Tao Pai Pai

The blurry image in the water gradually sharpened, revealing Bulma's snow-white skin in its entirety as droplets of water slid down her body and onto the bathroom floor.

"Who? Who's talking?"

"That sounds like Ziye's voice?"

"You pervert! Peeking at me while I'm bathing—get out here right now!"

Bulma covered her snowy peaks, her face flushed with anger as she shouted.

Just as he was about to speak, the image in the water blurred once more until it vanished entirely!

"What's going on?"

Ziye reached into the water, swiping his hand through it, and asked in confusion.

"What you just saw was merely a projection of your own imagination!"

Suddenly, a strange voice rang out. Ziye spun around quickly to find a fat, white cat leaning on a cane standing before him.

"Young man, impressive. You actually managed to climb all the way up here!" The white cat licked its paw and said.

"Let me introduce myself. I am Korin. You must have come here seeking the Ultra Divine Water, right?" the white cat asked with a calm expression.

"Ultra Divine Water?"

Hearing the familiar name, Ziye couldn't help but smile, then gave a faint nod.

"The Ultra Divine Water is right inside this bottle!"

"But before that, I have a question: why do you wish to become stronger?"

"Don't bother lying. I call myself a hermit, and I know at least the basics of mind-reading."

The white cat narrowed its eyes, speaking in a grave tone.

"I simply want to be a powerhouse. If I must provide a reason, it's because I want to survive better," Ziye answered with a serious face.

"Survive? That's a novel reason! With your current strength, there aren't many in this world who could defeat you, are there?" Hearing this, the white cat paused, then spoke again.

"Just because there aren't any now doesn't mean there won't be later! Aren't you a hermit? You should be able to tell if I'm speaking the truth or not!" Ziye replied calmly.

The white cat let out a wry laugh and shook its head. "To be honest, your heart is strange. Sometimes it is as calm as a lake, and other times as turbulent as the sea. I can't see anything at all!"

"However, I am quite willing to give you the Ultra Divine Water."

"Oh? Why?" Ziye asked, puzzled.

"I trust your master's judgment. It won't be wrong."

"But before that, you must defeat me," the white cat replied coolly.

"That is exactly what I intended!"

Whoosh!

In the next second, Ziye moved, lunging toward his opponent. He clenched his fist tightly and threw a punch with all his might!

However, at the critical moment, a strange smile appeared on the white cat's face. With a slight movement, it easily dodged Ziye's attack and followed up by striking Ziye on the head with its cane.

"Sss—that hurts!" Ziye said, clutching his head.

"Young man, let's continue."

"Fine!"

Ziye stood up, his expression turning solemn, and in the next second, the two clashed once again.

Half a month later.

"Korin, you might not be my match this time!"

Ziye chuckled softly, his body dissolving into dozens of afterimages that surrounded the white cat, leaving it dizzy and overwhelmed.

"Damn it, how is this brat improving so fast? Ever since I accidentally wounded him heavily a few days ago, his strength has surged!" The white cat gritted its teeth, sounding somewhat annoyed.

"Enough, I quit! I concede! The Ultra Divine Water is yours!"

"Heh, Korin, you didn't really think I didn't know that was just plain water, did you?" Ziye rubbed his nose and laughed.

"This... I didn't expect you to figure it out!" the white cat said, looking embarrassed.

"Huh? It seems something major is happening down below."

Hearing the white cat, Ziye paused, then walked to its side to look in the direction it was pointing.

Goku had arrived at the base of Korin Tower and was currently locked in a duel with a middle-aged man—the world's greatest assassin, Tao Pai Pai.

Beside them lay a large man whose body had been pierced by a spear; it was the same man Ziye had seen earlier. His son, Upa, was curled over him, weeping bitterly!

"You bastard!" Seeing the man killed, Goku was consumed by rage and, channeling all his strength, charged toward his opponent!

"Overestimating yourself!"

Tao Pai Pai remained completely composed, seemingly indifferent to Goku's attack. With a light hop, he dodged Goku's full-force strike, then landed a kick on Goku's vital point, sending him flying!

"Damn it..."

Goku gritted his teeth, enduring the sharp pain as he struggled to his feet.

"Oh? You're actually not dead!"

A flicker of surprise crossed Tao Pai Pai's face, followed immediately by a surge of killing intent. His figure blurred, and in the blink of an eye, he was standing right in front of Sun Wukong.

Bang!

He followed up with a kick to Sun Wukong's stomach. Sun Wukong let out a cry of pain as he was sent flying into the air. Tao Pai Pai had no intention of giving him a chance to react; he moved again, appearing beside Sun Wukong in an instant, and brought his clasped hands down in a heavy blow!

"Ah!"

Sun Wukong screamed as his body plummeted from the sky, slamming hard into the ground and creating a small crater.

"What a fragile brat!"

Tao Pai Pai said with a sneer. Just as he turned to leave, he heard Sun Wukong's voice, and his footsteps faltered.

"So painful... so painful... it hurts like hell!"

Clutching his wounds, Sun Wukong endured the agony and struggled to his feet, crying out in pain.

"Nani?"

"He's actually still fine after that!"

Tao Pai Pai looked stunned, his expression quickly twisting into a vicious scowl. "If that's the case, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"Dodon Ray! Die, brat!"

Tao Pai Pai's face hardened. He pointed his finger at Sun Wukong, and a golden beam of energy shot out instantly!

Bang!

A massive explosion rang out, and white smoke swirled around Sun Wukong, obscuring Tao Pai Pai's vision.

"Sun Wukong..."

Upa shouted, tears streaming from his eyes.

"That should have killed him for sure."

Tao Pai Pai said indifferently.

"The one who should die is you!"

"Big Brother?"

Upa cried out in excitement.

As the smoke cleared, Ziye appeared in front of Sun Wukong, having blocked the fatal blow for him.

"Sun Wukong, are you alright?"

"Ziye, why are you here?" Sun Wukong asked, his face full of excitement.

PS: A note on combat power.

Ziye Combat Power: 204

Korin Combat Power: 190

Tao Pai Pai Combat Power: 145

Sun Wukong Combat Power: 120