Douluo Continent: Starting with a Tom Cat

Dai Mubai walked up to them, a cold glint in his evil eyes. He said to Shen An, "I'm taking this student to the assessment. Unimportant personnel, leave now, or don't blame me for being impolite."

Feeling Dai Mubai's inexplicable hostility towards him, Shen An couldn't help but find it amusing. Was it because of Zhu Zhuqing or because he thought I was easy to bully?

Or perhaps both.

Shen An's originally gentle expression instantly changed, and his eyes became extremely sharp. He stared straight at Dai Mubai: "I'd like to see how impolite you'll be."

Just as Dai Mubai was about to unleash his surging soul power to teach this arrogant brat a lesson,

Zhu Zhuqing was unaware that Shen An had already obtained his second soul ring and advanced to the Great Soul Master level. She sensed the surging and powerful soul power fluctuations emanating from Dai Mubai and stood in front of Shen An without hesitation.

Upon seeing this, Dai Mubai's evil intentions intensified. He could sense the unique power of the Netherworld Cat from the soul power released by Zhu Zhuqing.

The woman before him was undoubtedly his fiancée, with whom he was engaged.

But now his fiancée is standing in front of another man.

Dai Mubai was now burning with rage. What was this? Protecting another man in front of her husband?

"Hmph! You're just a useless coward who hides behind women. If you're a man, step forward."

Shen An chuckled softly, gently pushed Zhu Zhuqing aside, and said, "Zhuqing, let me do it."

Although Shen An's tone was light, it carried an undeniable air of authority. Zhu Zhuqing hesitated for a moment before making room for him.

Dai Mubai possesses immense soul power and exudes an overbearing and domineering aura. However, Shen An is no pushover either, having never truly engaged in combat since acquiring the ultimate martial soul.

Although Dai Mubai should have more combat experience and soul power level than him, Shen An was not afraid at all because of the high quality of the ultimate martial soul, the soul rings at each limit year, and so many days of sparring with Tom.

At this moment, Li Yusong said in a deep voice, "What kind of behavior is this, fighting and fooling around during the enrollment period? Mu Bai, why don't you take him over and take a look?"

Li Yusong secretly thought to himself, "Judging from the fluctuations of this young man's soul power, he must be a rare genius. If I let Mu Bai take him to see the strength of our academy, he will obediently sign up."

As for the conflict between Dai Mubai and Shen An, he thought it was just a childish quarrel and not worth mentioning.

Dai Mubai's imposing aura faltered. Since Li Yusong had spoken, he had no choice but to obey. So he said coldly, "Let's go, I'll take you there."

Seeing this, Shen An felt it was a pity; he really wanted to teach Dai Mubai a profound lesson.

This guy has a foul mouth and acts arrogantly, and it's definitely not because he's Xiao Zhu's nominal fiancé.

However, since we're on their territory, and that six-ring Soul Emperor has spoken without showing favoritism, we should wait for another opportunity.

“Monsters appear every year, but there are especially many this year. There are four of them at once. Mu Bai, why don’t you take them with you to the fourth level?” As Li Yusong spoke, his eyes subtly glanced at Shen An.

This was the intuition of a six-ring Soul Emperor. The boy holding the cat was definitely not simple, and might even be the most talented among them. It would be a real shame not to recruit him into the academy.

Flanders appointed him as an admissions officer because he recognized Flanders' talent for recognizing people.

"Yes." Dai Mubai respectfully agreed, his evil eyes glancing at Zhu Zhuqing again without leaving a trace, before turning around and leading them away.

Among the group, Tang San and Dai Mubai became acquainted and talked along the way.

Dai Mubai took the opportunity to praise the academy, explaining how high Shrek Academy's admission standards were, and how it had only admitted a little over forty students over the years.

Even Xiao Wu couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, and Tang San also asked in doubt, "Without students and without income, how can the academy survive?"

A hint of respect flashed in Dai Mubai's eyes: "The Dean said that we would rather have none than have bad ones. We only recruit students with exceptional talent, and the graduation requirements of the academy are to reach level 40 before graduation and to be under 20 years old."

Shen Anping said calmly, "According to your standards, students need to have a soul power level of over 20 before the age of thirteen and be exceptionally talented. So, wouldn't it be basic for such students to reach level 40 before the age of twenty? What does that have to do with you? I don't see any use for your academy at all."

Dai Mubai, who already harbored hostility towards Shen An, roared angrily upon hearing this, "What do you know!"

Chapter 33 Another Conflict with Dai Mubai

Dai Mubai already harbored hostility towards Shen An, and Shen An's disrespectful remarks towards the academy this time further angered him.

Dai Mubai said, "Our Shrek Academy has enrolled dozens of students in the past 20 years, but only fourteen have actually graduated. After leaving the academy, all fourteen of them have become world-renowned figures. The most outstanding among them is the youngest elder in the Spirit Hall, whose authority is second only to the Pope."

Dai Mubai looked at Shen An coldly again and said, "Therefore, what right do you have to question the strength of our academy?"

"Hahahaha!" Shen An couldn't help but burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.

Although Shen An had not received professional training, he would not usually laugh so out of control.

Shen An said with a mocking look in his eyes, "As far as I know, there is a hard standard for becoming an elder of the Spirit Hall, which is that one's soul power must exceed level ninety to become a Title Douluo."

"And your Shrek Academy, which has been established for twenty years, requires students to graduate before the age of twenty. Even the first batch of students are only forty years old now."

"Shouldn't the youngest Title Douluo on the entire continent be the one with the title Haotian? Yet he only became a Title Douluo at the age of forty-four. How did your student become the youngest elder?"

"I originally thought Shrek Academy was just dilapidated, but I didn't expect that not only is it weak, but its admission standards are also high, and even its boasting is full of loopholes."

Upon hearing Shen An's words, Dai Mubai's face turned bruised and purple, and his chest heaved, whether from anger or embarrassment at being exposed, it was unclear.

Tang San and Xiao Wu were also stunned. Although they had a grudge against Shen An, what Shen An said made sense. Their respect for Shrek Academy vanished.

Ning Rongrong covered her mouth and chuckled. The little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School always loved to watch the drama unfold, and she knew that what Shen An said was true; Shrek Academy was indeed engaging in false advertising.

Zhu Zhuqing pursed her lips, thinking, "What should I do? After hearing what Shen An said, I'm even less willing to come to this academy."

Dai Mubai's face instantly darkened, and his powerful soul force suddenly erupted. He looked at Shen An with cold eyes and said angrily, "There is no Teacher Li here. Even if I cripple you, no one will help you."

Xiao Wu watched with great interest, although Shen An's words made her realize that Shrek Academy wasn't all that great.

But that didn't stop her from watching the excitement. Besides, if there really were Soul Douluo or even stronger experts, she wouldn't dare to stay here.

"Dai Mubai, stop talking! He's already like this, why don't you hit him?"

Shen An put down Tom from his arms and confronted Dai Mubai without backing down: "I want to see if I cripple you or you cripple me."

Dai Mubai has plenty of combat experience. His soul power surged, and his foot left a deep imprint on the ground. He immediately moved forward and threw a punch without hesitation.

It must be said that Dai Mubai truly deserves to be the leader of the Seven Devils in the future. His simple straight punch was full of pressure, and his aura was like a tiger descending the mountain, making people feel awe.

But Shen An was no ordinary person. Although Dai Mubai's soul power level was higher than his, Shen An absorbed and generated two soul rings. One was just a little short of a thousand years, and the other was a full five thousand years. The improvement that it brought to Shen An's physical stats and soul power was unparalleled.

Shen An nimbly sidestepped, then threw a straight punch. Dai Mubai was surprised that Shen An could react so quickly, and his right fist, which was originally going to strike, turned into a blocking stance to block Shen An's punch.

"boom!"

The collision of fists and elbows generated such a powerful impact that both men staggered back several steps.

Tang San's eyes flashed with a faint purple light. He knew Dai Mubai's strength better than anyone, but this person in front of him was actually on par with him, which really shocked him.

Tang San even felt a little regretful. He shouldn't have clashed with him so readily that day. It's best not to make such a person an enemy. He should see if they can reconcile in the future. If not...

Dai Mubai was also shocked. How could this be? He was a top-tier offensive martial soul, the Evil-Eyed White Tiger, yet Shen An could actually contend with him. However, Dai Mubai felt no fear whatsoever. This collision only fueled the ferocity within him.

"White Tiger, possess me!"

Dai Mubai radiated light, his body rapidly transformed, growing even taller, his muscles bulging as if about to burst his loose clothes, his golden hair turning black and white, the character "王" (king) appearing on his forehead, his heterochromatic eyes captivating, and the best configuration of two yellow and one purple spirit rings rising beneath his feet.

"Roar!" A tiger's roar shook the very soul.

Shen An could even be immune to Xiao Wu's charm skill, let alone Dai Mubai's simple tiger roar.

Shen An flipped his hand, and the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass appeared in his hand. The emerald green sword blade trembled slightly. The Nine-Leaf Sword Grass was excited. A sword is a weapon of death, and it longed for battle.

Shen An stood proudly, his body like a sword's spine. His originally gentle temperament changed, revealing a sharp and fierce intent. Two soul rings, one yellow and one purple, rose from beneath his feet.

Everyone present paled in shock; how could someone have a purple second spirit ring?

Even Zhu Zhuqing looked incredulous. When did he obtain his second soul ring?

It has to be said that women are really strange creatures. Zhu Zhuqing's first reaction was not shock, but anger. She was furious that she hadn't even told me about her second spirit ring.

Shen An activated his first soul skill, Chasing Wind and Lightning, doubling his speed. Dai Mubai suddenly realized that Shen An had closed in and followed up with a slash.

Dai Mubai was shocked. How could the speed be so fast? He only had two spirit rings.

Shen An practiced with Tom every day, and his mastery of basic sword moves was quite standard. In addition, Tom's sword had only two characteristics: unrestrained and timely.

Shen An pondered that this was similar to Dugu Qiubai's "no sword is better than having a sword," and thus Tom's style deeply influenced Shen An. The so-called battle is about striking the most appropriate sword at the most appropriate time.

Therefore, Shen An's sword strike combined speed, power, and precise timing, leaving Dai Mubai with no way to dodge and only able to take it head-on.

As Dai Mubai felt the sharpness of the longsword, a strange fear welled up in his heart, and he activated two soul skills in succession.

"White Tiger Protective Shield!"

"White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"

"Clang!"

The Nine-Leaf Sword Grass collided with the protective shield, and the shield shattered instantly.

"boom!"

It turned out that Dai Mubai was relying on the attribute bonus brought by his White Tiger Vajra Transformation to clap his hands together with the sword grass. The sharpest part of the sword grass was the tip of the sword and the two edges. Therefore, Dai Mubai's combat experience drove him to grasp the sword body.

Even so, the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass's sharp sword energy surged on its own, with countless sword energies constantly slicing Dai Mubai's tiger paws, causing Dai Mubai's face to contort in pain.

Upon seeing this, a mocking glint flashed in Shen An's eyes again. He loosened his grip and retreated rapidly.

Since you like holding it, then you can hold it.

Dai Mubai didn't understand why Shen An would abandon his sword and leave, but this was undoubtedly a good opportunity for him to break free from the battle and win the fight. He forcefully swung the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass into the distance with both palms and attacked Shen An without hesitation.

As a weapon spirit master, fighting a beast spirit master bare-handed, he's doomed!

Chapter 34 Dai Mubai is seriously injured, Zhao Wuji appears.

Dai Mubai leaped at Shen An like a tiger pouncing on its prey. Countless tiny wounds on his tiger paws oozed blood, the damage caused by the sword energy. The blood-stained palms added to Dai Mubai's ferocity.

Tang San, watching from the side with his Purple Demon Eye, saw everything clearly and couldn't help but admire Dai Mubai as a true combat genius, able to seize every opportunity in battle. In comparison, Shen An was far inferior, possessing only a powerful martial soul and soul power.

In Tang San's view, Shen An was captured by Dai Mubai because of his martial soul, but if they fought each other with soul power for a long time, he might not be able to defeat Dai Mubai. However, Shen An chose to abandon his sword and escape, which made Tang San think less of Shen An.

Seeing that Dai Mubai was about to attack Shen An, his tiger paws were already in the form of claws, ready to grab Shen An's shoulders and tear him to pieces.

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes were red, and her originally icy demeanor was now tinged with anxiety. Her heart was pounding, fearing that Shen An's life was in danger, while Tom, standing to the side, was casually licking his paws.

"Clang!"

A sharp sword strike rang out in the air, and Dai Mubai, who was in mid-air, felt a surge of emotion, as if his life was in danger at any moment. His body's instinctive reaction made him put down his attack.

What was originally a streak of emerald green sword light moving through the air was actually the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass transformed into an unparalleled sword light, so fast that it could cut through the wind and make a constant "zzzz" sound.

"White Tiger Blazing Light Wave!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Dai Mubai activated his soul skill, using light waves to counter the sword light.

"boom!"

The light wave was instantly shattered by the sword light, but Dai Mubai had already achieved his goal. Using the momentum of the white tiger's light wave, he brought his body, which had been suspended in the air, back to the ground.

Shen An sneered. It was a smart choice, but it wasn't enough. He continued to activate the "Sword Control" soul skill, and the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass moved according to Shen An's will.

As Dai Mubai stepped back onto the ground, the sword light followed, transforming into countless sword techniques—slashing, chopping, thrusting, and parrying—all attacking him.

Dai Mubai could only use his tiger paws to strike the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass as hard as he could. The more he fought, the more desperate he became. How could he fight back? After fighting for a long time, he was covered in wounds, but he had no chance to fight back, let alone get close to Shen An.

Dai Mubai's clothes were now completely torn, and his body was covered with sword marks, but strangely there were no fatal wounds, only superficial pain.

Tang San, standing to the side, already had a very serious expression. He could see that Shen An's martial soul strength and speed far surpassed Dai Mubai's. Coupled with this mysterious technique of flying sword, Dai Mubai was completely unable to withstand it.

However, Dai Mubai has no fatal injuries, so there is only one possibility: Shen An did it on purpose.

At the same time, Tang San wondered what he would do if he encountered Shen An's methods. The unparalleled speed, the extreme sharpness, and the terrifying air superiority of flying swords made him shudder. Shen An was the real monster!

Finally, the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass pierced Dai Mubai's brow with its sword. At this moment, Dai Mubai was already exhausted and could only helplessly close his eyes to face his end. He was filled with regret, thinking that he should never have provoked this monster.

"boom!"

A powerful fist struck the tip of the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass, and a shockwave rippled outwards, sending the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass flying an unknown distance.

A burly, solid figure appeared, his muscles seemingly forged from steel, giving him a strong sense of oppression.

"Young man, show mercy when you can. You've already won this match, and we'll be classmates from now on. Why go to such lengths to kill him?"

It turned out that Zhao Wuji, who was supposed to be waiting in the examination hall, sensed the movement of this soul power and came over, saving Dai Mubai at the critical moment.

Zhao Wuji stood with his hands behind his back, exuding the air of a master, but in reality, the fists that had just clashed with his opponent had already sustained considerable injuries. However, he managed to stop the bleeding by relying on his body's powerful regenerative abilities and control.

Looking at Shen An's vibrant face, Zhao Wuji felt a sense of disbelief. The world had changed; a second-ring Soul Master could actually injure a Soul Saint like himself.

Shen An grunted. The Nine-Leaf Sword Grass was connected to his life. Although Zhao Wuji did not use any soul skills in that attack, the power was real. Therefore, Shen An also felt his soul power stagnate, as if he had been hit hard.

But Shen An's expression didn't seem surprised. When Shen An controlled the sword with his mind, and the sword light swept across the area, he had already sensed Zhao Wuji's presence.

Shen An discovered that when he was flying on his sword, a part of his mind seemed to be attached to the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass, allowing him to perceive his surroundings, which was quite miraculous.

In addition, Zhao Wuji's method of concealment was not very clever, or perhaps he never intended to conceal himself at all, since Shrek Academy was his home turf.