"Of course, I'm bringing immortal herbs to Zhuqing. Tom and Jerry specifically picked these—they should be very beneficial for her too."
Ning Rongrong initially felt disappointed, having thought herself the most special one. She hadn't expected Zhu Zhuqing to receive immortal herbs as well.
But Ning Rongrong's greatest strength was her resilient mindset. Blinking her large, doll-like eyes, she pointed to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's guards:
"Then let's do this—I'll have someone deliver the herbs to Zhuqing. We can go play in Heaven Dou City and check out that 'good thing' you mentioned."
Tom shot Ning Rongrong a sidelong glance. The calculations in her mind were practically leaping into its eyeballs—she simply wanted to reduce Shen An's interactions with Zhu Zhuqing so she could have him all to herself.
Shen An pointed at Tom: "Look, Tom even slicked its hair with Standcon hair oil specifically to see Zhuqing. We can't just not let it go. Besides, immortal herbs are too precious—we should deliver them personally."
Her scheme foiled, Ning Rongrong gave a sullen "Hmph" before quickly catching up.
Arriving at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, they entered smoothly once more. One ignorant student had tried to throw his weight around to block them, but another who recognized Ning Rongrong immediately intervened in panic.
"Are you trying to die?! This is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's young princess—how dare you stop her?!" A mature-looking student berated the offender.
Meanwhile, another Heaven Dou student's eyes darted nervously. 'It's him... I need to report to Boss Xue Beng immediately.'
Though they'd visited before, Shen An couldn't help marveling again at the academy's vastness—it occupied an entire mountainside.
Tom and Jerry already drew attention normally, but today, with their meticulously styled hair, they looked downright absurd.
Many idle Heaven Dou students found themselves drawn to Shen An's group—the handsome boy, the gorgeous girl, and especially the bizarre cat-and-mouse duo.
Shen An approached an oval-faced female student: "Excuse me, do you know where Zhu Zhuqing is? I'm a friend here to see her."
The girl gave him a strange look: "Zhu Zhuqing? She's always training in the academy's Darkveil Thicket... but you'd better be careful. Shao Hu has been targeting her recently."
Shen An frowned. The girl hastily added: "Shao Hu is one of Heaven Dou's famous power-type soul masters. His martial soul is a Black Tiger, already at level 37. He's also closely connected to that wastrel Xue Beng."
An inexplicable irritation rose in Shen An's chest. First a White Tiger, now a Black Tiger? At this rate, my martial soul should be Wu Song instead of Sword Grass.
Tom clenched its tiny fists furiously. What?! Someone dares poach my mistress?! This means war!
After getting directions, the normally meek Tom stomped ahead with rolled-up blue sleeves, radiating combat readiness.
Deep within the shadowy thicket, Shen An heard arguing before even entering:
"Shao Hu! Stop harassing me, or I won't hold back!"
"Haha, Zhuqing, you're single, I'm single—this is courtship, not harassment."
"Don't call me Zhuqing! We're not close! And I've told you—I already have someone!"
"Then let's see him! Even if he shows up, he'll have to fight me first. Only the strongest male earns mating rights!"
As he spoke, Shao Hu flexed his biceps admiringly while leering at Zhu Zhuqing like prey.
Disgust and helplessness flashed in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes. The level 37 gap was indeed insurmountable for her. If only Shen An were here... she couldn't help thinking.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Heavy footsteps shook the ground—Tom had arrived, eyes practically spitting flames.
The cat marched up to Shao Hu: So YOU'RE the bastard trying to steal my mistress?!
Shao Hu gaped at the bipedal cat with its eerily human expressions.
Tom reached for Shao Hu's collar but couldn't reach due to its height. Jerry instantly understood—despite their constant bickering, when Tom was truly angry, Jerry always had its back.
Without hesitation, Jerry hoisted Tom up like a living step stool. Now elevated, Tom finally grabbed Shao Hu's collar—though Jerry wobbled precariously under its weight.
Shao Hu initially dismissed Tom as just a clever housecat... until the tiny cat started shaking him back and forth effortlessly.
A level 37 power-type soul master getting manhandled by a cat? No one would believe it.
Pride demanded retaliation. Shao Hu punched Tom away violently, sending both cat and mouse tumbling.
Tom yanked itself out of the dirt by its own tail, then stormed back toward Shao Hu, now red-faced with steam practically shooting from its ears.
Shao Hu sneered: "Had enough, kitten? Keep bothering me and I'll skin you alive."
"You dare?!" Zhu Zhuqing's voice turned icy upon seeing Tom struck.
"Oh? You know this cat?" Shao Hu's leer returned. "Big kitty and little kitty—what a pair! How about this: go on one date with me, let me taste those sweet lips, and I'll spare your pet."
His grin turned predatory. Academy rules prevented outright assault on female students—hence his restraint so far. But repeated rejections had worn his patience thin. Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's concern for the cat, he seized the opportunity for blackmail.
Hearing this creep insult Zhu Zhuqing, Tom's head inflated like an overheating boiler, smoke practically billowing from its ears.
Jerry looked at Shao Hu with pity. When Tom's like this, even I retreat. You're doomed.
Thus, when Shen An and Ning Rongrong arrived moments later, they witnessed Tom blowing into its white glove like a boxer—the tiny paw swelling until it dwarfed Tom's entire body.
Terror struck Shao Hu. His two yellow, one purple soul rings flared as he tried fleeing... only to find himself rooted in place by some invisible force.
BAM!
The giant fist connected with Shao Hu's face, sending him flying unconscious, plowing through trees like a bulldozer and carving a trench across the forest.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong covered their mouths in shock. Their adorable Tom had a berserk side neither could have imagined.