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

She stared straight at Lin Xi, in the depths of those ice-blue eyes, vigilance and doubt intertwined.

This girl’s concern was too pure, so pure that even she, the Empress who had struggled in the cultivation world for hundreds of years, felt it unreal.

Luo Bingning slowly circulated the remaining spiritual power in her body, carefully examining her injuries.

Although more than half of her meridians were severed, faint gentle spiritual energy was slowly repairing those breaks.

The cracks in her dantian were also wrapped in a thin layer of medicinal power, preventing further deterioration.

Such exquisite healing techniques, even she had to admit herself inferior.

“This pill’s quality…” Luo Bingning was shocked in her heart.

That pill, which looked like an ordinary low-grade healing pill, had medicinal power so pure it was simply inconceivable.

No impurities, no side effects, the medicinal effect played out to perfection.

Such a level of pill refinement, only a handful of people in the entire cultivation world could achieve.

Lin Xi quietly watched over her from the side, occasionally wiping the sweat from Luo Bingning’s forehead.

Though she was an ice element cultivator, Luo Bingning still sweated during the healing process.

Those beads of sweat were crystalline and transparent, glittering under the sunlight.

[System Prompt: Luo Bingning’s Favorability +10, Current Favorability: 30/100]

[Loyalty +15, Current Loyalty: 55/100]

[Detected Luo Bingning has developed initial trust toward the Host, unlocking new function: Emotional Resonance! Reward Points: 100.]

Lin Xi’s heart leapt with joy, but outwardly she still maintained a caring expression.

* * *

In the following days, Lin Xi carefully tended to Luo Bingning every day.

She exchanged for various spiritual meals and auxiliary pills from the system shop, preparing them in different ways to nurse Luo Bingning’s body.

In the morning it was restorative lingzhi porridge, at noon nourishing snow lotus soup, at night calming lily tea.

Every single item came from the system, each of top quality.

From initial vigilance, to later habit and now to reliance.

Luo Bingning found herself increasingly unable to part from Lin Xi’s care.

That feeling of being tenderly looked after, she had never before experienced such warmth.

“Xi’er, you don’t have to work so hard.”

Luo Bingning looked at the busy Lin Xi, her eyes flashing with a trace of distress.

“My injuries are much better already, you must also take care of yourself.”

Lin Xi stopped her movements, turned back and gave Luo Bingning a brilliant smile.

“Bingning-jie, taking care of you is what I should do and seeing you get better day by day makes me very happy too.” (TL: -jie suffix means older sister in this case and loosely hero.)

Looking at Lin Xi’s sincere smile, a warm current surged in Luo Bingning’s heart.

This kind of pure concern, only the simple wish for her recovery shook her.

[System Prompt: Luo Bingning’s Favorability +5, Current Favorability: 35/100]

[Loyalty +10, Current Loyalty: 65/100]

[Host’s cultivation advanced to Foundation Establishment, Mid Stage! Reward Points: 150. Current Points: 250.]

Lin Xi felt the growth of spiritual power in her body, secretly delighted.

This nurturing system was indeed powerful, every bit of Luo Bingning’s progress would feed back to her.

In the stillness of night, Luo Bingning sat cross-legged in the tent meditating.

Her injuries healed at a shocking speed, the originally severed meridians already mostly restored.

The cracks in her dantian were also gradually mending under the nourishment of medicinal power.

Most importantly, her sealed cultivation began to loosen.

Although she could not fully release it yet, at least she had recovered to the Core Formation stage.

Luo Bingning opened her eyes, gazing at Lin Xi keeping watch outside the tent.

Moonlight spilled onto the girl, cloaking her in silver radiance.

That delicate face was especially beautiful beneath the moonlight.

‘This girl, always thinking of others first.’

A feeling unprecedented surged in Luo Bingning’s heart.

It was a protective impulse, to forever keep this kind-hearted girl by her side.

Just then, Luo Bingning’s divine sense suddenly caught a powerful aura.

That aura was cold and sinister, rapidly approaching their location.

And this time the enemy was stronger than before, shockingly at the Nascent Soul stage!

Luo Bingning instantly sobered, cold killing intent emanating from her.

The temperature in the tent suddenly dropped, even the air began to freeze.

She quickly rose, pulling the still watchful Lin Xi into her arms.

“Xi’er, danger!”

Lin Xi was startled awake by the sudden movement, still a little drowsy.

“Bingning-jie, what is it?”

Luo Bingning shielded Lin Xi behind her, eyes sharply fixed on outside the tent.

But when she turned back to look at Lin Xi, the killing intent in her eyes instantly receded, replaced by gentleness and protectiveness.

She softly stroked Lin Xi’s hair, her voice tender as if coaxing a child.

“Xi’er, don’t be afraid, with me here no one can hurt you.”

Lin Xi felt the immense aura radiating from Luo Bingning, her heart both tense and comforted.

Tense from the enemy’s strength, comforted by Luo Bingning’s protection.

[System Warning: Nascent Soul stage cultivator detected approaching, Threat Level: Extremely High!]

[Recommendation: Host should immediately use Concealment Items or seek support!]

Lin Xi’s heart tightened, quickly checking the system shop.

[Teleportation Talisman] [Price: 1000 Points]

[Concealment Array] [Price: 800 Points]

[Nascent Soul Battle Experience Card] [Price: 2000 Points]

Looking at these exorbitant items, Lin Xi wanted to cry but had no tears.

Her current points weren’t even close to enough.

Just then, a sinister laugh echoed outside the tent.

“Hahaha! Luo Bingning! Let’s see where you can run this time!”

The voice was laced with malice and glee.

Immediately after, an oppressive aura descended like a storm.

The tent was instantly ripped apart by the force, exposing the two inside.

In the moonlight, an old man in blood-red robes descended slowly.

His face was pale as paper, eyes sunken, his entire body exuding deathly aura.

Most terrifying were his eyes, blood-red like gemstones, brimming with bloodlust.

This was the Blood Shadow Sect’s Nascent Soul Elder — the Elder Bloodfiend!

“Luo Bingning, so you were hiding here.”

The Elder Bloodfiend’s gaze swept across Luo Bingning, greed flashing in his eyes.

“Well, that saves me the trouble of searching. Hand over the Ice Phoenix Bloodline and I can grant you a swift death.”

Luo Bingning coldly looked at the Elder Bloodfiend, not a trace of fear in her eyes.

Though her current strength was only partially restored, she still maintained the dignity of an Empress.

“Dog of the Blood Shadow Sect, how dare you act arrogantly before me?”

Her voice was icy as frost, each word sharp enough to chill bones.

“With just a Nascent Soul trash like you, you dare covet my bloodline?”

The Elder Bloodfiend’s face instantly darkened at her words.

“Hmph! Still pretending to be strong at this point!”

“You think I don’t know your state? Your cultivation sealed, your injuries unhealed, at best only Core Formation stage strength!”

“Today is the day you die!”

As he spoke, blood-colored spiritual energy surged from the Elder Bloodfiend’s body.

The entire valley was engulfed in that evil force, even the moonlight dimmed.

Lin Xi was nearly crushed under the pressure, struggling to breathe.

The oppressive aura of a Nascent Soul was a dimensional blow to someone at Foundation Establishment.

But she forced herself to endure, clutching tightly to Luo Bingning’s robe.

“Bingning-jie, I’m not afraid.”

Lin Xi’s voice trembled, but her tone was resolute.

“We’ll face this together.”

Luo Bingning felt a warm current in her heart at Lin Xi’s words.

This kind girl, even before such a powerful enemy, still chose to stand by her side.

That courage and loyalty strengthened Luo Bingning’s resolve to protect her.

“Xi’er, step back a little.”

Luo Bingning said softly, tenderness flickering in her eyes.

“The coming battle may be intense.”

Lin Xi shook her head, clutching tightly at Luo Bingning’s robe.

“I won’t leave, I want to stay with Bingning-jie.”

Looking at Lin Xi’s determined gaze, Luo Bingning was both touched and worried.

She knew with her current state, defeating the Elder Bloodfiend would not be easy.

But to protect Lin Xi, she had to fight with everything she had.

“In that case…”

Luo Bingning slowly stood up, her aura bursting forth.

Though most of her cultivation was sealed, the dignity of the Empress could not be desecrated.

“Then let me show you what the wrath of the Frost Empress truly means!”