Peak Preparation! Frieza Arrives!

Dawn had barely broken, and the gloom among the deep mountains had yet to disperse. The biting cold wind still howled, but it had long since been torn apart by an even stronger, more violent aura—Ximen Qing was the first to open his eyes. The sharp killing intent in his gaze had not faded, while the golden-silver aura around him, like a waking ferocious beast, surged explosively. His permanent battle power of 35,000 erupted without reservation, sending even the loose stones on the ground flying into the air, where they shattered into dust.

Grandpa Gohan was jolted awake by that powerful aura. Rubbing his sleepy eyes, he looked at Ximen Qing, whose body was wreathed in violent energy and whose eyes burned with fighting spirit. His gaze was full of gratification, though a barely noticeable worry hid between his brows. He asked softly, "Ximen Qing, why are you up so early? Are you making the most of your time to prepare for battle?"

Ximen Qing nodded lightly. The golden-silver aura at his fingertips condensed into a small yet razor-sharp ki blade. As it spun, it tore through the air with a piercing hiss. His tone was resolute and carried unquestionable dominance. "Grandpa Gohan, Frieza's Ultimate Legion will flatten Earth in less than a day! I have to race against time and master the Advanced Super Saiyan Form and the Ultimate Annihilation Ki Cannon. I can't give them any chance to hurt you. Even the slightest risk is unacceptable!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Ximen Qing flashed away and instantly floated above the peak of the deep mountains. Looking down over the entire forest, he pushed his Advanced Ki Sense to its limit. Its sensing range broke through the 50,000-meter limit once more and stretched into the depths of space—this time, the aura of Frieza's Ultimate Legion was clear enough to almost touch. That sky-shrouding killing intent and pressure surged ever closer like a tidal wave. Even Earth's gravity was slightly disturbed by that immense aura, causing the mountain trees to sway wildly and rocks and soil to tumble down in streams.

[System Notice: Frieza's Ultimate Legion is continuously approaching. Current distance from Earth: 12 hours!]

[System Notice: Frieza's personal battle power confirmed: 52,000! Far exceeds the host's current battle power (35,000). After activating the Advanced Super Saiyan Form, battle power will be 42,000. A gap still remains. Please familiarize yourself with battle power control as soon as possible, or seek an opportunity for Power Amplification!]

The system notifications boomed through his mind. Not only did Ximen Qing feel no fear, but blazing fighting spirit ignited in his eyes. A supremely arrogant curve lifted at the corner of his mouth as he declared with wild certainty, "Just 52,000 battle power? Perfect! That saves me from finding it boring after I win! Today, I'll use 42,000 battle power to crush you, this so-called cosmic overlord, and show you the true terror of an Innate Saiyan!"

Before his words had even faded, Ximen Qing clenched his teeth. The Innate Saiyan bloodline within him boiled completely, and the golden-silver aura around his body suddenly surged. A dazzling two-colored radiance shot into the sky, dyeing the entire mountain range gold and silver—Advanced Super Saiyan Form, fully activated!

[System Notice: Host has activated Advanced Super Saiyan Form! Battle power increased by 120%. Current battle power: 35000×2.2u003d42000!]

[System Notice: Advanced Super Saiyan Form exclusive effects unlocked: Ki Lockdown (can lock onto enemy battle power and suppress the aura of enemies weaker than oneself), Annihilation Amplification (Ultimate Annihilation Ki Cannon power increased by another 30%, capable of tearing apart a medium-sized planet)!]

The instant the form activated, his formidable battle power of 42,000 erupted like a volcanic explosion. Overwhelming pressure swept through the entire mountain range, violently scattering even the clouds in the sky. Sunlight pierced the gloom and fell upon Ximen Qing. His hair stood completely upright, turning into dazzling gold and silver, while his eyes gleamed like blazing suns. Though his body was small, it radiated a mighty presence capable of shaking a planet. Even the mountain beneath his feet trembled under that pressure, splitting open with savage cracks.

"Ultimate Annihilation Ki Cannon—full release!"

Ximen Qing roared and raised both hands high. His 42,000 battle power surged madly into his palms as vast quantities of golden-silver ki gathered, instantly forming a gigantic pillar of light dozens of meters wide. A faint crimson aura coiled around its outer layer, radiating terrifying pressure capable of tearing space apart and destroying the heavens and earth. It was far more powerful than when he had practiced it in Chapter 17.

Bzzzt—Hiss—!!!

The pillar of light erupted with a deafening roar and blasted toward a ten-thousand-meter mountain in the distance. Wherever it passed, space itself was forcibly ripped open with tiny cracks. The air was scorched, distorted, and vaporized, while even light was swallowed by the beam. In just one second, it slammed viciously into the mountaintop. A world-shaking explosion echoed through heaven and earth as the entire mountain was instantly consumed. Its enormous body was gradually torn apart and vaporized within the golden-silver energy, leaving behind not even a trace of debris. All that remained was a massive, bottomless crater hundreds of meters wide. Its walls had been scorched black by the intense heat, releasing a pungent burnt smell. The forests within a hundred miles were leveled by the shockwave, while dust filled the sky and blotted out the sun.

At the foot of the mountain, Grandpa Gohan stared at the world-destroying scene in complete disbelief. His face was filled with shock, and even his breathing became hurried and heavy. He muttered, "Terrifying... Is this Ximen Qing's true strength? He can annihilate a ten-thousand-meter mountain with one strike. With power like this, even if Frieza himself came, he probably wouldn't be able to withstand it, would he?"

Ximen Qing floated in midair, breathing slightly heavily, the golden-silver flames around him still raging. He could clearly feel that his control over the Advanced Super Saiyan Form had become more proficient, and the power of the Ultimate Annihilation Ki Cannon had reached its current peak. Yet he did not relax. Golden-silver ki gathered at his fingertips again, and one small ki cannon after another shot toward the surrounding forests. Every blast carried formidable power, exploding massive craters wherever it struck the ground. He was frantically refining his control over his battle power, ensuring that there would not be the slightest mistake in his coming battle with Frieza.

At the same time, deep in space, Frieza's Ultimate Legion had already arrived outside Earth's atmosphere. The dark mass of warships stretched for tens of thousands of miles like clouds that blotted out the sky, shrouding the entire planet. Every warship radiated an aura capable of destroying heaven and earth. Their engines ran at full power, spewing overwhelming black flames. Wherever those flames passed, space trembled without end. Killing intent filled the cosmos, and the shadow of destruction completely enveloped Earth.

Frieza's flagship floated at the forefront of the fleet. Frieza still slumped on his cold metal throne, his expression terrifyingly grim. The black aura around him had grown denser and more violent, while the killing intent in his eyes had become so thick it seemed impossible to dissolve. Even the space around him was warped by that dreadful aura, splitting apart with savage cracks.

"Y-Your Majesty!" The adjutant cautiously stepped forward again, bowing with his head lowered. He did not even dare breathe too loudly. The reverence in his tone was stronger than before, and his voice carried a slight tremor as he respectfully reported, "Our forces have successfully arrived outside Earth's atmosphere. All warships have entered first-level combat readiness, and the soldiers are prepared to fight to the death. We can launch the full assault at any time, flatten Earth, tear that wretch Ximen Qing to pieces, and avenge the three fallen generals!"

Frieza slowly raised his eyes. His icy gaze passed through the warship's window and locked onto Earth below. A bone-chilling trace of malice flashed through his eyes. His voice was as cold as an ancient abyss, carrying unquestionable brutality and mockery. "What's the rush? Let that little thing who doesn't know his place jump around a while longer. Let him enjoy his final revelry before death. It'll be far more entertaining when I crush him with my own hands after he's had his fun."

Black ki quietly gathered at his fingertips. With a light flick, a strand of black energy containing terrifying destructive power instantly pierced through the warship's barrier and shot toward Earth's surface. Wherever it passed, space was forcibly torn open with savage cracks, and a massive hole was blasted through the atmosphere. Carrying world-destroying force, it raced straight toward the mountains where Ximen Qing stood. He wanted to test the Saiyan infant's true strength. He wanted to watch Ximen Qing struggle in fear, watch him resist with everything he had, and then personally grind him to ashes to vent the fury in his heart.

At the peak of the mountains, Ximen Qing instantly detected the powerful strand of black energy. The ki at his fingertips stirred slightly, and deep contempt flashed through his eyes. With a mocking smile, he said disdainfully and arrogantly, "Frieza, is that all you've got? You actually dare test me with such a pathetic trick? You're overestimating yourself. How ridiculous!"

As his words fell, Ximen Qing flashed forward and instantly positioned himself in the path of the incoming energy. With a wave of his hand, the golden-silver ki in his palm condensed into a sturdy ki shield. Dazzling light swirled across its surface, radiating powerful defensive force.

Boom—!!!

The black energy struck the ki shield viciously, and another earth-shaking explosion rang out. The shield shook violently, with fine cracks appearing across its surface, but they were quickly repaired by Ximen Qing's battle power. The black energy was forcibly blocked outside the shield and gradually devoured by its energy, eventually vanishing into ash without leaving a single trace behind.

Ximen Qing raised his hand lightly, and the ki shield instantly dispersed. Golden-silver ki rippled faintly at his fingertips as his icy, domineering voice pierced through the air like thunder, charging toward Frieza's flagship deep in space and resounding through heaven and earth. "Frieza! Get out here! Stop hiding in that broken warship of yours like a turtle! If you've got the guts, come down and fight me head-on! Today, I'll show you exactly how terrifying the consequences of provoking me are! I'll tear you to pieces with my own hands, flatten your Ultimate Legion, and make the entire universe submit beneath my feet! Let every force in existence know who the true cosmic overlord is!"

In space, Frieza's face instantly darkened further when he heard Ximen Qing's arrogant words. The black aura around him erupted to its limit, crushing the metal floor around his throne into powder and scattering fragments everywhere. The entire flagship shook violently, as if it would fall apart the next second.

"Good! What an utterly arrogant little thing!" Frieza trembled with rage. His cold, piercing roar carried extreme fury and overwhelming killing intent, shaking the entire fleet and sending ripples through the surrounding space. "Since you're so desperate to die, I'll grant your wish! I'll tear your mouth apart with my own hands, crush your bones, and make you pay the most agonizing price for your arrogance!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Frieza flashed away and vanished from his throne. In the next instant, he appeared outside Earth's atmosphere. The black aura around him burned madly like the fires of hell as his formidable battle power of 52,000 burst forth without reservation. Overwhelming pressure descended upon Earth's surface like Mount Tai crushing down from above, instantly covering the entire planet. Even the rocks in the deep mountains were crushed to pieces beneath that pressure. Grandpa Gohan's body stiffened, his face turning pale as breathing became difficult.

Frieza floated in midair, his cold gaze locked onto Ximen Qing atop the mountain like a venomous snake. His face was filled with sinister killing intent and disdain, and the brutality in his tone nearly overflowed. Every word dripped with venom. "Ximen Qing, I'm here! Today, I'll grind you to ashes and tear you into countless pieces with my own hands! I'll use your blood to honor the souls of my three fallen generals! I'll burn Earth to the ground, slaughter every living thing on it, seize the Innate Saiyan bloodline in your body, and make sure you can never be reborn! I'll let everyone know that the consequence of provoking Frieza is to leave behind not even bones!"

As Ximen Qing looked at Frieza floating in the air, the fighting spirit in his eyes instantly boiled to its peak. The golden-silver flames around him surged again as his battle power of 42,000 erupted without reservation, forcibly withstanding Frieza's overwhelming pressure. He slightly raised his head, his gaze as sharp as a blade as it met Frieza's. His tone was arrogant to the extreme, every word ringing with force. "Frieza, stop spouting nonsense! Today, either you die or I do! Watch how I use the Ultimate Annihilation Ki Cannon to blast apart this so-called cosmic overlord, flatten your Ultimate Legion, and leave you without even a place to be buried!"

As his words fell, Ximen Qing raised both hands once more. The battle power within him surged madly as vast quantities of golden-silver ki gathered. The Ultimate Annihilation Ki Cannon formed again. This time, the pillar of light was even more violent and dazzling than before, reaching dozens of meters in diameter and radiating terrifying pressure capable of tearing apart the universe and destroying heaven and earth. Even Frieza could not help furrowing his brow, and an almost imperceptible trace of surprise flashed through his eyes—he had not expected Ximen Qing's strength to truly reach such a level.

Frieza snorted coldly, and the surprise in his eyes was instantly replaced by overwhelming killing intent. He raised a hand and condensed a pitch-black energy storm, within which churned power capable of destroying heaven and earth. It was even somewhat stronger than Ximen Qing's Ultimate Annihilation Ki Cannon. His tone was sinister and biting, filled with disdain. "Little thing, you do have some ability. You've exceeded my expectations. But it's still nowhere near enough! Today, I'll let you see the true power of a cosmic overlord, so you can die knowing exactly what you faced!"

On one side stood an Innate Saiyan infant making his final preparations at peak condition; on the other stood a cosmic overlord's furious counterattack. The two world-destroying auras collided in midair, forcibly tearing apart the air and making space tremble violently. The aura of destruction blanketed the entire Earth. An ultimate battle capable of rewriting the cosmic order and determining Earth's survival was on the verge of erupting!

Ximen Qing's gaze sharpened as he clenched his teeth. The Ultimate Annihilation Ki Cannon in his palm had condensed to its peak, its golden-silver pillar of light brilliantly dazzling as it radiated terrifying pressure capable of tearing apart the universe. He locked onto Frieza, a resolute and arrogant smile curling across his lips as he roared inwardly—Today, I will kill Frieza, flatten the Ultimate Legion, and protect Grandpa Gohan and this planet with everything I have. From this day onward, I will begin my path as the cosmic overlord, Ximen Qing. No one can stop me!