Dragon Ball Race, Six Balls Acquired, Shenron Descends

After Piccolo fled, he did not dare waste a moment, racing at full speed to rendezvous with the Pilaf Gang. When he saw the Dragon Radar in Pilaf's hands, a hint of satisfaction finally appeared on his cold face. With this device, the efficiency of gathering the Dragon Balls would increase by far more than tenfold.

"From today onward, you will follow me. Once I regain my youth and conquer the world, you will all be rewarded." Piccolo spoke in a low voice, his crimson eyes sweeping over the three of them. Pilaf hurriedly nodded and bowed, while Shu and Mai scarcely dared breathe as they obediently held the radar and led the way.

Over the next two days, the martial arts world across the entire continent fell into complete panic. Following the Dragon Radar's guidance westward, Piccolo casually blasted any martial arts schools that blocked his path into ruins. Several renowned elderly martial artists were killed in succession. The news spread through every nation, and even kings urgently convened defense meetings. Yet the military's guns and cannons were utterly useless before the Demon Clan's power, unable to stop him in the slightest.

On Turtle Hermit Island, Bulma stared at the rapidly moving Dragon Ball markers on the computer screen. Her face went pale as she bit her lip. "Too fast... He's already gotten five Dragon Balls! The sixth is in Mining City in the west. At this rate, he'll get there by tomorrow morning!"

Master Roshi sat beside the table, tapping his fingers against it, his brow tightly furrowed. He had thought they still had a few days to prepare, but he had not expected Piccolo's progress to become so swift after obtaining the Dragon Radar. Nearby, Goku and Krillin hung their heads, their fists clenched tight—they had secretly hidden in the plane's cargo hold yesterday and followed everyone back to Turtle Hermit Island, intending to join the fight, only to be punished by Master Roshi and made to stand for half the night.

"Qi Tian, what do you think?" Master Roshi looked toward the youth by the window.

Qi Tian lowered his gaze slightly, his evil aura perception remaining locked onto Piccolo's location. The other man's aura was steadily growing stronger. He had clearly slaughtered many along the way and absorbed quite a few living souls and yin energies. His combat power had already surpassed 8,200 and was drawing ever closer to his prime.

"After he takes the sixth Dragon Ball in Mining City, the last one will be outside West City," Qi Tian said slowly. "We'll go directly to West City and wait for him."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go now!" Goku sprang to his feet, his face brimming with fighting spirit.

Master Roshi glared at him but did not object again. At this point, there was no avoiding it. Letting the two children witness a true battle of life and death might not be a bad thing. He said gravely, "You may go, but you must follow orders. Do not rush in on your own and throw your lives away."

"Got it!" Goku and Krillin answered in unison, smiles instantly blooming across their faces.

The capsule plane tore through the sky, flying westward. Inside the cabin, Yamcha repeatedly practiced the exertion techniques Qi Tian had previously taught him, his eyes full of urgency. He knew there was a good chance he would be unable to help in this battle, but even if he could gain just a little more strength, he did not want to become dead weight. Bulma adjusted the Dragon Radar and precisely pinpointed the final Dragon Ball's coordinates, still muttering, "If that guy dares lay a hand on my dad's company, I'll make him regret it!"

Qi Tian closed his eyes to rest, sorting through the abilities he had just acquired. Evil Energy Purification, paired with Physical Resistance Mastery, rendered Piccolo's demonic energy attacks almost completely ineffective against him. His Evil Containment Wave Mastery had already reached great success; truly sealing the other man would not be difficult. Still, he wanted to see just how capable King Piccolo would be after regaining his youth.

[Ding! Detected that King Piccolo has gathered five Dragon Balls. World crisis escalating. Emergency sign-in triggered.]

[Sign in?]

"Sign in."

[Ding! Sign-in complete. Rewards issued.]

[1. Permanent combat power +380. Current normal combat power: 9900.]

[2. Qi Force Clone: Can condense a Qi Force Clone possessing thirty percent of the original body's combat power. Lasts for one quarter-hour and can be used for diversion and scouting.]

[3. Dragon Ball Resonance: Can sense the precise location of Dragon Balls within a hundred li. Unaffected by electromagnetic interference.]

A warm current spread through his limbs and bones, his normal combat power barely reaching the threshold of ten thousand. Qi Tian moved his fingers slightly, and a wisp of black-gold aura curled around his fingertips, forming a miniature phantom of himself before swiftly dispersing.

The next morning, in a valley outside West City.

The final Four-Star Dragon Ball lay quietly on a rock beside a mountain stream, giving off a faint orange glow. Qi Tian's group had arrived in advance and set their formation. Master Roshi stood at the valley entrance, his aura heavy and still. Yamcha and Krillin guarded either side of the Dragon Ball, their expressions tense. Goku rubbed his fists together, occasionally craning his neck to peer outside the valley, his eyes full of anticipation.

Qi Tian stood atop a massive boulder at the center of the valley, his robes stirring gently in the wind. His aura was completely concealed, making him seem like nothing more than an ordinary stone.

Before long, a dark green figure sped in from the horizon—it was Piccolo. Pilaf and the other two followed behind him, wobbling along in a small aircraft.

"The Dragon Ball is down there!" Pilaf pointed at the radar and shouted.

A savage smile curled across Piccolo's lips. He dropped down and charged into the valley. Yet the moment he saw the people inside, his smile froze. His gaze locked tightly onto Qi Tian atop the boulder, and his pupils abruptly contracted.

"You again!"

Piccolo was both shocked and furious. He had intended to gather the Dragon Balls in silence, yet his opponent had actually been waiting here in advance. He swept his eyes around the valley. Apart from Qi Tian and Master Roshi, there were only three insignificant brats, and a plan immediately formed in his mind.

"What? You think a few pieces of trash can stop me?" Piccolo sneered, demonic energy surging in his palm. "Since you've delivered yourselves to me, I'll deal with all of you today!"

Before his words had even faded, he flung both hands upward. Dozens of demonic energy spikes shot toward the group like a storm. Their targets were not Qi Tian, but Krillin, Yamcha, Bulma, and the others. The attack was vicious and cunning, clearly intended to eliminate the small fry first before he focused on Qi Tian.

"Watch out!" Master Roshi barked. He stepped forward and thrust out both hands, creating a barrier of qi that blocked most of the demonic spikes. Goku flashed forward and knocked several away with his fists, but a few still slipped through and shot straight at Krillin.

At that moment, Qi Tian moved slightly. A sweep of black-gold qi passed through the air, instantly annihilating every remaining demonic spike.

"Your opponent is me."

Qi Tian slowly stepped down from the boulder. With every step, his aura rose another degree. By the time he stopped before Piccolo, his normal combat power of 9,900 burst forth without reserve, the pressure of his qi sending dust rolling backward across the ground.

Piccolo's expression changed slightly as he cursed inwardly. This boy's combat power had risen again! In just two short days, he had become noticeably stronger than he was in Blue Stone Town. Knowing full well that he was no match for him, Piccolo glanced at the Four-Star Dragon Ball beside the stream and made his decision in an instant.

"Demon Light Cannon!"

Piccolo abruptly brought his hands together. A dark green sphere of energy rapidly expanded until it was a full five meters wide, surging with demonic energy as it blasted toward Qi Tian. He had poured eighty percent of his strength into this strike. Its force was terrifying, shaking loose rocks from the valley walls on both sides.

Yet Qi Tian merely raised one hand. A black-gold glow appeared, and the enormous Demon Light Cannon struck his palm like mud sinking into the sea. It was instantly dissolved and purified without causing even the slightest ripple.

In that instant, Piccolo's body shot backward, heading directly for the Four-Star Dragon Ball by the stream! He had never intended to win. From the very beginning, his only target had been the Dragon Ball.

"Don't even think about it!" Goku shouted as he rushed forward to stop him, his fist smashing toward Piccolo's back.

Without even turning his head, Piccolo swung a hand behind him, releasing a wave of qi. Goku felt an overwhelming force strike him, sending him flying backward before he slammed heavily into the ground.

During that brief delay, Piccolo had already snatched up the Four-Star Dragon Ball. All seven Dragon Balls were now in his hands. Feeling their warmth, he threw back his head and burst into wild laughter. "Hahaha! The seven Dragon Balls are complete! My era is about to return!"

He leaped to the top of the valley, placed the seven Dragon Balls on the ground, and began reciting the incantation to summon Shenron.

In an instant, the sky darkened. Black clouds churned, and the seven Dragon Balls erupted with dazzling golden light, a beam shooting straight into the heavens. From within the clouds came a long, resonant dragon's roar that shook heaven and earth. Shenron's enormous figure slowly emerged, his green body blotting out the sky as his golden eyes looked down upon the land.

"He summoned Shenron!" Pilaf and the other two trembled with excitement, lying flat on the ground without daring to raise their heads.

Below in the valley, Master Roshi's face turned deathly pale as he clenched his fists. "No! He summoned Shenron!"

Goku climbed back to his feet and stared blankly at Shenron in the sky, his face full of shock.

Shenron's deep voice echoed through the valley. "State your wish. I can grant any wish."

Piccolo took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart before shouting, "Shenron! Restore my youth! Restore the power and appearance I possessed in my prime!"

Shenron's golden eyes flickered slightly. "A simple wish."

As his words fell, a golden pillar of light descended from the sky, enveloping King Piccolo's body. Within the light, King Piccolo's aged, wrinkled skin rapidly smoothed out, his hunched frame straightened, and his aura surged madly. Dark green energy flames shot into the heavens as a terrifying pressure swept through the entire valley.

When the pillar of light faded, King Piccolo stood proudly atop the mountain. He was taller and more powerfully built than before, his face hundreds of years younger. His aura was violent and overwhelming, and his battle power climbed all the way to 16,000 before slowly coming to a stop.

"Power... so this is the power of my prime!" King Piccolo clenched his fists, feeling the surging strength within him, and burst into delighted laughter. He lowered his gaze toward Qi Tian in the valley below. There was no longer the slightest trace of wariness in his eyes—only cruelty and contempt remained.

"Kid, weren't you acting pretty arrogant just now? Now, it's my turn!"

Terrifying demonic energy pressed down upon the valley like a tide. The mountain wind howled, and shattered rocks flew everywhere. Having regained his youth, King Piccolo finally revealed the legendary terror of his true strength.