Cat Immortal

Because of their connection to Sun Wukong, Upa and his father warmly entertained Raditz and his companion.

Raditz also took the opportunity to inquire about some information regarding Korin Tower.

It was much the same as what he already knew: only those who climbed up using their own strength could meet the cat hermit.

Those who reached the top of the tower would be subjected to a trial by the cat hermit.

If they passed, they would receive the divine medicine that increased power—the Ultra Sacred Water.

It sounded magical, but Raditz understood that the Ultra Sacred Water was truly just water and had no power-boosting effects whatsoever.

What actually increased one's power was the one-on-one training with the hermit.

The next day.

Raditz arrived alone before Korin Tower.

Yajirobe had gone off on his own to find food; hearing that Raditz might need to stay up there for several months, and since the area was rich in resources, he simply decided to settle down there for the time being.

Before leaving, he repeatedly emphasized that Raditz shouldn't even think about welching on that big meal.

To this, Raditz was speechless; after all, he did owe him.

Looking up at the height of Korin Tower, Raditz pondered for a moment.

It seems it took Wukong a day and a night to climb to the top of the tower for the first time...

For my first attempt, I won't seek speed; my primary goal is to ensure I don't fall halfway.

Once prepared, he hesitated no longer, using all four limbs to begin the long climb.

Ten thousand meters in the air, a circular palace stood solitarily above the clouds.

Inside the palace, a cat leaning on a cane was dozing off.

Suddenly sensing something, it jolted awake from its dream.

"Oh my, has someone come to challenge Korin Tower again so soon?" the cat hermit wondered, surprised.

It had been less than two years since the last challenger successfully climbed to the top of the tower.

It walked over to a water jar filled with water and stirred the clear liquid with the cane in its hand.

Instantly, a youth wearing a martial arts uniform appeared in the water, climbing upward.

"Another young child like this?"

The cat hermit still remembered that the youth with a tail had also climbed to the top of the tower step by step, just like the person in the water mirror.

That youth named Sun Wukong was the one with the most potential it had seen in hundreds of years.

"I wonder if you can become the next one?"

The person in the mirror was climbing very slowly, but also very steadily, ensuring every step was firm before continuing the ascent.

One step at a time, solid and steady.

The cat hermit watched and nodded slightly; at this rate, he would definitely be able to climb to the top of the tower, although it would take longer than his predecessor.

Climbing Korin Tower was a multifaceted test of both body and will; one had to overcome not only physical exhaustion and hunger but also the onslaught of biting cold winds in the dead of night.

Raditz had been climbing for two days and two nights. The grueling trials had left his limbs stiff, and his climbing movements had become increasingly sluggish.

His body was nearing its limit, and the fact that he had persisted until now was due to the last shred of his will to survive.

After all, falling from here meant certain death.

"When... will... this end?"

Raditz was like a taut string, not daring to relax his mind for even a second.

Just a moment ago, while resting briefly and drifting in a daze, he had actually had the thought of letting go and finding release.

Should I just give up? Even if I die, I believe Bulma and the others will use the Dragon Balls to bring me back to life...

Such a thought welled up, but it was quickly dispelled.

"Damn it..."

Raditz felt incredibly, intensely angry at his own momentary retreat.

Having worked so hard to get to this point, was he going to collapse here?

If he couldn't even endure this bit of hardship, how could he talk about becoming stronger?

He absolutely would not allow it!

Glancing at the tower body shrouded in thick clouds above, he took a deep breath of the thin air, lowered his head, and continued to climb.

Meter by meter, intermittently, he ascended.

Just as he was about to reach his limit, a turning point finally arrived.

"I... see... it..."

In a daze, Raditz saw a circular building appear above him, and his expression brightened.

Master Korin slowly descended from the main hall of Korin Palace to the lower level, where he saw a youth fainted on the floor.

One side of the youth's body was still hanging outside the tower, held in place only by his limbs gripping the floorboards for dear life.

"It seems he has reached his physical limit."

He brought the unconscious Raditz to the main hall, took out a bean, and fed it into his mouth.

"Hm?!"

An indescribable warm current spread throughout his entire body. Raditz felt his exhaustion and soreness vanish, his body brimming with strength.

"Whew! That's powerful!"

Raditz rose from the floor and saw a white cat walking upright, leaning on a cane.

He immediately realized that Master Korin had fed him a Senzu Bean.

"Master Korin! Thank you for saving me!" Raditz pressed his palms together and bowed slightly.

"I didn't do much; everything was up to you." Master Korin's tone was flat as his cat eyes sized up the youth. "You know me?"

"Yes, Master Mutten and Goku have mentioned you to me before."

"I see. That is quite a coincidence. In three hundred years, only those two have climbed up here, and you know both of them."

"Goku and I both studied martial arts under Master Mutten," Raditz said truthfully.

"..."

"You are quite extraordinary," Master Korin said after a moment of silence, suddenly uttering an inexplicable remark.

"Your temperament is not that of a typical youth."

"And furthermore..."

"I cannot see through your heart."

Raditz was startled by Master Korin's words, recalling that the cat seemed to possess the ability to read minds.

However, since the other party could not see through him, Raditz guessed that the system was likely at work.

"Master Korin, I have come to improve my strength." No longer dwelling on the matter, Raditz stated his purpose for coming.

Master Korin stepped closer, wanting to try again to see if he could read the youth's heart, but unfortunately, it was still to no avail.

He could only ask, "Why do you wish to improve your strength?"

Raditz pondered for a moment, the powerful enemies of the future suddenly flashing through his mind.

"To live better."

To be able to control his own destiny amidst the crises to come.

"Hmm... although I cannot see through you, that is not a malicious motive."

"The Ultra Sacred Water is right there. If you can get it, you will be able to improve your strength."

Master Korin pointed to a stone pedestal in the center of the palace, upon which sat a water jug filled with liquid.

"..."

Although Raditz knew the truth about the Ultra Sacred Water, he still walked over, prepared to pick it up.

Just as his palm was about to touch the jug, a wooden staff flicked it into the air, evading Raditz's movement.

"As long as you can get it, you will improve your strength, but you must do so while I obstruct you."

"That is exactly what I wanted."

Immediately, Raditz's figure flashed, his legs pushed off the ground, and he lunged toward Master Korin.

Master Korin dodged to the side.

Raditz also turned to pursue, but Master Korin jumped away again.

After a dozen rounds, every time Raditz was about to touch the jug, Master Korin was always able to narrowly avoid him.

"Why am I always just a hair's breadth away?"

Even after using the Afterimage Technique, Raditz still hadn't touched a single hair on Master Korin, yet he himself was panting heavily.

In contrast, Master Korin was just leisurely grooming his fur, as if the previous exertion had no effect on him at all.

"At this altitude of ten thousand meters, the oxygen is thin. With such intense exercise, you won't last long before your stamina is exhausted."

Master Korin remarked.

"It seems you won't be able to snatch the Ultra Sacred Water from my hands anytime soon."

Three days later.

Raditz had to face reality.

The gap was still too large; he couldn't even keep up with Master Korin's speed.

"If this continues, am I going to have to spend three years like Master Mutten did back in the day?"

Raditz did not have that much time. In his plan, he had only allowed himself a maximum of six months to pass Master Korin's test.

After deep contemplation, Raditz walked toward the lower level of the palace.