Lin Xi’s consciousness sank into the system space, locking onto the newly appeared reward.

A jade heart the size of a fist floated quietly.

It was completely translucent, as if carved from the purest ten-thousand-year profound ice. Inside, countless tiny points of light slowly circulated, forming a miniature world of cold.

Just brushing against it with her consciousness sent an incomparably pure chill spreading through her soul, instantly clearing her mind that had been swollen from overthinking.

The golden core in her dantian, which had grown increasingly solid, even seemed to spin a little faster.

[Cold Jade Heart: A spiritual treasure of heaven and earth, containing the purest ice elemental origin power. The wearer can always maintain a clear state of mind, greatly increase comprehension speed of the Cold Laws and nurture their bloodline so it perfectly fuses with their body, eliminating any backlash from cultivation methods.]

This thing was simply tailor-made for Luo Bingning right now.

Lin Xi’s heart was instantly filled with immense joy.

The joy of nurturing was truly so plain and simple.

Suppressing the waves in her heart, she adjusted her sitting posture so she could lean more securely, then extended her hand, lightly covering the back of Luo Bingning’s hand wrapped around her waist.

“Bingning-jie.”

Her voice was very soft, carrying a note of comfort.

“Mmm…”

A lazy hum came from the crook of her shoulder. Luo Bingning seemed not fully awake, instinctively nuzzling closer.

Lin Xi said nothing more. With a thought, the Cold Jade Heart appeared silently in her palm.

A bone-piercing chill instantly spread through the cave dwelling, though kept within a small range.

The chill seemed to stir the person in her arms.

Luo Bingning slowly raised her head. Her ice-blue eyes were still drowsy and slightly confused, but when she saw the glowing jade heart in Lin Xi’s palm, she fully awoke.

“This is…”

Her gaze was firmly drawn to the jade heart. She could feel the immense power inside, of the same source as her Ice Phoenix Bloodline, yet purer and more primal.

That power pulled at her irresistibly.

“For you.”

Lin Xi extended the Cold Jade Heart to her.

“I read what Master left behind. I think this will help you control your power better.”

‘Master again...’

Looking at Lin Xi, Luo Bingning’s eyes flashed with surprise and gratitude. But she did not refuse.

She knew that as long as it was from Xi’er, she could not and did not want to reject it.

She extended her cool fingertips and carefully received the Cold Jade Heart.

The instant it touched her hand, Luo Bingning’s body trembled slightly.

A gentle and pure ice elemental power flowed into her meridians through her palm.

This power carried no violence at all. Instead, it was like a spring, flowing gently through every inch of her meridians, soothing the slightly restless Ice Phoenix Bloodline within her from her rapid recovery.

The slight sluggishness she had felt before when circulating her cultivation method due to the overwhelming power vanished instantly.

She felt herself forming an unprecedentedly close connection with the surrounding Cold Laws.

Luo Bingning found a strong silk thread of spirit silkworm, strung the Cold Jade Heart carefully and wore it close to her chest.

The jade heart against her skin spread a cool comfort through her whole body. Even her soul seemed washed clean, turning ethereal and pure.

She lifted her head. The look in her eyes toward Lin Xi was brighter and more intense than ever before.

“Xi’er, thank you.”

This thank you carried more weight than any before.

Lin Xi only smiled and shook her head.

* * *

From this day, Luo Bingning’s dependence on Lin Xi reached a new height.

When Lin Xi organized the spirit herbs in the corner of the cave dwelling, Luo Bingning carried a small stone stool to sit beside her, quietly watching without once looking away.

When Lin Xi went to the cave entrance to observe the sky, Luo Bingning followed behind like a little tail, keeping one step away.

When Lin Xi sat cross-legged to cultivate, Luo Bingning sat beside her, not to cultivate, but to rest her head on Lin Xi’s lap with eyes closed.

It was as if Lin Xi herself was her calming medicine, her source of strength.

Lin Xi finally could not take it anymore.

One day, watching Luo Bingning follow her every step, she stopped, turned around and tried in a negotiating tone.

“Bingning-jie, could you… try staying by yourself for a bit? You just comprehended a new divine ability. You should settle your mind and consolidate it properly.”

Hearing this, Luo Bingning froze.

She looked up and her ice-blue eyes instantly grew misty. Not with tears, but with the lost and panicked look of a small abandoned beast.

“Xi’er doesn’t want me to follow you?”

Her voice was soft, trembling slightly.

“No.”

Lin Xi immediately denied it.

“I just think you need your own space. The path of cultivation is lonely in the end…”

Before she finished, Luo Bingning cut her off.

“If Xi’er is not there, I feel uneasy.”

She stepped forward, lightly grasping Lin Xi’s sleeve. The grip was not strong, but full of stubborn refusal to let go.

“Only with Xi’er by my side can I cultivate in peace. Without you, even the greatest power means nothing to me.”

She lowered her eyes, long lashes hiding her emotions. Her pitiful look blocked all the words Lin Xi had prepared.

The iron straight-man soul within Lin Xi was banging its head against the wall.

‘It’s over, I’ve completely spoiled her! What happened to independence and strength? What happened to the bearing of an empress? This dependence is already terminal!’

Looking at Luo Bingning’s pale fingers clutching her sleeve, Lin Xi sighed helplessly.

Forget it, she couldn’t just throw away the empress she had raised.

She extended her hand, turning it to clasp Luo Bingning’s cool fingers.

“Alright, I won’t go. I’ll stay with you.”

At the promise, Luo Bingning’s unease vanished instantly. She clasped Lin Xi’s hand tightly, her face blooming with relieved smiles.

* * *

Lin Xi thought this was the limit of dependence.

But she was wrong.

That night, after finishing the day’s tasks, Lin Xi leaned on the stone bed with closed eyes, pondering the Blood Shadow Sect’s likely moves and their future path.

Suddenly, a faint fragrance drifted near.

Luo Bingning silently came to her side, half-kneeling and with slender fingers gently massaged her temples.

Her fingers were cool, but the pressure was just right.

The cool sensation seeped into Lin Xi’s mind, dispersing all her fatigue and irritation.

Lin Xi’s eyes flew open. Turning her head, she met Luo Bingning’s gentle and focused gaze.

In those eyes, there was no frozen coldness of ten thousand miles, no expectation for praise, only pure concern, simply wanting to make her feel better.

Lin Xi’s heart skipped a beat.

‘This empress is really carrying out the ‘little kitten’ role to the very end!’

She ranted inwardly, but her body did not move. Instead, she leaned back, accepting this unique intimacy.

She realized she was starting to get used to, even enjoy, this feeling.

At this moment, Lin Xi clearly recognized that Luo Bingning’s feelings had long surpassed gratitude and reliance.

Back in that dark cave prison, a bowl of porridge, a caring word, a warm embrace had become the only lifeline Luo Bingning grasped while drowning.

Now, that lifeline had grown into a towering tree, the center of her world.

This heavy emotion left Lin Xi a little flustered, yet filled her with indescribable satisfaction.

In that serene and warm atmosphere, the system prompts rang in Lin Xi’s mind, solemnly declaring a milestone achieved.

[System Prompt: Luo Bingning’s emotional bond fully stabilized, Affection +2!]

[Current Affection: 100/100 (Life and Death Inseparable)!]

[System Prompt: Luo Bingning’s soul imprinted host’s mark, Loyalty +1!]

[Current Loyalty: 100/100 (Absolute Obedience)!]

[Nurturing Quest: Deep Nurturing – Melting the Ice Mountain progress increased. Current completion: 30%!]