Reincarnator...
According to the lousy system's explanation, this guy is like me, not belonging to this world, so...is he also a transmigrator?
Recalling the system's recent prompt, Lin Xiao remained hesitant.
Forget it. Since this giant lizard claims to be the Deputy Sect Master of the Evil Extreme Sect, I'll extract the headquarters' location from it!
Having made up his mind, Lin Xiao first tied up the giant lizard securely with the Monster Binding Rope and then, accompanied by Ye Xuan'er, temporarily took shelter in an abandoned temple.
To avoid alerting the enemy, Lin Xiao had Ye Xuan'er send her Guardians and Attendants back to Beacon City.
Thus, the large party was reduced to just a man, a woman, and a giant lizard unconscious from fright.
By now, the day was turning to dusk, and the pair set up a campfire in the temple.
As the surrounding temperature rose, the atmosphere between them also grew warmer.
"Ah, this feels great."
Ye Xuan'er sat on the grass mat Lin Xiao had laid out for her, stretching her long, snow-white legs freely.
"What's so great?"
Lin Xiao checked on the fainted giant lizard and returned to Ye Xuan'er's side, asking with a puzzled look.
"PFFT."
Looking at the dazed face of the man she adored, Ye Xuan'er smiled, her dimples showing, "I mean, spending time alone with Brother Xiao like this feels really great. It reminds me of that summer fourteen years ago..."
As she spoke, her expressive, ice-blue eyes never left Lin Xiao, as if waiting for a response.
Lin Xiao, being experienced, naturally discerned her intentions and quickly tried to laugh it off awkwardly, "Haha, what are you talking about? Fourteen years ago, it wasn't just the two of us; my Master was there too."
Unexpectedly, Her Majesty the Queen before him pouted, sounding somewhat petulant, "HUMPH! I don't care. Back then, Fairy Hongling disdained to play with us children. Therefore, that time was a date just for Brother Xiao and me!"
Hearing this, Lin Xiao's brow twitched.
He could clearly sense her deliberately steering the conversation toward ambiguous territory!
But the dilemma is, I can't easily respond to her provocations!
A man and a woman, alone in the wilderness, spending the night in a mountain temple... The stage is perfectly set for something to happen!
If something really happens, how will I face my Master, my three junior sisters, and Wanning, to whom I'm formally married!
Of course, most importantly.
He, Lin Xiao, was a man of deep affection, not one for casual flings!
He asked himself honestly: his feelings for Ye Xuan'er were more admiration and concern, not true romantic affection!
"AHEM."
Lin Xiao cleared his throat, intending to change the subject.
Suddenly, Ye Xuan'er said, as if to herself, "Brother Xiao, do you know? In the past fourteen years, no matter what breakthroughs or achievements I made, my heart could never truly rejoice. Even when I conquered the North Territory, was acclaimed by all the clans, and ascended the throne as queen, the joy in my heart was far less than that day you saved Xuan'er and bought me that skewer of candied hawthorns..."
"MMM, it was so yummy. Just talking about it now makes me drool."
Resting her chin on her hand, she pursed her lips, her ice-blue eyes filled with nostalgia.
Looking at her endearing and lovely appearance, Lin Xiao was momentarily lost in thought, as if he had traveled back in time and once again saw the little girl sitting beside Jiang Yuan, repeatedly blinking at him for help.
At this moment, even someone as usually reserved as him felt a rare warmth in his heart. He smiled and said, "Why keep remembering these things? It's all in the past. You are now the noble and supreme Northern Territory Queen."
"Brother Xiao, do you think... I was exaggerating earlier, like I was lying to you?"
Ignoring Lin Xiao's words, Ye Xuan'er suddenly murmured.
"No, Brother Xiao just thinks you are, like you were when you were little—"
As he spoke, Lin Xiao smiled gently, reached out, and lightly pinched her delicate, pretty cheek, "So cute~"
"R-really...?"
Touched on the cheek by the man she had admired since childhood, Ye Xuan'er felt both thrilled and shy. Blushing, she stammered, "I... ah, no, *I*, Xuan'er, in all these years conquering the North Territory, the subordinates around me have almost all been men. This is the first time I've been praised... as... cute."
When she finally uttered the word "cute," this Northern Territory Queen's cheeks turned completely red, and she faltered for a long moment, seemingly finding it hard to say.
Indeed, she, Ye Xuan'er, was naturally proud, with a cold and stern temperament, always striving to be first in everything!
If she were to accept the description "cute," it could only be from this man before her!
"HAHAHAHA."
Seeing her expression, Lin Xiao was also amused and laughed heartily, "Alright, if you like it, then whenever we're together, Brother will praise you every day."
"Ah?"
Hearing this, Ye Xuan'er was stunned for a moment, then her gaze dimmed. "Listening to Brother Xiao's words, does this mean you can't be with Xuan'er often in the future?"
"This..."
As Lin Xiao struggled with how to answer, the young woman before him seemed to gather all her courage. She bit her lip and asked loudly, "Brother Xiao, actually, all this way, Xuan'er has been wanting to ask you! Last night, in the City Lord's Hall, that kiss... were you serious?"
Upon hearing her mention this, Lin Xiao's heart jumped into his throat!
Oh no!
She's really been holding onto this!