Tracing the Source! The Dark Sovereign in the Depths of the Universe

Golden-red light still shrouded the space around Earth. The aura of peace had yet to spread throughout the universe, yet the golden-red flames around Ximen Qing had already tightened. The gentleness in his eyes had been replaced by gravity as his fingertips carefully sensed that fleeting, strange aura. It was far too well-hidden, far too powerful—several times more bizarre than Mosha. Even that faint trace of fluctuation filled him with an unprecedented sense of pressure. This was no ordinary force in the universe, and certainly not something a petty clown like Mosha could compare to.

Grandpa Gohan, Nappa, and Gray Shadow also noticed Ximen Qing's abnormality. Their celebratory expressions instantly vanished, and their auras tightened once more. Nappa stepped forward and dropped to one knee, his tone resolute. "My lord, has that strange aura appeared again? I am willing to lead the Saiyan elites with you into the depths of the universe's edge to investigate its source. Even if we have to dig three feet into the ground, we must uncover the hidden danger behind it. We cannot allow it any chance to threaten you or Earth!"

Gray Shadow hurriedly bowed as well, volunteering himself in a determined voice. "My lord, I am familiar with the terrain at the edge of the universe, and I can better distinguish the traces left by all kinds of strange auras. I am willing to accompany you, defend your safety with my life, and assist you in investigating this danger. No matter how powerful the enemy may be, I will never retreat!"

Grandpa Gohan nodded gently, his eyes solemn yet firm. "Ximen Qing, that aura is far too strange and powerful. If we leave it alone, it will surely become a grave threat in the future. We should go together, so we can look out for one another. Even if we encounter danger, we can fight side by side. We cannot let you face such a threat alone."

Ximen Qing slowly closed his eyes, his fingertips still tracking that faint fluctuation of aura. A moment later, he abruptly opened them. The heaviness in his eyes had been replaced by sharp fighting intent, and an incomparably arrogant smile curved his lips. "Good! Since it dares hide its tracks right under my nose and covet everything I possess, then I will personally head into the depths of the universe's edge, trace it to its source, drag it out with my own hands, crush it completely, and eradicate this final hidden danger once and for all!"

He paused, then looked at the three of them with unquestionable authority in his voice. "Grandpa Gohan, stay on Earth and protect our home. At the same time, soothe all the forces that have submitted to us and prevent anyone from taking advantage of this chance to cause trouble. Nappa, Gray Shadow, you will come with me. Remember, do not act rashly on this trip. The enemy is too powerful. We need to learn the details first, then crush them!"

"Yes, my lord!" Nappa and Gray Shadow replied in unison, their faces full of determination and fervor. To follow Ximen Qing in investigating this ultimate threat and personally defeat a powerful enemy was both an honor and a trial for them. They would never betray Ximen Qing's trust and instructions.

Grandpa Gohan nodded gently, his voice full of concern. "Alright, I'll remain on Earth. You must be careful. Ximen Qing, if you encounter danger you cannot handle, do not force yourself. Come back immediately, and we'll think of a way together. I'll wait for your safe return!"

"Don't worry, Grandpa Gohan." Ximen Qing smiled faintly, a trace of warmth flashing through his eyes. Then the golden-red flames around him surged explosively, and his power level of 100000 erupted without reservation. With a flash, he transformed into a golden-red bolt of lightning and shot toward the depths of the universe's edge. He was so fast that even space itself was forcibly torn apart, leaving behind a dazzling trail of light.

Nappa and Gray Shadow immediately flashed after him, their auras taut as they remained vigilant toward every movement around them. Their eyes were fixed firmly on Ximen Qing's figure ahead, not daring to relax in the slightest. The depths of the universe's edge were even more dangerous than they had imagined. Twisted space and violent energy were everywhere; a single misstep could result in being torn apart by space and reduced to ash.

The three sped onward, racing toward the depths of the universe's edge. Ximen Qing's fingertips remained locked onto that strange aura fluctuation. The aura waxed and waned, yet it continued extending toward the deepest part of the universe's edge, as though deliberately guiding them forward—or perhaps lurking in the dark, waiting for them to walk into its trap.

"My lord, this aura is getting stronger and stranger. It feels like the other side is guiding us forward. Could this be a trap?" Gray Shadow asked quietly, his eyes full of caution. He could clearly feel the surrounding air growing colder and more oppressive. Amid the violent energy was a dense dark aura, even stranger and more terrifying than Mosha's.

Nappa's expression was equally grim. His Saiyan aura flared slightly as he warily scanned their surroundings. "My lord, Gray Shadow is right. The depths of the universe's edge are too strange. Twisted space is everywhere, and that aura is far too hidden. If the enemy has laid a trap, charging ahead recklessly may put us in danger."

Ximen Qing gave a scornful laugh, not slowing down in the slightest. The fighting spirit in his eyes burned ever more fiercely. "So what if it is a trap? Even if it is an inescapable net, even if the enemy is deliberately leading us on, I'll break through it anyway! With my current strength, with the power of my Golden-Red Super Saiyan Ultimate Form, no matter how many traps they set or how powerful they are, they are only seeking their own destruction. Today, I will trace this to the root, uncover the threat behind it, and crush it completely!"

The instant he finished speaking, the golden-red flames around Ximen Qing surged again. The pressure of his 100000 power level burst forth without restraint, and his crushing presence scattered all the violent energy and twisted space around them. That strange aura also became increasingly clear, guiding them at high speed toward a dark region in the deepest part of the universe's edge.

A short while later, the three arrived at that dark region. The sight before them made Nappa and Gray Shadow's expressions change drastically. This area was completely black, without the slightest trace of light or aura. There was only dark energy so dense it had reached the extreme, flowing silently like stagnant water. The space around them was twisted to the utmost degree, and mixed within the violent energy was a suffocating pressure—several times stronger than the pressure Mosha emitted at full power.

Ximen Qing's eyes narrowed, and the golden-red flames around him tensed slightly as his 100000 power level circulated steadily. The strange aura his fingertips had tracked was coming from the center of this dark region. It was powerful to the extreme and bizarre to the extreme. Even from such a great distance, it gave him an intense sense of pressure. He was certain that the center of this dark region was where the hidden threat was lurking.

"My lord, this region is too strange. Should we test it first before pushing forward recklessly?" Gray Shadow asked in a low voice, a hint of apprehension in his tone. In all his life, he had never seen such a strange region, nor had he ever felt such terrifying pressure. He could vaguely sense that the center of this area concealed a force capable of destroying the entire universe.

Ximen Qing shook his head lightly, an arrogant smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. "There is no need to test anything! Since we're here, there is no reason to retreat. No matter who the enemy is, no matter how powerful they are, I will drag them out myself and crush them completely!"

The moment he finished speaking, Ximen Qing flashed forward and instantly turned into a golden-red bolt of lightning, racing toward the center of the dark region. Nappa and Gray Shadow hurried after him, their auras raised to the limit and ready for battle at any moment. Their eyes swept vigilantly over their surroundings, afraid that something unexpected might happen.

The closer they drew to the center of the dark region, the denser that powerful, strange aura became, and the stronger the suffocating pressure grew. Nappa and Gray Shadow gradually began to struggle. Their bodies trembled slightly, and their auras became disordered. Even with all their strength, they could barely withstand that overwhelming pressure.

"Nappa, Gray Shadow, stay here. Do not advance any further." Ximen Qing stopped and turned to look at them, his voice carrying authority. "The center of this region is too dangerous. That pressure is not something you can withstand. Stay here and keep watch. If anything unusual happens, send a signal immediately. I'll be back soon!"

"My lord, no!" Nappa hurriedly said, his tone firm. "I am willing to go with you. Even if I have to give everything I have, I will protect your safety. I cannot let you face such danger alone!"

Gray Shadow quickly echoed him, his voice resolute. "My lord, I am willing to go with you as well. Even if I am crushed to pieces, I will not retreat. We cannot let you face this unknown threat alone!"

Ximen Qing's eyes turned cold, and his voice became impossibly commanding. "Obey orders! Staying here and keeping watch is the greatest help you can give me. If you rush ahead recklessly, you will not only be unable to help me—you will become a burden. Do you understand?"

Nappa and Gray Shadow exchanged a glance, their hearts filled with reluctance. Yet they knew Ximen Qing was right. The center of this region was too dangerous; if they advanced recklessly, they would only become a burden. They could only drop to one knee and respond together, "We obey! Please take care of yourself, my lord. We will hold our positions, remain on guard, and await your return!"

Ximen Qing nodded in satisfaction and said no more. With a flash, he turned into a golden-red bolt of lightning and sped toward the center of the dark region. Golden-red flames blazed around him as his 100000 power level erupted without reservation, forcibly resisting that terrifying pressure while rapidly closing in on the source of the strange aura.

A moment later, Ximen Qing reached the center of the dark region, and the sight before him made him pause in surprise. On a massive black platform stood a figure in silence, wrapped in dense dark energy. Its aura was overwhelmingly powerful, several times stronger than Mosha's, and its power level had reached the terrifying height of 130000—far beyond Ximen Qing's 100000!

The figure wore a black robe covered in dark patterns, radiating a cold, evil aura. Its face was blurred, making its features impossible to discern. Only a pair of pitch-black eyes could be seen. There was no emotion in those eyes, only icy deathly stillness and the desire for destruction. Dark energy flowed around it like a tide, silently consuming all in its path until the fabric of space itself was corroded into nothingness.

Beside it floated a black crystal. A dense, strange aura emanated from within the crystal—it was the source of the aura Ximen Qing had tracked all this way. Mixed within it were destructive energy and dark power, and faintly visible inside were the wails of countless living beings, a sight that chilled the soul.

"You finally came, Ximen Qing." The figure slowly spoke, its voice cold and hoarse, devoid of any emotion. Like a whisper from hell, it echoed through the entire dark region. "I have been waiting for you for a very long time."

Ximen Qing's eyes narrowed. The golden-red flames around him surged instantly as his 100000 power level erupted without restraint. His crushing presence bore down viciously on the figure, while his voice was cold and sharp, full of disdain and mockery. "Who are you? Were you the one who kept hiding in the shadows, coveting my Royal Bloodline? Were you the one releasing that strange aura and becoming the universe's final hidden threat?"

The figure sneered as the dark energy around it surged explosively. Its 130000 power level erupted without restraint, and its crushing pressure instantly suppressed Ximen Qing's golden-red aura completely. Its tone was full of scorn and ridicule. "Coveting your Royal Bloodline? You are far too naive! A mere Saiyan Royal Bloodline is no more than an ant in my eyes. The reason I waited for you, the reason I lured you here, is simply because your Innate Saiyan bloodline can perfectly fuse with my dark power. It can make me stronger. It can allow me to completely control the entire universe and destroy all living beings!"

It paused, then slowly revealed its identity in a cold, decisive voice. "I am the Dark Sovereign, Dark Abyss! I have ruled the dark region of the universe for hundreds of thousands of years. Mosha was nothing more than one of my pawns. I sent him to Earth to provoke you and test your strength, all for today—to lure you here, absorb your Innate Saiyan bloodline, absorb your energy, and then destroy you, destroy Earth, destroy the entire universe, and become the universe's one and only Dark Sovereign!"

"The Dark Sovereign? Dark Abyss?" Ximen Qing sneered, the fighting intent in his eyes blazing even hotter. The golden-red flames around him surged once more. Even under the suppression of the other's pressure, he showed no sign of retreating. "So Mosha was merely one of your pawns. So you were behind all of this! But you are too arrogant. You think that with a power level of only 130000 and this dark power, you can absorb my bloodline and destroy the whole universe? Today, I will show you that the dignity of the universe's overlord cannot be challenged by anyone. I, Ximen Qing, am no pawn for you to manipulate!"

"Arrogant! You truly do not know the height of heaven or the depth of earth!" Dark Abyss roared, the killing intent in his eyes growing ever thicker. The dark energy around him condensed instantly, forming an enormous mass of dark force in his palm. Filled with destructive energy and dark power, it carried the terrifying might of 130000 power level as it blasted viciously toward Ximen Qing's chest. "Dark World-Ending Cannon—Full Power! Die, brat! Today, I will absorb your bloodline, drain your energy, and make sure you can never be reborn. The entire universe will fall into endless darkness!"

The dark force roared like hell itself, carrying a presence that crushed everything as it sped toward Ximen Qing. Wherever it passed, space was completely corroded into nothingness. The dense dark power attempted to invade Ximen Qing's aura, rob him of his strength, and turn him into a puppet of darkness.

Facing Dark Abyss's full-power strike, Ximen Qing showed not the slightest fear. Instead, blazing fighting intent ignited in his eyes, and the smile on his lips grew even more arrogant. "Excellent! A power level of 130000 is finally enough to make me go all out! Today, I'll show you the true power of the Golden-Red Super Saiyan Ultimate Form. I'll show you what unmatched strength is, and what the true dignity of the universe's overlord means!"

The moment he finished speaking, Ximen Qing let out a furious roar. The golden-red flames around him underwent another strange transformation. Amid the gold and red appeared a faint purple glow. The three colors intertwined, forming a dazzling tricolored aura. His power level began to rise rapidly—105000, 110000, 115000, 120000! In only a brief moment, it soared to 120000. Though it was still below Dark Abyss's 130000, the gap between them was no longer great!

[System Notification: The host's Innate Saiyan bloodline and Royal Bloodline have resonated perfectly. Upon encountering extreme danger, the Royal Bloodline Ultimate Burst Form has been temporarily unlocked. Power level increased by 20%. Current power level: 120000!]

[System Notification: Royal ultimate skill unlocked: Tricolor World-Ending Cannon. Its power is equivalent to a full-power strike at 140000 power level!]

[System Notification: Royal Bloodline passive unlocked: Dark Immunity (immune to the corrosion of all dark power; can absorb a small amount of dark power and convert it into the host's own energy)!]

The system notifications boomed. The tricolored flames around Ximen Qing grew increasingly dense, his hair turning gold, red, and purple, while his eyes became brilliant with the same three colors. From his small body erupted a powerful force capable of shaking the entire dark region. The pressure of his 120000 power level instantly broke through Dark Abyss's suppression and bore down viciously upon him.

"What?!" Dark Abyss's expression changed drastically, his eyes filled with unbelievable shock. He had never expected Ximen Qing to temporarily increase his power in such a desperate situation, much less soar all the way to 120000 and unlock a new form and skill. Panic and unwillingness filled his voice. "That's impossible! How could this happen? You clearly only had a power level of 100000. How could you erupt at the brink of death and rise to 120000? This is absolutely impossible!"

"There are many more impossible things to come!" Ximen Qing sneered. With a flash, he transformed into a tricolored bolt of lightning and raced toward Dark Abyss. Dense tricolored force gathered in his palm, shining brilliantly with the terrifying power of 140000. It was his royal ultimate skill—Tricolor World-Ending Cannon. He fired it viciously at Dark Abyss's dark force, his voice cold and decisive. "Tricolor World-Ending Cannon—Full Power! Break! Today, I will kill you, eradicate this final hidden danger, and ensure that the entire universe will never again suffer the invasion of dark power!"

The tricolored force and dark force collided violently at the center of the dark region without any buffer between them. The terrifying energy unleashed at the point of impact instantly swept in every direction. The pitch-black region was illuminated by tricolored light, twisted space was torn apart completely, and countless black holes expanded wildly before vanishing in an instant. The shockwave spread through the universe like a tsunami. Even Nappa and Gray Shadow, far away at the edge of the dark region, were struck hard by the shockwave and sent flying backward uncontrollably, blood spilling from the corners of their mouths.

Ximen Qing and Dark Abyss were both thrown backward at the same time before stabilizing themselves. The tricolored flames around Ximen Qing flickered slightly, and his aura weakened a little. Unleashing his ultimate skill at full power with a power level of 120000 had drained him greatly. Yet his gaze remained sharp, his fighting spirit remained undiminished, and the arrogant smile still rested on his lips.

As for Dark Abyss, the dark energy around him instantly dispersed by several degrees, and his aura became utterly chaotic. The shock and unwillingness in his eyes deepened further. He had never expected Ximen Qing's ultimate skill to be so powerful. His full-power strike at 130000 had actually been forcibly suppressed. The tricolored force tore through his dark force like bamboo, and its remaining power continued to press viciously toward him. He could clearly feel the energy of the tricolored force corroding his body and steadily weakening him.

"No! I refuse to accept this!" Dark Abyss howled, his voice shrill and crazed. The dark energy around him surged again as he tried to burn his own dark origin to raise his power level. "I am the Dark Sovereign! I have ruled this dark region for hundreds of thousands of years! How could I lose to an immature brat like you? I refuse to accept this! Even if we perish together today, I will drag you down with me! I will destroy your bloodline, destroy Earth, destroy the whole universe, and plunge the entire universe into endless darkness!"

"Perish together? You think you deserve that?" Ximen Qing's voice was cold and devoid of the slightest pity. The tricolored flames around him surged once again. With a subtle movement of his fingers, the power of the Tricolor World-Ending Cannon rose further. The tricolored force expanded several times over in an instant, completely devouring Dark Abyss's dark force before continuing to blast viciously toward his body. "Today, I will erase you completely. I will show you the true power of the universe's overlord and what an unmatched powerhouse truly is! I will make you understand that before me, your dark power is nothing but worthless trash!"

Dark Abyss's face turned as pale as paper, his entire body trembling slightly, the fear in his eyes reaching its peak. He wanted to dodge, but discovered that his body had been firmly locked down by the pressure of the Tricolor World-Ending Cannon. He could not move even half a step and could only watch helplessly as the tricolored energy blasted toward him. He desperately gathered the last trace of dark origin within his body, trying to make one final stand, but it was futile.

At the edge of the Dark Void, Nappa and Gray Shadow watched the terrifying energy erupt from the central region and Ximen Qing's tricolored figure, their faces filled with fervor and awe. They shouted in unison, their voices echoing throughout the entire Dark Void: "Mighty, my lord! Long live, my lord! Congratulations, my lord, for crushing the Dark Sovereign and completely eliminating the hidden danger!"

The tricolored energy, carrying the terrifying might of 140,000 combat power, struck Dark Abyss's body fiercely. Dark Abyss let out an utterly miserable scream, his body flying backward into the depths of the Dark Void like a kite with its string cut. The dark energy around him vanished instantly. His 130,000 combat power dissipated in an instant, and his body was gradually torn apart and annihilated within the tricolored energy, leaving behind neither a scrap of remains nor a trace of aura. Only that pitch-black crystal floated slowly in midair, gradually growing dim after losing the support of its dark power.

One move! Just one move! Dark Abyss, the Dark Sovereign with 130,000 combat power, was easily suppressed and blasted to death by Ximen Qing's Tricolor World-Ending Cannon. It had been a complete one-sided crushing victory, achieved without the slightest effort. Even when Dark Abyss tried to burn his dark origin to counterattack, he had not been given the slightest opportunity!

Ximen Qing floated at the center of the Dark Void as the tricolored aura around him gradually receded. His combat power fell back to his permanent combat power of 100,000, and his aura stabilized. With a flash, he instantly appeared before the pitch-black crystal. At a pull of his fingertip, the crystal landed in his palm. The dark power within it was instantly absorbed and converted by the royal bloodline in his body, becoming his own energy. He could clearly feel that his combat power had become even more stable, while his control over the royal bloodline had reached a new height.

[System Notification: Congratulations, Host, for killing Dark Abyss, the Dark Sovereign (combat power 130,000), completely eliminating the universe's ultimate hidden danger, and completing the ultimate main quest: Unify the Universe, Protect Our Home!]

[System Notification: Host has received the reward: Permanent Combat Power +20,000. Current Permanent Combat Power: 120,000!]

[System Notification: Host has successfully absorbed the dark power within the Dark Crystal and converted it into personal energy. Control over the royal bloodline has been maxed out, unlocking the ultimate perfected form of Golden-Red Super Saiyan!]

[System Notification: Host has unified the universe. All universal forces have completely submitted. Universe Sovereign Authority unlocked: Can control all energy in the universe, freely mobilize the power of all submitted forces, and is immune to all universal damage!]

The system notifications rang out one after another as beams of golden reward light enveloped Ximen Qing, warm yet powerful. His body underwent another earth-shaking transformation. The golden-red aura around him became increasingly dense and pure, and the ultimate perfected form of Golden-Red Super Saiyan was completely unlocked. His permanent combat power of 120,000 flowed slowly through his body like a surging river, his aura becoming powerful beyond measure—enough to shake the entire universe, enough to control the entire universe!

A proud yet gentle smile curled across Ximen Qing's lips as he looked in Earth's direction, his tone resolute and domineering. "Grandpa Gohan, Nappa, Gray Shadow, the hidden danger has been completely eliminated. From this day onward, there will be no more threats and no more hidden dangers in the entire universe. I, Ximen Qing, am the universe's one and only sovereign, the unmatched strongest!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Ximen Qing flashed and instantly transformed into a streak of golden-red lightning, speeding toward the edge of the Dark Void. Nappa and Gray Shadow hurried forward, dropping to one knee with faces full of fervor and reverence as they shouted together, "Congratulations, my lord, for killing the Dark Sovereign, completely eliminating the ultimate hidden danger, and becoming the universe's sole sovereign! Mighty is my lord! Long live, long live, long live my lord!"

Ximen Qing raised a hand lightly, signaling for them to rise. His tone was calm, yet carried unquestionable authority. "Get up. The hidden danger has been completely eliminated. We're going home! Back to Earth, back to our homeland. Tell every living being in the universe, tell every force that has submitted: from this day onward, the universe shall know peace, and our homeland shall know tranquility. I, Ximen Qing, will forever protect this universe, protect our homeland, and protect every person by my side!"

"Yes, my lord!" Nappa and Gray Shadow answered in unison, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation.

The three figures turned into three streaks of light and sped toward Earth. The golden-red radiance illuminated the pitch-black universe, dispersing all dark power. The dawn of peace completely enveloped the entire universe. Ximen Qing's figure floated within the cosmos like a god—upright and majestic. His name would forever be etched into every corner of the universe and forever engraved in the hearts of every living being within it—Ximen Qing, the universe's sole sovereign, the unmatched strongest, the eternal guardian!

On Earth, Grandpa Gohan stood quietly at the edge of the atmosphere, his gaze fixed on the depths of space, his heart filled with anticipation. When he saw three streaks of light speeding toward Earth and recognized that familiar golden-red figure, a gratified smile instantly appeared on his face. He knew that Ximen Qing had succeeded. He had completely eliminated the ultimate hidden danger and returned safely. From this day onward, Earth would face no more threats, and the entire universe would harbor no more hidden dangers. Their era of peace had finally arrived!