An ice‑blue escape‑light streaked across the pitch‑black night sky.

“That ancient cave dwelling is something I found by chance during my travels years ago—very well hidden.”

While sustaining their escape speed, Luo Bingning explained to Lin Xi.

“Once we get there, we can be safe for a while.”

They sped through the night, mountain ranges below rushing backward.

Lin Xi was pressed tightly in Luo Bingning’s arms and could clearly hear her slightly quickened breathing.

After flying roughly 15 minutes, Luo Bingning’s face began to pale.

Bean‑sized beads of sweat rolled from her brow and dripped onto the back of Lin Xi’s hand.

“Bingning-jie, are you okay?”

Lin Xi looked up at Luo Bingning with worry.

“I’m fine.”

Luo Bingning forced out a smile, but her voice was obviously weak.

“Just hold on a little longer—we’re almost there.”

No sooner had she spoken than her body began to shake violently.

A mouthful of blood welled from the corner of her lips, glaringly bright in the moonlight.

“Bingning-jie!”

Lin Xi cried out and reached to steady her.

But Luo Bingning’s spiritual power had been completely exhausted and their speed stopped in an instant.

Their bodies plummeted from midair.

The mountain wind howled past their ears, the ground racing up to meet them.

Lin Xi’s pupils tightened to pinpoints, with only one thought in her mind.

She must not let Luo Bingning be hurt!

Without hesitation she adjusted her posture, clutching Luo Bingning tightly in her arms.

At the same time she twisted her body so her own back faced downward.

“Xi’er! What are you doing?”

Luo Bingning weakly struggled, wanting to switch positions back.

“Don’t move!”

Lin Xi’s voice was more resolute than ever.

She held Luo Bingning fast and let her own back take the impact of the ground.

[Life‑threat detected for host, initiating emergency protection]

[Body‑Refinement Ninefold Heaven (First Fold) triggered passively]

Lin Xi felt a strange power surge through her, muscles and bones turning incomparably tough in an instant.

“Bang!”

A dull crash rang through the mountains.

Lin Xi’s back slammed hard into a boulder and it shattered on impact.

But she shielded Luo Bingning in her arms and did not let her take the slightest harm.

“Cough, cough…”

Lin Xi spat a mouthful of bloody froth, but her eyes were full of relief.

Thankfully, Luo Bingning was unharmed.

“Xi’er! Xi’er, are you alright?”

Luo Bingning wriggled free of Lin Xi’s embrace and frantically checked her injuries.

Seeing the blood at the corner of Lin Xi’s mouth, tears instantly welled in her eyes.

“You silly girl! Why use your body to shield me?”

Luo Bingning’s voice trembled with a sob as her shaking hands gently stroked Lin Xi’s cheeks.

“I’m a cultivator—this height wouldn’t have killed me!”

Lin Xi forced herself upright and reached to wipe the tears from the corners of Luo Bingning’s eyes.

“Don’t cry, Bingning-jie, I’m fine.”

Her movements were gentle and careful, afraid of hurting Luo Bingning.

“You’re clearly bleeding!”

Luo Bingning seized Lin Xi’s hand, tears falling unchecked.

“It’s all my fault—if my strength were greater, you wouldn’t have been hurt.”

Looking at Luo Bingning’s self‑blame, a feeling Lin Xi had never known before rose within her.

This foolish woman was clearly the more badly injured one—and yet she was crying with guilt over Lin Xi’s little wound.

“Bingning-jie, listen to me.”

Lin Xi spoke softly, her voice carrying a tenderness she’d never had before.

“To protect me, you fought Elder Bloodfiend without regard for your life. To protect me, you used your body to block the blast’s aftershock. And now you’re crying over my little injury.”

Her voice grew ever softer, but every word landed clearly in Luo Bingning’s ears.

“Xi’er…”

Luo Bingning stared blankly at Lin Xi, tears still flowing.

“I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

Luo Bingning leaned weakly into Lin Xi’s arms, her voice light as a feather.

“As long as I can protect you, what’s an injury worth?”

There was no affectation in her words, only heartfelt sincerity.

Feeling the warmth of Luo Bingning’s body in her embrace and hearing that uncomplaining confession, the “steel straight man” barrier deep in Lin Xi’s heart took a heavy blow.

She suddenly realized Luo Bingning’s feelings for her had long surpassed gratitude and dependence.

It was protection and care from the heart—a deep affection willing to give everything, even life, for her.

[Detected Luo Bingning’s emotions reaching a peak]

[Loyalty increased to 100%!]

[Full‑loyalty reward obtained: Cultivation raised to Core Formation mid‑stage!]

[Special reward obtained: Body‑Refinement Ninefold Heaven (First Fold) technique inheritance]

Another warm surge of spiritual power poured into Lin Xi.

She could clearly feel the change in the golden core within her dantian—her cultivation had indeed risen to Core Formation mid‑stage.

At the same time, a technique called “Body‑Refinement Ninefold Heaven” unfolded in her mind.

It was an extremely rare body‑refinement method divided into nine realms.

Even the first fold could multiply a cultivator’s physical toughness several times—no wonder she’d withstood the impact just now.

But Lin Xi’s attention at this moment was not on cultivation.

Lowering her head to look at Luo Bingning in her arms, a fierce protectiveness welled up inside her.

This foolish woman would risk her life for her—so she must never let Luo Bingning be harmed again.

“Bingning-jie, do you trust me?”

Lin Xi asked softly, a glint of resolve in her eyes.

“Of course.”

Luo Bingning answered without hesitation, her eyes full of trust.

“Then rest and heal. Leave the rest to me.”

Lin Xi reached out and stroked Luo Bingning’s long hair, as tenderly as if handling the most precious treasure.

“I’ll make you stronger—so strong that no one can hurt you.”

Her voice was light, but the resolve in it was heavy as a mountain.

Feeling the warmth from Lin Xi’s palm, a faint satisfied smile tugged at Luo Bingning’s lips.

She pressed her cheek to Lin Xi’s chest and listened to that steady heartbeat.

In this moment, even if the whole world became her enemy, she would not fear—because Xi’er was by her side.

The real sensation at her chest made even steel‑straight Lin Xi’s heart stir; she thought, ‘Empress, do you realize how lethal you’re being like this?’

“Xi’er, where are we going now?”

Luo Bingning asked softly, her tone full of dependence.

Returning to herself, Lin Xi glanced around in slight embarrassment and spread her divine sense.

She found they had fallen into a secluded valley.

Ancient trees towered all around and the qi was rich—a fine place to heal.

[Surroundings assessed as safe]

[Natural cave discovered, suitable for temporary rest]

[Recommendation: Rest in place and wait for Luo Bingning’s injuries to recover]

“Let’s rest here first.”

Lin Xi pointed to a natural cave not far away.

“When you’re a bit better, we’ll travel on.”

She carefully helped Luo Bingning up and the two of them slowly made for the cave.

Luo Bingning’s body was still very weak, nearly all her weight leaning on Lin Xi.

Lin Xi voiced no complaint; instead she walked with extra care, afraid of jolting her.

Once inside, Lin Xi scanned the cave with the system and only relaxed after confirming no danger.

She took several night‑luminescent pearls from her storage ring and lit the cave bright as day.

Then she spread soft blankets and let Luo Bingning lie down to rest.

“Xi’er, you’re tired too—rest.”

Luo Bingning held Lin Xi’s hand, eyes full of heartache.

“I’m not tired. Just now my cultivation made another breakthrough and the technique Master taught me also broke through the first layer. I’m very powerful now!”

Lin Xi shook her head and said proudly.

Then she took several healing pills from her storage ring.

“Heal first—that’s what matters most.”

She handed Luo Bingning the pills, then sat cross‑legged to the side.

On the surface she was cultivating; in truth, she was standing guard over Luo Bingning.

Looking at Lin Xi’s earnest profile, warmth surged without end in Luo Bingning’s heart.

After taking the pills she gently closed her eyes and began to regulate her breath.

But a faint smile never left her lips.

With Xi’er by her side, she slept especially soundly.