Shen An's heart burned with excitement. Every point his fame value increased meant he was one step closer to revenge.
He gazed into the distance as if he could already see that wretched black gorilla deep in the Star Dou Forest. Once I reach Soul Sage—no, Soul Emperor—even if it costs me, I'll make sure you're dead.
Shen An had not the slightest doubt about his own potential. With all the miraculous tools granted by his system, he was only looking for the most efficient way to bring down the Titan Giant Ape.
Letting out a long breath, Shen An turned his attention to the next task—bringing Tom to the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena to fight under a smurf account. Although he could only enter once per day, even mosquito meat adds up over time. Eventually, it would turn into a substantial stream of income.
Upon hearing the plan, Tom obediently dug through the wardrobe and pulled out a yellow-and-black striped cat costume.
In an instant, he transformed from a blue cat into a mini tiger cub.
Only... this little tiger stood on two legs, looking more like a stretched-out skinny cat than a predator. It was a bit absurd.
Holding back a laugh, Shen An praised, "Good job, Tom. If we're going to act, we have to go all in. This way, no one will recognize us."
Shen An managed to hold his laughter, but Jerry wasn't so generous. He clutched his belly and slapped his thigh while bursting out in exaggerated giggles.
Tom the mini tiger didn't waste a second—he lunged at Jerry. His legs stayed planted, but his upper body had already launched forward.
Before Shen An could say a word to stop them, the two turned into a spinning brown whirlwind and a yellow-black striped cyclone, spiraling around Shen An like a chaotic vortex.
When the storm passed, Shen An looked down helplessly. Tom had tangled him up like a giant ball of yarn, wrapped into a perfect knot.
Off to the side, Jerry stuck out his tongue, shaking his head with a "tsk tsk tsk," as if to say, "Even in a new outfit, you still can't beat me."
Shen An's eye twitched uncontrollably. Ridiculous. Even with his level of awareness and reflexes, he hadn't been able to react in time.
In the end, he had to call in Zhu Zhuqing to help untangle Tom. Only then did man and cat regain their freedom.
Shen An spent quite a while coaxing Tom, promising him all kinds of tasty snacks. Only then did Tom stop holding a grudge against Jerry.
Though their daily scuffles were routine, things still needed to be kept under control—or else they might end up demolishing the entire Heaven Dou City.
Watching Tom being coaxed so easily, even Jerry looked a little envious. Tom's new master really treated him well.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong were amazed by the mini tiger transformation, poking and stroking it curiously. It felt just like real fur.
Soon enough, they left to mind their own business. After spending so much time around Tom, they had grown accustomed to his endless bag of surprises.
···
That evening, at the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena.
"Name: Tom. Rank: Level 40 Beast Soul Master. Martial Soul: Fine Tiger."
Shen An, now wearing a mask, nodded calmly.
"Please release your Martial Soul. The Great Spirit Arena has a rule—those unwilling to reveal their true identities must at least show their Martial Soul to avoid exploiting loopholes."
Shen An casually released his soul power. A translucent mini tiger curled up in sleep appeared beside him. It looked so comfortable that it even began to let out soft, catlike purring.
Sensing the gaze of others, Tom instantly jolted awake. He remembered that this was part of a performance with Shen An.
The unconscious meowing stopped immediately, replaced by a low, growling roar. Honestly, it wasn't bad—it sounded fairly convincing.
But Tom wasn't done yet. Dissatisfied, he shifted from soul projection to a full physical form.
A brand-new, vividly striped yellow-and-black mini tiger stood before the crowd.
The staff stared in stunned silence. "I've worked here for years," one finally muttered, "but I've never seen a Martial Soul this... dainty. And it can act on its own?"
Shen An smiled. "Of course. So, can I proceed with the match?"
"Go ahead. One-on-one matches move quickly—yours is up soon."
Before long, Shen An was called to the stage.
His opponent was a Level 39 Soul Elder with a bow-and-arrow Martial Soul.
Strangely enough, the opponent loosed a dozen arrows in a row, aiming directly at Shen An. Shen An began sidestepping, while Tom—terrified—hit the ground, curled up, and covered his head, trembling.
Shen An made a slight move to the side, letting the arrows fly past. But instead of embedding into the wall or dropping, the arrows bounced—again and again—ricocheting wildly off the arena walls.
After more than a dozen bounces, they arced around the whole arena and landed, one after another, right in Tom's backside.
The entire audience was stunned.
Even the archer himself stood baffled. "My arrows... bounce?"
Tom's eyes welled up with tears. Too much. He'd even hidden in a corner, and still got hit in the butt.
Infuriated, Tom leapt forward and snatched the opponent's Martial Soul bow right from him. He pulled the string taut, aimed directly at the man's rear, and with his whiskers twitching, seemed to say: Time for you to know what it feels like!
"Biu—!"
A massive twang rang out as the bow launched. The arrow hovered midair—and Tom got launched instead, flying across the stage.
Shen An silently covered his face. No words. Only Tom could manage to shoot a bow and end up launching himself.
Huh? Still daydreaming? You're asking for it.
Seeing his opponent just as dazed as the audience, Shen An didn't hesitate. He charged forward. With explosive speed and overwhelming physical strength, he delivered a straight punch—KO.
The arena erupted into cheers and applause—but not for Shen An. The crowd roared for Tom. His slapstick fighting style had them laughing nonstop.
Such a chaotic and comedic battle—who wouldn't love it?
Under his mask, Shen An's lips curved into a smile. This was the charm of the classic Tom and Jerry style—timeless and unmatched.
After stepping off the stage, the arena staff treated Shen An with even more enthusiasm. Defeating a Soul Elder so easily? That demanded respect—though they still weren't sure what role that Martial Soul played.
Up in the stands, the arena supervisor, Gao Hao, watched Shen An's retreating figure, eyes flickering with doubt.
He remembered that cat—Tom. That unpredictable combat style was unforgettable.
But why... did this masked man's Martial Soul give off that same "Tom-like" vibe?
Gao Hao shook his head slowly. Impossible. No one can have two Martial Souls.
As Shen An exited the Great Spirit Arena, he glanced at his steadily rising fame value. His heart surged with delight.
Just as he expected—nothing beats the Spirit Arena for gaining both fame and fortune.
Walking into an empty alley, Shen An emerged a moment later without the mask. Beside him now stood a familiar blue cat.
Tom rubbed his sore backside, muttering, "Why is it always me getting hurt? Way too unfair to cats..."