Karin's Holy Land

Karin's Holy Land, a martial arts sacred ground, is said to be the birthplace of martial arts on Earth.

It is situated on a vast plain in the Northern Hemisphere of Earth, backed by a majestic mountain range perpetually covered in snow. This mountain range soars from south to north, piercing the clouds. Because of it, most of the moisture from the western ocean is blocked on the other side of the mountains, preventing Karin's Holy Land, which is near the sea, from becoming a rainforest with excessive rainfall.

Karin's Holy Land is essentially a large, sunken basin, over a hundred kilometers in area, entirely covered in dense forest. From a distance, it looks like a green wave, constantly swaying as it is buffeted by the wind.

In the very center of Karin's Holy Land stands Karin Tower, which connects to the Celestial Realm.

Legend has it that only by climbing Karin Tower with bare hands can one meet the immortal residing at the top and receive their guidance.

More than two hundred years ago, when martial arts were exceptionally prosperous on Earth, martial artists flocked to challenge Karin Tower. However, due to a great catastrophe that affected the entire world two hundred and fifty years ago, martial arts schools on Earth suffered heavy losses and have not yet recovered. Consequently, fewer people now come to challenge Karin Tower than in the past.

But today, a figure is rapidly approaching the location of Karin Tower. With a whoosh, a fleeting shadow passes through several snow-capped mountains, and a flat horizon appears in sight.

Mu Yang flew over the great forest of Karin's Holy Land. In his view, a towering long tower, rooted on the horizon and piercing the clouds above, was obscured by white, floating clouds.

"Finally arrived at Karin's Holy Land. That slender line should be Karin Tower. It's so thin and long!"

Mu Yang looked at Karin Tower in the distance with surprise. Seeing it in reality was far more shocking than he had imagined.

He descended, gradually approaching Karin Tower.

The base of Karin Tower is about two meters wide, deeply rooted in the ground. The ivory-colored tower body is only a little over a meter thick. It's unclear what material it's made of, but it's carved with various totem patterns: flowers and birds, human faces, and animal forms. These totems likely represent an ancient human faith in nature.

Mu Yang's feet touched the ground. He looked up at the tower, its peak hidden from view. He then stretched his body in place, preparing to officially challenge Karin Tower.

"It truly is the world of Dragon Ball. As long as one finds the correct way to train according to the rules, even Earthlings can possess immense strength! This must be due to the world's rules! In any case, Mu Yang knew that in his original world, he definitely wouldn't have been able to cultivate to possess this strength. It's probably because a force field called 'Ki' permeates the universe."

Now, he was about to challenge Karin Tower!

Suddenly, an arrow shot towards him. Its cold tip gleamed menacingly. Mu Yang immediately extended his hand and caught the arrow.

"This is no way to welcome guests!"

He stuck the arrow into the ground and said in a cold voice.

"Stop! What are you doing here?"

A man's voice came from behind him. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh. Six or seven Native Americans with painted stripes on their faces, carrying quivers, emerged from the woods.

These Native Americans were dressed similarly to Bora in the original work, holding spears and arrows, wearing necklaces of animal teeth, and all looking at Mu Yang with wariness.

"Guardians of Karin's Holy Land?"

Mu Yang raised an eyebrow, recognizing their identity at a glance.

Strictly speaking, not everyone was qualified to challenge Karin Tower because it soared into the sky, making the challenge somewhat dangerous. These guardians had lived in the great forest of the Holy Land for years, considering it their duty to protect it. They were essentially the first checkpoint before challenging Karin Tower.

"Stranger, your martial arts are very impressive. State your identity." The Native American walking at the front, holding a spear, stepped forward.

"Mu Yang, from the Tianxin Style. I have come today to challenge Karin Tower," Mu Yang said with a serious expression.

The Native American looked surprised upon hearing this, exclaiming, "You are Mu Yang, the champion of this World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament?"

Mu Yang was taken aback for a moment, not expecting the guardians residing in Karin's Holy Land to know about the World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament. He then realized that this was not the era where martial artists lived in seclusion like in later times; exchanges between schools were still very frequent. He nodded, "That's right, I am Mu Yang."

Upon hearing Mu Yang confirm his identity, the Native Americans' attitude clearly became more enthusiastic.

"My apologies for earlier. My name is Os, and I am a guardian of Karin Tower."

The Native American named Os, who was at the forefront, offered an apology, waved his hand to signal his tribesmen to lower their weapons, and then said with emotion, "You said you came to challenge Karin Tower? After so many years, someone is finally here to challenge it. To be honest, this is not an easy task; one wrong move could cost you your life."

"My tribesmen have also tried, but they all failed. Are you sure you want to challenge Karin Tower?"

There weren't many members of the guardian tribe, and only the most outstanding warriors were qualified to live near Karin Tower. If even they failed, one could imagine how difficult challenging Karin Tower was.

Mu Yang replied, "Thank you for your concern. I am mentally prepared."

Seeing his firm attitude, Os nodded. "Since you've traveled a long way to get here, why not recuperate your body and challenge it tomorrow at this time?"

"No need. My condition is excellent, and I plan to challenge it now. I appreciate your kind offer," Mu Yang shook his head and refused.

Os looked at Mu Yang with astonishment, then moved aside. "In that case, I wish you good luck."

"Thank you."

With that, Mu Yang faced Karin Tower and forcefully tensed his leg muscles. "Whoosh!" A whirlwind suddenly kicked up from the ground. Using this burst of power, Mu Yang shot towards the sky at lightning speed. His toes lightly stepped on the protruding nodes of Karin Tower, and in a few moves, he became a black dot, disappearing from everyone's sight.

Below, the Native American guardians stared blankly at the sky where Mu Yang had vanished, dumbfounded. They never expected him to possess such immense strength.

After a long while, Os closed his mouth and looked at his tribesmen, saying incredulously, "That young man is so strong! Perhaps he can truly meet Karin the Immortal!"

"Yes, he's worthy of being the champion of the World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament!"

The others praised him one after another.

"No, he's much stronger than the champions of previous tournaments."

Os shook his head, his gaze returning to Karin Tower, which reached into the clouds.