Spacetime Ripple

His movements were simple to the extreme, crisp and clean, but you could still feel that sharp edge, as if he could slice through space at any moment.

"Goodbye."

He didn't make a big fuss, nor did he shout or yell.

The light at his fingertips was so pure it was almost unbelievable, as if it had contained all the starlight, instantly enveloping him completely.

The light flashed and then disappeared, as if someone had erased it with an eraser.

The wind was still blowing coldly at the top of the tower, but it was now deserted, with only a few wisps of air remaining to prove that he had been there just moments before.

The Korin was still the same as before, standing in place with his wooden cane, his long white whiskers swaying gently in the wind.

He stared at the spot where Qi Heng had disappeared for a long while before slowly exhaling, the white mist vanishing in the cold wind.

His cloudy but shrewd eyes held a depth of emotions that were impossible to fathom.

He muttered to himself, "Appearing without a trace, disappearing without a trace... Just who is that person...?"

***

Meanwhile, in West City, at the Capsule Corporation's underground laboratory.

There are no windows here; the ceiling and walls are covered with cool white light strips, making the entire space dazzlingly bright and futuristic.

The air was filled with the smell of engine oil, the burnt odor of overheated electronic components, and a kind of cleanliness that sent chills down your spine.

In the very center of the laboratory, the massive Time Machine frame has been erected.

The silver-gray main structure reflected a cold light under the lamp, and countless cables wrapped around the machine like blood vessels, connecting to the constantly flashing control consoles and holographic projections around it.

Bulma sat in front of the control panel.

Her signature purple hair was casually piled up at the back of her head, held up only by a pencil, with a few strands still playfully falling beside her cheeks.

She looked a little tired, but her eyes were fixed on the screen, her fingers flying across the keyboard, and data scrolled down the holographic screen like a waterfall.

Just then, the previously empty space at the laboratory entrance suddenly rippled like the surface of water.

The next second, Qi Heng's figure slowly emerged, landing silently on the smooth alloy floor without even stirring up a gust of wind.

The space shifted slightly, Bulma's fingers immediately stopped.

She looked up abruptly, and the sight of that familiar figure instantly erased the weariness of the past few days from her face. Her blue eyes shone like jewels, filled with surprise and delight.

"Qi Heng! You're back!"

She sprang up from the chair, the wheels scraping against the floor with a loud thud.

Qi Heng glanced at the Time Machine in the center of the laboratory, then looked at Bulma.

How's the Time Machine progressing?

Bulma turned around, a hint of smugness in her eyes, and patted the sturdy metal frame of the Time Machine, making a few muffled thuds.

"The most challenging core components, the spatiotemporal coordinate system and the protective outer shell material, have been solved!"

She pointed to several parts that were being tested, "The overall progress is already 80% complete! If the testing goes smoothly, give me another month... no, three weeks, and I should be able to finish the final assembly and testing!"

Qi Heng listened quietly, nodding, his face still bearing that indifferent expression, though a faint hint of approval seemed to flash in his eyes.

"There's one more thing."

As he spoke, he took out a palm-sized earthenware jar from his clothes.

The jar looked old, with rough fingerprints on the surface, and the opening was sealed tightly with some kind of plant stems and mud.

He handed the jar to Bulma.

Bulma took it curiously; the jar was heavy and had a slightly earthy feel to it.

She carefully unsealed the container and peered closer at the opening.

The bottom of the jar was lined with some dry grass leaves, and on top of them lay two round, plump, bright green beans, about the size of a fingernail, that shone with a strange light.

"This is... Senzu Bean?"

Bulma's eyes widened. "Where did you get this? Isn't it only the Korin on Korin Tower that has? And isn't it supposed to be very rare?"

"Korin Tower." Qi Heng's voice echoed slightly in the empty laboratory.

He held a small Senzu Bean in his hand, which shone bright green under the lamplight, like a tiny star.

Bulma, still engrossed in her instruments, looked up upon hearing this, her eyes first filled with confusion, then with shock.

She casually put down the laser calibration pen, the metal making a crisp sound as it struck the table.

"That old Korin..."

She took off her goggles, rubbed the bridge of her nose, and stared intently at the Senzu Bean, her voice filled with disbelief, "... You actually gave it to me?"

Qi Heng didn't answer, and walked to the curved observation window.

Outside the window, the night view of West City unfolds, with lights spreading out like a silver river, and countless flying cars streaking through the skyscrapers.

He held the Senzu Bean in his palm; its warmth seemed to penetrate his skin and connect him to the cloud-shrouded tower on the horizon.

Some things don't need to be said.

The only sounds in the lab were the low hum of the computers and the occasional metallic scraping of a robotic arm turning in the distance.

After a moment of silence, time seemed to stand still.

"Bulma."

He finally spoke again, his voice low and more tense than usual.

He had his back to her, staring at the night view outside, and the atmosphere became tense as he spoke.

Bulma paused as she picked up her tools, then turned and leaned against the workbench, crossing her arms, waiting for him to continue.

"Once the Time Machine is built," Qi Heng said clearly, "I want to go to a place."

Where to?

Bulma raised an eyebrow, her mind racing with guesses— Planet Namek? The God of Destruction Realm? Or something even more mysterious?

Qi Heng finally turned around.

The light from the overhead lamp poured down on his head, casting a long shadow.

His eyes turned pure gold, looking like molten gold, so deep it was frightening.

He looked directly at Bulma and uttered a word that made her heart skip a beat. "The future. The more distant future."

"Future?"

Bulma's brows immediately furrowed.

She left her workbench, took a few steps, and her high heels clicked crisply on the floor.

"Qi Heng, what are you going to the future for? What is it that can't be resolved now, and you have to cross time?"

As the daughter of the inventor of the Time Machine, she knew better than anyone how dangerous it was to travel through time recklessly; if it triggered a butterfly effect, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Qi Heng remained silent for a few seconds.

He lowered his eyes, looking at his palm, where the warmth of the Senzu Bean still seemed to linger, yet it also felt like nothing was there.

When he looked up again, a storm of emotions surged in his golden eyes—decisiveness, confusion, and a deep-seated longing.

"Find an opponent."

He spoke softly, yet his words struck like a hammer blow into the air. "A formidable opponent."

Bulma's breath hitched slightly.

"Only a collision of sufficiently powerful energy," Qi Heng continued, his tone both stating a law and reaffirming a firm resolve, "Can break through limits, defy common sense... and tear apart the stable structure of spacetime."

As he finished speaking, the light deep within his golden pupils finally faded into a dark and profound abyss.