Consolidating Strength, Heading to King Kai's Planet for Training (Part 2)

Outside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Zhou Zilong changed into a blue tracksuit, as if preparing to meet the challenges ahead.

"Guardian of Earth, could I trouble you to take me to the Other World? I intend to seek out North Kai for further training," Zhou Zilong said, his voice firm and resonant.

The Guardian of Earth nodded with a faint smile. "I didn't expect you to know of North Kai. Very well, I shall take you to try your luck!"

The Guardian of Earth reached out and placed his hand gently on Zhou Zilong's shoulder. A soft energy enveloped them both, and the world around them instantly blurred.

When everything came back into focus, they had arrived inside a wooden structure.

Before them sat a massive wooden desk. To the left was a telephone and a sign inscribed with the characters for "King Yemma." Seated at the desk was a giant, purplish-red man with a thick beard, wearing a horned hat with the character "Yemma" on the front. He was currently busy reviewing a ledger.

The purplish-red man looked up, spotted the Guardian of Earth and Zhou Zilong, and set down his ledger. "Guardian of Earth, this young man isn't dead yet. Why have you brought him here?"

The Guardian of Earth replied, "King Yemma, this young man says he wishes to train under North Kai. I hope you might grant him passage!"

King Yemma looked at Zhou Zilong, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. "Young man, you possess impressive strength for your age. Why do you wish to seek out North Kai for training?"

Zhou Zilong took a deep breath and replied, "King Yemma, you who hold the power over life and death, you must know that there are many villains in this universe. To prevent my home planet from being ravaged by such evildoers, I must strengthen myself!"

King Yemma nodded in approval. "Hmm, your desire to protect your planet is commendable. As for whether you can meet North Kai, that depends on your own fortune. Ogre, take him to Snake Way."

Ogre acknowledged the order and led Zhou Zilong to a small red car. As the vehicle traveled along the winding, serpentine path, Zhou Zilong leaned back and closed his eyes to rest. He knew the journey ahead would be long and arduous, so he had to conserve his energy and prepare for the challenges to come.

After about an hour of driving, the car finally came to a stop. A winding, silver, snake-like path appeared before Zhou Zilong's eyes—this was Snake Way, the road leading to King Kai's Planet, stretching for one million kilometers.

Zhou Zilong hopped out of the car, performed a few warm-up exercises, and stood at the head of the snake. He took a deep breath and stepped forward with firm resolve.

After raising his ki to around eight thousand, Zhou Zilong began to use the Flight technique to soar along Snake Way. His figure was like a bolt of lightning, swift and agile.

At that moment, on King Kai's Planet, North Kai sensed Zhou Zilong's energy and muttered, "Hmm? This energy contains quite a high combat power. I wonder why he's heading my way!"

Five hours passed, and Zhou Zilong finally saw the end of Snake Way—a small, green planet. That was the residence of North Kai: King Kai's Planet!

He accelerated toward the planet, his heart filled with anticipation. As he flew above it, he suddenly felt a powerful gravitational pull dragging him down toward the surface!

It's a good thing my base power is high; adapting to this tenfold gravity is quite fast, Zhou Zilong thought to himself, stabilizing his body as he descended onto the planet.

Once he stood firm, he saw a blue-skinned man wearing unique attire and sunglasses walking toward him. This was North Kai, the very person Zhou Zilong had come to visit.

"Oh, oh, oh! Not bad at all, you've adapted to the gravity of my planet almost instantly!" North Kai looked at Zhou Zilong with a smile, a hint of admiration in his eyes.

"Thank you for the praise, North Kai. I have come to seek your guidance in the way of cultivation to prepare for the unknown challenges that may lie ahead," Zhou Zilong said, bowing respectfully.

North Kai nodded and said, "I can teach you, but you must first tell me a few jokes that make me laugh out loud!"

To test if North Kai really had as low a threshold for humor as in the legends, Zhou Zilong started with a random one: "A horse's tail got cut off!"

Upon hearing this, North Kai's expression turned peculiar. He covered his mouth, as if afraid he might burst into laughter. Seeing this, Zhou Zilong felt a surge of joy, knowing that North Kai's sense of humor was indeed easily triggered.

He struck while the iron was hot and told another: "A cat was chased by a mouse!"

This time, North Kai pressed his hands even harder against his mouth. His eyes were filled with shock and disbelief, as if he were thinking, How could this be?

Seeing this, Zhou Zilong felt even more confident and said, "A corner of my house is round and bright—it turned out to be a toilet!"

As soon as the words left his lips, North Kai couldn't help but mutter to himself, "A corner of my house is round and bright—it turned out to be a toilet! A corner of my house is round and bright—it turned out to be a toilet!" His voice grew louder and louder until he finally collapsed onto the ground, roaring with laughter.

"On a pitch-black night, a tadpole was sunbathing!" Zhou Zilong added.

"Hahahaha!" North Kai, who was already laughing, roared even louder.

Seeing this, Zhou Zilong seized the opportunity to ask, "Most humorous North Kai, have I passed the test?"

After the laughter subsided, North Kai finally regained his composure. He adjusted his sunglasses and said to Zhou Zilong, "Your sense of humor is excellent; you have passed the test. From today on, you shall train with me until the day you wish to leave!"