Return to Earth! Ancient Secrets, Altar Mysteries

Golden-red streaks of light tore across the skies of the Western Pole Star System as Ximen Qing, with Gray Shadow beside him, sped toward Earth through the thinning mist. The two black tokens in his arms were still faintly hot. Even though they had been tightly sealed by golden-red energy, that strange, chilling aura continued to seep faintly through the seal. The black light woven between the two tokens flickered in and out, accompanied by exceedingly faint ancient whispers, like ghosts lurking in the darkness and silently watching everything.

Gray Shadow followed close beside Ximen Qing. Most of the shadows around his body had already receded, and while the burns on his fingertips had not fully healed, they no longer posed any serious problem. He stared gravely at the tokens in Ximen Qing's arms, his voice carrying both doubt and wariness. "My lord, the energy fluctuations from those two tokens are far too strange. Especially those whispers that emerge when they resonate—they do not seem like anything mortal. I fear they are inextricably linked to that mysterious 'It.'"

Ximen Qing nodded slightly, unconsciously tightening his palm as he clearly felt the faint tremors coming from the tokens. His eyes were heavy with gloom. "These two tokens are no ordinary keys. They carry the secrets of an entire ancient dark faction. The high-ranking shadow's dying warning was no lie. The day the Dark Altar awakens will be the day of a cosmic catastrophe. We must prepare in advance."

At the mention of the high-ranking shadow, a chill flashed through Gray Shadow's eyes, followed by greater certainty. "Fortunately, my lord acted in time and killed him completely. Otherwise, if he had been allowed to control the spread of that black mist, countless star systems would have been reduced to ruins. But I do not understand—why did that ancient dark faction choose to revive at this time? And why were the people of the Western Pole Star System their first target?"

"This is likely connected to the tokens' resonance," Ximen Qing said slowly, speculation in his tone. "The location of the Western Pole Star System may correspond in some way to the location of the Dark Altar. And the energy within its people may be usable by the shadows to accelerate the altar's awakening. Once we return to Earth and find Grandpa Gohan, we should be able to uncover the answer by combining the clues in the ancient texts."

In the void, Nappa could vaguely be seen leading elite warriors in their work. They were helping the surviving people of the Western Pole Star System clear the ruins and treat the wounded. Tired yet upright figures moved through the scorched land, carrying an unyielding vitality. Ximen Qing swept his gaze over them, and a trace of warmth flashed in his eyes. Then the golden-red aura around him surged, and his speed increased once more. In the depths of the distant universe, Earth's outline was gradually becoming clear.

About two hours later, two golden-red streaks of light quietly descended upon Earth, landing in the mountain forest where Son Gohan lived in seclusion. Unlike the scorched devastation of the Western Pole Star System, the vegetation here was lush and the spiritual energy abundant. Mountain mist drifted through the woods, birdsong and insect cries intermingling in a tranquil, peaceful scene. It stood in sharp contrast to the battlefield they had just left, as though they had entered an entirely different world.

The moment they landed, an aged yet powerful figure slowly emerged from the forest. It was Son Gohan. He wore a plain Daoist robe, his hair white with age, yet he remained vigorous and alert. His eyes carried the depth of someone who saw through all things. When his gaze settled on the faintly glowing tokens in Ximen Qing's arms, his expression immediately turned grave, and he quickened his pace. "Qing'er, you're back. Judging by the tokens' fluctuations, the crisis in the Western Pole Star System has been resolved?"

Ximen Qing bowed slightly, his tone respectful yet steady. "Thank you for your concern, Grandpa Gohan. The shadows in the Western Pole Star System have all been eliminated, and I have killed the high-ranking shadow as well. But this matter is far more complicated than we imagined." As he spoke, he slowly took the two black tokens from his arms and handed them to Son Gohan. "This is the second token we seized from the high-ranking shadow. When the two tokens are placed together, they generate a powerful resonance and reveal the outline of the Dark Altar."

Son Gohan carefully accepted the tokens. The instant his fingertips touched them, a bone-chilling energy invaded him. He instinctively activated his own energy to resist it, and his expression grew even more solemn. The two tokens slowly pressed together in his palm. Black light suddenly flared as their patterns fit together perfectly, faintly revealing the outline of an ancient and bizarre altar. At the center of the altar, a blurry figure flickered in and out of sight, radiating a terrifying pressure. The faint ancient whispers also became clearer.

"They truly are the keys to the Dark Altar!" Son Gohan's expression changed slightly. He quickly handed the tokens back to Ximen Qing, shock and gravity in his voice. "I saw records of them in the ancient texts. These two tokens are called the Dark Twinborn Tokens. They are the only keys that can open the ancient Dark Altar. And within that altar is sealed a Dark Sovereign who has slept for countless ages—the 'It' mentioned by the high-ranking shadow."

"The Dark Sovereign?" Ximen Qing and Gray Shadow cried out at the same time, their eyes filled with disbelief. Ximen Qing frowned deeply and pressed on, "Grandpa Gohan, what else do the ancient texts say? What exactly is this Dark Sovereign? Why was he sealed inside the altar?"

Son Gohan slowly raised his hand, signaling for the two to follow him inside. As they walked, he spoke in a measured voice. "This matter dates back countless ages. At that time, war raged throughout the universe. The Dark Sovereign led the dark faction in slaughtering living beings and invading star systems, seeking to seize control of the entire universe. Later, several ancient cosmic powerhouses joined forces. Only after immense hardship did they defeat the Dark Sovereign and seal him within the Dark Altar. They then used the Dark Twinborn Tokens to lock the altar and prevent his awakening."

Once inside, Son Gohan turned and retrieved a yellowed ancient book. Its cover bore the marks of countless years, etched with strange patterns and exuding a faint ancient aura. He gently opened it and pointed to a passage on one of the pages, his voice low. "Look. The ancient text says the Dark Sovereign's strength is unfathomable, far beyond any powerhouse of the present era. Even after being sealed for countless ages and losing some of his power, once he awakens, he can still easily destroy the entire universe. Every countless ages, the universe's energy field experiences a fluctuation, weakening the seal in turn. This may be why the dark faction chose this moment to revive."

Ximen Qing stepped closer and looked down at the records. Besides descriptions of the Dark Sovereign and the Dark Altar, he saw several blurred lines of text. He could just barely make out words such as "Western Pole Star System," "energy node," and "sacrifice." His heart stirred, and he instantly understood. "Grandpa Gohan, does that mean the Western Pole Star System is one of the Dark Altar's energy nodes? The high-ranking shadow attacked it to seize the people's energy, damage the seal, and accelerate the Dark Sovereign's awakening?"

"That's right." Son Gohan nodded slightly, his expression even more grave. "The location of the Western Pole Star System happens to correspond to one of the Dark Altar's energy nodes. The energy within its people is pure and abundant, making them the ideal sacrifice for the dark faction to strengthen itself and weaken the seal. Fortunately, you arrived in time and stopped them. Otherwise, once the energy node had been destroyed, the seal would have weakened drastically, and the Dark Sovereign might have awakened ahead of time."

Standing to one side, Gray Shadow's expression grew increasingly solemn. He could not help asking, "Grandpa Gohan, what should we do now? The two tokens are already in our hands. If we keep them safe and prevent the dark faction from taking them, can we stop the Dark Altar from opening?"

Son Gohan slowly shook his head, concern flashing through his eyes. "It is not that simple. The dark faction has operated for countless ages. The high-ranking shadow was certainly not their only powerhouse, and they must have many hidden contingencies. Once they learn that the Twinborn Tokens are in our hands, they will surely come to seize them at any cost. Moreover, the ancient text states that opening the Dark Altar requires not only the Twinborn Tokens, but also the power of three energy nodes. The Western Pole Star System is merely one of them. The other two energy nodes have yet to be found, and we have no way of knowing whether the dark faction has already begun secretly harvesting their energy."

Ximen Qing clenched the tokens again, and a faint golden-red aura rose around him. Determination flashed through his eyes. "No matter how difficult it is, we must stop them. Grandpa Gohan, please search the ancient texts carefully again. See whether there are records of the other two energy nodes, and whether there is a way to break the Dark Altar and eliminate the Dark Sovereign completely. I will have Gray Shadow and Nappa strengthen patrols across the star systems and watch for the dark faction's movements. The moment we find anything unusual, we will act immediately."

"Very well." Son Gohan nodded and placed the ancient book on the table, his tone calm. "I will examine the ancient texts as quickly as possible and search for clues. But Qing'er, you must remember that the dark faction has many powerful experts. Do not act recklessly. Think carefully before doing anything. Protecting yourself and those around you is the most important thing."

"I understand." Ximen Qing bowed in response, the determination in his eyes undiminished. Gray Shadow hurriedly added, "Please rest assured, Grandpa Gohan. I will protect my lord with my life, assist him in patrolling the star systems, and wipe out every trace of the dark faction. I will never allow the Dark Sovereign a chance to awaken!"

Son Gohan nodded faintly, his gaze falling once more on the two tokens. A complicated look passed through his eyes. "These Twinborn Tokens are both the keys that lock the altar and the root of this crisis. Qing'er, you must keep them safe. Seal them tightly with your own energy and do not allow their energy to leak. Otherwise, once the dark faction senses them, they will immediately come to seize them."

Ximen Qing nodded and carefully tucked the tokens back into his arms, reinforcing the seal once more with golden-red energy to ensure that not a single trace leaked out. But at that moment, the tokens in his arms suddenly began to thrash violently. Black light flickered madly, and the ancient whispers became distinctly audible. An immense, distant, chilling aura swept in from the depths of the universe, as if answering the tokens' call—or openly provoking them.

"Not good!" Son Gohan's face changed drastically. "A powerful expert from the dark faction has sensed the energy fluctuations of the Twinborn Tokens! They're already here!"

Ximen Qing's gaze sharpened. The golden-red aura around him exploded in an instant, and the pressure of his 120000 permanent combat power spread without restraint, enveloping the entire mountain forest. Killing intent surged in his eyes. "Perfect timing! Since they have come to us on their own, I'll wipe them out completely and eliminate all future trouble! Gray Shadow, come out and meet them with me!"

"Yes, my lord!" Gray Shadow answered in a deep voice. The shadows around him instantly tensed, and with a flash, he followed behind Ximen Qing as they raced out of the forest.

Son Gohan stood inside the house, looking toward the forest beyond, his eyes filled with concern but also certainty. He swiftly opened the ancient text, his fingertips moving rapidly across its pages as he silently prayed, I must find the clues quickly. I must stop the Dark Sovereign from awakening and protect the peace of this universe...

Beyond the forest, the void had already twisted into ripples. A chilling energy far beyond that of the high-ranking shadow swept in like a monstrous tide. Countless shadows burst from the warped void. At their head stood a tall figure in black robes, black mist churning around him. His aura was powerful and strange, and his eyes were fixed tightly on the tokens in Ximen Qing's arms. A sinister grin curved across his lips as he spoke in a cold, arrogant voice. "Ximen Qing, hand over the Dark Twinborn Tokens. Perhaps I will spare your life. Otherwise, today, I will turn this Earth into a scorched wasteland!"

The golden-red aura around Ximen Qing blazed like the sun. His gaze was sharp as a blade as he stared down the black-robed figure, his voice icy and filled with killing intent. "You think you are worthy of coveting the Twinborn Tokens? Today, I will bury every one of you dark remnants on this Earth, so you will never again be able to harm the living beings of the universe!"

Before his words had even faded, Ximen Qing moved. His golden-red form shot through the air like thunder, charging fiercely at the black-robed man. Gray Shadow followed close behind, his body hidden among the countless shadows like an invisible blade, striking precisely at the surrounding low-ranking shadows. A new battle had begun. This time, they faced a dark powerhouse several times stronger than the high-ranking shadow—a life-or-death struggle for Earth's safety and the peace of the universe had officially begun...

Ximen Qing's eyes narrowed. The golden-red aura around him suddenly surged and condensed, while a dazzling golden-red radiance gathered in his palm. Without hesitation, he activated his exclusive killing technique, Sovereign Heaven-Burning Fist—a strike forged from the fusion of the Cosmic Sovereign's power and his own origin energy. The force of his fist carried the scorching pressure to burn all things to ash, along with the absolute dominance of 120000 permanent combat power, as it crashed toward the black-robed powerhouse's face. The golden-red fist force ripped through the air with an ear-splitting roar. The mountain mist was blown apart instantly, while the black mist around the black-robed powerhouse melted like snow beneath fire. Even the void twisted with fine cracks. The bluestone beneath their feet cracked under the searing heat, gravel rolling down in streams, while the branches and leaves of the surrounding ancient trees instantly blackened and fell. Ximen Qing had thought this blow would severely wound his opponent, but the black-robed powerhouse showed no fear. His sinister smile only deepened as the black mist around him suddenly expanded threefold, condensing into an ink-black long blade. Chilling energy surged wildly across the blade, carrying a destructive malice as it forcibly intercepted Ximen Qing's full-power blow.

"Bang—!" Golden-red energy and chilling black mist collided violently. The earth-shaking explosion sent the forest trembling on the verge of collapse. Towering ancient trees snapped with thunderous cracks, branches flew in all directions, and shattered rocks rained down, punching pits of varying depths into the ground. The shockwave produced by the intertwined forces swept outward. The underbrush was instantly leveled, and the surrounding low-ranking shadows were thrown away and burned. Even Gray Shadow was forced to retreat, temporarily halting his ambushes. Ximen Qing felt a piercing chill spread through his palm. His arm went slightly numb, and the shockwave forced him back three steps, shattering the bluestone beneath his feet. Surprise flickered in his eyes—the black-robed powerhouse was even stronger than expected, already infinitely close to his own 120000 permanent combat power.

"You have some skill. No wonder you could kill my subordinate." The black-robed powerhouse slowly withdrew his blade. The black mist around him churned even more violently, and his aura rose with it. His cold tone carried a trace of approval, but far more arrogance. "Unfortunately, that little bit of skill is not enough! Today, I'll show you the true strength of a Dark Elder!"

Before his words were finished, the black-robed powerhouse vanished in a flash, teleporting behind Ximen Qing like a ghost. His ink-black blade carried a piercing wind as it slashed straight for Ximen Qing's back. He was several times faster than the high-ranking shadow, leaving behind not even a trace of an afterimage. Wherever he passed, the weeds on the ground were instantly frozen into icy fragments by the chilling aura, then shattered apart. Ximen Qing's senses stirred, and he instantly detected the deadly danger behind him. He immediately twisted aside to evade, while golden-red energy erupted around him as he activated his defensive technique, Crimson Flame Light Shield—a solid, crystal-like golden-red shield instantly formed behind him, glowing with scorching radiance. The shield not only contained a faint cleansing power from the tokens, but was infused with Ximen Qing's Sovereign pressure. It could withstand powerful physical attacks and actively burn away invading chilling energy. "Screech—!" The black blade struck the shield fiercely. The piercing scrape made their eardrums ache, and a fine crack instantly appeared on the shield's surface. Chilling energy surged through the crack, but the burning effect of the Crimson Flame Light Shield, along with the golden-red energy churning within Ximen Qing, instantly melted it away without leaving even a trace. The residual heat from the shield scorched a ring into the ground.

Before Ximen Qing could steady himself and counterattack, the black-robed powerhouse launched a relentless barrage. The blade in his hand swept at high speed, sending countless ink-black energy blades tearing through the air. Each one carried a bone-chilling aura and was sharp enough to rip through space with ease. They flooded toward Ximen Qing, sealing off every route of escape. As the energy blades passed over the ground, they carved bottomless trenches, white frost forming within them. Ancient trees caught in their path were severed at the waist, their broken surfaces black as ink. Ximen Qing's eyes sharpened as his golden-red aura climbed once more. Energy gathered madly in his palm, and he unleashed the wide-area killing technique, Golden-Red Wildfire Slash. A broad golden-red band of light, vast as a river of stars and blazing with heaven-burning heat, formed in an instant. Carrying the force to sweep away all things, it slashed fiercely across the oncoming black energy blades. The golden-red light band collided violently with the blades, explosions ringing out one after another. Wherever it passed, it not only shattered every energy blade and cleared the remaining black mist, but also melted the frost across the ground. The once-lush vegetation was devoured by the battle, leaving behind only scorched and shattered earth.

Amid the fierce battle, Ximen Qing gradually discerned the black-robed powerhouse's methods. His opponent excelled at controlling black mist and energy blades, possessed terrifying speed and formidable defense, and wielded chilling energy so corrosive that it could gradually erode Ximen Qing's golden-red energy. Yet his weakness was equally obvious: he relied too heavily on the enhancement of black mist. Once the mist was dispersed, his combat strength would drop sharply. Having identified that weakness, a cold curve appeared at the corner of Ximen Qing's mouth. He stopped defending passively and launched his counterattack.

Having uncovered his opponent's weakness, Ximen Qing held nothing back. His golden-red aura blazed like the sun as his 120000 permanent combat power erupted completely without reservation. The void around him warped under the scorching energy, the air filled with a pungent burnt smell, and the ground beneath his feet split open, wisps of white smoke rising from the cracks. A massive golden-red energy sphere condensed in his palm as he activated his ultimate killing technique, Sovereign Evil-Shattering Blast. Fine token patterns wrapped around the sphere, fusing golden-red Sovereign power with cleansing effects. The moment it took shape, it burned away the surrounding black mist, and cleansing power swept through the area. Distant mountains trembled under its energy fluctuations as broken stones rolled down their slopes. "Break!" Ximen Qing roared, hurling the Sovereign Evil-Shattering Blast at the black-robed powerhouse. As it flew, the energy sphere continuously devoured light and positive energy, growing ever larger and more terrifying. It seared a clear trail through the void and pressed a deep trench into the ground below. The black-robed powerhouse's face changed drastically. He hurriedly gathered all his chilling energy into a thick shield of black mist, using every ounce of strength to withstand the deadly attack.

"Boom—!" The golden-red energy sphere slammed fiercely into the black mist shield. The earth-shaking blast resounded throughout the forest. Dense cracks instantly covered the shield, while the chilling black mist melted and evaporated like boiling water. The black-robed powerhouse was hurled backward again and again by the shockwave. Each step crushed the stones beneath his feet, and rings of ripples spread across the ground. A thread of black blood—the essence blood of a dark powerhouse—spilled from his mouth. The moment it fell, it corroded a tiny black hole into the earth. His aura became chaotic, but he still did not collapse. Ruthlessness flashed through his eyes as he bit the tip of his tongue and spat out a mouthful of essence blood. The black mist around him instantly expanded severalfold, and the shield, which had been on the verge of shattering, became solid once more. The temperature plummeted, and a thick layer of ice formed across the ground. At the same time, strange black light flared from his long blade as he charged Ximen Qing again, clearly intending to risk everything in a desperate counterattack.

Ximen Qing showed no fear in the face of the desperate assault. The killing intent in his eyes only deepened. With a flash, he activated the teleportation technique, Crimson Flame Flash—a skill that fused the ultimate explosive force of golden-red energy with the power of cosmic space. It was far faster than the black-robed powerhouse's ghostly movement technique. In an instant, Ximen Qing appeared before his opponent, leaving behind only a searing trail of light as the surrounding ice melted and evaporated. Immediately after, golden-red energy condensed in his palm into a blazing light blade, Evil-Burning Light Blade. Flames leaped along its edge. It possessed a cleansing effect against darkness and was sharp enough to cleave through any defense. Even the air near it burned and warped with a crackling sound. With a flick of his wrist, Ximen Qing sent the Evil-Burning Light Blade slicing through the air. It cut through the black mist shield as easily as tofu and slashed fiercely into the black-robed powerhouse's shoulder. "Screech—!" The light blade instantly tore through his shoulder. Golden-red energy and cleansing power surged into his body like a flood. The black-robed powerhouse let out a shrill scream and staggered backward. Black essence blood dripped onto the ground, corroding one small pit after another. The black mist around the wound was completely dissolved, his aura weakened further, and he stood on the brink of defeat. The ice around them melted away as well, leaving nothing but scorched and ruined earth.

"Impossible! How could I lose to you?!" The black-robed powerhouse's eyes nearly split apart, filled with unwillingness and fury. He tried to gather energy for another counterattack, but the chilling energy inside him was firmly suppressed by the golden-red energy, leaving him unable to mobilize it at all. Ximen Qing slowly stepped forward. The golden-red aura around him still blazed brightly, and his gaze was sharp as a blade as he fixed it on the black-robed powerhouse. His voice was icy to the bone. "You lost, dark remnant. Today is the day you die!"

Gray Shadow had already finished clearing the surrounding low-ranking shadows. With a flash, he arrived beside Ximen Qing, watching the black-robed powerhouse vigilantly to prevent a last-ditch attack. "My lord, be careful of his tricks!" Ximen Qing nodded slightly. Golden-red energy gathered again in his palm as he prepared to deliver the fatal blow. But at that moment, an eerie smile suddenly appeared on the black-robed powerhouse's lips. Madness flashed through his eyes as he abruptly raised his one remaining uninjured arm and condensed a thread of ink-black essence blood at his fingertip, jabbing it fiercely toward the void.

"Hahaha... Ximen Qing, do you think defeating me means you have defeated the dark faction? How naive!" The black-robed powerhouse's voice was hoarse and crazed. Though his aura was on the verge of dispersing, it still carried an unsettling chill. "I am Dark Elder Mo Yuan. Though I die today, I can use my own essence blood as a guide to ignite the Dark Sacrifice Art and send the coordinates to Lord Sovereign—the location of the Twinborn Tokens, as well as you, this meddlesome Cosmic Sovereign. Lord Sovereign will personally settle the score with you soon!"

Before his words had faded, the essence blood at his fingertip suddenly exploded, transforming into a jet-black pillar of light. It pierced through the forest canopy and stabbed into the sky, instantly penetrating the warped void before vanishing into the depths of the universe. The moment the light pillar dissipated, the two Dark Twinborn Tokens in Ximen Qing's arms began to thrash violently. Black light surged wildly, and the ancient whispers became shrill and grating. That distant, powerful chilling aura became several times denser than before, as if it were rapidly approaching.

"Not good! He's sending a signal!" Ximen Qing's expression changed drastically. He immediately fired the golden-red energy in his palm straight at the black-robed powerhouse's brow, but he was already too late—the sacrifice art had been completed. The black-robed powerhouse's body began to melt away rapidly, transforming into strands of chilling black mist. His final mad roar echoed through the devastated forest. "Just wait... Lord Sovereign is about to awaken. The entire universe will become the domain of darkness, and all of you will become Lord Sovereign's sacrifices!"

The black mist completely dissipated, leaving behind only a pungent chilling smell and the stench of burning. A few drops of black essence blood that had not fully evaporated continued to corrode the scorched earth, leaving behind tiny black holes. The golden-red energy in Ximen Qing's palm slowly faded. He frowned deeply and looked down at the restless Twinborn Tokens in his arms, his eyes full of gravity. He could clearly sense that the chilling aura from the depths of the universe was approaching at a terrifying speed. It was several times more powerful than Mo Yuan, and even carried faint pressure capable of crushing his 120000 permanent combat power.

Gray Shadow's expression grew more solemn as well. He looked toward the place where the black-robed powerhouse had dissolved, worry in his voice. "My lord, was what he said true? Will the Dark Sovereign truly come in person?"

Ximen Qing slowly shook his head. A golden-red aura rose around him again as he firmly suppressed the restless Twinborn Tokens in his arms. His voice remained steady, though it carried a trace of gravity. "Whether it is true or not, we must prepare for the worst. The sacrifice art he used with his essence blood was no lie. The location of the Twinborn Tokens has been exposed. Stronger members of the dark faction will arrive one after another soon."

At that moment, Son Gohan's anxious shout came from the distant forest. "Qing'er! Gray Shadow! Are you all right? That black light pillar just now was a sacrifice art of the dark faction! The ancient texts record that this kind of sacrifice art is a forbidden technique used by dark powerhouses before death to send coordinates and summon their companions!"

Ximen Qing and Gray Shadow exchanged a glance before both looking toward Son Gohan. They saw him hurrying over with the ancient book in hand, his expression anxious and grave, concern filling his eyes. Ximen Qing took a deep breath, suppressing the heaviness in his heart. His golden-red aura receded slightly, but his tone remained resolute. "Grandpa Gohan, we're fine. But the situation is even more dangerous than we expected—the dark faction already knows that the Twinborn Tokens are in our hands, and stronger enemies are on their way."

Son Gohan rushed over and swept his eyes across the ruined scorched earth before looking at the still-restless Twinborn Tokens in Ximen Qing's arms. His face darkened further. He quickly opened the ancient text, his fingers sliding rapidly over its pages. "This is bad! This sacrifice art not only sends coordinates, but also temporarily weakens the Dark Sovereign's seal, accelerating his awakening! We must find the locations of the other two energy nodes as quickly as possible and prepare in advance. Otherwise, once the Dark Sovereign awakens and the dark faction's powerhouses surround us, we will have no chance of winning!"

Ximen Qing clenched the Twinborn Tokens again, the determination in his eyes unwavering. The golden-red aura around him slowly rose, and the pressure of his 120000 permanent combat power spread once more. This time, however, it was not filled with killing intent, but with the unwavering resolve to protect. "No matter how difficult it is, we must safeguard the Twinborn Tokens and stop the Dark Sovereign from awakening. Grandpa Gohan, search the ancient texts for clues as quickly as possible. I'll contact Nappa now and have him bring the elite warriors here as reinforcements. At the same time, we'll strengthen patrols on Earth and throughout the star systems. The moment we find any trace of the dark faction, report it immediately!"

Gray Shadow immediately bowed as well. "I am willing to patrol with my lord. I swear to defend my lord and the Twinborn Tokens with my life. I will never allow the dark faction an opening!"

Son Gohan nodded faintly, clutching the ancient book to his chest. His tone was steady. "Good. We will divide the work and work together. We must hold on to this last chance of survival. But Qing'er, you must be careful. The dark powerhouses who arrive next will certainly be far stronger than Mo Yuan. Do not act rashly. Put your own safety first in all things."

Ximen Qing nodded slightly and looked into the depths of the universe. A sharp gleam flashed through his eyes. He could clearly feel that powerful chilling aura steadily drawing nearer. An even more brutal battle was silently brewing. And this time, the foes they faced might be the dark faction's greatest powerhouses—or perhaps even the Dark Sovereign, on the verge of awakening...