"Meow!"
Tom immediately stood up, glaring at Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling with a hostile expression. Two more bad women trying to steal me away. Don't you have your own cats at home?
Tom's paws elongated unnaturally, gripping the counter tightly before he leaped gracefully, hiding behind Shen An like a stealthy feline, peeking out from the shadows.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were once again dumbfounded. What kind of move was this? Was there really such a magical soul beast?
Dugu Yan narrowed her eyes at Shen An. "Name your price. I won't haggle. I really like this cat."
Shen An sighed helplessly. "Tom is family. I would never sell him. You can give up on that idea."
Upon hearing Shen An's words, Tom straightened his back, sticking out his tongue and making a silly face. With his master backing him up, he felt invincible.
"Yanyan, let's go. If he doesn't want to sell, forget it," Ye Lingling whispered softly, though she also felt a tinge of regret. At least Dugu Yan had managed to pet the cat earlier, while she hadn't even touched it.
However, Dugu Yan ignored Ye Lingling's words. She was, after all, the granddaughter of a Titled Douluo. How could an ordinary person refuse her?
"Kid, I'll say it one more time. Give me the cat, or face the consequences," Dugu Yan threatened.
Shen An's eyes turned cold. These people really hadn't been taught a lesson, acting so arrogantly just because they were soul masters.
"Let's see how you plan to make me regret it," Shen An said coldly.
"Yanyan, this is a public street. Don't use your poison. Ordinary people can't handle it," Ye Lingling whispered urgently.
This made Shen An reconsider slightly. The girl next to her seems decent. I'll spare her later.
Shen An watched as a green diamond-shaped scale appeared on Dugu Yan's forehead. Without hesitation, the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass materialized in his hand.
Shen An didn't waste any more words. For soul masters who abused their power, there was no point in reasoning. The only way to make them reflect was to make them feel pain.
The sun was high in the sky, filling the room with bright light. Yet, Shen An's sword shone even brighter, its blade radiating a dazzling green arc like a crescent moon.
Fast! Unbelievably fast!
Even Dugu Yan, who had seen much of the world, had never witnessed such speed. In the blink of an eye, a cold, sharp edge rested against her neck, sending chills down her spine.
Ye Lingling looked at Shen An with fear. She had thought Shen An would suffer greatly after refusing Dugu Yan. Even if Dugu Yan didn't use her poison, Shen An would still be in trouble.
After all, what powerful soul master would run a small shop? But she never expected that Dugu Yan would be subdued by Shen An before she could even act.
"Being a soul master doesn't give you the right to bully others. Get out," Shen An said indifferently.
Dugu Yan's fists clenched so tightly they turned red. Her silver teeth gritted in frustration. Having grown up spoiled and arrogant, she had never been treated with such disdain. How could she swallow this insult?
"You're just older and have more soul power than me. If we were at the same level, you'd never be my match," Dugu Yan retorted defiantly.
Soul masters' appearances didn't always reflect their age due to the enhancements from soul rings and soul power. In Dugu Yan's eyes, Shen An's speed indicated he was at least a Soul Ancestor, if not Soul King.
"Even if that's the case, fine. I don't want to hurt anyone. Just leave," Shen An waved his hand dismissively.
Dugu Yan glared at Shen An, suppressing her anger. "Lingling, let's go. I'll make him pay for this someday!"
Shen An was stunned. Seriously? Are you an idiot? You're threatening me right in front of my face? Do you think I'm not here?
If I don't do something, won't I look like a pushover? Shen An thought to himself.
First Soul Skill: Sword Control!
The Nine-Leaf Sword Grass instantly appeared at the door, blocking Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling's exit.
Dugu Yan glared furiously. "What do you think you're doing? Do you know who my grandfather is?!"
Ye Lingling looked at Shen An with concern. We're clearly outmatched here. Why are you still acting so tough? Isn't this a bit too arrogant?
"I don't care who your grandfather is. You just threatened me in front of my face. Did you think I'd let you off easy?"
"Now I've changed my mind. Meow like a cat a hundred times. And you have to squat down with each meow. No meowing, no leaving."
Tom, standing nearby, revealed a mischievous grin. Hehehe, who knew you had it in you, Shen An? I like this side of you.
Dugu Yan was on the verge of exploding with anger. Being forced to meow like a cat was beyond humiliating.
"Impossible! A warrior would rather die than be humiliated. You've insulted me today, and I'll repay you a hundredfold in the future!"
"Oh, really?" Shen An narrowed his eyes. A vast surge of soul power transformed into sword energy, enveloping Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling like an ocean, making them feel as if death was imminent.
"Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow! I'll do it, I'll do it!" While Dugu Yan was still holding back tears, refusing to yield, Ye Lingling quickly gave in.
As the possessor of the Nine Heart Begonia, she had no intention of dying pointlessly in this place. The coldness in Shen An's eyes was no joke.
Dugu Yan's eyes turned red with frustration. She had never felt such humiliation in her life. Yet, the icy indifference in Shen An's gaze made her too afraid to throw another tantrum.
"Meow, meow, meow~" Ye Lingling continued to meow, each sound like a cat's paw scratching at her heart, breaking down her mental defenses.
As Ye Lingling squatted repeatedly, her lips pursed as she mimicked a cat's meow, her voice soft and delicate, she tugged at Dugu Yan's sleeve.
Shen An activated his Azure Sword Gaze, their cold, indifferent gaze like that of the heavens, sending a bone-chilling sensation through Dugu Yan. The Nine-Leaf Sword Grass's sword energy completely shattered her mental defenses.
Dugu Yan, having been spoiled by her grandfather Dugu Bo, had lived a life of ease and privilege. She had never encountered such a situation before. Shen An's demeanor made it clear: meow like a cat, or die!
Tears streamed down Dugu Yan's reddened green eyes as her once-proud figure slowly squatted down. An indescribable sense of shame filled her heart.
"Meow~" Her voice trembled heavily.
As it turns out, when faced with something you resist, you either don't do it at all, or once you've done it once, it no longer feels so strange.
When the first "meow" escaped her lips, Dugu Yan felt as if her entire world of the past twenty years was collapsing. She felt utterly lifeless.
But by the second and third meows, her voice no longer trembled. By the end, her words were clear and crisp.
"Zhuqing, do you hear cats meowing in the teahouse?"
"I think so. Could it be Tom?"
"I don't know. Tom doesn't usually meow, and this sounds more like a female cat."
As Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong reached the teahouse's entrance, their expressions froze. Two beautiful girls were squatting repeatedly, meowing like cats.
Shen An's face was cold, but Tom was watching excitedly, even sticking out his tongue with a mischievous grin.
"Shen An!!! Explain this to me!!!"
Shen An: I can explain!"