Capturing the Pilaf Gang, Severing Goku's Root of Disaster, Heading to the Martial Arts Tournament

Yamcha walked to Qi Tian's side. All hostility had vanished from his gaze, leaving nothing but utter reverence.

After years of roaming the wilderness, he had seen countless powerful fighters, but never anyone capable of controlling a Great Ape and rising above the destiny imposed by Saiyan blood. Transforming at will, retaining a clear mind, and utterly crushing Goku in the same form—such strength had long surpassed the realm of the continent's lower-tier elites.

"Just who are you?" Yamcha finally asked in a low voice. It was a question he had kept buried for a long time.

Qi Tian answered casually, "Just a Saiyan who cultivates the body."

Such a simple sentence shook Yamcha to his core.

Both were Saiyans, yet Goku's wild nature was difficult to control, while Qi Tian alone had transcended the shackles of his bloodline. The difference between them was obvious at a glance.

Nearby, Pilaf hung his head dejectedly. His triangular eyes were filled with resentment, but he could no longer summon even the slightest will to resist. Even Shenron had prioritized Qi Tian's wish, and even a rampaging Great Ape could be effortlessly subdued. His petty schemes and martial prowess were as insignificant as ants before Qi Tian.

Mai helped Pilaf to his feet, gripping the short blade in her hand tightly. "Your Majesty, what do we do now?" she asked quietly.

Pilaf gritted his teeth, raised his head, and looked at Qi Tian. "Kill us or torture us as you please. I, Pilaf, tried to seize the Dragon Balls. I admit defeat."

Pride ran deep in his bones. Even in defeat, he refused to bow his head and beg for mercy.

Qi Tian looked down at the unconscious Goku, then at Pilaf and the other two. A plan had already formed in his mind.

The Pilaf Gang was skilled in mechanisms, technology, and intelligence work. Mai was agile and capable, Hodgepodge possessed formidable physical strength, and Pilaf understood magic and formations. Keeping them alive would be far more useful than killing them. They would be excellent support in the search for the Dragon Balls, exploration of major secret realms, and defense against external enemies.

Besides, Pilaf had not been truly evil by nature in the original story. He was merely obsessed with ruling the world and had no record of indiscriminately slaughtering innocents. Subduing him was far more worthwhile than wiping him out.

"I won't kill you." Qi Tian spoke calmly and slowly. "Submit to me, and everything you've done in the past will be forgiven. I can help you fulfill one wish within my abilities, as long as it does not endanger the world or harm anyone's life."

The three of them froze at those words.

Submit?

Pilaf hesitated for a moment. He looked at the unfathomably powerful Qi Tian, then at his ruined castle and shattered dream of world domination. Finally, he let out a dispirited sigh. "I agree to submit, but I want a guarantee that every one of my subordinates will remain safe."

"Agreed." Qi Tian nodded.

[Ding! Subdued the plot villain squad: Pilaf, Mai, Hodgepodge. Exclusive side achievement attained: Bowed in Submission]

[Achievement reward issued: Permanent combat power +600. Host's current total combat power: 4400]

[Great Ape Transformation Fragment ×8 (total progress 69/100)]

[Passive: Retainer Bond. Your own combat power can slightly empower subordinate companions, increasing their durability by thirty percent.]

As the system notifications ended, Qi Tian's aura grew ever more condensed, while his muscles and bones were strengthened once more. The foundation of his passive ability to grow stronger through battle continued to accumulate. Every battle, every act of subjugation, and every plot milestone reinforced the foundation of his purely physical body.

Bulma hurried over at that moment and crouched to examine the unconscious Goku. Looking at the troublesome tail behind his waist, she frowned tightly. "Goku nearly killed me when he turned into a Great Ape just now. As long as that tail remains, he'll lose control whenever he sees a full moon. Sooner or later, it'll become a huge disaster."

This was also the greatest hidden danger in the early original story. Goku had gone berserk several times and nearly killed his companions.

Yamcha nodded in agreement. "A Saiyan's tail is the source of their loss of control. It's too dangerous to keep it."

Qi Tian looked at Goku's youthful profile and reached out to gently stroke the fluffy tail behind his waist. His soul power stirred slightly. Combining it with the Great Ape origin perception he had just acquired, he said calmly, "There's no need to cut it off completely. I have a way to seal the tail's transformation ability. We can keep the tail and retain the Saiyan bloodline enhancement while only blocking the transformative effect of Blutz Waves."

After wishing for a complete Great Ape origin, he had become proficient in bloodline seals and origin isolation. A trivial matter like this was effortless for him.

Before anyone could react, Qi Tian condensed refined physical force at his fingertips. A pale white glow appeared around them as he lightly tapped a spinal acupoint at the base of Goku's tail.

Buzz!

Fine bloodline patterns vanished into the base of the tail. An invisible seal took root in his meridians, directly severing the connection between moonlight and Goku's bloodline and completely locking away Goku's ability to undergo Great Ape Transformation.

From this day onward, Goku would never lose control and transform upon seeing a full moon again. His tail would retain only a slight boost to his combat power, with none of the risk of destruction.

After finishing, Qi Tian withdrew his hand. "Done. Goku won't go berserk and hurt anyone again."

Bulma was overjoyed, and the weight in her heart finally lifted. "That's great! Now we won't have to worry about anything happening on nights with a full moon!"

A short while later, Goku slowly woke up. He rubbed his head as he sat up, his face blank with confusion. "What happened to me just now? My head feels so dizzy."

He remembered nothing about transforming into a Great Ape and attacking his companions. He only felt sore and weak all over.

No one explained too much, lest Goku feel guilty.

Bulma bent down and picked up the seven Dragon Balls from the ground. Their glow slowly receded as she looked at everyone and suggested, "The Dragon Balls have already been used. Shenron will scatter them again, so we won't be able to summon him for a while. Where should we go next?"

Yamcha's eyes lit up at once. "In half a month, South City will hold the World Martial Arts Tournament. The world's best martial artists will gather there, and the champion gets a huge cash prize. It's the perfect chance to get some experience."

The World Martial Arts Tournament!

It was a classic main storyline from the early Dragon Balls saga. The tournament's exclusive plot check-ins had always offered generous rewards, and it was also the perfect stage for tempering the body and improving through real combat.

Qi Tian's eyes shifted slightly, and he immediately decided on their destination. "Then we'll head to South City and take part in the martial arts tournament."

[Ding! Main storyline triggered: World Martial Arts Tournament. Pre-registration check-in access unlocked. Upon arriving in South City, a martial arts-exclusive check-in can be activated.]

With their itinerary decided, everyone divided up the work and rested where they were.

The Pilaf Gang had completely submitted and proactively took over the logistical work. They used the capsule aircraft and supplies stored in the castle to prepare travel equipment and rations. Hodgepodge handled the heavy lifting, while Mai scouted the road conditions ahead. Their efficiency far surpassed what Bulma could manage alone.

Yamcha leaned against a boulder, regulating his breathing as he refined the moves of his Wolf Fang Fist, hoping to break through his limits at the martial arts tournament. Puar lay nearby grooming his fur, occasionally glancing at Qi Tian with eyes full of submission.

Goku was brimming with excitement as he swung the Power Pole and practiced his punches and kicks, eagerly anticipating duels against the tournament's strong fighters.

After a day of rest and preparation, dawn broke.

A large silver-white capsule aircraft rose into the sky and steadily headed toward South City.

Inside the aircraft, Bulma adjusted the navigation equipment and said with a smile, "I heard that some reclusive martial artists are competing in this tournament too, and they're extremely powerful. It'll be a good chance to see what the strongest fighters outside are really like."

Qi Tian leaned against the window, his fingertips lightly rubbing together, his gaze calm.

His power level was now 4,400. With the Black-Gold Great Ape under control, the Indestructible Body's enhancement, and divine resistance protecting him, he was invincible among those at the same level.

To others, the martial arts tournament was an arena to compete for the championship. To him, it was merely a training ground for tempering his body, stockpiling sign-in rewards, and stacking the passive ability that made him stronger the more he fought.

Outside the window, the sea of clouds churned as the continent's mountains and rivers slid backward.

At South City's martial arts tournament, experts from every corner would gather. Master Roshi and Krillin were about to appear. A new storyline, new sign-ins, and new fierce battles were already close at hand.