Challenging Death, Seeking Rebirth

Reverence was written in his eyes—as if merely speaking that name had made the air heavier.

Old Kai glanced at him, his expression carrying both an elder's fondness for a junior and a hint of helplessness. "What do you think? That's a supreme technique even Gods of Destruction study. With your level of skill, you can't even reach the threshold."

Shin was instantly left speechless. He could only lower his head, his face beginning to burn.

The temple fell quiet again, leaving only Chen Hao's fingers tapping irregularly against the marble table—the slow rhythm sounding like it was striking out fate's beat.

Old Kai reclined halfway on his jade throne, his withered fingers lightly tapping the armrest as well, producing dull sounds.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, and the profound depth forged by countless years flashed through them. Looking down at Chen Hao, he curled his lips in a faint sneer. "So you do know."

With that, he slowly rose to his feet. His robe dragged across the floor, rustling like wind passing through fallen leaves.

He walked to the edge of the temple and gazed toward the distant horizon, where the sea of clouds churned. His voice sank low. "Honestly, I've lived for millions of years and witnessed countless earth-shattering battles, yet I've only seen that technique a few times. Only fragments of it remain on ancient legendary stone tablets, like phantoms in the mist—gone in an instant."

He turned back, his expression growing solemn as he drew a circle in the air with one hand. "I've heard Beerus has already trained Ultra Instinct to its peak. At that level, even time has to stand still before him."

"Lord Beerus... really exists?" Kibito's voice trembled. His eyes widened as he involuntarily stepped forward, sweat beginning to bead on his forehead.

"Of course he exists." Chen Hao spoke in a tone as calm as if he were discussing the weather.

He folded his arms across his chest, his gaze seeming to pierce through the temple dome, as though he could see that sleeping purple planet deep within the universe. "And he's one of the strongest in the universe. Even in his sleep, simply turning over could reduce distant planets to dust."

Shin and Kibito exchanged a glance, a chill crawling up their backs.

The silence was so complete that only the wind remained.

Their pupils shrank. Their lips moved, but no words came out. Their eyes were filled with disbelief—and terror.

Old Kai waved a hand, his sleeve drawing an arc through the air. "Enough, don't go wandering that far off." He sat back down on the jade throne, clasping his hands over his knees as he stared intently at Chen Hao. "Since you came all this way to see me, you know how long I've lived and how much life and death I've witnessed. This method is the fastest path to breaking through your bottleneck. There's nothing faster."

The atmosphere instantly tightened.

Chen Hao furrowed his brow and fixed Old Kai with a sharp look. "What if I die and truly can't come back?"

"That depends on whether you've prepared a way out." Old Kai gave a dry chuckle and pointed his withered finger at the blue sky above the temple. "You know about the Dragon Balls, right? The orbs that can grant any wish. Go find the Namekians and have them create another set of Dragon Balls. After you die, have a trusted friend wish you back to life. That'll do it."

Chen Hao's eyes suddenly lit up like a fire kindling in the night.

His breath caught. "Use the Dragon Balls to revive me?"

"That's right." Old Kai nodded, his beard swaying along with the motion. "Isn't there a short Namekian on Earth? Have him make another set of Dragon Balls. If you die, have a friend wish you back. Then everything will be easy."

Chen Hao began pacing slowly, his boots striking the stone slabs with crisp echoes.

He lowered his head in thought, rubbing his chin with his fingers. "Then all of this has to be arranged in advance." His gaze deepened as he constructed a plan in his mind. "And I'll need someone I trust absolutely to handle it. Otherwise, if anything goes wrong, there really will be no coming back from it."

Old Kai's lips curved as his gaze drifted toward Android 18 in the corner of the temple. His tone was teasing. "Don't you have that beautiful friend of yours? Would she really watch you go to your death?"

Android 18 clenched her fists so hard that her fingers turned white.

Her breathing grew rapid, her chest heaving violently. Her eyes blazed at Old Kai before turning toward Chen Hao, and she could barely suppress the tremor in her voice. "No! I won't agree to this!"

She stepped forward, her golden hair fluttering lightly as her eyes reddened. "Have you lost your mind? Trading your life for power?"

"Android 18..." Chen Hao turned to look at her, his gaze gentle yet resolute.

He reached out as if to touch her shoulder, then stopped midway. "This is already the only way. For three years, I've been stuck at Super Saiyan 4 at full power, unable to advance even an inch. Beerus is still asleep, but if he wakes up in a few years and discovers Earth is still here, then it'll all be over. The entire planet, everyone on it, will..."

"But..." Android 18 choked out, tears falling uncontrollably and glistening in the sunlight.

"What if something happens? What if the Dragon Balls can't save you? What if..." She could not continue. Her fingertips dug fiercely into her palm.

"They will." Chen Hao's tone was firm as a blade.

He gently took Android 18's trembling hand, his eyes calm. "I trust Old Kai's judgment. He's lived so long and seen too much life and death. He wouldn't treat my life as a joke." He paused and looked into the distance. "Besides, other than this, I truly can't think of any other way to break through."

The temple fell silent once more, leaving only the wind and the distant roar of the rolling sea of clouds.

Android 18 lowered her head. Her tears fell to the ground and shattered into sparkling droplets.

Old Kai nodded slowly, a trace of approval in his eyes. His fingers tapped against his knee, producing soft, steady thuds. "Kid, you've got guts. Honestly, I was willing to tell you this method because I think you have potential." His tone deepened, and his eyes grew more profound. "Saiyans are naturally unique, and you know that better than anyone. As long as your will is strong enough, dying and returning to life can indeed greatly increase your power. I've studied Saiyan history. Without exception, those warriors who struggled at the brink of life and death all became stronger in the end."

Chen Hao stood on the stone floor and took a deep breath.

He closed his eyes, feeling the faint coolness beneath his feet and the shadows drifting in from the distant clouds.

A moment later, he opened his eyes. His gaze was resolute, and there was not a trace of hesitation in his voice. "Fine. I've decided. I'll challenge death and seek rebirth."

As he spoke, he clenched his fist, his joints cracking loudly, as though he had truly prepared himself to face death.

"But don't rush to die just yet." Old Kai lightly waved a hand, his long sleeves drifting in the wind and stirring up a little dust. His expression abruptly turned serious as he pointed toward the distant sky. "First, you need to find the Namekians and have them create a new set of Dragon Balls, in case Earth's Shenron can't revive you."

Chen Hao narrowed his eyes at Old Kai. "Can't Earth's Dragon Balls do it?"

"Not necessarily." Old Kai shook his head, his beard swaying with the motion.

He raised a hand and gestured through the air. "Namek's Dragon Balls can only be created by the Namekian Grand Elder or a genius on Dende's level, and revival requires the body to be intact. If you die and your corpse remains, Shenron can revive you. But if you're beaten into ashes and not even a fingernail remains, Shenron won't be able to help either."

His words echoed solidly through the temple like a prophecy that no one dared underestimate.