Because he had to stay in Vast Sea City for a month or two, Yu Yan didn't take lodgings at an inn; through a broker he rented a quiet courtyard for two months.
The cost of the long-term rental was only a quarter of staying at an inn, and the living space was larger than a guest room—value for money maximized.
After closing the courtyard gate, Yu Yan took the Whale Dragon out of his backpack.
"Whale Dragon, will it really do us a lot of good?"
Xiao Wu picked up a piece and studied it for a long time without noticing anything special.
"Come with me; you'll understand in a moment."
Yu Yan didn't answer directly. He carried the Whale Dragon into the kitchen and set it in a pot.
The fire fish of the Ice and Fire Twin Fish was summoned; scorching flames wrapped the Whale Dragon, and under constant roasting the solid chunk gradually melted into a pool of viscous liquid that dripped into the pot below.
"Can this stuff actually be eaten?"
Standing beside the pot, Xiao Wu frowned at the yellow, sticky liquid, her brows knit together; she really suspected someone had tricked Yu Yan.
"It can. Let me test the effects first."
Fetching a big ladle, Yu Yan scooped up the melted Whale Dragon, cooled it slightly with the Ice Fish, then gulped it down in one go.
The taste of Whale Dragon was far from pleasant—an indescribably odd flavor, as though sour, spicy, bitter, and salty had all been mixed together.
Enduring the discomfort, Yu Yan kept ladling and swallowing until the pot was empty. A clear flush crept over his face, his eyes turned hazy, his head felt heavy, and a surge of heat flowed inside him.
Feeling the change while still clear-headed, Yu Yan slapped his cheeks and called the Ice Fish to cloak himself in frost to counter the inner heat.
After five months of cultivating with purple qi, Yu Yan was quite experienced at fighting internal heat; the chill released by the Ice Fish mingled with the hot current surging within.
Even forewarned, the aphrodisiac effect of Whale Dragon proved far stronger than he'd imagined. Under the frost's suppression his body still reacted—he caught the fragrance drifting from Xiao Wu nearby, and an improper thought flickered across his mind.
Sensing danger, Yu Yan instantly activated his first Ice Fish Skill—Frost Scale Armor—wrapping himself in a shell of ice. The intense cold suppressed the aphrodisiac effect, preventing anything that could land him in prison for a minimum of three years.
No wonder Whale Dragon was taken as an aphrodisiac; such a fierce side effect was hardly bearable for ordinary folk. Who knew what Divine Being, enduring this torment, had first discovered that it could strengthen a Spirit Master's Physique and enhance the endurance of muscles, bones, and Meridians.
Once the strongest wave passed, the real benefits began. The same sensation as after absorbing a spirit ring swept through him; Yu Yan could feel his body quality rising and his spirit power advancing a little.
After experiencing it firsthand, Yu Yan confirmed Whale Dragon's effects matched exactly what he'd heard.
When the effect ended, Yu Yan dismissed the Frost Scale Armor coating his body. Exhausted, he slumped into a chair; it was mental fatigue, like pulling two all-nighters in a row.
"Yu Yan, are you all right?"
His haggard look startled Xiao Wu; she hurried over and crouched beside him.
"Water!"
Yu Yan raised a hand in plea; the extremely yang Whale Dragon left him parched.
Hearing him, Xiao Wu quickly fetched a ladle of water from the nearby bucket and brought it to him.
After gulping it down he felt much better, leaning back with a long sigh.
"Whale Dragon really works. I can feel my Physique has improved a lot, my strength is greater, and the Meridians traversed by the Meditation Technique can endure more."
"In short, Whale Dragon is indeed useful."
Once recovered, Yu Yan affirmed its value—both to inform Xiao Wu and to reassure himself.
Since it truly worked, he would chase a thousand-year second spirit ring just like the Geniuses of Douluo 2.
"It actually works?"
Surprise, disbelief, tentative acceptance, and an unidentifiable emotion colored Xiao Wu's reply.
"Come on, arm-wrestle me."
Actions speak louder than words; Yu Yan stretched out his hand, inviting her to test his strength.
Needing proof, Xiao Wu clasped his hand; both applied force in the simplest contest.
The result was obvious—feeling his explosive strength, Xiao Wu accepted that Whale Dragon really worked.
"Yu Yan, I want to take it too."
Once convinced, the eager-to-grow-stronger Xiao Wu immediately asked for a dose.
"You know about its aphrodisiac effect. The benefits only show after you endure that, so… prepare yourself mentally."
"I'll help with frost, but mainly you'll rely on yourself."
As he spoke, Yu Yan guessed that if one failed to endure, the effect might be lost through intercourse—leaving only the aphrodisiac reputation.
"I can handle it."
Confident, Xiao Wu believed if Yu Yan could endure, so could she.
"All right."
Recovered, Yu Yan picked up another thousand-year Whale Dragon and melted it with flame.
Xiao Wu scooped the liquid, pinched her nose, closed her eyes, and swallowed it.
The heat rose immediately; she truly felt the potent aphrodisiac Yu Yan had described.
Yu Yan raised a hand, enveloping her in chill; the cold on her skin brought relief.
Minutes ticked by. When Xiao Wu instinctively reached for herself, inspiration struck Yu Yan—he created Frost Scale Armor, sealing her beneath icy plates.
He had two reasons: first, he'd relied on the armor to survive; second, he wanted to see if he could form a layer of ice directly on her skin.
Clearly, he succeeded.
With the armor sealing the cold he sent in, the effect was amplified.
Ten more minutes and Xiao Wu overcame the side effect, finally enjoying Whale Dragon's true benefits.