Solemn

Since Android 18 had already charged forward, he might as well wait for a fine show of a hero saving a beauty. That would better highlight his importance. "Android 18, you're still as recklessly suicidal as ever!" Cell sneered and casually flicked out several blasts of energy. Piccolo and Tien Shinhan, who had been trying to support her, were sent flying like kites with severed strings, smashing through several massive boulders in succession. Cell nonchalantly raised his right hand and precisely met Android 18's incoming fist. Bang! Bang! Bang! Explosive impacts rang out without end as the two figures collided at high speed in midair, every exchange unleashing visible shockwaves.

The surrounding rocks were ground to dust by the terrifying energy tremors, while spiderweb-like cracks spread across the ground. Cell remained utterly at ease, using just one hand to deflect all of Android 18's attacks while leisurely keeping the other behind his back. "You ugly freak, die!" Android 18 shouted, bringing her hands together before her chest. Blinding white light gathered wildly, condensing in the blink of an eye into a gigantic energy sphere more than ten meters across. Dangerous arcs of electricity danced over its surface, warping the surrounding space. With all her strength, she shoved the energy sphere toward Cell, carving a deep trench through the ground in its wake.

"Hmph, is that all you've got?" Cell scoffed, raising a hand and easily catching the incoming energy sphere with his spread fingers. Dark green energy swirled through his palm as he actually began absorbing the sphere's power in reverse. "Just as pathetically weak as ever!" The energy sphere rapidly shrank in Cell's hand before finally dispersing into specks of starlight. Android 18's face turned pale, her breathing quickened, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her brow. She bit her lower lip unwillingly, yet she had no choice but to acknowledge the absolute gap in their strength. Tang Yangbing watched the battle from afar, a meaningful smile curling across his lips. It was time for him to make his entrance.

A cold, sinister curve tugged at Cell's lips, contempt gleaming in his eyes. He casually raised his right arm, spreading his fingers as a dark blue energy sphere gathered in his palm. Fine electric arcs coiled over its surface, producing a chilling hum. "A cheap trick." He snorted and lashed out with his arm like a whip. The energy sphere traced a bizarre arc through the air, tearing through it with a piercing shriek as it shot back even faster! Android 18's pupils suddenly contracted, her golden hair whipping wildly in the fierce wind.

She instinctively tried to dodge to the side, but the energy sphere was simply too fast—so fast that even an Android like her could not react in time. "Boom—!!!" A deafening explosion echoed through the valley as blinding white light instantly swallowed Android 18's figure. A violent energy shockwave spread outward in a ring, pulverizing every rock within dozens of meters. Through the billowing smoke and dust, her iconic white battle suit could be seen blown to tatters, exposing large patches of pale skin. "Urgh!" Android 18 let out a muffled cry as the force of the blast hurled her backward like a kite with a severed string.

She gritted her teeth, trying to correct her posture in midair, but the explosion had severely disrupted the energy circuits within her body. Just as she was about to slam into the ground, a black shadow streaked across the sky like lightning. Tang Yangbing's figure flickered through the smoke as he precisely caught the falling Android 18, his arms firmly circling her waist while he spun gracefully to bleed off the impact. "Are you all right?" Tang Yangbing's deep voice sounded beside Android 18's ear. He swiftly removed his black trench coat and gently draped it over her, carefully tying the belt for her.

The hem of the trench coat fluttered in the wind, carrying a faint lingering scent of cologne. A flush appeared on Android 18's pale face, and she subconsciously clutched the coat's collar tighter. Tang Yangbing's gaze lingered on her for a moment before turning to Cell, his eyes instantly sharpening like blades. "Cell..." Tang Yangbing's voice was so cold it seemed capable of freezing the air. "You dared lay a hand on my woman? You must be tired of living!" He gently settled Android 18 behind an intact boulder. As he turned around, a golden aura began to surge around him. The rubble beneath his feet rose slightly under the pressure of his presence, clattering softly against itself.

Cell tilted his head with interest, his compound-like pupils narrowing slightly. He could clearly sense the terrifying pressure emanating from this unfamiliar Saiyan, and it instinctively put him on guard. His green carapace reflected an eerie sheen beneath the sunlight, while his tail swayed restlessly behind him. "Interesting..." Cell licked his lips. "Dr. Gero's database has no record of someone like you." Tang Yangbing did not answer. He merely slowly raised his right hand as dazzling golden light began gathering in his palm.

The air around them began to distort under the influence of that energy, and even Piccolo, watching from afar, had to raise an arm to shield himself from the oncoming gale. "Consider this move a welcome gift." Tang Yangbing's voice was terrifyingly calm, yet anyone could sense the killing intent contained within it. Android 18 trembled slightly in his arms, not from fear, but from emotion—this was the first time since becoming an Android that someone had stood so firmly in front of her. The instant Cell completed his final evolution, every cell in his body seemed to tremble.

He keenly detected a pulse of energy that made his heart quiver. Like a beacon in the dark night, its aura was clear and dangerous, coming from Tang Yangbing's direction. That faint trace alone was enough for Cell to determine that this seemingly ordinary human was unquestionably stronger than Vegeta. "Heh..." Cell let out a contemptuous laugh, his green carapace gleaming coldly in the sunlight. He slowly clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking sharply as an indistinct killing intent began to seep from his body. "You? I hope you're not all talk. Before I deal with Son Goku, I'll use you for a warm-up."

Just as the tension reached its peak, Android 18, whom Tang Yangbing held protectively in his arms, suddenly began struggling fiercely. Her teeth clenched, fury blazing in her azure eyes. "Asshole! Who said I'm your woman? I don't need your help!" Yet Tang Yangbing's arms did not move in the slightest; instead, they tightened around her. His low, magnetic voice sounded beside Android 18's ear. "Don't move. Relax, I'm here. It'll be fine!" His words carried an unquestionable resolve, as though they possessed some kind of magic, and Android 18, who had been struggling fiercely, suddenly quieted down.

Feeling the woman in his arms submit, Tang Yangbing's voice softened. "Don't be in such a hurry. Watch how I teach him a lesson and vent your anger for you." He lowered his head slightly, warm breath brushing across Android 18's golden hair. "When you become stronger, you can take revenge yourself." After saying that, Tang Yangbing slowly released her. Android 18 staggered back two steps, but the words she had wanted to say caught in her throat. She stared blankly at Tang Yangbing's tall, straight back, and for some reason, a suspicious blush appeared on the cheeks that were usually as cold as ice. She knew very well that, with her current strength, rushing forward would only mean throwing away her life.

The instant Tang Yangbing stepped forward, a sudden change occurred. With every step he took, the ground beneath his feet trembled slightly. By the time he took his third step, a suffocating surge of energy suddenly erupted from within him. The next second, a brilliant golden aura soared into the sky like the sun descending upon the world. Scorching waves of air spread in all directions, making Cell's cape snap wildly while even the distant mountains and rocks began to shake violently. Amid the boundless golden light, Tang Yangbing seemed to transform into a god of war, every strand of his hair rising under the turbulent energy. The power around him was so immense that the air itself began to warp and distort, crackling with electrical hiss.

Cell involuntarily took half a step back, the contempt on his face finally replaced by gravity. "Interesting..." Cell licked his lips, excitement flashing in his eyes. "Looks like this warm-up won't be too boring after all."