The Effects of Whale Rubber

Yu Mingxiao did not know whether to laugh or cry as he slowly withdrew his hands. "Father, you misunderstood. I asked you for Whale Rubber not for matters between men and women, but because it has another important use."

"What use?" Yu Yuanzhen pressed in a low voice, clearly unconvinced.

"To nourish the body and enhance the endurance of the muscles, bones, and meridians."

Yu Mingxiao declared firmly, "As long as I take this Whale Rubber, I am completely confident that my first Soul Ring can be over seven hundred years old!"

"It has such an effect? Are you trying to fool me?" Yu Yuanzhen's pupils contracted. He found it truly hard to believe.

"It is absolutely true." Yu Mingxiao spoke with utter certainty. "I read it in an ancient book. Whale-type Soul Beasts live in the deep sea and endure endless water pressure year-round, so their bodies are exceptionally strong."

"This Whale Rubber is condensed from the life essence of giant whales. It nourishes the tendons and bones, strengthens the physique, and greatly increases the body's endurance."

"What ancient book? Is it reliable?" Yu Yuanzhen frowned, evidently still unwilling to believe him.

Yu Mingxiao could not help rolling his eyes. Helplessly, he said, "Father, just find a piece of Whale Rubber and let me take it. Then test the changes in my physique, and you'll know whether it's reliable."

"Then... let's try it." Yu Yuanzhen hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.

It was only a piece of Whale Rubber. He had collected plenty of it in his youth anyway. If it truly could strengthen one's physique and greatly improve bodily endurance, it would be a matter of great benefit to the clan.

"Mingxiao, wait here a moment. I'll be right back." Yu Yuanzhen left those words behind and strode out the door.

Yu Mingxiao did not idle around after he left. He immediately instructed the maidservants to carry a wooden tub into the room and prepare cold water.

Ice water would have been even better, but there were no ice-attribute Soul Masters in his residence, so he could only make do with cold water.

Before long, Yu Yuanzhen returned, now holding a golden piece of Whale Rubber.

Seeing its golden color, Yu Mingxiao could not help asking, "Father, is this Thousand-Year Whale Rubber?"

"It is Thousand-Year Whale Rubber. I have Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber as well, but its medicinal power is too fierce for you. If you swallowed an entire piece, you simply wouldn't be able to absorb it," Yu Yuanzhen said.

"I understand." Yu Mingxiao nodded. He had only hoped for a piece of Thousand-Year Whale Rubber to begin with. Even if he were given a Ten-Thousand-Year piece, he would not dare absorb it at his current level.

Even Huo Yuhao, who had reached over Rank Twenty and fused with the Ice Empress Torso Bone, had been left completely drained after consuming a piece of Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber.

Whale Rubber might be a heavenly treasure, but without sufficient strength and a powerful physique, it could genuinely burst one's body apart.

"Are you taking this piece of Whale Rubber now?" Yu Yuanzhen asked gravely, glancing at the water tub in the corner of the room.

"I would be delighted to. Please, Father," Yu Mingxiao said softly.

Lightning flickered in Yu Yuanzhen's palm. Scorching electricity enveloped the Whale Rubber, and in mere moments, the Thousand-Year Whale Rubber gradually melted into a lump of golden gelatinous substance.

"Take this lump of Whale Rubber while it's hot. Otherwise, it will weather and harden soon."

Yu Mingxiao accepted it as instructed and swiftly swallowed it. It tasted somewhat fishy before turning into scorching fluid that slid down his throat.

At first, there was no reaction. He only felt pleasantly warm all over, but soon, a burning sensation began sweeping through his entire body.

Without needing any reminder, Yu Mingxiao stripped off his clothes and jumped into the wooden tub. The burning sensation eased somewhat at once.

Yu Yuanzhen watched him throughout the process. Seeing that he was only six years old yet remained calm in the face of trouble, Yu Yuanzhen nodded in satisfaction, though his heart was also filled with guilt and emotion.

Compared to Yu Xiaogang, who was always eager to show off, Mingxiao was the one capable of bearing the clan's great responsibility.

All these years, he had focused entirely on Yu Xiaogang and neglected Yu Mingxiao. He truly could not be considered a qualified father.

Second by second, the heat within Yu Mingxiao gradually faded, but his consciousness grew increasingly muddled.

Before he knew it, he closed his eyes.

After some time, the burning sensation in his body had completely vanished. His awareness gradually returned, and when he opened his eyes, the first person he saw was Yu Yuanzhen.

Yu Yuanzhen stood guard by the bed. Seeing him awaken, he hurriedly asked with concern, "Mingxiao, how do you feel?"

"Father, I'm fine. The medicinal power of the Thousand-Year Whale Rubber was still a little too strong for me. I'll be fine after resting," Yu Mingxiao said.

Seeing that nothing was wrong with him, Yu Yuanzhen secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He said gently, "Mingxiao, hold out your hand. Let me examine the changes in your physique."

Yu Mingxiao propped himself up against the headboard and extended one hand.

Yu Yuanzhen pinched his wrist, and his eyes lit up. Overjoyed, he exclaimed, "Your tendons, bones, and physique have all improved significantly. They are at least comparable to those of a Rank Twenty Soul Master. I never expected Whale Rubber to possess such miraculous effects!"

"Do you believe me now?" Yu Mingxiao asked with a smile.

"I believe you. Of course I believe you!" Yu Yuanzhen burst into laughter.

Now that he knew the true effects of Whale Rubber, the geniuses of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would be able to obtain Soul Rings several hundred years older than others right from the start.

Unfortunately, this secret could only be passed down within a limited circle. It absolutely could not be promoted throughout the clan, or it would bring disaster rather than fortune.

Once the other clans noticed something unusual, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would inevitably become a target of public criticism. They would either have to reveal the secret of Whale Rubber and lose their advantage, or offend the other powers and find themselves trapped between two impossible choices.

"Father, if you intend to let the clan's direct descendants consume Thousand-Year Whale Rubber, it would be best to wait until they break through to Rank Twenty before trying. Those with weaker physiques could easily explode and die if they force themselves to take it," Yu Mingxiao reminded him softly.

Yu Yuanzhen nodded slightly. "I understand. I know how to handle this matter."

"Your younger brother Xiaogang is useless, with a body too weak to withstand anything. Never mind when he'll break through Rank Ten—even if he does, I would not dare let that useless boy consume Thousand-Year Whale Rubber."

Ever since Yu Xiaogang awakened his useless Pig Martial Soul and ran crying from the main hall with his face covered, Yu Yuanzhen had held no affection for that son.

"Father, speaking of Xiaogang, he even gave me some cultivation advice during the day. He suggested that I prioritize a sleep-type soul skill for my first Soul Ring," Yu Mingxiao suddenly recalled and said softly.

"What?!" The veins at Yu Yuanzhen's temples bulged as he flew into a rage. "A Golden Sacred Dragon absorbing a sleep-type soul skill? He's talking complete nonsense!"

"Unfilial brat! What an unfilial brat! He's trying to ruin you!"

Feigning gentleness and magnanimity, Yu Mingxiao chuckled. "Father, please calm down. Xiaogang may have meant well. He simply lacks ability yet loves giving advice, so I doubt he did it deliberately."

It would have been better if he had said nothing. The moment those words left his mouth, Yu Yuanzhen's anger grew even fiercer. He shouted, "He has no ability to begin with! Does that mean he can give reckless advice and harm others just because he didn't do it deliberately?"

"He's useless himself, yet he still dares come out and harm his elder brother. Today, I'll teach him a proper lesson!"

With that, Yu Yuanzhen turned and strode out the door.

A moment later, from Yu Xiaogang's room on the other side, came a series of screams like a pig being slaughtered.