"Yu Tianlong, the family grants you an allowance of five thousand Gold Soul Coins every month, which you may exchange for whatever you need. Tell the elders—and Xiao Gang—what you plan to do with these resources."
In an instant, every gaze focused on Yu Tianlong once more. Some were curious, some scrutinizing, some disdainful, while Yu Xiaogang's was nearly blazing with jealous fury.
Facing countless stares, Yu Tianlong calmly stepped forward and bowed to Yu Yuanji and the three elders. His expression was composed; he showed no trace of nervousness, much less the wild elation of someone who had received a generous reward.
"Patriarch, elders," the youth replied in a clear voice, "Tianlong does have a plan. I'd like to exchange the entire allowance of five thousand Gold Soul Coins for—Whale Rubber."
"Whale Rubber?"
"What's that?"
"I think it comes from Sea Soul Beasts... It's not much use, is it?"
A wave of puzzled discussion rose from below. Even several elders looked surprised.
Whale Rubber was no rare commodity on Douluo Continent. It was a gelatinous substance that formed inside giant deep-sea whales, and it was produced in substantial quantities.
Because it was cold in nature, tough and difficult to process, and seemed to offer Soul Masters no obvious benefit in cultivation, coastal residents usually used it as building material or a low-grade adhesive. It was cheap.
Five thousand Gold Soul Coins could buy a great deal of low-grade Soul Beast meat, medicinal herbs for cultivation, or even materials for low-grade Soul Tools. Yet he wanted to spend it on Whale Rubber, which almost nobody wanted?
A hint of puzzlement flashed through Yu Yuanzhen's eyes. "Whale Rubber? What do you need it for?"
Yu Tianlong had already prepared his explanation, and answered calmly:
"Patriarch, after awakening my Martial Soul, I sensed that it was faintly attracted to this substance. I also once came across a book among my parents' belongings that said some ancient Soul Masters used Whale Rubber as a supplement to strengthen their foundations and nourish their bodies. I'd like to give it a try. Perhaps it might benefit my Martial Soul cultivation."
His claim was half true and half false. No one on the continent knew that Whale Rubber could increase the number of years in a Soul Beast's Soul Ring, so this was a perfect excuse to acquire it cheaply.
As for the old book left behind by his parents, there was no one alive to dispute it. It made a convenient excuse.
Yu Yuanzhen exchanged glances with the three elders. He gave a slight nod, then spoke to them telepathically:
"This child is steady by nature. He doesn't seem like the sort to act without reason. Whale Rubber may be an obscure choice, but it's cheap, and five thousand Gold Soul Coins can buy a great deal. Even if it proves useless, the loss won't be significant. Consider it an investment. If he does gain something from it, that will be a blessing for the family."
Yu Yuanzhen pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. The family stores happen to contain a batch of Whale Rubber presented by one of our affiliated sects in the East Sea. It's been sitting there for a long time, so we'll allocate it to you. Elder Yuanhong will calculate the exact quantity."
"Thank you, Patriarch. Thank you, elders." Yu Tianlong bowed again, secretly delighted. It worked!
Whale Rubber, whose value was unknown in this era, would end up in his hands at almost no cost. When it came time to hunt for Soul Rings, this would be an important trump card.
Yu Xiaogang was both anxious and furious as he listened. Five thousand Gold Soul Coins, spent on a heap of worthless junk? What a waste!
He opened his mouth as if to say more, but Yu Yuanji's icy stare silenced him. He could only swallow his grievances, his fists clenched so tightly they crackled.
Yu Yuanzhen paid him no further attention. His gaze returned to Yu Tianlong, and a trace of admiration flickered in his eyes.
The boy's temperament, courage, and decisiveness were all far beyond those of his peers. Rarer still was his composure—so unruffled despite standing at the heart of a storm.
Too bad his Martial Soul was Luo Sanpao... Yu Yuanzhen sighed inwardly, then cast aside the thought and announced another bombshell.
"Additionally, I have another matter to announce." Yu Yuanzhen's voice suddenly rose, carrying an unquestionable authority and a hint of pride. "Three days ago, while in seclusion, I broke through the Level 90 bottleneck."
Level 90?!
Those three simple words rang through every corner of the hall like a thunderclap.
After a brief silence came a deafening wave of astonished cries and jubilation!
"Level 90?! A Titled Douluo?!"
"The Patriarch has broken through to Titled Douluo!"
"Heaven bless the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!"
"Congratulations, Patriarch! Our congratulations!"
Every clan member, whether an elder, steward, or child, wore an expression of excitement and reverence as they bowed.
A Titled Douluo was a true peak-level powerhouse.
Since the former Patriarch had retired, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had not had a single Titled Douluo.
Yu Yuanzhen raised a hand to quell the surging clamor, then continued:
"Accordingly, I will be heading to Star Dou Forest soon to hunt for my ninth Soul Ring."
His gaze turned to Yu Tianlong. "Yu Tianlong, since you were born with Innate Full Soul Power, you'll need your First Soul Ring. You may accompany me on this trip. I'll personally select a suitable Soul Beast for you and hunt it so you can obtain your first Soul Ring."
The hall erupted.
The clamor that had just subsided rose again, now mixed with even more complicated emotions: shock, envy, jealousy, disbelief... Countless gazes fixed on Yu Tianlong.
The Patriarch himself would lead him to Star Dou Forest to hunt for his first Soul Ring! What an honor!
Yu Xiaogang staggered back as if struck by a heavy blow, his face ashen and his eyes utterly desolate.
His last scrap of hope was crushed by the enormous gulf between them.
Father... His own father was taking someone else's child to hunt for a Soul Ring, yet he ignored his own son...
Yu Tianlong was also taken aback, then a wave of joy surged through him.
A Titled Douluo would lead the expedition to Star Dou Forest! That meant he could encounter a far greater variety of Soul Beasts, with far higher cultivation levels than he'd expected. For Little Gold and Little Silver's "menu," it was practically a feast fallen from the heavens!
And with a Titled Douluo watching over them, they'd be much safer, which meant they could try more possibilities.
He forced down his excitement and bowed deeply. "Thank you for your favor, Patriarch! Tianlong won't let you down!"
Yu Yuanji nodded without further comment, announced the end of the meeting, and left with the three elders.
The crowd gradually dispersed, but the discussions only grew louder. Everyone was talking about the joyful news of the Patriarch's breakthrough to Titled Douluo and the astonishing favor Yu Tianlong had received.
As for Yu Xiaogang, standing in the corner with a dead look in his eyes, no one spared him another glance.
Night lay dark as ink, the moonlight flowing like water.
Yu Tianlong had only just returned to his courtyard when someone knocked at the gate.
When he opened it, he saw two family stewards carrying a heavy sandalwood chest. They set it down in the courtyard, bowed respectfully, and took their leave.
The chest wasn't locked. As soon as he opened it, a mixture of sea brine and the musty smell of long storage wafted out.
By the moonlight, Yu Tianlong saw neatly stacked pieces of gelatinous material inside, each about the size of his palm, as thick as bricks, and a dark yellowish-brown.
Their surfaces were rough and their patterns irregular. Dried seaweed and grains of sand clung to some of the edges, and it was clear they'd been stored for quite some time. They were certainly in poor condition.
"So this is... Whale Rubber?" Yu Tianlong picked up a piece. It felt heavy and icy in his hand. He tried to snap it, but it wouldn't budge.
"Is this stuff really still good? Will I get diarrhea if I eat it?"
In his previous life, all Yu Tianlong knew about Whale Rubber was that Huo Yuhao had used it to increase the number of years in a Soul Ring he could absorb.
He had no idea how it should be consumed, whether there were any taboos, or whether it needed to be fresh. Looking at the "antique" in his hand, he couldn't help feeling uneasy.
But the restless stir inside him interrupted his doubts.
"Roro!"
"Ro—!"
Almost the moment the chest opened, a golden and a silver streak of light shot impatiently out of his body and landed as two Luo Sanpao.
Little Gold and Little Silver stared at the pieces of Whale Rubber in the chest, their eyes wide. Shiny strings of drool even hung from their mouths, and impatient rumbling sounds came from their throats.
Little Silver went further, pawing at Yu Tianlong's trouser leg over and over. Its glassy eyes plainly said, "I want to eat! Give it to me!"
"You want to eat this?" Yu Tianlong was astonished. Could a Martial Soul really crave some foreign substance so strongly?
This was once again beyond his understanding. But then again, Little Gold could devour Soul Beast meat, while Little Silver could absorb elemental energy. Whale Rubber was supposedly a concentrate formed inside deep-sea giant whales. Perhaps it really was a great tonic for them?
"Let's give it a try. It can't poison you to death." Gritting his teeth, he picked out a piece that looked relatively clean and was a little lighter in color.
It was still hard to the touch. He tried channeling a thread of Soul Power into it, but nothing happened. Then he tried chopping it with the kitchen cleaver, but only left a white mark. "It's so hard. How are you supposed to eat it?"
Before he'd even finished speaking, Little Gold suddenly lunged and bit down on the piece of Whale Rubber in his hand.
"Crack!"
A teeth-grinding crunch rang out. The Whale Rubber, hard as stone, broke off in a large chunk between Little Gold's jaws as easily as a crisp biscuit!
It chewed a few times, then gulped it down. The golden light around its body brightened noticeably, and a deep, rumbling hum, as if it had risen from the depths of the sea, reverberated within it. It gave an excited "Roro," then went back to gnawing at the rest.