Douluo Dalu: Starting With Tom Cat

In the spectator stands, someone looked at Shen An and asked, "Isn't that Brother Shen from the tea house? How did he suddenly become the Soul Fighting Arena's strongest newcomer?"

Unfortunately, no one could answer that question.

Shen An pondered. Pang Tao had told him to act more arrogantly, but he really didn't know how to be arrogant. He simply held his sword and said,

"Anyone willing to step onto the stage, come at me."

As soon as Shen An finished speaking, a soul master with a figure as swift as a spirit cat immediately leaped onto the stage. Many soul masters stared in shock as the man rolled onto the stage.

Wait, what? He just went up like that? No one had even explained the rules for challenging—whether it was by lottery or registration. 

The man appeared to be in his twenties, wearing a black tight-fitting outfit. He was lean, with sparse eyebrows and unusually long limbs. He chuckled with a sly tone, his voice sharp and high-pitched:

"Excuse me, I couldn't resist. My hands were itching. I wonder what the conditions are to challenge this gentleman. Do I qualify?"

The white-dressed hostess, Doudou, was also stunned. Was this guy too eager? Couldn't wait to get on stage and defeat Shen An for the reward?

Doudou subtly glanced at Pang Tao, who gave a slight nod. She immediately understood Pang Tao's intention—to let her arrange things as she saw fit.

Doudou couldn't help but look at Shen An curiously. So young, yet Pang Tao had such confidence in his strength. He must be from some prominent family.

"Haha, of course you qualify. This time, our rules are different. Anyone can challenge by simply stepping onto the stage," Doudou said softly.

In the rest area, many soul masters who had wanted to challenge regretted their hesitation.

In their eyes, given Shen An's age, the arena's promotion, and the rewards, he must be a young master from a powerful family here to gain experience.

A rookie who didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth. At such a young age, he surely lacked combat experience. Even if his martial soul was of high quality, he couldn't possibly be their match. Wasn't this just handing them money?

As a result, they were all eager to teach this rookie a lesson and claim the generous reward. But Chen Liu, that shameless guy, had already jumped onto the stage.

Today's promotion in Suotuo City had attracted many, but the reach was still limited—not even a quarter of the city had heard about it.

These soul masters naturally knew each other, or at least knew each other's strengths and weaknesses. After all, the Soul Fighting Arena wasn't that big, and they saw each other all the time.

Chen Liu was considered a top-tier Soul Grandmaster.. With his Spirit Cat martial soul, his speed was extremely fast, and his claws were poisonous. His soul power had even reached level 29.

Unless he encountered a control-type soul master, Chen Liu had an advantage against any other soul master.

Shen An smiled faintly. He was being underestimated. This guy was so eager, thinking he could easily defeat him.

"In that case, I won't waste any more words. I'm sure everyone is eager to see the strength of our strongest newcomer. Let's look forward to an exciting match!"

As she spoke, a white light suddenly burst from Doudou's body. Her wavy brown hair gained a streak of white, and a pair of pure white wings sprouted from her back.

Three yellow soul rings appeared behind her. Her third soul ring lit up, and she soared into the air with her amplifying soul tool.

"Now, I declare the match between Chen Liu, a level 29 Battle Soul Master with the Spirit Cat martial soul, and Shen An, the possessor of the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass martial soul!"

"Both soul masters, please note: You have one minute to summon your martial souls. When I announce the start, you may begin your attack."

"The match will end when one side surrenders or falls off the stage."

Doudou, as expected of someone specially chosen by Pang Tao to host the match, not only had a stunning figure and sweet appearance but also a soothing voice that made the audience feel at ease.

Chen Liu, the man with the Spirit Cat martial soul, chuckled and released his martial soul. His bones crackled like popping beans as his body shrank by another third.

Two hundred-year soul rings rose, and a pair of cat-like claws extended from his hands. He crouched low, resembling a cat, his pupils narrowing as he stared at Shen An like prey, as if saying, "I've got you."

Shen An reached forward, and the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass appeared in his palm. He didn't hold back his soul power fluctuations. Since he was here to make a name for himself, he might as well go all out.

An overwhelming sword aura erupted, startling Doudou, who quickly flew higher into the air.

Doudou looked at Shen An in shock. How could a Soul Grandmaster's mere sword aura make her, a Soul Elder, feel threatened? 

Chen Liu was also startled. Such power! How high was the quality of this guy's martial soul? Could it be a legendary top-tier martial soul?!

No matter. Since the match had started, he would defeat him. At most, he'd spare his life, as offending a major family wasn't worth it.

Doudou took a deep breath. "Begin!"

"Whoosh!"

As soon as the word left her mouth, Chen Liu prepared to activate his soul skill to catch Shen An off guard. But before he could, a blurry figure suddenly appeared beside him, and a cold, sharp sensation pressed against his neck.

Shen An had closed the distance instantly, his speed rivaling that of an agility-type soul master.

It was worth noting that Shen An's martial souls had been acquired in the order of top-tier, super-tier, and ultimate-tier. Each acquisition was like a complete evolution of his body, as if the system had subtly enhanced him three times. This was why Shen An could absorb such high-year soul rings.

The multiple enhancements from his martial souls, combined with the effects of high-year soul rings, made Shen An's physical attributes far surpass those of his peers.

Chen Liu was dumbfounded, feeling the cold blade against his neck. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He had never imagined a Soul Grandmaster could be this fast. Since when were swords part of the agility-type?

Wait, no. His martial soul wasn't a sword—it was a sword grass. Chen Liu felt like cursing. Grass couldn't be agility-type either! It was either control or healing. 

Shen An said calmly, "Will you surrender, or shall I send you off the stage?"

Chen Liu swallowed hard and raised his trembling hands. "I—I—"

"I surrender, my ass!"

As he spoke, Chen Liu's body suddenly blurred, moving so fast it left afterimages. His claws extended, and two hundred-year soul skills lit up simultaneously: Speed Boost and Poisoned Claws.

He had tried to trick Shen An into thinking he was surrendering, only to catch him off guard.

His claws slashed toward Shen An's head. If they hit, the sheer force of the claws combined with the poison would make Shen An regret it.

Shen An's right hand became a blur. A flash of sword light lit up the arena, stunning the audience with its beauty. But hidden within that beauty was unparalleled terror.

"Ah!"

A shrill scream echoed through the air. Chen Liu's claws were severed at the root. Before he could react, Shen An kicked him in the chest.

Chen Liu's body flew backward, blood spraying through the air as he fell.

Shen An looked at Chen Liu with disdain. He had no intention of harming him, but since Chen Liu didn't know when to quit, he had to teach him a lesson.

Chen Liu clutched his right hand, tears streaming down his face. Whether it was the enhancements from his martial soul or the sharpness of his claws, they had been like paper against Shen An's sword.

Shen An looked up and said, "Miss Doudou, I believe I've won this match."

Doudou stared in shock, her wings flapping less frequently. Then she quickly announced:

"The winner of this match is Shen An!"