Xiao Lan's words were tactful yet piercing, pretending to be ignorant while clearly aware of the truth. She was just a hardworking employee earning her keep with dignity. If every customer acted like a rogue, shouting and causing a scene like Tang Hao, how could she work in peace?
"No! You must take the money!" Tang Hao insisted, his voice urgent. He could swallow his pride, but the reputation of the world-renowned Haotian Sect could not be tarnished—not over something so trivial.
Ah Yin watched the scene unfold, her young face scrunched in confusion.
"Fu Ye, didn't that uncle just say the food was terrible and he wouldn't pay? Why is he now forcing that sister to take the money?"
"I don't know," Fu Ye replied with a smirk. "Maybe he suddenly remembered he has some money after all."
Their innocent exchange reached the ears of nearby diners. Low chuckles began to ripple through the restaurant.
"If the food's not good, don't pay. But forcing someone to take money? Maybe he just didn't find his wallet earlier."
The comments stung. Tang Hao and Tang Xiao's faces twisted with suppressed fury. These two pillars of the mighty Haotian Sect—heroes in the eyes of the world—now found themselves publicly humiliated over a meal.
Just as Tang Hao prepared to unleash his Soul Douluo-level soul power in rage, a young man who had just helped Xiao Lan pay her bill stood up. His soul power flared—no weaker than Tang Hao's own.
"Brother," the young man said, eyes sharp as blades, "I eat here often. The food and price suit me just fine. If you don't like it, you can leave. No one's forcing you to pay. But if you want to wreck this place, I won't sit idly by."
His calm, sword-like gaze locked onto Tang Hao. Immediately, Tang Xiao stepped forward, standing protectively before his brother.
Upstairs, Fu Ye raised a brow as the system fed him detailed information about the young man.
> Name: Chen Xin
Alias: Sword Dao
Age: 60
Identity: Last surviving member of the Battle Soul Sect; sole successor of the Seven Killing Sword Martial Soul—the strongest weapon martial soul on the continent.
Soul Level: 89
Soul Ring Colors: Yellow, Purple, Black, Black, Black
Martial Soul: Seven Killing Sword
A deadly silence fell over the restaurant. The tension between the two sides was palpable. No one dared to breathe too loudly.
Tang Hao glanced upward, eyes narrowing at Fu Ye, who still watched from the second floor, utterly relaxed.
"If you want to fight, take it outside," Fu Ye called down, voice calm. "Don't wreck someone else's business."
Sword Dao Chen Xin didn't waste words. He had been idle too long, and his hands itched for a good fight. And now, of all places, he bumped into two infamous members of the Haotian Sect—the very sect that had once overshadowed his own.
He hadn't forgotten: it was the Clear Sky Hammer that stole the title of strongest weapon martial soul from his own Seven Killing Sword.
"Hmph! I'll leave the money," Tang Hao barked, slamming a pouch onto the table. "I, Tang Hao, am no freeloader!"
Xiao Lan didn't even spare him a glance. She had already taken payment from Chen Xin and returned to her duties. As for the other staff? They were financially free—some had even bought houses and married thanks to their generous salaries. Why would they care about Tang Hao's pitiful show of pride?
Thus, a ridiculous sight played out: the legendary Tang Hao was completely ignored by the waitstaff.
"Wow, the mighty heroes of Haotian Sect just got slapped down!"
"Haha, heroes? More like hooligans!"
"Juxiang Pavilion is famous in this city. Just wait—Haotian Sect will be on tomorrow's blacklist!"
"But who is that guy? He's just as powerful as Tang Hao and Tang Xiao!"
Tang Hao and Tang Xiao, red-faced and brooding, exited the restaurant amid the whispers of the crowd.
Dusk had begun to fall. Outside, the streets were emptier, but the tension had attracted a small crowd of bystanders from afar—ready to watch the show.
Most recognized Tang Hao and Tang Xiao; few had any idea who the man facing them was.
Meanwhile, Fu Ye browsed the System Mall calmly.
"Found it."
> Item: Great Perfection Sword Intent
Inventory: 99,999
Price: 0 (Claimable once)
Item: Opportunity for Sudden Enlightenment
Inventory: 99,999
Price: 0 (Claimable once)
With a single tap, he claimed both.
> Congratulations, host! You have successfully acquired Great Perfection Sword Intent and Opportunity for Sudden Enlightenment!
Great Perfection Sword Intent has been integrated. Your comprehension of swordsmanship has reached a transcendent level.
In that moment, Fu Ye's aura shifted. The sword intent within him radiated like ancient steel tempered over millennia—sharp, effortless, unstoppable.
Back outside, Tang Hao stepped forward and addressed the stranger.
"I am Tang Hao, Level 83 Soul Douluo. Martial Soul: Clear Sky Hammer."
"Tang Xiao. Also Level 83. Same martial soul," his brother added. "May we know your name?"
The man smiled coldly.
"Chen Xin. Level 89 Soul Douluo. Martial Soul: Seven Killing Sword."
As the name dropped, a wave of murderous intent swept the air. A gleaming sword appeared in his hand, its blade shimmering under the dying light of dusk.
"Seven Killing Sword… You're that orphan from the Battle Soul Sect!" Tang Hao gasped.
Long ago, the Seven Killing Sword had dominated the continent—until Tang Chen, Tang Hao's grandfather, rose with the Clear Sky Hammer and crushed all opposition.
Chen Xin's father had once challenged the Limit Douluo Qian Daoliu in a desperate bid to break through—only to die in battle. The Battle Soul Sect fractured and faded from glory.
Yet now, before them stood the last heir of that legacy, alive and burning with intent.
"There's nothing more to say," Chen Xin said coldly. "Today, I want to see if your Clear Sky Hammer deserves its reputation."
The air trembled.
Though the brothers had the advantage of numbers, they couldn't deny the pressure weighing down on them. Chen Xin wasn't just powerful—he was deadly.
"One step, one kill. Seven steps, seven kills."
Buzz!
His blade hummed. Sword energy surged around him like a violent storm, forming a barrier of invisible force that could slice anything foolish enough to approach.
"First Soul Skill—Long Sword Unleashed!"