The blood-covered hall was dotted with blood-drenched skeletons standing tall.

The oppressive feeling that hit them made the Earth Dragon Clan and the representatives of the Weaving Shadow Nest involuntarily hold their breath.

In this world, skeletons weren't exactly rare, and their strength was negligible.

After all, most of them had incomplete souls and lacked a sound mind. Even if they possessed the strength of bronze or even steel, they often couldn't fully utilize it in battle, and it was common for lower-level adventurers, even those without Extraordinary Power, to defeat them.

However, these Undead were different.

At least, they gave Alakdo a feeling quite unlike the mindless waste in front of him.

These creatures not only jumped and danced but also used the battle skills of adventurers, even dissecting the corpses of magical creatures just like adventurers would…

This was simply, like they were alive!

Sure enough, it was precisely because of this that the Earth Dragon Clan had sent messengers…

Alakdo, who was on high alert, stealthily glanced at the Lizardman not far from him.

The other seemed to sense his gaze and looked over with slightly narrowed eyes.

That haughty expression was like looking at an insect, completely disregarding him.

Facing such genetic suppression, Alakdo felt annoyed but didn't dare to make a move. He could only swallow his anger and bide his time.

Having noticed his concession, the Lizardman envoy lifted his chin, his expression growing even more disdainful.

As the saying goes, "like master, like servant," seeing his own leader so confident, the guards standing behind the envoy started flexing their muscles and taunting the envoys with their weapons from the Weaving Shadow Nest with challenging glances.

Alakdo and the Hunters behind him were furious yet dared not speak, and could only issue a cicada-like warning.

In the eyes of the Lizardman, such self-comforting clamor was practically like begging for mercy.

Standing above the labyrinth in the Demon King Territory, Luo Yan, using Youyou's abilities, observed closely the intrigue among these creatures.

For humans, understanding the subtle facial expressions of magical creatures wasn't easy.

But having lived in Demon City for 18 years, he was extremely familiar with the nature of various Otherworldly creatures and their provocative gestures.

From the grandiose posture of those Lizardmen, it was clear they didn't take the group of spiders seriously at all.

This was not surprising.

After all, whether on Earth or in the Otherworld, lizards were natural predators of insect-like magical creatures.

Especially here, where the former also utilized human tools, wasn't it just ripe for a hearty feast?

Recalling his studies at the Demon King Academy, Luo Yan's thoughts soon became clear.

Using the survival crisis to win over the spider tribe and combining it with external human pressures to suppress the Lizardman Tribe.

With this arrangement, securing the first level of the labyrinth was within easy reach!

"It's about time for this boss to make an appearance…"

"Petrified Skin!"

Packing away the mirror he was holding, Luo Yan raised his wand and started with twelve buffs layered on himself.

"Swift as the Wind!"

"Mana Enhancement!"

"Atmospheric Barrier!"

"…"

Following a series of flamboyant maneuvers, he absorbed Chris, who was eagerly watching near the Stone Prison, and then stepped into the pit connecting to the first layer of the labyrinth.

If it were any other time, he would never dare to jump from this height of over ten meters. However, now that he was stacked with buffs, even a greater height wouldn't cause him to panic!

The moment he landed, the airflow from the "Atmospheric Barrier" blew the dust on the ground out to a radius of ten meters.

Many pairs of eyes quickly focused on him.

The faces of the Earth Cave Spiders and the Lizardmen showed clear apprehension, while the faces of the players were filled with desire.

The Demon King!

This guy had finally shown up!

With the loading screen taking so long, many had thought their devices had frozen.

"I hear someone wants to see me."

Under his dark cloak, waves of visibly pulsating Magic Power flowed, and the man standing among the bones appeared like a monarch of the graveyard.

The Lizardman envoy couldn't fathom his depth, only feeling that this man was terrifyingly powerful, with Magic Power that seemed almost to spill over.

"It is I, Your Highness. I am Octo! The champion warrior of the Earth Dragon Clan and also the envoy of Lord Sanu!"

The leading Lizardman's throat emitted a sound like an ancient bell. He lowered his fierce head and knelt on one knee, placing his right hand over his left chest.

This was the etiquette of a subject towards a monarch.

Looking down at him with cold eyes, Luo Yan's lips curled into a faint, light smile.

"Earth Dragon Clan? Lord? I hope I heard you right. Since when do four-legged snakes dare mention that word in front of me? It seems Mr. Dragon hadn't taught you the meaning of humility."

Lizardmen had two major sensitive points.

One was to call them Lizardmen indiscriminately, and the other was to refer to them as four-legged snakes.

By the way, to prevent players from being confused, Luo Yan had specifically instructed Youyou to add subtitles to their "player system."

Upon hearing his taunt, the group of four-legged snakes was indeed unable to contain their anger.

"You this fellow—" One Lizardman, bare-chested, quickly removed a short bow from his back, furiously drawing an arrow from his quiver.

However, before he could even draw the bowstring, his scaly head flew off his neck, tracing an arc before crashing into the corner of the hall.

"Hungry..."

A drawn-out, low chant resonated in everyone's ears.

Octo was suddenly startled and quickly looked to the side, only to see a zombie holding a greatsword standing tall, its cold gaze fixed on him, as if looking at a corpse.

With his scales standing on end, he leaped backward to create distance, his hand already reaching for the short knife at his waist.

This guy—

When had he gotten so close?!

Octo's hand, clutching the short knife, loosened then tightened, tightened then loosened again, filled with immense fear.

His amber pupils oscillated back and forth between the motionless zombie and the nearby Undead Mage, his heart pounding like a drum, thumping loudly.

The sudden scene stunned all the demons present, their pupils filled with surprise, anger, or fear…

Even the Earth Cave Spider, Alakdo, was dumbfounded.

He was pleased to see the group of geckos at a disadvantage, but he hadn't expected the Demon King to disregard their envoys' status entirely and chop off that guy's head with a single stroke of the blade.

As for the motionless players, their eyes gleamed with excitement.

Is this the power ceiling of "Scourge OL"?

This oppressive feeling—

It's absolutely thrilling!

"Nice expression."

Observing the lizard's head lying not far on the ground, Luo Yan spoke casually, like an unreasonable tyrant.

"With some reluctance, it can decorate my palace walls."

The Lizardman guards were excited and about to erupt, but Octo hastily stopped them.

"Wait—!"

Their servile appearance was just like the Earth Cave Spiders they despised.

Looking at the Demon King who lightly waved his magic wand, he knelt down again, his voice trembling as he spoke.

"Respected Lord Demon King! Please let me finish my speech! We have come here with peaceful intentions!"

This time, the fellow didn't pretend to call him 'Your Highness' but straightforwardly said 'Lord Demon King.'

However—

Luo Yan was not going to simply believe that this fellow had truly submitted.

Luo Yan looked down at him, speaking in a nonchalant tone.

"Peace?"

"Yes, yes!"

Octo steeled himself, managing to squeeze a friendly expression from his scaly face as he humbly looked up at him.

"The threat from the surface is imminent; now is not the time for internal strife. You wouldn't want the humans to take advantage of this, would you? Clan Leader Sanu… our Clan Leader, he wishes to form a peace treaty with Your Highness, where both sides will not attack each other, coexist peacefully, and forge lasting friendships!"

The so-called peace treaty was merely a stone thrown to test the waters.

No lord would sign such a thing with their subjects, and contracts without strength as a guarantee were worth nothing in Hell.

If the Demon King accepted this treaty, it would only reveal his weakness.

Then, the Dragon Tribe could either launch a massive attack, eliminating the threat once and for all, or use the Demon King's command to coerce the small factions and thereby conquer the lower levels of the labyrinth—they could move freely either way.

And if the Demon King did not agree, it meant that he had the confidence to crush them. Whether this was just bluster or a reality, they would still be cautious.

This was Clan Leader's strategy.

Before deciding on their approach to the Demon King, they needed to ascertain his strength, before they could make their next move.

As Octo schemed internally, nearby Alakdo was also calculating in the shadows, awaiting the response from the Lord Demon King.

Perhaps the Lord Demon King hadn't realized yet that the lizard kneeling before him didn't take him seriously at all.

Including the entire Dragon Tribe.

He was curious about what decision the Demon King would make, and whether that decision would be worthy of the loyalty of the Weaving Shadow Nest… or even his own loyalty.

The demons harbored their own schemes, yet Luo Yan merely smiled.

You think I can't see through you?

Ha.

What do you think I spend my time studying in class?

"… This is the funniest joke I've heard today, a four-legged snake wants to negotiate with me."

Ignoring the face filled with panic and anger, Luo Yan turned his gaze to the Earth Cave Spider cowering on the ground, speaking in a very light voice.

"And you? Eight-legged little fellows, are you here to negotiate terms with me too?"

The fear technique taught by Professor Enos himself.

His skills weren't just defensive, he used them with masterful ease, controlling them as he wished.

Facing that cold gaze, Alakdo felt his entire body stiffen, his carapace uncontrollably trembling.

No mistake—

That was the oppressive aura from the Demon King!

The man before him, was far mightier than Emperor Alachinos!

"Weaving Shadow Nest wishes to offer you our loyalty! The labyrinth will belong to Hell forever! It will forever belong to the Demon God and to you, our esteemed… We await your descent, esteemed Lord Demon King!"

His mind raced, scraping every bit of vocabulary he could think of.

He who knows the times is wise—

He had voted for the Queen!

After all… she had agreed to that initial feigned submission.

"Coward!"

Octo, kneeling on one knee, cursed loudly, then sprang up from the ground like lightning.

The probe had failed!

It was the worst outcome!

The other party had no desire to negotiate at all, dismissing their carefully crafted agreement with a single contemptuous insult, not even wanting to hear the compromise.

Clearly!

The power of this Demon King had far exceeded their expectations, so much so that he wasn't interested in playing games of cunning with them!

Rather than submit—

He would rather use their heads to rally his banner!

"Prepare for battle!!"

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