Unyielding Resistance

The moment the longsword swung down, Jiang Che suddenly flicked his wrist, turning the blade to strike the Great Ape Baby directly across the head with the spine of the sword.

With a thud, Baby was sent flying like a kicked ball, tumbling several meters away and rolling across the ground in a pathetic heap, kicking up a cloud of dust.

His brain buzzed, stars danced before his eyes, and he lay on the ground gasping for air, struggling like a beast on the verge of death.

Jiang Che sheathed his sword, his tone cold. "I didn't kill you because you're still useful. Besides, I have a quota to meet; why would I kill you?" When he mentioned the quota, he was, of course, referring to the system mission in his mind—killing Great Ape Baby would net him fifty thousand exchange points.

But letting Baby die so easily would be letting him off too lightly.

Furthermore, Jiang Che knew that Vegeta's soul remained trapped within Baby.

Although he had no particular fondness for that arrogant Saiyan prince, he didn't intend to let Vegeta be completely erased either.

The "kill" in the system mission actually referred to eliminating the parasitic evil spirit that was Baby, not destroying the host; Jiang Che had figured that out long ago.

Great Ape Baby struggled to his feet, his face twisted, black veins pulsing beneath his skin.

He gritted his teeth. "You bastard... how dare you toy with me like this..."

Jiang Che casually put away his longsword, crossed his arms, and stood there lazily, his eyes full of mockery as he looked at Baby. "So what if I toy with you? What are you going to do about it?"

Baby completely lost control, his eyes filled with nothing but frantic murderous intent.

He spread his arms, and black energy erupted from his entire body like a volcano, turning him into a black meteorite as he charged desperately toward Jiang Che.

The ground cracked beneath his feet, and shattered stones exploded in every direction.

Jiang Che shook his head and sighed. "What a nuisance." He raised his hand, fingers splayed, palm aimed at Baby.

"Super Saiyan God: Pressure Field."

Nothing was visible, yet it felt as if an invisible mountain had pressed down from the air, pinning Great Ape Baby directly to the ground.

Baby lay splayed out, his chest pressed against the earth, unable to even move; his heavy breathing caused dust to rise and fall.

Jiang Che approached, looking down at the hideous giant face without a shred of pity. "A parasite dares to act arrogant in front of me? You've caused enough trouble; I'll send you on your way." As he spoke, he raised his right hand, pointing his index finger at the center of Baby's forehead, a crimson light gathering at his fingertip.

The light grew brighter and more intense, like a small sun held at his fingertip, ready to explode.

The air around them twisted and burned, emitting a low hum.

This time, Jiang Che would not miss.

At that critical moment, the air suddenly rippled with an unusual fluctuation.

Baby's body stiffened, and an ice-blue light erupted from the center of his chest without warning!

Golden light surged from within his body like a sleeping sun suddenly awakening, dyeing the sky in dazzling gold.

The light pierced through the clouds, the earth shook, and rubble fell from the rock walls as dust swirled.

Baby's body began to tremble violently, like a mountain being stirred by an earthquake.

His muscles spasmed, and his bones emitted a harsh, cracking sound.

"Urgh... Aaaah!"

He threw his head back and let out a heart-wrenching scream, the sound causing the entire world to resonate.

His right claw gripped the ground, his fingers digging deep into the rock, carving out five furrows as the soil churned.

Fine cracks began to crawl across his skin—shoulders, chest, arms, and abdomen, all covered in fissures like a piece of porcelain about to shatter.

Each crack emitted a blinding golden light, illuminating everything.

Jiang Che stood not far away, the rock beneath his feet slightly bulging.

The wind whipped his robes, making them snap loudly.

He narrowed his eyes, staring straight at the tearing body of the Great Ape, his mouth twitching as he whispered, "Is this... Vegeta's unwillingness?"

Jiang Che released his perception, extending it like invisible tentacles into that mass of chaotic energy.

Indeed, he could feel it—deep within Baby's consciousness, that tenacious soul belonging to the Saiyan prince was awakening violently, like a trapped beast breaking its chains, fighting Baby for control of the body.

Every struggle triggered a tidal wave of energy, making even the air tremble.

Great Ape Baby's left eye suddenly flashed with an alien light—the originally scarlet eyeball instantly turned a clear blue, like a patch of sky torn open in the middle of a storm.

Vegeta's voice came from that eye, weak and hurried, as if he had spent his last ounce of strength: "Kid... do it now... finish him... quickly!"

Though the voice was weak, it was filled with resolve.

Jiang Che was silent for a moment, staring at that blue eye, then slowly shook his head, his tone calm and slightly teasing. "I wanted to save Baby for the mission, but I didn't intend to finish you off along with him." He paused, rubbing his chin lightly, his eyes deep. "Your life isn't easy to claim."

As soon as he finished speaking, the golden light within Baby suddenly erupted!

It didn't just surge; it exploded completely.

The light rose into the sky like a volcanic eruption, tearing the Great Ape's body apart; muscle fibers were ripped to shreds with a crackling sound.

This energy twisted the air, huge cracks opened in the ground, wild winds howled, and debris flew everywhere.

"BOOM—!"

The explosion was deafening, as if the very sky had been shattered.

A figure shot out from within the body of the Great Ape Baby, cutting through the golden curtain of light, covered in blood and gore, and slammed heavily into the ground in the distance, carving out a deep trench as dust billowed into the air.

It was Vegeta.

He was covered in blood, his battle suit long since shredded beyond recognition, his exposed chest and arms riddled with wounds as beads of blood dripped onto the dirt.

His hair was disheveled, his face deathly pale, and his lips cracked, yet those eyes still burned with an inextinguishable flame, stubborn and arrogant, like a will of steel forged in a furnace.

He braced one hand against the ground, attempting to stand, but his knees buckled, and he nearly collapsed again.

Watching this scene, Jiang Che allowed a rare look of approval to touch his lips and nodded. "Well done, Vegeta."

With that, he turned, raised his hand, and splayed his fingers toward the mangled, collapsing body of the Great Ape. His gaze darkened, and he shouted sharply, "Super Saiyan God: Energy Purification!"

In an instant, crimson energy surged from his palm like a tidal wave, rushing toward the remains of the Great Ape.

The energy seemed to possess a life of its own, burrowing into every inch of muscle and vessel to peel away Baby's soul piece by piece.

The air hissed as it scorched, grass blades withered instantly, and the rocks were charred black.

"No—!"

Baby's soul let out a wretched scream, like a wail from the depths of hell.

Black mist struggled to break free from the Great Ape's remains, twisting and shifting in the air, at times forming a hideous face, at others scattering into a cloud of smoke as it fought desperately to escape the shackles of the crimson energy.