Chapter 51: Breakthrough, Late Core Formation Stage

As Lin Fan’s lifespan was consumed, Nangong Miaoyu felt the stagnant spiritual energy within her body suddenly surge like rain after a long drought, spinning wildly. Inside her dantian, the golden elixir pill shimmered brightly, rotating at a speed visible to the naked eye. Spiritual patterns appeared on the surface of the pill, and waves of pure, potent spiritual energy flooded from all directions into every fiber and bone of her body.

She could clearly sense her cultivation advancing at an incredible pace. The previously unbreakable bottleneck shattered like thin paper with a single prick.

Boom!

A muffled sound echoed within Nangong Miaoyu’s body, followed by an overwhelming aura bursting forth, sweeping across the entire cave. Lin Fan struggled to breathe under the oppressive force.

“Hahaha…” Nangong Miaoyu laughed aloud, her voice filled with ecstatic triumph. “I actually broke through! Late stage Foundation Establishment!”

“If I can rapidly elevate my cultivation to the late stage Foundation Establishment perfection, the Nascent Soul will be within my grasp!”

Her gaze turned intensely hot as she looked at Lin Fan, as if beholding an invaluable treasure.

“Ji Qingwan really hit the jackpot to have such a constitution,” she muttered inwardly. “But now, you belong to me!”

Lin Fan felt weary. He knew that if this ability were discovered by others, it would spell big trouble. Innocent men often suffer because of the treasures they possess. His power was so extraordinary it could drive countless cultivators mad. He was like a piece of tender meat, tempting everyone to take a bite.

Nangong Miaoyu slowly stepped in front of Lin Fan, looking down on him from above.

“I said before, if you help me break through, I would reward you handsomely.”

“Now…” Her eyes shimmered with seduction, her voice dripping with allure.

“Let me reward you properly.”

She leaned close, her red lips near Lin Fan’s ear, her breath like orchid fragrance. Lin Fan felt a wave of warmth wash over him, his heart racing and his mouth dry.

A chill ran down his spine, and his expression grew tense.

“Tsk, such a treasure, how could I bear to drain your primordial yang!” Nangong Miaoyu giggled softly. “I have six disciples, each a blooming beauty, two of whom are untouched maidens. If you perform well and satisfy me, perhaps I could grant one of them to you.”

Her ruby lips parted slightly, her voice sultry to the bone. She leaned forward, her ample bosom faintly visible, her enchanting eyes fixed intently on Lin Fan.

“If you follow me, they will all become your concubines. How does that sound?”

Each word was like a hook, trying to ensnare Lin Fan’s very soul.

Alarm bells rang inside Lin Fan’s mind. This was the same old trick Su Xingyue had used on him before. Though he knew he had no right to refuse, Nangong Miaoyu would never allow him to decline.

Still, he was reluctant.

“Senior, you jest. I am but a humble willow branch, unworthy of such lofty company,” Lin Fan said hastily, his face full of apprehension.

Nangong Miaoyu laughed coquettishly, her body trembling like a flower in the breeze.

“You are Ji Qingwan’s disciple, and she and I are sworn enemies. I will never let you go!”

She traced her delicate fingers gently along Lin Fan’s cheek, her eyes gleaming with playful intent.

“I, Nangong Miaoyu, have never failed to obtain what I desire! If you are sensible and obedient, I will make sure you enjoy endless benefits. But if you are ungrateful, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

Her expression suddenly darkened, her voice turning icy. She stared at Lin Fan with a hint of madness flashing in her eyes.

Cursing inwardly, Lin Fan realized he had no choice but to reluctantly accept for the sake of his life.

Seeing his hesitation, Nangong Miaoyu grew impatient.

“If you refuse again, I will kill you right now!”

A ruthless gleam filled her eyes, death intent palpable.

Lin Fan’s heart sank. Helpless and at the mercy of others, he felt deeply frustrated. But for now, he could only endure.

“Since senior values me so highly, it would be improper for me to refuse,” Lin Fan forced a smile and spoke respectfully.

“In that case, I will accept your kindness,” he said, wryly vowing to himself:

“I must become stronger! I will never be bullied again!”

His teeth clenched, a determined light flickering in his eyes.

“And from now on…”

He took a deep breath, as if expelling all the pent-up frustration in his chest.

“I will rise to the top!”

Seeing Lin Fan’s agreement, Nangong Miaoyu nodded with satisfaction.

“That’s better. Rest assured, as long as you obey, I will not treat you unfairly. When you help me break through to the Nascent Soul stage, I will grant you tremendous rewards.”

Her eyes sparkled with temptation.

“Thank you, senior. But what about the maidservants who were with me? Bai Xiyue ate breakfast with me that day. I suppose they were captured too,” Lin Fan suddenly recalled.

Though Bai Xiyue had low cultivation and poor talent, she was utterly loyal to him.

“They were outside. When I arrived, I saw her still unconscious. She should be awake by now. I’ll bring her in shortly,” Nangong Miaoyu said.

Sure enough, soon Bai Xiyue was brought in.

“Master!” Upon seeing Lin Fan, Bai Xiyue cried out in surprise and hurried over, her eyes filled with concern as she examined him.

“Master, are you alright? Are you hurt?” Her voice trembled with tears.

Lin Fan felt warmth in his heart.

“I’m fine,” he said softly, shaking his head to comfort her.

“That’s good, that’s good…” Bai Xiyue sighed in relief, but tears continued to flow.

“Master, it’s all my fault. If the spiritual vegetables I planted hadn’t been poisoned, you wouldn’t have been captured,” she sobbed, blaming herself. She had discovered how Bai Jie and the others had drugged the vegetables while she was locked outside. Feeling useless, she lamented that she only caused trouble for him.

“It’s not your fault. They targeted me. Even if they hadn’t poisoned your vegetables, they would have tried another way,” Lin Fan sighed.

“But…” Bai Xiyue wanted to say more but was interrupted.

“Enough crying. If you cry any more, you’ll turn into a little kitten,” Lin Fan said, gently wiping her tears with a smile.

“Master, what do we do now?” Bai Xiyue asked, wiping her eyes.

“Ji Qingwan and your master will search everywhere for us, using every means possible!” Lin Fan knew how tempting his breakthrough ability was to cultivators.

“Even if they can’t find us, we only need to wait patiently. With my rebound ability, even if Ji Qingwan never finds me, my cultivation will eventually surpass Nangong Miaoyu…”

He spoke with quiet confidence, the future still uncertain but his determination unwavering.