Kami Sends an Envoy to the Mortal World, Ascending Through the Clouds to the Ninth Heaven

The demonic aura in the valley gradually dispersed completely with King Piccolo's death. The wind swept the fragrance of grass and trees across the charred ground, blowing away even the last trace of chill.

Krillin slumped to the ground, gasping for breath, his back already drenched in cold sweat. When the aftershocks from those clashing blasts of energy had swept over them, he could barely stay on his feet. Now, his limbs felt weak, and he hardly had the strength to raise a hand and wipe away his sweat. "That was terrifying... I really thought we were all going to die here."

Yamcha leaned against a cracked rock wall and gave a bitter laugh. He had thought that, after training under Master Roshi for so long, even if he could not compare to Goku, he would still rank among the strongest in the world. Only after witnessing Qi Tian's battle with King Piccolo today did he understand that his little bit of strength did not even amount to an ant before truly powerful fighters.

Bulma hurried to Qi Tian's side and looked him over several times. Only after seeing that he was completely unharmed did she breathe a sigh of relief. Then she frowned and looked toward King Piccolo's corpse. "But Shenron is dead, and the Dragon Balls have turned to stone... Does that mean we can never make wishes again?"

As soon as she said that, the surroundings fell silent.

Master Roshi took off his sunglasses, wiped them, and put them back on, his tone carrying a hint of heaviness. "The Dragon Balls were created by Kami. With Shenron dead, the Dragon Balls have naturally lost their divine power. Unless... we can meet the Kami who created the Dragon Balls, there may still be a way to restore them. But the Heavenly Realm hangs above the nine heavens. From ancient times until now, no one has known how to get up there."

"Kami?" Goku's eyes lit up. "The god who made the Dragon Balls? Is he strong?"

"According to legend, he is the ruler of the Heavenly Realm, and his strength is unfathomable." Master Roshi stroked his beard. "But no one has ever seen his true face. All we know is that the Dragon Balls on Earth were creations he left behind in the mortal world long ago."

Qi Tian did not respond. He merely raised his head slightly.

The moment he had unlocked Kami's Lookout Sense through the sign-in just now, he had clearly sensed that ancient, rich aura above the clouds. It was peaceful and upright, carrying the weight of one who overlooked the world, completely different from King Piccolo's sinister demonic aura—it should be Kami's ki.

And at that moment, that aura was slowly drawing closer.

"He's here," Qi Tian suddenly said.

Everyone was startled. Before they could understand what he meant, a pale golden rift of light suddenly split open high in the sky. A figure descended slowly atop an auspicious cloud. The man had dark skin and wore a white divine attendant's robe, with a small halo above his head. His expression was solemn, and though he carried not the slightest trace of hostility, he radiated an invisible majesty.

It was Kami's attendant, Mr. Popo.

After landing, Mr. Popo fixed his gaze directly on Qi Tian. He bowed slightly, his voice deep and even. "Lord Qi Tian, Kami has sensed that the demonic catastrophe has come to an end and has specially sent me to invite you. Kami wishes to speak with you at the Heavenly Lookout."

The entire place instantly fell silent.

Master Roshi's pupils contracted as he abruptly straightened, his face full of disbelief. The legendary Kami's envoy had actually descended? And he had come specifically to invite Qi Tian?

Goku jumped up excitedly. "The Heavenly Realm! Is that where gods live? I want to go too!"

Mr. Popo glanced at Goku, then looked toward Qi Tian, seemingly waiting for his decision.

"Can he come with us?" Qi Tian asked. He knew Goku would eventually go to the Heavenly Realm to train, so there was no harm in letting him go a little earlier.

"Kami invited only Lord Qi Tian, but if you wish to bring a companion, that is naturally acceptable." Mr. Popo's tone was respectful, without the slightest objection. He could clearly sense just how terrifying the aura of the young man before him was. He had effortlessly slain King Piccolo even at his peak. Even Kami treated someone like that with courtesy, so Mr. Popo naturally would not go against his wishes.

Bulma quickly raised her hand. "I want to go too! I've never seen a god before! And the Dragon Balls—maybe Kami has a way to fix them!"

"The Heavenly Realm is a place of purity. Ordinary mortal bodies cannot endure its celestial winds. Aside from accomplished martial artists, anyone else who goes up will only harm themselves." Mr. Popo shook his head slightly. "This young lady and the other guests should remain in the mortal world."

Bulma's face immediately fell, but she knew this was not something she could force, so she could only give up resentfully.

"Then let's leave at once," Qi Tian said. He also wanted to meet Earth's Kami sooner rather than later, and while he was at it, see what opportunities the Heavenly Lookout held. Perhaps he could even trigger another sign-in.

Mr. Popo nodded and waved a hand. A thick auspicious cloud descended before them.

Qi Tian stepped onto the cloud, with Goku immediately jumping up after him. He touched this and poked that with a face full of curiosity, delighted by the novelty of it all.

"Until we meet again," Qi Tian said, nodding slightly to Master Roshi and the others below.

Master Roshi hurriedly cupped his hands in return. "Take care! We'll wait for you to return at Turtle Hermit Island!"

Krillin and Yamcha also waved. They watched as the auspicious cloud slowly rose, flying higher and higher until it disappeared into the clouds, before finally looking away.

"The world is changing so quickly..." Master Roshi gazed at the sky and let out a long sigh. "In such a short time, first the demon clan emerged, then a powerful fighter like Qi Tian appeared out of nowhere, and now even Kami has personally sent an envoy to invite him. Earth is probably going to become quite lively from now on."

Above the clouds, the auspicious cloud traveled through fierce celestial winds. A rolling sea of clouds surrounded them, while the mountains and rivers below gradually shrank into tiny lines.

Goku clung to the edge of the cloud and looked down, shouting excitedly. Every now and then, he reached out to grab passing clouds, playing to his heart's content.

Qi Tian, meanwhile, closed his eyes and focused, carefully sensing the changes within his body as they ascended.

His base combat power had risen to eleven thousand points, while the Myriad-Transformation Black-Gold Great Ape's boost had increased to sevenfold. After transforming, his combat power could reach seventy-seven thousand points, making him the undisputed ceiling of Earth's power level. Together with the newly unlocked Life Purification and Kami's Lookout Sense, the gains from killing King Piccolo this time were even more abundant than he had expected.

"Lord Qi Tian, the Heavenly Lookout is ahead," Mr. Popo said.

Qi Tian opened his eyes and looked up.

Above the sea of clouds floated a magnificent divine palace. Its jade-white structure glimmered with a faint golden light, surrounded by mist and drifting clouds as immortal cranes danced through the air. A sacred, ancient aura rushed toward them.

On the platform before the palace's main gate stood a figure in blue divine robes, with white hair and beard, silently watching their approach.

It was Earth's Kami.

The auspicious cloud slowly descended onto the platform, and Qi Tian and Goku stepped down.

Kami looked at Qi Tian with a touch of emotion and relief in his eyes, then nodded slightly. "Young warrior, thank you for ending the demonic catastrophe and saving this planet."

[Ding! Detected that the host has arrived at the Heavenly Lookout and come into contact with Earth's Kami. Special scene sign-in triggered.]

[Sign in?]

The instant the system prompt sounded in his mind, the corner of Qi Tian's mouth curved upward almost imperceptibly.

As expected, it came.