Strange Aftermath! Undercurrents Surge, Guarded Hearts

The cheers of victory still echoed between heaven and earth, yet Son Gohan's suddenly furrowed brow and grave expression quietly cast a shadow over them. His fingertips trembled slightly as he closed his eyes, the last traces of purification power around him slowly circulating and gathering at his brow. He strained with all his might to catch that strange energy fluctuation drifting from the depths of the universe—too hidden, too faint, like a fleeting cold shadow in the night, yet as chilling as a disease clinging to the bone. The slightest lapse in attention, and it would melt completely into the void of the vast cosmos without leaving even a trace.

"Grandpa Gohan, what's wrong?" Nappa was the first to notice Son Gohan's abnormality. The smile on his face instantly vanished, replaced by caution and concern. Forcing himself through his injuries, he slowly straightened up and looked toward the depths of space. The remnants of his battle power quietly began to circulate, ready to deal with any sudden development. Gray Shadow also wiped the smile from his face, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. His body tensed slightly like a leopard poised to pounce as he warily observed the surroundings.

The elite warriors who had been cheering also sensed that something was wrong. Their cheers gradually fell silent, and confusion and vigilance appeared on their faces. Their gazes gathered on Son Gohan, then followed his expression toward the distant depths of the universe. The golden-red auras around them quietly condensed as they waited for orders. The joy and relief that had filled the battlefield were slowly replaced by invisible tension and alertness.

Son Gohan slowly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with gravity and doubt. His fingertips were still trembling, and an indescribable wariness lingered in his voice. "Something's wrong. There's a strange energy fluctuation coming from the depths of the universe. It's very faint, but there's something deeply unsettling about it." He paused, lightly rubbing his fingertips together as though recalling that chill, before adding, "That fluctuation carries a familiar coldness. It bears a vague resemblance to Dark Sovereign's energy, but it is more concealed and stranger than Dark Sovereign's power. It even... carries a desolation and deathly stillness that do not belong to this star region. It doesn't resemble any known form of energy."

"A power that doesn't belong to this star region?" Gray Shadow frowned, surprise in his voice. "Could Dark Sovereign have accomplices? But we already wiped out all of his subordinates, and the dark remnants in both star systems have been thoroughly eliminated. How could there still be such an energy fluctuation?"

Nappa was equally baffled. Clenching his fists, he spoke with violence and vigilance in his voice. "Whatever it is, if it dares to spy on Earth at a time like this, it's making an enemy of us! If it dares show itself, I'll make it pay. I won't let our hard-won victory go to waste!"

Son Gohan gently shook his head, his expression growing even more solemn and his tone more cautious. "It's hard to say. That energy fluctuation is too well hidden. Even exerting myself to the limit, I could only catch a faint trace of it. I can't determine where it came from, much less who its owner is or what its purpose might be. But one thing is certain: this energy is anything but simple. It did not appear by accident—it's like a tumor hidden in the darkness, or a hunter lying in wait. Across the endless void, it is silently watching us, watching this planet that has only just recovered from catastrophe, waiting for the right moment to strike."

He lowered his head to look at Ximen Qing, whom he was supporting steadily in his arms and who remained unconscious. Worry flashed through his eyes. "Qing'er is still unconscious and severely injured. All of us have exhausted our energy and suffered grave wounds as well. We're at the end of our strength. If the owner of that strange energy attacks now, we may have a hard time dealing with it. What's even more troublesome is that the energy is too concealed. We can't predict when it will erupt, what sort of crisis it will bring, or even whether it has already seeped onto Earth."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions turned grave. They all knew Son Gohan's concerns were not unfounded—after the final battle against Dark Sovereign, every one of them was at the end of their strength. Ximen Qing was even still unconscious. If a new enemy truly attacked now, they simply would not have enough fighting power to respond. The Earth they had only just protected could very well be plunged into danger once more.

"Grandpa Gohan, what should we do now?" one elite warrior could not help asking, anxiety and unease in his voice. He was covered in wounds and his aura was weak, yet his eyes remained steadfast. As long as he could protect Earth, he would not retreat even if he had to expend his last ounce of strength.

Son Gohan took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the exhaustion and worry within him. With unquestionable determination in his voice, he slowly addressed everyone. "Right now, our most important task is to recover our strength as quickly as possible, while remaining vigilant at all times and closely monitoring that strange energy fluctuation."

He paused, then continued issuing orders. "Nappa, take some of the elite warriors with lighter injuries and handle the watch. Split into two teams. One team will remain on Earth and closely observe the surroundings, especially the energy fluctuations in the depths of the universe. Report immediately if you find anything unusual. The other team will travel to the Frost and Blazing Flame star systems to conduct another sweep. Confirm that no dark remnants were missed, and investigate the condition of the two energy nodes to prevent any accidents."

"Yes, sir!" Nappa answered without the slightest hesitation. He immediately turned around, selected a group of less severely injured elite warriors, and began making rapid arrangements. Though seriously wounded, he still stood tall. His battle power quietly circulated around him, and his eyes remained vigilant, ready for any sudden emergency.

Son Gohan then looked toward Gray Shadow and continued, "Gray Shadow, lead the other group of elite warriors in clearing the battlefield and treating our wounded comrades. At the same time, carefully collect the residual fragments of dark energy left on the battlefield. These fragments may carry traces of that hidden aura from the depths of space. They might contain clues about that strange energy, which could help us unravel the mystery and anticipate the coming crisis."

"Understood." Gray Shadow nodded slightly, his tone firm. He immediately led a group of elite warriors into the work of clearing the battlefield and treating the wounded. His movements were nimble and swift. Even with serious injuries, he showed no sign of slackening.

After making all the arrangements, Son Gohan lowered his head and looked again at the unconscious Ximen Qing, his eyes filled with worry and relief. He gently picked Ximen Qing up, and the faint purification power around him slowly circulated, carefully nourishing Ximen Qing's body in an attempt to help him regain consciousness as soon as possible.

"Qing'er, don't worry. With us here, we'll protect Earth and everything we have. We won't let all you gave be in vain," Son Gohan murmured softly, a hint of hope in his voice. "You have to wake up soon. We still need you. Earth still needs you. We still need to face this hidden crisis together."

At this time, everyone on Earth carried out their duties, busy but orderly. The injured warriors received timely treatment, the dark energy fragments on the battlefield were collected one by one, and the sentries stood ready, closely watching the movements in the depths of space. The investigation of the two star systems was also proceeding in an orderly fashion.

Sunlight still covered the land, and shoots of grass slowly unfurled across the scorched earth. New hope quietly spread, but everyone understood that this peace and tranquility were merely a brief rest before the storm. The strange energy fluctuation from the depths of the universe was like a ghost hidden in darkness—silent and unseen, yet impossible to drive from their minds. Even the air seemed to retain a faint, lingering chill that made people shudder.

Holding Ximen Qing, Son Gohan came to a relatively safe valley and gently laid him upon a flat rock. He continued carefully nourishing Ximen Qing's body with purification power, trying to awaken his consciousness. Once more, he closed his eyes and concentrated all his focus, attempting to catch that strange energy fluctuation. Yet it remained elusive. Even when he occasionally caught a trace of it, it instantly disappeared as though it had never existed, making it impossible to pinpoint its source or peer into the secret behind it.

Countless questions circled in his mind, growing ever more unsettling: Where in the universe did this strange energy come from? Was its owner a dark force like Dark Sovereign, or something even more terrifying and mysterious? Was the other party seeking revenge for Dark Sovereign, trying to seize the Twinborn Token, or harboring an even more horrifying conspiracy capable of overturning the entire universe?

Countless questions swirled in Son Gohan's heart, making him increasingly uneasy. He knew that the catastrophe which had only just drawn to a close might not truly be over. A more hidden and terrifying undercurrent was quietly stirring in the depths of the universe, and a new crisis was slowly approaching.

Night gradually fell. Scattered lights began to flicker to life across Earth as the warriors rested and kept watch. Behind every beam of light was a steadfast resolve. In the depths of the universe, there remained only boundless darkness and void. That strange energy fluctuation still lurked in secret, silent as a hunter waiting for its prey to let down its guard. It had concealed every trace of its presence, waiting only for the perfect moment to launch a fatal blow and crush all hope completely.

Son Gohan remained at Ximen Qing's side, his eyes vigilantly fixed on the depths of the universe. His gaze was filled with gravity and determination. He knew that the days ahead might bring an even harsher and more terrifying struggle, but he would not retreat. He would lead everyone in holding their ground, remaining alert at all times, protecting this planet that had only just revived from catastrophe and safeguarding the hope of all living beings.

At that moment, Ximen Qing, still unconscious, suddenly furrowed his brow. A faint, indistinct murmur escaped his lips, while the golden-red aura that had lain dormant around him began to give off a weak yet resolute pulse—perhaps even in his unconscious state, he had sensed that hidden chill and felt the deadly danger lurking nearby. He was struggling with all his strength to break free of the shackles of unconsciousness, awaken, stand beside his companions, and resist this unknown undercurrent.