Shenron's First Plea

The afternoon sunlight filtered through the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, spilling into Bulma's luxurious bedroom—a space rivaling a small research center—yet it failed to dispel the heavy atmosphere permeating the air.

Lin Fan stood by the window, gazing at the spherical pods scattered across the lawn in the courtyard. These were the prototypes Bulma and her father had manufactured, designed in preparation for potential space travel.

His brows were slightly furrowed, his fingertips rubbing together unconsciously. The True Essence within him, now at the perfection of Foundation Establishment, flowed slowly like a dormant river, bringing a sense of power while simultaneously deepening his sense of urgency.

One year. There was less than a year left. Those two terrifying Saiyans were like a Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.

"Hey, what are you thinking about?" Bulma's voice came from behind. She was holding a cup of coffee, her face showing a hint of fatigue, but her eyes remained bright. "Still brooding over those two disasters? Don't worry, my dad said we'll soon have a breakthrough in analyzing the ship's power core."

Lin Fan turned around and shook his head, his tone calm. "A ship alone isn't enough, Bulma. We need more accurate information. Where will they land? In what manner will they appear? More importantly... our current strength gives us almost zero chance of winning a head-on confrontation."

Krillin, Gohan, Tien Shinhan, Piccolo... they were all training for their lives, their energy growing stronger with each passing day.

But Lin Fan, relying on his cultivator's spiritual sense, could vaguely perceive just how immense the threat from the depths of the universe truly was.

In a direct clash, even with himself as a variable, the outcome would likely still be tragic.

"Then what's your idea?"

Bulma set down her coffee, looking at him with curiosity. This mysterious guy always managed to come up with unexpected ideas.

"The Dragon Balls."

Lin Fan uttered the two words. "We need to ask Shenron for help."

Bulma's eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands together. "Right! How could I have forgotten them! I'll contact my dad right now and see where the Dragon Radar is!"

She rushed out in a flurry, her vitality instantly restored.

The process of collecting the seven Dragon Balls went unexpectedly smoothly.

Relying on Capsule Corp's technology and Lin Fan's increasingly powerful spiritual perception, it took less than a week for the seven Dragon Balls to be resting quietly in the center of the Capsule Corp courtyard.

The afterglow of the setting sun plated the Dragon Balls in a magnificent golden-red hue.

Led by Bulma, Krillin, Gohan, Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, and Chiaotzu had all gathered, and even Master Roshi and Yajirobe had arrived upon hearing the news.

The group formed a circle, their gazes focused on the seven orbs containing miraculous power.

"So, who's going to make the wish?"

Bulma looked at Lin Fan, and the others followed suit. Unknowingly, this calm and powerful companion had become one of the core pillars of their team.

Lin Fan took a deep breath and stepped forward. He remembered the plot from the original story where Goku and the others had tried to have Shenron kill the Saiyans directly, only to be refused, and he naturally wouldn't repeat that mistake. He spoke loudly: "Come forth, Shenron! Grant my wish!"

The heavens suddenly changed color, and stars appeared in broad daylight! A massive pillar of light shot into the sky, and the giant green Shenron coiled and solidified, his majesty looming over everything.

"State your wish..."

Shenron's deep, resonant voice echoed between heaven and earth. "I can grant you any wish, but only one."

Everyone held their breath, waiting for Lin Fan's wish. Krillin even muttered under his breath, "Should we wish for Mr. Lin Fan to become stronger?"

However, Lin Fan looked up, staring straight into Shenron's massive red eyes, his voice clear and firm: "Shenron, please tell me, at which coordinate will the space ship of the two Saiyans arriving on Earth in one year land?"

This wish was clearly beyond the expectations of both Shenron and everyone else.

The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

A red light flickered in Shenron's eyes, and a moment later, his grand voice sounded again: "This wish can be granted."

A stream of information instantly flooded into Lin Fan's mind—a set of extremely precise latitude and longitude coordinates, even accompanied by rough imagery of the surrounding terrain.

Lin Fan memorized it silently and nodded slightly.

"Also,"

Lin Fan followed up immediately; this was the key point he had pondered for a long time. "Please tell me, besides pure physical confrontation, what is the most effective 'non-combat method' to stop or counter these two Saiyans? I need a hint, not a direct solution."

Shenron was silent for a moment, seemingly weighing the boundaries of this "wish."

He spoke again, his voice seemingly carrying an indescribable depth: "Space travelers rely on precision instruments for navigation and detection. Their equipment is particularly sensitive to 'abnormal energy fluctuations' that exceed standard parameters. Excessively strong abnormal fluctuations act like a lighthouse in the dark, attracting their attention and even interfering with their judgment..."

Abnormal energy fluctuations?

Lin Fan's heart gave a sudden jolt.

The True Essence within him originated from the cultivation system; it belonged to the same category of energy as the "Ki" prevalent in this world, yet its nature was purer, more restrained, and its method of circulation was entirely different. Could this be considered... a type of "abnormal energy fluctuation"?

"Your wish has been granted."

As soon as Shenron finished speaking, his massive body suddenly transformed into a blinding golden light. The seven Dragon Balls hummed as they flew into the sky, scattering to all corners of the world, their petrified shells shimmering in the setting sun.

The sky returned to its original state, as if nothing had happened.

"Th-that's it?"

Yamcha was somewhat bewildered. "Just asking for a location and an ambiguous hint?"

"Idiot!"

Bulma glared at him, clearly having grasped the point. "The coordinates are important! We can go there in advance to set traps or scout the environment! As for that hint..." She turned to Lin Fan, her eyes flashing with the unique inquisitiveness of a scientist. "'Abnormal energy fluctuations'? Lin Fan, is that special power of yours..."

Lin Fan nodded, his expression grave. "Very likely. Their detectors might be able to detect 'Ki,' but for True Essence... this energy from a different system, the reaction might be quite unique."

This was a risk, but perhaps... also an opportunity? He began to calculate rapidly in his mind.

"So that's how it is!"

Master Roshi adjusted his sunglasses, a look of sudden realization dawning on him. "Avoid a head-on confrontation and find another way? Lin Fan, your line of thinking is very clear."

Krillin and Gohan nodded as if they understood, feeling that the question Lin Fan had raised was profound and made a lot of sense.

Lin Fan did not offer further explanation; he simply etched those coordinates deep into his mind while firmly committing Shenron's hint to memory. True Essence... sensitive instruments... He felt as though he had grasped a glimmer of the key to breaking the deadlock, though the specific threads still needed to be carefully unraveled.

The night breeze picked up, carrying a hint of chill.

The glow of the Dragon Balls had long since faded, but new hope and more complex thoughts were quietly taking root in everyone's hearts.

The distant sunset sank completely below the horizon, and night fell. Lin Fan clenched his fist, feeling the True Essence surging within his body, and cast his gaze toward the far-off horizon.

Saiyans... one year left.