A wisp of sword aura drifted through the air.
It was just a strand of sword aura. He hadn't used any soul skills—I can survive this, I don't want to die, I haven't enjoyed enough glory and wealth yet!
The Soul Sage in the auction hall had madness in his eyes. He exploded with soul power, his seventh soul ring flashing violently, struggling with all his might to survive Chen Xin's strike.
Yet the moment that strand of sword aura touched him, it transformed instantly, splitting into countless surging threads. Boundless sword energy erupted, engulfing the Soul Sage entirely.
There was no loud explosion—only the silent disintegration of his body into dust, vanishing like mist from the world.
Everyone present swallowed hard in terror. So this is the might of Sword Douluo? He hadn't even used a soul skill—just pure soul power—and yet a Soul Sage was erased from existence.
Though they already knew Titled Douluo were on a completely different level, Chen Xin's casual display still shook them to their core.
Chen Xin's gaze remained indifferent. For someone who had gleaned countless insights from Tom's swordsmanship, this was nothing more than basic routine.
The elderly Contra felt like his heart had been stabbed. That was a Soul Sage! And just like that… gone.
All this… because of a cat girl no one cared about? Who could have guessed that boy had such terrifying backing?
Even Xue Xing fell silent. Just what was Shen An's background? Not only did Dugu Bo favor him greatly, even the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect seemed eager to support him.
At this point, there was no way the auction could continue. The elderly man, holding in his anger and resentment, apologized to Ning Fengzhi and began arranging for the audience to disperse.
This was the power of the upper three sects. Even forces feared by the Heaven Dou royal family were nothing before them.
Get beaten? Endure it. Swallow your pride? Bottle it up.
By now, the cat girl had been rescued. She stepped out timidly, her long tail swaying behind her.
Shen An was a little surprised. What's this? She doesn't seem quite human...
Xue Qinghe noticed Shen An's puzzled expression and explained, "A very small number of people undergo physical mutations when they awaken their Martial Soul. She's clearly one of them, having inherited certain feline traits."
Tom tilted his head in confusion. Then is she the same species as me or not? The mystery puzzled him as a cat.
Shen An sighed softly. Another pitiful soul. Martial Soul awakening was supposed to change one's destiny—but for her, it only turned it for the worse.
He took out a robe, intending to cover the cat girl, but she eyed him warily.
It was the warm-hearted feline Tom who stepped forward and gently draped the robe over her, covering her near-perfect figure.
Shen An looked at the cat girl, a bit at a loss. He'd saved her out of sympathy—but now, what should he do with her?
"Do you remember where your home is?" he asked.
If she did, he could send her back and maybe give her some money—it wouldn't be too difficult.
But upon hearing his words, the cat girl's eyes filled with hatred and her body trembled. "My family was slaughtered by soul masters. I have no home to return to."
She then knelt before Shen An. "Please, my lord, take me in! I'm willing to work like a slave, to do anything you ask!"
Her curvaceous figure prostrated on the ground. She was clever—just from Shen An's few words, she sensed that he meant her no harm.
Now, she had to grasp this rare kindness. With her appearance and traits, if she were released, she'd undoubtedly fall into the hands of some depraved noble again.
Better to follow a powerful figure. Besides, Shen An was young, and not bad-looking.
Xue Qinghe's face darkened. What does this cat girl mean by "anything"? I'm not looking for this kind of trouble.
Shen An also looked a bit troubled. If he really took her in, how would Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong react? But leaving her alone also felt wrong. Helping others should be done thoroughly.
"Haha, Shen An, why not leave the cat girl to me?" Ning Fengzhi offered with a smile. As a shrewd man, he could clearly see Shen An's dilemma.
He often rescued beings from these auction houses who still retained their souls. Helping one more was no big deal to him.
Tom stood guard in front of the cat girl, eyeing Ning Fengzhi warily. So you're not as innocent as your thick brows and big eyes suggest, Ning Fengzhi. What a pervert.
Ning Fengzhi: … Why do I feel like I've just been misunderstood by a cat?
Shen An chuckled at the sight of Tom's small body shielding the cat girl. "Tom, Sect Master Ning is a good man. She'll be well cared for with him."
Tom had always trusted Shen An's words and finally relaxed a little.
Then Shen An thought of something. Since the cat girl's body mutated during Martial Soul awakening, she must possess soul power.
"Have you reached level ten yet?" he asked.
The cat girl's expression dimmed. "My lord, I was born with a soul power of level seven. It's been seven years since my Martial Soul awakened. I reached level ten long ago."
Xue Qinghe's eyes turned complex. Innate level-seven soul power—that was unquestionably the sign of a prodigy.
Yet such talent had been forced into hiding, even sold like a pet, simply because of a physical mutation.
The cat girl should have had a brilliant future, but instead she was cast into darkness due to some nobles' twisted tastes. It was unjust, absurd.
This world needs change. Xue Qinghe thought to herself. I will build a new era, one where this kind of darkness no longer exists.
This was not a sudden impulse, but a long-standing ideal. She would found a new kingdom, spreading the radiance of the Angel Clan across the entire continent.
Her ancestor, Qianjia, once inherited the will of the angels and established Spirit Hall, ending an era of chaos by eradicating countless evil soul masters, bringing peace to the Douluo Continent.
And now, Qian Renxue was destined to leave an even greater legacy.
Tom tugged on Shen An's sleeve. It felt the cat girl was pitiful and hoped Shen An would help her.
"Here's the plan," Shen An said gently. "I'm about to acquire my fourth soul ring. You can come with me. Afterward, I'll take you to the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect. They'll take good care of you."
Obtaining a soul ring wasn't difficult for him. He needed an excuse to go out anyway, so he might as well help along the way.
The cat girl felt light-headed upon hearing his words. Have I met a true benefactor?
Someone not only rescued her from the auction but didn't harbor any dark intentions—and even offered to help her get a soul ring?
She felt as if she were dreaming. Her slender fingers clenched tightly, nails digging into her skin—pain confirmed it was all real.
Can I… become a soul master too? Possess the power to control my own destiny?
Tears welled up in her eyes, but a radiant smile bloomed on her face.
She bowed deeply to Shen An once more.
Shen An awkwardly helped her up. He still wasn't quite used to receiving such formal gestures.
At last, Shen An bid farewell to Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin.
Chen Xin casually invited Tom to come play—but Tom was so frightened, he immediately leapt up and carried Shen An away.
He just wanted to be a lazy, laid-back cat—not live a life of endless sword training in the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect.