The next morning
Qian Renxue slept extremely well, the most comfortable sleep she'd had since infiltrating the Heaven Dou Empire disguised as Xue Qinghe.
She even had a wonderful dream where her grandfather didn't strictly demand she train, but instead allowed her to go play with other children.
In the dream, her mother didn't look at her with those cold, hateful eyes, but even gently pinched her cheeks, letting her experience a mother's love she'd never felt before.
At the end of the dream, she even saw Shen An, the friend she'd just made yesterday - her only friend.
Shen An smiled warmly at her, declaring they would be best friends for life.
Then the dream ended. She drowsily opened her eyes, feeling slightly regretful that it was just a dream.
The dream was ultimately illusory - there was no doting grandfather, no affectionate mother. Only Shen An's presence had felt so real and warm to her.
Qian Renxue, who should be called Xue Qinghe after waking, silently thought to herself: 'Shen An, will you really become my best friend?'
...
Shen An watched Tom busily working in the kitchen with a helpless expression. After finding them yesterday, he'd asked Tom what it had been up to, but the cat wouldn't say anything.
At least nothing troublesome had happened. This wasn't Shen An being overly worried - there was actual precedent.
Not to mention how in the Tom and Jerry cartoons, each short episode showed them destroying the house multiple times.
Just when Jerry first arrived, they'd gotten into a fight over a chicken leg and collapsed an entire teahouse in minutes.
After a simple meal, they each spent half an hour exercising with dumbbells, gaining three pounds of strength - maximizing efficiency.
Shen An took a moment to check his fame points [77,641]. After defeating members of the five major academies yesterday, his fame was increasing even faster than before.
Based on Shen An's experience, the growth rate would continue accelerating as news spread over time.
Now, it was time to gamble!
'System, seventy consecutive draws, begin.' Shen An silently commanded.
Ding! Congratulations host for obtaining:
Small Soul Power Experience Pack*7
Sleeping Pills That Can Knock Out Spike (They can easily knock out a Soul Emperor, can you believe it?)
Jerry's Speed Potion*1
Tom's Vintage Car
Looking at his haul, Shen An thought it was decent. The speed potion could increase his speed by at least five times.
But why did those sleeping pills specifically mention they could knock out a Soul Emperor?
And Tom's vintage car - Shen An remembered how Tom had signed countless indentures to buy it while pursuing a white cat. What a tragic story.
"Shen An, come back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan with me. I need to tell Dad I'll be staying with you from now on."
"Zhuqing, want to come too? See our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Shen An even stayed at my place for several days before."
Ning Rongrong smiled at Zhu Zhuqing, genuinely wanting to show off her clan's strength with a girl's competitive spirit.
Zhu Zhuqing pouted: "No, I need to train. You two go ahead."
"Alright then. Shen An, how are we getting there? Your sword flight or walking?" Ning Rongrong blinked her big eyes at Shen An.
Shen An laughed: "Perfect timing, let me show you something good. We'll take this." As he spoke, he summoned Tom's vintage car.
A black vintage car appeared in the courtyard, noticeably larger than the cartoon version, easily seating three.
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing looked at the car with confusion: "What is this thing? Can it move?"
Tom looked suddenly melancholy at the sight of the car, remembering his simp days - how he'd sold his future to buy it, only for his goddess to run off with Butch in a sports car.
But Tom quickly shook his head, giving Shen An a determined look. 'I've suffered love's bitterness so you don't have to. Just wait to enjoy life, kid - this cat will help you pick up girls.'
Shen An explained: "It's a special soul tool, quite comfortable to ride in. Let me give you a demonstration today. Tom, Jerry, want to come along?"
Jerry shook his head. Unlike Tom who constantly stuck to Shen An, Jerry was more independent - he'd rather stay home and sleep.
Shen An jumped into the car, wanting to show off his driving skills, but found Tom's vintage car operated completely differently from what he'd learned in driving school.
"Ahem, Tom, you'd better drive." The embarrassed would-be driver Shen admitted defeat.
The trio boarded - Chef Tom in the driver's seat, Shen An and Ning Rongrong on either side.
Tom proudly squeezed the red balloon horn, making the golden flower-shaped trumpet blare loudly. Under Zhu Zhuqing's worried gaze, Tom drove off toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Zhu Zhuqing's concern was understandable - the car seemed ready to fall apart at any moment. Even Ning Rongrong in the passenger seat looked nervous.
"Shen An, is this soul tool safe? I'm a little scared." Ning Rongrong said with a pale face, reaching past Tom to tightly grip Shen An's arm.
Shen An also felt the bumpy ride and gently patted Ning Rongrong's cold little hand. Tom, focused on driving, suddenly felt like he'd been force-fed dog food.
The vintage car - unprecedented in the Douluo Continent, especially one driven by a cat - drew astonished stares from pedestrians all along the way to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, giving Shen An a taste of the joys of car ownership.
Despite its rickety appearance, the car performed flawlessly, even climbing hills with ease. Ning Rongrong gradually adapted to the ride - though she never let go of Shen An's hand.
Arriving at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's gates, Ning Rongrong's presence ensured smooth entry.
"There's my little princess. Finally had enough fun outside to come home?" Ning Fengzhi smiled at the car's occupants, though a hint of surprise flickered in his eyes.
Despite the clan's vast wealth, he'd never seen such a soul tool before.
"Hehe, not at all! I came to say goodbye, Dad. I'm going to train with Shen An and won't be coming home for a while."
Before Ning Fengzhi could respond, a vigorous voice interrupted: "Fengzhi, is Tom here? I've missed it terribly lately!"
Shen An's eye twitched as he watched Chen Xin descend on his sword. For some reason, he now couldn't help mentally adding an epithet to the Sword Douluo's name:
Sword Douluo Chen Xin (Mentor Tom)