Fu Ye and Ah Yin were the kind of couple that drew envious glances wherever they went. With their stunning looks and natural chemistry, they exuded the kind of effortless affection that others could only dream of. Even now, seated by the window of the elegant Juxiang Pavilion, they looked like a pair of celestial beings descended to the mortal realm.
Outside the window, a young man toiled under the weight of more than a dozen cement bags, a sign dangling from his cart that read: 250 gold soul coins per bag.
Inside, Fu Ye lounged in his seat with a relaxed expression, his gaze casually drifting over the pedestrians below. Beside him, Ah Yin was still nibbling on a succulent red jade shrimp, her lips stained a pale pink.
Suddenly, a crisp pop sounded from Ah Yin's lower abdomen.
Fu Ye's gaze snapped back to her. His eyes lit up with interest.
She'd broken through.
While eating.
Her soul power surged, and in a flash, she advanced to Level 66—Soul Emperor.
Her fair cheeks flushed red with the overflow of spiritual energy, and though she still stared longingly at the remaining food on the table, it was clear her body couldn't take another bite.
Fu Ye chuckled. "If you can't finish, just save it for tomorrow. Even the best nourishment can become poison if taken in excess."
With a wave of his hand, the leftover delicacies vanished into the system's storage space. Without hesitation, he plucked the half-eaten red jade shrimp from Ah Yin's delicate hand and popped it into his mouth.
"My shrimp…" she murmured, lips parting in disbelief. Her eyes rounded, and her expression soured into a pout. "You thief…"
"Be good," Fu Ye said gently, tousling her silver-blue hair. "Tonic food like this isn't meant to be devoured like a soul beast in heat. Your human body can't handle it yet."
"…Fine."
Even so, she couldn't hide the faint joy blooming in her chest. The energy surging through her body told her this was the right choice—following Fu Ye on this journey.
Downstairs, Fu Ye extended his spiritual sense, brushing over the two men seated in the corner of the first floor—Tang Hao and Tang Xiao, the infamous brothers from Haotian Sect.
Just as expected, within moments came the clatter of falling bowls and the crash of chopsticks.
Bang! Clang!
A harsh voice roared from below. "What kind of trash food is this? Disgusting! You dare serve this to customers?!"
The commotion drew a few glances, but Fu Ye remained unfazed. He sipped his tea and watched from above, as if admiring a circus act.
The waitress on duty stepped forward calmly. "Gentlemen, I'm sorry the dishes didn't suit your taste. However, I noticed you finished all of it. Shouldn't you pay the bill?"
Her tone was polite but firm. Clearly, this wasn't the first time she'd dealt with unruly guests.
The Juxiang Pavilion stood just outside Tiandou Imperial City. Causing trouble here wasn't just rude—it was risky.
Ah Yin peered over the railing, her icy blue eyes narrowing.
"They finished eating and then smashed the dishes? That's just… low."
"They're clowns," Fu Ye said lightly. "Stay away from people like that. Robbers in formal clothes are still robbers."
"Mn."
His words weren't quiet. In fact, he made no effort to hide them—and cultivators strong enough could easily hear from both floors, including the Tang brothers.
"Xiao Lan," Fu Ye called, "don't bother charging them. It's just a hundred gold soul coins. Not worth our time. But blacklist the Haotian Sect from now on."
The waitress, Xiao Lan, bowed respectfully. "Yes, Boss!"
She turned with a serene smile and continued attending to the other guests, completely ignoring the furious Tang brothers.
Whispers broke out across the room.
"Haotian Sect? Aren't they the famed Tang Hao and Tang Xiao?"
"No wonder they looked familiar. So this is what the so-called geniuses of Haotian Sect are like? Shame their manners don't match their power."
Color drained from the brothers' faces as murmurs spread like wildfire. Tang Hao's fists clenched under the weight of their humiliation.
Fu Ye's gaze never left them. He watched them the way a lion watches ants.
Tang Hao growled, his pride flaring. "Hmph! It's just a hundred gold soul coins. I can pay!"
But Fu Ye's response cut like a blade wrapped in silk.
"Now you want to pay?" he said lazily. "Too late."
Tang Hao stepped forward and extended a bulging pouch of coins to Xiao Lan.
She didn't even flinch. "I'm sorry, sir. The boss has already waived your bill. You don't need to pay."
"You…" Tang Hao's voice trembled with restrained rage. "What kind of place is this, refusing money?!"
Xiao Lan's expression didn't change. Her professionalism was impeccable.
"We're just a small business, sir. We can't afford to offend powerful sects like yours. So, if our food displeased you, we offer it for free. But please… don't return again."
As she spoke, she jotted names in her ledger. The Haotian brothers' names would be added to the wall of shame on the second floor.
Tang Hao was left speechless.
He came hoping to start trouble, assert dominance, and maybe teach a lesson to the "pretty boy upstairs."
But in the end?
He'd been turned into a public joke.
A man who ate for free and got kicked out—without even the dignity of being allowed to pay.