The effects were immediate. A scalding current of heat spread from his abdomen, flowing through his limbs and throughout his body.
Bei Bei slowly closed his eyes, feeling the effects of the Whale Rubber. His whole body grew hot, and beads of sweat rolled off his skin, carrying impurities out of his body.
Under the effects of the Whale Rubber, the qi and blood within Bei Bei grew increasingly vigorous. An inexplicable fire of desire kindled inside him, making his face flush red.
Seeing this, Zhang Lexuan immediately activated her Moon Martial Soul, making the moonlight grow brighter.
The cool moonlight continued to envelop Bei Bei, helping him absorb the Whale Rubber's energy more effectively.
Bei Bei could feel a chilly sensation seeping through his skin and into his body, steadily wearing away the heat within him.
Who knew how long it took? The Whale Rubber nourished Bei Bei's body little by little, bringing about subtle changes. His muscles, bones, and meridians gradually grew tougher.
Zhang Lexuan stayed quietly by his side the whole time, her eyes filled with concern and anticipation.
Outside, the sky gradually darkened, and evening arrived.
Bei Bei had completely absorbed that piece of thousand-year Whale Rubber. He could indeed feel that his body had grown a little sturdier.
A layer of sticky grime covered his skin. It was the impurities expelled from his body, and the sticky feeling made him very uncomfortable.
Unable to stand it, Bei Bei hurried into the bathroom, turned on the shower, and washed away the filth on his body.
Before long, Bei Bei had changed into clean clothes, though his hair was still a little damp.
"This Whale Rubber really works! If I had a few more pieces, could I absorb a thousand-year Soul Ring for my First Soul Ring?" Bei Bei said excitedly.
"You certainly have a vivid imagination. A single piece of Whale Rubber comes from a powerful Sea Soul Beast, and there isn't much circulating across the entire continent." Zhang Lexuan said, "Whenever any appears on the market, the various factions fight over it to cultivate their own talented juniors."
"I wonder if Mystic Ancestor has any Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue," Bei Bei couldn't help thinking.
"Don't get your hopes up. With your current cultivation, absorbing thousand-year Whale Rubber is already your limit. Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue is even more potent. Your little body couldn't take it." Zhang Lexuan stepped forward, took out a fragrant towel, and dried Bei Bei's hair.
Bei Bei chuckled. He remembered that Huo Yuhao had once snapped up a piece of Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue at the Treasure Appraisal Fair, but that wouldn't happen for at least another ten years. There was no sign of it yet.
"It's getting late. After all that exertion, you should get some rest," Zhang Lexuan said.
Bei Bei nodded, then ran straight to Zhang Lexuan's bed and burrowed into her soft, fragrant blankets.
Zhang Lexuan didn't stop him. Instead, she watched him with fondness.
She went to a spot by the window, sat cross-legged, and began meditating beneath the moonlight.
By dawn, the sky had gradually turned pale, like a fish's belly.
Only then did Zhang Lexuan stop cultivating. Reaching the advanced Soul King realm at sixteen had been thanks to her own talent and the academy's support, but it had also taken her diligent daily cultivation.
When she got up and saw Bei Bei still sound asleep, she couldn't help lying down beside him and carefully gathering him into her arms.
Zhang Lexuan had long since devoted her entire heart and soul to Bei Bei. It wasn't merely because of her promise to Mu En.
In her eyes, she was Bei Bei's future wife. It was only natural, and nothing could ever change that.
Sunlight streamed through the window, lazily spilling across Bei Bei's face.
He slowly woke up and sleepily rubbed his bleary eyes, feeling himself wrapped in a soft, warm body.
Zhang Lexuan was very tall, while Bei Bei was only half her height. Cradled in her arms, he looked like a doll. Especially against his face, her prominent curves brushed his cheek gently with each breath.
Zhang Lexuan wore no perfume. She had only the fresh, light scent of her body, like morning dew.
Though Bei Bei was still young, he nevertheless felt his mouth grow a little dry.
Zhang Lexuan was a light sleeper. Sensing that Bei Bei had woken up, she opened her eyes and slowly sat up as well.
"Bei Bei, you're awake. Mu En and the others will probably arrange for you to hunt a Soul Ring soon. Let me first teach you a few things to keep in mind when absorbing one." After changing, Zhang Lexuan sat beside the table, her expression utterly serious.
"I've read all that in books before. I know it by heart." Bei Bei raised an eyebrow, a faint smile on his lips.
"That's not the same. Mu En gave you Whale Rubber at this point because he clearly hopes you can absorb a Soul Ring beyond your limit." Zhang Lexuan's expression turned solemn, and her voice carried a hint of sternness. "Absorbing a Soul Ring beyond your limit is very dangerous. Even at Shrek, it's extremely rare and perilous. You absolutely mustn't be careless..."
Seeing that Zhang Lexuan was on the verge of getting angry, Bei Bei quickly sat up straight and put on an obedient look. Like an old mother, Zhang Lexuan nagged him for a long time, repeating her warnings over and over.
That afternoon, Zhang Lexuan took out a second piece of thousand-year Whale Rubber and fed it to Bei Bei.
Thanks to the previous day's experience, Bei Bei absorbed the Whale Rubber with much greater ease this time.
The next morning.
Xuan Zi's voice suddenly came from outside. "Bei Bei, hurry out. I'm taking you to obtain your First Soul Ring."
When Bei Bei heard him, he immediately ran outside. Zhang Lexuan hurried after him.
As soon as Bei Bei stepped out, he saw Xuan Zi standing outside, still dressed in filthy clothes and eating a chicken leg.
"Elder Xuan, are you the only one taking me to hunt a Soul Ring?" Bei Bei looked at him, feeling uneasy.
"Mu En needs to remain at the academy and can't leave, so your old man will have to go with you." Xuan Zi wiped his greasy hand on his clothes. His once-white robe had turned grayish brown after who knew how long without a wash.
Bei Bei felt a chill in his heart. It wasn't that he didn't trust Elder Xuan.
But Xuan Zi! Your track record was simply incredible!
In the future, when you led Inner Court students to hunt Soul Rings, you got distracted by food and neglected your duties, then became separated from them. They ran into a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, and eight out of twelve died.
A few years later, before leading students to the Soul Master Tournament hosted by the Star Luo Empire, you were careless again, resulting in one official team member dying and six being gravely injured.
With a record like that, you truly lived up to your title as the Holy Spirit Sect's Grand Elder. You were the genuine article.
"Why don't you let Sister Lexuan come with us?" Bei Bei hurriedly grabbed Zhang Lexuan's arm. He didn't dare go with Xuan Zi alone.
After all, with not a single Soul Ring, he would be nothing but a helpless, tender morsel to the Soul Beasts.
"What? I'm a dignified Level 98 Super Douluo. You think I can't protect a little guy like you?" Xuan Zi sensed Bei Bei's distrust and sounded displeased.
"Of course not. That's not it!" Bei Bei's eyes darted around, and he looked a little guilty.