Whale Rubber

Shui Bing'er and Leng Jun set out on the road back to Skywater City.

With the Wings of the Phoenix, they sometimes soared above the clouds and sometimes traveled on foot across glaciers.

After several flights, Shui Bing'er gradually adapted to the pair of wings. She could now extend and retract them at will, and flying did not consume much Soul Power.

That evening, the two of them made camp in a sheltered valley.

Night fell, and stars dotted the sky.

Shui Bing'er lay in her tent, about to fall asleep, when a voice suddenly sounded in her mind:

"Bing'er."

"Phoenix Brother."

Shui Bing'er replied in her heart.

"After trying to fly several times these past few days, you should have adapted to those wings by now, right?"

"Mm. I've adapted to them. Thanks to these wings, we saved quite a bit of time on the way back. We'll reach Skywater City tomorrow."

"Very good. You adapted to the External Soul Bone faster than I expected. Your talent truly is impressive."

"It's because Phoenix Brother's Soul Bone is so good."

Shui Bing'er was delighted.

Over the past few days, she and Xu Feng had spoken several times. Not only had she adapted to the Wings of the Phoenix, but she had also gradually adapted to Xu Feng's presence.

"Bing'er, there's something I need you to do next."

"Mm, what is it?"

"Have your grandfather prepare some Whale Rubber for you to eat. Take it gradually—start with hundred-year-quality Whale Rubber for a while, then move on to thousand-year-quality Whale Rubber."

"Whale Rubber?"

Shui Bing'er was somewhat confused.

"What is Whale Rubber?"

"It is the essence found in the brains of whale-type soul beasts. At present, it only circulates among nobles and royalty, where it is used as an aphrodisiac."

Shui Bing'er's face immediately turned red upon hearing that.

An aphrodisiac?

Why did she need to eat something like that...

Feeling embarrassed, she was too shy to ask.

Xu Feng hurriedly explained:

"Humans do not yet know Whale Rubber's true use. It can improve physical strength and enhance the endurance of the muscles, bones, and meridians, allowing the body to withstand the impact of higher-year soul rings. The earlier one starts taking it, the better the effect. You're only twelve or thirteen now, so it isn't too late."

Only then did Shui Bing'er understand, though she still felt a little awkward.

"S-So that's how it is..."

"Have your younger sister take it as well."

Xu Feng added:

"Her talent is not as good as yours, so she needs to strengthen her physique even more. And since she is younger than you, the effects will be even better."

"Alright, I understand."

Xu Feng continued:

"Now that I have become your martial soul, I can help you restrain your Soul Power. Even a hundred-thousand-year soul ring can be absorbed by you with ease. It is merely that under my control, it will not display all of its energy. The reason I want you to strengthen your body is because, half a year from now, I will take you somewhere. There is an opportunity there no weaker than myself. I hope that when you bear that power then, you will suffer a little less."

"Something no weaker than you?"

Shui Bing'er's heart trembled.

"What kind of place is that? How could it contain such a miraculous thing?"

"You'll naturally find out when the time comes."

There was a hint of mystery in Xu Feng's voice.

"Over these next six months, work a little harder. Aside from taking Whale Rubber and cultivating, you must also learn some knowledge about medicinal herbs. It will be useful in the future."

"Medicinal herbs? Our academy library has books on that subject."

"That's perfect. A basic understanding will be enough."

"Alright, I understand."

Shui Bing'er was very curious, and she looked forward to it.

She did not know what that opportunity was, but she knew Xu Feng meant well for her.

The following evening.

The outline of Skywater City gradually came into view.

The ice-blue city walls gleamed beneath the sunlight, and the familiar pointed clock tower came into view.

"Bing'er, although you possess Senior Ice Phoenix's immense energy within you, the External Soul Bone is your trump card. Don't reveal it lightly."

"I understand, Grandpa. I'll only use it when necessary."

"Mm."

Leng Jun nodded approvingly. Just as he was about to enter the city, Shui Bing'er tugged at his sleeve.

"Grandpa, there's something I'd like to ask you to help with."

"What is it?"

"I'd like you to prepare some Whale Rubber for me—both hundred-year and thousand-year quality."

Leng Jun stopped in his tracks and looked at Shui Bing'er in surprise.

"How do you know about Whale Rubber? What do you need it for?"

"Senior Ice Phoenix told me about it. He said that taking an appropriate amount can strengthen the body and improve its endurance, which would help with absorbing high-level Soul Rings. I want Yue'er and me to try some first and see how effective it is."

A flicker of understanding crossed Leng Jun's eyes.

"So that's how it is... I never expected Whale Rubber to have such a use. I always thought it was only something circulated among nobles and royals..."

Before Leng Jun could finish, a faint blush rose to Shui Bing'er's little face, and she looked somewhat embarrassed.

After all, she was still only a twelve- or thirteen-year-old girl—gentle and reserved—and such a matter was still difficult to speak of.

"I'll get some for you sisters to try first, but you must keep it secret. After all, this stuff only circulates among nobles and royals, and it wouldn't be good for a girl's reputation."

"I understand."

Looking at his sensible granddaughter, Leng Jun felt both gratified and emotional.

With Ice Phoenix's guidance, Shui Bing'er's future path would be completely different.

And as her grandfather, he had to do everything in his power to help her.

"Father! Auntie! Yue'er!"

After more than a month, Shui Bing'er and Leng Jun returned home to Skywater City.

The moment they entered the front courtyard, Shui Bing'er could not help calling out softly.

As soon as her voice fell, hurried footsteps sounded.

"Grandpa! Sister!"

A little girl with dark green hair rushed over and threw herself into Shui Bing'er's arms.

"Sister, it's been over a month. You're finally back!"

The girl was Shui Bing'er's younger sister, Shui Yue'er.

She was two years younger than Shui Bing'er, with a lively and spirited personality.

Shui Bing'er released Shui Yue'er, patted her head, and smiled.

"Yue'er, while I was away, did you train properly?"

"Of course I did. My Soul Power has broken through to level twenty-four."

"Really? Then it seems you haven't been slacking off."

Leng Jun smiled.

"Little Yue'er, you only missed your sister and forgot all about this grandpa of yours?"

"Of course not. I missed you too."

As she spoke, Shui Yue'er burrowed into her grandfather's embrace.

"Silly girl, I was only teasing you."

Just then, a gentle female voice sounded.

"Father, Bing'er, you're back."

The speaker was Shui Bing'er's aunt, Shui Yue'er's mother, and Leng Jun's younger daughter, Leng Qinghuan.

Leng Qinghuan slowly walked over.

She had taught at Skywater Academy for many years.

Though already in her early forties, her face remained delicate and beautiful, and her features bore a seventy percent resemblance to Shui Yue'er's.

She had a slender figure and wore a long water-blue robe.

Her long dark green hair cascaded down to her waist like a waterfall, its strands reflecting a soft sheen beneath the courtyard lights.

Walking alongside Leng Qinghuan was a middle-aged man.

He appeared to be in his forties or fifties, around one hundred and ninety centimeters tall, neither fat nor thin. He wore a long green robe and had a faint smile on his face.

He was Shui Bing'er's father, Shui Yuanqiao.

"Father, Auntie."

Shui Bing'er bowed slightly to the two of them.

After her mother died, her aunt had married her father in order to take care of her. However, Shui Bing'er had never changed the way she addressed her, still calling her Auntie rather than "Mother."