Morning sunlight filtered through the sparse woods, scattering patches of light across the ground.
The fresh air carried the fragrance of earth and grass. Yalijia stood before a sturdy oak, her figure looking especially resolute in the sunlight.
Ha! Ha! Ha! Every palm strike came with the whistle of force cutting through the air, her palm power stirring ripples through it. That morning, Wumu had made her hold the eight fixed stances for an hour and a half.
These were the stance exercises that accompanied Baguazhang, consisting of eight sets: the Tai Chi stance, the two principles stance, the three powers stance, the four images stance, the five elements stance, the six harmonies stance, the seven stars stance, and the eight trigrams stance.
After stance training came footwork practice, repeated over and over until every movement was precise and properly executed.
Now, she began training her palm power, taking her morning practice a step further. Every strike required her to gather the strength of her entire body, and every blow made the tree tremble slightly.
Beneath her palms, slight indentations had already appeared in the bark, showing the strength of her palm strikes.
Wumu stood to one side, his gaze blazing like a torch as he observed Yalijia's every movement, every detail. His voice was low and firm. "Yalijia, follow this training plan every day from now on."
Yalijia's palm slammed fiercely into the tree again. Without stopping, she merely gave a quiet reply. "All right!" Her voice held a little fatigue, but even more determination and persistence. She knew that every practice session was meant to make her stronger.
Seeing that Yalijia could already control her strength proficiently, Wumu nodded, a faint, satisfied smile appearing on his face.
Then, just like that, he vanished silently from the spot, leaving Yalijia alone to continue her training.
Korin Tower.
Here, four martial artists were locked in fierce combat: Tien Shinhan, Krillin, Yamcha, and Chiaotzu.
Sunlight filtered through the scattered clouds, casting patches of light on their sweat-drenched faces.
Yamcha and Krillin had once traveled far and wide separately, exploring the mysteries of martial arts in different places.
They had heard about Goku's training at Korin Tower and set off on a journey to find it.
When they finally found the place, they discovered that Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu had already been training there for quite some time.
Thus, the four decided to train together, constantly exchanging martial skills, until it eventually developed into the free-for-all taking place now.
Ratatatat! The sounds of battle rang out without end. The four traded blows, the collisions of technique and strength producing a string of explosive reports.
During the battle, Chiaotzu was the first to be knocked back, his figure tracing an arc through the air before landing heavily on the ground. Immediately afterward, Krillin was also driven back because of a moment's carelessness.
Now, only Tien Shinhan and Yamcha remained facing each other. Tien Shinhan's gaze was firm, while a challenging light flickered in Yamcha's eyes.
Yamcha suddenly stopped, took a deep breath, then said seriously to Tien Shinhan, "Tien Shinhan, try my new move." His voice carried a trace of unquestionable resolve.
Yamcha gripped his left wrist tightly with his right hand. A blue ball of light began gathering in his left palm, spinning there and growing larger and larger.
His brows knitted tightly as he focused entirely on gathering energy. "Spirit Ball!" he shouted. The blue ball of light shot straight toward Tien Shinhan like an arrow loosed from its bow.
Seeing this, Tien Shinhan hurriedly dodged sideways, his movements agile and precise.
But Yamcha did not stop there. He extended his right hand and swept his fingers like a sword. The Ki Blast actually changed direction in midair and continued chasing Tien Shinhan.
Tien Shinhan glanced back, a hint of surprise appearing in his eyes. He hurriedly turned, thrust both hands forward, and shouted. A powerful current of Ki burst from his palms, dispersing the pursuing Ki Blast.
The battle continued, and Tien Shinhan silently grumbled to himself, This guy has a new move every time. There's really no guarding against them all. Yet an appreciative smile appeared on his face. Clearly, he was full of excitement and anticipation for this battle.
Although their battle was fierce, all four knew in their hearts that this was not merely a simple contest, but a trial of friendship, respect, and surpassing themselves.
Wumu used Instant Transmission, his figure crossing space like a phantom in an instant and appearing inside Kame House.
The sea breeze wafted in through the window with its salty, damp scent, mingling with the fragrance of tea indoors.
Everyone inside except Ganazi was astonished by Wumu's sudden appearance. Their eyes widened as though they had witnessed something inconceivable.
Wumu looked slightly surprised as well. He had not expected so many people to be present, or for Tights and Jaco to actually be on Earth. He scratched his head lightly, trying to conceal his awkwardness, then greeted Master Roshi politely. "Master Mutaito, long time no see."
Master Roshi was sitting on a low stool, holding a steaming cup of tea.
Hearing Wumu's voice, he gently set down his cup and studied Wumu with eyes that seemed capable of seeing through everything, concealed behind his sunglasses. His voice was steady and strong. "Wumu, what technique did you just use?"
Wumu chuckled. "Oh, that was Instant Transmission, a technique from another planet."
Master Roshi's eyes narrowed slightly behind his sunglasses. He could sense the changes in Wumu. His voice carried a measure of wonder. "You really have become unfathomable, like a stretch of nothingness. I can't sense anything at all." There was more than praise in his words.
Wumu smiled faintly at that. "Master Mutaito, you flatter me."
"Master Roshi, I originally intended to come visit you a few years ago, but I was a little too eager to train and couldn't visit sooner," Wumu said.
Hearing this, Master Roshi raised his brows slightly and took the opportunity to ask, "Wumu, why are you so desperate to become stronger?"
Wumu fell silent for a moment. His gaze swept lightly over Ganazi, Bulma, and the others before finally settling on Master Roshi. He began slowly, "Once, while practicing martial arts, I felt a powerful warning in my mind, as though Earth would face an unprecedented crisis and might be destroyed. I couldn't be certain how to prevent this disaster, so I made a wish to Shenron, hoping to find a solution."
Beside them, Bulma turned pale when she heard this. Covering her face with both hands, she said in a trembling voice, "What! Earth will be destroyed? How can that happen! A beautiful girl like me hasn't even properly enjoyed a wonderful love life yet. That Yamcha does nothing but train all day. I never even see him."
Wumu was inwardly speechless at her words. Yamcha is still training now. Later, when his iconic scenes begin and he gives up martial arts to chase girls everywhere, you'll feel even worse. And when you get together with Vegeta after that, you still won't experience a wonderful romance.
But that was none of Wumu's business. After hearing this, Master Roshi looked thoughtful for a moment before asking, "So that's how it is. Have you come back this time because you're confident you can stop it?"
Wumu shook his head. "Not yet. I came back this time to find Kami and have him take me to visit someone."
Then he called Ganazi, who immediately rose and came to stand behind Wumu.
Wumu turned to Master Roshi again and bowed deeply. "Master Roshi, I came to visit this time to thank you for your guidance back then. These are miraculous fruits I discovered during my travels through the universe. They can increase one's strength." As he spoke, he offered two translucent Fruits of Might.
Master Roshi accepted the fruits, a flicker of surprise appearing in his eyes. He had not expected such wondrous things to exist in the world.
Then Wumu said goodbye to Master Roshi and vanished from the house with Ganazi using Instant Transmission.