The killing intent on Luo Bingning’s body erupted instantly, the surrounding chill condensed into substance.

The ground began to freeze, even the moisture in the air instantly condensed into snowflakes.

She suddenly stepped forward, completely shielding Lin Xi behind her.

“You annoying flies, come at me together! Today this Empress will show some mercy and send you on your way!”

Luo Bingning’s voice carried overwhelming fury, every word dripping with bone-piercing cold.

The Ice Phoenix Bloodline activated, behind her appeared a massive phantom of an ice phoenix.

A phoenix cry resounded through heaven and earth, the terrifying pressure making the surrounding mountains and stones tremble.

Xiao Xuesha felt this pressure, his expression changed slightly.

He hadn’t expected Luo Bingning’s strength to recover so quickly and the intensity of this killing intent had already exceeded his expectations.

“Interesting, looks like that little girl does have some tricks.”

He licked his lips, greed in his eyes growing stronger.

“To make the Frost Empress this angry, that little girl must hold special value.”

Luo Bingning turned to look at Lin Xi behind her.

Her gaze shifted from brutality to gentleness in an instant, her voice became firm and powerful.

“Xi’er, believe me, I will definitely protect you.”

She reached out and caressed Lin Xi’s cheek, the warmth from her fingertips sent a stream of warmth into Lin Xi’s heart.

“No matter who it is, if they dare harm you, I will make them pay in blood.”

Lin Xi felt Luo Bingning’s determination to fight for her, her heart was moved yet helpless.

‘This Empress really loves to put on a show, but this protective streak is reassuring.’

She secretly complained in her heart, but on her face showed the right amount of tension and reliance.

“Bingning-jie, be careful, don’t get hurt.”

On the surface Lin Xi weakly tugged at Luo Bingning’s sleeve, her voice full of worry.

Her fingers gently brushed Luo Bingning’s hand, her consciousness secretly sent a transmission.

“The elder excels at poison techniques, attack the thin armor at his left shoulder, I have talismans to aid you.”

Luo Bingning’s body paused slightly, a trace of realization flashed in her eyes.

Xi’er always provided her the most precise guidance at crucial moments, this tacit understanding filled her with endless warmth.

She gently squeezed Lin Xi’s hand, her tenderness revealed only to her.

“Rest assured Xi’er, I will return safely.”

As her words fell, her aura erupted again.

The Ice Phoenix Bloodline fully awakened, terrifying cold instantly enveloped the entire battlefield.

Xiao Xuesha looked at the interaction between the two, jealousy and malice flashing in his eyes.

“Such disgusting affection, but soon all of it will end.”

He took out a dark green Poison Mist Bead from his bosom, his lips curling into a cruel smile.

Bloodfiend Poison Mist!

Xiao Xuesha struck first, a spiral of blood-colored poisonous mist spewed from his palm.

Where the mist passed, flowers and grass withered instantly, stone surfaces corroded into pits.

Luo Bingning’s figure moved like the wind, easily avoiding the poisonous mist.

Her movements were elegant yet lethal, every shift carried perfect rhythm.

At the same time, she lifted her jade hand, the Cold Laws within her burst forth.

Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Sect!

Endless ice blades formed like rain, each one exuding sharp killing intent.

Under the moonlight the blades reflected a cold light, densely shooting toward Elder Bloodfiend.

Xiao Xuesha’s face changed, not expecting Luo Bingning’s counterattack to come so fast.

He hastily activated the Bloodfiend War Armor, blood-red light instantly wrapping around him.

Bloodfiend Body Protection!

The ice blades clashed against the blood light, producing harsh metallic sounds.

Although most attacks were blocked by the Bloodfiend War Armor, a few blades pierced the defense.

Xiao Xuesha’s left shoulder was cut with a deep wound, blood instantly dyed his clothes red.

“Impossible! How could my Bloodfiend War Armor be penetrated by your attacks?”

His voice was filled with shock and disbelief.

Luo Bingning sneered coldly.

“Xiao Xuesha, you underestimated this Empress.”

Her eyes gleamed with pride, Xi’er’s guidance was indeed precise.

The left shoulder truly was the weakness of the Bloodfiend War Armor, details only someone familiar with Blood Shadow Sect techniques would know.

Xiao Xuesha wiped the blood from his shoulder, his killing intent grew stronger.

“Very good, seems I truly underestimated you.”

He drew a blood-red longsword from his Storage Ring, the blade engraved with countless sinister runes.

“In that case, I’ll get serious.”

The Bloodfiend Demon Blade buzzed in his hands, exuding a terrifyingly bloody aura.

Luo Bingning sensed the threat, her expression became solemn.

She took a deep breath, her Ice Phoenix Bloodline boiled again.

The Frostsnow Sword in her hand shone brighter, the sword exuded ultimate cold.

Their auras collided in midair, stirring waves of energy.

Lin Xi hid at the cave dwelling entrance, outwardly watching the battle nervously, but her consciousness had sunk into the system panel.

[Current Points: 0]

[Detected urgent need for battle support, emergency exchange mode activated]

[Emergency Exchange: Ice Strengthening Talismans ×3, overdraft 300 points]

[Emergency Exchange: Spirit Recovery Pills ×5, overdraft 200 points]

[Current Points: -500]

[Warning: Excessive negative points may cause system instability, please repay quickly]

Lin Xi frowned slightly, not expecting the system to have an overdraft function.

But right now none of that mattered, Luo Bingning’s safety came first.

She quietly hid the talismans and pills in her sleeve, ready to support at any moment.

On the battlefield, Xiao Xuesha swung the Bloodfiend Demon Blade, each strike carried terrifying blood light.

Blood Sea Overwhelms the Sky!

Where the sword light passed, even the air turned blood red.

Luo Bingning refused to back down, the Frostsnow Sword in her hand danced impenetrably.

Freeze a Thousand Li!

Sword qi swept across, icy cold clashed violently with blood light.

Their figures intertwined swiftly in the valley, each collision released massive energy waves.

Stones shattered, ancient trees toppled, the entire valley trembled under the overwhelming pressure.

The longer they fought, the more shocked Xiao Xuesha became, Luo Bingning’s recovery far exceeded his imagination.

Moreover, her combat skills were more refined, each strike hitting his weak points precisely.

‘This is wrong, how could she know my moves so well?’

Xiao Xuesha’s rhythm faltered, he realized Luo Bingning always predicted his attack routes, dodging and countering at the exact moment.

It reminded him of the humiliation of being crushed by the sect master years ago.

His gaze unconsciously shifted to Lin Xi at the cave entrance. That seemingly weak girl now stared tensely at the battle, her small hands gripping her sleeve tightly.

Suddenly, a terrible guess arose in his heart.

‘Could it be that little girl?’ Xiao Xuesha’s pupils shrank, ‘She’s directing from the shadows?’

He recalled the battle just now. Every time before Luo Bingning attacked, the little girl’s fingers would move slightly. And Luo Bingning’s precise strikes always followed those gestures.

‘Jie jie jie, so that’s it!’ Xiao Xuesha suddenly stopped attacking, retreating a few steps, laughing sinisterly. ‘No wonder the Frost Empress suddenly became so strong, someone was guiding her from behind.’

Luo Bingning frowned, not understanding why he stopped. “Xiao Xuesha, what trick are you playing?”

“Trick?” Xiao Xuesha licked his lips, malice flashing in his eyes. “Since that little girl is so clever, this elder will remove her first.”

He suddenly turned, the Bloodfiend Demon Blade aimed at Lin Xi. “Little girl, didn’t think you had such ability. But the game ends now!”

Luo Bingning’s face changed drastically, instantly realizing his intent. “You dare!”

She rushed toward Lin Xi without hesitation, but Xiao Xuesha was closer. The blood-red sword light was already slashing toward the defenseless Lin Xi.

Lin Xi looked at the incoming strike, cursing inwardly.

‘That old fox is truly cunning, he noticed my signals.’

But she wasn’t unprepared. The Explosive Talisman hidden in her sleeve was already activated.

“Boom!”

Blinding lightning exploded at the cave entrance, Xiao Xuesha’s strike was forcefully interrupted. His body was blasted back, cracks appearing on the Bloodfiend War Armor on his chest.

‘Damn! Another talisman!’ Xiao Xuesha steadied himself, his face terrifyingly dark. ‘Just how many trump cards does this little girl have?’

Luo Bingning rushed to Lin Xi’s side, shielding her tightly. Her eyes burned with raging fury.

Luo Bingning’s voice was frighteningly calm, but the temperature around had dropped to freezing. “You dare lay a hand on Xi’er and I’ll make you wish you were dead.”