As the vehicle rolled along, they drew closer and closer to the location of the sixth Dragon Ball. The scenery shifted along the way, from dense forests to desolate deserts, and then to the fiery red land before them—Fire Mountain.
"Ah, it's the sunset!" Little Goku suddenly pointed at the fiery red scene ahead and cried out in surprise. His eyes sparkled with curiosity and anticipation, as if he'd spotted something new and exciting.
"Wow, it's so beautiful!" Bulma was captivated by the sight and couldn't help but exclaim. Flames reflected in her eyes, making them shine brightly.
But as soon as Bulma finished speaking, she realized something was wrong. "Wait, it's daytime. How can there be a sunset?" she muttered in confusion, looking back at the fiery red expanse.
"Come on, that's not a sunset. It's Fire Mountain!" Oolong explained helplessly from the driver's seat, a hint of fear in his voice.
"Oolong, why are you stopping? Don't you want the antidote?" Zhou Zilong asked, looking at Oolong's back on purpose. He knew what Oolong was afraid of.
"No, Great Hero Zilong, let's go around! A terrifying demon called the Ox-King lives on Fire Mountain. He's not only incredibly strong, but he also specializes in robbing people like us who pass through!" Oolong's voice trembled as he fearfully watched the sea of flames ahead.
After hearing Oolong's explanation, Zhou Zilong realized that the sixth Dragon Ball was located here. And according to the original story, Little Goku was about to get a fiancée through "love at first kick."
But Bulma linked her arm through Zhou Zilong's and said, "Stop trying to scare us. Zilong's martial arts are so good, he'll definitely be fine!"
Little Goku immediately chimed in, "That's right! Zilong's martial arts are so good, he'll definitely be fine. And after hearing you talk about him, I really want to fight the Ox-King!"
Their words were full of trust and admiration for Zhou Zilong.
"Then let's go!" Zhou Zilong said at last, signaling Oolong to keep driving. Oolong was frightened, but at Zhou Zilong's command, he continued onward.
"Master Yamcha, we should leave. The Ox-King isn't someone we can afford to provoke," Puar urged softly after hearing their conversation.
Yamcha, however, wasn't swayed. A cold smile tugged at his lips. "No. We'll follow them. Even if that kid's strong, he probably won't be able to beat the Ox-King. Once they've both worn each other out, we can make a killing!"
Just as Yamcha was about to set out, he encountered Chi-Chi, Sun Wukong's future wife, just as he had in the original story. Like in the anime, he knocked Chi-Chi unconscious.
Oolong drove the vehicle onward, struggling along the rugged mountain road.
As the wheels turned, the group finally reached the heart of Fire Mountain. Ruined walls surrounded them. The village that had once stood there was now nothing but rubble and scattered white skeletons, as if they were telling the story of a tragic past.
The vehicle stopped. As soon as the door opened, a wave of heat rushed at them like a beast.
Oolong frowned, quickly ducked back inside, and turned on the air conditioning, trying to escape the suffocating heat.
Zhou Zilong took a blue outfit from his backpack. It looked a little like foil, but its material was much tougher.
He handed it to Bulma and said, "This is a specially made fireproof suit. Put it on, and you'll be able to move around Fire Mountain freely!"
Bulma took the suit and quickly put it on. She looked at Zhou Zilong with some concern and asked, "What about you? This suit only fits one person."
Zhou Zilong smiled and shook his head, confidence in his eyes. "Don't worry, Bulma. This little bit of heat is nothing to me!"
The two began searching separately for the Dragon Ball.
"Goku, could you fly in and take a look?" After searching around without finding it, Bulma asked Little Goku to go look inside the castle surrounded by raging flames.
Little Goku nodded. "Don't worry, Bulma. I'm going now!"
With that, he leaped onto the Flying Nimbus and flew toward the castle.
But the flames were more powerful than Little Goku had expected. After circling around once, he had no choice but to give up. The Flying Nimbus wobbled in the fire, so Little Goku abandoned his attempt to explore further.
"I can't do it, Bulma. The flames are too strong. I can't get inside!" Little Goku said, shaking his head as he flew back.
Bulma reassured him. "It's okay. We'll think of something else."
Just then, Oolong rolled down the car window and grumbled unhappily, "You two idiots, keep your voices down! It'll be terrible if the Ox-King hears you!"
As soon as Oolong finished speaking, a massive figure wearing a bull-horned helmet slowly emerged from the flames.
Zhou Zilong immediately shielded Bulma behind him and called out to Little Goku, "Goku, dodge to the right!"
As Zhou Zilong shouted, the Ox-King had already swung his axe and hurled it toward them.
Zhou Zilong reacted in a flash, scooped Bulma up, and leaped to the left. The axe skimmed past them and crashed into a ruined house, making a tremendous noise.
After dodging the attack, Zhou Zilong quickly checked the Ox-King's information:
Ox-King [Race] Earthling [Height] 4.6 meters [Weight] 330 kilograms [Potential Level] Ordinary potential (3 (minimum)–10 (maximum)) [Potential Value] 10 (maximum combat power can reach 100) [Potential Development Progress] 80% [Combat Power] 80
"Damn it, how dare you sneak up on us! Take this!" Little Goku roared, leaped off the Flying Nimbus, and charged at the Ox-King.
As soon as he got close, Little Goku jumped off the Flying Nimbus and kicked hard toward the Ox-King. His foot struck the left side of the Ox-King's chest.
But the Ox-King took Little Goku's kick without changing expression, then scratched the spot where he'd been hit, as if asking whether Little Goku was trying to tickle him.
Seeing his attack had no effect, Little Goku refused to give up. He charged the Ox-King again and kicked him in the chest once more.
But just like the first time, Little Goku's attack had no effect.
The Ox-King expressionlessly reached out with one enormous hand and grabbed Little Goku.
"Ah!" Little Goku cried out in alarm as the Ox-King lifted him high, then slammed him into the ground.
With a tremendous crash, Little Goku hit the ground hard. The whole mountainside seemed to shake. He struggled to get up, but his body ached as if every bone had come apart.
The Ox-King looked down at Little Goku on the ground, raised his axe, and aimed it at his head, ready to deliver a fatal blow.
Just then, a figure suddenly dashed out from the side and stood in front of Little Goku.
Zhou Zilong extended the index and middle fingers of his left hand. With a sharp clang, he caught the Ox-King's axe effortlessly between them.
Zhou Zilong looked up at the Ox-King and said, "Calm down. We're just passing through to look for something!"
Before you continue