Undercurrents

"No need to thank me."

Whis turned around, his voice drifting slightly in the night wind.

"Let's hope we don't meet again under different circumstances, as enemies."

His entire body began to blur—his outline became indistinct, as though seen through a curtain of water, while his colors gradually faded from dark to light. At last, he completely merged into the night sky, leaving behind only a faint trace of energy in the air.

The street finally fell quiet.

The wind, shifting rubble, fragments of glass landing in the distance... these tiny sounds now stood out with unusual clarity.

Android 18 slowly stepped out from behind Chen Hao and let out a long breath.

"He really left?"

Chen Hao did not answer at once. He was still staring fixedly in the direction Whis had vanished, unease glinting in his eyes.

After several seconds, he finally nodded, his expression even more solemn than before.

"He's gone."

He spoke in a low voice, but his fists clenched tighter once again.

Beerus, God of Destruction... the name weighed on Chen Hao's heart like a block of lead.

According to the legends of the Dragon Balls, that purple-skinned God of Destruction with cat ears and a long tail should still be asleep.

No one knew how many years Beerus had been sleeping. Like a quiet star in the depths of the universe, he had little to do with the world.

Yet Whis—that angel who always wore a mysterious smile and carried himself with elegance—had actually managed to find this place. That meant Chen Hao's existence had already drawn the attention of some force.

At that thought, Chen Hao's fingertips tightened slightly, and even the air seemed to grow tense.

"Chen Hao?"

Android 18's voice abruptly pulled him back to reality.

Her azure eyes were studying him seriously, her brows faintly furrowed. "What are you worried about?"

Her voice was gentle, yet warm, like sunlight breaking through the clouds.

Chen Hao shook his head, trying to drive away those unsettling thoughts, though his gaze remained grave.

"Nothing. I just feel like there isn't enough time."

He said it lightly, but inwardly, turmoil churned.

He had to break through to Super Saiyan Four as soon as possible—that realm represented by golden aura and red fur.

Even Whis had been able to track him through his energy. The opponents he faced next would only be stronger and more difficult.

He could not afford to slack off.

"Let's go. We're heading back."

Chen Hao turned around and held out his right hand, palm up. His voice was firm, leaving no room for refusal.

Android 18 placed her hand in his palm as well. Her fingertips were slightly cool, yet strong, and he could feel her quiet support.

"We leave tomorrow."

"Where to?"

Android 18 tilted her head, her ponytail swaying lightly over her shoulder, unable to hide the curiosity in her eyes.

"Supreme Kai's World."

Chen Hao's answer was concise, yet it echoed through the air like thunder.

Early the next morning, before the sunlight on Earth had spread across the land, Chen Hao had already stepped out of the gravity chamber.

The door slowly opened with a creak.

The space behind him still retained a heavy scent of battle—the footprints in the floor were deeply sunken, dust drifted slowly through the air, and evaporated sweat had condensed into mist in the corners.

Steam still rose from his body, and his muscles carried the sheen of a fresh workout. Every breath held both exhaustion and satisfaction.

He entered the bathroom, and water poured down from above, washing away the sweat and fatigue together.

Warm water ran down his spine and gathered into thin streams across the floor, making clear, crisp sounds.

A few minutes later, he turned off the faucet, dried himself, and changed into a brand-new martial arts uniform as white as snow.

The fabric clung to his skin, flexible yet durable, while the emblem on his chest glimmered faintly in the morning light.

He placed the prepared food capsules into the pockets inside his clothes one by one, his movements clean and efficient, as though preparing for a long period of training.

The moment he stepped out of the bedroom, Android 18 was already waiting in the living room.

She wore a loose athletic jacket and light-colored pants, looking both capable and gentle. Her high ponytail was tied neatly, with a few stray strands of hair lifting softly beside her ears in the light from the window.

She leaned against the side of the sofa with her arms crossed, her expression calm but carrying a trace of scrutiny.

"You really intend to go to Supreme Kai's World?"

Android 18's voice was not loud, but every word rang clearly beside his ears, carrying a hint of concern. "That place isn't some tourist destination. I heard Bulma say even the air there feels oppressive."

She lifted her chin slightly. There was hesitation in her eyes, but even more trust.

Chen Hao nodded, determination in his eyes.

"I need to go there."

As he spoke, the Z Sword surfaced in his mind—the legendary weapon that sealed an ancient Supreme Kai, its blade concealing immense power and cultivation methods.

More importantly, time flowed completely differently in Supreme Kai's World than in the outside world—one year of training there would mean only a few days passing outside.

This was the secret weapon that would accelerate his growth and make up for every unknown gap.

"Let's go."

Chen Hao held out his hand, palm up, a trace of resolve flashing in his eyes. "Hold on tight. The pulling force during teleportation is strong. Don't let go."

Android 18 said nothing more and directly took his hand, her fingers slipping between his.

Chen Hao closed his eyes. His consciousness spread like an invisible net, seeking out the aura of Supreme Kai's World—it was a distant, ancient fluctuation carrying the scent of stardust.

The air trembled softly around him, and a faint golden light spread across the floor beneath their feet. An invisible force swirled around them like a vortex.

The next second, the two vanished from the living room, leaving behind only the faint sound of curtains stirring in the wind.

Supreme Kai's World.

Blue skies and white clouds instantly filled their vision.

Beneath their feet stretched a vast grassland, its blades swaying gently in the wind like a green ocean extending into the distance.

Far away, towering mountains rose from the earth, clouds curling around their peaks. It was a sacred realm untouched by the world.

The air carried the fragrance of grass and trees, along with an indescribably ancient presence—as though every inch of land had accumulated hundreds of millions of years of time.

Birdsong drifted from the forest, crisp and pleasant.

Chen Hao landed steadily, and Android 18 followed closely behind, stepping onto the soft grass with a rustling sound.

She looked around, surprise appearing in her eyes before quickly fading back into calm.

"This place really is as quiet as the legends say."

She spoke softly, her voice especially clear in the open expanse.

Chen Hao took a deep breath and felt the energy fluctuations here—the air was filled with pure, untainted power of laws, as though the entire planet were speaking to him.

His gaze turned toward the distance, where an ancient stone platform stood with a silver-white sword embedded at an angle atop it—the Z Sword.

The blade radiated a cold yet powerful aura, magical patterns flowing along its edge.

Chen Hao's lips curved slightly as he clenched his fists tighter.

"From now on, time belongs to us."

He spoke in a low voice, his tone full of determination and anticipation.

Chen Hao and Android 18 sped onward, slicing a streak of light through space and arriving in an instant before the towering temple.

The temple was pure white, as though carved from a single piece of moonlight jade. Its surface was covered in ancient, mysterious runes—their lines glimmered faintly gold beneath the sunlight, like a sleeping deity breathing.

At the entrance, two massive stone pillars soared into the clouds. Golden vines coiled around them, their narrow, gleaming leaves swaying in the wind with a rustling sound like a quiet chant.

The air carried the scent of sandalwood mixed with earth, grass, and trees, bringing an incomparable sense of peace.

The distant horizon was veiled in a pale violet mist. From time to time, silver-white birds swept past, leaving behind one or two long cries.