The warm sunlight streamed through the gaps in the tent and Luo Bingning’s breathing was soft and steady.

Lin Xi lay on her side beside her, looking at the Empress’s peaceful sleeping face, feelings churning in her heart.

Last night’s fierce battle had drained too much of Luo Bingning’s strength, her complexion was still a bit pale, but compared to the near‑death state when they first met, she was much better.

‘System, display Luo Bingning’s status panel.’

Lin Xi silently recited it in her heart.

[Supreme Empress: Luo Bingning (Frost Empress)]

[Cultivation: Peak of the Divine Transformation Stage (sealed, currently able to exert Core Formation Stage strength)]

[Bloodline: Ice Phoenix Bloodline (unawakened)]

[Status: Seriously injured (recovery 40%), strength sealed 80%]

[Loyalty: 70/100 (deep dependence)]

[Affection: 45/100]

[Special State: Has a special affinity for system pills]

Seeing this panel, Lin Xi blinked.

Both loyalty and affection had risen a lot, which was good news.

But what does this “special state” mean?

[System prompt: Detected that Luo Bingning’s constitution is special; she has extraordinary adaptability to the pills provided by the host and the medicinal effects are far beyond expectations!]

[Suggestion: The host should continue using system pills for deep cultivation nurturing!]

Lin Xi’s heart stirred.

No wonder Luo Bingning was recovering so fast, so it turned out to be the special effect of the system pills.

That was a pleasant surprise.

Luo Bingning’s eyelashes trembled a few times and she slowly opened her eyes.

Those ice‑blue pupils were still cool, but when they looked at Lin Xi there was obvious attachment.

“Xi'er…”

Her voice was still a little weak and she reached out to gently caress Lin Xi’s cheek.

“You didn’t sleep well last night, did you? There are faint dark circles under your eyes.”

Lin Xi hurriedly shook her head.

“I’m fine, how do you feel, Bingning-jie? Does your body still hurt?”

Luo Bingning carefully felt the condition inside her body and joy rose in her heart.

“Much better, far stronger than yesterday.”

She tried to sit up; though her movements were still a bit stiff, she was no longer as weak as before.

“Xi’er, your pills are truly miraculous.”

Luo Bingning looked at Lin Xi, an indescribable longing in her eyes.

“I can feel those medicinal powers gently repairing my meridians and dantian. I’ve never seen such pure medicinal effects.”

Lin Xi laughed inwardly.

Of course they’re miraculous—products of the System are guaranteed to be top‑tier.

On the surface, though, she acted very modest.

“Maybe Bingning-jie’s constitution is just special. I’ll prepare some more healing pills for you and nourishing spiritual dishes.”

At the words “pills,” Luo Bingning’s eyes instantly lit up.

Even she herself didn’t notice that look of expectation.

“Really? Then I’ll trouble Xi'er.”

Her tone carried obvious delight, completely different from her usual coldness.

Lin Xi noticed this detail and secretly found it funny.

The dignified Frost Empress actually showing such craving for pills?

Whichever way you looked at it, the picture felt a bit incongruous.

She took a low‑grade healing pill from the system space and handed it to Luo Bingning.

“Bingning-jie, take a pill first to lay a foundation.”

Seeing that crystal‑clear pill, the light in Luo Bingning’s eyes grew even brighter.

She almost couldn’t wait to take the pill, carefully putting it in her mouth.

The pill melted as soon as it entered and gentle medicinal power flowed through her body at once.

Luo Bingning narrowed her eyes in satisfaction, intoxication appearing on her face.

“This feeling… is really too comfortable.”

She murmured softly, completely unaware how cute her expression was.

Looking at that expression, Lin Xi ranted wildly inside.

‘Good grief, what Empress—she’s clearly a pampered ‘pill sprite’ I’ve spoiled! That look is like she’s inhaled something she shouldn’t have!’

But aloud she praised gently, “Bingning-jie is so good.”

Hearing the praise, Luo Bingning’s cheeks flushed slightly.

She leaned in of her own accord and rubbed her cheek lightly against Lin Xi’s.

That cool, clean body fragrance instantly wrapped around Lin Xi, making her heartbeat quicken a little.

“Xi'er is the best…”

Luo Bingning whispered in Lin Xi’s ear, warm breath falling against it.

Lin Xi’s body trembled slightly.

For a former straight man like her, such intimacy was simply too lethal.

“Ahem, Bingning-jie, I’ll go prepare breakfast.”

She hurried to her feet, fleeing Luo Bingning’s overly intimate gesture.

Watching Lin Xi’s flustered look, a trace of slyness flashed in Luo Bingning’s eyes.

Although she seemed cold on the surface, it didn’t mean she truly understood nothing.

Lin Xi’s reactions were just too interesting.

* * *

Over the next few days, Lin Xi began deliberately using system points to exchange for various pills and spiritual dishes suited to Luo Bingning.

[Low‑grade Healing Pill], [Qi‑Nourishing Pill], [Bloodline Purification Powder]…

Every single one was a system product of superior quality.

And Luo Bingning’s reactions to these pills became more and more obvious.

Every time Lin Xi took out a pill, that cold face would turn into one of barely restrained eagerness.

That look of expectation was just like a small animal waiting for its master to feed it.

“Xi'er, what about today’s pills?”

Luo Bingning sat in the tent, gazing at Lin Xi with pleading eyes.

Although she tried to maintain the dignity of an Empress, that eager mood still showed through.

Looking at her like that, Lin Xi could only feel another wave of helplessness.

“Coming, coming, I prepared a new spiritual dish for you.”

She took out a warm bowl of Snow‑Lotus Soup from the system space and a Bloodline Purification Powder emitting a faint fragrance.

Luo Bingning’s eyes instantly lit up.

She took the soup bowl, first sipping it carefully, then looked expectantly at the pill in Lin Xi’s hand.

“This pill… smells different from before.”

She sniffed lightly at the tip of her nose, eyes full of curiosity.

“This is Bloodline Purification Powder; it benefits your Ice Phoenix Bloodline.”

Lin Xi explained and handed her the pill.

Luo Bingning carefully received it, holding it in her palm for a closer look.

The pill was a pale silvery white, with fine lines across the surface, like a delicate work of art.

Without hesitation she put the pill in her mouth.

The instant it dissolved, a cool power flowed along her meridians through her whole body.

Luo Bingning could clearly feel the slumbering Ice Phoenix Bloodline within her begin to stir slightly.

The sensation was very strange, as if something were slowly awakening.

“So wondrous…”

She gently stroked her chest, eyes full of amazement.

“Xi'er, where exactly did you get these pills? Even alchemists of a great pill sect couldn’t refine something of this quality.”

Lin Xi guiltily averted her eyes.

“I’m not too sure either—maybe it’s just good luck.”

She couldn’t very well say they all came from the System, right?

Though doubtful, Luo Bingning didn’t press further.

Right now her whole mind was occupied by those wonderful medicinal effects; how could she have the mood to think about anything else?

[System prompt: Luo Bingning’s bloodline purification +5%! Affection +5, Loyalty +5!]

[Luo Bingning’s recovery has reached 50%! The host obtains a high‑grade Profound‑rank defensive treasure, Ice Armor!]

Feeling the arrival of the system rewards, Lin Xi rejoiced inwardly.

This nurturing game really was fun—every bit of Luo Bingning’s progress fed back to her.

And Luo Bingning’s dependence on her was already quite high.

“Xi'er, can you teach me alchemy?”

Luo Bingning suddenly spoke.

“I want to learn how to make these pills so I can help you.”

Lin Xi was a little surprised.

The Empress wants to learn alchemy?

That was an interesting idea.

“I can, sure, but alchemy needs lots of materials and the process is rather complicated.”

She thought for a moment, then exchanged a basic alchemy set and some low‑grade herbs from the system shop.

“I’ll teach you some simple beginner pills first.”

Excitement flashed in Luo Bingning’s eyes.

She studied the alchemy techniques Lin Xi taught very earnestly; although her movements were unfamiliar, she learned fast.

Worthy of the Frost Empress—her talent was outstanding even in such meticulous craft.

Soon, the first batch of pills was about to form.

Luo Bingning stared tensely at the pill furnace, afraid something might go wrong.

Boom—

The lid of the pill furnace popped open and three pale‑blue pills rolled out.

Lin Xi picked one up for a close look, finding that although the quality was ordinary, the pills carried a unique chill.

That should be the result of Luo Bingning’s Cold Laws influencing them.

“Success!”

Luo Bingning clapped with excitement, eyes full of a sense of achievement.

She carefully presented one of the pills to Lin Xi, eyes full of expectation.

“Xi'er, try the pill I refined—how is it?”

Seeing that expectant expression, Lin Xi really couldn’t bear to refuse.

Although a pill with that chill looked a bit strange, it shouldn’t do any harm.

She accepted the pill and put it in her mouth.

The instant it touched her tongue, a fierce cold rushed across her taste buds.

It was like eating a whole block of ice in midwinter, so cold she shivered.

“H‑How… is it?”

Luo Bingning watched Lin Xi’s reaction nervously.

Lin Xi forced the pill down, doing her best not to let her expression twist too much.

“It’s… very distinctive.”

She squeezed out a smile, while inside she was ranting like mad.

‘What pill—this is an ice cube!’

Seeing Lin Xi’s “good review,” Luo Bingning was so happy her eyes curved like crescent moons.

“Great! I’ll refine even more for Xi'er to eat!”

At those words, Lin Xi’s expression instantly stiffened.

‘More?’

She was still trembling from the chill of the one she’d just eaten.

“Um… Bingning-jie, your alchemy talent is indeed great, but you might need to practice temperature control more.”

She reminded her tactfully.

Luo Bingning nodded and carefully noted Lin Xi’s advice.

“I’ll practice hard!”

* * *

Over the next few days, Luo Bingning showed immense enthusiasm for alchemy.

Every day she refined all sorts of pills, then offered them like treasures for Lin Xi to taste.

And Lin Xi could only brace herself and swallow those “ice‑cube pills” one by one.

Although the taste left much to be desired, she couldn’t bear to refuse when she saw how happy Luo Bingning was.

More importantly, through these interactions, Luo Bingning’s dependence on her grew deeper and deeper.

The Empress now couldn’t leave her at all.

Whether in cultivation, healing, or daily life, Luo Bingning wanted Lin Xi at her side.

Sometimes Lin Xi merely went out to gather some herbs and Luo Bingning would become visibly uneasy.

When Lin Xi returned, she would snuggle up like a little animal, hugging her tightly and refusing to let go.

“Xi'er, where did you go? I thought you didn’t want me anymore…”

She would whisper coquettishly in Lin Xi’s ear, her voice carrying obvious grievance.

That powerful contrast left Lin Xi both helpless and moved.

The dignified Frost Empress actually grew uneasy over her brief absence.

This dependence had already gone beyond ordinary trust.

[System prompt: Luo Bingning has entered a deep‑dependence state! Loyalty +10, Affection +5!]

[Current Loyalty: 85/100, Affection: 55/100]

[The host’s cultivation has risen to the peak of Foundation Establishment! System points +500!]

Feeling the sudden surge of power within her, Lin Xi rejoiced.

The speed of this cultivation rise was just too delightful.