Elder Bloodfiend’s attacks came like a raging storm, blood‑red saber gleams carving strange arcs across the night sky.

Every slash carried terrifying blood‑fiend energy, the air reeking with a nauseating stench of blood.

Luo Bingning held the Frostsnow Sword, her figure weaving through the blood‑light with swift twists and turns.

Her movements were elegant yet lethal, icy‑blue sword aura clashing hard with the blood‑red saber light in midair with rolling thunderclaps.

Boulders in the valley shattered under the horrifying aftershocks and even the distant peaks trembled.

Blood Sea Overwhelms the Sky!

Xiao Xuesha swung his blade and the eerie runes on the Bloodfiend Demon Blade flared at once.

A sea of blood condensed in the air and pressed down on Luo Bingning with world‑crushing might.

Luo Bingning’s brows knit slightly, the power of this move was already infinitely close to a Nascent Soul attack.

She drew a deep breath and the Ice Phoenix bloodline within her began to boil.

Ice Seals the Ages!

A horrifying chill burst from her body, the valley’s temperature plunging to freezing in an instant.

Icy‑blue law power gathered into a colossal ice wall to meet that sea of blood.

The moment the two forces collided, a blinding light exploded between heaven and earth.

Blood sea and ice wall slammed together, throwing up waves of rampant energy.

Luo Bingning’s figure staggered back a few steps in the backlash, a trace of blood seeping at the corner of her lips.

Although Xiao Xuesha’s cultivation was weaker than hers, her injuries were not healed and after several pursuit battles she was at a disadvantage in a head‑on clash with him.

“Jie jie jie, the Frost Empress is nothing special.”

Xiao Xuesha licked his lips, pride flashing in his eyes.

“Seems the rumors were wrong, the ones who came chasing before weren’t all trash, your strength hasn’t fully recovered.”

He raised the Bloodfiend Demon Blade again, the glow on the blade growing thicker.

“In that case, I’ll send you on your way!”

Luo Bingning wiped the blood from her lips, the fighting spirit in her eyes only burning brighter.

She turned and looked at Lin Xi hiding at the cave dwelling’s entrance, those clear eyes filled with worry.

That single glance surged endless strength through her heart.

For Xi’er, even if she staked her life she would defeat this disgusting man.

Just then Lin Xi’s consciousness quietly transmitted over.

“Big Sister Bingning, his next move will come from the left, the attack path angles toward your right shoulder.”

Luo Bingning nodded slightly, warmth welling in her heart.

Xi’er always gave her the most accurate guidance at the critical moment.

Sure enough, Xiao Xuesha’s figure flashed out from the left, the Bloodfiend Demon Blade thrust straight at her right shoulder.

Luo Bingning was ready, her body turning as the Frostsnow Sword precisely parried the strike.

At the same time her left hand gathered a clump of cold law power and smashed at Xiao Xuesha’s chest.

Xiao Xuesha’s face changed, he had not expected Luo Bingning to react so fast.

He hurriedly urged the Bloodfiend War Armor, blood‑red light wrapping him up.

But Luo Bingning’s attack angle was sly and hit the armor’s weak point exactly.

Cold law power pierced the blood glow and carved a deep wound across his chest.

“Impossible, how did you know my attack trajectory?”

Shock and disbelief colored Xiao Xuesha’s voice.

Luo Bingning did not answer and pressed the advantage.

In her hands the Frostsnow Sword danced airtight, every thrust aimed at Xiao Xuesha’s vitals.

Lin Xi hid at the cave dwelling’s door, outwardly watching the battlefield in nervousness while her consciousness had already sunk into the system panel.

[Current Points: −500]

[Detected Empress at a disadvantage continue host saves the beauty, activating Combat Assist Mode]

[Task: Use a disruption item to confuse Elder Bloodfiend for three breaths!]

[Reward: One high‑grade Earth‑tier concealment treasure, 2000 points]

Lin Xi’s eyes lit up, this task came at the perfect time.

She immediately pulled up the System Shop to look for a suitable disruption item.

[Enthralling Pearl: Profound‑tier high‑grade, releases a bewitching fragrance that disturbs the enemy’s mind for three breaths] (TL: 1 breath is equal to a bit over a second.)

[Exchange Price: 300 points]

[Exchange?]

‘Exchange!’

[Current Points: −800]

Lin Xi confirmed without hesitation.

A bead emitting a faint light appeared in her hand.

She observed the field and waited for the best moment.

Xiao Xuesha was preparing a new attack, the runes on the Bloodfiend Demon Blade starting to flicker.

Now.

Seizing a gap in their exchange, Lin Xi tossed the Enthralling Pearl at Xiao Xuesha without a sound.

The bead burst silently in the air and spread a strange fragrance.

The scent was colorless and tasteless, Xiao Xuesha sensed nothing amiss.

But the next second his movements suddenly dulled.

His eyes grew unfocused and even the Bloodfiend Demon Blade in his hand lost its aim.

Luo Bingning keenly noticed the change and a surge of nameless gratitude rose in her heart.

Xi’er was helping her from the shadows again.

She seized this once‑in‑a‑lifetime chance and the cold law flared in an instant.

Ice Phoenix Cries to the Heavens!

A colossal ice phoenix phantom condensed behind her and let out a heaven‑shaking cry.

The ice phoenix spread its wings and a terrifying chill swept the field.

Luo Bingning’s figure merged with the phoenix phantom and her aura skyrocketed in a breath.

She struck Xiao Xuesha’s left shoulder with a palm, precisely the weak spot Lin Xi had warned of earlier.

Under the pearl’s influence Xiao Xuesha’s reactions were sluggish and he could not dodge at all.

“Bang!”

Luo Bingning’s palm landed solidly on his left shoulder.

Under the terrifying cold law power the Bloodfiend War Armor shattered at once with a shrill crack.

Xiao Xuesha grunted and spat a mouthful of blood.

His left shoulder froze solid under the cold law power and his whole left arm lost all feeling.

“Damn it, what is this?”

Xiao Xuesha forcibly shook off the pearl’s effect, a flash of dread in his eyes.

He had not expected Luo Bingning’s insight to be so sharp, every strike landing precisely on his weak points.

And that sudden wave of drowsiness earlier was definitely not Luo Bingning’s means.

His gaze swept again to Lin Xi at the cave entrance, her again.

That seemingly gentle harmless girl was watching the battle in tense focus.

Luo Bingning used the instant he was distracted to attack again.

Cold law power surged on the Frostsnow Sword, sword aura crisscrossing, chill biting to the bone.

Xiao Xuesha hurried to lift his blade in guard, but the injury to his left arm crippled his combat strength.

In a blink the flow of offense and defense reversed and Luo Bingning took the upper hand.

Seeing the shift, Lin Xi felt a secret thrill.

‘The system really delivers, this Enthralling Pearl works even better than expected.’

Seizing a lull in the duel, she sneakily pulled several talismans from her storage ring.

[Defense Talisman: Increases the target’s defense by 30%, duration one quarter‑hour]

[Agility Talisman: Increases the target’s speed by 20%, duration one quarter‑hour]

These talismans were ones she had previously exchanged for in the System Shop, their grade not high but very practical.

She activated them and invisible rays of light flew toward Luo Bingning in battle.

Luo Bingning felt the change at once.

Her defense and speed both rose noticeably and fighting grew far more at ease.

Her swordwork turned even more incisive, every stroke carrying bone‑piercing cold.

The more they fought the more aghast Xiao Xuesha became, Luo Bingning’s strength seemed to keep climbing mid‑fight.

Her attacks were more accurate and even her defense and speed were much higher than before.

‘This is impossible, she was injured, how did her strength suddenly jump?’

His rhythm unraveled and a bad premonition welled up inside.

Luo Bingning caught that moment of mental fluctuation and drove the Frostsnow Sword straight at his chest.

The tip carried extreme chill as if to freeze his heart solid.

Xiao Xuesha paled and twisted aside in a rush.

Even so the sword aura carved a deep gash across his chest and blood soaked his robes in an instant.

“Damn woman!”

Xiao Xuesha finally snapped, madness flickering in his killing intent.

He pulled a black pill from his breast and swallowed without hesitation.

Blood‑Demon Berserk Pill!

The pill melted on his tongue and Xiao Xuesha’s aura surged in an instant.

His eyes turned blood‑red and his whole body radiated terrifying blood‑fiend energy.

This was a forbidden drug of the Blood Shadow Sect, able to greatly boost strength for a short time with a debilitating side effect.

Sensing the threat rolling off him, Luo Bingning’s expression grew grave.

She knew he was going all out, the coming clash would be even more dangerous.

Through the system Lin Xi scanned Xiao Xuesha’s changes and her heart tightened.

[Blood‑Demon Berserk Pill: Forbidden drug, raises cultivation by a minor realm for half an hour, side effect is cultivation regression]

[Warning: Target threat level elevated to Extreme Danger!]

She pulled up the System Shop at once to search for stronger support items.

[Explosive Talisman: Earth‑tier low‑grade, power equals a late Core Formation cultivator’s full‑force strike]

[Exchange Price: 500 points]

[Purification Talisman: Can dispel negative states on the target]

[Exchange Price: 200 points]

Gritting her teeth, Lin Xi kept overdrawing points.

[Current Points: −1500]

Two talismans appeared in her hand, each giving off a faint glow.

The first strike in Xiao Xuesha’s berserk state had already descended.

The Bloodfiend Demon Blade hacked down at Luo Bingning’s crown with world‑rending force.

The blow’s might had reached Core Formation peak and even brushed the Nascent Soul threshold.

Luo Bingning dared not meet it head‑on and flashed back at speed.

But Xiao Xuesha was faster and the blade‑light chased tight behind.

At that split second Lin Xi triggered the Explosive Talisman.

“Boom!”

A blinding thunderflame burst beside Xiao Xuesha, the terrifying blast breaking his attack.

He lurched back through the explosion, several charred streaks marking his chest once more.

“Talismans again!”

Xiao Xuesha’s voice dripped with fury and frustration.

‘How many trump cards does that little girl have?’

Luo Bingning steadied herself on the chance and love nearly overflowed in her eyes.

Xi’er always helped her at the most critical moment.

[Ding! Task complete!]

[Empress Combat Assist task achieved, received one high‑grade Earth‑tier concealment treasure ‘Phantom Cloak’]

[Received 2000 points]

[Current Points: 500]

[Luo Bingning’s recovery has reached 70%!]

[Growth task ‘Crisis Returns’ completion 50%!]

The system prompts rang through Lin Xi’s mind and she felt a spark of joy.

Luo Bingning’s recovery was faster than expected and their odds just climbed again.

On the field the berserk state’s side effects began to show.

Xiao Xuesha’s movements were more ferocious but lost precision.

Relying on her exquisite command of cold laws, Luo Bingning began to probe for a finishing chance.

She slipped through the blood‑light, each strike landing just so while evading his most dangerous blows.

Meanwhile her counters grew sharper and she drove Xiao Xuesha back step by step.

Under the moonlight two figures clashed fiercely across the valley.

Ice and blood‑fiend intertwined, laws and demonic arts collided.

This life‑and‑death battle had entered its most critical phase.