Douluo Dalu: Starting With Tom Cat

"Go play somewhere else? At my age, you want me to go play? Even you, Dugu Bo, are just a junior in front of me."

Enraged, Elder Long muttered bitterly in his heart, then turned and left.

He dared not provoke Dugu Bo. Though the man bore the title of the weakest Title Douluo, his mastery over poison was peerless, and more importantly—he played dirty.

He was someone who would absolutely bully the weak. Elder Long had to think of the Meng Clan behind him.

Shen An chuckled. "Senior Dugu, long time no see. You're looking more spirited than ever."

He wasn't surprised by Dugu Bo's appearance—he was the one who called him here.

He had decided not to meet with Zhu Zhuqing and Rongrong just yet. Better to wait until after the registration process was settled. If the two girls found out he refused to join Team One, there'd be an uproar.

But he didn't have many contacts in Heaven Dou City. Reaching out to Xue Qinghe would draw too much attention, so Dugu Bo naturally became the best choice.

Dugu Bo smiled. "Thanks to you. After you neutralized my poison, I shot straight to Rank 92. With all those years of accumulation, I'm now not far from the threshold of Rank 93."

"Well then, let's head to my estate first. It's usually unoccupied, so you can settle in with peace of mind. I've already arranged a meeting with Xue Qinghe in my name."

As he spoke, Dugu Bo suddenly furrowed his brow and turned sharply, staring at Na'er with a grave expression.

"Shen An, this girl isn't simple. Where did she come from? With my cultivation, I actually feel an unprecedented sense of suppression just standing near her."

Shen An nodded calmly. "I know. Her name's Na'er. Tom picked her up. Don't worry—she's no threat. We all like her very much."

"Hello, Grandpa! My name's Na'er!" Na'er greeted Dugu Bo cheerfully.

For some inexplicable reason, seeing this adorable little girl left Dugu Bo feeling flattered and overwhelmed.

He quickly forced a smile, though it wasn't very pretty. "Hello, Na'er. Grandpa's name is Dugu Bo."

"Senior Dugu, let's get going now," Shen An said. Given his fame in Heaven Dou City, lingering too long could spread word to the two girls.

Dugu Bo's estate sat in the very heart of the bustling city. The area it covered was immense—a gift from Prince Xue Xing himself.

But Dugu Bo preferred seclusion, often retreating to remote mountain forests, and thus rarely lived there.

Inside the estate, Xue Qinghe sat deep in thought. That old venomous freak had summoned her but hadn't explained why—only said there was something important to discuss.

Being a person of deep cunning, Xue Qinghe naturally considered many possibilities. She even suspected that Dugu Bo might have seen through her identity and, under Prince Xue Xing's orders, intended to take her life.

Thinking this, she glanced discreetly at the wall. Behind it, the Porcupinefish and Snake Spear Douluos were hidden, standing by.

If Dugu Bo made any sudden move, she'd immediately join forces with the two Title Douluos to take him down.

"Hahaha! Apologies, Your Highness. Kept you waiting. My young friend here asked me to invite you, but refused to explain any further," Dugu Bo's voice came from outside the door.

Xue Qinghe put on her usual professional smile, ready to exchange pleasantries.

But when she saw the person following behind Dugu Bo, her well-honed composure shattered—she froze in place, stunned.

Rubbing her eyes in disbelief, she was overwhelmed by a sudden, inexplicable surge of emotion.

It had been over half a year since she last saw Shen An. Now, seeing him again stirred something deep within her.

She really wanted to embrace him and ease her longing, but in the end, her rationality—tempered by years of scheming—overpowered her instincts.

She only gave a faint smile.

"Shen An, long time no see."

"Long time no see," Shen An replied with a smile of his own.

Dugu Bo also sensed the strange bond between the two—something he couldn't quite name.

He muttered inwardly, This kid doesn't just have luck with women. Didn't think he'd get along this well with a prince too.

"Shen An, I won't get in your way. Next time, let's have a drink," Dugu Bo said before turning to leave—playing his role as a tool to the end.

Shen An stepped forward and lightly tapped Xue Qinghe's shoulder. "Brother Xue, surprised? Happy?"

Xue Qinghe had initially intended to dodge, but after a moment's hesitation, she stayed still. Just a gesture between boys, right?

"It really is a surprise. You came and didn't even tell me—had Senior Dugu invite me instead," Xue Qinghe gave him a playful glare.

"Haha, I snuck back this time. You were the first one I came to see. I wanted to ask a favor."

The first one he came to see? Xue Qinghe's lips curled upward, her heart blooming with joy.

"Say the word. Whatever it is, this Crown Prince will handle it," she said magnanimously, in high spirits.

"Haha, well… I'd like to join the Heaven Dou Royal Academy under Team Two. Also, could you keep it from Zhuqing and Rongrong?"

Xue Qinghe looked at him with some confusion. "I don't quite get your reasoning, but if that's what you want, I'll support you. Leave it to me."

Suddenly, Shen An said, "Oh right—what about Tom and Jerry? Haven't seen them in a while."

In the courtyard, Tom and Jerry, who were showing Na'er around, perked up at the mention of their names and hurried over with Na'er in tow.

Xue Qinghe was stunned to see a cat, a mouse, and an adorable human child approaching her.

"T-this… who is this?" she asked, pointing at Na'er, dumbfounded. He went out for a while and brought back a little girl?

Shen An suddenly remembered. "Brother Xue, this is Na'er. Tom found her by chance. She should be about six now. Could you help her awaken her Martial Soul?"

Xue Qinghe couldn't help but chuckle. The Crown Prince herself, being asked to awaken a little girl's Martial Soul? What a waste of talent.

Still, she took out six black stones. "No problem. It'll only take a moment."

Her Angel Martial Soul trembled slightly—she was sensing something unusual from this child. And since Shen An had asked, of course she wouldn't refuse.

In a flash, a silver spear manifested faintly in Na'er's palm.

Xue Qinghe stared at it and felt a strange unease.

"Na'er, place your hand on this blue crystal ball," she instructed.

Na'er obediently followed. Suddenly, a dazzling blue light flared—the entire orb glittered like a radiant gem, even emitting a faint golden glow in the end.

Shen An had never gone through a traditional awakening, so he asked curiously, "Is this innate full Soul Power?"

The always composed Xue Qinghe was now deeply shaken. She had expected Na'er to be gifted, but not to this extent.

"Yes and no," she replied, her tone conflicted. This crystal orb wasn't just any ordinary item—it had been used by Qian Daoliu himself to test her soul power.

Shen An looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"It's innate full Soul Power… but not at level ten. It's innate full Soul Power at level thirty," Xue Qinghe said, word by word, staring at him.

She had always thought of herself as the unrivaled genius of the continent. Yet this little girl Shen An picked up on a whim had far surpassed even her.