Eastern Domain, Thunderclap Mountain Range.

“What? The Blood Shadow Sect was completely wiped out?”

Zilei True Monarch, sect master of the Violet Lightning Sect, abruptly stood up, the teacup in his hand smashing heavily onto the ground as shattered porcelain scattered in all directions.

The executive disciple seated below trembled from head to toe, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

“Reporting to the Sect Master, it is absolutely true! Our scouts witnessed it with their own eyes. The entire Blood Shadow Sect mountain gate was reduced to dust and even the Nine Nether Blood Fiend Grand Array was torn apart in a single strike.”

Zilei True Monarch paced back and forth, disbelief flashing in his eyes.

Although the Blood Shadow Sect was an unorthodox sect, its strength was not to be underestimated. Blood Slaughter Ancestor was at the peak of late Nascent Soul stage cultivation and could be ranked among the top figures in the entire Eastern Domain.

“Which faction made a move? Could it be the Heavenly Profound Sect?”

The executive disciple swallowed hard, his voice trembling even more.

“It’s said… it’s said to be the Frost Empress, Luo Bingning!”

“Impossible!”

Zilei True Monarch spun around instantly, his sharp gaze locking onto the disciple.

“Wasn’t the Frost Empress heavily injured by the Blood Shadow Sect a month ago, her life and death unknown? How could she possibly have the strength to annihilate the entire Blood Shadow Sect?”

The executive disciple lowered his head, not daring to meet the sect master’s eyes.

“I also find it unbelievable, but there were indeed traces of Ice Phoenix bloodline left at the scene. And… and there are rumors that the Frost Empress had the help of a mysterious expert by her side, allowing her to recover her strength in such a short time, even breaking through to the early stage of the Divine Transformation realm.”

‘A mysterious expert?’

Zilei True Monarch frowned deeply, countless speculations surging in his mind.

An existence capable of rapidly restoring a critically wounded Frost Empress and even making her stronger than before was absolutely no ordinary figure.

“Immediately dispatch all scouts. Spare no effort to uncover the truth of this matter!”

“Yes!”

The executive disciple felt as if he had been granted amnesty and hurriedly withdrew from the grand hall.

Within the vast hall, only Zilei True Monarch remained, deep in thought.

The structure of the cultivation world was likely about to undergo a massive change.

* * *

At the same time, similar conversations were playing out across major sects of the Eastern Domain.

Heavenly Sword Sect, Sword Venerable Tower.

“The Frost Empress has actually recovered? And even wiped out the Blood Shadow Sect?”

The white-haired sect master of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Jian Wuhen, felt the long sword in his hand tremble slightly, sword qi leaving fine, dense traces in the air.

“Sect Master, should we take the initiative to show goodwill?”

The Great Elder beside him asked cautiously.

Jian Wuhen remained silent for a long while before slowly shaking his head.

“Observe for now. The Frost Empress has a proud and aloof temperament and does not like forming alliances. Rashly showing goodwill may instead provoke displeasure.”

He turned to look out the window, worry filling his eyes.

“Moreover, the mysterious person who allowed her to recover her strength so quickly is the true existence we must be wary of.”

* * *

Nine Nether Valley, deep within the Blood Pool.

“Blood Slaughter Ancestor, that idiot, actually lost so thoroughly!”

The phantom of the Demon Venerable, having absorbed a divided soul, extended his palm, a mass of black mist in his hand.

Within the black mist, the figures of Luo Bingning and Lin Xi appeared.

“Luo Bingning… and that little girl named Lin Xi… To be able to let the Frost Empress recover in such a short time and even break through to the Divine Transformation realm. The secrets of Lin Xi are far more interesting than I imagined.”

He slowly withdrew his palm, the black mist dissipating.

“No rush… let them jump around for a bit longer. When my true body awakens, all secrets will belong to me.”

* * *

Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Grotto, third-layer ice chamber.

Lin Xi sat cross-legged atop a block of cold ice, dense ice-and-snow spiritual energy filling the surroundings.

On the surface, she appeared to be cultivating, but in reality, she was observing various rumors within the cultivation world through the system.

[Detection function activated]

[Detected cultivation world disturbance level: extremely high]

[All major sects have dispatched scouts to investigate the destruction of the Blood Shadow Sect]

[The Frost Empress’s prestige once again resounds throughout the Eastern Domain]

[Host influence evaluation: Grade A]

A faint smile curved Lin Xi’s lips as a sense of accomplishment welled up in her heart.

Sure enough, Luo Bingning’s forceful return had caused a massive stir throughout the cultivation world.

Those usually high-and-mighty sect masters were probably all having headaches over this sudden change.

“Xi’er, what are you thinking about?”

Luo Bingning’s voice sounded from behind, carrying a hint of concern.

Lin Xi quickly gathered her thoughts and turned to look at Luo Bingning.

After several days of cultivation, the aura around Luo Bingning had become even more condensed. Her Divine Transformation cultivation had completely stabilized and even showed signs of advancing toward mid-stage Divine Transformation.

“Nothing much, I just think the ice spiritual energy here is very comfortable.”

Lin Xi said with a smile, her voice soft and sweet.

Luo Bingning walked over and sat beside her, reaching out to pull Lin Xi into her arms.

“Xi’er, I heard that things outside have become chaotic because of the Blood Shadow Sect incident.”

Her voice carried a trace of worry.

“Will someone shift their attention onto you?”

Leaning into Luo Bingning’s embrace, a warm feeling rose in Lin Xi’s heart.

The Empress really was still the most concerned about her safety.

“Bingning-jie doesn’t need to worry.”

She reached out and gently stroked Luo Bingning’s cheek.

“Even if they rack their brains, they would never imagine that the mysterious expert beside the Frost Empress is just a little girl who has only recently formed her Golden Core.”

A complex light flashed through Luo Bingning’s eyes upon hearing this.

Although Lin Xi spoke lightly, she had a faint feeling that Xi’er was definitely not as simple as she appeared.

But that was not important.

No matter what secrets Xi’er had, she would trust and protect her unconditionally.

“Bingning-jie, how has your cultivation been lately?”

Lin Xi changed the subject, anticipation sparkling in her eyes.

A proud smile appeared on Luo Bingning’s face.

“It has completely stabilized at the Divine Transformation realm and my control over the Ice Phoenix bloodline has become even more refined.”

She extended her palm, instantly a delicate ice flower within it.

The ice flower was crystal clear, each petal vivid and lifelike, radiating faint coldness.

“This is a little trick I just learned. Do you like it, Xi’er?”

A flash of amazement passed through Lin Xi’s eyes.

Luo Bingning’s talent was truly terrifying, having raised her application of Cold Laws to such an exquisite level in just a few days.

“So beautiful!”

She accepted the ice flower, admiring it with great fondness. The Empress’s talent for seduction was terrifying as well.

“Bingning-jie is amazing, learning a new divine ability so quickly.”

Seeing Lin Xi’s delighted expression, a powerful sense of satisfaction surged in Luo Bingning’s heart.

Making Xi’er happy was her greatest motivation.

“Xi’er, I also prepared other little gifts for you.”

She smiled mysteriously and waved her hand again.

Dozens of ice flowers of various shapes instantly appeared in the air—some symbolizing the proud resilience of plum blossoms, some imitating the purity of lotus flowers and others entirely imaginary, exotic blooms.

These ice flowers slowly rotated in the air, forming a beautiful garland.

“Wow!”

Lin Xi exclaimed in amazement, her eyes filled with joy.

Although she knew this was merely a display of Luo Bingning’s strength, she was still deeply moved by the thought behind it.

Outside, the Empress slaughtered decisively and shook all directions, yet at home she became a considerate girlfriend crafting ice sculptures.

This contrast was absolutely lethal.

[Detected Luo Bingning’s emotional state rising]

[Favorability +5]

[Current favorability: 100/100 (Max)]

[Loyalty +3]

[Current loyalty: 100/100 (Max)]

[Detected further increase in Luo Bingning’s dependence on the host]

[Recommendation: Host should continue maintaining the current interaction pattern.]

Lin Xi secretly felt pleased, while outwardly pretending to be so moved she was about to cry.

“Bingning-jie, you’re really too good to me.”

She hugged Luo Bingning, burying her face in her embrace.

“To be able to meet you in this lifetime is truly my greatest happiness.”

Luo Bingning’s face flushed red at Lin Xi’s sudden confession, her heart racing.

“Xi’er… I too… meeting you is the greatest fortune of my life.”

She tightly embraced Lin Xi, her voice trembling.

“No matter what happens, I will protect you.”

* * *

The warm scene of their embrace formed a stark contrast with the turbulent tension outside caused by the annihilation of the Blood Shadow Sect.

All major forces of the cultivation world were shaken by the Frost Empress’s forceful return, unaware that the Empress they feared was currently in the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Grotto crafting ice-flower garlands for the one she loved.