Farewell Gift of Jade Pendant, A Promise to Meet Again at the Martial Arts Arena

Dawn broke.

Amid the ruins, Lin Xuan slowly opened his eyes and let out a long breath of turbid air.

He felt that the world around him had become exceptionally clear.

He could see Pilaf and his two companions hiding behind a broken wall a hundred meters away, trembling in fear.

He could hear Bulma's heartbeat beside him.

He could even sense that she was shocked and afraid, yet also held a trace of admiration for him.

He could also sense the dormant Saiyan bloodline within the unconscious Son Goku—pure, blazing, and filled with limitless potential.

This was the Dust-Cleansing Realm. With a single thought, he could perceive everything around him.

The power of his soul had formed a shield extending half a meter around his body.

A piece of rubble slid from the wall and silently fell toward him, but when it was still half a meter from his back, an invisible force knocked it aside.

Even more wondrously, he could foresee the future.

From time to time, fragmented scenes of what would happen within the next thirty seconds flashed through his mind.

Just now, he had "seen" the newly awakened Oolong stepping on a loose stone and falling.

Without drawing attention, Lin Xuan flicked out a gust of force and knocked that stone into the pile of rubble beside it.

His spirit and strength had both improved, and he had gained special energy too. One word: awesome!

"Ow!"

Oolong rubbed his eyes and stepped into empty air, but he only stumbled and did not fall.

He scratched his head in confusion and muttered, "That's weird. I felt like I was about to fall just now," before swaying over toward Bulma.

A faint smile touched Lin Xuan's lips.

"Lin Xuan..."

Bulma finally recovered from her fright. Struggling to her feet, she walked toward Lin Xuan.

Her expression was complicated.

Looking at the man before her, Bulma felt that he was still himself, yet somehow different.

There was now an indescribable air about him that made people afraid to look at him too closely, yet unable to resist wanting to draw near.

"You... just now... and when Goku transformed..." Bulma's throat was dry. There were too many things she wanted to ask, and she did not know where to begin.

"Did you... foresee it again?" In the end, that was the only question she could make sense of.

Lin Xuan did not answer directly. He merely turned to look into her inquisitive blue eyes and said calmly, "The adventure is over."

Yes, it was over.

Bulma looked at the castle ruins and the paling horizon in the distance.

They had set out westward from Mount Paozu, met Old Turtle, Master Roshi, Oolong, and Yamcha, passed through Flame Mountain and last night's danger. This adventure to find the Dragon Balls had truly come to an end.

Bulma felt disappointed, reluctant to part, and utterly exhausted.

All of a sudden, she did not know what she should do next.

"Yes... it's over..." she murmured, her voice slightly lost.

"What are you planning to do next?" Lin Xuan asked.

"I... I'm obviously going home!" Bulma immediately puffed out her chest, regaining her spoiled young lady's pride.

"I'm going home to take a proper bath and sleep for three days and nights! Then I'll announce my great adventure to the entire world!"

Oolong also came over, saying mournfully, "I'm going home too! I'm never coming out again! The outside world is too terrifying! Kindergarten is safer!"

Everyone's gaze fell upon Son Goku, whom Bulma had just woken by splashing him with water.

He rubbed the back of his head, which still hurt a little, and stared blankly at the ruins around him.

"What happened? Why do I feel like... I had a really long dream?"

Bulma and Oolong exchanged a glance. Still shaken, they wisely chose not to mention the Great Ape.

"It was nothing. We just defeated the bad guys and collected all the Dragon Balls!" Bulma explained vaguely.

"Oh!"

Son Goku's mind was simple. He quickly accepted the explanation, and his attention was immediately drawn to a new question.

He looked around at everyone, then scratched his head and asked with a hint of sadness, "Where's my grandpa?"

"...Are we not going to see each other anymore?"

For the first time, the boy felt the pain of parting.

That question made the atmosphere somewhat sorrowful.

"Of course not!" Bulma immediately retorted, though it was unclear whether she was comforting Goku or herself. "We're partners! Of course we'll see each other again!"

"After all the Dragon Balls grant a wish, they turn to stone and fly away. Your Four-Star Ball is the same—it won't become a Dragon Ball again for another year."

Just then, Lin Xuan's voice rang out again. "The World Martial Arts Tournament will be starting soon."

The words drew strong reactions from everyone.

"The World Martial Arts Tournament?" Son Goku's eyes instantly lit up. "What's that? Are there lots of strong people to fight?"

"That's right." Lin Xuan nodded. "It's where the strongest martial artists from all over the world compete to determine who is superior."

He glanced at Son Goku and recalled Master Roshi, whom they had met earlier.

"Goku, although you're very talented, your fighting techniques are still rough. If you want to grow stronger, I suggest you find Master Wutian and train properly under him. After that, you can search for your grandfather's keepsake."

"Right! First, I'll go find Grandpa Master Roshi!" Son Goku clapped his hands, his face brimming with excitement. "He's so strong. If I train with him, I'll definitely become even stronger! Then I'll enter that tournament!"

With a new goal in mind, Son Goku's sadness over parting was immediately replaced by anticipation for the future.

"What about me? And you, Lin Xuan? Are you going to enter the tournament too?" Bulma quickly asked, her eyes full of expectation.

But Lin Xuan shook his head.

"I'm different from Goku." He lifted his head and gazed into the distance, his eyes faraway.

"My way of cultivation is to temper my heart amid the mortal world. Next, I'll be setting out on my own journey as well."

The anticipation on Bulma's face instantly turned to disappointment.

"You... you're leaving too?" Her voice unconsciously trembled.

At some point, she had grown used to having Lin Xuan by her side.

He always seemed able to foresee everything, calmly resolving every problem.

At the thought that this reassuring figure might never be there on future adventures, Bulma felt an emptiness in her heart.

"All feasts must come to an end." Lin Xuan turned to look at Bulma's dejected expression, and his heart stirred.

He took two prepared protective talismans from his robes.

They had been carved from stones picked up along the way. In the morning light, they looked smooth and warm, their surfaces etched with profound runes in metal.

"These are for you."

Lin Xuan handed one of them to Son Goku.

"I carved this Calm Mind Talisman myself. Wear it close to your body—it can calm your mind and spirit, and it will benefit your training."

"Wow! It's so pretty! Thanks, Big Brother Lin Xuan!"

Son Goku happily accepted the talisman and immediately hung it around his neck.

Then Lin Xuan walked over to Bulma and gently placed the other jade pendant in her palm.

"This one is for you."

The smooth, warm talisman rested in her hand, still carrying that comforting aura unique to Lin Xuan.

Bulma lowered her head to look at the jade pendant. The runes on it seemed to flow beneath the morning light, as though they possessed some mysterious power.

Her heart began pounding uncontrollably.

"Th-this... is this also a Calm Mind Talisman?" she asked softly.

"Yes." Lin Xuan nodded. "It can also ward off one fatal danger. Consider it a parting gift."

Ward off one fatal danger.

Those simple words sounded more moving to Bulma than any words of love.

Even though this man was leaving, he had still prepared a protective talisman for her.

Bulma's eyes immediately reddened.

She clenched the jade pendant tightly, as though grasping the most precious treasure in the world. Countless words crowded in her throat, but she could not utter a single one.

"All right, this is goodbye."

Lin Xuan nodded to everyone and said nothing more.

He turned around and walked step by step out of the ruins, toward the rising sun.

His shadow stretched long beneath the morning light, somewhat lonely yet unwaveringly resolute.

"Goodbye, Big Brother Lin Xuan!"

Son Goku waved with all his strength and shouted loudly.

"We'll definitely meet again at the martial arts tournament!"

Lin Xuan did not turn around. With his back to them, he merely raised a hand in a gentle wave.

"Okay! See you at the tournament!" Son Goku also excitedly leaped onto the Flying Nimbus that had flown over and sped off in the direction opposite Lin Xuan.

In the ruins, only Bulma, Oolong, and the despairing Pilaf remained in the blink of an eye.

Bulma stood there blankly, watching the two figures head east and west, growing ever more distant. Her heart was filled with a tangle of emotions.

She lowered her head and opened her palm.

The warm talisman lay quietly in her hand, as if it still retained that man's body heat.

The profound runes upon it seemed to tell her that this was not the end, but a new beginning.

Bulma pressed the jade pendant tightly against her chest, then raised her head and looked in the direction the two of them had disappeared. Light shone in those blue eyes once more.

Her reluctance and sadness gradually faded, leaving only determination and anticipation in her heart.

The World Martial Arts Tournament?

Alright, I'll wait.

I'll wait and see what new surprises you'll bring.