Long Chen knew that Whale Rubber was a special substance produced in the brains of Whale-type Soul Beasts. It was also a powerful tonic for Yang Zhigang.
After taking it, Soul Masters could strengthen their physiques and absorb Soul Rings with higher age limits.
However, at this time, it was known only as an aphrodisiac passed around among the nobility.
People had yet to realize how important it was for Soul Masters to temper their bodies.
Two days later, Long Chen returned to Guang'an Hall.
As promised, Manager Wang had found two pieces of Thousand-Year Whale Rubber and handed them to Long Chen.
The Whale Rubber glimmered pale yellow. It looked ordinary, but in truth, it contained powerful energy.
"Xiao Chen, Thousand-Year Whale Rubber of this quality is rare. It took a lot of effort to get my hands on it. Make good use of it, and don't waste any."
"I will. Thank you, Manager Wang."
Manager Wang chuckled.
Compared to the two pieces of Thousand-Year Whale Rubber, the two fresh, rare Medicinal Herbs were even harder to come by.
Besides, Long Chen had said that he would bring in more rare Medicinal Herbs in the future.
"Xiao Chen, when are you planning to come to the clinic to study?"
"Manager Wang, if it's convenient for you, I can start today."
"Of course. Come with me."
Long Chen followed Manager Wang into the inner hall.
From that day on, he began his hands-on training in earnest.
After spending two hours at Guang'an Hall, Long Chen returned to Ye Manor.
He wanted to see how his body would react after he ate the Whale Rubber.
That large piece of Whale Rubber would be too much for his body to handle if he ate it all at once.
He could take it in portions until he had finished it.
Long Chen used his Sharp Dagger to cut both pieces of Whale Rubber into small pellets, then put them into two wooden boxes.
He kept one box for himself and set the other aside for Ye Lingling.
Once he was done, Long Chen took out a small pellet of Whale Rubber and softened it over a high flame before eating it.
Before long, the Whale Rubber began to take effect inside him.
He felt a wave of heat throughout his body. He sat cross-legged and began to cultivate, trying to use his Soul Power to suppress the frenzied force.
As the medicinal effects of the Whale Rubber gradually spread, an invisible force seemed to stir the Soul Power within Long Chen, making it circulate a little faster than usual.
As time passed, the heat gradually died down, replaced by a feeling of comfort and fullness.
Long Chen slowly opened his eyes.
He had eaten only one small pellet, so he couldn't feel any changes in his body yet.
But once he had finished this piece of Whale Rubber, his body would become more resilient.
Long Chen thought of Ye Lingling.
As the heir of the Nine Heart Begonia Clan, Ye Lingling had powerful healing abilities, but her combat strength and physique were relatively weak.
Whale Rubber might be a great help in improving herself.
At the very least, it would make her body better able to withstand the strain of absorbing a Soul Ring.
In the days that followed, Long Chen continued cultivating while studying medicine at Guang'an Hall.
After eating Whale Rubber for a while, he could clearly feel that his body had become much more resilient.
~~~~~~~~
One day, Long Chen opened his eyes after cultivating, excitement shining in them.
"I've finally reached level twenty!"
This meant he could go to a Soul Beast Forest, hunt a Soul Beast, and obtain his Second Soul Ring.
Ye Tianming was delighted to hear that Long Chen had reached level twenty.
Long Chen had Innate Full Soul Power, so he was naturally gifted.
But he also worked hard.
Ever since awakening his Martial Soul, Long Chen had kept at his cultivation, training, studying Medicinal Herbs, and learning medicine. He had neglected none of them, and had made considerable progress in every area.
"Xiao Chen, it seems studying medicine hasn't held back your cultivation. Your Soul Power is increasing even faster than I expected."
"Uncle Ye, I have you and Aunt Bai to thank for your guidance."
Ye Tianming smiled with satisfaction.
"It's about time for another trip to a Soul Beast Forest. Tomorrow, we'll head to the Star Dou Great Forest to find a suitable Soul Beast and help you obtain your Second Soul Ring."
"Okay."
Long Chen was looking forward to his upcoming Second Soul Ring.
The next day, the two of them set out from Heaven Dou City and headed for the Star Dou Great Forest.
For more than a year, Long Chen had spent some time each month training in a Soul Beast Forest.
Most of the time, he had gone to the Sunset Forest, which was closer to Heaven Dou City. He had visited the Star Dou Great Forest only twice.
The Star Dou Great Forest was larger and home to more kinds of Soul Beasts, so it was easier to find a suitable one there.
That was why Ye Tianming brought Long Chen to the Star Dou Great Forest this time.
The two entered the forest.
As they walked, Ye Tianming said:
"Xiao Chen, this time, I'd like to find a suitable Fox-type Soul Beast for you."
"A Fox-type Soul Beast?"
Ye Tianming nodded and explained:
"Your Dark Night Demonic Lute Martial Soul uses sound waves to control and attack. Its first Soul Skill's Devour Ability is too sinister, so you should use it sparingly. Fox-type Soul Beasts are best known for their ability to bewilder. If you obtain a suitable Soul Ring, you might be able to use sound waves to confuse and control your opponents. That would be a much more conventional Soul Skill than Devour."
"Uncle Ye, I'll leave it to you."
"Xiao Chen, everything I do is for your own good."
"Mm, I understand."
The two continued deeper into the forest.
Ye Tianming wanted to find Long Chen a Fox-type Soul Beast with a cultivation of over five hundred years.
As they ventured deeper, they saw more and more Hundred-Year Soul Beasts.
However, they still hadn't found an ideal Fox-type Soul Beast.
The sky gradually darkened.
Ye Tianming found a safe spot where he planned to set up a tent with Long Chen and rest before continuing their search the next day.
As the two prepared to settle in, they suddenly heard a baby-like cry from nearby.
It sounded somewhat like the cries of a Human-Faced Demon Sheep, but on closer listening, it was different.
"Uncle Ye, is that a Human-Faced Demon Sheep?"
"No. It's the kind of Fox-type Soul Beast we're looking for."
A hint of delight flashed in Ye Tianming's eyes as he spoke.
"Xiao Chen, let's go take a look."
"Okay."
Long Chen followed close behind Ye Tianming and went in the direction of the sound.
"Shh!"
Ye Tianming suddenly stopped and looked toward a nearby cave. In a low voice, he said:
"It's a Two-Colored Demon Fox, almost a thousand years old."
"Wouldn't it make a perfect Second Soul Ring for me?"
"It would. But its cultivation is nearly a thousand years, and I'm worried your body won't be able to withstand the energy of its Soul Ring."
"Don't worry, Uncle Ye. I can handle it."
Long Chen was full of confidence.
He had been eating Thousand-Year Whale Rubber for a while, and his body had become much more resilient.
He was sure he could handle a Soul Ring that was nearly a thousand years old, let alone one that had actually reached a thousand.
Ye Tianming had always wanted him to keep a low profile and avoid revealing his strength too soon.
So there was no need to absorb a thousand-year Soul Ring as his second ring. One from a Soul Beast nearly a thousand years old would be good enough.
Seeing how confident Long Chen was, Ye Tianming said no more.
"Uncle Ye, can I deal with that Two-Colored Demon Fox? I want to test the power of my first Soul Skill."
Before you continue