Bull Demon King was embedded in the stone mountain, covered in blood.
But Goten knew that punch hadn't killed him.
Not because he'd held back, but because he could feel the rules of this world interfering with his power.
Sure enough, the stone mountain exploded.
"Roar—!!!"
A deafening roar shook the heavens and earth. Black demonic energy surged into the sky, staining half of it as dark as ink!
Rubble flew everywhere as a giant bull rose from the ruins—
Not in human form, but in his true Bull Demon Form!
It was a black bull a full thirty meters tall, its entire body covered in pitch-black scales. Black flames danced beneath its four hooves, its horns pointed straight at the heavens, and its blood-red eyes burned with overwhelming fury.
His aura was more than ten times stronger than before.
"Boy..." Bull Demon King's voice rumbled like an earthquake. "You've made me angry."
Goten looked up at the behemoth before him, his pupils narrowing slightly.
Not because he was afraid.
But because he'd realized something—
His body was being suppressed by some kind of force.
It was as if an invisible hand were pressing down on the energy inside him. He knew he could move faster and hit harder, but his body couldn't unleash its full potential.
"What's going on..."
Goten clenched and unclenched his fist, feeling the strange resistance inside him.
This world was rejecting him.
"Die!!!"
Bull Demon King roared. His enormous hoof smashed into the ground as he charged at Goten!
The hoof was as big as a small mountain, blotting out the sky!
Goten didn't try to block it. He flashed aside—but he was slower than usual and barely dodged in time!
Boom!
The hoof struck the ground, splitting the earth apart. A shock wave sent sand flying for hundreds of meters in every direction!
Goten tumbled through the air and steadied himself, a bead of cold sweat appearing on his forehead.
This was bad.
The pressure this world exerted on him was growing stronger. It was like being trapped beneath the sea, bound by the water pressure, with every movement taking more effort.
"Ha ha ha ha! What's wrong, boy?!" Bull Demon King roared with laughter as he charged at Goten, his massive bull head lowered. "You were pretty cocky just now! Why not try hitting me again?!"
Goten's gaze sharpened. He clenched his right fist, and golden energy blazed around him once more—
But this time, the aura was clearly weaker than before.
He dodged the bull's charge and punched Bull Demon King in the side of the neck!
Thud!
It was a solid, powerful hit—but it only made Bull Demon King's head tilt slightly. It didn't even break the skin.
"What?!" Goten's eyes widened.
"Ha ha ha! My true form is an indestructible body, forged through fifteen hundred years of cultivation!" Bull Demon King roared, spewing a blast of black demonic energy at Goten!
Goten hurriedly dodged, but the edge of the blast caught him. He tumbled dozens of meters across the desert, carving a deep furrow in the sand.
He dropped to one knee and coughed.
"Pui, pui, pui..."
Goten wiped the corner of his mouth. There was no fear in his eyes—instead, an even fiercer fighting spirit blazed within them.
Interesting.
So interesting.
The rules of this world had suppressed his power, keeping him from doing whatever he wanted like he could in the Dragon Ball World—but that was exactly what made this fight truly exciting!
He got to his feet and brushed the sand off his clothes.
"Hey, you big dumb ox."
Goten grinned.
"You say your hide's tough? Then I'll have to see for myself—"
He took a deep breath and brought his hands together at his waist.
Golden light began to gather between his palms, compressing and spinning—
"Let's see if this move can punch through you."
From far away, Zhi Zun Bao watched from the stockade, his face turning pale. "Holy crap! What's that kid doing?!"
A golden sphere of light rapidly swelled between Goten's palms, radiating a dazzling glow.
He still wasn't familiar with the "energy" of this world, but the Saiyan power within him was very real.
Even suppressed, it was more than a Demon King could handle.
"Ka—me—"
Goten was about to release the energy wave—
"Wait!!"
A clear, urgent female voice rang out from the sky!
A streak of purple sword light plunged down right after it, slashing the ground between Goten and Bull Demon King. It carved a deep gash in the earth and sent sand billowing into the air!
Goten froze, and the energy blast in his hands dissipated on instinct.
He looked up.
A woman descended from the sky, her purple gauze robes fluttering in the wind. She held an ancient longsword whose blade shimmered with a faint purple light in the sun—the very source of the sword energy that had just struck.
Her features were so exquisite that she hardly seemed mortal. Her brows held a hint of heroism, a touch of playfulness, and a depth of feeling that was hard to describe.
Fairy Zixia.
"Miss, you—" Goten began.
Bzzz—!!!
The Violet-Azure Treasure Sword suddenly flew out of her hand, its tip pointing straight at Goten!
Zixia froze.
Her eyes widened, and her breathing quickened.
Ever since she'd descended to the mortal world, this sword had never reacted to anyone. She'd had thousands upon thousands of people try to draw it, but not one had managed to pull it out even an inch.
But now—
The Violet-Azure Treasure Sword was pointing at this young man of its own accord.
"You..."
Zixia's voice trembled.
Goten was startled by her reaction. "W-what's wrong?"
Zixia didn't answer. She simply stared at Goten, her eyes filled with disbelief and... a certain hope.
There was only one thought in her mind—
The one who could draw the Violet-Azure Treasure Sword would be the man she loved.
But the Violet-Azure Treasure Sword had always recognized only its master. What did it mean for it to point at someone of its own accord?
Before you continue