Shrek Academy.
After awakening the Blue Silver Emperor, Tang San's combat prowess had greatly increased, and his cultivation speed far surpassed his previous levels. This change also affected his daily life.
For instance, his way of addressing Dai Mubai had shifted from "Boss Dai" to simply "Mubai."
Of course, Tang San didn't believe this was due to disrespect brought on by his increased strength.
Instead, he felt this more casual form of address was friendlier and would strengthen their brotherly bond.
However, Liu Erlong had seemed somewhat distracted during their recent combat training sessions.
Liu Erlong was not only his teacher's lover but also a young Soul Sage with the potential to reach at least the Soul Douluo level—possibly even Titled Douluo.
Tang San felt it was his duty to show concern. What he didn't know, however, was that both Liu Erlong and Flender had suffered hidden injuries from Gu Rong during that battle, ensuring their cultivation would never advance again.
"Teacher Erlong, I've noticed you seem preoccupied lately. Would you like to share what's on your mind?"
Tang San smiled as he asked. His secondary martial soul awakening had made him exceptionally handsome, and his smile was particularly charming.
Even Liu Erlong couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth when she saw his expression. "These past few days were supposed to be the exchange event for the top academies of the Heaven Dou Empire."
"Our academy made it to the top eight last time, so I applied for us to participate this year. But we were rejected. I had hoped to take you all there to broaden your horizons."
"It's fine. They'll regret it. With Little San and the others, we'll definitely reach... well, the top three this time."
Before Tang San could respond, a stiff voice interrupted. It was Yu Xiaogang.
Originally, Yu Xiaogang had wanted to say they could aim for second place, but after considering the strength of Spirit Hall and Shen An, he reluctantly adjusted his expectations.
"Teacher, I will live up to your expectations," Tang San said respectfully.
During the time he was taken away by Tang Hao, Tang San had learned many things—including Yu Xiaogang's relationship with the current Pope and the significance of twin-martial soul cultivation methods.
Yu Xiaogang looked at his beloved disciple with satisfaction.
He never expected that after being taken by Tang Hao, Tang San's ordinary Blue Silver Grass would evolve into the top-tier Blue Silver Emperor. This discovery had thrilled him beyond measure.
The more outstanding Tang San became, the more it would prove the validity of his theories.
"The advanced soul master tournament is just a year away. Besides soul power cultivation, practical combat is crucial. I've registered you all for team battles at the Great Soul Arena."
"Starting today, Tai Long and Jing Ling will join your team of five. From now on, you will compete as the Shrek Seven Devils in both the arena and the upcoming tournament."
"Little San, don't feel pressured by Shen An. At best, he's only temporarily ahead. His future potential can't compare to yours."
Tang San nodded slowly, though inwardly he disagreed. While his father and teacher both urged him to focus on cultivation, as a disciple of the Tang Sect, he believed in settling grudges promptly—otherwise, his mindset would remain unsettled.
The awakening of the Blue Silver Emperor had greatly enhanced his strength, and during this time, he had also been forging new Tang Sect hidden weapons. He vowed that next time, he would give Shen An a real surprise.
---
Shen An and Xue Qinghe left under the complex gazes of the students from the five major academies.
When they reached a fork in the road, they bid each other farewell and headed their separate ways.
Shen An had spent the previous night safeguarding Zhu Zhuqing's cultivation breakthrough, followed by consecutive battles against the five academies. He was eager to return home and get some proper sleep.
Xue Qinghe, of course, had his own matters to attend to. With the aging Heaven Dou Emperor lacking energy, more and more political affairs were falling onto his shoulders.
After parting ways, Shen An led Tom back toward their small courtyard.
What he didn't notice was Tom sneaking a glance back at Jerry, who had somehow hidden himself on Xue Qinghe's person. The two exchanged a knowing grin.
---
Upon returning home, Shen An went straight to his room and fell asleep. By the time he woke up, it was already nighttime.
"Zhuqing, Rongrong—where are Tom and Jerry? I don't see them."
After waking up, Shen An felt like something was missing in the house before realizing the cat and mouse were nowhere to be found.
Alarmed, he immediately questioned the two girls.
"Tom left after making dinner for us. As for Jerry... now that you mention it, I don't think I've seen him since we got back."
Ning Rongrong frowned. "That's strange. How could Zhuqing and I have forgotten about Jerry? That shouldn't be possible."
Shen An fell silent, an inexplicable unease creeping into his heart.
This was the first time since arriving in the Douluo Continent that Tom had disappeared from his side. More importantly, Jerry was missing too!
Without hesitation, Shen An prepared to go out and search for them. While he was concerned for their well-being, what truly worried him was the potential chaos they might cause.
He was terrified that the two might get into a fight outside and end up demolishing the entire Heaven Dou City.
---
*Heaven Dou Imperial Palace – Crown Prince's Chambers*
Jerry hid comfortably in a mouse hole, leisurely munching on palace pastries while occasionally peering through a telescope aimed at Xue Qinghe.
To Jerry, this person seemed... off. There was something fake about him, as if he were wearing a mask.
So it had made a pact with Tom—Jerry would scout ahead and mark the location, and tonight, the two would investigate together.
But this person was so boring! All he did was handle political affairs. He didn't even snack on pastries or fruit!
Hearing a familiar sound, Jerry perked up and quietly slipped out.
Strangely, despite Xue Qinghe's six-ring Soul Emperor cultivation—which should have allowed him to detect even a mosquito in the room—he remained completely unaware of Jerry's presence.
Though puzzled by the sudden appearance of a cat in the palace, Xue Qinghe dismissed it and returned to work. Being crown prince was no easy task.
Jerry spotted Tom hiding in the bushes and sneaked over, mischievously tugging at its whiskers.
Business was business, but teasing Tom took priority.
Tom clamped its mouth shut, afraid of making noise, as if forgetting that—as a cat—being spotted wouldn't be unusual.
Seeing Jerry clutching its stomach in silent laughter, Tom fumed. Jerry quickly pointed toward Xue Qinghe's quarters, stopping Tom from retaliating.
Jerry then pulled out a bottle of invisible ink—something Shen An had given it previously but which it had never returned.
Tom's eyes lit up. It had been wondering how to sneak inside, given that a cat's size wasn't as inconspicuous as a mouse's.
The two applied the ink and tiptoed inside. Xue Qinghe remained oblivious to their presence, both upon entry and exit.
While working, Xue Qinghe felt a bit hungry and reached for the pastries beside him—only to grasp empty air.
"That's odd. Did I already finish them?" he muttered. The idea of someone sneaking in was impossible—even a Titled Douluo wouldn't escape his detection.
"Must have forgotten. I'll have more brought in."
Soon, fresh pastries arrived. Xue Qinghe picked one up and took a bite—sweet and delicious.
What girl didn't like sweets?
But when he reached for a second piece, he found both plates empty again!
Even worse, he could faintly hear chewing sounds nearby.
His heart jolted. "Who's there? Show yourself!"
A subtle wave of soul power pulsed through the room as he scanned for intruders.