The night was deep, with neither stars nor moonlight.

Within the cave dwelling, the Profound Ice War Puppet dissipated amidst a flicker of spiritual light, the fierce battle finally coming to an end.

Luo Bingning withdrew the sharp killing intent from her body, the powerful aura of a late Core Formation cultivator also subsiding.

She turned around, gazing at Lin Xi who was sitting cross-legged not far away, her eyes shifting instantly from icy sharpness to a softness that seemed almost liquid.

“Xi’er, how did I do in my practice?”

Her voice carried a trace of cautious expectation, completely lacking the ruthless decisiveness she had shown against the war puppet.

Lin Xi raised her head, looking at the Frost Empress who had just been locked in combat and now sat there waiting eagerly for her praise, her heart suddenly overwhelmed with complaints.

‘This contrast is way too much! Where did that domineering Empress go, the one who just shattered ice crystals with a single sword strike and could intimidate cultivators across thousands of kilometers? And who is this bright-eyed little kitten waiting for praise now?’

But on her face, Lin Xi showed only a gentle smile.

“Very impressive, Bingning-jie’s movement technique is much smoother than before.”

Hearing this, Luo Bingning’s eyes lit up instantly, the corners of her mouth unconsciously lifting, her whole being radiating the joy of being praised.

She quickly walked over to Lin Xi, sat obediently cross-legged in front of her, close enough that they could feel each other’s body heat.

“Then I’ll continue practicing tomorrow. I must become stronger, so I can better protect Xi’er.”

As she spoke, she reached out and gently caressed Lin Xi’s cheek, her fingertips cold yet filled with unspeakable tenderness.

“Xi’er, are you tired today? Do you want me to massage your shoulders?”

Lin Xi’s body stiffened slightly.

This feeling of being served created a sharp sense of discord in her steel straight-man soul.

But she had to admit, being cared for so tenderly by the Empress…

It felt pretty good.

“No need, I’m fine.”

Lin Xi refused softly, yet didn’t avoid Luo Bingning’s touch.

Hearing this, a flicker of disappointment crossed Luo Bingning’s face, but it was quickly replaced by another emotion.

She took out a crystal-clear spirit fruit from her storage ring, carefully cleansing it with spiritual power before gently peeling away the skin.

“Then have something to eat, Xi’er. This is a Snow Lotus Fruit I found in the valley today, it’s very helpful for cultivation.”

Saying this, she offered the prepared spirit fruit to Lin Xi’s lips, her eyes focused and earnest.

Lin Xi looked at the fruit emanating faint spiritual energy, then at Luo Bingning’s eyes full of expectation.

Deep inside, a strange sense of satisfaction welled up.

What kind of heavenly treatment was this?

Being fed personally by the Frost Empress?

If the cultivators who admired Luo Bingning saw this scene, their eyes would probably pop out of their heads.

Thinking of this, Lin Xi couldn’t help but laugh inwardly.

She opened her mouth, letting Luo Bingning feed her the spirit fruit.

The sweet juice burst on her tongue, transforming into pure spiritual energy that flowed into her dantian.

Luo Bingning watched Lin Xi chew, her eyes filled with doting affection, as though she was gazing at the most precious treasure in the world.

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

[Ding! Luo Bingning’s affection continues to rise, reaching the stage of Deep Love!]

[Detected intimate interaction between host and Luo Bingning, reward: Charm Aura (Elementary)!]

[Charm Aura (Elementary): Increases the host’s charm by 15%, with an additional 10% increase toward the bound Empress.]

Lin Xi almost choked on the spirit fruit in her mouth.

‘Charm Aura? What kind of weird reward was this?’

She secretly glanced at Luo Bingning and indeed noticed that her gaze was even more fiery than before.

That focused stare made Lin Xi feel as though she was being watched by a dangerous predator.

“Xi’er’s face is red.”

Luo Bingning suddenly spoke, her voice tinged with delight.

“Is it too hot? Let me cool you down.”

With that, she circulated her ice and snow spiritual power, lowering the temperature around them.

At the same time, she gently caressed Lin Xi’s flushed cheek, the icy touch easing some of the heat.

Lin Xi’s heartbeat instantly quickened.

Not out of shyness, but shock.

This tender care from the Empress made her feel an indescribable attachment.

‘Oh no, am I really being corrupted by this kind of life? I’m supposed to be a steel straight man!’

Amidst her inner roar, Lin Xi forced herself to remain outwardly calm.

“Thank you, Bingning-jie.”

Her voice trembled slightly, whether from nervousness or something else, she didn’t know.

Hearing this, Luo Bingning’s gaze grew even gentler.

She didn’t withdraw her hand, continuing to softly stroke Lin Xi’s cheek, her fingertips gliding tenderly across her delicate skin.

“Xi’er’s skin is so soft, softer than snowflakes.”

The words came out naturally, as though stating the most ordinary fact.

But in Lin Xi’s ears, they made her hair stand on end.

‘Empress, aren’t you being way too direct?! Where on earth did you learn such lines?’

Lin Xi’s straight-man soul protested furiously, but her body honestly didn’t pull away.

Sensing Lin Xi’s tension, Luo Bingning’s lips curved in the faintest smile.

She leaned closer, her warm breath brushing against Lin Xi’s ear.

“Xi’er, did you know? Before I met you, I never knew what warmth was. My world had only ice and slaughter. No one dared approach me, no one truly cared about me.”

Her voice was soft, carrying a deep-rooted yearning.

“But now it’s different. With Xi’er, I finally know my heart can have peace.”

As she finished, Luo Bingning lightly kissed Lin Xi’s cheek.

Her cold lips lingered on warm skin for less than a second, yet Lin Xi instantly froze.

Her mind went blank, inner thoughts exploding.

‘Holy crap! Empress, what are you doing?! This is way too intense! My straight-man heart has taken a critical hit!’

After the kiss, a faint blush appeared on Luo Bingning’s face.

But instead of retreating, she boldly leaned her head on Lin Xi’s shoulder.

“Xi’er, can I always stay by your side like this?”

Her voice carried a hint of unease, like a child seeking forgiveness after doing something wrong.

Lin Xi’s heart pounded wildly.

She felt her rationality slowly unraveling.

Being clung to, spoiled, even kissed by the Empress… it was overwhelmingly intense.

Especially remembering that in the outside world, this was the Frost Empress who could freeze thousands of kilometers with a single thought. The impact of this contrast multiplied exponentially.

“I… I need to calm down.”

Lin Xi stammered, trying to stand up.

But Luo Bingning gently held her hand.

“Xi’er, did I do something wrong?”

Panic flashed in her eyes, her voice thick with unease.

“If I made you uncomfortable, I won’t do it again.”

Seeing those anxious eyes, Lin Xi’s heart softened.

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

“No, Bingning-jie didn’t do anything wrong. I just… need a little time to get used to it.”

Hearing this, Luo Bingning’s eyes lit up instantly.

She tightly clasped Lin Xi’s hand, her voice brimming with joy.

“Then Xi’er agreed? Agreed to let me always stay by your side?”

Looking at that exquisite face, those eyes full of expectation, Lin Xi suddenly realized she could no longer refuse.

Whether because of the nurturing system, or some deeper, indefinable emotion within her heart…

“Yes, I agree.”

Her voice was soft, tinged with affection.

Hearing this, Luo Bingning’s face bloomed with the brightest smile.

She threw herself into Lin Xi’s arms, like a small animal that had found its home.

“Xi’er, I love you.”

The words were so natural, so sincere, without any artifice, yet they struck straight to the heart.

Lin Xi’s body stiffened briefly, then slowly relaxed.

She embraced the person in her arms, feeling the small body brimming with terrifying power.

In her mind, the system notification chimed once more.

[Ding! Luo Bingning’s loyalty has reached the maximum! Affection has surpassed its limit!]

[Special Reward: Soul Resonance (Passive) - Establishes a heart connection between host and Luo Bingning, allowing mutual perception of emotional states!]

[Nurturing Mission “Deep Nurturing: Melting the Ice Mountain” Completion Rate: 85%!]

Lin Xi felt the warmth of the person in her arms, staring at the constantly refreshing system panel, her heart in turmoil.

She had thought she was only playing a nurturing game.

But now she realized, she too was being “nurtured.”

Nurtured by Luo Bingning’s tenderness and devotion.

‘What is this? Reverse nurturing?’

Lin Xi laughed bitterly in her heart, yet tightened her embrace a little more.

Outside, the night wind howled, but within the cave dwelling it was as warm as spring.

The two of them held each other like that, without words, only the sound of their heartbeats softly echoing through the night.