Douluo Dalu: Starting With Tom Cat

Zhu Zhuqing darted through the wolves with her incredible speed, closing in on the alpha wolf while evading their attacks.

"First Soul Skill: Nether Thrust!"

Her soul power surged as her speed doubled in an instant, allowing her to reach the alpha wolf in the blink of an eye. Razor-sharp claws extended from her fingers, slashing down toward the wolf.

"Awooo!"

The cunning alpha wolf tried to flee but misjudged Zhu Zhuqing's sudden speed boost. A deep claw wound was left across its back, and blood gushed out.

Wounded but not defeated, the alpha wolf stopped retreating and turned to face Zhu Zhuqing, its eyes glinting with feral rage.

"Awooo!"

Its howl summoned two large gray wolves, slightly weaker but still formidable, which quickly surrounded Zhu Zhuqing in a pincer formation.

Zhu Zhuqing realized the danger. This beast knows I'm after it. It's lured me into a trap!

Wolves were notoriously cunning and vicious. The alpha had identified Zhu Zhuqing as the strongest threat and led her into an ambush with the assistance of two other hundred-year wolves.

Meanwhile, Shen An and Tom were surrounded by more than ten wolves. Although these gray wolves weren't as oppressive as the black bear they had faced earlier, their sheer numbers made up for it.

The wolves circled the pair, snarling and baring their teeth. Suddenly, one of them pounced at Tom.

Tom acted swiftly, slashing with the Sword Grass and slicing off the wolf's tongue, causing it to collapse to the ground with a pained howl.

Before Tom could finish it off, two more wolves attacked simultaneously, forcing him to switch to defense and protect both himself and Shen An.

But while Tom fended off his attackers, two other wolves lunged at Shen An.

"Damn it! Why do they all pick on the weak?!" Shen An cursed, rolling clumsily to avoid their bites.

Covered in dirt and barely dodging, Shen An lamented his predicament. My Sword Grass is with Tom, and he's busy fending off three wolves! Meanwhile, new ones keep joining the fray, and I'm defenseless!

The wolves relentlessly pursued Shen An, who was running out of stamina. At this rate, I'll be meeting the King of Hell soon.

Tom noticed Shen An struggling against the wolves. Panic flashed across his cat face as he parried the attacks from his three assailants while frantically brainstorming a way out.

Suddenly, a golden exclamation mark appeared above Tom's head—yes, a literal floating exclamation mark.

Feigning weakness, Tom let one of the wolves think it had an opening. As the wolf pounced at him with jaws wide open, Tom's face twisted into a sly grin.

"Time to try some American-style sword-drawing!"

BANG!

A gunshot rang out, shattering the stillness of the night.

The pouncing wolf's head exploded in a spray of blood mid-air before it collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

The remaining wolves recoiled at the deafening noise, their whimpers betraying their unease. Shen An, too, froze in disbelief.

"What the hell?! You had a gun this whole time?!"

Shen An wanted to cry. "Tom! Why didn't you pull this out earlier?! I almost died!"

Tom gave Shen An an innocent look as if to say, Oops, I forgot.

The loud gunshot startled Zhu Zhuqing and the wolves she was battling. Seizing the wolves' momentary distraction, Zhu Zhuqing launched her next attack.

"Second Soul Skill: Nether Hundred Claws!"

Spinning rapidly, her sharp claws became a flurry of strikes, delivering a barrage of phantom-like slashes against her attackers.

"Awooo!"

Despite their injuries, the wolves attacked Zhu Zhuqing with reckless abandon. Their bites and claws landed in places she couldn't guard, leaving her with numerous wounds.

Her clothes were torn by their claws, exposing pale skin streaked with fresh blood.

Meanwhile, Tom continued his assault, wielding the Sword Grass in one hand and a gun in the other. He dispatched several wolves with precise shots and quick slashes. After blowing away the smoke from his pistol, he stood confidently as the remaining wolves hesitated to advance.

Shen An, watching Tom's dazzling display, cheered, "Tom the Heavenly Emperor! You're amazing!"

Noticing Zhu Zhuqing faltering against the three hundred-year wolves, her clothes soaked with blood, Shen An shouted, "Tom! We need to help her!"

Tom nodded, rushing to Zhu Zhuqing's aid alongside Shen An. Along the way, Tom handed Shen An another pistol, but Shen An shook his head, retrieving the Sword Grass instead.

"I've never used a gun before. It'd just be a waste in my hands. Better to leave it with you."

As they arrived, Tom somehow managed to don a white cowboy hat and red bandana, looking like a dual-wielding gunslinger from a Western film.

Shen An smirked as he observed the three wolves attacking Zhu Zhuqing. Let's see how they handle Tom, the dual-wielding sharpshooter.

The wolves moved erratically, trying to confuse their prey, but once they entered Tom's range, he raised both pistols.

BANG! BANG!

Two shots echoed. Both wolves, except for the alpha, were hit in their left eyes, collapsing to the ground in agony.

Zhu Zhuqing was stunned. What kind of weapon is this? How can it be so powerful? Two strikes, and the wolves I struggled against are already crippled!

The alpha wolf growled in fear, watching its subordinates fall. With a long, mournful howl, it summoned its pack.

Shen An and Tom stood shoulder to shoulder with Zhu Zhuqing, bracing themselves for a desperate attack.

But instead of charging, the pack carried away the injured wolves and retreated into the forest, leaving their leader to cast one last wary glance before disappearing into the darkness.

Once the wolves were gone, Shen An and Tom collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.

Shen An turned to Zhu Zhuqing to thank her but stopped mid-sentence when he saw her staggering.

"Thud."

She collapsed to the ground. Shen An rushed over, catching her just in time. Tom followed, helping to support her.

Holding her slender yet curvaceous body, Shen An felt none of the usual excitement such a situation might bring. Instead, his heart was heavy. "What a mess."

Zhu Zhuqing's injuries were clearly from protecting them. Given her speed, she could have escaped easily, but she chose to stay and fight for their sake. Shen An couldn't let this debt go unpaid.

With Tom's help, they found a safe shelter for Zhu Zhuqing to recover.

Looking at her pale face, Shen An felt a headache coming on. Where can I even find medicine out here?

Tom, however, pulled out a stethoscope and began examining Zhu Zhuqing like a professional doctor.

"I swear... Tom, you're amazing!"