A Generous Bonus and Bulma's Investment

The World Martial Arts Tournament drew to a close, the clamor faded, and the sea breeze on Papaya Island seemed to grow languid.

The tournament committee was highly efficient, quickly distributing the prize money to the winners.

Son Goku had undoubtedly secured the championship and the massive 500,000 Zeni check. He grinned from ear to ear, spinning in circles while clutching the check, already calculating how much good food he could buy.

Although Tien Shinhan had to settle for second place, he still received a substantial prize. His expression remained stern, but his tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly. Lin Fan, having reached the final four, also received a reward of 100,000 Zeni.

For Lin Fan, these 100,000 Zeni held extraordinary significance.

This was the first wealth he had earned through his own abilities since arriving in this strange and dangerous world.

The thick stack of banknotes in his hand carried the distinct scent of ink; it felt heavy, bringing with it an indescribable sense of security.

He was finally no longer that penniless, naked "Trash with a power level of 5" wandering the wilderness.

This money was enough to cover his basic living expenses and even... purchase some ordinary medicinal herbs needed to attempt alchemy.

"Wow! Lin Fan, you have so much money too!"

Son Goku leaned in, his eyes sparkling as he looked at the banknotes in Lin Fan's hand, his tail swaying with curiosity. "We can buy so many meat buns now!"

Krillin was also happy for Lin Fan: "That's great! Now you don't have to keep wearing those old clothes Bulma gave you!"

Bulma, however, stood with her hands on her hips, wearing an expression that said, You poor people really have no vision. "You're this happy over just 100,000 Zeni? That's not even enough for me to buy the latest limited-edition bag!"

Yet, the look she gave Lin Fan flickered with a light of interest far greater than what she showed for the prize money.

After the awards ceremony concluded, the crowd gradually dispersed.

Bulma grabbed Lin Fan just as he was preparing to leave, dragging him aside with a mysterious air, her bright blue eyes filled with excitement and inquiry.

"Hey, Lin Fan!"

She lowered her voice, as if afraid someone might overhear a great secret. "Now that the tournament is over, you should have some time, right? Tell me the truth! Those strange abilities of yours—that 'Shockwave' that could shatter stone slabs, that 'Calm Heart Mantra' that could wake people up, that 'Wind Riding Technique' that lets you fly without using ki, and finally that 'Transparent Shield' that blocked the Tri-Beam and the 'True Qi Fist' that hits from a distance... what exactly is going on?"

She listed his various techniques like a connoisseur, her eyes growing brighter. "This isn't just ordinary martial arts or ki, is it? I've scanned it; the energy reaction patterns are completely different! It's more like... a brand-new energy system! It's called 'True Qi,' right? You mentioned it before!"

Lin Fan looked at Bulma's expression—the look of a mad scientist encountering an unsolved mystery—and couldn't help but chuckle. He nodded, admitting half-truths: "You could put it that way. It is a form of energy... that focuses more on internal cultivation and precise control, which is different from the explosive usage of 'ki'."

"I knew it!"

Bulma was so excited she nearly jumped, grabbing Lin Fan's arm tightly. "This energy is too amazing! It doesn't require a massive quantity to produce all sorts of peculiar effects! If we can figure out the principles behind it, and even utilize it..."

Her thoughts were already racing, her speech as fast as an Impact Gun. "Maybe we could develop a brand-new energy system! Or more efficient protective gear! Or even... create actual 'superpower' equipment! This is way more interesting than just pursuing higher-output Impact Guns!"

Lin Fan wore a perfectly timed look of hesitation: "Research is no easy task. I only know how it works, not necessarily why. Many of my ideas remain at the theoretical stage, lacking the conditions and equipment for practice. And cultivation itself requires a massive amount of time and resources..."

"Equipment? Resources? Money?"

Bulma waved her hand, the boldness of a wealthy heiress instantly erupting. "What kind of problem is that! My family has no shortage of those!"

She stared at Lin Fan with glowing eyes, throwing out the proposal she had been plotting: "Lin Fan! Come back to West City with me! My house has the most advanced laboratory in the world! All kinds of analytical instruments, materials, and energy sources—whatever you need, we have! My father's company can provide any rare resources you require! As long as you're willing to cooperate with me on some... um... 'friendly' research, and teach me how to practice that 'True Qi' of yours, all these resources are yours to use! How about it?"

Afraid he might refuse, she quickly added: "Room and board included! I'll pay you a salary! Ten times more than your tournament prize! No, a hundred times! And I can help you procure any 'cultivation resources' you need! How about it? That's a good deal, right?"

Lin Fan looked at Bulma's eager and sincere face, feeling a secret joy.

This was exactly what he needed!

A stable environment, a top-tier laboratory, a constant provider of resources, and an opportunity to touch the core technology of this world.

Bulma's investment was far more valuable than that 100,000 Zeni prize.

He didn't agree immediately, instead feigning deep thought for a moment before nodding slowly under Bulma's expectant gaze: "Since Miss Bulma is so generous and has such an interest in this path... then I shall impose upon you. Perhaps... the combination of science and ancient cultivation methods really can spark something extraordinary."

"Yay! That's awesome!"

Bulma cheered happily, immediately preparing to start planning. "I'll have my family prepare the best laboratory right away! Oh, right, you should start thinking about what equipment and materials you need and make me a list! And also, how exactly do you cultivate that 'True Qi'? Do you need any special instruments to assist in detecting energy flow?"

Seeing her impatience, Lin Fan smiled: "This matter requires careful planning and a step-by-step approach. For now, perhaps we can start by trying to make some simple things to verify a few ideas."

"No problem! Whatever you say, we'll do!"

Bulma agreed readily. In her eyes, Lin Fan was no longer just a martial artist, but a tempting, unsolved scientific mystery!

The cooperation agreement between the two was reached right there by the seaside, in a way that was almost childish yet incredibly serious.

When Son Goku and Krillin learned that Lin Fan was going to West City with Bulma, they were a bit reluctant to see him go, but they were happy for him.

"Lin Fan, you're going to the big city! Remember to eat lots of good food!"

Goku said, his mouth stuffed with celebratory barbecue, speaking indistinctly.

Krillin asked curiously: "Lin Fan, will you come to participate in the tournament again in the future? You'll definitely be even stronger by then!"

Lin Fan smiled and bid them farewell: "I will. Let's spar properly when we meet again."

Master Roshi, wearing his sunglasses, watched Bulma excitedly dragging Lin Fan away while discussing "energy frequencies" and "resonance principles." He wore a meaningful smile and muttered to himself: "Heh, that crazy girl from the Brief family... I'm afraid she's picked up something incredible this time..."

And so, the journey of the World Martial Arts Tournament came to an end.

Lin Fan did not choose to follow Master Roshi for further training like Goku and Krillin; instead, he boarded Bulma's luxury sports car and drove toward the technological hub known as West City.

The scenery outside the car window receded rapidly. Lin Fan looked at the 100,000 Zeni check in his hand, then at Bulma, who was chattering away beside him, filled with infinite anticipation for their future cooperation.

His journey through the Dragon Ball World was about to enter a brand-new phase.

Scientific cultivation?

Perhaps, it was really worth a try.