After the Soul Fighting match ended, Niu Jinfeng took Yang Podi home.
Back home, he lay in bed and thought about everything he had seen and heard that day. The fight between the two Soul Kings in the Soul Fighting Arena had made a deep impression on him. Clan, sect, commoners, empire-these words kept spinning through his mind. He now counted as a core disciple of his clan, and he could also be considered a sect disciple. He had not paid much attention to many resources before, but looking at it now, his starting point really was very high.
But there would also be more dangers. In terms of strength, the Breaking Clan was already comparable to half of one of the Lower Four Sects. Yet before either the Clear Sky Sect or Spirit Hall, its strength was nowhere near enough. It had no Titled Douluo and no reserves of its own. These were all weaknesses.
At that thought, he could not help thinking of his grandfather, Yang Wudi, again. He hoped his grandfather could withdraw safely from this conflict.
While Yang Podi's thoughts were wandering, his father, Yang Zhentian, returned with everyone who had gone out to have fun.
Once his father returned, his mother, Niu Jinfeng, pulled him into a secluded spot and whispered to him.
"Darling, when I took our son to the auction today, he insisted that I buy such a huge piece of whale rubber. He's only five. How could he know about these things?"
"Whale rubber? That doesn't make sense. Our son has always stayed at home, and usually he just likes reading and practicing martial arts. He barely even has any contact with women. How could he know what whale rubber does?"
"What are you talking about? Our son is only five. How could he have problems in that department? He said he wanted to buy it for you. Did you say something to him?"
"For me? How is that possible? What would I need that stuff for?"
"Honey, why don't we just ask our son directly? Something feels strange about this."
"All right. Our son is still so young. You mustn't lead him astray!"
At those words, Yang Zhentian was speechless.
Just as Yang Podi woke up, both his father and mother actually came to his room, and his mother was still holding that large piece of whale rubber.
Niu Jinfeng spoke directly. "Son, I didn't ask you at the auction today, but what did you want me to buy this piece of whale rubber for?"
His father, Yang Zhentian, hurriedly spoke as well. "Son, how did you learn about whale rubber? Your dad is still in pretty good shape. I don't need that stuff yet."
Hearing them both speak, Yang Podi immediately grumbled inwardly, What are you two thinking? Whale rubber is good stuff!
"Dad, hear me out first. I've read a lot of books recently, and I discovered that whale rubber might have a major use."
Both his father and mother looked at Yang Podi with question marks written all over their faces.
"Dad, I looked through a lot of ancient texts and discovered that if you only eat a tiny bit of whale rubber, it really will only have that effect. But for us Soul Masters, if we melt the whole piece over a fire and then swallow it directly, it will have unexpected effects and benefits."
"Son, which ancient text did you find this in? If it really worked, its price would probably have shot up long ago."
"Dad, I'm certain it works. If you don't believe me, you can try it. Even if it doesn't work, it's harmless anyway. Also, Dad, you need to be especially careful about this. Don't tell anyone about whale rubber's effects yet, not even members of our Breaking Clan." Yang Podi repeatedly urged his father not to tell anyone for now. On the Douluo Continent at this stage, whale rubber could be considered a cheat-like existence. If it had not been for his father, and if they had not happened to come across it at the auction, he would not have wanted to reveal it so early either.
Besides, no clan was a solid slab of iron. In the original story, his second grandfather, Yang Wushuang, had been captured by Spirit Hall and ultimately divulged the Breaking Clan's secret medicine-Seven-Colored Splendor-leaving the Heaven Dou Empire in quite a passive position.
Yang Zhentian was still a little doubtful. "Son, according to what you're saying, swallowing a whole piece of whale rubber really works?"
"Dad, it really works. If you don't believe me, you really can try it first."
Looking at the fist-sized piece of whale rubber, Yang Zhentian could not help swallowing. "But this piece is so big. Can I swallow something this size in one go?"
Niu Jinfeng cut in. "Our son has already said it works. What are you still doubting?"
"But-" Looking at the size of the whale rubber, Yang Zhentian was speechless.
For the next two days, Yang Podi got up and cultivated as usual each day, living just as he had back at the Breaking Clan. Yet his mother and father actually disappeared for two full days and nights, leaving him feeling rather unaccustomed to it.
On the third day, his father and mother finally returned. Both had rosy complexions, and even the skin on their heads had become a little fairer. His father in particular had a smile that was practically spilling off the corners of his mouth.
Niu Jinfeng and Yang Zhentian brought Yang Podi back into his room. "Son, the effects of the whale rubber you mentioned really are excellent. My Soul Power has risen by one level, and I'm now a level seventy-two Soul Saint. Also, after I ate the whale rubber, a lot of impurities were expelled from all over my body. My cultivation should be faster in the future."
"Dad, congratulations. But why did you bring me into the room so secretively?"
Niu Jinfeng hurriedly spoke. "Son, let me ask you something. Does this whale rubber work on women?"
"Mom, for Soul Masters, whale rubber should work regardless of whether they're men or women. It also seems to work better on women, and it even has beautifying effects."
"Wonderful. Our son really does know what matters. Otherwise, we would almost have missed out on something this good."
Yang Podi looked at his father and mother rather seriously. "Dad, Mom, don't tell anyone about the whale rubber yet, including people within our Breaking Clan."
Yang Zhentian asked in some surprise, "Son, how did you come to think that way?"
"Dad, the matter of whale rubber is very important. Our Breaking Clan is only a subordinate sect of the Clear Sky Sect, after all. We still need to keep something for ourselves."
"But what about your grandfather?"
"Don't tell Grandpa yet. Don't tell anyone. For now, it's enough for just the three of us to know."
"But son, since whale rubber has such good effects, shouldn't we buy some more? But if we buy too much, won't it arouse other people's suspicions?"
"Dad, that will depend on you."
His father, Yang Zhentian, was a little puzzled. "On me? How could that depend on me?"
Yang Podi and his mother, Niu Jinfeng, exchanged a glance and could not help smiling.
Niu Jinfeng said meaningfully, "Darling, everyone knows what whale rubber does. To conceal our reason for buying it, we'll have to ask you to suffer a little."
"What's there to suffer? Wait, what are you two planning?"
"Nothing much. I'll just spread the word that you're not very capable in that department and need whale rubber to get things working. Then it'll be convenient for us to buy it."
At those words, Yang Zhentian was dumbfounded. "Honey, wouldn't it be bad to let that get around? I'm still a man, after all."
Niu Jinfeng wore a thoroughly righteous expression. "Darling, for the sake of our family, we'll just have to sacrifice your reputation a little. What, you're not even willing to make this tiny sacrifice?"
Yang Zhentian looked at Niu Jinfeng in despair, then looked at his son. In the end, he could only submit through his tears.