In the bustling crowd, a luxurious carriage pulled by eight top-grade Spirit Steeds was especially eye-catching.

Inside the carriage, Lin Xiao looked to his side at Ye Xuan'er, who had shed her royal robes and crown to appear as a common maiden. He couldn't help but smile bitterly, asking, "Is this really necessary, Xuan'er? I told you that you could wait for me in the city. Why did you have to come along yourself? Don't forget, your current identity is that of the Northern Territory Queen, and there are so many imperial guards in the city who need you there to command them." Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novᴇl(ꜰ)ire.ɴet

"No, my current identity is Ye Xuan'er, Brother Xiao's little one." Ye Xuan'er, holding onto Lin Xiao's arm, grinned and said, "Brother Xiao, it's been fourteen years since we last met. Xuan'er truly misses those carefree days when I followed you and Fairy Hongling, just roaming everywhere without a worry in the world!"

PFFT.

Lin Xiao couldn't help but laugh. "But we are not going for a leisurely trip now; we are on our way to eliminate the surrounding Evil Extreme Sect forces. Wouldn't it be better if I scouted out the strongholds of these Demon Sect members first, and then you lead the army to encircle and annihilate them?"

"The logic is indeed correct, but..." Ye Xuan'er stuck out her tongue and rested her head on Lin Xiao's shoulder. "Xuan'er is worried about you."

"Brother Xiao, you probably don't know Xuan'er's current strength, do you?" she asked, winking playfully and confidently.

"Heh, so you think Brother Xiao is very weak?" Lin Xiao said with a smile.

"Ah..." Recalling the Immense Sword Qi, tens of meters long, that he had casually unleashed in the grand hall earlier, Ye Xuan'er couldn't help but swallow. "Very strong," she said. "Arguably stronger than any Sword Cultivator Xuan'er has ever met in her entire life!"

"HAHAHAHAHA! Such high praise!"

Although Lin Xiao told himself he didn't care for flattery, hearing this praise from the ruler of the North Territory still made him feel a bit pleased.

The two continued to joke, and the atmosphere became increasingly harmonious.

If Lin Xiao had felt a certain distance from the Northern Territory Queen during dinner last night, then now, he completely saw her as the "little one" from fourteen years ago!

Just as the carriage was leaving the city gate, galloping at full speed out of the city, a voice came from behind:

"Xuan'er! Xuan'er, where are you going? Wait for your brother!"

"I'm not the same as I was before! I will wholeheartedly protect you!"

Lin Xiao and Ye Xuan'er exchanged a glance. Lifting the carriage curtain, they saw a young man in black, employing an uncanny and fierce movement technique, quickly chasing after them!

The driver, a Beichuan family retainer, saw this and quickly reined in the steeds.

"Prince Ye," Ye Xuan'er said coldly, "I made myself quite clear last night, did I not?"

"Out of consideration for our past friendship and for the sake of my late father, I can allow you to remain in the army temporarily. As for anything else, all my affairs are no longer your concern."

"Lin Xiao! You're so despicable!" Ye Chen roared.

"What sort of bewitching concoction did you feed my sister?!"

"If you have the guts, come at me!"

Watching his sister not only treat him with such indifference but also brazenly place her exquisitely beautiful, snow-white hands on their mortal enemy's thigh, Ye Chen was absolutely furious!

His first instinct was to draw his Lifebound Immortal Sword!

However, his rational mind told him that if his sister didn't side with him, and he attacked recklessly, he would undoubtedly die today!

After weighing his options, he forcefully suppressed his anger, fished out a pair of exquisitely crafted, radiant earrings from his pocket, and presented them to Ye Xuan'er.

"Xuan'er! Do you remember these? When you were little, you wanted Mother's earrings, but she wouldn't give them to you, saying they were ominous!"

"In the end, it was I, your brother, who stole them from Mother for you!"

"You were so touched back then. You wore them for a moment, but then, worried I'd be punished by Mother, you gave them back to me!"

"But how could I take back something I'd given my little sister? I've kept these earrings ever since!"

"Now, do you remember your brother's love for you?"

Ye Chen, his eyes bloodshot, put on an act of utter, heart-wrenching desperation.

After a night of deep contemplation, he had thoroughly assessed his current situation. He had no other choice! If he couldn't persuade Ye Xuan'er to join forces with the Demon Sect this time, the Blood Demon Ancestor, who was about to break free from his seal, would definitely not spare him! His only leverage was an appeal to their sibling bond!

However, what completely devastated him was that the sister before him remained as cold as ever. With a flick of her finger, the earrings went flying with a PANG!

"Ye Chen, stop deceiving yourself."

"You've always loved only yourself. There's nothing inherently wrong with that. But if, one day, you were given another chance to betray me for some heaven-defying opportunity, you wouldn't even bat an eye, would you?"

"This..." Ye Chen gritted his teeth, finding himself powerless to argue.

"General Chen, let's go," Ye Xuan'er said coldly to General Chen, who was driving.

The carriage resumed its journey.

The eight Spirit Steeds surged forward with all their might, swift as lightning, their hooves becoming streaks of light!

However, the black-clad young man chasing from behind was still screaming himself hoarse, crying out loudly, "Xuan'er! Xuan'er! You can't do this to me!"

"Xuan'er, don't leave!"

"How can your brother live without you?! Xuan'er! SOB SOB SOB..."

Watching the carriage recede into the distance, the Princely Heir of Beichuan fell to his knees. His tear-filled, sorrowful eyes instantly blazed with intense, sharp hatred!

Lin Xiao! You've forced my hand in all of this! I, the Princely Heir, will completely descend into demonhood, and then I will slaughter your junior martial sister and your Master, ensuring you too taste the agony of losing those dear to you!