Watching the Winds Gather

After the interlude with Frost, Wang Shen once again set out on his journey through the universe.

Over the course of that year, Wang Shen encountered all kinds of aliens, each with strange and unusual abilities.

Perhaps they weren't strong fighters. Some were even incredibly weak.

But their methods were truly endless, and each had their own strengths.

Some of their unusual abilities even caused Wang Shen a few problems.

Besides that,

there were countless planets that existed and functioned in ways beyond imagination.

Although he hadn't found a worthy opponent, Wang Shen still felt that his journey through the universe had been worthwhile and rare.

"The universe is vast, and full of wonders!"

There were planets on the brink of destruction for all kinds of reasons.

After confirming that their inhabitants were all good people, Wang Shen had stepped in to find them new, habitable planets.

He had even used Instant Transmission to help them all relocate.

There were also planets under attack and invasion by powerful enemies.

The invaders were incredibly ruthless. Even though Wang Shen was only passing through the region, they tried to destroy him as he traveled alone.

So Wang Shen casually fired a Saiyan Energy Blast and sent them packing in short order.

"Why do this? Why force me to step in?"

Wang Shen had also ended up saving yet another race on the brink of extinction.

As their entire planet watched him depart, he left behind only a lonely silhouette, glowing with a white halo like a god.

In the vast universe, planets were destroyed and races wiped out every moment.

Some were discovered and saved by Wang Shen, thanks to the favor of fate.

Others vanished forever into the universe's undying river of time.

Of course, Wang Shen had also encountered the dark side of the universe.

He had set foot on a dark planet rife with oppression and crime.

"This planet feels strangely familiar. Have I been here in a dream?"

There, strength was the only measure of status and power.

As long as you were strong enough, you could have anything you wanted.

Power, status, wealth, women...

Many notorious fugitives with countless crimes to their names had fled here and banded together to survive.

They openly resisted the pursuit and judgment of the patrols, the Saiyans, and other forces of justice.

There were even organizations that periodically ventured into space or onto other planets to abduct people of any race and force them to serve.

Some were made into slaves, subject to their masters' every whim.

Others were sent to the death arena to provide entertainment for spectators.

Still others became punching bags for daily training or targets to be hunted down.

And members of naturally beautiful races were reduced to playthings, regardless of whether they were men or women.

When Wang Shen first arrived, plenty of people were tempted by his deceptively harmless appearance and turned malicious.

The outcome was only to be expected.

Afterward, the planet's leaders tried to recruit Wang Shen, hoping to make him work for them.

After all, the higher someone's status, the more afraid they were of dying.

They were already the strongest people on the entire planet, but who wouldn't want an exceptionally powerful fighter in their ranks?

It would also give them an extra measure of security on this man-eating planet.

They had plenty of enemies, after all.

At the sight of them, Wang Shen furrowed his brows, a deep sense of unease rising in his heart.

If things continued this way, then the moment he dared refuse the planet's rulers, they would retaliate.

And if he weren't strong enough, everyone on the planet would hunt him down.

"So sometimes it's not the protagonist pretending to be weak before revealing his strength. These pigs think too highly of themselves, and can't recognize a tiger..."

Wang Shen kept his aura tightly suppressed.

He seemed like the most ordinary alien imaginable, without the slightest bit of fighting power.

So, to avoid becoming the target of some tired old cliché, Wang Shen simply told the messenger to take him to the so-called big shots behind the scenes.

When Wang Shen met them,

they were all sprawled on sofas, looking down at him with self-important, appraising gazes.

They casually ate delicacies that countless people outside would fight tooth and nail to get their hands on.

A dark red liquid swirled in their stemmed glasses, giving off a smell that disgusted Wang Shen.

They were also busy fondling the seductive-looking women in their arms, who wore nothing but skimpy bikinis.

What Wang Shen couldn't understand was this:

The women treated as playthings looked at him with coldness and disdain.

Someone on the sofa casually tossed a piece of food at Wang Shen's feet, as if bestowing a gift upon him.

Then they began speaking one after another:

"You're the newcomer who just got here and killed Neizi's people?"

"You don't look that strong."

"I'll give you a chance. From now on, you work for me."

"Don't listen to them, kid. Come work for me, and I'll make sure you stay alive."

Wang Shen rolled his eyes, then waved a hand and took care of all these so-called planetary kingpins.

They weren't on the same level. There was no need to waste words on them.

If they believed that strength and influence gave them the right to rule the whole planet,

then Wang Shen could just as well rely on his own strength to eliminate them.

But then,

with all the big shots suddenly gone, the ambitious people beneath them began stirring up trouble as time went by, eager to take control of the planet themselves.

Wang Shen simply watched as events unfolded.

He truly looked down upon the planet, observing the chaos and strife below.

"This is life, too. The good is real, and so is the cruel."

At last,

after who knew how many schemers and power-hungry bastards had died, eight new people finally took their places at the top, ruling over everyone else.

As soon as they took power, the eight hurried to investigate the truth behind the sudden disappearance of the previous rulers.

Wang Shen made no effort to conceal his involvement.

So they soon traced it back to Wang Shen, the newcomer.

"It was him!"

"Was he a witness, or... the one who did it?"

"...Hard to say. My sources say he's a Saiyan."

At those words, everyone present fell silent, their minds racing with speculation.

One conspiracy theory after another came to mind.

"He's probably a patrol or Saiyan agent, sent to bring us down from within."

"Exactly. They've seen us as a cancer for ages and have wanted to get rid of us for a long time. What a bunch of despicable bastards."

"Don't pretend to be righteous. I hate hypocrites like you most. We did what we did. Aren't we a cancer to the universe?"

"I say if they dare reach in, we chop that hand to pieces and make him wish he were dead. I've got plenty of ways to do it."

"I agree. We're already the worst of the worst. If we've found a threat, we should just eliminate it."

"Don't be reckless. It took us ages to reach this position. Let's find out how the previous rulers disappeared before we make a move."

The eight of them eagerly and excitedly discussed how to secure their positions and eliminate Wang Shen, their threat.

Then they could welcome their bright new future.

Little did they know—

Wang Shen, high above in the clouds, had heard every word they said.

When he heard that they planned to serve him a grand banquet, Wang Shen couldn't help letting a slight smile curl his lips. He chuckled softly:

"Not a bad plan. It's just a shame that the Hegemon isn't the Hegemon, and Pei Gong isn't Pei Gong."