Divine Dragon

He deliberately slowed his steps, letting the soles of his shoes scrape against the rubble and throw off tiny sparks. His long, phoenix-like eyes narrowed slightly, golden light flowing through his pupils with a contemptuous air that looked down upon all things. When he curled his lips into a faint smile, the curve at the corner of his mouth carried a trace of wickedness, along with a suffocating pressure. Android 17 stood frozen in place, his pupils contracting violently. He saw tiny bolts of lightning dancing among the golden hair drifting behind the man, and noticed that when Tang Yangbing raised a hand to straighten his collar, the air brushed by his knuckles rippled visibly. This display of power beyond all common sense completely crashed the battle instincts he had always been so proud of.

It was not until Tang Yangbing had already walked three steps away that Android 17 suddenly came back to his senses. He forced himself to put on his usual smile, only to find his facial muscles so stiff that he had to slap them hard with his palm before they regained feeling. "I admit it..." Android 17's voice trembled almost imperceptibly. He subconsciously took half a step back, his heel sinking into the soft earth. "Your strength is completely beyond the scope of my understanding." He wiped the cold sweat beading at his temple and raised both hands with a bitter smile. "I surrender." Tang Yangbing chuckled at that, and the golden light swirling around him gradually withdrew into his body.

He turned around carelessly, the ends of his hair tracing a dazzling arc of light through the air, and extended his right hand toward Android 18, who stood dazed not far away. "This place is cleaned up. Let's go, Lazuli." As he clasped Android 18's cool fingers, he casually hoisted the unconscious future Android 18 onto his other shoulder. The unconscious woman's silver hair hung loose, fluttering gently in the residual energy field around Tang Yangbing. The three of them crossed the devastated battlefield, and wherever they passed, the flames still burning actually parted on their own, opening a path as though bowing before absolute power. Android 18 lowered her eyes slightly, her long lashes casting scattered shadows in the morning light.

Her voice was so soft it was nearly carried away by the wind, yet her gaze firmly swept over Android 17 and Android 16 in turn. Android 17 leaned lazily against a stone pillar of Kami's Lookout, sunlight dancing through his silvery-white hair. He impatiently pursed his lips, his long fingers idly tugging at the corner of his clothes. "Fine, let's go together. Honestly." Android 17's voice held the huskiness of someone who had just woken up. He glanced at Android 18 beside him, his tone carrying a hint of teasing. "Why drag me, the third wheel, into your little world for two? We only woke up a short while ago, and now we've somehow got a brother-in-law. Isn't this plot moving way too fast?"

Android 16 stood silently to one side, like a mute statue. The breeze brushed against the clothing covering his mechanical body, producing a faint rustling sound. He calmly watched the sea of clouds in the distance, his voice deep and utterly flat. "I have no objections. The mission failed long ago anyway." His gaze swept over the tiny human world below as he added, "Other than dealing with Son Goku, I truly have nothing else to do." Just as everyone was preparing to leave, Tang Yangbing suddenly stopped and turned toward Trunks. He gently smoothed back his black hair, which had been tousled by the wind, and his expression grew solemn. "Right. Have you found the Cell of this timeline?"

His voice echoed over the vast expanse of Kami's Lookout. "The Cell I dealt with just now came from the future timeline. If you don't find and eliminate the Cell of this timeline soon, he may continue to grow. That'll be troublesome when the time comes." Trunks clenched the sword in his hand, his brow tightly furrowed. At that moment, no one could determine whether the Cell of this timeline had already awakened, or where he might be hiding as he waited for a chance to strike... When the group stepped onto the platform of Kami's Lookout, Android 16 could not help taking a deep breath. Light mist curled around the lookout, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and morning dew.

In the distance, several ancient pines swayed gently in the breeze, their branches rustling softly. "So this is Kami's Lookout?" A rare trace of warmth entered Android 16's voice. He looked around, a faint glimmer flashing in his mechanical eyes. "It truly is quite nice. The atmosphere here makes one feel calm." Android 17 lazily stretched, sunlight edging his body in gold. "It really is a good place. Much better than those cold laboratories." At that moment, Tang Yangbing suddenly turned toward Android 18, a playful smile curling at his lips.

He deliberately slowed his speech, every word laced with teasing. "So, what do you think we should do with this future Android 18? I hear she was an utterly evil existence in that timeline." Android 18 abruptly lifted her head, a flash of anger appearing in her sapphire-blue eyes. She clenched her fists, her golden hair whipping fiercely in the wind. "What does that have to do with me?" Her voice suddenly rose, firm beyond question. "I'm me, and she's her! Don't lump me together with someone from that timeline!" Her voice echoed over Kami's Lookout, startling several white doves perched on a distant roof.

Sunlight fell over her cheeks, which had reddened slightly with anger, adding a touch of dramatic tension to the sudden confrontation. A blush instantly spread across Android 18's fair cheeks, as lovely and vivid as peach blossoms in early spring. She lowered her head slightly, her slender fingers unconsciously twisting together as an indescribably complex emotion surged within her. The woman before her, who looked exactly like her, was actually her future self. This strange encounter left her both confused and uneasy. "Kill her?" Android 18 murmured softly, her voice so quiet it was nearly scattered by the wind.

She lifted her eyes and stared at the woman identical to herself, hesitation flashing through her gaze. Her normally sharp blue eyes were now veiled by a thin mist of confusion. "You dare!" Tang Yangbing's voice suddenly rang out, carrying unquestionable authority. He strode between the two women, his tall figure casting a long shadow beneath the sunlight. His gaze moved between the two Android 18s, and a meaningful smile curved his lips. "I'm joking. Don't worry." Tang Yangbing reached out and gently patted Android 18's shoulder, his tone gentle yet firm. "You're both my women. I'll take responsibility."

His words carried a hint of teasing, yet also an undeniable sense of responsibility. A gleam flashed in Tang Yangbing's eyes, as though he had thought of some brilliant idea. He turned to Kami and gave a slight bow. "Kami, please bring the Dragon Balls over." Kami froze slightly, confusion appearing on his wrinkled face. He stroked his long white beard and pondered for a moment before nodding. "Uh, all right." Though he did not understand Tang Yangbing's intentions, he still gestured for Popo, who stood nearby, to retrieve the Dragon Balls. Popo obeyed, his dark figure quickly vanishing into the depths of the lookout.

For the past several years, the seven Dragon Balls had been kept in the most secret chamber of Kami's Lookout. When Tang Yangbing had first proposed this arrangement, he had said, "The Dragon Balls' power is too great. If they fall into the hands of evil people, the consequences will be unimaginable." Kami had deeply agreed and thus tacitly accepted Tang Yangbing's arrangement. More importantly, even if Kami had wanted to object, he simply did not possess the strength to contend with Tang Yangbing. Thinking of this, Kami could not help sighing inwardly as he looked at the young man who was always full of surprises with a complicated expression. Before long, Popo slowly approached, carrying seven Dragon Balls glowing orange.

Each Dragon Ball emitted a gentle halo, the star patterns on their surfaces flickering in and out of sight beneath the sunlight. Tang Yangbing accepted the Dragon Balls and arranged them neatly atop the stone platform in the center of the lookout. The instant they were in place, the previously clear sky abruptly darkened. Dark clouds churned, lightning writhed wildly, and deafening thunder shook the heavens. A blinding bolt of lightning tore through the sky, followed immediately by a jade-green Divine Dragon bursting through the clouds. Its massive body coiled above Kami's Lookout. Its pair of crimson eyes resembled two blood moons, radiating an awe-inspiring glow.

"O human who summoned me," the Divine Dragon's deep voice rang out between heaven and earth like an ancient bell, "state your wish. I can grant any wish." Android 18 stared up at the unbelievable creature in the sky, her beautiful eyes filled with shock. She instinctively stepped back half a pace, her voice trembling slightly. "This is the Divine Dragon?"