New Intersection

Whis sensed the stirrings in Chen Hao's heart. The corners of his mouth curved as though he were watching an entertaining new spectacle. "Lord Beerus has noticed you. You've piqued his interest a little."

He leaned closer, lowering his voice, though it still carried with a hint of piercing force. "He sent me to take a look at just who it was capable of waking him from his slumber."

Chen Hao drew a deep breath, his chest rising and falling as heat and cold mingled and poured into his lungs.

He tried his best to suppress the chaotic thoughts in his heart. "So what exactly do you want?"

Whis smiled, his elegance so perfect it was almost chilling, and did not rush to answer.

He slowly raised a hand and flicked a fingertip through the air, as if plucking an invisible string.

In an instant, a dazzling light gathered at his fingertip. It was merely a faint glow at first, then suddenly erupted like the birth of a stellar core, illuminating the night sky.

Rocks, broken walls, and dead branches were all dyed with a pale blue fluorescence.

"Nothing in particular." Whis's voice softened, carrying a trace of amusement. "I merely want to verify something."

He stared at his fingertip as that speck of light began to expand and spin, transforming into a tiny vortex.

The entire space warped faintly, and the air emitted a low hum, as though something had clamped a hand around its throat.

He lifted his head and looked at Chen Hao, a slight smile still on his lips. "Can you take this move of mine?"

Leaves drifted through the night wind, while the air on the street was so oppressive it was hard to breathe.

Whis stood in the middle of the street, his white robe fluttering lightly. Moonlight stretched out his figure, casting a faint shadow that nevertheless radiated danger.

The fingertips of his right hand began to glow—at first, the light was as weak as a firefly's, but in the blink of an eye, it brightened as though a white dwarf were about to explode at his fingertips.

The air suddenly grew thick, and the branches on both sides of the street swayed wildly with a rustling sound.

Even the small stones on the ground began to hop, as if they had sensed something.

A sense of oppression spread out, like an invisible mountain slowly pressing down upon their chests.

Chen Hao's gaze sharpened abruptly. Instinctively, he stepped forward and shielded Android 18 behind him.

He leaned forward, planting his feet firmly on the ground, his muscles drawn taut like steel cables.

His eyes locked onto Whis's fingertips—the aura there had completely awakened his battle instincts.

He could feel that power. It was neither exaggerated nor vast; compared to the universe's mighty beings capable of destroying worlds, it even seemed "restrained."

Yet this power was incomparably pure, condensed to the point of making his scalp tingle—as if the energy of an entire star had been compressed into a point the size of a fingernail. Every inch of space was unable to contain the destruction on the verge of erupting.

"Careful." Chen Hao's voice came from deep in his throat.

Behind him, Android 18 clenched both fists, her knuckles turning white.

She stared at Whis, every inch of her body ready to move, but before someone of this level, she did not even have a chance to intervene.

That oppression made the ever-confident woman feel powerless for the first time—perhaps even insignificant.

Whis watched Chen Hao's reaction, and a barely perceptible smile appeared at the corner of his mouth—appreciation, mixed with a deeper interest hidden beneath.

He flicked his finger, and that speck of light instantly stretched into an impossibly thin line. Like fate plucking a string, it shot toward Chen Hao at unimaginable speed.

The air was torn apart with a sharp screech, and the whole space seemed to wail in agony.

The beam cut through the night, leaving behind a pale white afterimage.

Chen Hao did not move. His right fist clenched tight, his knuckles cracking audibly.

The qi within him erupted like a volcano, surging from his dantian into his arm. A pale red aura wrapped around his fist, glowing like burning blood and glaringly bright.

Boom—!

At the instant fist and light collided, time froze for half a second.

Then the entire world shook violently.

The shockwave unleashed from the point of impact spread outward like ripples. Glass windows exploded in unison, their fragments reflecting the moonlight like a rain of glass.

Streetlamps were shoved over by an invisible force, crashing down one after another, scattering rubble and sparks as they struck the ground.

The stone slabs beneath them were lifted by the blast, tumbling and spinning through the air before being ground into powder by the shockwave. Dust filled the entire street.

Even the cars parked in the distance were shoved sideways several meters by the blast, their tires leaving a string of black marks.

Chen Hao held his ground for three seconds, then took three steps back.

Each step left a pit a foot deep in the stone pavement, rubble crunching beneath his feet.

He shook his numbed right hand. His bones trembled faintly, while the skin over his fist was hot and red.

Slowly raising his head, he looked calm yet sharp. "This—is your verification?"

Whis's expression finally changed. A flash of surprise crossed his eyes. It lasted only an instant, but it was unmistakable.

"You actually took it?" Whis tilted his head slightly, unable to conceal the admiration in his voice. "And you weren't even at full strength."

Chen Hao's lips curled upward with a hint of wildness and defiance. "Want to see what I look like when I get serious?"

As soon as the words fell, his aura abruptly changed. The field of qi that had been restrained within his body spread outward, and the air shimmered with a faint twilight-like glow.

His eyes narrowed slightly, and flames seemed to dance in the depths of his pupils.

The broken stones on the ground trembled faintly, while dust slowly rose into the air, as though drawn by something invisible.

Whis's smile paused. He said nothing, his gaze lingering on Chen Hao for several seconds as though weighing something.

In the end, he shook his head. The motion was gentle, yet resolute.

"No need." He withdrew the residual light from his fingertips and calmly straightened his attendant's robe. "I've already seen your strength—indeed, it's absurdly beyond anyone in this universe at its current stage."

Chen Hao did not respond, merely watching him in silence.

Whis turned, his white robe sweeping out in a smooth arc. "Lord Beerus is simply curious. He bears no real hostility toward you. However..."

He paused and glanced back at Chen Hao, his deep eyes sweeping over him. "You'd best restrain yourself somewhat. Though Lord Beerus is asleep, he can still sense changes in the universe's energy. If he decides you're too much of a 'nuisance,' he may wake early. And then..."

He did not finish the sentence, but the warning was clear enough.

Chen Hao narrowed his eyes and remained silent for several seconds before saying flatly, "Thanks for the warning."