BTTH: Demon Emperor Xiao Yan

After settling matters with Ye Xiaolian, Xiao Yan once again quieted his mind and continued waiting for the Scorpion Tomb to open. As time passed, he began sensing a number of powerful presences within the surrounding tents—many even stronger than a Da Dou Shi, with some nearly reaching the Dou Wang level. Clearly, the Scorpion Tomb had attracted many strong individuals from the Chu Yun Empire.

"Hoooo..."

Three days later, the protective barrier covering the tomb's entrance finally dissipated, and the tightly sealed Scorpion Tomb began to open. Those who had been waiting at the entrance surged forward in a frenzy. Ye Xiaolian, too, hurriedly tried to dash ahead, but before she could move, Xiao Yan reached out and stopped her.

"What are you doing?" Ye Xiaolian turned, annoyed.

"If you want to die, be my guest." Xiao Yan smirked. As soon as he finished speaking, screams rang out from the crowd at the front. The people who had rushed in first abruptly collapsed to the ground. Black mist rose from their bodies, and in mere moments, they began to rot, turning into puddles of black sludge.

Some of those following close behind realized something was wrong and desperately tried to retreat, but it was already too late. The black mist engulfed them as well, and in the blink of an eye, they too were reduced to pools of dark liquid.

In less than a few minutes, these experts—many at the level of Da Dou Shi—had perished without a trace. The horrifying scene left those still outside frozen in fear. Especially Ye Xiaolian—if Xiao Yan hadn't stopped her just now, she likely would've been among the dead.

"What... was that?"

"Obviously, some kind of poison," Xiao Yan remarked casually as he observed the black mist. "It's a defensive mechanism. That Scorpion Poison Dragon Beast probably set this up before dying to prevent its tomb from being looted. A trap designed just for people like you."

"That thing's vicious beyond belief..." Ye Xiaolian couldn't help but complain.

"Excuse me? You're trying to dig up its grave and you're blaming it for being ruthless?" Xiao Yan rolled his eyes. "If it were me, I'd be even nastier. Heh..."

"Enough with the nonsense. With poison mist everywhere outside the tomb, how are we supposed to get in?" Ye Xiaolian looked at Xiao Yan. "Yan Xiao, you must have a way, right?"

"Of course I do." Xiao Yan grinned, patting her shoulder. "But before I go in, let me give you a bit of advice: you'd best leave."

"Why?" Ye Xiaolian frowned in confusion.

"Because I don't want them taking it out on you afterward," Xiao Yan said with a smile. "I don't have the time—or the desire—to protect you once things get heated."

"Ugh..." Seeing the smirk on his face, Ye Xiaolian promptly turned and ran. She could tell he wasn't joking. If she stuck around, there was a very real chance she'd be caught in the crossfire when the others inevitably turned hostile. And given Xiao Yan's nature, he absolutely wouldn't lift a finger to help.

Once Ye Xiaolian had retreated beyond the Scorpion Tomb's perimeter, Xiao Yan finally moved. At this point, the others still didn't dare approach due to the poisonous mist surrounding the tomb. Though many had prepared countermeasures, none could be sure how long they'd hold up inside that toxic fog. Seeing Xiao Yan step forward, no one tried to stop him—they were curious to see if this youth could actually find a way in.

As soon as Xiao Yan stepped into the tomb's range, the black mist surged toward him like a tide. This was the same poisonous fog that could kill even a Dou Ling, yet Xiao Yan simply smiled.

He extended his palm, and an intense suction force burst forth. To the astonishment of everyone watching, the deadly black mist that had terrified them just moments ago was being sucked toward Xiao Yan's hand, vanishing without a trace.

"...What the hell?"

The bystanders stared in disbelief as Xiao Yan absorbed the fog with ease. Then, their expressions lit up with excitement—they immediately charged toward the tomb entrance, hoping to get inside before Xiao Yan did.

But Xiao Yan suddenly turned around.

With a casual wave of his hand, the poison mist that he had absorbed earlier shot back out, sweeping over the oncoming crowd. The stunned cultivators never expected the poison to reappear, let alone be redirected. They didn't even have time to scream before the new mist consumed them.

This poison mist wasn't just the same as before—it now included toxins from the Nether Poison Flame. The combination made it even more deadly. Xiao Yan had also added a neurotoxin to the mix. He knew some of them might have means to resist typical poisons, but with this, resistance was futile.

Even Xiao Yan had fallen prey to the neurotoxin once when unprepared. How could these people possibly resist? That was why no one made a sound—the moment the mist touched them, their minds were pulled into an illusionary world, created by the neurotoxin.

"Bastard!"

Those who had hesitated and stayed back initially were first relieved they hadn't charged forward, then infuriated by what they saw. This brat clearly didn't want anyone else entering the Scorpion Tomb. Not only that—he'd set a trap and wiped out a large portion of the competition! If some hadn't sensed danger and held back, they might've all been wiped out by now.

"Tch, still a few survivors? What a shame," Xiao Yan muttered within the mist, shaking his head as if disappointed. "Everyone, this path is closed. I suggest you turn back."

"Friend, don't you think this is a bit much?"

"We discovered this tomb together. You plan to keep it all for yourself?"

"So what if I do? If you've got a problem, come in and fight me." Xiao Yan's grin widened. "A bunch of cowards with no balls. Go suck on your bottles, babies."

"You—!"

The crowd outside the tomb was seething. Some of the more powerful factions immediately ordered their men to return and rally reinforcements to surround the Scorpion Tomb.

"Fine! If you've got guts, don't ever come out!"

"Hah, you think I'm scared of your little tantrums?" Xiao Yan's voice echoed from the mist. "Later, losers. I'm off to collect treasure."

The sound of footsteps faded into the tomb. Furious and helpless, the cultivators outside could do nothing but grind their teeth in frustration.

"Wait, that brat had the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate emblem on him!"

"Yeah! I saw it too!"

"This isn't over! Even if he's with the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate, he has to give us an explanation!"

(End of Chapter)

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