The Eve of the Storm

"Bring out everything you have. Unearth all your potential. Don't set limits for yourself, and don't let the times confine you."

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle, then lowered his voice, his tone turning more solemn. "The enemies we'll face next—their level, power, and threat... far surpass any target you've encountered in your thousand years as an assassin. It will be a storm sweeping across multiple universes. We need the ability to stand firm within that storm, or even seize control of it."

Hit said nothing.

Only the crackling of the torches remained in the great hall.

Time seemed to stretch out, and the shadows beneath his brim swayed faintly.

Fragments of a thousand years of memories flashed through his mind—precise calculations, split-second decisions, silent hunts, brushes with death... All his skills and experience had suddenly become meaningless before absolute power.

The man on the throne had just made him understand that in the most direct way possible.

But this was not the end.

An unfamiliar emotion, one that the passing years had nearly worn away, began to stir and heat up in the depths of his cold heart like underground magma.

This was not for payment, not for a mission, nor for any external order or judgment.

After a moment, Hit slowly and solemnly nodded.

The motion was slight, yet it seemed to carry the weight of a thousand tons.

At the same time, a blazing light ignited in his red eyes, which had always been as still as ancient wells, as though they had seen through the cycle of life and death.

It was a flame born purely for battle, dormant for a thousand years—the will to pursue a higher realm. Not for slaughter, but for transcendence: to surpass his past self and reach for higher, farther limits.

The fighting spirit was silent, yet it seemed to raise the temperature of the entire hall ever so slightly.

The royal hall of Planet Sadala's palace was solemn.

Ancient Saiyan totems were embedded in the towering dome, bathed in the dark golden radiance of eternal energy crystals.

The thick stone pillars on either side were carved with battle reliefs of powerful warriors from every generation. The floor was paved with whole slabs of dark starstone, reflecting the silent figures within the hall.

Chen Feng sat upright upon the obsidian throne, one hand resting casually atop the beast-head carving on its armrest, his fingertips lightly tapping without thought.

He wore a dark crimson battle robe edged with silver patterns. Even seated motionlessly, he naturally exuded the majesty of one who ruled a star region.

Like a gray shadow, Hit stood silently to the throne's right, straight as a pine.

His arms were folded. His eyes, which had always been half-lidded, were now fully open. His icy gaze swept slowly across every face below, sharp as a blade, carrying scrutiny and a silent warning.

Ten steps before the throne stood Frost—the Frost Demon warrior renowned throughout Universe 6 for both his intellect and strength.

He wore an immaculate silver-blue combat suit. His expression was as placid as a frozen lake, and his purple skin appeared even deeper beneath the hall's light.

He lowered his head slightly in a respectful posture, as though he had long anticipated today's summons and was merely waiting quietly for the final judgment of the ruler upon the throne.

The hall was so quiet that the hum of the energy crystals could be heard.

Dozens of Saiyan generals stood in rows on either side, their muscles bulging and their auras formidable. Yet at this moment, they all held their breath, their gazes quietly shifting among Chen Feng, Hit, and Frost, the air thick with tense anticipation.

"Frost."

Chen Feng finally spoke.

His voice was not loud, yet it strangely penetrated every corner of the hall. Clear and steady, it carried unquestionable authority as it echoed between the stone pillars and beneath the dome.

All eyes immediately turned toward the throne.

"Starting today," Chen Feng continued, his tone as calm as if he were merely stating a trivial matter, "your position as commander-in-chief of the Outer Domain Legion will be taken over by Hit."

"Whoosh—"

Though everyone tried their best to restrain themselves, a subdued stir still swept through the hall.

The generals glanced at one another, exchanging shocked looks.

Frost!

He was a veteran who had followed Lord Chen Feng from the very beginning of his rise. He had once guarded the Chaotic Star Region alone, earning the title of "Frost Commander" and striking fear into countless powerful enemies. His status and strength had long been acknowledged as second only to Chen Feng himself.

The Outer Domain Legion under his command was the sharpest spear and strongest shield in Planet Sadala's expansion.

And now, this crucial position was going to be handed to... Hit, a killer of unknown origins whom Lord Chen Feng had only just subdued through absolute power?

Countless gazes, filled with shock, confusion, and even a trace of barely concealed dissatisfaction, turned toward the gray-haired figure beside the throne.

Hit showed no reaction. He did not even blink more than usual, as though those gazes were no more than a breeze brushing past stone.

But what stunned everyone even more was Frost himself.

There was no expected astonishment, no anger at being stripped of his position, not even the slightest hint of doubt.

He merely lowered his already bowed head a little further, the movement perfectly measured to display absolute obedience.

His voice was steady and clear, echoing through the hall, which had suddenly fallen silent again. "As you command, Lord Chen Feng."

That obedient response instead made many Saiyan generals' hearts tighten, leaving them increasingly unable to fathom the situation.

Chen Feng's deep gaze rested on Frost for a moment, and an almost imperceptible hint of approval flashed through his eyes.

He nodded slightly, and his voice softened somewhat. "You've done well these past years. You've led expeditions into the starry seas and guarded the frontier. I remember all your contributions and hardships. Planet Sadala would not possess its current territory without your efforts. I will not forget what you've done."

"It has been Frost's honor to serve Lord Chen Feng."

Frost raised his head, his expression still calm and undisturbed.

He looked calmly at Chen Feng, then turned to Hit. His tone was sincere, without the slightest hint of falsehood or resentment. "I have witnessed Mr. Hit's strength with my own eyes. That unreasonable 'Time-Skip' ability, along with his unfathomable combat prowess, made me feel inferior. With him commanding the Outer Domain Legion, there will surely be even greater breakthroughs. I truly believe he is better suited to this position than I am."

Hit's gaze finally shifted as he glanced at Frost. He still said nothing, but the chill in his eyes seemed to ease somewhat.

Chen Feng said nothing more. He merely gave a slight wave of his hand, a concise yet authoritative gesture.

Frost understood at once. He bowed again, then stepped back silently with steady strides and took his place at the head of the generals' ranks. His posture remained as upright as ever, as though he had not just been relieved of an important post.

The focus in the hall shifted with Chen Feng's gaze.

His eyes passed over the gathered generals and settled on the three people standing side by side slightly ahead on the left side of the hall—Cabba, Caulifla, and Kale.

These three leaders of the younger Saiyan generation had, through astonishing talent and relentless training, become the universally acknowledged strongest fighters on Planet Sadala, second only to Chen Feng.

Cabba stood at the front, tall and straight, his standard battle suit accentuating his lean, capable frame.

He had a handsome face and a temperament as steady as a mountain. His azure eyes held calmness and wisdom, making him the most composed and dependable of the three.

Caulifla, standing behind and to Cabba's side, was completely different from him.

Her unruly black spiky hair stood erect, like fighting spirit ready to erupt at any moment.

With her hands on her hips and chin slightly raised, her golden-brown eyes darted about restlessly, full of eager curiosity and impatience. It was obvious that she found this solemn occasion somewhat tedious.

Kale stood slightly behind on Cabba's other side.

Once timid and insecure because of the excessively violent power within her, she had now undergone a complete transformation.