Prototype Gravity Room

The materials in the backyard were piled high, and the foundations of the array were gradually being laid thanks to Lin Fan and his robot assistants working day and night.

But Lin Fan knew that arrays and pills alone weren't enough.

They needed a more extreme, more efficient environment to draw out every last bit of their potential.

His gaze turned toward an area in the distance that had been cordoned off. There stood a strangely shaped, enormous egg-shaped pod made entirely of high-strength alloy—the Gravity Room Bulma was working on, based on her gravity control system and the "theoretical support" Lin Fan had provided, mainly vague pointers about energy-field stability and biomechanical adaptation.

Over the past few days, violent energy fluctuations had come from that direction now and then, along with Bulma's furious shouts. Occasionally, they were accompanied by small explosions and Dr. Brief's excited commentary: "Oh my, oh my, this is interesting!"

Finally, one evening, Bulma pushed open the backyard door. Her hair was a mess, and she was smeared with machine oil, but her face beamed with excitement and pride as she announced loudly:

"It worked! The Prototype Gravity Room is finished!!"

Everyone's attention was instantly drawn to her.

Even Tien Shinhan and Krillin, who had been sparring in the distance, stopped.

The huge egg-shaped pod was now running smoothly. Blue light rippled across its surface as it emitted a deep, steady hum. The hatch slowly opened, revealing a simple yet futuristic silver-white interior.

"That was fast?"

Lin Fan was a little surprised. He knew how difficult this technology was.

"Hmph! Do you even know who you're talking to?"

Bulma put her hands on her hips smugly, though she added, "It's all thanks to Dad. He improved the Buffer System, or this thing probably would've blown sky-high during its first test. In theory, it can now hold steady at up to ten times Earth's gravity! But to be safe, we'll start at three times for the first test."

"Ten times gravity?!"

Krillin was so shocked his tongue practically fell out. "Are you kidding me? A normal person would get crushed flat in there!"

Yamcha looked just as horrified. "Is this thing really safe, Bulma?"

"Relax, relax! In theory, it's perfectly safe!"

Bulma waved a hand, but somehow that only made everyone more worried.

Tien Shinhan's three eyes were fixed on the Gravity Room, brimming with curiosity and a desire to test himself. "Ten times gravity... If I can adapt to it..."

Lin Fan walked to the entrance of the Gravity Room and felt the unusual energy field radiating from within. He nodded. "Well done, Bulma. This will be crucial to our training from now on."

He took a deep breath and, with everyone watching, stepped into the Gravity Room without hesitation.

"Hey! Lin Fan! Start at three times!"

Bulma hurriedly shouted as she ran to the control panel.

"Ten times right away."

Lin Fan's voice came from inside, calm but undeniably firm.

"Are you crazy?! You'll die!"

Bulma cried out.

"Trust me, and trust your work."

Lin Fan was already standing in the middle of the chamber.

Bulma gritted her teeth as she looked at Lin Fan's resolute expression. In the end, she slammed a button. "...Damn it! If anything feels wrong, tell me to stop immediately!"

VROOOOM—!!!

The light inside the Gravity Room instantly turned dark red. Its low hum grew louder, like the roar of a giant beast.

Even through the thick walls, everyone outside could feel a terrifying pressure spreading through the air.

Inside the chamber, Lin Fan's body suddenly sank!

"Ugh!"

It was as if an invisible mountain had suddenly pressed down on every bone, every muscle, every cell in his body!

His blood seemed to grow unbelievably heavy, rushing downward with crushing force. For an instant, his brain felt starved of oxygen, and he grew dizzy!

Breathing became incredibly difficult. Every breath felt like trying to haul a thousand-pound weight!

This was ten times gravity!

It was far more terrifying than he'd imagined!

Lin Fan didn't dare slack off. The Great Dao Source Scripture inside him began circulating at an unprecedented speed!

Pale golden True Essence burst out from his body. Instead of simply swirling around him, it clung tightly to his skin and even seeped into his muscles and fascia, forming a powerful inner support that stubbornly fought against the crushing pressure coming from every direction.

A faint creaking sound came from his body as his bones and muscles continued to bear the immense pressure despite the protection of his True Essence.

As soon as sweat seeped from his pores, the immense gravity dragged it down. Even the sweat seemed ten times heavier than usual.

He slowly raised one hand. An action that would normally have been effortless now moved as if in slow motion, accompanied by intense soreness and a tremendous drain on his energy.

"So... this is impressive..."

Lin Fan gritted his teeth, yet an excited smile appeared on his face.

Under this extreme pressure, he could clearly feel every cell wailing. Yet, nourished and compressed by his True Essence, they were forced to absorb energy gathered by the surrounding array at a frenzied pace. Bulma had thoughtfully built the Gravity Room over the core of a small Spirit Gathering Array. His cells were undergoing an accelerated metabolism and strengthening!

The speed and purity of his True Essence's circulation were both being driven higher by this environment!

His training was far more effective than usual!

He struggled to take one step, then another, and began slowly walking around the Gravity Room, adapting to the terrifying environment.

Outside in the control room, Bulma watched the life-sign monitors anxiously. "Heart rate too high... blood pressure surging... muscle strain near the critical limit... energy consumption is staggering... That idiot! He's practically risking his life!"

The readings were alarming, but they remained just below a dangerous threshold, holding steady in a strange kind of balance.

One minute... five minutes... ten minutes...

Just as Bulma was about to shut down the Gravity Room by force, the readings on the screen began to fall, slowly and little by little!

They were still far above normal, but they were no longer flashing red as if he were on the verge of collapse!

Inside the chamber, Lin Fan's movements were still slow, but noticeably smoother than before. His breathing had steadied somewhat, too.

The pale golden light around him had grown even more solid.

He... was adapting!

"A... a monster..."

Yamcha stared at the readings, which had stabilized on the monitor, and muttered to himself, his face full of shock.

Krillin, Tien Shinhan, and the others exchanged stunned looks, their eyes filled with disbelief and admiration.

Half an hour later, the Gravity Room's door slowly opened. Lin Fan emerged drenched from head to toe, as if he'd just been pulled out of a pool. His steps were unsteady and his face pale, but his eyes shone with astonishing brightness.

"How... do you feel?"

Bulma hurried over to ask, handing him a towel and some water.

Lin Fan took the water and gulped down several mouthfuls. After letting out a long breath, he smiled, utterly exhausted yet deeply satisfied. "Impressive... Bulma... this Gravity Room... is incredible..."

He felt the True Essence within him, which had grown noticeably stronger, and the greater resilience of his body. Then he said firmly, "One day of training in here... will be at least ten times as effective as training outside, maybe even more!"

He looked at the Z Fighters, whose eyes were alight with fighting spirit, and said solemnly, "From now on, this will be our most important training ground. Of course, we have to start at the lowest setting and adapt gradually. No pushing ourselves recklessly!"

Everyone nodded firmly.

Their fear of the Gravity Room had already turned into longing.

The shortcut to becoming stronger lay right before them!