Daybreak arrived and crisp birdsong rang out from outside the cave.

Morning light spilled in through the cave entrance, forming mottled patterns beneath the glow of the night-luminescent pearls.

Luo Bingning slowly opened her eyes, the injuries within her body already eighty percent recovered.

She gently moved her limbs and discovered that the circulation of spiritual energy within her body was smooth, without the slightest obstruction.

‘The pills Xi’er gave me work really well.’

She turned her head to look at Lin Xi, who was still standing guard for her, her eyes full of tenderness.

Sensing Luo Bingning’s movement, Lin Xi immediately opened her eyes.

“Bingning-jie is awake? How does your body feel?”

“Much better, already recovered eighty percent.” Luo Bingning sat up and reached out to hold Lin Xi’s hand, “It’s all thanks to Xi’er taking such good care of me.”

At that moment, a system notification sounded in Lin Xi’s mind.

[Emergency intelligence update]

[Blood Shadow Sect sect master information acquired]

[Name: Blood Slaughter Ancestor]

[Cultivation: Nascent Soul late-stage peak]

[Special status: Traces of demonic qi corrosion detected within the body]

[Threat level: Extremely dangerous]

Lin Xi frowned slightly.

‘Demonic qi corrosion? Could there be an even deeper conspiracy behind the Blood Shadow Sect?’

“Bingning-jie, how much do you know about the Blood Shadow Sect’s sect master?”

Lin Xi suppressed her doubts and asked Luo Bingning.

Hearing that name, a flash of disgust and gravity crossed Luo Bingning’s eyes.

“Blood Slaughter Ancestor is treacherous and sinister, with unfathomable strength.”

Her voice carried clear revulsion.

“He specializes in blood-path arts, extremely cruel in his methods. Countless innocent cultivators in the cultivation world have died at his hands.”

She paused before continuing.

“And his actions are extremely secretive. He often colludes with other demonic factions. I’ve long suspected there’s a larger force backing the Blood Shadow Sect.”

Lin Xi’s heart stirred and she decided to reveal part of what the system had detected.

“Bingning-jie, I sensed something strange earlier.”

She put on a thoughtful expression.

“The people chasing us seemed to carry traces of demonic qi corrosion.”

“What?!”

Luo Bingning abruptly stood up, shock filling her eyes.

“Xi’er, are you certain? Demonic qi corrosion is no trivial matter!”

Her expression turned extremely grave.

“If Blood Slaughter Ancestor truly has demonic qi corrosion, then there’s likely a demonic force behind the Blood Shadow Sect.”

She paced back and forth inside the cave, brows tightly furrowed.

“If that’s the case, destroying the Blood Shadow Sect won’t be just about revenge anymore. We must stop a potential demonic crisis.”

Lin Xi nodded, already beginning to plan countermeasures.

She secretly opened the system shop and searched for information and treasures related to demonic qi and countering demonic paths.

[System Shop]

[Search: Counter demonic path]

[Demon-Breaking Talisman (Heaven tier, low grade): 500 points]

[Purification Holy Water: 300 points]

[Demon-Subduing Mirror (Heaven tier, mid grade): 2000 points]

[Taixuan Demon-Breaking Sword Art: 1500 points]

Seeing the wide array of anti-demonic items, Lin Xi felt slightly reassured.

At the very least, they wouldn’t be unprepared when facing demonic forces.

“Xi’er, your perception is incredibly sharp. That’s amazing.”

Luo Bingning walked over to Lin Xi, her eyes full of admiration and affection.

“With Xi’er here, I feel like any difficulty can be overcome.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly wrapped her arms around Lin Xi’s arm.

The empress who had just been cold and imposing instantly turned back into a clingy little kitten.

“Xi’er, I’m a bit tired.”

Her voice carried a spoiled tone.

“Can you comfort me again?”

Seeing Luo Bingning’s gap-moe expression, Lin Xi felt another wave of helplessness.

The switching speed of this empress was truly unmatched.

They had been discussing a serious demonic crisis one moment and the next she was acting cute and coquettish.

“Alright, alright, I’ll comfort you.”

Lin Xi reached out and gently stroked Luo Bingning’s long hair.

“But Bingning-jie, we can’t let our guard down. Since Blood Slaughter Ancestor dared to send Xiao Xuesha after us, it means he already sees us as a thorn in his side.”

Luo Bingning nodded obediently, still clinging tightly to Lin Xi’s arm.

“Xi’er is right. But my injuries are mostly healed now and my strength is rapidly returning.”

A trace of confidence flashed in her eyes.

“It won’t be long before I return to my peak state.”

Feeling the increasingly vigorous fluctuations of spiritual energy from Luo Bingning, Lin Xi felt delighted as well.

[Detected Luo Bingning’s cultivation steadily recovering]

[Current cultivation: Nascent Soul early-stage peak]

[Estimated breakthrough to Nascent Soul mid-stage within three days]

[Nurturing progress +3%, current: 93%]

The system’s notification made Lin Xi even more expectant.

Luo Bingning’s nurturing progress was nearing completion and her cultivation was recovering rapidly.

When facing the Blood Shadow Sect, they would then have far greater chances of victory.

“Bingning-jie, let’s depart now for that ancient cave dwelling.”

Lin Xi made her decision.

“Cultivating there will speed up your recovery and I have a feeling Blood Slaughter Ancestor won’t let this go.”

Luo Bingning immediately stood up, fighting intent, filling her eyes.

“Xi’er is right. We must improve our strength as soon as possible.”

She reached out and held Lin Xi’s hand.

“That cave dwelling not only has powerful protective formations, but also many precious techniques and treasures. We might even find methods to counter the demonic path.”

The two packed up their belongings and prepared to leave this temporary refuge.

* * *

Luo Bingning’s injuries had improved enough that flight was no longer a problem.

This time, however, she didn’t rush their journey, deliberately slowing down.

Partly to avoid exposing their trail and partly because she wanted to spend more time with Lin Xi.

“Xi’er, do you think Blood Slaughter Ancestor will send stronger pursuers after us?”

Luo Bingning asked while maintaining the escaping light.

Lin Xi pondered briefly.

“Definitely. Xiao Xuesha’s death will only make them angrier. But we’re not without preparations.”

She patted her storage ring.

“I still have plenty of good stuff here.”

Hearing this, a sweet smile curved at the corner of Luo Bingning’s lips.

“With Xi’er here, I’m not afraid of anything.”

She suddenly leaned closer and whispered into Lin Xi’s ear.

“Xi’er, do you know? Meeting you is the greatest fortune of my life.”

Lin Xi was caught off guard by the sudden confession and felt a bit embarrassed.

“Bingning-jie, why are you suddenly saying this?”

“Because I want Xi’er to know.” Luo Bingning’s voice was soft, yet every word entered Lin Xi’s ears clearly, “No matter what enemy we face, no matter what danger we encounter, I will protect you. Even Blood Slaughter Ancestor won’t be allowed to harm Xi’er in the slightest.”

Feeling the resolve in Luo Bingning’s words, a warm current surged in Lin Xi’s heart.

This foolish woman had only just begun to recover.

Yet she was already thinking about protecting her.

“Bingning-jie, we’ll face everything together.”

Lin Xi replied softly.

“I won’t let you shoulder all the danger alone.”

A trace of emotion flashed through Luo Bingning’s eyes.

She hugged Lin Xi even tighter, as if trying to fuse her into her own body.

The escaping light traced a graceful arc across the sky.

Mountain ranges rolled endlessly below, ancient trees reaching skyward.

Occasionally, birds flew past, adding a hint of life to the tranquil scene.

But both of them knew this calm was only temporary.

The Blood Shadow Sect’s pursuit could arrive at any moment.

And the demonic qi corrosion within Blood Slaughter Ancestor was an omen of an even greater crisis.

“Xi’er, do you think we can defeat the Blood Shadow Sect?”

Luo Bingning suddenly asked, her voice carrying a faint, barely noticeable worry.

Lin Xi did not hesitate.

“Definitely.”

Her voice was filled with confidence.

“And we’re not just going to defeat the Blood Shadow Sect. If there truly is a demonic force behind it, we’ll wipe them out as well.”

Hearing this, fighting intent reignited in Luo Bingning’s eyes.

“Xi’er is right. I, Luo Bingning, have never feared battle.”

Her voice turned resolute.

“Whether it’s the Blood Shadow Sect or demonic forces, anyone who dares harm Xi’er will pay the price.”

The escaping light continued onward.

The mountains ahead grew taller and the spiritual energy increasingly dense.

Following Luo Bingning’s guidance, that mysterious ancient cave dwelling lay just ahead.

There, they would encounter new opportunities.

And there, they would prepare for the coming great battle.