Beerus shouted at Champa, "Champa, our universe won! Hurry up and hand over your Super Dragon Balls."
Champa said irritably, "I know, Beerus. Shut your stinking mouth."
At that moment, Ye Ming began talking with AF Son Goku on the arena.
"I heard from Whis that your timeline was destroyed by an unknown being," Ye Ming said.
AF Son Goku's expression suddenly turned furious. "That's right. I have to grow stronger and find the culprit behind it all, then destroy him completely."
Just then, a hand rested on AF Son Goku's shoulder. "Then count me in! We'll look for the culprit once we're strong enough to stand against anything."
"Though our strength has already reached the threshold of an Angel's, this universe isn't as simple as you might think."
AF Son Goku nodded. He agreed with Ye Ming. Though he wanted revenge, he wasn't foolish. He knew that even the strongest beings in their universe hadn't found the culprit behind the destruction of their timeline. That alone showed how powerful the culprit was.
Ye Ming continued, "Right now, we're still far from strong enough. We have to train hard and improve our strength. I have a feeling that the crisis ahead will be extremely dangerous. One careless mistake, and we'll be destroyed."
Just as Ye Ming was about to continue, a calm voice sounded behind him and AF Son Goku. "You're right, Mr. Ye Ming. Ever since you arrived in this timeline, it's true that things have developed very differently from before."
At the sound of that ethereal voice, Ye Ming and AF Son Goku were both terrified. They had no idea how anyone could have appeared behind them so suddenly.
They immediately turned around. They saw a man dressed in blue, with a large symbol hanging at his waist. A halo floated above his white hair, and his eyes brimmed with divinity. Ye Ming and AF Son Goku felt utterly insignificant before him.
AF Son Goku asked Ye Ming, "Is he an enemy? If so, he's incredibly powerful! We don't stand a chance."
When AF Son Goku saw that Ye Ming wasn't answering, Ye Ming stepped forward and said, "Greetings, Grand Priest!"
The Grand Priest showed no surprise that Ye Ming knew who he was.
At those words, everyone in the stands turned to look at the arena. Beerus and Champa broke out in a cold sweat, overwhelmed with fear.
They hurried over to the arena and bowed to the Grand Priest. "Welcome, Grand Priest!"
The God of Destruction also knelt before the Grand Priest, fear showing in his eyes.
The Angel stood beside the God of Destruction, smiling.
The Grand Priest smiled warmly. "Mr. Ye Ming, there's no need to be so formal. I admire you very much."
Even Ye Ming, usually so unflappable, was surprised to hear this. He hadn't expected the Grand Priest to have taken an interest in him.
The Grand Priest then glanced at AF Son Goku, who was standing behind Ye Ming, and nodded to him.
AF Son Goku saw the Grand Priest's warm smile and relaxed his guard. He stepped forward and said, "Son Goku from another timeline greets the Grand Priest!"
The Grand Priest nodded. "There's no need to be so formal, Mr. Goku. Since you've fully integrated into this timeline, you're one of us now."
AF Son Goku looked grateful. "Thank you, Grand Priest."
Just as AF Son Goku was about to ask him something, the Grand Priest interrupted. "Mr. Goku, you're still very weak. Once you grow stronger, you'll find the answers you're seeking."
AF Son Goku was startled. Clearly, the Grand Priest had just seen through his thoughts. He gritted his teeth and said, "Thank you, Grand Priest. I was presumptuous just now!"
The Grand Priest smiled. "It's all right. I understand how you feel. I can only tell you that your opponent is very strong. Your power is still far from enough."
At that, AF Son Goku clenched his fist even tighter. Ye Ming knew what AF Son Goku wanted to ask, but it was clear that the Grand Priest wanted him to find the truth for himself.
Beerus and Champa gritted their teeth and said, "We failed to welcome you properly. May we ask why you've come here, Grand Priest?"
The Grand Priest glanced at Beerus and Champa. "Lord Zeno is already here. He'll tell you himself when he arrives."
Suddenly, a dazzling light flashed, and divine radiance pierced straight through Universe 6. Lord Zeno had arrived.
As soon as the words were spoken, the Grand Priest and the Angels knelt on one knee. Beerus and the other Gods of Destruction, along with the God of Destruction, knelt trembling. In unison, they said, "We welcome Lord Zeno!"
Son Goku also came down from the stands and headed for the arena, wondering whether some incredibly powerful figure was about to arrive.
A flash of multicolored light appeared, and Zeno and his two guards materialized on the arena in Universe 6.
Zeno beamed at the gods. "Mm, you can all get up." The gods respectfully rose, and the Grand Priest turned to face them.
Son Goku quietly asked Vegeta, "Is that little guy Zeno, the most powerful and revered god among the twelve universes?"
Vegeta nearly died of shock at Son Goku's words. He said sternly, "You don't have to say anything just because you can. Don't cause trouble at a time like this, got it, Kakarot?"
Just then, Zeno spoke in a childish voice. "Um, that tournament between Universe 7 and Universe 6 was really fun to watch! I liked it."
When the Gods of Destruction from Universe 6 and Universe 7 heard that, they immediately bowed in alarm. "We're honored that you enjoyed it!"
Then Zeno continued, "But you also held a tournament in secret, which broke the rules. And your battle affected the other universes too. That's not allowed."
Beerus and the others were so terrified that they dropped to their knees at once. "Lord Zeno, it was our mistake. We promise we won't hold an event like this in secret again. Please be merciful!"
Zeno had only meant to scare them a little. Smiling, he said, "Mm... all right. But don't break the rules like this again. I'll let you off this time."
Hearing Lord Zeno's words, Beerus and Champa breathed a long sigh of relief. They'd felt as if they were about to disappear at any moment.
Vados took the opportunity to expose Champa. "Lord Zeno, Lord Champa is more devoted to food than to his work as a God of Destruction. He never likes the nutritious meals I prepare for him and always complains that my cooking is bad. Boo-hoo."
After hearing that, Champa was speechless. He slowly turned to look at Vados.
Zeno said, "Should we replace him with another God of Destruction?"
At those words, Champa dropped to his knees before Zeno, terrified. "Lord Zeno, I... I promise there won't be a next time. Please show mercy!"
Champa was on the verge of tears. Meanwhile, thanks to the pressure Ye Ming put on him, Beerus had been training more diligently lately.
Whis smiled and said, "Lord Beerus used to be very lazy, but under the pressure from Ye Ming, he's become much more diligent these past few months. He's not only been taking his duties as a God of Destruction seriously, but he's also been eager to train."
Beerus jumped when he heard the first half of Whis's statement. But when he heard Whis praising his progress, he silently complimented Whis too.
Zeno thought for a moment. "Then I'll let it go this time. God of Destruction from Universe 6, I'll forgive you, but you have to do your job properly."
Then Zeno turned to Beerus, who was bowing. "You've done pretty well too, but you should be more diligent about your work, God of Destruction of Universe 7!"
Hearing this, Champa and Beerus straightened up and bowed again. "Yes, Lord Zeno. We'll remember."
"But I don't feel like I've had enough fighting yet, Lord Zeno," an unexpected voice rang out across the arena.
Vegeta and Son Gohan realized something was wrong. Oh no! They'd been listening so intently that they'd completely overlooked Kakarot!
Son Goku had already walked up to Zeno. Beerus, Champa, and the others were terrified.
Beerus rasped in fear, "Y-you fool! Son Goku, get down from there! How could Lord Zeno speak with someone like you?"
Son Goku completely ignored Beerus and kept approaching Zeno. The two guards beside him weren't pleased and flashed in front of Son Goku.
Zeno smiled. "It's all right. Let him come over."
Ye Ming and AF Son Goku exchanged a glance. Ye Ming knew that Kakarot was about to suggest holding the Tournament of Power.
The Grand Priest watched Son Goku approach with an amused smile.
Son Goku smiled at the Grand Priest and said, "Hey, you're the Grand Priest, right? Hello! I'm Son Goku from this universe."
The Grand Priest politely replied, "Hello, Mr. Goku. It's a pleasure to meet you!"
After that, Son Goku turned to Zeno, brimming with excitement. "I didn't get to fight to my heart's content just now, Lord Zeno. But I realized that I still have a lot to learn. I'd like to ask you to hold an even bigger Universal Martial Arts Tournament."
Beerus and Champa were dumbfounded. Lord Zeno had just said they couldn't hold such events in secret, and now Son Goku was asking him to host an even bigger tournament.
The atmosphere grew tense. Everyone watched Zeno, while the Grand Priest observed the scene with interest.
AF Son Goku whispered to Ye Ming, "I guess the me in this world is especially brave. I wish I were ten or twenty years younger."
Ye Ming merely nodded, his eyes fixed on Zeno and Son Goku.
Zeno looked up at Son Goku. Beerus and Champa were already sweating profusely, clearly badly shaken by Son Goku's actions.
Zeno nodded. "All right, I agree. I thought the match between Universe 6 and Universe 7 was really fun to watch, too. I'll arrange another tournament when I get the chance. But this time, all twelve universes will compete."
Son Goku was so excited he could hardly contain himself. He held out his right hand. "Then it's a promise, Lord Zeno!"
The two guards beside Zeno looked distinctly displeased. This mortal actually wanted to shake their lord's hand! They were about to step in and stop him.
But Zeno immediately shook Son Goku's hand. The sight left all the gods stunned. Zeno nodded and said, "Of course. It's a promise, Son Goku."
The God of Destruction kneeling at the very back was so terrified he could barely breathe. They feared that if Zeno got angry, he would destroy their universe.
The guards hadn't expected their lord to shake hands with this mortal either. After that, they didn't say another word.
Zeno waved a hand. "It's no big deal! But I think you're really interesting, Son Goku."
After shaking hands with Son Goku, Zeno slowly walked over to Ye Ming under the gaze of the gods.
"Your name is Ye Ming, right?" Zeno said, looking up at him.
Ye Ming straightened respectfully and said, "Yes, Lord Zeno. I'm Ye Ming from Universe 7. It's a pleasure to meet you!"
Zeno smiled. "Mm-hmm. I just wanted to meet you."
Then he turned to AF Son Goku, who looked back at him.
Zeno greeted AF Son Goku. "The Grand Priest told me you're Son Goku from another timeline. You're a little different from the Son Goku in our timeline!"
Zeno continued, "Your battle just now was really exciting. I want to see you fight again next time!"
AF Son Goku had sensed an irresistible power emanating from Zeno. Before it, he felt no more significant than an ant.
AF Son Goku replied politely, "Lord Zeno, I'm Son Goku from another timeline. I'm also grateful to Lord Champa, God of Destruction of Universe 6, for accepting me. And thank you, Lord Zeno, for enjoying our match. Next time, we'll put on an even more exciting battle for you."
Zeno nodded at what Son Goku said. "Mm-hmm. Now that you're here, stay! I admire you and Ye Ming. And of course, that includes the Son Goku from just now."
Looking at the seemingly harmless Zeno, Ye Ming and AF Son Goku felt somewhat uneasy. Ye Ming realized that this Zeno was a little different from the one in the original story.
Zeno amiably shook hands with Ye Ming and AF Son Goku, then turned and walked toward his guards.
The gods came back to their senses. Clearly, the battle earlier had caught Zeno's attention. He admired Ye Ming and AF Son Goku.
Zeno turned around and said, "Well, everyone, I'll be going back now."
All the gods suddenly knelt. "We respectfully bid farewell to Lord Zeno!"
"Mm, see you later!" Zeno said, waving.
A flash of light appeared, and the two guards escorted Zeno through Universe 6, disappearing into the cosmos.
But the Grand Priest was still there. He smiled at everyone and said, "Well, everyone, until we meet again."
Before leaving, he took one last look at Ye Ming, AF Son Goku, Son Goku from this universe, and Vegeta and the others.
The gods bowed in response. "We respectfully bid farewell to the Grand Priest!"
In the blink of an eye, the Grand Priest disappeared!
Before you continue