Deadly Threat! Black Arrives with 18,000 Combat Power, Destruction Missiles Lock Onto Earth!

The aftershocks in the mountains gradually faded, but the massive crater hundreds of meters across, the hole blasted through the earth's crust, and the forest reduced to flat ground still silently displayed the terror of that peak battle. Ximen Qing sat on a bluestone, faint golden-silver energy swirling around him. His power level of 13,080 flowed steadily, while his Ultimate Ki Sense unconsciously spread outward. Every movement within 50,000 meters—even faint fluctuations of ki from the universe—appeared clearly in his mind.

Grandpa Son Gohan brought over a bowl of wild fruit juice and carefully handed it to Ximen Qing. The reverence and doting affection in his eyes had not diminished in the slightest, and a proud smile remained on his face. "Ximen Qing, hurry and have some juice to rest up. You fought for so long just now—you must be tired."

Ximen Qing took the wild fruit juice and tipped his head back for a sip. The sweet liquid dispelled some of the exhaustion caused by his energy consumption. He shook his little head, his face full of swagger and pride. "Not tired, not tired! Instantly killing Jiru, who only had a power level of 10,000, was nothing more than lifting a finger for me! Grandpa Gohan, just wait. Once I've rested enough, I'll let you see the Intermediate Ultimate Ki Cannon. I guarantee it'll blow apart a whole mountain in one hit!"

"Good! Good! Grandpa will wait!" Grandpa Son Gohan nodded hurriedly, anticipation nearly overflowing from his eyes. "But don't rush yourself. Take it slow. Safety comes first."

At that moment, the energy around Ximen Qing abruptly tightened. The smile on his face vanished instantly, and his gaze turned razor-sharp—his Ultimate Ki Sense had caught a terrifying presence several times stronger than Jiru's, rapidly approaching from the depths of space. It carried bone-chilling coldness and devastating killing intent. Its speed was astonishing; in mere seconds, it had already neared Earth's atmosphere!

"This ki..." Ximen Qing set down the wild fruit juice and slowly rose to his feet. The golden-silver energy around his small body began to rage. His voice held a trace of gravity, but not the slightest fear. "Power level 18,000! A full 8,000 higher than Jiru's! And it isn't just one presence. There are several weaker but condensed signatures too. It should be a squad Frieza sent!"

His Ultimate Ki Sense had long been enhanced to its limit. Its detection range had expanded to 50,000 meters, and it could precisely lock onto an enemy's hidden power level. At that moment, he clearly sensed that the strongest ki was firmly at 18,000. Dense shadow energy surrounded it, cold and biting—more violent and stranger than Jiru's ki. It was clearly Frieza's Shadow General—Black!

Behind Black were five more ki signatures, each with power levels between 8,000 and 10,000. Their auras were condensed, their movements orderly. They were clearly Frieza's Ultimate Destruction Squad. Every one of them was a cosmic powerhouse capable of standing alone. Together with Black, a general with a power level of 18,000, this force was enough to easily destroy the entire Earth!

Although Grandpa Son Gohan did not possess Ximen Qing's formidable senses, he still felt the air suddenly turn cold. His entire body shuddered instinctively, his face turning pale at once. His voice trembled. "Ximen Qing... wh-what's wrong? Are enemies coming again?"

"Yes." Ximen Qing nodded lightly and patted Grandpa Son Gohan's hand, his voice firm and domineering. "They're new enemies sent by Frieza. Black, a Shadow General with a power level of 18,000, and he brought an Ultimate Destruction Squad with him. Looks like they want to blow Earth apart and kill me for revenge."

A power level of 18,000! The Ultimate Destruction Squad! And they wanted to blow up Earth!

Upon hearing that, Grandpa Son Gohan's legs gave out, and he nearly collapsed to the ground. His face was filled with despair and fear. "18,000... so much stronger than Jiru... and they're going to blow up Earth... Wh-what do we do? Ximen Qing, how about we run? Let's find somewhere Black can't find us and hide!"

"Run?" Ximen Qing threw back his head and laughed. His voice was soft and childish, yet overwhelmingly domineering as it rang across the flattened land. "Grandpa Gohan, did you forget? I have a power level of 13,080 now. I've unlocked the Intermediate Super Saiyan Form, and I have Saiyan Burst evolved to the limit, plus the Intermediate Ultimate Ki Cannon! So what if he has 18,000 power? Even if he brought the entire Ultimate Destruction Squad, even if he wants to blow up Earth, I can still kill them easily and protect you—protect Earth!"

A sharp glint of killing intent flashed through his eyes. The golden-silver energy around him grew increasingly violent as he released his power level of 13,080 without reservation. Crushing pressure spread in every direction, making even the shattered stones within 50,000 meters tremble faintly. "Since Black dared to come, he shouldn't even think about leaving alive! Perfect. I'll use them to farm some experience, push my power level past 15,000, unlock even stronger abilities, and completely crush Frieza's hopes!"

[ Ding! Detected Frieza's Shadow General and Ultimate Destruction Squad descending upon Earth! ]

[ Target 1: Frieza's Shadow General—Black! ]

[ Power Level: 18000! ]

[ Identity: One of Frieza's strongest generals, wielding the power of shadows and destruction technology. He specializes in stealth assassinations and large-scale destructive attacks. He once destroyed three planets by himself and killed countless cosmic powerhouses with power levels above 10,000. Cruel, cunning, and ruthless, he never leaves survivors. He is Frieza's most capable assassin general! ]

[ Target 2: Frieza's Ultimate Destruction Squad (5 members)! ]

[ Power Level: Between 8000 and 10000! ]

[ Equipment: Each member carries miniature destruction bombs. The squad is equipped with one Ultimate Destruction Missile (powerful enough to instantly blow apart the entire Earth; impossible to intercept)! ]

[ Intent: By Frieza's order, they have brought the Ultimate Destruction Missile and led the Ultimate Destruction Squad to destroy Earth, completely kill host Ximen Qing, seize the host's innate Saiyan bloodline, avenge Losa and Jiru, demonstrate the majesty of the cosmic overlord, and completely eliminate the host as a threat! ]

A string of system notifications sounded. There was not the slightest fear in Ximen Qing's eyes. Instead, even crazier fighting spirit burned there—an Ultimate Destruction Missile? Perfect. He would see whether his Intermediate Ultimate Ki Cannon could directly intercept, or even destroy, this missile capable of obliterating Earth! Black with a power level of 18,000, along with five squad members above 8,000—this was practically an experience pack delivered right to his door!

"Grandpa Gohan, hurry back into the cave and find somewhere hidden to stay. No matter how loud it gets outside, don't come out!" Ximen Qing turned toward Grandpa Son Gohan, his voice solemn and resolute. "I'm going to meet this Black. After I kill them, I'll come back and show you my new ultimate move!"

Grandpa Son Gohan's eyes reddened. He tightly grasped Ximen Qing's little hand, his voice full of worry and expectation. "Ximen Qing, you have to be careful! That Black is too powerful, and he has that destruction missile. Don't force yourself. You have to come back alive!"

"Don't worry, Grandpa Gohan!" Ximen Qing smiled, his tone relaxed and arrogant. "Killing them will only take a few minutes. I'll definitely come back alive. I won't make you worry!"

With that, Ximen Qing gently pulled free from Grandpa Son Gohan's hand and activated the ki within him. His tiny body flashed abruptly, shooting into the sky in an instant. He hovered in midair, golden-silver energy growing denser around him as he stared sharply into the depths of space, silently awaiting Black and the Ultimate Destruction Squad's arrival.

Grandpa Son Gohan watched Ximen Qing's figure, clenching his fists tightly, his eyes full of prayer. He staggered as he turned and hurried into the cave, finding the most concealed corner to hide in. His heart pounded wildly. He worried for Ximen Qing's safety, yet also hoped that Ximen Qing would create another miracle and instantly kill every enemy.

Bzz—Rumble—!!!

At that moment, a terrifying pressure nearly twice as strong as Jiru's descended from the depths of space, instantly enveloping the entire Earth! This ki was cold, strange, and violent, carrying the bone-chilling chill of shadow power and the dreadful aura of destruction technology. Everywhere it passed, space twisted and collapsed violently. The atmosphere was forcibly torn open by a breach even larger than before. Black shadow energy spread through the sky, staining the heavens black as though the apocalypse had arrived!

The ground shook violently. Cracks appeared again in the forest that had previously been flattened. The rocks around the giant crater shattered one after another, and broken stones rolled downward. The birds and beasts within 50,000 meters were instantly terrified out of their wits. Even the magma deep underground began to churn violently. The entire Earth had fallen into an unprecedented crisis!

Ximen Qing hovered in the air, the energy around him taut as his passive skill, Cosmic Ki Immunity, operated at full force—although the pressure of an enemy with a power level of 18,000 was formidable, his resistance to pressure from enemies above 15,000 had increased by 50%. He remained steadily in place, his gaze fixed sharply on the black figure tearing through the atmosphere, without retreating in the slightest.

In the distant sky, a tall black figure slowly emerged. Dense black shadow energy swirled around him, mingled with golden killing intent. He stood straight and imposing, two and a half meters tall, clad in a black shadow battle suit embroidered with Frieza's Ultimate Shadow insignia. A black mask covered his face, revealing only a pair of icy, emotionless eyes. He released the pressure of his 18,000 power level without restraint. He was Frieza's Shadow General—Black!

Behind Black, five black-clad figures stood in neat formation. Every one of them was agile and surrounded by condensed black ki, their power levels ranging from 8,000 to 10,000. They wore black combat gear, with miniature destruction bombs hanging at their waists and energy weapons in their hands. Their gazes were cold and emotionless. They were the members of the Ultimate Destruction Squad!

And in Black's hand was a black remote control, its red light flashing as it connected to a small warship in space. At the warship's launch port, a massive missile completely black in color and wrapped in destructive energy was slowly aiming at Earth—it was the Ultimate Destruction Missile, capable of instantly blowing the entire planet apart!

Black slowly descended and hovered in midair, staring directly at Ximen Qing. His gaze beneath the mask was icy and piercing. His voice carried no emotion, only extreme malice and killing intent, like a whisper from hell. "Ximen Qing? So you're the little Saiyan infant who killed Losa and Jiru, reached a power level of 13,080, and unlocked the Intermediate Super Saiyan Form?"

On his way to Earth, he had already learned through his scanner that Losa and Jiru had been killed, and that Ximen Qing's power level had soared to 13,080, allowing him to unlock the Intermediate Super Saiyan Form. Unlike Losa and Jiru's arrogance, Black was extremely cautious. He did not underestimate Ximen Qing in the slightest. Instead, he regarded him as an opponent worthy of serious treatment—an infant Saiyan who could grow this strong in such a short time was definitely no ordinary being!

Still, cautious as he was, he remained absolutely confident. He was a Shadow General with a power level of 18,000, wielding shadow power and destruction technology. He also had the Ultimate Destruction Squad and the Ultimate Destruction Missile. Even if Ximen Qing had a power level of 13,080 and had unlocked the Intermediate Super Saiyan Form, he could not possibly be Black's opponent. Today, Black would destroy Earth, kill Ximen Qing, avenge Losa and Jiru, and report back to Frieza!

"Little thing, you do have some skill. You killed those two pieces of trash, Losa and Jiru, and even grew this strong in such a short time. No wonder Lord Frieza values you so highly that he sent me personally to lead the Ultimate Destruction Squad and bring the Ultimate Destruction Missile to Earth." Black's voice remained cold, with a faint trace of barely concealed contempt. "But your luck ends here!"

He raised his hand and shook the remote control. The red light on it became increasingly brilliant, and the Ultimate Destruction Missile in space had completely locked onto Earth, ready to launch at any moment. "What I'm holding is the Ultimate Destruction Missile. One strike can blow apart the entire Earth. Even if you have a power level of 13,080, even if you've unlocked the Intermediate Super Saiyan Form, you cannot withstand the missile's power!"

"I'll give you one last chance!" Black's voice grew even more sinister, carrying an unquestionable threat. "Give up resisting, hand over your innate Saiyan bloodline, and cripple your own cultivation. I can give you a quick death and let you die peacefully. I can even spare Earth and let all its people live! Otherwise, I'll launch the Ultimate Destruction Missile immediately, blow the entire Earth apart, and turn you and every Earthling into cosmic dust, never to be reborn!"

Ximen Qing threw back his head and laughed. His voice was soft and childish, yet overwhelmingly domineering. It pierced the black clouds and resounded between heaven and earth, overwhelming the oppressive hum of Black's pressure and even passing through the atmosphere to reach the warship behind him. "Hahaha! You're ridiculous! A coward hiding behind a mask dares to act arrogant in front of me? Is a power level of 18,000 really that impressive? You think one Ultimate Destruction Missile is enough to threaten me?"

The golden-silver energy around him instantly erupted into a frenzy. His eyes became incomparably sharp, and the power within him began to rise slightly. His voice was filled with murderous intent. "Today, I won't just kill you and your Ultimate Destruction Squad—I'll destroy the Ultimate Destruction Missile in your hand and flatten your warship! I'll make you understand that provoking me, Ximen Qing, and provoking Earth is the biggest mistake of your life!"

"As for Frieza..." Ximen Qing looked toward the depths of space, a cold flash of killing intent appearing in his eyes. "After I kill you, I'll personally go settle the score with him. I'll use my Intermediate Ultimate Ki Cannon to blast apart his flagship, grind him into the ground, and make him understand once and for all who the strongest Saiyan in the universe is—and who the true cosmic overlord is!"

"Arrogant little thing! You don't know your place!" At his words, Black's gaze beneath the mask instantly turned frigid with fury. The shadow energy around him became even more violent as he released the pressure of his 18,000 power level without restraint. Black shadow energy spread outward, dyeing the entire sky ink-black. "Since you're courting death, don't blame me for being merciless! I'll launch the Ultimate Destruction Missile right now and turn you and Earth into dust together!"

With that, Black hesitated no longer. His finger slowly pressed the red button on the remote control—at once, the Ultimate Destruction Missile in space erupted with dazzling black light. Wrapped in dense destructive energy and accompanied by a howl that tore through the cosmos, it blasted viciously toward Earth! Its speed was unbelievable. In only a few seconds, it had neared the atmosphere. A few more seconds, and it would strike Earth, blasting the entire planet into cosmic dust!

"Not good! It's the Ultimate Destruction Missile!" Inside the cave, Grandpa Son Gohan sensed that world-destroying aura. He trembled violently and let out a desperate roar—he knew no one could withstand the power of that missile!

Yet Ximen Qing, hovering in the air, showed no panic at all. Instead, a sharp glint flashed through his eyes, and an arrogant smile curled his lips. "Perfect timing! Let's see whether my Intermediate Ultimate Ki Cannon can destroy this so-called Ultimate Destruction Missile!"

Without further hesitation, he swiftly brought his hands together before his chest. His full power level of 13,080 poured into his ki without reservation. Vast amounts of golden-silver energy gathered wildly, mixed with dense cosmic destruction energy, rapidly condensing in his palms—the Intermediate Ultimate Ki Cannon was gathering at full power!

Bzz—Rumble—!!!

The intertwined golden and silver aura surged and swelled like boiling magma, condensing in barely a second into a colossal pillar of light dozens of meters across. A dazzling golden-silver halo swirled across its surface, while a faint layer of black cosmic destruction energy wrapped around its exterior. It radiated a terrifying pressure capable of tearing apart the universe and destroying heaven and earth, several times stronger than the ki blast that had instantly killed Kiro. Even the distorted space around it was forcibly smoothed out by the pillar's power. The air was directly ionized, emitting a piercing sizzle, while the giant crater below collapsed again. Rubble was swept high into the air by the shockwave and instantly ground into dust!

Black hovered in midair, his gaze beneath the mask narrowing slightly. For the first time, a trace of barely perceptible surprise rose in his heart—this ki blast was even more powerful than he had expected? How could a Saiyan infant with a power level of 13,080 unleash such terrifying energy? But that surprise lasted only an instant before being replaced by utter arrogance. He snorted inwardly. It's all for show. No matter how powerful that ki blast is, it can never withstand the Ultimate Destruction Missile. This little brat can only struggle uselessly. Once the missile hits Earth, everything will turn to dust. Losa and Kiro's deaths will finally be avenged.

Ximen Qing's eyes were as sharp as blades, his teeth clenched tight. His tiny body erupted with power far beyond its limits as the battle power within him surged madly, pouring ceaselessly into the pillar of light. The Intermediate Ultimate Ki Blast continued to grow stronger, its beam becoming thicker and more brilliant. Even the black shadow energy in the sky was forced back by its radiance, tearing a dazzling gap through the ink-dark heavens!

"Charge!!!"

Ximen Qing roared, his soft childish voice brimming with murderous intent. He thrust both hands forward, and the Intermediate Ultimate Ki Blast, containing all his battle power, erupted with a deafening boom. With a howl that seemed to rip through the universe, it shot toward the Ultimate Destruction Missile like a meteor chasing the moon. Wherever the beam passed, space violently trembled and collapsed. A straight path was forcibly blasted through the atmosphere, and even the shadow energy along its route was instantly annihilated without the slightest resistance!

Black's expression darkened slightly, and the arrogance in his heart was replaced by a hint of panic. He instinctively tightened his grip on the remote control in his hand, his fingertips turning faintly white—this ki blast was too fast! And its power was still rising. Could it... really catch up to the missile? No, impossible! The Ultimate Destruction Missile was the pinnacle of destruction technology under Lord Frieza. Its power was unstoppable. No matter how fast or strong that ki blast was, it could only be swallowed by the missile's destructive energy. He forcibly suppressed the panic in his heart and comforted himself inwardly. It's only a little faster. It's still futile. Just wait a few more seconds. Once the missile hits Earth, it'll be too late for everything.

At that moment, the Ultimate Destruction Missile had already broken through the atmosphere and was only a thousand meters from Earth. Dense destruction energy coiled around its black body, which flashed with a cold red glow. It seemed ready to strike Earth at any moment and turn this land into cosmic dust. Inside the cave, Grandpa Son Gohan tightly covered his eyes, his entire body trembling nonstop. Even his breathing was nearly stopping as he silently prayed for Ximen Qing to create a miracle.

But in the next instant, the muscles on Black's face suddenly stiffened. His pupils shrank to their limits beneath his mask, and the panic in his heart was instantly devoured by utter shock and disbelief—the golden-silver Intermediate Ultimate Ki Blast had actually caught up to the Ultimate Destruction Missile! The two heaven-destroying powers collided above Earth's atmosphere with a thunderous crash!

BOOM--------------!!!

A world-shaking explosion echoed through the universe, several times fiercer than any blast from their previous battles. A massive shockwave erupted from the point of collision and spread wildly in every direction. Vast stretches of space collapsed and vanished, forming an enormous black spatial rift. The atmosphere was ripped to pieces by the shockwave, and the black shadow energy was instantly scattered. The ink-dark sky regained its brightness, yet beneath that light lay a terrifying force capable of destroying everything!

The golden-silver beam of the Intermediate Ultimate Ki Blast violently collided and tore against the Ultimate Destruction Missile's black destruction energy. There was no stalemate at all. Like rotten wood snapping beneath a crushing force, the golden-silver beam instantly pierced the missile's outer destruction-energy barrier and slammed viciously into its black body. The beam's power flooded into the missile, breaking apart its core energy as sharp cracking sounds rang out.

Black's entire body shook, and he instinctively staggered several steps back. The shadow energy within him instantly fell into disorder as he shrieked in disbelief, "Impossible! How is this possible?! How could the Ultimate Destruction Missile be stopped?! How could your ki blast possess such terrifying power?!"

Stormy waves rose in his heart, and fear wrapped around it like wildly growing vines—he had never imagined that Ximen Qing's ki blast could break through the missile's destruction barrier, much less dismantle its core energy. This had already surpassed his understanding and overturned every judgment he had made about power in the universe. A Saiyan infant with a battle power of 13,080 could actually wield enough strength to withstand the Ultimate Destruction Missile. It was practically a cosmic miracle! He remembered Losa and Kiro's fates, and for the first time, fear took root in his heart. Will I be instantly killed by this little brat too, just like them? No, I can't die! I'm a Shadow General with 18,000 battle power, Lord Frieza's most capable subordinate! How can I lose to a mere infant?

Ximen Qing's gaze was firm, and he did not relax in the slightest. He continued pouring battle power into the Intermediate Ultimate Ki Blast without pause. The golden-silver beam kept erupting with power, firmly suppressing the Ultimate Destruction Missile. Cracks began to appear across the missile's black casing, growing more numerous and larger. Its core destruction energy started leaking out with piercing explosions, sending black energy fragments flying in every direction. But the instant they touched the golden-silver beam, they were annihilated.

Black's breathing grew rapid, and the shadow energy around him became violently turbulent. Yet it still could not conceal the fear and panic in his heart. He stared fixedly at the missile wrapped in the beam as it gradually shattered, filled with unwillingness and despair—everything he had meticulously planned, the Ultimate Destruction Missile he had been so proud of, was being destroyed by Ximen Qing just like that. Not only had he failed to avenge Losa and Kiro, failed to destroy Earth and kill Ximen Qing, but he might even die here! He could not possibly complete Lord Frieza's order. Even if he returned alive, the enraged Lord Frieza would surely tear him to pieces!

"Break for me!!!"

Ximen Qing roared again, unleashing all the battle power within him. The Intermediate Ultimate Ki Blast instantly soared to its peak, and the golden-silver beam abruptly expanded, completely engulfing the Ultimate Destruction Missile. With a thunderous BOOM, the Ultimate Destruction Missile—which could have blown apart the entire Earth—was crushed by the Intermediate Ultimate Ki Blast and exploded into fragments that filled the sky. Its core destruction energy was instantly devoured and dismantled by the beam, turning into wisps of black smoke that dissipated into the universe without leaving behind even the slightest threat!

Interception successful!

Black froze in midair, trembling uncontrollably. Extreme fear, unwillingness, and despair filled his eyes beneath the mask. His heart had gone ice-cold. None of his earlier caution or arrogance remained—only endless panic. The missile had been destroyed, and his greatest reliance was gone. Against Ximen Qing, who could easily destroy the Ultimate Destruction Missile, he had no chance of victory at all. Today, he truly might fall here!

Hearing the huge explosion, Grandpa Son Gohan slowly lowered his hands and looked up at the sky. When he saw the dazzling golden-silver beam disperse and the black missile turn into fragments, tears instantly welled in his eyes. He could not help shouting in joy, "He did it! Ximen Qing did it! We're safe!"

Ximen Qing hovered in midair, breathing slightly heavily. The golden-silver aura around him had weakened somewhat, and more than half of his 13,080 battle power had been expended. Yet his face was full of swagger and pride. He looked down at the panicked Black below, his voice soft and childish yet overwhelmingly domineering as it rang across heaven and earth. "So, Black? The Ultimate Destruction Missile you were so proud of was nothing but trash that I could destroy in one move! What right does someone with 18,000 battle power have to act arrogant in front of me?!"

Upon hearing Ximen Qing's mockery, the fear in Black's heart was instantly replaced by extreme rage. He abruptly raised his head, his eyes beneath the mask filled with killing intent and madness. Roaring, he sent the shadow energy around him surging to its limit. "Little brat, I'll kill you! Even without the Ultimate Destruction Missile, I'll use the power of shadows to tear you into ten thousand pieces and turn Earth into scorched wasteland! I will never lose to a tiny infant like you!"

But that rage could not conceal the fear in his heart. His body was still trembling slightly, and his aura became increasingly chaotic—he knew very well that even if he went all out, he might not be Ximen Qing's match. But he had no way out now. Either he killed Ximen Qing, or Ximen Qing instantly killed him. Even if there was only the faintest chance, he had to gamble everything on it!

"Shadow Frenzy Blades—Cleave!!!"

Black roared and hesitated no longer. His hands rapidly formed seals as the violent shadow energy around him gathered madly, instantly condensing into two enormous black blades dozens of meters long. Dense shadowy frost energy coiled around the blades, mixed with golden killing intent. They radiated a terrifying aura capable of tearing space apart. Each giant blade contained more than half of his battle power, enough to easily cleave through a mountain and instantly kill cosmic experts below 10,000 battle power!

His figure flashed as he charged toward Ximen Qing like a ghost, moving at an astonishing speed and leaving trails of black afterimages behind him. The shadow energy around him formed a black barrier that enveloped his body, capable of both defending him and increasing his attack speed. At this moment, all his previous caution had vanished, leaving only desperate madness—he intended to use the strange power of shadows to catch Ximen Qing off guard and kill him, reclaiming a sliver of hope for survival!

"Just what I wanted!" A sharp fighting spirit flashed through Ximen Qing's eyes. He showed no fear at all. Even though more than half his battle power had been consumed, he still possessed absolute confidence. "Perfect timing to see whether my Intermediate Super Saiyan Form can crush your shadow power!"

"Intermediate Super Saiyan Form—Activate!!!"

BZZZ—BOOM—!!!

A force far more violent than before exploded from every inch of Ximen Qing's flesh and every cell in his body! The previously faint golden-silver aura around him instantly surged, transforming into a brilliant golden pillar of light mixed with deep silver halos. His aura was condensed yet violent, shooting into the sky. His hair stood slightly on end, his gaze turned cold and sharp, and even the space around him trembled faintly beneath this aura!

The battle power within him rose wildly in an instant—13,080 → 23,544!

The Intermediate Super Saiyan Form had activated, directly increasing his battle power by 80%. Even after expending more than half of his strength, his battle power now still far surpassed Black's 18,000. The gap between them was immense, like heaven and earth! The instant his aura was unleashed, crushing pressure blasted toward Black, directly shattering the shadow barrier around him. Black's charge abruptly stalled, his body froze instinctively, and a pained expression appeared on his face.

The fear in Black's heart surged again, and his eyes beneath the mask were filled with disbelief—how was this possible?! He could still activate the Intermediate Super Saiyan Form? His battle power had instantly soared to 23,544?! The gap was simply too great! Even if he gave everything he had, he could never be a match for him! But now that things had come to this, he had no retreat left. He could only grit his teeth and continue charging forward!

"Die! Little brat!" Black roared, forcibly steadying himself. He swung both hands, and the two massive black shadow blades tore through space with shrieking howls as they slashed viciously at Ximen Qing from the left and right. Wherever the blades passed, space was forcibly carved open with two black rifts. The air itself was cut apart, releasing piercing sizzling sounds. A terrifying aura enveloped Ximen Qing, leaving him no chance to evade!

A swaggering smile curled across Ximen Qing's lips. Rather than dodge, he charged straight toward the massive shadow blades. He raised a hand, gathering a mass of golden-silver aura in his palm. It instantly formed a gigantic ki shield, dazzling halos swirling over its surface as it radiated the power to destroy heaven and earth. It was a ki shield empowered by the Intermediate Super Saiyan Form, enough to block the full-force attack of someone with 18,000 battle power!

CLANG—!!!

Two earthshaking impacts rang out at once as the shadow blades slammed fiercely into the ki shield. Golden sparks scattered everywhere, and the enormous impact spread wildly outward. Space shook violently, the black rifts grew ever wider, and the massive crater on the ground collapsed dozens more meters. Rubble was swept into the sky by the shockwave and ground into dust. Even Grandpa Son Gohan inside the cave felt the terrifying force. His entire body shook nonstop, but he continued staring at the sky, his heart filled with hope for Ximen Qing's victory.

Black's body jolted as intense pain shot through both hands. The webbing between his thumbs and forefingers instantly split open, blood dripping from his fingertips. The two shadow blades trembled, and the shadow energy across their surfaces began to destabilize. He pushed his battle power to the limit, trying to cleave through the ki shield, but its strength far exceeded his imagination. No matter how much force he used, he could not move it in the slightest. Instead, the shield's rebound force sent him staggering back again and again. The shadow energy in his body became increasingly chaotic, and his battle power began to drop slightly.

"Impossible! How is this possible?!" Black roared, the despair in his heart deepening. "How can my Shadow Frenzy Blades fail to break your ki shield?! You're just a tiny Saiyan infant! How can you possess such terrifying power?!"

At that moment, he completely broke down. From his initial arrogance and caution, to later panic and fear, and now madness and despair—he had never imagined that a Saiyan infant would push him this far. A Shadow General with 18,000 battle power could not even break an infant's ki shield. It was the greatest humiliation of his entire life!

Ximen Qing slowly withdrew the ki shield. The golden-silver aura around him remained violently turbulent as he stared sharply at Black. His voice was soft and childish, yet filled with overwhelming dominance. "Black, you're too weak! So what if you have 18,000 battle power? That's all there is to it! Shadow power? Before me, it's nothing but worthless trash!"

With that, Ximen Qing flashed forward, moving far faster than Black. He instantly appeared behind him, his tiny fist gathering dense golden-silver aura. Carrying power capable of destroying heaven and earth, he smashed it viciously toward Black's back—without any hesitation, he intended to instantly kill Black in one blow, claim the experience, and raise his battle power!

Black's expression changed drastically. Every hair on his body stood on end as he instinctively tried to turn and defend himself. But Ximen Qing was too fast. He had no time to react and could only force the remaining shadow energy in his body to form a black barrier across his back. Yet before Ximen Qing's fist, that barrier was as fragile as paper and offered no resistance at all!

BANG—!!!

With a loud crash, Ximen Qing's fist slammed heavily into Black's back. The black barrier shattered instantly, and the golden-silver power surged madly into Black's body, dismantling his core battle power and tearing apart his flesh. Black let out an incomparably miserable scream as he flew straight ahead like a kite with its string cut. He spat out a mouthful of black blood, and his mask shattered from the impact, revealing a hideous, twisted face—covered in wounds, with eyes full of despair and unwillingness. The shadow energy within him began rapidly dissipating, and his battle power plunged from 18,000 to 15,000, then 12,000...

"No—!!! I refuse to accept this! I'm Lord Frieza's most capable general! I can't lose to a little brat like you!" Black roared, doing everything he could to steady himself and draw upon his remaining battle power for a counterattack. But his core had already been destroyed by Ximen Qing's strength. No matter how hard he tried, he could not gather even a trace of shadow energy. He could only let his body plummet rapidly toward the ground!

Ximen Qing hovered in the air, his icy gaze fixed on the falling Black. A cocky smile rose on his lips. "Refuse to accept it? Too late! This is what happens when you provoke Ximen Qing and challenge Earth! Today, you will definitely die!"

With that, Ximen Qing raised his hand again, gathering golden-silver aura in his palm as he prepared to unleash the final blow and completely finish Black. Meanwhile, the members of the Ultimate Destruction Squad watched Black fall after suffering severe injuries, their faces full of terror and their bodies trembling nonstop. No one dared step forward to help. They could only stand frozen in place, completely at a loss—they knew perfectly well that they were no match for Ximen Qing. Going up would only mean throwing away their lives!

"Intermediate Ultimate Ki Blast—Finishing Strike!!!"

Ximen Qing roared, and the golden-silver aura gathered in his palm instantly surged, transforming into a condensed pillar of light more than ten meters in diameter. Without the slightest delay, it blasted viciously toward the falling Black, carrying pressure capable of destroying heaven and earth! This strike contained the remaining battle power he possessed in his Intermediate Super Saiyan Form. It was even sharper and more deadly than the blow that intercepted the missile, aimed directly at Black's core and giving him no chance to catch his breath!

Black's falling body suddenly stiffened. Despair washed over him like a tidal wave, utterly drowning him. He could clearly feel that lethal pressure, yet he did not even have the strength to raise a hand in defense. All he could do was watch helplessly as the golden-silver beam expanded before his eyes, leaving nothing in his heart but endless regret—regret that he had underestimated this Saiyan infant, regret for his own arrogance, and even more regret that he had failed to carry out Lord Frieza's orders, only to end up like this!

Boom—!!!

The beam slammed viciously into Black's body without the slightest resistance, instantly engulfing him. The intertwined golden and silver power tore through him madly, annihilating his flesh and core combat strength. Black let out one final, shrill scream, but it abruptly cut off as his body rapidly disintegrated and vanished within the beam. Even the remaining shadow energy around him was swallowed by the beam, ultimately turning into wisps of black smoke that dispersed between heaven and earth, leaving not even a trace of remains behind!

[Ding! Congratulations to host Ximen Qing for successfully killing Black, Shadow General under Frieza!]

[Target combat strength killed: 18000!]

[Experience gained: 180000 points!]

[Skill Fragment obtained: Shadow Power Fragment x1 (Collect 3 to unlock the skill: Shadow Defense)!]

[Combat Strength Boost obtained: Temporary combat strength +1000 (lasts 10 minutes)!]

[Current host combat strength: 23544 (temporary +1000 → 24544)!]

A string of system notifications rang out in Ximen Qing's mind. He raised an eyebrow, and the arrogance on his face grew even more pronounced—180,000 experience points and a Shadow Power Fragment were simply an unexpected windfall! With his combat strength temporarily soaring to 24544, dealing with the remaining Ultimate Destruction Squad would be effortless!

Inside the cave, Grandpa Son Gohan watched as Black was completely annihilated by the beam. Instantly, he leaped up from the corner and rushed to the cave entrance, cheering loudly toward Ximen Qing in the sky. "Ximen Qing! Well done! You're incredible! You actually killed Black in one hit!"

Ximen Qing lowered his head and waved at Grandpa Son Gohan at the cave entrance, his tone relaxed yet domineering. "Grandpa Gohan, don't worry. There are still a few minor lackeys to clean up. I'll be back soon!"

After saying that, he turned and fixed a sharp gaze on the Ultimate Destruction Squad members, who were still frozen in place nearby. His full combat strength of 24544 erupted without restraint. An overwhelming pressure instantly enveloped the five squad members, making their legs give out as they dropped to their knees in midair. Their entire bodies shook like sieves, all color drained from their faces, and even their breathing became cautious.

"L-Lord Ximen Qing! Spare us! Please spare us!" The squad captain, who had the highest combat strength at 10000, was the first to snap out of it. He hurriedly kowtowed and begged for mercy, his voice filled with utter terror. "We were only following orders! Lord Frieza forced us to come! We never wanted to kill you, and we never wanted to destroy Earth! Please, have mercy and spare our lives! We'll never dare do it again!"

The other four squad members also began kowtowing and pleading for mercy. Each of them was scared out of their wits. Where was the bearing of cosmic powerhouses now? Even Black had been killed in one strike. In front of Ximen Qing, these lackeys with combat strength below 10000 were not even worth comparing to ants. Resistance would only make their deaths more miserable!

A cold, mocking smile curled across Ximen Qing's lips, with not a shred of pity in his eyes. "Spare you? When Black was about to launch destruction missiles and blow Earth to pieces, why didn't you think of sparing Earth? When Black was about to kill me, why didn't you think of sparing me?"

"Anyone who provokes me, Ximen Qing, or harms the people I want to protect must pay the price! Today, none of you are leaving alive!"

As soon as the words fell, Ximen Qing flashed forward and instantly appeared before the five squad members. His tiny palm moved rapidly, firing five condensed streams of golden-silver energy at them. Every stream contained enough power to kill them instantly, without the slightest mercy!

"No—!!!"

The five squad members let out desperate howls. They tried to activate their combat strength to defend themselves, tried to detonate the miniature destruction bombs at their waists and take him down with them, but Ximen Qing was too fast, and the energy streams were too powerful. They had no time to react before the five golden-silver streams slammed into their bodies!

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Five thunderous explosions rang out in succession. The five Ultimate Destruction Squad members did not even have time to finish screaming before their bodies were instantly annihilated by the golden-silver energy, along with the miniature destruction bombs at their waists. Everything was completely destroyed, turning into fragments that scattered through the air, leaving behind not a single threat!

[Ding! Congratulations to host Ximen Qing for successfully killing an Ultimate Destruction Squad member x1!]

[Target combat strength killed: 10000! Experience gained: 100000 points!]

[Ding! Congratulations to host Ximen Qing for successfully killing an Ultimate Destruction Squad member x1!]

[Target combat strength killed: 9500! Experience gained: 95000 points!]

[Ding! Congratulations to host Ximen Qing for successfully killing an Ultimate Destruction Squad member x1!]

[Target combat strength killed: 9000! Experience gained: 90000 points!]

[Ding! Congratulations to host Ximen Qing for successfully killing an Ultimate Destruction Squad member x1!]

[Target combat strength killed: 8500! Experience gained: 85000 points!]

[Ding! Congratulations to host Ximen Qing for successfully killing an Ultimate Destruction Squad member x1!]

[Target combat strength killed: 8000! Experience gained: 80000 points!]

[Ding! Total experience gained: 550000 points!]

[Congratulations to host Ximen Qing, combat strength breakthrough! Current combat strength: 24544 (temporary) → 26000 (permanent)!]

[Congratulations to host Ximen Qing for unlocking a new skill: Ultimate Qi Burst (instantly detonates the energy around the body to form a wide-range impact, with power equal to 1.5 times the user's combat strength)!]

[Congratulations to host Ximen Qing for unlocking the advanced version of the Intermediate Super Saiyan Form: Intermediate Super Saiyan: Blazing Surge (temporarily increases combat strength by 100%)!]

System notifications rang out one after another as Ximen Qing's aura surged once more. The golden-silver flames around him became increasingly dense and refined, his permanent combat strength of 26000 flowing steadily through him. The power within his body grew ever stronger, and the smile at the corner of his mouth became even more arrogant—wiping out Black and the Ultimate Destruction Squad in one go had not only avenged the threat against them, but also sent his combat strength soaring and unlocked new skills. It felt incredible!

Hovering in midair, he waved a hand. The energy around him gently surged, clearing away all the remaining shadow energy and blast debris. The sky became clear and bright once more, and the tremors on the ground gradually subsided. Earth, which had been on the brink of destruction, returned to peace once again.

Ximen Qing lowered his head toward Grandpa Son Gohan at the cave entrance, then flashed down and landed before him. The golden-silver energy around his body slowly receded, restoring his usual soft and adorable appearance, though the sharpness and dominance in his eyes remained impossible to conceal.

"Grandpa Gohan, I'm back!" Ximen Qing said with a smile as he hugged Grandpa Son Gohan's leg, his voice full of pride. "See? I told you, taking them out would only take a few minutes. Not only did I kill Black, I cleared out his squad too. My combat strength even broke through to 26000, and I unlocked new skills!"

Grandpa Son Gohan quickly crouched down and held Ximen Qing tightly. His eyes were slightly red, his voice filled with relief and lingering fear. "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back! Ximen Qing, you're amazing. Grandpa is proud of you! From now on, we won't have to fear Frieza's people coming to bully us anymore!"

Ximen Qing patted Grandpa Son Gohan's back, smiling with arrogance and confidence. "Of course! As long as I'm here, I'll protect Grandpa Gohan and protect Earth! No matter who comes to provoke us, I'll kill them with one sword strike! Even if Frieza comes himself, I'll grind his face into the ground!"

Just then, Ximen Qing's Ultimate Ki Sense suddenly stirred, and his gaze sharpened slightly—he sensed a faint yet strange presence fleeing rapidly from the depths of space. That presence carried the energy fluctuations of a warship under Frieza's command. It was clearly the spacecraft Black had arrived in. Seeing Black and the entire squad wiped out, it had fled in panic, intending to return and report to Frieza!

A sharp killing intent flashed through Ximen Qing's eyes, and a cold smile appeared on his lips. "Trying to run? Not so easily! Since you came here, none of you are getting away! If Frieza dared send you here, then I'll make sure he learns what real fear is!"

After saying that, he gently pulled free from Grandpa Son Gohan's embrace, flashed forward, and shot into the sky again. His sharp eyes locked onto the depths of space, while the golden-silver energy around him became violent once more—he was going to chase down that fleeing spacecraft and eliminate the threat completely. At the same time, it was the perfect chance to test his new skills and see just how powerful 26000 combat strength truly was!

"Ximen Qing! Be careful!" Grandpa Son Gohan hurriedly waved and called out from the cave entrance, his voice full of concern. "Space is too dangerous. Don't chase too far!"

Ximen Qing turned back and flashed Grandpa Son Gohan a grin. His voice pierced through the clouds and reached Grandpa Son Gohan's ears clearly. "Don't worry, Grandpa Gohan. I'll be back soon. I won't keep you waiting long!"

With that, he no longer hesitated. The permanent combat strength of 26000 within him erupted at full force, and the golden-silver aura of his Intermediate Super Saiyan Form became even more condensed. His body transformed into a dazzling golden-silver bolt of lightning, instantly breaking through the atmosphere and speeding toward the depths of space! Empowered by 26000 combat strength, his speed was several times greater than before. Cosmic dust and drifting rocks along the way were instantly annihilated by the energy around him, while even space itself seemed to be carved with a faint afterimage in his wake!

His Ultimate Ki Sense spread at full power, instantly covering the surrounding space with a sensing range of 50000 meters. The fleeing small Frieza spacecraft appeared clearly in his mind—it had already escaped several hundred kilometers away and was racing at full speed toward Frieza's flagship. Every crew member aboard was frantic, desperately driving the ship's energy systems, terrified that Ximen Qing would catch them. They did not even dare turn their scanners back to check behind them.

"They really are fast. Too bad, no matter how fast you are, it's useless in front of me!" A cold sneer curled across Ximen Qing's lips as sharp killing intent flashed in his eyes. "Today, I'll make you disappear completely, so Frieza can understand that the consequences of provoking me are far more terrifying than he ever imagined!"

His figure flashed again, his speed soaring once more. In just a few seconds, he had closed in on the small warship. Golden-silver energy surged violently around him, and with a raise of his hand, he condensed a dense mass of intertwined golden and silver energy—he was going to test his newly unlocked skill, Ultimate Qi Burst!

"Ultimate Qi Burst—Activate!!!"

Ximen Qing roared, and the golden-silver energy in his palm instantly detonated. A terrifying impact far beyond his own combat power spread madly outward from his body! The 1.5x power of his 26,000 combat power erupted in an instant. Shockwaves carrying the force of 39,000 combat power swept forth like a tsunami, violently collapsing and annihilating the surrounding space, forming a vast torrent of chaotic energy. Even the orbits of distant planets were slightly disturbed!

The fleeing small warship was instantly engulfed by the terrifying shockwaves. Its outer defensive barrier shattered like paper, letting out a piercing crack. The hull rapidly split apart, while the energy core inside was viciously torn open by the shockwaves. Instruments exploded one after another, flames shot skyward, and thick smoke filled the void.

The crew aboard did not even have time to scream before they were instantly annihilated by the power of Ultimate Qi Burst. Along with the warship's wreckage, they were swallowed and torn apart by the energy torrent, ultimately turning into fragments that scattered into the depths of space without leaving the slightest trace behind—he had uprooted them completely, leaving Frieza no chance to receive word!

[ Ding! Congratulations to host Ximen Qing for successfully destroying one of Frieza's small warships! ]

[ Destroyed target: Frieza Small Reconnaissance Warship (carrying 10 crew members, all with combat power below 5,000)! ]

[ Experience gained: 50,000 points! ]

[ Item obtained: Frieza Warship Energy Core x1 (can be used to increase combat power; permanently increases combat power by 500 upon use)! ]

The system notification sounded again. Floating in space, Ximen Qing raised an eyebrow, the arrogance on his face growing even more pronounced. He had not expected destroying a small warship to yield an energy core. What an unexpected windfall! The power of Ultimate Qi Burst was also far stronger than he had imagined. A 39,000-combat-power impact was enough to instantly kill any enemy below 20,000 combat power. Even Frieza's mid-ranking generals might not be able to withstand it!

He raised his hand and grasped the warship energy core radiating black energy, feeling the dense power contained within it. The smile on his lips grew brighter. "Perfect. I'll use this energy core to raise my combat power again. The next time Frieza sends someone over, even a general with 25,000 combat power will be easy to kill in one blow!"

Just then, Ximen Qing's Ultimate Ki Sense suddenly stirred, and his eyes narrowed slightly—he sensed a terrifying presence several times stronger than Black's rapidly approaching from the depths of space. It carried an extreme chill and fury, and its oppressive aura was several times stronger than Black's 18,000 combat power. Clearly, Frieza had noticed the disturbance here and was utterly enraged!

"Oh? Frieza actually noticed?" A teasing smile flashed through Ximen Qing's eyes. Not only was he unafraid, but an even stronger fighting spirit ignited within him. "Perfect. I was planning to settle the score with him anyway, but he made a move first! Still, this aura alone isn't enough to make me wary!"

He could clearly sense that the furious aura was speeding toward Earth, though it was not moving particularly fast. Clearly, Frieza had not come personally. Most likely, he had sent a stronger general under his command to investigate the situation and avenge Black and the Ultimate Destruction Squad!

"No rush. I'll slowly absorb this energy core first, raise my combat power, then properly meet Frieza's new opponent!" Ximen Qing smiled. Without further hesitation, he placed the warship energy core in his mouth. It melted as soon as it entered, and a dense stream of energy instantly flooded into his body, circulating through his bloodline and into every cell of his body.

[ Ding! Congratulations to host Ximen Qing for using the Frieza Warship Energy Core! ]

[ Combat power permanently increased by 500! ]

[ Current host combat power: 26,000 → 26,500! ]

Once the energy was fully absorbed, the golden-silver energy around Ximen Qing surged again. His 26,500 combat power flowed steadily, the strength within his body becoming increasingly formidable. The aura of his Intermediate Super Saiyan Form also became more condensed and dazzling, making even the surrounding space tremble faintly beneath his presence!

He raised his head toward the direction from which the furious aura was coming, a cold and arrogant smile curling across his lips. "Frieza, no matter who you send, no matter how strong he is, I'll make sure he never returns! Once I've cleared out the small fry you sent, I'll personally lead my forces to flatten your flagship, grind you into the ground, and make you completely submit beneath my feet!"

After saying that, his figure flashed away without lingering, racing toward Earth—he needed to return to Grandpa Gohan's side first, reassure Grandpa Gohan, and prepare himself to welcome Frieza's next wave of enemies. While he was at it, he could test the power of another new skill, Intermediate Super Saiyan: Blazing Surge!

Deep in space, aboard Frieza's flagship, a cold and furious voice echoed throughout the entire vessel. "Trash! All of you are trash! Black had 18,000 combat power, and there was even an Ultimate Destruction Squad, yet you couldn't handle a single Saiyan infant! You were completely killed in one blow, and even the warship was destroyed!"

Frieza floated in the center of the flagship's grand hall, dense purple energy swirling around him. His gaze was cold enough to pierce bone, and his face was filled with fury and killing intent—through the flagship's energy detection, he had sensed the disappearance of Black and the Ultimate Destruction Squad's auras, as well as the fluctuations from the small warship's destruction. He was instantly consumed by rage!

"Please calm your anger, my king!" A purple-skinned general with combat power as high as 25,000 knelt on one knee, his tone respectful and fearful. "That Saiyan infant is likely far stronger than we imagined. Black was careless, which was why he met such an end! Please grant this subordinate one chance. I am willing to lead an elite squad to Earth, kill that Saiyan infant completely, destroy Earth, avenge Black and the Ultimate Destruction Squad, and demonstrate Your Majesty's authority!"

Frieza stared coldly at the general, the purple energy around him growing increasingly violent. His voice was filled with unquestionable killing intent. "Cooler, I'm giving you one last chance! If you still cannot deal with that Saiyan infant and fail to destroy Earth, then bring me your head! I don't care how strong he is. Even if his combat power exceeds 30,000, you will kill him!"

"Your subordinate obeys!" Cooler hurriedly kowtowed to accept the order, his voice full of respect, though a trace of gravity flashed in his eyes—he knew very well that a Saiyan infant capable of instantly killing Black, who had 18,000 combat power, was absolutely no simple opponent. But he had no choice. He could only head to Earth and face it head-on; otherwise, all that awaited him would be Frieza's wrath!