50: Rain falls on the fake pill, deepening the bond.

The raft continued sailing on the ink-blue sea, day and night passing in a monotonous and lengthy fashion. Under the gray sky, time seemed to lose all meaning. Relying on the faint connection the immortal abode pivot token had to the Power of Stars, Lin Xuan constantly adjusted the course, heading toward the direction that might vaguely border the cultivation world.

Gongsun Yu, who had consumed the “Huiyuan Quenching Spirit Fluid,” was surrounded by swirling Spiritual Qi, and her Aura constantly climbed, having reached the critical point of the Late Foundation Establishment Stage. She sat cross-legged in the center of the raft, her small face taut, fully circulating her Family Inherited Thunder Technique, guiding the surging Spiritual Power within her body to repeatedly strike the sturdy False Core barrier.

Su Wanqing stood quietly beside her, moonlight flowing at her fingertips. She did not directly intervene, but merely used her refined Taiyin Power to create a clear, tranquil area, helping her stabilize her mind and isolate her from the interference of the Desolate Sea's chaotic Aura.

Qu Feiyan leaned against the stern of the raft, seemingly lazy, but her enchanting eyes constantly monitored Gongsun Yu's status, as well as... the tall figure at the bow of the raft. She was evaluating, waiting, and planning her next “investment” strategy.

Lin Xuan had his back to everyone, but his Divine Sense enveloped the entire scene. He could clearly “see” every detail of the Spiritual Power impacting the barrier inside Gongsun Yu's body. Under her tireless efforts, the barrier was covered in fine cracks, but it was still missing that final push.

It was time.

With a thought, he silently transmitted the “Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivation Insight” returned by the System into Gongsun Yu's Sea of Consciousness through a gentle Divine Sense Transmission.

Gongsun Yu, who was concentrating all her efforts on the Breakthrough, felt a sudden boom in her mind! Countless profound insights regarding Spiritual Power compression, attribute transformation, and Divine Soul condensation surged forth like a sudden enlightenment! These insights were not forcibly injected; rather, they perfectly aligned with her own experience and the way Lin Xuan's Spiritual Power had flowed when he previously helped her dispel the evil Qi, as if they were insights she had gained through her own bitter Cultivation!

In an instant, she achieved sudden enlightenment! Her previously somewhat reckless method of striking became incredibly precise and harmonious! The surging thunder Spiritual Power in her body was no longer scattered, but highly condensed, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, transforming into an extremely refined purple electric glow. Carrying an unstoppable Aura, it fiercely slammed into the cracked False Core barrier!

“Crack!”

A faint sound, like an eggshell cracking, emanated from within her body! The sturdy barrier that had obstructed her for so long instantly shattered!

Even more immense and refined Spiritual Power instantly poured into her Dantian, rapidly condensing and compressing, forming a purple illusory core the size of a longan, its surface wrapped in dense electric snakes! The illusory core slowly rotated, absorbing massive amounts of Spiritual Qi, and her Aura suddenly surged, officially stepping into the False Core Realm!

Success!

Gongsun Yu abruptly opened her eyes, a flash of purple lightning disappearing from her gaze, which was filled with surprise and disbelief. Feeling the unprecedented powerful strength within her body, and the greater control she had over the thunder Spiritual Power, she was so excited she almost shed tears.

She stood up and bowed deeply to Big Brother Lin, her voice choked with emotion and immense sincerity: “Big Brother Lin! Thank you! If not for your Medicinal Pill and, even more so, your Divine Sense guidance, I, Yu’er, would never have been able to Breakthrough so smoothly!”

She clearly knew how precious that sudden insight was—far beyond what ordinary Medicinal Pills could offer. Big Brother Lin must have expended great mental effort to help her! This kindness was as heavy as a mountain!

[Ding! Bond with target Gongsun Yu has increased to ‘Trust’! Affinity with Thunder Technique has slightly increased!]

Lin Xuan turned, gently offering support, and smiled warmly: “Your own accumulation was sufficient; it was a natural result. Congratulations, Miss Gongsun, the great Dao awaits.”

He was also satisfied. This investment not only allowed Gongsun Yu to successfully Breakthrough, enhancing the team's overall strength, but the deepened bond and increased affinity for the Thunder Technique were unexpected bonuses, meaning the return on future “investments” in this area might be even higher.

Su Wanqing looked at Gongsun Yu, who had successfully Broken through and whose Aura was stable. A faint arc slightly curved on her cool lips, and she nodded gently toward Lin Xuan, her eyes showing approval. She was happy to see the team grow stronger.

Qu Feiyan took everything in, but the shock in her heart was greater than Gongsun Yu's Breakthrough itself. She clearly saw that Lin Xuan's final Divine Sense Transmission was the key! That was absolutely no ordinary encouragement or guidance, but a genuine “Insight Gift” containing Dao rhythm!

“He can so easily bestow his own Cultivation insights upon others?!” A storm raged in Qu Feiyan's heart. This method was unheard of! This was no longer a simple gift of resources, but a direct enhancement of another person's 'Dao practice'! Its value was immeasurable!

What did this mean? It meant that as long as one received his “investment,” the Bottleneck would cease to be an insurmountable chasm! It meant he possessed the terrifying ability to shape powerhouses and Cultivate trusted subordinates en masse!

Instantly, the look in Qu Feiyan's eyes toward Lin Xuan became even more fervent, even carrying a hint of... awe, which she hadn't even noticed herself. Her original thoughts, laced with calculation and a desire for conquest, seemed laughable and insignificant in the face of such a Heaven-Defying ability.

She had to re-evaluate Lin Xuan's value, and... how she could secure the largest share in this “investment” game.

“Big Brother Lin, I feel like the lightning I can control is much stronger now!” Gongsun Yu excitedly demonstrated, the thunder light silver ring coming alive in her hands, spitting electric snakes, its power clearly elevated by a notch.

Lin Xuan smiled and nodded, about to speak, when his expression suddenly changed, and he looked toward the distant horizon.

Right where the water met the sky, the outline of a massive landmass, enveloped in hazy mist, was faintly visible!

“Land!” Gongsun Yu also saw it and cried out in surprise.

Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan also focused their gaze.

The Aura of that landmass was completely different from the Desolate Sea. Although one could still sense chaos and barbarity, it seemed to contain a trace of... order and vitality? Moreover, Lin Xuan could vaguely feel a faint, resonant pull coming from that direction on the cardinal edict in his palm.

Could it be... that the other fragments of the Misty Immortal Palace mentioned by Daoist Shoujing have clues on this landmass?

“Speed up, let's get closer and take a look,” Lin Xuan said solemnly. In his heart, he already regarded this unknown landmass as the next potential “investment” location. After all this, Senior Sister Su and Senior Sister Qu had already entered the False Core Realm, and the collective combat power was much stronger.

Driven by him, the raft cut through the waves and accelerated toward the landmass shrouded in mist. A new adventure seemed about to begin. And the relationship between the four people on the raft had also entered a new stage, thanks to Gongsun Yu's Breakthrough and Lin Xuan's displayed “investment” prowess.