Lin Zhechen was sitting inside a large wooden tub.
The liquid within was steaming and dark green in color.
It felt as though countless tiny but sharp things were pressing against his skin, trying to pierce it.
Yet, Zhechen hadn't begun meditating or absorbing the energy just yet.
He had to consume the so-called "gift" simultaneously with the medicinal bath.
And with the explanation Feng Yanlou had given, he now understood the reason behind that strange smile.
Whale Rubber.
A rare treasure.
According to research, consuming it would strengthen a Soul Master's body in all aspects, allowing them to absorb higher-age Soul Rings.
It was a treasure considered the most valuable by many Soul Masters, second only to Spirit Bones and Soul Rings.
However, it wasn't easily found.
But for Feng Yanlou, acquiring a 1000-year-old Whale Rubber posed little difficulty.
Of course, Whale Rubber had its side effects.
But that wasn't something Lin Zhechen, whose body had yet to mature, needed to worry about.
At most, he might just feel a temporary surge of energy.
In the cup Lin Zhechen held, a golden liquid shimmered softly—its glow reminiscent of melted gold.
Though the amount was small, a rich and pleasant fragrance wafted upward, entirely unlike the strong herbal scent of the medicinal bath.
He studied the drink for a brief moment before bringing it to his lips and drinking it without hesitation.
A gentle sweetness touched his tongue, smooth and delicate in texture.
The warmth slid swiftly down his throat, transforming at once into a surge of energy within him.
Zhechen closed his eyes.
He felt a fiery orb ignite in his stomach.
Then it spread, making him feel more alive than ever.
He recalled the flow of Soul Power and began to guide it.
The energy moved along pre-existing pathways.
He didn't know how much time had passed, but he could feel more and more of the energy being absorbed.
His body was being affected both inside and out by two forces.
And like a starving man, it devoured them.
In theory, someone as physically weak as Lin Zhechen should benefit immensely in this situation.
But strangely enough—he didn't.
He furrowed his brows, sensing something odd, and looked deeper.
Along the path of energy flow, at the point where it moved most freely, there was something—
Something absorbing a large portion of the energy.
Like a pipe where water gets stuck in the lining instead of flowing through.
Still, the path wasn't blocked.
Rather, it felt like it was turning into something new.
Like a root.
And it wasn't his imagination.
Was this what they called a meridian?
Sweat now covered his face. His previously skeletal frame already looked a bit better.
But inside that body, in the energy channels known as meridians, one had turned golden.
It looked like the root of a tree.
A golden root.
He took a deep breath and opened his eyes.
The bath no longer steamed.
The water had turned muddy brown.
And Lin Zhechen now had a stronger body, clearer skin, and a more refreshed face.
He placed his hands on the edge of the tub and stood.
He was completely naked, but didn't care.
He stepped out, grabbed the towel hanging nearby, and began to dry himself.
Surprise laced his voice: "I feel stronger. Even my balance is better."
He inhaled deeply. "Feels like I was reborn."
And that meridian...
He didn't even need to close his eyes to sense it.
It felt like a connection—
A link to the outside world, slowly drawing energy inward.
Some of that energy nourished his body, and the rest...
Still wrapped in his towel, he sat cross-legged and entered his Spirit Sea.
He appeared again in the same dark space, but now the lake had grown deeper, and golden streaks traced across the young sapling.
Through the spiritual mist, he could see a thin golden root stretching into the lake.
As if transferring something from the tree downward.
Though the destination was unclear—he knew.
"Is there really a root growing inside my body?"
His image inside the Spirit Sea looked bewildered.
He willed himself out, and a moment later, his awareness fully returned to the physical world.
Now sitting cross-legged on the floor, his eyes looked contemplative.
"That root is channeling Soul Power from the tree into my body.
And not just Soul Power—it's also feeding my Vital and Spiritual Energy."
A smile of excitement curled his lips.
"Looks like my cultivation speed's about to increase. But..."
His smile faded as he examined his body. Though much better than before, he still felt it could've improved more.
The reason?
He sensed that his Vital Energy had grown the least.
And that was concerning.
It was known among those with any real insight that absorbing higher-age Soul Rings, using Soul Tools effectively, and even surviving on the battlefield required a strong and enduring body.
He murmured, "I need to consult Grandpa."
***
"You're right. Your body didn't get as strong as I expected."
Feng Yanlou lifted his hand from his grandson's shoulder.
His expression was thoughtful.
He scratched his beard. "Of course, one dose of Whale Rubber doesn't do much. You'll need to take it multiple times, Xiao Chen. Each time, a bit more than the last. Still, you're right. You didn't get as strong as I hoped."
Yet he didn't seem disappointed. "But..."
A smile spread across his face. "Your Soul Power is circulating through your body."
Lin Zhechen looked confused. "What do you mean, old man?"
"Hahaha! I'm guessing you've got a special physique. We'll have to test it again when you get your Soul Ring, but from what I can tell, your body is distributing Soul Power evenly."
The boy sat in a chair, glancing at the elder who leaned against the dining table with arms crossed. "And what does that mean?"
"For now? Nothing. But if I'm right, once your rank rises, you might be able to absorb Soul Rings of higher age."
The old man's eyes sparkled with excitement—like he'd become years younger.
The excitement spread to the boy, who took a deep breath. "You mean I can already absorb higher-age rings?"
The old man flicked him on the forehead.
"Ow!"
"Got cotton in your ears, kid? I said when your rank gets higher. Right now, your body is weaker than a support-type Soul Master's. Even if you were Rank 10 today, you'd barely manage a 50- to 70-year-old Soul Ring."
Zhechen's lips tightened. "That weak?"
Laughter rang through the house. "Exactly that weak! But, that'll change over time. When your inner Soul Power reaches its potential, maybe you'll go beyond the usual limit."
His face turned serious. "Hopefully. Nothing's certain yet."
Then his eyes turned sharp. "And Xiao Chen?"
"Yes, Grandpa?"
The old man placed a hand on his grandson's shoulder. "Don't tell anyone about this. It's dangerous. Your body will draw attention... and even I might not be able to protect you."
Zhechen nodded. But his thoughts were elsewhere.
My body? I don't have any special physique. This is the result of that unique meridian.
He briefly closed his eyes.
Will it stay just one root? Or will there be more in the future?
He already knew the answer.
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