Although the young Tang San currently knew nothing of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, nor had he heard the renowned name of the Sword Douluo, the moment he beheld the dazzling soul rings arrayed above the martial soul of the cyan-robed man, he counted them aloud:
"One, two, three… seven, eight, nine!"
"Nine soul rings!"
"This man is a Title Douluo!"
In that instant, Tang San was struck dumb.
The inner mutterings he had entertained earlier—"He has already sealed his own doom!"—now appeared utterly laughable.
Chen Xin possessed a bold and forthright character, imbued with the chivalrous spirit of ancient swordsmen—possessing a sword-like courage and a heart attuned to the zither. He most despised shameless and despicable conduct.
"You summoned your martial soul and released the Blue Silver Grass—were you intending to display the pride of a soul master?"
"Or perhaps to flaunt your strength and, together with your younger brother, default on the wager?"
Chen Xin spoke in an icy tone.
Overwhelmed by the oppressive might radiating from Chen Xin, Tang San trembled violently and stammered in response:
"N-no… it was only a momentary impulse… I summoned my martial soul without thinking…"
Chen Xin no longer spared him a glance. Instead, he inclined his head slightly toward Tang Yi, his tone softening somewhat:
"Since this was a contest, there must be a victor and a vanquished. As I was present for the matter of the stakes, I shall oversee its fulfillment."
The Sword Douluo's gaze returned to Tang San. Though he made no movement, the invisible pressure alone nearly caused Tang San to collapse:
"Hand the soul guide device to your younger brother. Do not force me to repeat myself."
Tang San's face turned deathly pale. Innumerable grievances surged within him, yet in the face of such an absolute disparity in power, every scheme and calculation became meaningless.
With trembling hands, Tang San unfastened the belt at his waist—adorned with twenty-four jade stones, the [Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges]—and reluctantly passed it over.
Tang Yi received it calmly. The jade felt warm and smooth to the touch.
At that very moment, a familiar figure, head bowed low and hugging the wall, attempted to slip unnoticed past the exterior of the blacksmith shop.
It was none other than Yu Xiaogang.
From a distance, he had already sensed the heart-shaking, razor-sharp sword intent. Stealing a glance, he recognized the Sword Douluo Chen Xin of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Moreover, this Sword Douluo appeared distinctly displeased and was in the midst of reprimanding his own cherished disciple—Tang San!
Had it been an ordinary Spirit Hall executive—someone such as Su Yun Tao—Yu Xiaogang would have immediately stepped forward to defend Tang San and uphold justice.
But this was a Sword Douluo!
A ninety-sixth-ranked assault-type Title Douluo!
Across the entire Douluo Continent, he ranked among the absolute pinnacle of powerhouses!
In that instant, Yu Xiaogang's soul nearly fled his body in terror. His mind "overheated," and he desired nothing more than to flee this scene of calamity at once.
"Teacher! Teacher!"
"It's Little San!"
"You've arrived at the perfect moment! You are the grandmaster of martial soul theory—you must stand up for me!"
Unfortunately for Yu Xiaogang, Tang San had cultivated the [Purple Extreme Demonic Eye]; his vision was exceptionally keen.
The moment Yu Xiaogang, attempting to slink away discreetly, came into view, Tang San spotted him instantly!
Like a drowning man grasping at a straw, Tang San disregarded everything and shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice brimming with grievance and desperate plea.
Yu Xiaogang's body stiffened. His footsteps halted. Inwardly, he cursed Tang San countless times.
What was a mere twenty-ninth-ranked Great Soul Master like himself in the presence of a Title Douluo?
How could his disciple Tang San be so lacking in discernment?
Not content with being reprimanded himself, he now sought to drag his teacher into the mire as well?
Yet under the watchful eyes of the crowd—and especially with the Sword Douluo's piercing, soul-searing gaze already sweeping toward him—Yu Xiaogang had no choice but to steel himself. Slowly he turned, forcing onto his face a smile uglier than weeping.
The corners of Chen Xin's mouth curled into a faint, cold arc:
"Oh? So you are his teacher?"
"I am quite curious to see what manner of mentor could produce such a 'despicable and shameless' disciple!"
Yu Xiaogang hurriedly cupped his hands, striving to maintain his accustomed image of unflappable composure:
"Lord Sword Douluo, your esteemed presence in Notting City brings this junior immense joy!"
Hearing Yu Xiaogang's flattery, Chen Xin frowned and scrutinized him closely.
Suddenly, a long-forgotten memory surfaced in the Sword Douluo's mind.
"You are that waste Yu Xiaogang of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"
Chen Xin spoke without the slightest courtesy, striking directly at Yu Xiaogang's deepest wound.
Yu Xiaogang's expression became exceedingly unsightly. In a voice laced with misery, he replied:
"Senior, this one no longer goes by the name Yu Xiaogang! My title is Grandmaster! You may address me simply as Grandmaster!"
Chen Xin snorted coldly:
"A man who forgets his ancestors! Your father, Yu Yuanzhen, is the Thunder Douluo. I have crossed paths with him many times. When you were a child, you awakened with only half a level of innate soul power and a pig-like martial soul. Certain radical elders of your clan advocated quietly disposing of you!"
"That way, a worthless cripple like you would not tarnish the prestige of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan! It was your father, Yu Yuanzhen, who defied them all, insisted on keeping you within the clan, and expended his own Title Douluo-level resources to support your cultivation!"
"Otherwise, how could a boy like you have reached the rank of twenty-ninth-level Great Soul Master today?"
"Your father treated you generously—yet you changed your name and surname, calling yourself 'Grandmaster' of all things!"
"You pilfered a few theories from the Spirit Hall, slapped your own name on them, and proclaimed them your own discoveries? Grandmaster, indeed—I say you are nothing but a fool!"
Chen Xin spoke with unbridled frankness and bluntness, mercilessly exposing Yu Xiaogang's sordid past for all to hear.
Yu Xiaogang gnashed his teeth in fury, yet he was powerless to retort—reduced to impotent rage.
"I had wondered earlier why this child possessed such a vile disposition. Now that I see he is your wicked disciple, Yu Xiaogang, it all makes perfect sense! Like master, like student—trash begets trash!"
Chen Xin continued his scathing commentary.
Yu Xiaogang's complexion grew paler by the moment!
To be publicly berated, excoriated, and demeaned by the Sword Douluo caused his entire body to tremble. Yet, cowardly and timid by nature, he dared not utter a single word of denial.
Before long, Yu Xiaogang resorted to his signature technique:
With a theatrical "thud," he collapsed to the ground once more and began feigning unconsciousness!
Chen Xin was entirely unsurprised:
"This fellow hasn't changed in the slightest! Back when his martial soul, Luo Sanpao, first awakened, he was ridiculed by passing guests. Unable to endure the verbal barbs, he fainted on the spot in front of everyone and played dead?"
"And now he repeats the same trick!"
Chen Xin shook his head in exasperation. With a casual wave of his martial soul, the Seven Killing Sword, several slashes landed across Yu Xiaogang's body—inflicting wounds that were painful yet not life-threatening.
After all, Yu Xiaogang was still the biological son of Yu Yuanzhen. Chen Xin had no desire to provoke open conflict with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan; he could discipline, but he would not kill.
The sharp blade sliced through skin and flesh. Yu Xiaogang, wracked with pain, leapt to his feet with a shriek:
"Aaah!"
"It hurts so much!"
Since playing dead had failed, Yu Xiaogang abandoned all pretense of composure. Ignoring his beloved disciple Tang San entirely, he turned and fled at the fastest speed he could muster, vanishing from the scene.
Tang San, watching from the side, was utterly dumbfounded.
Staring at Yu Xiaogang's retreating figure, he continued to cry out in desperation:
"Teacher! Teacher! Do not abandon me!"
Chen Xin glanced at Tang Yi, then pointed toward Tang San:
"Young one, allow me to deliver one final lesson to this despicable and shameless wretch on your behalf!"