Lin Xi sat cross‑legged in the center of the cave dwelling, the spiritual power in her body surging like the tide. Since receiving the system reward, her cultivation had steadily risen to the peak of Foundation Establishment and the spiritual power in her body was several times more abundant than before.

She gently let out a turbid breath and felt the spiritual power flowing through the meridians in her body. That fullness made her secretly delighted.

‘System, display my status panel.’

[Host: Lin Xi]

[Cultivation: Late Foundation Establishment]

[Constitution: Supreme Queen Body (Beginner)]

[Spiritual Root: Divine‑grade Five‑Elements Spiritual Root]

[Technique: Profound‑rank High‑grade Ripple Step]

[Artifact: Profound‑rank High‑grade Ice Armor]

[System Points: 780]

Lin Xi looked at the information on the panel and the corners of her lips lifted slightly. Over these days, by nurturing Luo Bingning, she had not only gained a large boost in cultivation but also obtained many precious techniques and artifacts.

She closed her eyes and tried to extend her divine sense. As her cultivation increased, her divine sense range had expanded greatly and now could cover the entire cave dwelling and a hundred meters around it.

‘With the divine sense range increased this much, it seems I can set some warning formations around the cave dwelling.’

Lin Xi stood up and took out several formation flags from the system space. These flags were low‑grade warning formation materials she had exchanged for with her points from the system. Although their grade was not high, they were sufficient to monitor the surroundings.

She carefully walked out of the cave dwelling and began arranging formations around it. Luo Bingning was in seclusion cultivating and would not come out to disturb her for the time being.

Following the records in the Fundamentals of Primary Formations, Lin Xi inserted the flags into the ground one by one. Each time she planted a flag she infused a thread of spiritual power to activate the runes on it.

‘This way, if anyone approaches, I can sense it at once.’

After setting the formations, Lin Xi did not immediately return to the cave. With a rare chance to be alone, she decided to take the opportunity to practice the movement art Ripple Step that the system had rewarded her with.

This Profound‑rank High‑grade movement art was extremely exquisite and when mastered allowed one to tread upon water and be light as a swallow. Although Lin Xi was only at the introductory stage, her speed was already far faster than that of ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.

She came to an open space and took a deep breath as the spiritual power in her body began to circulate along a specific route.

‘Ripple Step, rise.’

Lin Xi’s figure suddenly blurred like a light feather flickering unpredictably across the clearing. Her steps looked casual yet hid subtlety, each landing on a precise spot to form a strange trajectory.

Spiritual power flowed within and made her body lighter and lighter. Lin Xi felt as if she were about to leave the ground and fly into the sky.

‘This feeling is truly marvelous.’

Immersed in the joy of cultivation, she completely failed to notice several sneaky figures approaching from afar.

Three young cultivators in blood‑red robes hid in the distant trees and stared greedily at Lin Xi.

“Who is that? She looks like just an ordinary rogue cultivator,” one tall, thin cultivator whispered.

“I don’t know, but judging from her look, her cultivation shouldn’t be high, at most early Foundation Establishment,” another licked his lips, a hint of lechery flashing in his eyes.

“Our Blood Shadow Sect is searching for the whereabouts of the Frost Empress and all cultivators nearby must be interrogated,” the leader sneered. “Why don’t we seize her and maybe we can get some clues out of her.”

“Even if we get nothing, such a pretty girl isn’t a wasted catch,” the tall, thin one snickered obscenely.

The three exchanged glances, quietly fanned out and prepared to encircle Lin Xi.

Lin Xi was focused on practicing Ripple Step when she suddenly sensed something amiss. Her divine sense caught movement around her and alarm bells rang in her heart.

‘Someone’s here.’

She stopped at once and scanned the area warily. Although she could not see anyone, the feeling of being watched grew stronger.

‘Damn, are they from the Blood Shadow Sect?’ Lin Xi thought.

‘I cannot let them discover Luo Bingning’s whereabouts.’

At that moment, three figures burst out from different directions and surrounded Lin Xi.

“Little girl, don’t be afraid, we just want to ask you a few questions,” the leader said with a fake smile.

Lin Xi’s expression stayed calm though she was already working out her options inside. She could not reveal her strength here and must not let them discover the location of the cave dwelling.

“What business do you fellow Daoists have?” she asked, feigning composure.

“We of the Blood Shadow Sect are searching for a female cultivator named Luo Bingning. Have you seen her?” the tall, thin cultivator stepped closer, dangerous light flickering in his eyes.

Lin Xi tightened inside yet outwardly put on a blank look.

“Luo Bingning? I have never heard that name.”

“Really? Then what are you doing alone in this wilderness?” another cultivator sneered. “This is not a safe place.”

Lin Xi knew they would not let her go easily and she had to find a way to get out. She sneakily mobilized spiritual power and prepared to use Ripple Step.

“I am just passing through and heading to Qingyun City,” she replied coolly while secretly stepping back.

“Qingyun City? Perfect, we are going there as well, how about we travel together,” the leader grinned and reached out to grab Lin Xi’s wrist.

Lin Xi’s eyes cooled and at the instant he was about to touch her, spiritual power burst forth.

Ripple Step.

Her figure suddenly blurred like a wisp of smoke as she slipped out of their encirclement. Her speed was so great that the three Blood Shadow Sect disciples were stunned.

“What?” the leader exclaimed. “How is she so fast?”

“Chase her. Don’t let her run,” the tall, thin one shouted and the three split up at once to pursue the direction Lin Xi had fled.

Lin Xi was secretly delighted. Ripple Step truly lived up to its reputation. Her speed far outstripped these Blood Shadow Sect disciples and as long as she shook them off, the cave dwelling would not be exposed.

She wove through the forest, her figure drifting like a fallen leaf dancing in the wind. Those disciples chased relentlessly yet could never close the distance.

“Damn it, this girl is strange,” the leader growled. “Use the Blood Shadow Tracking Art.”

The tall, thin cultivator nodded, bit his finger and drew a blood‑red rune in the air.

Blood Shadow Tracking, lock on the target.

A blood‑colored beam shot from the rune like a spirit snake and flew toward Lin Xi’s direction.

Lin Xi felt a chill surge from behind and her heart jumped. This had to be some tracking secret art of the Blood Shadow Sect and once locked it would be hard to shake.

‘Not good, this is trouble.’

She accelerated, trying to shake off the blood‑red light, yet no matter how she changed direction it clung to her without weakening.

“Looks like I can only fight head‑on,” Lin Xi gritted her teeth and prepared to turn and face them.

At that critical instant, an icy shout suddenly came from the sky.

“Who dares bully my Xi’er?”

A terrifying chill descended from above and in an instant froze the blood‑red light into ice, which then shattered into countless crystals and dissipated in the air.

Right after, a blue figure dropped from the sky and stood before Lin Xi. Dressed in blue with waterfall‑like hair, she radiated bone‑piercing cold.

It was Luo Bingning.

Her icy gaze swept over the three Blood Shadow Sect disciples chasing from afar and killing intent filled her eyes.

“Scum of the Blood Shadow Sect, courting death.”

Luo Bingning waved her hand and a streak of ice‑blue sword energy split the air straight toward the tall, thin man who had used the Blood Shadow Tracking Art.

Before he could react, the sword energy pierced his chest and he was instantly frozen into an ice sculpture, then shattered into countless shards without even a scream.

Seeing this, the other two disciples paled.

“I‑It’s the Frost Empress,” the leader cried in terror. “Run.”

They turned to flee, but how could Luo Bingning let them go. She snorted coldly and waved again.

Two ice swords split the air and precisely pierced the backs of the two fleeing disciples. Their bodies froze in an instant, then shattered into ice that scattered on the wind.

After finishing the enemies, Luo Bingning turned to Lin Xi. The killing intent in her eyes vanished at once, replaced by deep concern.

“Xi’er, are you alright?” She hurried to Lin Xi and looked her over from head to toe, afraid she had been hurt.

Lin Xi shook her head, feeling both moved and a little helpless.

“I am fine, Bingning-jie. Thanks to your timely arrival.”

Only then did Luo Bingning breathe out in relief, but she immediately frowned.

“Why did you come out alone? Do you know how dangerous that is?” Her tone carried reproach yet even more concern.

Lin Xi lowered her head like a child who had done wrong.

“I only wanted to practice a bit of movement and did not expect to run into people from the Blood Shadow Sect.”

Luo Bingning sighed and gently stroked Lin Xi’s cheek.

“Do not come out alone next time, understand? People from the Blood Shadow Sect are still searching nearby and it is dangerous.”

Lin Xi nodded yet grumbled inwardly that Bingning-jie’s protectiveness was too strong. She was not some weak girl without the strength to truss a chicken.

But seeing the worry in Luo Bingning’s eyes, she could not bring herself to say more.

“I understand, Bingning-jie. Let’s go back.”

Luo Bingning nodded and took Lin Xi’s hand to return to the cave dwelling. Just then she suddenly stopped and her brows knit.

“Xi’er, the movement you used just now… was it Ripple Step?”

Lin Xi’s heart lurched. She had not expected Luo Bingning to recognize the art.

“Y‑Yes,” she answered nervously. “It is a movement art I obtained by chance.”

A trace of surprise flashed in Luo Bingning’s eyes.

“Ripple Step is a Profound‑rank High‑grade movement art and it is precious even in great sects. Where did you get it?”

Guilty, Lin Xi averted her gaze and made up an excuse.

“M‑My master taught me. He is very mysterious and I do not know his identity.”

Luo Bingning nodded thoughtfully and did not press further. But there was a deeper look in her eyes when she gazed at Lin Xi.

“Xi’er, your cultivation seems to have improved a lot as well.”

Lin Xi nodded without denying it.

“Mm, I have made some progress recently and have reached the peak of Foundation Establishment.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Luo Bingning’s eyes, yet she quickly became calm again.

“Not bad, it seems my Xi’er is exceptionally gifted,” she said as she gently stroked Lin Xi’s hair, her tone full of praise. “But cultivation must be steady and solid and you must not rush for quick success.”

Lin Xi nodded while secretly rejoicing. Fortunately Luo Bingning had not pursued the reason for her rapid improvement or it would have been hard to explain.

“Let’s go back, Bingning-jie,” she said, taking Luo Bingning’s hand and changing the topic. “It is not safe here and people from the Blood Shadow Sect may come again.”

Luo Bingning nodded, yet a decisive light flashed in her eyes.

“Since the Blood Shadow Sect discovered this place, they will not give up easily. We need to make preparations for an even greater challenge.”

Lin Xi’s heart tightened and she knew Luo Bingning was right.