This road is closed

After settling Ye Xiaolian's affairs, Xiao Yan calmed his mind once more and waited for the Heavenly Scorpion Tomb Mansion to open. As time passed, he sensed quite a few auras in the nearby tents that were stronger than those of Da Dou Shi, some even approaching the Dou Wang level. It seemed the Heavenly Scorpion Tomb Mansion had indeed attracted many powerful figures from the Chu Yun Empire.

"Wooo..." After three days of waiting, the protective barrier shrouding the entrance finally faded completely. The Heavenly Scorpion Tomb Mansion, which had been sealed for who knew how long, finally opened. The crowds who had been waiting at its entrance rushed inside. Ye Xiaolian hurried to dash forward as well, but before she could move, Xiao Yan reached out and stopped her.

"What are you doing?" Ye Xiaolian turned toward him, sounding somewhat displeased.

"If you don't want to die, you can keep charging ahead." Xiao Yan gave a cold laugh. As soon as he finished speaking, miserable screams rose one after another from the people at the very front. Those who had been sprinting fell to the ground, black mist billowing from their bodies as their flesh rapidly corroded into puddles of black water.

Some of those following behind realized something was wrong and frantically tried to retreat, but it was already too late. The black mist spread over them, turning them into puddles of black water in mere moments.

In less than a few minutes, these people, all at least Da Dou Shi, had perished without even their bones remaining. The horrifying sight sent chills through everyone outside who had yet to move, especially Ye Xiaolian. If Xiao Yan had not stopped her earlier, she would likely have been among those who had died without leaving a trace.

"What is that?"

"Obviously, it's a deadly poison." Xiao Yan studied the black mist with interest and said, "It should be one of this tomb mansion's defenses. Before that Heavenly Scorpion Poison Dragon Beast died, it deliberately laid this poisonous mist outside to keep people from digging up its tomb. It was meant to trap people like you."

"That Heavenly Scorpion Poison Dragon Beast was far too vicious..." Ye Xiaolian could not help complaining.

"Oh, please. You're planning to dig up its grave, yet you blame it for being ruthless?" Xiao Yan rolled his eyes. "If you ask me, that fellow was still too merciful. If it were me, heh heh..."

"Enough of that nonsense. With poisonous mist surrounding the tomb mansion, how are we supposed to get inside?" Ye Xiaolian looked at Xiao Yan beside her and asked, "Yan Xiao, you have a way in, don't you?"

"Getting inside? Of course I have a way." Xiao Yan smiled, then patted Ye Xiaolian's shoulder. "But before I go in, I have a word of advice for you. You'd better leave this place first."

"Why?" Ye Xiaolian asked, puzzled.

"Because I'm afraid they'll turn their anger on you afterward," Xiao Yan said with a smile. "I won't be able to spare the attention to look after you in that situation."

"Uh..." Seeing Xiao Yan's half-smiling expression, Ye Xiaolian decisively turned and fled. She could tell he was not joking. If she stayed, she might soon face an encirclement and pursuit by the other powerful figures here. Given Xiao Yan's personality, he really was capable of doing something like that.

Only after Ye Xiaolian had left the vicinity of the Heavenly Scorpion Tomb Mansion did Xiao Yan prepare to move. The others still dared not approach because of the poisonous mist surrounding it. Although they had various means at their disposal and had made plenty of preparations, none were certain how long their supplies could withstand the mist. Seeing another bird stick its head out, no one tried to stop him. They all wanted to see whether this child had a way into the Heavenly Scorpion Tomb Mansion.

The moment Xiao Yan stepped into the Heavenly Scorpion Tomb Mansion's grounds, the terrifying poisonous mist surged toward him, blotting out the sky. Facing mist that could make even a Dou Ling die a miserable death, Xiao Yan instead smiled.

He opened his hand, and a powerful suction spread from his palm. Everyone waiting outside watched, dumbstruck, as the poisonous mist they feared so deeply surged toward his hand as though drawn by some force, finally vanishing without a trace.

"This..." Seeing Xiao Yan absorb the poisonous mist so easily, the others waiting outside froze in place. Then wild joy spread across their faces, and they all sped toward the entrance, hoping to enter the Heavenly Scorpion Tomb Mansion before him.

But just then, Xiao Yan suddenly turned around. He waved at the others charging toward him, and the poisonous mist he had absorbed shot out, engulfing everyone approaching him. They had never expected the vanished mist to reappear. Before they could even scream, this new poisonous mist swallowed them.

This mist contained more than what Xiao Yan had absorbed earlier. He had also mixed in some toxins from the Netherworld Poison Flame. Combined, they made the mist even more terrifying. Xiao Yan had even added some neurotoxins, knowing that these people might have ways to counter the poisonous mist. Once neurotoxins were added, however, it was a different story.

Even Xiao Yan had fallen victim to these neurotoxins when caught unprepared, let alone anyone else. That was why no one made a sound after the mist engulfed them. The instant it enveloped them, they sank into hallucinations induced by the neurotoxins.

"Bastard!" Those who had been a step slower felt relieved at first that they had not charged straight in, then became utterly furious. This brat clearly intended to keep them out of the Heavenly Scorpion Tomb Mansion. That alone was bad enough, but he had even sprung a dirty trap on them! If some of them had not sensed something amiss and refrained from rushing forward recklessly, they would likely have been wiped out to the last man!

"Tsk, some fish actually slipped through the net. What a pity." Xiao Yan shook his head within the poisonous mist, sounding somewhat regretful. "Everyone, this road is closed. Please go back the way you came."

"Friend, aren't you going a little too far?"

"We all discovered this Heavenly Scorpion Tomb Mansion together, and you want to swallow it all yourself?"

"So what if I do? If you don't like it, come in and fight me." Xiao Yan grinned. "A bunch of useless cowards. Hurry home and drink your milk!"

"You!" The others were beside themselves with rage. Some with considerable influence immediately ordered their subordinates to return and bring reinforcements to surround the Heavenly Scorpion Tomb Mansion. "Stay inside for the rest of your life if you've got the guts!"

"Tch, you think I grew up cowering at threats? Bye, everyone. I'm off to collect some treasures." Footsteps sounded from within the poisonous mist. It seemed that fellow had indeed gone inside. Those outside could only grind their teeth in hatred, helpless to do anything.

"Wait, that brat had the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect's emblem on him. He's from the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect!"

"That's right! I saw it too!"

"This isn't over! Even if he belongs to the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect, he owes us an explanation!"