Chapter 39: Tempering the Body with Whale Rubber. Which Cadre Could Withstand This Kind of Test?
The world is noisy and chaotic, while silent flowers bloom.
As for everything happening outside, let it be for now.
Inside the dimly lit hotel suite, a man and a woman sat on the bed.
The swaying light cast two long shadows across the wall.
"This… is whale rubber. How exactly do I use it to temper my body?"
Zhu Zhuqing took out the basket of whale rubber she had purchased and asked.
"Heat it until it softens, then eat it directly."
Bai Lu replied casually.
"That simple? Are you sure?"
Zhu Zhuqing's catlike eyes fixed on him warily. "You're certain there are no side effects from eating this?"
"I'm sure. It really is that simple. As for side effects…"
Bai Lu looked completely calm. "Since whale rubber strengthens the body and enhances the endurance of muscles, bones, and meridians, you might feel a bit hot and a bit of pain."
"Then… do I need to prepare anything?"
Zhu Zhuqing asked again.
After all, this was an aphrodisiac, and she was the one consuming it herself.
For the first time, she felt a little uncertain.
"Relax. It's fine."
Bai Lu gently patted her head. "I'll guard you. Just eat it with confidence."
He was met with a deadly glare.
Zhu Zhuqing thought to herself, 'That's exactly why I'm not confident.'
Bai Lu pretended to look heartbroken. "Do you really see me as that kind of person?"
"Yes."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at his handsome face and nodded seriously.
"Trust me. I'm a good person. I'll never force you to do anything. Go ahead."
He revealed a familiar, slightly mischievous smile.
But it was that same smile that suddenly reminded Zhu Zhuqing of the day they first met.
In an instant, her lingering doubts faded.
"Alright."
Her bright eyes locked onto his. "Then I'll leave it to you."
"…Mm."
Feeling her trust, Bai Lu paused briefly before reminding her, "Use your right arm soul bone with the flame attribute to melt it. Control the temperature."
Zhu Zhuqing picked up a brown hundred-year whale rubber and infused soul power into her right hand.
Her soul bone activated, and her right arm instantly ignited in blazing flames.
Under the heat, the whale rubber gradually softened into a gelatinous mass.
A strange, rich fragrance spread through the room.
"Just eat it."
"Okay."
Holding her breath, Zhu Zhuqing placed the entire piece into her mouth.
A fishy taste burst across her tongue. The softened rubber slid down her throat, turning into a surge of heat in her stomach before spreading rapidly through her limbs.
The energy rampaged like an unbridled beast through her meridians, fiercely strengthening her tendons, flesh, and bones.
"Mm…"
A muffled sound escaped her lips.
Sweat beaded instantly on her forehead. Her usually cool and composed face flushed red, like a ripened apple.
She could feel the heat not only reinforcing her body but also stirring an unusual warmth and restlessness within.
Fortunately, the sensation did not last long.
In less than ten minutes, her complexion returned to normal.
"How does it feel?" Bai Lu asked.
"The effect… is quite average…"
Zhu Zhuqing frowned slightly. The enhancement to her physique felt less than one percent.
"That's normal," Bai Lu explained. "A hundred-year whale rubber might increase an ordinary Soul Master's soul ring limit by dozens or even a hundred years."
"But your physique is already incredibly strong. At the very least, it rivals a Soul Emperor. You can easily absorb soul rings over twenty thousand years. It's only natural that the effect isn't obvious."
He paused. "After a few pieces, a hundred-year whale rubber will probably stop working for you altogether."
"Then I'll eat more."
Zhu Zhuqing was pragmatic. As long as it worked, even a slight improvement was worth it.
One piece. Two pieces. Three pieces.
She melted and consumed them one after another.
Aside from strengthening her physique, she could clearly feel excess energy flowing uncontrollably toward her left hand.
It was as if the Vigorous Vajra Palm was rapidly growing by borrowing the whale rubber's power.
In contrast, the eight spider lances behind her seemed disinterested, absorbing only a little before going silent.
"The Vigorous Vajra Palm is strength-oriented. It's normal for whale rubber to accelerate its growth. After all, your left arm soul bone is of ten-thousand-year quality," Bai Lu thought for a moment and explained.
"Then I'll eat even more."
The fighting spirit ignited in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes.
Becoming stronger without arduous cultivation, just by eating—how could she not seize the opportunity?
Time passed quickly, and the whale rubber diminished at an alarming rate.
Gradually, her body developed resistance to the hundred-year pieces. They no longer provided any enhancement.
Only the Vigorous Vajra Palm accepted all incoming energy without rejection.
Even so, some unabsorbed energy began accumulating inside her body.
"Mm…"
Her cool eyes gradually turned glassy and heated.
Flushed and hazy, as if suppressing something.
Under the effect of the whale rubber, her body temperature rose, her breathing quickened, and her clothes were completely soaked with sweat.
"Stop here. Eat more next time." Bai Lu grasped her wrist seriously. "If you keep going, I'm afraid you won't be able to control yourself."
"No. I… feel… the palm bone is about to transform…"
Though her eyes were unfocused, her voice was firm. "I want to… finish it in one go."
Her faintly glowing left hand trembled. She had to seize this chance to complete the evolution of the Vigorous Vajra Palm.
"Fine. Suit yourself."
When the little kitty was this determined, what could Bai Lu do?
He could only accompany her.
After all, aside from excessive internal heat, her body was in excellent condition.
Zhu Zhuqing said nothing and continued.
Soon, her gaze fell upon the final piece at the bottom of the basket, a black thousand-year whale rubber.
She melted it. Swallowed it. Evolve.
Her left hand suddenly shone with dazzling golden light. Crackling sounds echoed from her palm bone.
"Vigorous… Vajra Palm…"
As she instinctively activated the soul bone's power, her left hand swelled into a dark golden bear's paw.
"Hell Spirit Cat… possession!"
When she released her martial soul, the bear's paw shifted into a larger, more powerful-looking feline claw.
"I'm so… strong!"
Like someone drunk, Zhu Zhuqing staggered to her feet, hands on her hips, looking immensely proud.
She waved her left hand, producing a sharp, tearing sound through the air.
When she clenched her fist, it felt as though she could crush the air itself.
"Yes, yes, you're amazing."
Bai Lu quickly pulled her down, worried she might accidentally demolish the hotel.
"Bang!"
She fell back onto the bed. Her left hand struck the wooden frame.
Wood splinters flew. The solid bed collapsed instantly.
"So hot… so hot…"
She muttered, fingers tugging weakly at her clothes.
With a tearing sound, fabric gave way, exposing pale skin to the air.
"Hey… calm down."
Bai Lu immediately grabbed her hand, trying to stop her.
But though her consciousness was blurred, her strength was astonishing. In moments, her clothes were reduced to fragments.
Her eyes glowed faintly red as she leaned toward him unconsciously.
"Wait, what?! You're using this to test a cadre?"
"Which cadre can withstand such a test!"
Even in his spirit state, Bai Lu felt his composure wavering.
Looking at the flushed, dazed girl before him, he knew he had to act.
He decisively carried her into the bathroom.
Cold water poured down from the showerhead.
The chilling stream splashed over her overheated body.
"Mm…"
Soon, her trembling form gradually stilled. Exhaustion overtook her, and she drifted into a deep sleep.
"Finally settled."
Bai Lu let out a breath, dried her off, wrapped her up properly, and placed her back on the bed before resting.
The long and chaotic night finally returned to silence.
—
End of Chapter