Chapter 99: "Fake Veteran, I Miss You So Much!"

Late update. My wi-fi was dying the entire day.

"Haha, Brother Shen, you truly are a prodigy. Pang owes you a favor."

Pang Tao walked in with a smile, relieved that the reputation of the Soto Great Soul Arena had been preserved.

Beside Pang Tao was someone Shen An hadn't expected—Xue Qinghe.

Xue Qinghe looked at Shen An with a half-smile. "Isn't this Brother Jerry? Why are you called Shen An now?"

Shen An felt a bit awkward. He hadn't expected Xue Qinghe to attend the soul battle. The arena's promotion was truly effective if even an outsider like Xue Qinghe had heard about it.

"My apologies, Brother Xue. When traveling, it's best to be cautious. I hope you can understand," Shen An said, clasping his fists in apology.

"Brother Qinghe, why are you here?" Ning Rongrong asked, surprised.

Given Ning Fengzhi's support for Xue Qinghe, she was naturally familiar with him.

Xue Qinghe replied, "Soto City is the granary of the Balak Kingdom. I had to come and take a look. I also hope to unify the kingdom and restore the glory of the Heaven Dou Empire."

"But let's not talk about that. Rongrong, why are you in Soto City?"

Xue Qinghe subtly observed Ning Rongrong's expression. If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was secretly manipulating things to integrate the Balak Kingdom, she might have to take covert action.

If Ning Rongrong were to die in Soto City for no apparent reason, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School would surely not cooperate with the Balak Kingdom.

"I ran away from home. I was expelled from a local academy, but I'll be attending the Heaven Dou Royal Academy soon," Ning Rongrong said.

Xue Qinghe was momentarily stunned. That explanation made sense, given Ning Rongrong's mischievous nature.

Xue Qinghe's gaze softened, like that of an older brother. "You're always so naughty."

"But to think an academy would expel you—how foolish."

"Brother Shen, will you also be attending the Heaven Dou Royal Academy?" Xue Qinghe asked.

"Of course. Not just me, but Zhu Zhuqing as well. She's a good friend I met here. Oh, and Tom—he's a magical cat," Ning Rongrong added.

When Xue Qinghe saw Tom, her pupils contracted, and she couldn't help but take a step back. This cat was too strange. She must avoid touching it at all costs.

"That's good. The Heaven Dou Royal Academy won't waste Brother Shen's talent," Xue Qinghe said, her tone full of admiration for Shen An.

Originally, she had already sensed Shen An's extraordinary nature. After witnessing his one-yellow, two-purple soul rings and his ability to take on seven opponents alone, Xue Qinghe's admiration for him grew even more.

Although Shen An's soul power was still weak, with such talent, he was destined to become a Title Douluo—and one of the strongest at that.

In the Douluo Continent, where talent determined everything, Xue Qinghe had no doubt about her judgment.

"If you come to Heaven Dou, Brother Shen, feel free to visit me at the royal palace. This token will grant you access to my residence. Please accept it," Xue Qinghe said, handing Shen An an exquisite token.

She wasn't in a hurry to recruit Shen An. Talented individuals often had pride. Slowly building goodwill was the best approach.

Little did she know, Shen An was inwardly puzzled. Why isn't the Crown Prince trying to recruit me? Does she expect me to offer myself?

---

After Xue Qinghe left, Shen An bid farewell to Pang Tao and returned with the two girls and Tom. Ye Zi had been guarding the teahouse, studying how to make milk tea.

Shen An had already told Ye Zi that they would soon be heading to Heaven Dou City for studies, and the teahouse would be left in her care.

Back at home, Shen An took stock of his gains. First, he had a clearer understanding of his combat strength—he was invincible among his peers.

He could likely hold his own against a Soul Ancestor, but he wasn't sure about Soul Kings.

"It's not enough. Being the strongest among the weak is still being weak. I want to rival those two soul beasts in the Star Dou Forest," Shen An thought, his eyes cold.

The threat of death from the Titan Giant Ape was etched into his memory.

Although he knew that exposing Xiao Wu as a 100,000-year soul beast would attract powerful individuals from across the continent to hunt her down, achieving revenge, he wanted to rely on his own strength to crush her and return the fear she had instilled in him.

With the system by his side, relying on others for revenge felt unsatisfying.

He set a small goal for himself: to kill the Titan Giant Ape within five years.

Shen An checked his fame points: 87,903. Less than two hours had passed since the soul battle ended.

The fame accumulated by the Heaven Dou Academy over the years had all been transferred to Shen An.

Wait a bit longer. Once the teahouse is settled, I'll head to Heaven Dou City. As the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, it should bring me several times the fame of Soto City, Shen An thought eagerly.

---

In the Spirit Hall, Qian Renxue revealed her true appearance, though it was obscured by holy light. After reviewing the reports on Ning Rongrong's activities in Soto City, she felt somewhat relieved.

"It seems I overthought things. It was just the little devil's playful nature. But that Yu Xiaogang is interesting—is he the man that woman has been pining for all these years?"

"Fei'erde, you don't need to worry about Shen An and Ning Rongrong anymore. I'll handle them. But keep a close eye on Shrek Academy," Qian Renxue said, emphasizing the last two words.

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Qian Renxue's eyes seemed to contain the universe. Once you're in Heaven Dou City, it'll be impossible for you not to become mine, Shen An.

---

Over the next ten days, Shen An did his best to increase his fame at the soul arena, participating in solo, duo, and team battles.

His fame points steadily grew, finally breaking through the 290,000 mark.

"We'll set off for Heaven Dou City in three days," Shen An excitedly told Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing hesitated, glancing at Tom. "But is Tom really okay in his current state?"

Shen An looked at Tom, who was lying listlessly, occasionally sipping milk wine, his face full of melancholy.

Shen An was also at a loss. He didn't know what had gotten into Tom. For the past few days, Tom had been ignoring everyone, sometimes staring blankly at windmills and mouse toys outside.

Tom had been drinking heavily, and Shen An had to buy food and feed it to him.

Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing had been worried sick, but no amount of coaxing or treats could cheer Tom up.

Shen An shook his head. Tom wouldn't say what was wrong. Maybe every cat had days when they felt particularly melancholic.

Hopefully, some new experiences in Heaven Dou City will cheer Tom up, Shen An thought.

Finally, Shen An's eyes were fixed on his fame points, watching them climb.

At last, the 300,000 milestone was reached!

System, summon the mysterious figure for me, Shen An silently commanded.

The system's virtual panel transformed, eventually taking the shape of a round, chubby figure with a bell.

Could it be...? Shen An's heart raced. If it really was that figure, he'd be unstoppable.

It's decided—it's you, Doraemon!

Before Shen An could celebrate, the round figure suddenly shrank, smaller and smaller.

A flash of white light filled the room, and a small brown figure fell to the ground.

The little creature spoke in a thick Sichuan accent: "Where's this wine smell coming from? It's awful."

Shen An stared at the little figure, his eyelids twitching. Why is it this one? This household will never know peace again.

The little creature followed the smell of wine and suddenly lit up with joy. "Fake Veteran, I've missed you so much! How'd you end up here?"

Jerry leaped onto Tom and began planting kisses all over his face.

"Mwah, mwah, mwah!"

The sound of long, exaggerated kisses echoed through the room.