Douluo Dalu: Starting With Tom Cat

Hearing this, Shen An thought to himself, Jerry must be hallucinating. Why not just take him away directly? There's no need to linger here.

He wasn't too willing to stay around a powerhouse at the top of the food chain like a Title Douluo, even if the other party hadn't shown any hostility.

But since the owner of that voice had spoken, Shen An couldn't just leave forcibly—doing so would only arouse suspicion.

Maintaining a calm expression, Shen An pushed aside the underbrush and led Tom forward.

As usual, he swept his gaze over the people ahead—two men and one woman.

One of them looked average, with flaming red hair. Not worth mentioning.

The other two had similar appearances and were clearly siblings. The brother had gray hair, while the sister had long black hair, seductive eyes, a stunning face, and a nearly flawless figure.

At their feet lay the corpse of a massive demon fox, with a pitch-black soul ring flickering faintly with light.

Yet something about the scene felt off to him.

"Kid, you can stay here on account of Nana and that cat. Once your little mouse is better, get the hell out of here," came a faint, ethereal voice.

Only then did Shen An look up in surprise and realize there was another person present.

But to his shock, although the figure was clearly right in front of him, he couldn't make out the person's appearance—only a faint silhouette.

Maybe if I fully activate the Azure Sword Eyes, I could see his true face. This guy is definitely another Title Douluo, Shen An mused.

So, Nana should be that girl from before. But what does it mean to give face to Tom? Did Tom the Cat eat some kind of "Respect Fruit" or something?

Still pondering, Shen An walked over to a tree where he found Jerry clinging to the trunk, licking and nibbling it with lustful eyes.

Good grief. Definitely hallucinating from eating random stuff, Shen An thought, though he wasn't surprised that two so-called Heavenly Emperors would get poisoned.

After all, in the cartoons, despite defying every law of physics, Tom and Jerry acted just like regular beings in daily life.

Tom struggled mightily to pull Jerry away and then carefully examined him.

"This cat is quite interesting—so agile, and even walks on two legs," Ghost Douluo remarked as he turned to Yue Guan.

"Indeed. Amusing, really. I suppose this kid is lucky to have a cat like this," Yue Guan replied with a smile.

A few days ago, Bibi Dong had held a meeting in Spirit Hall, stating that Spirit Hall should cherish cats. Although no law was made, the very fact a meeting was held solely for this purpose showed how seriously Bibi Dong took it.

As Bibi Dong's closest aides, Ghost Douluo and Yue Guan knew that this order had actually come from Qian Daoliu, the long-retired Grand Worshipper.

Though they didn't understand the reason behind it, they didn't question it either. That's why Ghost Douluo had said he'd allow Shen An to stay—for the cat's sake.

Hu Liena turned to the two Douluos. "Grandpa Ghost, Grandpa Yue, I'm going to absorb the soul ring now. Please stand guard for me."

"Nana, don't worry. With me and Old Ghost here, nothing will go wrong. But are you sure you want to absorb this Crimson Enchantress Fox with a sixteen-thousand-year age?" Yue Guan said with concern. This was well beyond the absorption limit for a Soul Master.

"Grandpa Yue, didn't we already decide when we hunted it? Since Master said that boy Shen An could absorb soul rings beyond the limit, then I definitely can too."

Shen An suddenly looked up. Well damn, so this is what it's like to overhear people gossiping about you at close range.

"Hey, kid! What are you looking at?" The red-haired man sneered, flames igniting in his hand. "Don't get any ideas. Stay right where you are and behave."

"Of course," Shen An replied with a faint smile, silently memorizing Yan's appearance. Two Title Douluos are present—I won't stir up trouble. It'd be a waste of my trump cards.

But you, buddy... I'll remember you. If I catch you alone someday, I'll beat you so bad your mother won't recognize you.

Also, why does this guy look a bit like that Feng Xiaotian? Same smug dog-faced look. Must be another hopeless simp. Shen An gave Yan a look of pity.

Yan noticed the look and felt a strange ripple in his heart. He exploded instantly. "What the hell is that look for?! Explain yourself or else!"

"Enough, Yan! Quiet! I'm about to absorb the soul ring," Hu Liena shouted.

As a member of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, Hu Liena knew Yan had feelings for her. But she had already told him—many times and in very clear terms—that she didn't like ordinary-looking men. Still, he refused to listen.

He'd even go after any guy who so much as looked at her, which was a constant headache.

Yan quickly extinguished the flames, his face full of flattery. "Nana, I was wrong. Go ahead and absorb it. I'll be quiet."

Hu Liena ignored him, took a deep breath, and walked over to the sixteen-thousand-year-old Crimson Enchantress Fox. Her heart was pounding wildly.

Can I really do this? she questioned herself.

The age limit for a fifth soul ring was twelve thousand years. But now she was attempting to absorb a soul beast four thousand years beyond that—a dangerous leap. Even a slight misstep could lead to her body exploding.

For soul beasts over ten thousand years old, the energy impact during absorption was massive, not to mention the potential soul shock.

I have a soul bone, which gives me incredible physical resilience, and my spiritual power far exceeds others at my level. I should be fine, Hu Liena kept telling herself.

Master said that boy Shen An could do it—then I can too. I, Hu Liena, if I do something, I'll aim to be the best!

If she could successfully absorb this limit-breaking soul ring, it would mean her foundation was far superior to other Soul Masters of the same level—an unimaginable advantage for her future.

"Nana\~" Ghost Douluo's ethereal voice suddenly rang out, startling Hu Liena just as she was about to sit and start the process.

"Grandpa Ghost! What the heck? You scared me half to death!" Hu Liena pouted.

"Pffft! Old Ghost, didn't I tell you your voice is creepy?" Yue Guan burst out laughing beside him.

Ghost Douluo shot Yue Guan an annoyed glance, though no one could see his expression through the shadows.

"Nana, since you've made your decision, Grandpa Ghost supports you. Just be careful, and believe in yourself. A Soul Master's will is the most miraculous thing."

Hu Liena nodded firmly. "Mm!"

Then, without hesitation, she activated her soul power and began to absorb the soul ring!

Shen An watched the scene with great interest. Will this girl actually succeed?

Meanwhile, Jerry had already been rescued by Tom. After a fruitless physical exam, Tom resorted to the most basic method of treatment.

He reached into Jerry's mouth and pulled out what he had eaten—a rainbow-colored mushroom.

Even Yue Guan, watching from the side, was dumbfounded. This thing is even edible? This little mouse is seriously brave.

Also, why was this poisonous mushroom several times larger than the mouse itself? How did it even swallow it?

And never mind how plausible it is to reach into someone's stomach—but how the hell was the mushroom still whole after being pulled out?! Not even a bite mark?

Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo exchanged bewildered looks. Even with their knowledge as Title Douluos, they couldn't begin to understand what they had just witnessed.