Zhao Wuji was very supportive of Oscar's decision, so he didn't argue further.
But recalling what Oscar had just mentioned—that he had auctioned off a piece of seven-hundred-year-old Whale Glue—Zhao Wuji couldn't help but ask:
"Little Ao, isn't that stuff just… a tonic for men? Can it really strengthen the body?"
Hearing Zhao Wuji's question, Oscar didn't hide anything. After all, he would still need Zhao Wuji's help in the future to search for such treasures. By himself, without power or influence, Oscar had no real sources of information—except for being ridiculously lucky like today.
Thinking for a moment, Oscar replied:
"Teacher Zhao, honestly, I can't guarantee that it will definitely work. But the books I've read do describe it that way. So I want to give it a try.
If it works, I'll have discovered another path to improve my strength. And even if it doesn't, I won't have lost much."
Zhao Wuji nodded after hearing this. It made sense. A thousand gold soul coins were no small amount, but for Oscar, it wasn't unbearable. He didn't say more, only warned:
"Then do as you see fit. But if anything goes wrong, you come find me immediately."
Oscar's heart warmed. Whatever else could be said, Old Zhao really cared for him.
"Understood," Oscar replied.
Without wasting any more time, he returned to his dormitory. Ma Hongjun had already collapsed into sleep, exhausted from playing during the day and being beaten on top of it.
Back in his own room, Oscar finally took out the seven-hundred-year Whale Glue and studied it closely.
This was his first time seeing Whale Glue with his own eyes. In books, he had seen sketches of something similar, though in this era, people did not know its true purpose, so the records were vague.
Fortunately, Oscar himself knew both its use and how it should be consumed. What he needed was to test it personally.
This piece of Whale Glue was not completely pure. After all, it had surfaced here after possibly a long time. Technically, it could be swallowed as it was—but to refine it properly and draw out its power to strengthen his body, it first needed purification.
Luckily, purification of ordinary hundred-year Whale Glue wasn't too complicated—just calcining it with fire. The tricky part was controlling the flame's temperature. Too hot, and it would burn away completely.
But Oscar wasn't worried. Though only at level twenty-two, his spiritual power had been at the Soul Elder level since absorbing his first soul ring, and his fine control was exceptional. Now, after his second ring, his spiritual strength had risen further—already nearing Soul Ancestor level. For this kind of delicate task, he had complete confidence.
Without hesitation, Oscar brought out a small refining cauldron he usually used when experimenting with herbs. Though not a soul tool, it was a treasure he had once picked up cheaply—sturdy and perfect for practice.
It was about eighty centimeters tall, sixty in diameter, squat and round like an oversized steamer.
Outside, Oscar had stored fine charcoal, usually for alchemy. He placed the cauldron, lit the charcoal, carefully adjusted the heat, and dropped the Whale Glue inside.
The fire roared beneath, raising the cauldron's temperature steadily. Under Oscar's precise control, the balance was perfect.
Inside, the Whale Glue began to melt.
At first, the dark-gold lump the size of a fist softened into a sticky paste.
With more heat, it became molten, like glowing molten iron. Dark impurities floated up automatically.
Of course, it couldn't separate itself cleanly. This was where Oscar stepped in.
Using clean tongs and a mesh scoop, he carefully removed the impurities. As the fire subsided and the liquid cooled, it solidified into a smooth, glowing bead—its luster far brighter than before, though only half the original size.
The rest had been waste.
But Oscar grinned. Even without perfect purification, this was more than good enough.
He was sure—even a mere seven-hundred-year Whale Glue would bring him tremendous benefits at his current stage.
Without hesitation, he popped the bead into his mouth.
A strange thing happened—it softened instantly without chewing, dissolving into a warm stream that slid down into his stomach.
At once, heat surged from within, spreading through his body.
Oscar immediately sat cross-legged, entering meditation to refine and absorb the energy.
Soon, his skin flushed bright red. The heat inside grew unbearable, almost like countless women were teasing and provoking him all at once.
But Oscar had already prepared himself for this. No matter how intense the discomfort, he endured. He clung to one thought alone: refine the Whale Glue, grow stronger!
Time passed unnoticed. One night slipped by in silence.
When Oscar finally opened his eyes, the first light of dawn was already spilling through the window.
The moment he awoke, excitement burst across his face. After a night of deep cultivation, he could clearly feel the immense transformation in his body.
As he stretched, faint cracking sounds spread across his skin. He looked down to find a thin, brittle shell of black grime coating him. It was the impurities expelled during refinement, now dried into a crust.
Quickly, Oscar hurried into the bath to wash away the filth. Stepping out refreshed, he clenched his fists—crackling pops resounded from his joints and muscles.
Before, absorbing his second ring had raised his body's strength to Soul Elder level. Now, after the Whale Glue, he had leapt directly to the peak—his physique already close to that of a Soul Ancestor.
In other words, this one piece of Whale Glue had propelled him nearly ten levels' worth of progress.
Normally, he would have needed at least a year of harsh training to reach this point.
Now, his body and spiritual power stood in perfect balance. Not only had his physique grown stronger, but his control over his abilities had also improved.
And perhaps because this was his first time consuming Whale Glue, his soul power had also surged—rising from early level twenty-two to the late stage, almost breaking through to level twenty-three.
All this within less than half a month of obtaining his second soul ring.
The magnitude of this advancement thrilled Oscar. Not only was he now stronger, but when he eventually reached level thirty, his body would be tough enough to withstand a four-thousand-year third ring!
That was the true gift of the Whale Glue.
If, before, Oscar had only been half-confident about facing Bu Le alongside Ma Hongjun, now he was certain.
His body was no weaker than the enemy's. His soul power level might be lower, but his actual strength was far beyond what "level twenty-two" implied.