Li Xiaoyao's face showed a faint, cold smile as he placed his hand on the table and picked up a cup of wine. With a flick of his wrist, the cup tilted, and the wine spilled out directly onto Yan Song's face. The crowd instantly fell silent. Everyone was stunned by what had just happened. No one expected that the so-called "G A R B A G E" Li Xiaoyao would dare to do such a thing—to splash wine on Yan Song's face.

However, the crowd looked on with keen interest, especially Li Dan, who now wore a broad smile. Not only could he witness Yan Song being humiliated, but he also might get the chance to see Yan Song deal with this "waste." How could such a delightful event not bring him joy?

Yan Song clearly hadn't expected this either. The wine that splashed onto his face caused him to shut his eyes, and he roughly wiped it off with his hand. As he opened his eyes, they narrowed into slits, revealing a cold, venomous look, like that of a snake.

"This fool is in for it. If he doesn't die, he'll definitely be half-dead by the time it's over," the onlookers thought to themselves as they saw the icy look in Yan Song's eyes. It seemed there was going to be some serious drama between the Yan and Li families.

"You actually dared to throw wine in my face?" Yan Song's eyes were still narrowed, shining with an eerie brightness. His tone was calm, but the calmer it was, the more terrifying it became—Yan Song was furious.

"Yes," Li Xiaoyao answered plainly with a nod.

"I truly don't understand. You such a trash, where did you find the courage to do something like this? Have you considered the consequences? Or are you so foolish as to believe that Li Dan will protect you?" Yan Song's tone was laced with mockery.

Li Xiaoyao didn't answer immediately. Instead, he picked up a wine jug from the table, uncorked it, and raised his hand once again, splashing more wine onto Yan Song's face and body.

"I don't understand either," Li Xiaoyao said calmly, "all this talk about me being a waste—are you trying to make me fear you, or are you trying to hide your own sense of inferiority, Yan family's illegitimate son?"

Yan Song was the son of the Yan family's head and a maid. Although he held the title of young master, his status was low, and this had always been a sore spot for him. He hated when anyone brought it up, and with Li Xiaoyao's words which touch his bottom line.

"Screw you.....mother fucker!!!!!!" As expected, Yan Song's face immediately became gloomy, with a few grimaces.

Without any hesitation, Yan Song, still seated, threw a punch, with a whistling sound, blasting toward Li Xiaoyao.

The hearts of the people around the wine table flinched. Yan Song was really angry. If this punch landed, Li Xiaoyao would probably be completely disfigured. The only one happy was Li Dan; the smile on his face grew brighter and brighter. He hoped Li Xiaoyao would die!

However, the result they expected did not happen. Yan Song's fist stopped halfway, but not because he was showing mercy. Instead, a palm had intercepted Yan Song's fist, grabbing it with ease. Yan Song's face turned red as he found himself unable to push forward any further.

"WHAT?" The crowd stared in shock. How could it be? How could Li Xiaoyao block the punch so easily? And at this moment, Li Xiaoyao's face remained calm, while Yan Song's face flushed red. "Actually, I don't understand. With your status as a servant's son, how dare you humiliate me and call me a waste? What qualifications do you have?"

Crack!



A miserable scream echoed as Yan Song felt a sharp pain shoot through his fist, causing his face to twist in agony.

"Get the fuck out of here!!!!!!" With a flick of Li Xiaoyao's hand, Yan Song was sent flying out of the tavern. The crowd soon heard the sound of Yan Song crashing to the ground, followed by his wailing cries. The people around the wine table froze. Yan Song, who had an eighth-level cultivation in the Qi Martial Realm, was thrown out by this so-called "waste"?

"Whew..." The crowd collectively took a deep breath. Was this really the same useless guy from the Li family?

Li Xiaoyao's gaze slowly shifted until it landed on Li Dan. When Li Dan saw the calm look in Li Xiaoyao's eyes, he actually felt a sliver of fear creep into his heart. That's right—he was afraid of the very person he'd always called useless.

Li Xiaoyao seemed different now, like he'd completely changed. Li Dan only just realized that the old Li Xiaoyao had a timid look in his eyes, but the current Li Xiaoyao had nothing but determination and resolve, with a touch of rebelliousness. Was this really the same waste of a man he used to know?

"What did you just call me?" Li Xiaoyao asked, looking right at Li Dan.

Li Dan's lips moved slightly, his face stiff. He didn't even know how to respond.

"Useless?" Li Xiaoyao sneered. A gust of cold wind seemed to sweep past, followed by a crisp sound. Li Dan instantly felt a burning pain on his face.

Li Xiaoyao had slapped him.

"You..." Li Dan covered his face, his muscles twitching. Li Xiaoyao had actually slapped him right in front of everyone. But when he saw the calm, piercing look in Li Xiaoyao's eyes, the words he wanted to say got stuck in his throat.

"Watch your mouth next time. And don't forget who you are—and who I am," Li Xiaoyao said coolly. Then, without paying any more attention to him, he walked right past Li Dan and stopped in front of Chen Shan from the Chen family.

"What do you want?" Chen Shan asked, clearly on guard. He'd just seen Li Xiaoyao toss Yan Song out like it was nothing, so he knew his strength wasn't to be underestimated.

"Are you scared?" Li Xiaoyao asked with a mocking tone.

"I..." Chen Shan was about to respond, but suddenly, an icy chill came from Li Xiaoyao's direction, causing his body to tense up. Swallowing hard, Chen Shan lowered his head, his face turning bright red just like Yan Song's had moments earlier. He didn't dare say another word.

"Stupid Ass..." Li Xiaoyao reined in his aura and walked straight out, not even bothering to glance back.

"Argh...fuck! fuck! fuck!!!!!!" Chen Shan let out a low roar, crushing the wine cup in his hand into powder. Though Li Xiaoyao hadn't laid a finger on him, the sheer disdain and humiliation were unbearable. He had mocked Li Xiaoyao, saying he wasn't even worthy to sit with them, yet when face-to-face with him, he couldn't even muster a single word of defiance. Li Xiaoyao hadn't touched him at all, but his fear had gotten the better of him. His self-esteem had shattered like the wine cup in his hand.

Li Dan wasn't feeling much better. The five-finger mark was still burning on his face. Why was it that just by standing in front of him, Li Xiaoyao had drained him of all courage to fight back?

The others at the table were silent too. They had planned to make a fool out of the so-called waste of the Li family, but instead, it was Li Xiaoyao who had utterly humiliated them. One had been thrown out of the building, another slapped across the face, and yet another didn't even dare speak a word. Could they still say Li Xiaoyao wasn't worthy of sitting with them?

Qiu Lan's gaze flickered with uncertainty. Among this group, she was the strongest, a cultivator at the Spiritual Martial Realm. She could clearly sense that when Li Xiaoyao stood there, he exuded a unique aura—a presence that made others feel inferior.

As for Li Xiaoyao himself, he had no idea about the complex emotions he'd stirred in the hearts of the people inside the tavern. He simply didn't want to be insulted and called trash to his face, especially by people who were so used to looking down on others. He couldn't stand their ugly expressions, so he decided to teach them a little lesson.

Outside, a galloping horse sped past Tingfeng Tavern. Yan Song's vicious eyes followed Li Xiaoyao's departing figure, a sinister look on his face. This grudge would not go unavenged.