Not just Shen An—even Tom and Jerry were feeling guilty. They knew exactly what they had done.
During their chaotic antics, they had essentially demolished every building except for the palace.
If they had to pay for the damages… that would cost a fortune, right? The cat and mouse nervously wiped their sweat, their feet practically forming small puddles beneath them.
Fortunately, Emperor Xue Ye stepped in to settle the matter:
"Tom and Jerry's musical mastery is unparalleled—their performance was nothing short of heavenly, truly a blessing for tonight's banquet. In my opinion, they deserve a generous reward—10,000 gold soul coins each!"
"Hmph!"
Xiong Cheng's already bruised face darkened further. This wasn't a reward for their performance—it was clearly compensation for the humiliation they had made him suffer.
Shen An also let out a sigh of relief. After all, the emperor's word was final—once spoken, it couldn't be taken back.
"Is there anyone else who wishes to challenge me?" Shen An asked leisurely.
With Tom and Jerry back by his side, he wasn't in a hurry anymore. His gaze swept across the crowd, curious if anyone could step up and give him a real challenge.
Huo Wu was immediately tempted, her rear barely leaving her seat before Feng Xiaotian grabbed her.
"What are you doing? If Shui Bing'er won't go, are you also refusing to challenge Shen An with me?" Huo Wu glared at Feng Xiaotian, displeased.
Feng Xiaotian forced a bitter smile. "Huo Wu, the situation is clearly unusual. Those people from the Balak Kingdom are obviously representing their factions in challenging Shen An."
"If you rashly take the stage, Emperor Xue Ye might interpret it as our families opposing the royal family."
"Besides, you saw Shen An's strength just now. None of us can take him one-on-one, and teaming up would sound bad at a grand banquet like this."
"Next time—next time, I swear I'll fight alongside you and beat Shen An into the ground."
"Hmph, fine. That makes sense. I guess he's just lucky this time." Huo Wu nodded in agreement before glaring fiercely at Feng Xiaotian again.
"Ahem… Huo Wu, what now?" Feng Xiaotian asked with an innocent expression.
"Get your filthy paws off me!" Huo Wu snapped, eyeing Feng Xiaotian's hand, which was still gripping her arm.
Feng Xiaotian reluctantly let go, inwardly celebrating. I touched Huo Wu's hand… hehe, I won't wash this hand for a week.
Two or three older Soul Ancestors stepped up to challenge Shen An, but the result was predictable—none could withstand even a single strike from his sword.
As time passed—one moment, then another—no one else dared to challenge him. Finally, Emperor Xue Ye, beaming with satisfaction, declared the banquet concluded.
The nobles began to depart, but when they opened the palace doors and looked outside, they froze in shock.
At that moment, Emperor Xue Ye was smiling as he personally handed the gold soul coin cards to Tom and Jerry.
The two little creatures' eyes sparkled, their pupils turning into gold coin symbols—they were about to become rich!
More and more nobles crowded at the door, and Emperor Xue Ye frowned. What's going on? Why isn't anyone moving?
With his guards clearing the way, the nobles parted, allowing the emperor to approach the entrance.
Then, the usually composed Emperor Xue Ye suddenly froze, his eyes widening and his jaw dropping in stunned silence.
What did he see?
The once-luxurious imperial gardens had been reduced to rubble—broken stones and shattered wood littered the ground as far as the eye could see.
"Did a damn cat and mouse do this?! Even a ten-thousand-year soul beast couldn't cause this much destruction!" The emperor couldn't help but curse.
Shen An quietly pulled Tom and Jerry behind Xue Qinghe. Now you've seen the true power of the demolition duo.
Emperor Xue Ye suddenly turned back, reconsidering the reward he had just given Tom and Jerry.
Who knows how much it'll cost to rebuild these gardens…
---
Shen An, now with Tom and Jerry in tow, stayed at Xue Qinghe's residence. The crown prince sipped tea while keeping a wary eye on the two troublemakers, afraid they'd disappear from sight and reduce his home to ruins.
In the end, Emperor Xue Ye didn't hold Tom and Jerry accountable. After all, as the emperor, he couldn't go back on his word.
Besides, Shen An had defended the royal family's honor, and Tom and Jerry had humiliated Xiong Cheng in public. That was far more valuable than some buildings that could be rebuilt with money.
"Shen An, thank you. We couldn't have done it without you," Xue Qinghe said with a smile.
Shen An chuckled. "No need for thanks—you know I love the spotlight. This was a win-win for both of us."
"Ha! 'Win-win'—what a fitting phrase. Simple yet profound. May we always have such victories together." Xue Qinghe laughed heartily.
He repeated the phrase under his breath.
Win-win… together… always with me? His expression softened imperceptibly, carrying an indescribable warmth.
Shen An… let us be friends for life. When I ascend to the throne, your name shall resound across the land. You will share in my glory.
Xue Qinghe suddenly looked up, meeting Shen An's gaze.
At that moment, Shen An felt an inexplicable aura of majesty emanating from Xue Qinghe.
What a strange illusion… Does something like 'overbearing aura' really exist? Shen An wondered internally.
"Well, Brother Xue, I should take my leave now. There's someone waiting for me at home," Shen An said, preparing to depart.
Someone? Those two girls? Xue Qinghe's mood instantly soured.
"Ahem, then you should go. I won't see you off—I still have matters to attend to."
"However, Shen An, as a young man, you should uphold male virtues. Living with girls might invite unnecessary gossip." Xue Qinghe remarked casually.
Why does that sound so strange coming from him?
Shen An left with Tom and Jerry, while Xue Qinghe silently watched him go.
As the sky darkened, Xue Qinghe murmured to himself, It's time.
He entered a secluded room and pressed a hidden mechanism. A secret door slid open, revealing a person who looked identical to him sitting inside.
"Stay here," Qian Renxue ordered coldly.
"Yes!" The fake Xue Qinghe stepped out, and for a moment, it was impossible to tell who was real.
Xue Qinghe entered the hidden passage. With each step, his appearance shifted subtly.
By the time he vanished into the shadows, he had fully reclaimed his true identity—the heir of the Spirit Hall, the unparalleled genius, Qian Renxue!
Under the cover of night, a figure streaked out of Heaven Dou City, speeding toward the Balak Kingdom.
Xiong Cheng dared to lay a hand on Shen An? Then I'll make sure he regrets it.
If she couldn't act as Xue Qinghe, then she would intervene as the never-before-seen Qian Renxue.
---
The Balak Kingdom delegation was riding back on horseback, led by the bruised and battered Xiong Cheng.
His face was twisted in fury—despite their team's healing-type soul master, the swelling on his face refused to subside.
How is this possible? It was just a couple of hits from an axe—why won't it heal?
Returning to the kingdom in this state would be a humiliation beyond repair.
Glancing back at Heaven Dou City, Xiong Cheng seethed. Not only had they failed to embarrass the imperial family, but they had also made fools of themselves.
Luo Fuji was still unconscious, the sharp sword energy lingering in his body, resisting all attempts to dispel it.
That was why Xiong Cheng hadn't delayed—he needed to return quickly and find a stronger healer for Luo Fuji.
"Wait! Go on ahead without me!" Xiong Cheng suddenly tensed, sensing an overwhelming, sacred, and blazing aura approaching rapidly.
The Balak soldiers obeyed without hesitation—military discipline was second nature to them.
Qian Renxue, veiled and hovering midair, observed Xiong Cheng coldly.
Xiong Cheng's expression darkened. A Soul Emperor? Only six rings? Then why do I feel such impending doom?
"I am Xiong Cheng of the Balak Kingdom. Who are you, and what do you want?" As he spoke, seven soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black—materialized around him. His body transformed as his martial soul activated.
Qian Renxue replied indifferently, "No introductions are necessary. Your time is up."
"Why?!" Xiong Cheng demanded.
"The dead need no answers."
"Martial Soul, awaken!" Knowing negotiation was futile, Xiong Cheng unleashed his full power without hesitation.
"ROAR—!!!" A bear's roar echoed—but strangely, the sound didn't carry. Xiong Cheng realized the area was enveloped in a faint golden light, isolating all noise.
…A domain? A Soul Emperor? What kind of monster is this? How did I provoke someone like her?!
Facing the towering bear-form of Xiong Cheng, Qian Renxue remained impassive. Golden light erupted from her body, forming radiant halos in the air.
Her wings unfurled, and she shot toward Xiong Cheng like a golden meteor.
Her first soul ring flashed as golden energy condensed around her right fist, forming a massive shield-like force that she hurled at Xiong Cheng.
Xiong Cheng, a seasoned Soul Sage, was no pushover. His own soul ring brightened as he met her attack head-on!
BOOM—!!!
The shockwave sent debris flying in all directions.
When the dust settled, Xiong Cheng's head rolled to the ground, his eyes filled with disbelief.
He had been killed by a Soul Emperor—without even a chance to flee.
Qian Renxue wrinkled her nose at the scent of blood. "Come out."
A plainly dressed old man materialized out of nowhere, bowing respectfully. "Your Highness, keeping him alive would have been more useful—it could have deepened tensions between the two nations."
"No matter. What's done is done. Clean this up."
The old man sighed internally. A Titled Douluo like me, reduced to handling such trivialities… But what can I do? She is the future ruler of the Spirit Hall.
---
Shen An returned to his courtyard with Tom and Jerry, who were struggling to carry a mountain of goods.
Flush with their newfound wealth, the two had gone on a shopping spree, buying enough snacks to last a lifetime.
Even when Shen An offered to store the items in his spatial pouch, they refused—they wanted to flaunt their haul, basking in the envious stares of passersby.
(Though Shen An suspected those looks were more shock than envy—since when could a cat and mouse carry a pile of items over ten meters long?)
Watching the two struggle to haul their loot inside, Shen An chuckled before checking his fame points out of habit.
His grin widened instantly.
"So many!"