The Purge Ends! Rebuilding Homes, Secretly Investigating Hidden Dangers

The instant the golden-red energy pierced the Shadow Guardian's heart, the entire battlefield of the Big Dipper Star System fell into a brief dead silence. Seeing this, the remaining dark remnants completely lost the courage to resist. Some fell to their knees and begged for mercy, while others tried to break through the encirclement and flee. Yet every one of them was subdued and slain by the elite warriors led by Nappa. Not a single one was left alive.

Ximen Qing slowly withdrew the golden-red energy from his fingertips. His gaze swept across the battlefield's heaps of rubble and the corpses of the dark remnants, and the killing intent in his eyes gradually receded, leaving only deep solemnity. Gray Shadow hurried forward and dropped to one knee as he reported, "My lord, all dark remnants on the battlefield have been eliminated. None survived. In addition, I have dispatched men to the other two attacked frontier star systems to assist the local forces in clearing out the remaining remnants. Victorious reports should arrive soon."

"Mm." Ximen Qing gave a slight nod. His tone was calm, yet carried unquestionable authority. "Pass down the order. Once the cleanup is complete, thoroughly search every corner of all three star systems, especially concealed caves and abandoned strongholds. Make certain that no dark remnants have been overlooked and no hidden sources of dark energy remain. We cannot leave behind any future trouble."

"As you command!" Gray Shadow rose in response and immediately turned to relay the order. A dark shadow flickered around him, displaying his efficiency and loyalty. Nappa also led the elite warriors in withdrawing their power, forming neat ranks before bowing to Ximen Qing. "My lord, all prisoners have been executed, and the battlefield has been accounted for. Our elite warriors suffered only minor casualties in this battle. More than three thousand seven hundred dark remnants were slain, and over a hundred shadow energy crystals were seized."

Ximen Qing paid little attention to the results. His gaze fell upon the Big Dipper Star System clansmen still huddled in a corner not far away, and his voice softened somewhat. "Leave some warriors behind to assist the Big Dipper Star System's people with the aftermath and treat the wounded. The rest will follow Gray Shadow and investigate any hidden dangers."

"Understood!" Nappa responded at once and immediately assigned the warriors. One group stayed behind to assist the clansmen, while the other quickly followed Gray Shadow to begin a comprehensive search for hidden threats. Ximen Qing walked slowly toward the surviving clansmen. When they saw him approach, they all rose and fell to their knees, their eyes filled with gratitude and reverence. Not one dared show the slightest disrespect.

"Rise." Ximen Qing lifted a hand. Gentle golden-red energy spread out once more, enveloping the clansmen and soothing the injuries of those who had not yet fully recovered. "Handle the aftermath properly and let the wounded recuperate well. As for rebuilding your homes, I will honor my promise. I will not let you become displaced wanderers."

The leading elder of the Big Dipper Star System still had reddened eyes as he bowed deeply. "Thank you for your compassion, Sovereign. With your word, we have the confidence to rebuild our home. But this catastrophe has devastated our people. Few of our young and able-bodied remain, so the road to reconstruction will likely be extremely difficult."

At those words, Ximen Qing condensed a lustrous golden-red crystal at his fingertips and handed it to the elder. "This is a Sovereign Crystal. It contains abundant cosmic energy. It can both accelerate the recovery of the wounded and stabilize the star system's energy barrier against outside threats. Furthermore, I have already ordered the nearby submissive forces to send manpower and supplies to help you rebuild. The cosmic crystals and rare spirit medicines you require will also be delivered in succession."

The elder received the Sovereign Crystal with both hands, trembling as he kowtowed deeply. "Thank you, Sovereign! Thank you for your grace! All people of the Big Dipper Star System swear to serve you unto death, to forever protect the peace of the universe, and never disappoint your kindness and protection!"

"There is no need for this." Ximen Qing slowly shook his head, and a measure of authority returned to his voice. "Protecting you is my responsibility as the Sovereign of the Universe. But remember this: if you discover any unusual aura in the future, even the faintest trace of shadow energy, report it immediately through the Sovereign's Token. Do not deal with it on your own, lest you suffer another calamity."

"We will remember your teachings, my lord!" all the clansmen answered in unison, their voices firm. The despair in their eyes had long since been replaced by hope—they knew that, under the protection of this Sovereign of the Universe, their homeland would eventually flourish again, and their people would once more live peaceful lives.

After comforting the Big Dipper Star System's clansmen, Ximen Qing slowly rose into the air and looked toward the depths of the universe, his eyes once again filled with gravity. At the moment he had killed the Shadow Guardian, his nose had twitched slightly, catching a faint and icy aura. It did not belong to the Shadow Guardian. It was chilling to an almost uncanny degree, yet the instant the Shadow Guardian died, it had vanished like a ghost, leaving behind not even the slightest trace, as though it had merely been his imagination.

A strand of golden-red energy coiled around his fingertip as he slowly probed the surrounding space, but found nothing. "Was it an illusion?" Ximen Qing muttered, his brow slightly furrowed. "Dark Abyss has operated for hundreds of thousands of years. How could its foundation be so shallow? The Shadow Guardian's counterattack was too hasty, and too fragile."

At that moment, Gray Shadow hurried over, his face bearing a faint but noticeable solemnity rather than confusion. He bowed and reported, "My lord, I have finished searching the main regions of the Big Dipper Star System. No hidden dark remnants or energy sources were found. However, we found this in an abandoned stronghold at the edge of the system." As he spoke, he took out a palm-sized black token, deliberately keeping his fingertips away from its patterns. "It is pitch-black all over, and its markings are strange. It does not belong to Dark Abyss or the Shadow Guardian's faction, but it is entwined with an extremely concealed, icy energy. When touched, it gives off a piercing chill."

A cold gleam flashed through Ximen Qing's eyes, and his voice instantly turned frigid. "Let me see it."

Gray Shadow immediately presented the token, keeping his fingertips a slight distance from it at all times. When Ximen Qing took it, an icy chill spread from his fingertips. Even with golden-red flames protecting his body, he could not fully conceal that strange coldness. He injected a thread of golden-red energy to examine it, but the moment that energy touched the token's patterns, an invisible force rebounded it. A faint strand of icy energy even followed the golden-red energy, attempting to bore into his body—this was absolutely not the backlash of ordinary shadow energy.

Ximen Qing's fingers tightened, and golden-red energy instantly suppressed the icy force. The gravity in his eyes deepened, while a cold curve lifted at the corner of his mouth. "This thing is not something the Shadow Guardian could have controlled. There may be an unknown existence hidden behind Dark Abyss. The Shadow Guardian's counterattack may have been nothing more than a smokescreen." He did not explicitly mention a stronger dark force, leaving only an obscure implication. His fingers rubbed over the strange patterns as he tried to find some clue, but gained nothing.

Gray Shadow's heart tightened, and he immediately bowed. "My lord, I am willing to lead the elite warriors at once and follow the token's energy fluctuations to investigate the hidden dark force behind it. We will root them out completely and eliminate them once and for all!"

"No need to rush." Ximen Qing slowly clenched the black token in his hand, its shadow energy firmly suppressed by the golden-red energy surrounding him. "This force is hidden deeply and is exceptionally cunning. If we investigate recklessly, we may not find their trail. Instead, we could alert them, allowing them to prepare in advance or even strike other star systems again."

He paused, and his tone became steady and deliberate. "Keep this token safe for now. Secretly send people to study its patterns and investigate the source of its energy. Also, issue orders to every submissive force in the universe. They are to remain on high alert, especially in the frontier star systems, and increase their patrols. If they discover a similar black token or an unusual shadow aura, they must report it immediately. Nothing is to be concealed."

"As you command!" Gray Shadow immediately accepted the token and carefully put it away. His expression was solemn. He too realized that this matter was likely far more complicated than they had imagined, and that the concealed danger was far more terrifying than the Shadow Guardian's counterattack.

At that moment, Nappa also hurried over, delight on his face. "My lord, good news! The dark remnants in the other two frontier star systems have all been cleared out. The initial threat inspections have also been completed, and no abnormalities were found. Personnel and supplies from the neighboring forces have also begun arriving at the Big Dipper Star System. Reconstruction work has officially begun."

Ximen Qing nodded slightly and looked once more over the ruins of the Big Dipper Star System, a trace of expectation flashing in his eyes. "Rebuilding a homeland cannot be done in a day. Tell the people of the Big Dipper Star System not to rush for results. Let them rebuild in peace. If they encounter any difficulties, they may report them to me through the Sovereign's Token. Also, have those two frontier star systems carry out reconstruction according to the same standards as the Big Dipper Star System. Treat the wounded and handle the aftermath. I will send support in succession."

"Understood!" Nappa replied, his face full of admiration. This Sovereign of the Universe possessed not only overwhelming strength capable of crushing all opposition, but also the gentle responsibility of caring for his people. No wonder all the forces of the universe sincerely submitted to him, and no wonder he had become the guardian protecting the entire universe.

As the sun set, golden afterglow spilled over the ruins of the Big Dipper Star System, dispelling some of the bloodshed and chill while illuminating hope for rebuilding their home. The surviving clansmen worked together to clear the rubble and build temporary shelters, while the elite warriors assisted nearby. The battlefield, once deathly silent, gradually regained signs of life.

Ximen Qing hovered in midair, his gaze sweeping over everything before him. On one side were the busy figures of clansmen rebuilding their homes; on the other were the resolute warriors searching for threats and guarding the peace. There was warmth in his eyes, but also an unshakable gravity. He tightened his grip on the black token in his hand, and that icy chill still faintly lingered. The Shadow Guardian's destruction was only the beginning. This token and that strange aura concealed a secret even he could not easily see through—a sharp sword hanging over the peace of the entire universe.

"No matter where in the universe you are hiding, no matter how powerful or cunning you may be," Ximen Qing murmured. The golden-red flames around him rippled slightly, carrying inviolable majesty. "As long as you dare disturb the peace of the universe again, as long as you dare harm my people again, I will pay any price to drag you out, crush you completely, and eliminate all future trouble!"

Gray Shadow and Nappa stood quietly behind Ximen Qing, their gazes firm. They knew that an even more difficult challenge might soon arrive. But they feared nothing. So long as they followed Ximen Qing, so long as they worked together, there would be no threat they could not resolve and no peace they could not protect.

Night fell once more, and faint lights lit up within the temporary shelters of the Big Dipper Star System. They were lights of hope, lights of peace. Ximen Qing withdrew the flames around his body and, together with Gray Shadow and Nappa, slowly flew toward Earth. He needed to return and tell Grandpa Gohan about the black token, while also making every possible preparation to face the unknown challenges ahead—to protect this universe he had guarded with his life, and to protect all his people.