BTTH: Demon Emperor Xiao Yan

The moment the brilliant light pillar shot into the sky, countless silhouettes surged out from Dark Sea City, racing toward the direction of its origin. Xiao Yan's group of three was naturally among them. However, in order to avoid drawing attention, Xiao Yan restrained his aura and simply relied on a pair of Dou Qi wings for flight, avoiding his usual fiery wings. Moreover, since he had brought Qing Lin along, his speed was slightly reduced—fast, but still not among the top tier.

By the time they reached the coastal edge of the city, a sizeable crowd had already gathered. However, it was clear most people were wary. Though they were drawn by the pillar of light and the mysterious ruins it heralded, they hesitated to step in recklessly. After all, no one could say for certain whether the Fallen Grounds held treasure—or a deadly trap.

Landing atop a massive reef boulder with Qing Lin and Zi Yan, Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes and gazed toward the distant floating island suspended just above the sea's surface. He exhaled lightly and murmured, "So this is the Fallen Grounds… let's hope it doesn't disappoint me."

He swept his gaze across the shoreline. Most of the cultivators gathered here were merely at the Da Dou Shi level. Only a few among them had the strength of a Dou Wang, and deep within the crowd, he could faintly sense the presence of a few Dou Huang powerhouses hidden among the masses—likely the leaders of prominent regional factions.

Just as he was about to withdraw his gaze, a sharp pang of hostility prickled at the back of his neck. Xiao Yan turned his head and noticed a sinister-looking young man glaring straight at their group. The man's appearance was truly miserable—bruised eyes, bandaged hands, and a face contorted with fury. Clearly, he had suffered quite a beating recently.

Xiao Yan furrowed his brows. He didn't recognize this fellow and was puzzled as to where the grudge came from. But before he could ask, Zi Yan tugged on his sleeve and pointed subtly in the man's direction. "That's the guy! He's the one who kept jacking up the price during the auction to bully us!"

'Ah… so that's him,' Xiao Yan chuckled inwardly. So this was the one he had already marked for death. Judging by his current appearance, it wasn't hard to guess that this fool must've underestimated Zi Yan's temper and paid a very physical price for it.

Not far away, that very same disfigured young man scowled and turned to a gray-robed old man beside him. "Elder Luo, have you found out who those people are yet?"

"Yes, Young Sect Master," the old man responded respectfully. "They're from the Xiao Sect. That black-robed youth at the center is likely their leader—Xiao Sect's master."

"Hmph, the Xiao Sect… just another nouveau riche upstart," the young man sneered. "They dare act so arrogant? Wait till we're done here—I'll have my father cripple all of them and hand them over to me. I'll make sure they suffer before they die."

"As you command."

But just as his words left his lips, a calm voice rang coldly in his ear. "Apologies… but you won't get that chance."

Startled, the young man abruptly stood up and whipped his head around, eyes darting in all directions. No one was near him except Elder Luo, who looked just as confused and asked in a worried tone, "Young Master, what's wrong?"

Then it struck him.

Elder Luo's eyes suddenly shifted toward the Xiao Sect's group. At the front stood the black-robed figure with an unreadable expression. When their eyes met, Xiao Yan mouthed two simple words, though no sound emerged from his lips—"Goodbye."

"AAAAAHH!!" A blood-curdling scream shattered the tension.

The young man clutched his head and collapsed, writhing on the ground in agony as if being torn apart from within. Elder Luo rushed to help, only to be shoved away by the flailing youth. "Young Master! What's wrong?!"

Xiao Yan quietly retracted his gaze.

A moment ago, he had activated the Annihilation Flame Eyes—though it had only been the most basic version of the technique. For an insignificant worm whose Dou Qi was unstable and who hadn't even reached the Da Dou Shi level, it was more than enough.

From the instant that eye locked onto him, that man's fate had already been sealed. Even if a ninth-tier alchemist stood before him now and poured all their might into saving him, it would be futile. His soul had already been burned to ashes. What remained was merely a hollow shell, twitching from residual instincts. Once those faded, he would never wake again.

'I always keep my word. If I say I'll kill you… then I'll kill you.' Xiao Yan flicked his fingers lightly and muttered with indifference.

It wasn't just about the inflated auction price. The mere act of showing him hostility was enough to earn a death sentence in Xiao Yan's eyes. In the Black-Corner Region, mercy was not a luxury he could afford. If someone bore him malice and had no use to him, then they were better off dead.

Zi Yan stared at the collapsed youth and swallowed nervously. "Was that… you?"

She had sensed something odd earlier—a flash of scorching energy pulsing from Xiao Yan's body. It was so faint that, without her innate sensitivity to strange energies, she might not have noticed it at all. But it made her realize something. The friendly, smiling young man beside her might not be as gentle as he seemed.

'If everything he showed before was just a mask… then what does that say about his intentions toward me?' she wondered briefly.

Sensing her unease, Xiao Yan reached out and ruffled her hair. "What's wrong? You scared of me now?"

"Hah! Like I'd be scared of you," Zi Yan quickly retorted, her usual spirit returning. She shook her head dismissively and went back to munching on her energy pills.

Still, somewhere in her heart, a new awareness had quietly taken root. In a place like the Black-Corner Region, how many people could truly be good? Xiao Yan had never harmed her. So maybe… it didn't matter.

After all, a little ignorance was sometimes bliss.

(End of Chapter)

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