The Sword Douluo, throughout his life, had always hated evil with a passion. Toward a youth like Tang San, whose character he deemed crooked and malevolent, he naturally felt compelled to deliver a thorough lesson:
"Pa! Pa! Pa!"
Immediately thereafter came the second, third, and subsequent slaps—falling like a sudden storm of wind and rain, each strike distinct in rhythm and exquisitely controlled in force.
Every blow inflicted sharp pain deep into the flesh, yet was artfully directed to avoid vital bones. A subtle, resilient inner energy penetrated beneath the surface, prolonging the burning sensation without causing irreversible harm.
Tang San stood frozen like a marionette, compelled to endure the humiliation in full. His cheeks swiftly swelled red, stars exploding before his eyes.
Only after exactly forty-eight slaps did Chen Xin cease. With a casual flick of his sleeve, a gentle yet irresistible force surged forth. The restraints binding Tang San dissolved, yet he could no longer control his body. He staggered helplessly out of the blacksmith shop, tumbling into the muddy street like a discarded carcass—utterly disheveled and humiliated.
The punishment had been calibrated with perfect precision.
The superficial pain was sufficient to leave an indelible memory for a week or two, while the muscles, bones, and internal organs remained largely unharmed.
Such was the mastery of control possessed by a Title Douluo.
Tang San struggled to his feet, cheeks grotesquely swollen, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. Rage and shame burned within him; he mentally cursed Sword Douluo Chen Xin a thousand times over—yet he lacked even the courage to cast a single defiant glance backward. All he could do was flee in disgrace.
Having dealt with Tang San, the Sword Douluo turned his gaze toward Tang Yi with an unexpectedly gentle expression:
"If I am not mistaken, your current soul power has already reached the tenth level, has it not?"
"Although such a rank is, at present, negligible, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan possesses a dedicated Weapons Hall. Your forging talent is exceptional. In the future, by cultivating your soul power while simultaneously honing your smithing skills, it will not be long before you establish a resounding reputation across the continent!"
The Sword Douluo extended an olive branch.
Yet within his heart, Tang Yi gave a faint, indifferent shake of the head.
Forging? Smithing?
That represented merely one of the most trivial applications of Li Yuanba's Thirty-Six Paths of the Gilded Hammer Technique.
Once his Nine Yang True Scripture advanced further, the full might of the Thirty-Six Paths of the Gilded Hammer Technique would erupt with far greater power!
Observing Tang Yi's hesitation, Sword Douluo Chen Xin pressed once more:
"Young brother, Notting City is merely a small town. Even its finest institution, Notting Junior Soul Master Academy, remains an utterly ordinary and foundational establishment. In terms of faculty strength and available resources, it ranks at the very bottom."
"By contrast, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan stands among the supreme upper three sects of the continent!"
Chen Xin spoke with earnest persuasion.
"My sect can provide you with the most generous resources imaginable!"
As the foremost auxiliary sect on the continent, the direct-line disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan generally lacked offensive power and required protection. The clan therefore maintained a constant demand for reliable self-defense weapons, which was why it operated a dedicated Weapons Hall.
In Chen Xin's estimation, Tang Yi's forging aptitude ranked among the finest he had ever witnessed. In time, the youth could undoubtedly rise to become a grandmaster blacksmith—making him an individual eminently worthy of cultivation and recruitment.
Nevertheless, Tang Yi had no intention of joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
With the Plane Jade Pendant in his possession, he already stood with the full backing of his motherland, Great Xia. Resources were the least of his concerns.
"I am truly sorry, Grandfather. I have no desire to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan at this time."
Tang Yi declined courteously.
The Sword Douluo attempted one final persuasion:
"You truly will not reconsider?"
Tang Yi shook his head once more:
"My apologies, Grandfather. For the present, I have no intention of entering any sect."
Chen Xin's expression shifted slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he did not insist further.
"Very well. Each person follows their own path; I shall not compel you."
"In that case—should you ever change your mind and wish to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—simply mention the name of Sword Douluo. The gates of our sect shall remain open to you forever!"
With those words, Chen Xin tossed a token to Tang Yi.
The front of the token bore an exquisitely carved, intricately translucent seven-tiered treasure pagoda, surrounded by wisps of drifting cloud-like patterns. The reverse featured the simple yet elegant outline of an ancient longsword. Along the edges were engraved minute soul-guide runes, faintly shimmering with flowing light.
This was none other than the exclusive token of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Chen Xin offered a final smile before mounting his sword and departing into the sky.
Inside and outside the blacksmith shop, only after the sword light had completely vanished did the onlookers seem to awaken from a dream, exhaling in collective relief.
Shi San was the first to approach Tang Yi. He clapped the youth heavily on the shoulder, his voice filled with disbelief and regret:
"Young brother! Do you realize who that was just now? That was a Title Douluo—one who stands at the pinnacle of the soul master world! Moreover, he hails from one of the upper three sects—the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan!"
"How could you possibly refuse him?"
At that moment, Director Su from Notting Junior Soul Master Academy—having received word and hurried over—happened to witness the Sword Douluo's departure.
Director Su approached Tang Yi, his face likewise etched with profound regret. He shook his head and sighed:
"Little Yi, this was an opportunity of monumental proportions! A stroke of fortune that countless individuals would beg for in vain!"
Confronted with the sighs and incomprehension of those around him, Tang Yi merely caressed the warm, lustrous glazed token in his palm. He gazed toward the sky where the Sword Douluo had vanished, and spoke with unwavering resolve:
"My path does not lie there."
...…
Within Notting Junior Soul Master Academy:
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang and Tang San sat applying medicinal salve to each other's wounds.
Their injuries were neither light nor severe, yet each application of the salve stimulated the nerves, producing waves of stinging pain.
Tang San's eyes blazed with fury as he spat:
"Sword Douluo—Chen Xin—has already earned himself a path to death!"
For once, Yu Xiaogang displayed uncharacteristic boldness.
Having learned of the Sword Douluo's departure, he no longer felt constrained and began to speak harshly:
"Sword Douluo Chen Xin is nothing more than a bullying mongrel who relies on his sect's power!"
"His attainment of Title Douluo status was bought with countless gold soul coins by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's sect master, Ning Fengzhi!"
"Moreover, his age has already advanced considerably. His soul power can rise no further!"
Yu Xiaogang continued his vehement disparagement:
"On the surface, Sword Douluo Chen Xin appears imposing, yet in reality he is merely clinging to the fading glow of past glory—a walking corpse in a mausoleum! How can he compare to you and me, master and disciple, whose futures hold limitless potential!"
Tang San nodded repeatedly:
"Teacher is absolutely right! The humiliation of today is engraved upon my heart. One day, I shall make the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan pay a grievous price for what transpired!"
Satisfied that he had vented sufficiently, Yu Xiaogang recalled his own earlier behavior. To preserve the lofty image he held in Tang San's mind, he added hastily:
"Little San, do not blame your teacher for slipping away earlier. It was not cowardice—I returned to seek reinforcements and summon aid."
Hearing these words, Tang San suddenly felt a twinge of discomfort.
Having lived two lifetimes, he naturally understood that within Notting City, what manner of reinforcement could possibly contend with a Title Douluo?
Yet Tang San, shaped by the feudal values of his previous era, carried deeply ingrained traditional notions.
"A Title Douluo's strength is truly terrifying! It was better that Teacher withdrew first than for both of us to perish together. At the very least, this preserves the hope of future vengeance."
Through self-justification, Tang San forcibly reframed Yu Xiaogang's actions in a positive light.
"Teacher, rest assured—how could I possibly blame you? I am your direct disciple, after all!"
Tang San offered a smile.
Seeing Tang San display such "understanding," the great weight in Yu Xiaogang's heart lifted. A gratified smile spread across his face as he patted Tang San's still-injured shoulder:
"Good, good! Truly worthy of being my disciple—sensible, broad-minded, and possessing exceptional temperament and insight far beyond ordinary men."
Rising to his feet and clasping his hands behind his back, Yu Xiaogang once again assumed the dignified air of the "Grandmaster":
"Enough of unnecessary words. The urgent priority now is to make you stronger as swiftly as possible. These superficial wounds serve as an excellent warning."
"Beginning tomorrow, your teacher shall subject you to a period of intensive special training! We must ensure your strength advances dramatically in the shortest possible time!"
"Yes, Teacher!"
A fierce fighting spirit reignited in Tang San's eyes as pride once more swelled within him.