Let's rewind to the moment Dugu Yan drank the potion.
Dugu Yan closed her eyes tightly and drank the murky green liquid that bubbled ominously with white foam.
Huh? It actually tastes pretty good—like green apple, she thought to herself.
Wait, what's happening? Her soul power was surging abnormally, teetering on the brink of a breakthrough. It felt as if invisible shackles had been released.
"Yan, your hair… it's changing color!" Ye Lingling stared in astonishment as Dugu Yan's purple hair rapidly darkened to jet black.
Tom thoughtfully produced a mirror. Seeing her reflection, Dugu Yan felt an unprecedented lightness. Suddenly remembering something critical, she drew a dagger and made a shallow cut on her palm.
Bright crimson blood welled up—the sickly green tint completely vanished.
As a poison master, Dugu Yan immediately recognized the implications: the ancestral toxins embedded in her bloodline had been purged.
She turned to Tom with tearful gratitude and impulsively planted a kiss on the cat's cheek, leaving the feline wide-eyed with horror.
I save your life, and this is how you repay me?
Shen An chuckled casually, "What's the big deal? Cats being immune to poison is common knowledge."
Dugu Yan solemnly addressed Shen An: "I, Dugu Yan, will never forget this debt. Should you ever need assistance, my grandfather will move mountains for you." After a deep bow to Shen An and Tom, she departed with Ye Lingling.
"Interesting girl," Shen An remarked with amusement. "Tom cured her, yet she pledges her grandfather's favor to me."
"Wait—Dugu Yan? With a grandfather?" Ning Rongrong's expression darkened. "You've stumbled into incredible luck. If I'm right, her grandfather is none other than the Poison Douluo himself."
"Had Tom not cured her congenital poison, your earlier teasing would have earned you a death warrant from a Titled Douluo. But now you've gained a supreme protector instead."
Shen An pondered this revelation—far from being a troublesome beauty, Tom might actually be his lucky charm.
---
Central Arena, Soto Great Spirit Arena
Pang Tao gestured to four burly fighters: "Young Master Shen, these are the core members of the Mad Team. Combined with your trio, you'll face the Emperor Team."
"Shall I brief you on their capabilities?"
Shen An smiled dismissively: "No need, Brother Pang. Once the battle starts, Rongrong's support will suffice. The others can spectate."
Zhu Zhuqing accepted this with silent faith, though a shadow of frustration crossed her eyes at the widening power gap. The Mad Team's leader, Kuang Xi, however, erupted in rage:
"You arrogant brat! Explain yourself! What do you mean 'spectate'?"
"Simple," Shen An replied coolly. "I can handle multiple opponents alone. Of course…" he paused dramatically, "your presence is absolutely crucial."
Kuang Xi's expression softened slightly, only to darken again as Shen An continued: "Without you seven, this team battle couldn't legally proceed."
Roaring with fury, Kuang Xi activated his martial soul. Pang Tao's six soul rings flared as he interjected: "Enough!" His soul emperor aura crushed the dissenters.
Yet Shen An stood unaffected, his sharp aura slicing through the pressure like a divine blade, shielding even Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing behind him.
Pang Tao's eyes narrowed with newfound respect—a three-ringed Soul Master making a six-ringed emperor feel threatened? This changed everything.
"You'll obey Shen An unconditionally," Pang Tao commanded the Mad Team. "The agreed rewards remain."
---
The 70-meter-wide combat stage blazed with golden light as announcer Doudou descended: "Honored guests! Tonight's main event—the Emperor Team versus the newly formed AnRong Team!"
Her voice hitched in surprise: "Wait… Only auxiliary soul master Ning Rongrong and battle soul master Shen An have activated their martial souls! Are the others forfeiting?"
From the Emperor Team's side, Yu Tianheng sneered at the familiar Mad Team members—defeated trash daring to return. But Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling stiffened upon recognizing Shen An.
"Tianheng," Dugu Yan whispered urgently, "that's the one who cured me today."
Yu Tianheng smirked confidently: "We'll go easy on your benefactor then."
Dugu Yan's eyelid twitched. Having witnessed Shen An's capabilities firsthand, she hesitated: "He defeated me with one strike earlier. I couldn't even resist."
Ye Lingling added quietly: "Captain… I suspect no Soul Master below four rings can match him."
Child psychology often mirrors male competitiveness—no true warrior admits inferiority. The more his teammates praised Shen An, the more Yu Tianheng burned to crush this upstart personally.
As Doudou's voice echoed—"Combatants! Release your martial souls!"—the Emperor Team erupted in dazzling displays of power, their combined aura shaking the arena.
In a second-tier VIP box, Flender complained while counting coins: "Five hundred gold just for this shabby room! If not for Dai Mubai's sponsorship..."
Master Yuxiao silenced him with a gesture, eyes locked on the arena where Shen An stood calmly amidst the storm of power, his unactivated teammates drawing gasps from the crowd.