Seeing Shen An successfully show off, Tom excitedly grabbed Jerry beside him and planted a big kiss on him.
As a cat with deep affection for Shen An, Tom was proud to have such an impressive owner.
Though in reality, Tom was the most powerful one, he had no self-awareness of this. In his mind, he was just an ordinary, adorable house cat.
But as Tom kept kissing, something felt off.
He licked Jerry once, smacked his lips, and his eyes instantly lit up. Drool dripped from his mouth as he stared at Jerry.
Brother, you smell delicious. Let me take a bite.
Jerry's face turned green. He immediately wriggled out of Tom's grasp and sprinted away, running on thin air.
Tom shot after him like an arrow.
After winning the fight, Shen An instinctively glanced over to check on his cat and mouse—only to find them gone.
His heart skipped a beat. They vanished right under his nose? He couldn't let them cause chaos. Without hesitation, he turned to leave.
"Hold it! You think you can just walk away after winning? I'll be your next opponent!" Luo Fuji stood up, his expression grave.
Unlike his earlier relaxed demeanor, he now looked solemn. He recognized Shen An's strength, but he still had confidence in defeating him.
Combat wasn't just about speed. With his superior battle rhythm, he could corner Shen An until evasion became impossible.
Shen An frowned. He needed to find Tom and Jerry ASAP. "Fine, hurry up and come up. I'm in a rush."
Luo Fuji's face darkened. What was that tone? Did this kid already think he'd won?
"You're way too arrogant. I'll shatter every bone in your body."
Luo Fuji leaped onto the stage, landing with a thunderous crash.
"Luo Fuji. Level 41. Power Attack-type Battle Soul Ancestor. Martial Soul: Golden Mad Lion."
Two yellow and two purple soul rings materialized. His muscles bulged, tearing through his loose clothing, while his hair grew wildly into a wild mane.
Watching the intimidating Luo Fuji, Emperor Xue Ye sighed inwardly. In recent years, fewer and fewer talents had pledged loyalty to the Heaven Dou Empire.
Meanwhile, the subordinate kingdoms under Heaven Dou's rule were producing exceptional talents—two young Soul Ancestors had already appeared today.
As for the five great academies, though they nurtured many skilled students, they were backed by their own factions and would never serve the imperial family.
Yet his son, Xue Qinghe, had quietly recruited someone like Shen An. The emperor couldn't help but feel pleased.
Perhaps I've grown old. It's time to transfer more authority to Qinghe. Only under his leadership can the empire shine brighter.
Shen An observed curiously. So his martial soul is a lion? Eh, nothing special.
CRASH! BANG! THUD!
A cacophony of shattering objects and frantic chasing echoed through the hall. Shen An's scalp prickled.
Was that Tom chasing Jerry? With so many people here, if they ended up blowing up the palace, how would he explain it?!
Seeing Shen An's sudden change in expression, Luo Fuji smirked. Too late to regret now.
Shen An asked quickly, "Has the match started? Can I attack now?"
Luo Fuji grinned. "Of course. You can still surrender and spare yourself the pain."
Shen An nodded. Then, his first soul ring lit up. He planned to end this fast.
"Wh—Where'd he go?!" Luo Fuji rubbed his eyes frantically. Shen An had vanished right before him.
Some nobles in the audience, no weaklings themselves, gasped. Such insane speed—comparable to a Agility-type Soul King!
The next moment, a shadow loomed over Luo Fuji—Shen An had reappeared.
His eyes were cold as he drew his sword and slashed.
The blade moved so fast it split the air, letting out a shrill shriek.
A flash of steel later, Luo Fuji's fear spiked. How is this possible? How can a Soul Elder possess such speed and offensive power?
There was no time to think. He hastily raised his arms to block, his third soul ring flaring as his muscles swelled another fold.
Shen An's eyes held mockery. Even Qin Ming, a Soul Emperor, wouldn't dare face the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass head-on. This guy's got guts.
SCHLICK!
The sword, infused with overwhelming sword intent, cleaved downward. Luo Fuji's arms were nearly severed, blood spraying everywhere—and this was with Shen An holding back.
"AAAAHHH! MY ARMS!"
"Young man, you've gone too far! A spar is one thing, but to maim like this? Today, I'll discipline you in place of your elders!"
Xiong Cheng, the younger brother of the Balak Kingdom's king, erupted with the aura of a Soul Sage. Ignoring that this was the Heaven Dou royal family's territory, he unleashed his pressure toward Shen An.
Seven soul rings materialized, the fourth emitting a terrifying purple light as a colossal bear-shaped energy palm slammed toward Shen An.
He had seen it clearly—Shen An was too strong. If this kid grew up unhindered and remained friendly with Heaven Dou, he'd become a major threat to Balak.
So Xiong Cheng chose to forsake dignity and kill Shen An publicly. At worst, he'd apologize later. The Heaven Dou royal family was already in decline—would they really execute him over this?
Xiong Cheng struck too quickly for anyone to react.
Xue Qinghe's grip on his armrest tightened. The chair, made of thousand-year soul wood, now bore clear finger marks.
A surge of fury burned within him. Again. His only friend was in danger, and yet he had to restrain himself instead of helping.
Every noble's gaze was fixed on the incoming soul skill—no one noticed Xue Qinghe's reaction.
Except one person: Prince Xue Xing.
Always viewing Xue Qinghe as a rival for his nephew Xue Beng's sake, he paid no attention to the spectacle. His eyes were locked onto Xue Qinghe, searching for weaknesses.
Now, confusion flickered in Xue Xing's gaze. This chair was crafted from millennium-tier plant soul beast wood. How could Xue Qinghe, without even releasing his martial soul, leave such deep marks?
His eyes gleamed with unreadable thoughts.
Facing this earth-shattering strike, Shen An remained calm. He might not be a match for a Soul Sage yet, but blocking one attack was manageable.
His three soul rings erupted with terrifying energy, glowing brilliantly. He had no intention of dodging.
He would meet force with force—with a sword strike!
Sword Art: Cloud-Severing!
A wisp of sword intent hidden within his body surged forth. Merged with his blade, even a casual swing could unleash power far beyond normal.
Shen An's arm muscles bulged as soul power, soul skills, and sword intent fused into this single strike.
BOOOOM!
The collision of sword and palm released a shockwave that rippled outward.
In the audience, Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wu watched Shen An advance instead of retreating, admiration rising in their hearts.
Against a Soul Sage's ambush, clashing head-on would only result in injury. The wisest move was to focus all soul power on defense to survive.
The massive bear palm dimmed after the slash but continued its descent. Shen An crossed his sword in front to block.
BAM!
Shen An was sent flying, blood trickling from his lips. Yet his sharp gaze remained fixed on Xiong Cheng, unwavering.
Xiong Cheng's killing intent intensified. He took a direct hit and wasn't even severely injured?
This child's talent is unparalleled—he must die!
"ENOUGH!"