The thunderlight faded and one of the Blood Shadow Three Fiends had already turned to charcoal and fallen to the ground.

The remaining two’s expressions changed drastically, never expecting that this seemingly gentle and harmless little girl would have such methods.

Lin Xi put away the now-dim talisman in her hand, her gaze cold.

“Honored seniors, I was only defending myself.”

Her voice was still gentle, but the danger that seeped from her bones kept the two Blood Shadow Sect cultivators from underestimating her again.

Seeing this while locked in battle with Xue Wuhen, Luo Bingning felt both heartache and pride.

For the sake of protecting her, Xi’er had taken the initiative to strike.

That feeling of being protected made the Ice Phoenix bloodline inside her boil even hotter.

“Xue Wuhen, for daring to frighten Xi’er, I’ll have your entire Blood Shadow Sect buried with you.”

Luo Bingning’s voice carried a mad killing intent, the ice phoenix phantom behind her growing ever more solid.

Cowled by that frenzy, Xue Wuhen cursed inwardly.

This Frost Empress was simply insane, willing to throw away her life for a little girl.

But he did not dare to be careless either, because although Luo Bingning was badly wounded and not at her peak, the power she was displaying now was already infinitely close to early Nascent Soul.

* * *

The battle dragged on for a full hour.

In the end, Xue Wuhen fled in disgrace with the two subordinates that remained.

Luo Bingning did not pursue, but rushed to Lin Xi at once.

“Xi’er, are you hurt?”

Her hand gently stroked Lin Xi’s cheek, her eyes filled with heartache and self‑reproach.

[Ding, because the host’s superb acting has made the Frost Empress fall even deeper, reward 1500 points.]

“It’s all my fault for frightening you.”

Looking at that exquisite face before her, Lin Xi felt a warm current surge up in her heart.

“I’m fine, Bingning‑jie protected me very well.”

She reached out and took Luo Bingning’s hand, her voice sweet enough to drip.

Luo Bingning looked deeply at Lin Xi, the tenderness in her eyes instantly replaced by resolve.

“Xi’er, I will not let those Blood Shadow Sect scum get within a single step of you again.”

Her voice was calm, yet the killing intent within made the surrounding temperature drop by several degrees.

Sensing the razor‑edged aura on Luo Bingning, Lin Xi felt both moved and worried.

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

“Bingning‑jie, you must keep yourself safe, I’ll be here waiting for you.”

Hearing this, the ferocity in Luo Bingning’s eyes vanished at once, replaced by overflowing tenderness.

She hugged Lin Xi tightly and whispered in her ear.

“I promise Xi’er, I will come back safe.”

Held in Luo Bingning’s arms, Lin Xi breathed in her faint fragrance.

Deep inside, that steel straight‑man soul was ranting.

‘Your Majesty, go ahead and show off, I’ll be behind you yelling 666 and tossing a talisman to add a buff.’ (TL: 666 is equivalent to saying go, go, go!)

But on her face, she maintained that same soft, dependent look.

As night deepened, the two of them returned to the cave dwelling.

Luo Bingning sat cross‑legged to regulate her breath, restoring the spiritual power she had spent in the fight.

Seizing the chance, Lin Xi began setting up defenses around the cave dwelling.

She slipped out quietly, using the system’s detection function to seek the best array nodes among the mountains.

Under the moonlight, her silhouette flitted among the rocks.

At each critical spot, she took a formation flag from her storage ring and buried it carefully.

These flags were ones she had previously redeemed from the system shop, not high in rank but plentiful in number.

* * *

An hour later, she had layered arrays across the entire valley.

An illusion array, an entrapment array and a killing array worked in concert to form a vast composite array.

When she returned to the cave dwelling, Luo Bingning had finished her meditation.

Seeing Lin Xi come back, she stood at once to greet her.

“Where did you go, I couldn’t sense your presence just now and almost went out to look for you.”

Her voice carried heavy worry and unease.

Warmth rose in Lin Xi’s heart at how much the Empress cared for her.

“I just took a walk nearby to see if there were any useful spirit herbs.”

She made up a reason casually and although Luo Bingning was puzzled, she did not press.

* * *

Over the next few days, Lin Xi appeared to cultivate quietly in the cave dwelling, but in secret she made all manner of preparations.

She redeemed a large number of talismans and pills from the system shop.

[Current points, 1500]

[Redeem Explosive Talismans ×10, spend 100 points]

[Redeem Invisibility Talismans ×5, spend 150 points]

[Redeem Antidote Pills ×20, spend 200 points]

[Redeem Spirit Restoration Pills ×30, spend 300 points]

[Redeem Protective Charms ×3, spend 450 points]

[Current remaining points, 200]

She hid these items in various corners of the cave dwelling for emergencies.

Although Luo Bingning wondered where Lin Xi had gotten so many treasures, she chose to trust unconditionally.

“What Xi’er gives me, I will accept it all.”

She carefully stored the talismans and pills Lin Xi handed her into her storage ring, her eyes full of emotion.

During these days, Luo Bingning was not idle either.

Under Lin Xi’s guidance, she began to consolidate her cultivation and familiarize herself with newly comprehended divine abilities.

Every morning she practiced on the open ground outside the cave dwelling.

The Cold Laws were second nature in her hands and powerful divine abilities emerged one after another.

Sitting at the cave dwelling’s entrance, Lin Xi watched Luo Bingning train while secretly observing the surroundings.

The system’s detection function remained active, monitoring movements within a radius of about 50 kilometers at all times.

That morning, the system panel suddenly flashed a blinding red.

[Warning, detected a large‑scale hostile force massing.]

[Blood Shadow Sect elder “Elder Bloodfiend” at late Core Formation peak is leading thirty early Core Formation cultivators and three hundred Foundation Establishment disciples toward the host’s location.]

[Estimated arrival time, three hours.]

[Recommendation, host should immediately take countermeasures.]

Lin Xi’s expression hardened at once.

The Blood Shadow Sect was going all out and such a lineup could wipe out a mid‑sized sect.

She rose immediately and went to Luo Bingning, who was training.

“Bingning‑jie, something’s up.”

At Lin Xi’s words, Luo Bingning stopped at once.

She turned and seeing the gravity on Lin Xi’s face, her heart tightened.

“What is it?”

Lin Xi briefly relayed what the system had detected.

When she finished, a cold light flashed in Luo Bingning’s eyes.

“The Blood Shadow Sect is really relentless, sending so many people this time.”

Her voice was even, but Lin Xi could feel the pent‑up killing intent gathering on her.

“Bingning‑jie, there are too many enemies this time, we need thorough preparation.”

Her tone was serious and in her mind she was already drafting a battle plan.

Luo Bingning nodded.

“Xi’er is right, we must not be careless this time.”

She looked at Lin Xi, her eyes full of resolve.

“But don’t worry, no matter how many come, I will keep you safe.”

Looking into those determined eyes, Lin Xi felt a complicated surge of emotion.

For her sake, this Empress truly was willing to do anything.

“I trust you, Bingning‑jie.”

She reached out and gently squeezed Luo Bingning’s hand.

“We’ll face it together.”

Feeling the warmth from Lin Xi’s palm, the killing intent in Luo Bingning’s eyes softened a little.

They spent the remaining time making final preparations.

Luo Bingning set several simple warning arrays outside the cave dwelling and checked her gear and pills.

Meanwhile, Lin Xi sneakily activated every array she had laid and made sure each node was functioning properly.

She placed Explosive Talismans at several key spots inside the cave dwelling, ready to detonate at any time if things went wrong.

* * *

Minute by minute, time passed.

At midday, three quarters into the hour, the system alarm sounded again.

[Warning, the enemy has entered within 5 kilometers.]

[Elder Bloodfiend’s strength confirmed, late Core Formation peak, only a step from Nascent Soul.]

[Recommendation, host should proceed with caution.]

Lin Xi drew a deep breath, a cold gleam flashing in her eyes.

The Blood Shadow Sect had finally arrived.

This time she would make them understand what it meant to enter and never return.

Outside the cave dwelling, Luo Bingning had already sensed the powerful aura approaching from afar.

She turned to look at Lin Xi inside the cave dwelling.

“Xi’er, they’re here.”

Her voice was soft, but the killing intent within made the very air congeal.

Lin Xi walked to Luo Bingning’s side and took her hand.

“Bingning‑jie, remember the tactics we discussed.”

Her voice was quiet, but Luo Bingning could hear the resolve in it.

“I’ll be supporting you from the shadows.”

Luo Bingning nodded, her eyes full of trust.

In the distance, a dark mass of figures was closing rapidly.

At their head, Elder Bloodfiend radiated terrifying pressure, with hundreds of Blood Shadow Sect disciples at his back.

The true battle was about to begin.