"Lin Xi, is this something dangerous?"
Perhaps sensing Lin Xi's hidden unease, Xavier had been carefully observing Lin Xi's every move. After seeing his actions, he asked warily.
"I can...destroy it."
Then he offered his suggestion solicitously, deliberately using an advanced word he had recently learned.
Upon hearing Xavier's suggestion, Lin Xi was taken aback. Having Xavier destroy the electronic brain was clearly the wisest decision—while someone manipulating the electronic brain through some unknown, special method could certainly reactivate a severely damaged brain, that person couldn't possibly reassemble something completely shattered using that strange ability.
From any perspective, Xavier's proposal is the best option.
But for some reason, the moment Lin Xi heard the suggestion, she found herself feeling a strong sense of resistance.
He bit his lip, realizing clearly that he might not be as rational as he appeared on the surface—he was indeed very concerned about the man's plea for help, and he really wanted to know what had happened here. Deep down, he had a strong premonition that he had some mysterious, indescribable connection with that man.
To use even more unscientific terms, it was like a kind of fate.
Fate is guiding Lin Xi to find that man and uncover the whole truth.
"Lin Xi?"
However, Xavier, who was standing next to Lin Xi, was already eager to help Lin Xi get rid of the trouble.
“No,” Lin Xi said instinctively, “I mean… let’s leave it for now.”
Lin Xi said absentmindedly to Xavier.
Xavier quickly noticed Lin Xi's dazed state and immediately fell silent.
Xavier felt a little down. He knew what the expression on Lin Xi's face meant—long before Lin Xi lost his memory, Xavier had seen the same expression on Lin Xi's face many times.
If it weren't for that accident, perhaps Lin Xi would have already returned to his beloved Earth long ago?
The thought of this made Xavier feel as if something was stuck in his throat.
"What's wrong? Does your wound hurt?"
Just as Xavier was lost in thought, Lin Xi frowned and then turned to look at Xavier.
Upon hearing the question, Xavier's tentacles, which were hanging behind his head, couldn't help but shake vigorously.
It had thought its depression was well hidden, never expecting that Lin Xi would discover it so quickly.
"It's nothing, I just..."
I'm just worried that you'll abandon me.
The words stuck in Xavier's throat.
It also remembered the TV dramas it had watched—in which all the female protagonists who said similar things seemed to end up being abandoned.
Xavier cautiously swallowed his worries.
Before he could organize his thoughts and come up with another excuse to continue the conversation, Lin Xi had already moved closer to him.
The man who had captivated Xavier reached out and carefully stroked its battered body.
"Thank you for protecting me like this, I'm so glad... I wish we had at least kept our medical supplies with us."
Lin Xi sighed.
To avoid the storm, they had already abandoned their extra luggage in the woods. In such a wild storm, those things are probably already reduced to indistinguishable dust.
"Don't treat me like that next time. I'm not completely human anymore... I'm not that fragile."
As she spoke, Lin Xi involuntarily glanced at her lower body.
The insect-like body dimmed Lin Xi's eyes.
It will be alright soon.
Xavier leaned close to Lin Xi's ear and whispered something.
"I will molt—and I will be even more powerful after I molt." It followed Lin Xi's gaze to the other's swollen body, and then shook its wings somewhat shyly.
"Lin Xi will be very beautiful in the future."
Although in Xavier's eyes, Lin Xi is now the most beautiful insect queen in the world.
"...You're already very capable."
Hearing Xavier's comforting words, Lin Xi couldn't help but purse her lips and reveal a faint smile.
After a pause, Lin Xi couldn't help but say to Xavier again, "Thank you for always being by my side."
If it weren't for Xavier, Lin Xi suspected that he would have gone completely insane soon after being abandoned on such a planet and facing such a world.
Xavier's wingtips trembled even more violently.
He found it strange and didn't understand why it felt like crying whenever Lin Xi was gentle with it.
At this moment, Xavier's emotions once again surged towards Lin Xi.
Lin Xi, caught completely off guard, was enveloped by Xavier's surging emotions.
His body trembled slightly, and a blush rose to his face, but he returned to normal in the next second—at least outwardly.
He stared at Xavier for a moment, then turned his head away and casually changed the subject.
In short... the most important thing right now is to get some rest. We still have a tough battle to fight after the storm passes.
As Lin Xi spoke, her tone gradually lowered: "I really hope the cave won't be affected by the storm."
Everything Xavier salvaged from the ruins of the Helios is now piled up there.
If the storm on planet AS192 really destroyed the cave, then it also means that the last bit of connection between Linxi and Earth has disappeared.
Thinking about this, Lin Xi felt as if her heart was filled with lead, extremely heavy.
Considering the emotional connection between him and Xavier, Lin Xi forced himself to cheer up after a brief period of low spirits.
Lin Xi checked Arthur's condition again.
As a deformed mutant, Arthur is not exactly a fighter, but his unique physical condition gives him a special talent for repairing his limbs.
In other words, all its special abilities seem to be focused on "survival".
Xavier's wounds were still deep enough to expose the bone, but at the same time, Arthur's body was covered in a thick layer of mucus, and new carapaces were forming beneath the mucus.
Lin Xi had no doubt that Arthur would quickly recover to his original state after one night.
This relieved him somewhat.
The howling wind outside the metal door never stopped, which confirmed Lin Xi's earlier premonition.
The storm they encountered this time was indeed much more ferocious than the last one.
No matter how much he tried to cheer himself up, Lin Xi's mood grew heavier and heavier. However, he did not show any signs of depression in front of Xavier and Arthur.
He simply returned silently to the wall of the secret room and sat down next to Xavier.
He placed all his weight on Xavier, knowing it would make the overly sensitive alien beside him happier.
only……
Although the intention was to cheer Xavier up, Lin Xi immediately felt her own weakness after sitting down.
This is not surprising.
His body underwent an extremely energy-consuming transformation, and the juices from the monster's corpse were not actually able to provide enough nutrients.
Lin Xi will never know that he is now probably the weakest insect queen in history.
His transformation was neither successful nor complete; he had no nest, no territory, and no number of eggs.
He didn't even have any children of his own.
This means that his race is almost on the verge of extinction.
All right……
Even if Lin Xi knew this, he probably wouldn't care too much about it.
The previous trek through the storm had left him with many wounds, and for the sake of this secret room, Lin Xi had expended mental energy beyond his capacity.
And so, without realizing it, Lin Xi nestled in Xavier's arms and closed her eyes.
He fell asleep.
Then, he dreamed again.
However, this time, the man who appeared in his dream was no longer the terrifying-looking, strangely-born man.
This time, the protagonist in his dream was Xavier.
In the dream, it seemed to have another form.
It was enormous, eerie, and full of power, with wings and flesh-colored tentacles constantly flying and writhing in the dark depths of the sky.
Lin Xi smelled both the stench of blood and the intense scent of hormones.
The stimulation of colors and tastes made him dizzy, and the emptiness in his stomach became extremely strong. He longed to be filled and satisfied.
When he was awake, Lin Xi could always easily suppress the strong, animalistic instincts within him. But in his dreams, the situation was quite the opposite; he felt exceptionally vulnerable, and his primal instincts were so intense that they were completely uncontrollable.
The desire to reproduce and the feeling of hunger washed over his fragile reason like a waterfall.
Not to mention that the individuals who can satisfy him are right beside him.
Xavier, his monster...
His king insect.
Lin Xi felt perfectly clearly that he could be satisfied as long as he wanted to.
What else can guarantee a vulnerable alien mother a safe environment and sufficient supplies?
Only reproduction... and the resulting kin.
Those lovely lives, those numerous offspring, will begin to evolve on their own after being given the opportunity to live.
Given enough time, even the most raging storms of today are no longer a major problem.
Lin Xi knew this.
He had always known this.
[Lin Xi... Lin Xi... No... Wake up... Lin Xi!]
Lin Xi heard several extremely hoarse calls.
At first, the sound was in human language, but it quickly turned into a hoarse and high-pitched insectoid screech.
Lin Xi opened his eyes wide and stared intently at Xavier beside him.
Good heavens, just seeing this insect makes Lin Xi feel incredibly empty.
The insect's instincts screamed, and then...
"Lin Xi!"
Lin Xi suddenly opened her eyes.
Then, incredibly embarrassed, he found himself, just as he had dreamt of doing, suppressing Xavier with his deformed, grotesque, and swollen body.
A thick, bloody smell filled the air, and Lin Xi couldn't help but feel hot just from smelling it.
The extra smell of blood was caused by Xavier's instinct to wake him up, which was triggered by Lin Xi's actions.
"What did I do...?"
Lin Xi let out a low, painful murmur, covered his face, and quickly jumped off Xavier.
It took him at least ten minutes to calm himself down.
After calming down, Lin Xi quickly figured out the problem—it was that damned instinct of the alien species at work.
The storm, which exceeded his wildest imagination, and the perilous situations he had experienced during that time, made his instincts as an alien grow stronger and stronger.
Just like humans get goosebumps when it's cold and sweat when it's hot, even though these physiological reactions can sometimes put people in a very dangerous state, that's how the human body is designed, and you can't control it.
As for the Mother of the Alien, heaven knows how this creature was designed. When faced with life's difficulties, its solution is quite simple—to reproduce, to reproduce endlessly.
As long as there are enough offspring, those constantly evolving offspring and clans will always find a way to keep them alive and thrive.
Furthermore, Xavier and Lin Xi are currently in a very delicate situation, as they are in a confined and small space.
The mutual attraction, or rather, the hormones, became even more intense in the stagnant air.
Lin Xi rubbed his temples, wishing he wasn't the one trapped in this body.
This is so embarrassing.
Lin Xi thought.
Even now, though his reason has regained control of the body, his instincts still linger within him. He can feel himself constantly emanating a strong aura, a highly suggestive invitation.
The ground was wet, the air was incredibly humid, and Xavier was right there.
Xavier's condition is no different from Lin Xi's.
Lin Xi could clearly see several tentacles protruding from under its elytra. Even now, it was still unconsciously wiggling its tail, which looked like some kind of dance.
In the world of alien species, this is the Queen Insect's marriage proposal dance to its mother.
At this moment, the only thing to be thankful for is that there was no substantial excessive contact between them.
Well, from the perspective of a different species, this is simply incredible, after all, they are born to reproduce and expand their population.
At the moment when Lin Xi was overcome by instinct due to physical exhaustion, he had already given Xavier clear instructions and allowed him to approach.
From any perspective, Xavier should have readily agreed.
But it did not do that; it even risked being killed by Lin Xi and tried its best to awaken Lin Xi's consciousness.
"...That wasn't Lin Xi just now."
It was as if he could hear the voice inside Lin Xi's body. Xavier suddenly whispered in a hoarse voice.
It stared intently at Lin Xi at that moment, its insect-like face revealing bright red eyes.
Lin Xi could sense that it was trying hard to suppress something.
Xavier slowly took several steps back, standing in a place further away from Lin Xi, a task that was incredibly difficult for him.
After all, its body still wanted to entangle Lin Xi—and when Lin Xi tried to leave, its clumps suddenly appeared.
Previously, those things looked like special organs of some large insect. But now, perhaps to cater to Lin Xi's subconscious preferences, those two things covered in carapaces and complex joints have transformed into simpler, yet more sinister, fleshy tentacles—exactly the same as the tentacles that emerged from the back of the star butterfly Lin Xi had seen as a child.
"sorry……"
Xavier let out a small, weak apology, then forcefully pulled its clenched paws back.
Lin Xi bit his lower lip hard. For a moment, he almost surrendered to his instincts. He wanted to rush into Xavier's arms and do what real aliens and overlords should do... like expanding their species and breeding more offspring.
Heavens above, what am I thinking...?
Lin Xi shuddered, realizing that his thoughts were drifting uncontrollably in some indescribable direction.
He couldn't keep staring at Xavier like that, Lin Xi thought to himself.
Any direct communication with Xavier will only make things spiral out of control.
Lin Xi forced herself to turn around and avoid Xavier's gaze.
Thank God, after he could no longer see Xavier, he finally became a little more lucid.
Then he saw... a white shadow huddled in another corner of the secret room. It was Arthur.
Compared to Lin Xi and Xavier, who were enveloped in a pink aura, this poor little guy looked utterly terrified.
Lin Xi blinked, and it took him a moment to realize why Arthur was so scared.
After all, when he was incredibly dizzy and confused due to his instincts, what filled his body was not only a strong reproductive instinct, but also hunger...
In such a confined space, what could be more suitable as food than a crippled, underdeveloped alien species?
Thinking of this, Lin Xi secretly wiped away a cold sweat. He was extremely grateful that Xavier had finally brought him back to his senses.
Otherwise... after accomplishing something, in order to nurture new seeds, the most instinctive action of the alien mother is to replenish her energy.
If things have progressed to that point, Arthur will inevitably be devoured, no matter what.
"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..."
Lin Xi whispered to Arthur with a dry voice.
After hearing Lin Xi's normal voice, Arthur raised his head in fear.
"Lin Xi?!"
It called out to Lin Xi cautiously.
Lin Xi was taken aback, realizing that Arthur, like Xavier, was also distinguishing him from "He".
A warm feeling instantly welled up in Lin Xi's heart.
Suddenly, Lin Xi felt that her life wasn't so bad after all.
Whether it's Arthur or Xavier, what they care about and cherish is him as Lin Xi.
Lin Xi knew how rare this was.
"It's me."
Lin Xi nodded.
He crouched down and reached out to pat Arthur's head.
Xavier's gaze, fixed on his back, suddenly became exceptionally intense.
Arthur, of course, also noticed the intense killing intent that erupted from Xavier in that instant, which made it tremble. But even so, Arthur stubbornly held his neck, letting Lin Xi's palm stroke his head several times.
"Bang bang..."
Its wings flapped rhythmically behind it.
This action caused its wings to collide with the metal wall, producing a particularly noticeable hollow sound.
Upon hearing that voice, Lin Xi suddenly froze.
“Wait…” He stood up and approached the metal wall.
Immediately afterwards, Lin Xi picked up his fingers and tapped the metal wall where Arthur's wings had flapped, then tapped several other metal walls.
"Bang bang—"
"Bang...bang..."
Although the difference was very small, to Lin Xi, who had become a different species, it sounded like two completely different voices.
The wall behind where Arthur was standing was empty.
"Look what we've found."
Lin Xi's expression suddenly became extremely serious, and her thoughts immediately turned to the wall.
He reached out and carefully ran his hand over the metal wall. Before long, he discovered a very subtle crack. That was the joint between the metal wall and other parts.
If Lin Xi hadn't noticed the difference in sound, she probably would have assumed that the crack was some kind of fixed technique used when building the metal chamber.
"Xavier, can you see anything else?"
Lin Xi turned to Xavier and said.
Xavier's level of mutation is very high, which makes its perception ability far exceed that of Lin Xi.
Upon receiving the order, Xavier immediately sprang into action.
With the help of the alien's incredibly powerful detection ability, it wasn't long before Lin Xi and Xavier discovered a very subtle button on the inside of the metal door that had caused them so much trouble.
Without a close look, one might assume that this button is used to control the opening and closing of the metal door. But after examining it carefully, Lin Xi resolutely pressed the small button forcefully.
Immediately afterwards, they heard an exceptionally grating scraping sound—no matter how well maintained it had been, a metal door that hadn't been lubricated for three hundred years always made a very unpleasant sound when opened again.
A heavy, cold air rushed out from the metal doors that were slowly sliding open to both sides.
The green emergency lights, however, were several beats slower before they finally lit up, albeit shakily.
Lin Xi turned around warily and walked towards the metal door.
Then he discovered that after the metal door opened, a long corridor appeared before them.
Standing where Lin Xi is now, he can't see the end of the passageway at all, nor does he know where it leads. The only thing he can be sure of is that at the connection between this passageway and the metal chamber, there is a line of clear words—Project Providence.
Lin Xi stared at the other end of the passageway with an uncertain expression.
The place they were in before was clearly the entrance and exit between the outside world and the underground facilities, which explains why they didn't find anything there.
Lin Xi hesitated for a moment. He was unsure whether he should explore the tunnel.
His unease clearly affected Xavier as well, and the next second he heard the giant bug beside him speak in a deep voice:
"It's okay. I will protect Lin Xi."
This was probably another line it heard from some soap opera, but Lin Xide admitted that such lines did sound particularly reassuring.
At least, it worked well for Lin Xi.
After hearing Xavier's assurance, Lin Xi closed his eyes and extended his mental energy. He vaguely sensed something at the other end of the passageway tugging at his nerves.
It felt strange, but Lin Xi didn't sense any danger.
Lin Xi took a deep breath, then slowly took a step forward, followed by another.
The passageway was quite wide, allowing Xavier, Lin Xi, and Arthur to walk side by side.
Just as Arthur stepped into the passage, the metal door behind them made a jarring sound and then slowly closed.
At that moment, Lin Xi felt like his scalp was about to explode. He almost turned around and rushed back to the secret room without thinking.
But in the end he did not do that.
Lin Xi was on edge. He had expected that a place like this would have some kind of traps or mechanisms, just like the adventure stories he had read on Earth.
But he didn't see any official intervention.
After all, this is three hundred years... Even if there really is some kind of mechanism here, it has probably long since lost its effectiveness.
Think about those lighting facilities. To maintain a special, lethal facility, the energy required is beyond what ordinary people can imagine. And right now, we can barely keep up with the emergency lighting.
Lin Xi muttered to himself, knowing that he was actually very nervous.
It's so quiet here, it's almost suffocating.
Their footsteps echoed through the long corridor, sometimes sounding as if someone was following them, which made Lin Xi want to turn around and check what was behind her every now and then.
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