Chapter 145: I Seem to Be Gradually Turning into Tom's Shape

"The Sword Douluo was sent flying by a cat!"

Everyone present was dumbfounded—who wouldn't be stunned by such a sight?

A collective gasp echoed in their hearts. If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they would never have believed it.

Even Gu Rong fell into silence as he stared at his old friend embedded in the mountainside. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found himself at a loss for words.

Subtly, he took a few steps back from Tom. The cat looked cute and harmless, but those tiny fists packed an unbelievable punch. He couldn't afford to embarrass himself like Chen Xin did.

And besides, this was something he could laugh at Chen Xin for for the rest of his life.

Ning Fengzhi, ever the composed one, spoke up first. "Quickly, summon Master Tan Jing." While dispersing the crowd, he issued orders with practiced efficiency.

As one of the Top Three Sects, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda naturally had a well-equipped support system, including healing-type soul masters.

Ning Rongrong's eyes were red and brimming with tears as she looked at Shen An. His clothes were in tatters, his wounds laced with lingering sword energy, blood seeping out uncontrollably. He was practically drenched in it.

Despite her usual fastidiousness, Ning Rongrong ignored the bloodstains and hugged Shen An tightly, sobbing. "I hate Sword Grandpa! How could he go so hard in a spar? Shen An, you better not die!"

Tom was the first to rush back, shedding sorrowful little tears as it pulled out a medical kit to examine Shen An, feeding him a few small pills along the way.

The pain that had twisted Shen An's expression gradually eased after taking Tom's medicine.

Tom sniffled softly, its little face full of grief. That mean old man Chen Xin had hurt its master! It would never spar with him again!

Soon, a white-robed female soul master arrived. Her gentle, warm demeanor carried the unique aura of a compassionate healer.

Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up at the sight of her. "Aunt Tan, please save Shen An! Sword Grandpa's Seven Kill Sword Qi hurt him!"

Tan Jing was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's healing-type Soul Sage, her soul power reaching level 79—just one step away from becoming a Soul Douluo. To Ning Rongrong, she was nothing short of a savior.

Tan Jing frowned. "Injured by Chen Xin? If I'm not mistaken, this boy's soul power isn't even level 40. How could he go so far?"

Ning Fengzhi could only smile helplessly. There weren't many in the sect who dared criticize Chen Xin openly, but Tan Jing was one of them.

As a healing-type Soul Sage, she was highly sought after by all major factions. The reason she had chosen to stay with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was due to a past connection with Chen Xin.

It was a cliché story—summed up in four words: the hero saves the beauty.

Add to that Chen Xin's looks—handsome in his youth and still a silver fox in his old age—it was no surprise that she had fallen for him.

Unfortunately, Chen Xin had always been obsessed with the way of the sword, completely oblivious to Tan Jing's feelings. This had left her with a lingering trace of resentment toward him.

"Yes, Shen An was hit by a sword aura from Uncle Chen's first soul skill. Please, Master Tan, heal him."

At this moment, Chen Xin finally managed to pry himself out of the mountainside. His usual aloof expression was replaced with urgency. "Tan Jing, can you heal this kid? Make sure there are no hidden injuries."

Whether it was because of Ning Rongrong's relationship with Shen An, his own appreciation for the boy, or the fact that Tom had helped him refine his swordsmanship, Chen Xin couldn't help but feel guilty for losing control and injuring Shen An.

Tan Jing shot him a glance. "So even you can worry. With me here, his life isn't in danger. But your Seven Kill Sword Qi is too vicious. I can't guarantee there won't be hidden injuries. It'll depend on his luck."

As she spoke, a soft white glow bloomed in her hands, materializing into a delicate medicine pouch.

"Sixth Soul Skill—Spring's Return, Life's Rebirth."

A soothing medicinal fragrance wafted from the pouch, threads of it intertwining with the milky-white light as they seeped into Shen An's body.

"Something's off… This kid's body is strange," Tan Jing murmured in surprise.

---

In the darkness, Shen An felt as though he was being cleaved in two by a peerless sword.

Yet, strangely, he didn't die. Instead, like Tom, he simply reassembled his split body.

But then, thousands of sword auras slashed at him—first decapitating him, then meticulously carving his body into pieces.

"Holy beans!" Shen An jolted awake with a shout.

"Meow~!" Tom immediately pounced on him, rubbing its furry face against him in sheer joy.

It had been so close—so close to becoming a stray cat, losing the person who treated it best.

Just as Shen An was petting Tom, a fragrant figure threw herself at him—Ning Rongrong. (Though, admittedly, she was a bit bony.) (TLNote: LOL)

"Waaah! Shen An, you're finally awake! You scared me to death! I thought I'd never see you again! Do you know how terrified I was?!" Ning Rongrong cried, her voice trembling.

Shen An's heart softened. Breathing in the girl's unique scent, he patted her gently.

"There, there. I'm fine now. Honestly, I feel more energetic than ever. Did you guys feed me something special?"

Ning Rongrong, however, seemed reluctant to let go. The moment she saw Shen An gravely injured, her heart had felt as though it were being sliced apart.

Reluctantly, she released him. "After you got hurt, Dad and the others were really worried. They even called Aunt Tan—she's the best healing-type soul master in our sect."

At this point, her tone turned slightly awkward. "Aunt Tan said… your physique is special. You have a self-healing ability. Even without her, you would've recovered quickly."

"Isn't that great? Why do you look so conflicted? You want me to suffer?" Shen An teased.

Ning Rongrong punched him in the arm—surprisingly hard, making him cough.

"I thought Aunt Tan was refusing to heal you, so I argued with her! But turns out she was telling the truth. You woke up after just one day!" Ning Rongrong admitted sheepishly.

Shen An couldn't help but laugh, though he also felt a bit exasperated. This girl really had no filter when it came to him.

"Your body really is weird. Even if Grandpa Sword only used his first soul skill, a Soul King-level defense-type soul master wouldn't have been able to take it, let alone a Soul Elder like you," Ning Rongrong marveled.

'A special body, huh?' Shen An recalled the bizarre dream he'd had—being cut apart yet reassembling himself, even remaining conscious after decapitation.

Wasn't that Tom and Jerry's immortality? Had the system given him that too? The thought sent a thrill through him.

Shen An summoned a wisp of sword aura and used it to slice off his fingernail—then reattached it seamlessly.

Holy crap! It fits perfectly! I've made it!

Staring at his hands in awe, he then used the sword aura to cut his arm.

"Ow! That hurts!"