"Brother Hanyu, hurry and tell us. What is it? I'm dying of curiosity..."

Before Shen Hanyu could speak, Shen Liuyu lazily lifted her head from his shoulder and said:

"It's simple. Whale Rubber. You know it, right? The stuff that comes from the brains of whale Soul Beasts. The first time I ate it, I never expected Whale Rubber to have such a wonderful use either. So? Surprised?"

Shui Yue'er nodded blankly. She did not know much about Whale Rubber. Female Soul Masters rarely came into contact with the stuff; it was generally used by male Soul Masters.

Shui Bing'er was stunned for a moment, but she did not react too strongly.

"So that's how it is. Everyone only knows that Whale Rubber is an aphrodisiac linked to that sort of thing. To think it has such a use... But... the effects..."

Shui Bing'er found it difficult to say aloud.

Shen Hanyu glanced at Shen Liuyu, shook his head, and explained:

"Battle Soul Masters with strong physiques generally won't experience what you're thinking after absorbing the energy in Whale Rubber. Still, there are exceptions. Don't worry. If anything happens, I'll help you suppress it."

As he spoke, Shen Hanyu took out two pieces of Thousand-Year Whale Rubber from his Soul Tool, their surfaces already hard as stone, and handed them to the two sisters.

This was Whale Rubber the Shen Family had collected over the years. Most of it was Hundred-Year or Thousand-Year Whale Rubber. Ten Thousand Years Whale Rubber was almost nowhere to be found openly on the continent.

Even so, Thousand-Year Whale Rubber was still extremely expensive. Although its effects were not yet known to the public, it remained an excellent restorative supplement. Many wealthy merchants and high-ranking nobles across the continent had a particular fondness for it.

The Shui Bing'er sisters accepted the two pieces of Whale Rubber and examined them curiously before looking up at Shen Hanyu.

"How... do we use this?"

Shen Hanyu patiently explained:

"Use Soul Power to refine the hard shell on the outside, continuously catalyzing the Whale Rubber until it softens. But let me warn you: it doesn't taste very good. At first, it can even be extremely hard to swallow. That's all I have to say. All right, I'll refine them for you now."

With that, Shen Hanyu mobilized the scorching Fire Attribute energy within him and used it to continuously refine the two pieces of Thousand-Year Whale Rubber.

As the scorching heat rose along with a faint fragrance tinged with fishiness, Shui Yue'er swallowed involuntarily.

Shen Liuyu suppressed the smile tugging at her lips. She, too, had been misled by the scent the first time. Only when she ate it later did she fully understand this suffering.

A quarter of an hour later.

Shen Hanyu slowly stopped channeling Soul Power and let out a soft breath. Looking at the two clumps of Whale Rubber that had become soft and squishy, he said:

"That should do it. One more reminder for you two: endure it. Be mentally prepared."

Shui Bing'er nodded solemnly and took one of the clumps.

The warm Whale Rubber entered her mouth. Shui Bing'er's delicate brows immediately knitted together, and her expression turned somewhat unpleasant. She chewed with difficulty a few times, then gradually relaxed and slowly swallowed it.

A faint smile appeared at Shen Hanyu's lips. Being able to endure the intense fishy taste of Whale Rubber showed that Shui Bing'er had some grit.

Shui Yue'er was not so composed. The instant the Whale Rubber entered her mouth, her face soured. With a cry, she was about to spit it out, only for the laughing Shen Liuyu to tightly cover her little mouth and force it back down.

"Yue'er~ Be good~ Swallow it. This is all good stuff. One bite is worth several hundred Gold Soul Coins!"

Tears glimmered at the corners of Shui Yue'er's eyes. Under Shen Liuyu's threats and inducements, she still chewed it a few times. But moments later, Shui Yue'er's large eyes suddenly widened round, and a hint of enjoyment appeared on her face as she obediently swallowed it.

Shen Hanyu lifted the carriage window curtain a crack and allowed the Gentle Breeze outside to blow in, slightly dispersing the smell inside the carriage.

This was undoubtedly a painful process worth enduring. Shen Hanyu sat to the side and watched the Shui Bing'er sisters consume the Whale Rubber, while Shen Liuyu returned to sit beside him.

Shui Yue'er was still quite obedient. Though she had rolled her eyes from the initial discomfort, she endured it nonetheless.

Compared to Shui Yue'er, Shui Bing'er was much more mature. Though she was not used to it, there was still no major change on the surface. Only her brows, which occasionally tightened and quickly loosened, revealed that her state of mind was far from peaceful.

Shen Hanyu stopped watching and instead closed his eyes to rest.

The following Soul Beast hunt would rely entirely on him. Though it was a simple task, necessary rest and preparation... were still very necessary.

The self-cultivation of a master-level handsome guy.