The previous evening, Yang Xiong had remained alone in his room, carefully examining the century-old whale glue that lay before him on his desk.
This particular piece of whale glue appeared to be over five hundred years old, making it one of the higher quality specimens among century-old whale glue varieties.
Originally, Yang Xiong had hoped to find millennium whale glue for his purposes, but according to the information from his previous life's knowledge, millennium whale glue could increase the absorption limit of spirit rings by five hundred years. Ordinary Spirit Masters typically had a first spirit ring limit of only four hundred years. If the effects were truly as described, wouldn't his physical capabilities increase by more than double? This seemed to defy common sense, and Yang Xiong worried that his developing body probably wouldn't be able to handle such an extreme transformation.
In terms of physical fitness, Yang Xiong was undoubtedly the strongest student in Class One. Whether measuring strength, speed, or overall constitution, Yang Xiong surpassed everyone else, even those Spirit Masters who possessed beast-type martial spirits.
After all, those other Spirit Masters focused exclusively on meditation for their cultivation, while Yang Xiong dedicated enormous amounts of time to rigorous physical exercise and conditioning.
After a period of internal debate and careful consideration, Yang Xiong finally decided to consume the whale glue to test whether it was as effective as the legends claimed. Moreover, Yang Xiong had specifically chosen century-old whale glue rather than something more potent to minimize the risk of dangerous accidents.
Normally, whale glue needed to be melted using high heat before consumption.
Yang Xiong didn't overcomplicate the process. He simply took a stove and a copper bowl from the kitchen and placed the entire piece of whale glue into the bowl for heating.
Since this was merely ordinary century-old whale glue, it didn't seem as difficult to melt as the legends suggested, nor did it require a fire-attribute Spirit Master to handle the preparation safely.
As the temperature gradually rose, the entire copper bowl began to turn slightly red from the heat, and the whale glue slowly started to melt within the heated container. A strange, powerful aura filled the entire room, carrying with it a hint of intoxicating energy.
Yang Xiong endured both the high temperature and the unusual atmosphere permeating the room. He used metal tongs to carefully transfer the liquefied whale glue from the copper bowl to an ordinary ceramic bowl, then swallowed the entire contents in one determined gulp.
As the scalding whale glue liquid entered his mouth and throat, it felt as though a red-hot iron block had been inserted directly into his oral cavity and esophagus. The intense pain caused Yang Xiong to let out an involuntary scream of agony.
However, as time passed and all the whale glue liquid gradually made its way into his stomach, the burning sensation seemed to spread rapidly throughout his entire body. His whole physical form felt as though it was being roasted over an open fire, and the skin and muscles covering his body experienced excruciating pain. This torment even penetrated deep into his bones and internal organs.
Yang Xiong gritted his teeth against the overwhelming pain and immediately jumped into the cold water bucket he had prepared in advance. His entire body seemed to alternate between burning hot and freezing cold sensations, and he felt as though he might literally split apart from the conflicting forces.
As time continued to pass, the extremely terrifying pain gradually overwhelmed Yang Xiong's consciousness, and he slowly fell into unconsciousness while submerged in the cold water bucket.
When Yang Xiong regained awareness, he discovered that a full night had passed during his ordeal. The originally clear water in the bucket had turned completely black with expelled impurities, and his throat and mouth still bore some burns from the initial consumption. His voice remained noticeably hoarse from the trauma.
After Yang Xiong took a thorough shower and cleaned his body completely, he immediately noticed that his strength seemed to have become significantly more powerful. This was especially apparent when he began his morning exercise routine—the barbell felt much lighter in his hands than it had the previous day. According to Yang Xiong's careful estimation, his physical capabilities had increased by at least thirty percent, possibly even more.
What followed was a matter that deeply troubled Yang Xiong: should he share knowledge about the whale glue with others? With his father and mother's current physical fitness levels, using ten-thousand-year whale glue to improve their spirit power by one level should pose no serious problems, and their future development prospects would likely improve significantly.
However, as a member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, there was a very significant disadvantage to consider: secrets related to strength improvement might not be easy to hide from the sect's attention.
Large sects like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School maintained very comprehensive services for their key disciples and students, especially when it came to obtaining spirit rings. There were always special personnel assigned to assist with such critical processes. His first spirit ring should be at least five hundred years old, and his second spirit ring should probably approach one thousand years in age. How would he explain such capabilities to others when the time came?
In addition, as a sect disciple who enjoyed the organization's extensive resources and benefits, he would be expected to risk his life for the sect's interests in the future. Without exceptional circumstances, those who betrayed their sect would be despised and hunted by the entire Spirit Master world.
The situation was similar to the single-attribute four families that had once served as the Clear Sky School's outer sect branches. If they hadn't been abandoned and cast out by the Clear Sky School leadership, they probably never would have had the opportunity to leave that organization. Sects couldn't spend enormous resources cultivating people without expecting loyalty and service in return.
Yang Xiong had deeply experienced this reality over the years, especially since his parents seemed to fundamentally believe that he was destined to be a lifelong member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. The idea of leaving or betraying the sect was simply unthinkable to them. The sect system had become deeply rooted throughout this world's culture.
Even Yang Xiong himself had unconsciously begun to regard the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School as his true home and family.
Yang Xiong contemplated the situation for a long time before speaking aloud to himself. "Forget it, whale glue isn't really such a tremendous secret. Others will probably discover its properties sooner or later anyway. Maybe I can use this knowledge to exchange for valuable resources and opportunities from the sect."
With this decision made, Yang Xiong quickly sought out his parents. As for his elder brother Yang Wei, he had not returned home recently because he was staying at his academy for extended periods.
Yang Lin and Sun Yu were somewhat puzzled by their son's early approach. "Yang Xiong, why did you come to find us so early today? Don't you usually exercise by yourself every morning?"
Looking at his parents, Yang Xiong could tell they had spent the night meditating before resting for a brief period.
Yang Xiong announced with quiet pride, "Dad, Mom, I have successfully broken through to level ten."
Yang Lin nodded with approval. "Very good, Yang Xiong. You performed excellently, but why does your throat sound a little hoarse this morning?"
Yang Xiong ignored his father's concerned inquiry and continued. "Dad, I have been reading extensively recently and discovered a very significant secret that may provide great benefits to our entire family."
Yang Lin appeared somewhat skeptical. "What kind of secrets could you possibly find in books? Yang Xiong, you still need to dedicate more effort to your meditation practice."
Yang Xiong responded confidently. "Father, please examine my spirit power carefully."
Yang Lin observed Yang Xiong's body with great attention, especially focusing on sensing his son's spirit power. The energy felt remarkably condensed and stable, completely unlike someone who had just achieved a breakthrough.
"Yang Xiong, when exactly did you break through to level ten?"
Yang Xiong replied honestly. "Father, I broke through the day before yesterday, but I consumed a piece of whale glue and found that my spirit power has improved dramatically. Even my physical fitness has increased substantially."
Yang Lin seemed somewhat angry and concerned. "Nonsense! What is a child doing eating whale glue? Do you even understand what whale glue is typically used for? You are only eight years old now—how could you be thinking about such inappropriate things?"
Yang Xiong quickly explained himself. "Father, I didn't consume whale glue for those reasons at all! I discovered that after melting the entire piece of whale glue, if you swallow it all at once, it can not only improve physical fitness and spirit power, but also eliminate harmful impurities from the body. This may enhance a person's physical potential and even enable people to absorb spirit rings of much higher ages than normal."
Yang Lin and Sun Yu became serious and attentive when they heard this revelation. If whale glue truly possessed such remarkable effects, it could not only improve their family's overall strength, but also allow them to make a tremendous contribution to their sect. According to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's well-established system of rewards and punishments, they could probably obtain significant benefits and recognition from the sect leadership.