Three Years

Three years later!

The 11th World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament!

Mu Yang's eyes lit up—this was the first time he had pinpointed the exact era of the Dragon Ball world he was in.

Before, due to the backward technology and limited information on Earth, he had no accurate reference point, leaving him clueless for a long time about how many years remained until the story began.

Now, Aisafu's news about the tournament gave him a benchmark.

In the original story, Son Goku participated in the 21st World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament, which meant Mu Yang was a full ten tournaments earlier. Going by three-year intervals, that would be thirty years! No, Mu Yang shook his head—before the 21st tournament, the gap was five years, not three.

So ten tournaments meant fifty years, plus the three years ahead, meaning at least fifty-three years remained until the story started.

Calculating that way, his "transmigration" into the Dragon Ball world happened fifty-four years before the plot began.

Mu Yang couldn't help but click his tongue—that was a long time. By the time the story started, he'd be sixty or seventy, an old geezer.

After learning about the tournament from his teacher Aisafu, Mu Yang took his leave and returned to his small hut, his mind churning over the event.

Having confirmed his timeline, Mu Yang's heart settled instead.

His eyes glanced at the Energy Detector stored in its metal case, and the corner of his mouth curled up. "I'll set aside what happens fifty years from now. For now, I'll focus on mastering my martial arts. The upcoming tournament will be my first step into the spotlight in this world."

In the original story, Master Roshi, who lived over three hundred years, was still vigorous when the plot began and was hailed as the "God of Martial Arts," active on the historical stage.

Clearly, when one's power reached a certain level, using certain methods could definitely extend one's lifespan.

Legend had it that Master Roshi lived so long because he took the Immortality Elixir, while another rumor claimed he ate the Undying Grass from the Undying Forest. Mu Yang couldn't tell which was true, but for people like Master Roshi, Master Shen, Tien Shinhan, and Fortune Teller Baba to live for centuries—one or two might be a miracle, but four appearing at once meant there had to be a reason.

As long as that "reason" existed on Earth, Mu Yang believed he could obtain it too, given his knowledge of the Dragon Ball world.

With that thought, the small goal of "living until the story starts" didn't seem so hard to achieve.

Of course, Mu Yang's aim wasn't to end up like Master Roshi or Master Shen, decrepit old men by the time the plot began. He wanted not just to survive, but to maintain a healthy body!

At dawn, the scenery was serene.

The wind rustled leaves with a soft whisper, frogs croaked low in the paddy fields, dew clung to the grass in the distance, and the quiet forest echoed with the chirping of insects and birds.

On a hilltop, a young man gathered energy within his body.

Suddenly, his whole body tensed as if facing a great enemy, and scorching energy coalesced into a blue light at his fingertips.

With a commanding shout, his arm shot straight, and a surging beam of energy burst from between his two fingers.

"Tianxin Ki!!"

Like a laser sweeping through, the slender pillar of light, accompanied by a fierce whirlwind, struck a boulder weighing over seventy jin in the distance. A thunderous roar erupted as the rock exploded, scattering into fine particles, while a thick cloud of dust rose to block the view.

As the smoke cleared, Mu Yang panted slightly, a satisfied gleam in his eyes.

His Ki Blast had finally reached his teacher Aisafu's level.

Three years had passed since Mu Yang obtained the Energy Detector.

Day after day, for three full years, Mu Yang was now seventeen, having grown from a boy into a graceful young man.

Over these three years, Mu Yang's strength had steadily increased. Through this long period of training, his body had been greatly strengthened. An Earthling's physique couldn't compare to a Saiyan's, so he couldn't push himself to extreme limits like Son Goku, but thanks to the Acceleration Space's effects, Mu Yang's Battle Power had now reached 85!

That number wasn't high, not comparable to Son Goku and others at the same stage, but for an Earthling of this era, it was already considered a master.

During these years, Mu Yang hadn't deliberately focused on raising his Battle Power. Instead, he spent more time in the Acceleration Space on understanding basic martial arts, striving to evolve every technique into infinite variations before integrating and optimizing them. Because Mu Yang knew Earth was a low-level planet, meaning its "ceiling" was very low.

A low level meant that when he eventually reached the top, no one would guide him anymore—he'd have to figure everything out himself. So for future development, Mu Yang consciously honed his insight during this early "limited growth period."

In fact, even Mu Yang's teacher Aisafu didn't realize that his disciple had unknowingly gained the ability to spar with him.

By now, even with every punch, Mu Yang could feel his power increasing.

One day, three years later, there was still a month until the World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament.

Due to the backward transportation, traveling from the Da Qingshan Mountains in the Northern Hemisphere to Maple Leaf Island in the Southern Region would take a lot of time along the way.

So on that day, Mu Yang packed his bags and, accompanied by his uncle Xis, began the journey to Maple Leaf Island.

"Mu Yang, do your best. It'd be great if you achieve good results, but even if not, gaining experience is fine," Aisafu said, placing his rough hand on Mu Yang's shoulder as they parted, offering encouragement.

"Please rest assured, teacher." Mu Yang's eyes were sharp, his tone confident.

"Good, that's the spirit." Aisafu smiled and nodded lightly.

Mu Yang wore a faint smile; he had confidence in his skills. The younger disciples around him craned their necks, watching him with envy.

"As expected of the senior disciple—he gets to participate in the World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament!"

"If only I were that strong! The World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament—I'd love to see it in person!"

"You will! By the next tournament, we'll definitely be able to join!"

Thus, under the gaze of all the elders and peers, Mu Yang raised his hand and waved gracefully, then shouldered his pack and set off down the mountain with Xis.

The journey to Maple Leaf Island required the use of a Steam Locomotive, and the nearest train station was still nearly a hundred kilometers from Da Qingshan Mountains.