Xiao Lan's words were sharp yet tactful—feigning ignorance while fully aware of the truth.
She was merely an employee making a living through her own skills. If everyone acted like a rogue, yelling and refusing to pay like Tang Hao, her work would become unbearable.
"No! You must take this money!"
Tang Hao grew frantic. He could afford to lose face, but the Clear Sky Sect—the world's number one sect—could not!
When Ah Yin witnessed Tang Hao's actions, confusion flickered across her face.
"Fu Ye, didn't this uncle just say the food wasn't tasty and he wouldn't pay? Why is he forcing that sister to take money now?"
"I don't know. Maybe he couldn't find his wallet earlier."
The exchange between Ah Yin and Fu Ye reached the ears of nearby diners, and soon, stifled laughter rippled through the crowd.
If the food is bad, you don't pay. But if you force payment, maybe you just don't have the money.
Hearing Fu Ye and Ah Yin's remarks, Tang Hao and Tang Xiao could no longer suppress their fury. Their faces twisted with rage. As the renowned Double Heroes of the Clear Sky Sect, how could they tolerate such humiliation?
Yet before Tang Hao could unleash his Soul Douluo-level soul power, the young man who had just paid Xiao Lan erupted with an aura no weaker than his own.
"Brother, I frequent Juxiang Pavilion. The taste and prices suit me just fine. If you dislike it, you're free to leave. No one's forcing you to pay. But if you intend to wreck this place—I, a loyal customer, won't stand for it."
He rose slowly, his gaze as sharp as a drawn sword, locking onto Tang Hao.
Sensing the overwhelming soul power, Tang Xiao immediately stepped in front of his brother.
Fu Ye's eyebrows lifted as his system fed him the young man's details:
[Chen Xin.]
[Age: 38]
[Identity: The sole orphan of the Battle Soul Sect, the only successor of the Seven Kill Sword Martial Soul in this era, and the continent's future recognized as the top offensive Titled Douluo.]
[Level: 89
[Martial Soul: Seven Kill Sword]
Tension crackled between the two sides, the surrounding diners holding their breaths. Yet Tang Hao's cold stare shifted to Fu Ye, who lounged on the second floor, watching the spectacle.
"If you want to fight, take it outside. Don't ruin Juxiang Pavilion's business."
Chen Xin wasted no words. He'd been idle lately—his hands itching for action—and now, fate had delivered the Clear Sky Sect's troublemaking brothers right to him.
Moreover, the Clear Sky Sect had once stolen the title of "Strongest Tool Martial Soul" from the Battle Soul Sect. Chen Xin had long yearned to reclaim that honor with his own hands.
"Hmph! The money stays here. I, Tang Hao, am no deadbeat!"
He slammed a pouch of coins onto the table, but Xiao Lan ignored him. After settling Chen Xin's bill, she busied herself elsewhere.
As for the other waiters? They'd already achieved financial freedom—buying homes, marrying—all thanks to their jobs. Why would they care about Tang Hao's petty cash?
Besides, Juxiang Pavilion had rules. Thieves were fired on the spot. They weren't fools.
Thus, the absurd scene unfolded: Not one of the six or seven waiters on the first floor spared Tang Hao a glance.
"Hah! Rare to see the Clear Sky Sect's Double Heroes humiliated like this."
"Double Heroes? More like Double Disasters!"
"Juxiang Pavilion's already famous. When they update the blacklist tomorrow, the Clear Sky Sect's reputation will be in tatters!"
"Who is that young man? His aura rivals Tang Hao and Tang Xiao!"
Amid the murmurs, Chen Xin and the Tang brothers strode outside.
Nightfall thinned the crowds, but onlookers still gathered at a distance, eager to witness the clash. Tang Hao and Tang Xiao were legends in Heaven Dou City—yet who was this stranger opposing them?
Meanwhile, Fu Ye browsed the system shop.
"Found it!"
[Product: Great Perfection Sword Intent]
[Stock: 99,999]
[Price: 0 (Limit: 1 per purchase)]
[Product: Enlightenment Opportunity]
[Stock: 99,999]
[Price: 0 (Limit: 1 per purchase)]
Fu Ye confirmed the purchase.
[Congratulations! Host has acquired Great Perfection Sword Intent x1, Enlightenment Opportunity x1.]
[Great Perfection Sword Intent integration complete!]
Instantly, Fu Ye's body surged with sword intent—as though he'd honed it for millennia, now wielded with effortless mastery.
Watching Chen Xin stand up for Juxiang Pavilion below, Fu Ye smirked.
"Tang Hao, Level 83 Assault-Type Soul Douluo. Martial Soul: Clear Sky Hammer."
"Tang Xiao, Level 81 Assault-Type Soul Douluo. Martial Soul: Clear Sky Hammer."
"And you are?"
The Tang brothers revealed their strength. Chen Xin's eyes blazed with battle lust.
"Chen Xin. Level 89 Assault-Type Soul Douluo. Martial Soul: Seven Kill Sword!"
As he spoke, a murderous aura erupted, saturating the air. In his hand materialized a blade, its edge glinting coldly in the night.
"Seven Kill Sword! You're the Battle Soul Sect's orphan—Chen Xin!"
The Battle Soul Sect, one of the three great sects, once dominated the continent with its Seven Kill Sword—the unrivaled pinnacle of tool type martial soul. Only Tang Chen, wielding the Clear Sky Hammer, had ever surpassed it.
But the Seven Kill Sword lineage was thin. Chen Xin's father, the previous sect leader, had challenged Ultimate Douluo Qian Daoliu for a breakthrough—only to fall to the Spirit Hall. The sect crumbled soon after.
To encounter Chen Xin here, now—Tang Hao and Tang Xiao never expected it.
Legends said Battle Soul Sect disciples were sword-wielding maniacs, and their sect master's son, Chen Xin, was the fiercest of them all!
"Enough talk. Today, I'll see if your Clear Sky Hammer lives up to its name."
An overwhelming killing intent engulfed the battlefield. The Tang brothers exchanged glances, their expressions grave.
Though their foe outranked them by five levels, they had numbers on their side!
"One step, one kill. Seven steps, seven slaughters."
Buzz—!
The sword hummed as Chen Xin's body radiated razor-sharp sword qi—a protective aura capable of shredding anything that touched it.
"First Soul Skill: Sword Assault!"
…
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