'BOOM~~~!!!!!'
The sphere of destruction exploded violently, its terrifying destructive power scattering in all directions as dazzling light engulfed the entire sky.
When the light faded, Vegeta was no longer in the Ultra Ego State.
He had suffered severe injuries. Although he was not dead, his consciousness had collapsed, and his life force rapidly declined toward zero.
The victor had been decided.
Not dying could indeed be considered fortunate luck.
It was the Law of Destruction within Vegeta's body that saved him.
"Hm? That unruly power actually wasn't completely erased by this god's destruction. Impressive." Beerus stood with his hands behind his back and spoke arrogantly.
He did not continue pursuing. After battling Vegeta, his long-silent heart had begun to stir again.
Right now, he was stuck in an uncomfortable state, itching to continue venting.
Watching Vegeta's unconscious body fall downward, Beerus made no move. His gaze had already shifted away from Vegeta and wandered across everyone on the ground.
Finally, it locked onto two people.
Vegeta was rescued by the later-arriving Trunks, preventing him from suffering further injury from crashing to the ground.
Nearly five-year-old Trunks was much more mature than Son Gohan back then.
One could say he learned it from Lin Xue, being clever beyond his age.
And the little fellow's strength was incomparable to Son Gohan from back then.
Seeing his father defeated was somewhat difficult for him to accept.
However, these years the children often spent time together, and unlike in the original work, their horizons were much broader, so they understood how terrifying and unbelievable God of Destructions and Angels truly were.
"This battle was a huge stimulus to him, but for him, it's also an opportunity." Looking at unconscious Vegeta, Lin Chuan sighed emotionally and casually released a healing beam, treating the dying Vegeta.
As the healing beam was applied, Vegeta's fatal injuries began recovering.
At the very least, he was no longer hovering on death's doorstep.
"Ughhhh…" Regaining consciousness, as though a light had guided him back from darkness, Vegeta let out a painful groan.
After waking up, Vegeta saw everyone. Finally, he silently clenched his fists, stood up, and glared furiously at Beerus in the sky.
He lost!
Lost without the slightest suspense!
Beerus was so powerful that he could not even see where the limit lay?!
"Now you understand why we lost, right? Even if you really are stronger than us, you're still far from being Beerus's opponent." Raditz suddenly spoke up at this moment.
Earlier, they had already made things very clear, but Vegeta refused to believe it, even more unwilling to accept it.
Before Vegeta could answer, before anyone else could speak.
Beerus suddenly descended from high altitude to near-ground level.
"You over there, this god thinks you seem quite interesting too. Want to come play with this god?" Feeling unbearably itchy for battle, Beerus ignored Lin Chuan and instead looked toward Piccolo.
He sensed it. Inside Piccolo's body existed a special power, not Divine Power, yet on the same level as Divine Power!
Moreover, besides that power, this person also possessed Divine Power within him!
His instincts told him this person was not simple. Perhaps he would be even more interesting than Vegeta.
Before tasting the grand feast, eat dessert first. That was Beerus's thought.
Hearing this, everyone was shocked, and even Piccolo froze slightly.
Being targeted by Beerus was completely unexpected.
"Being valued by a God of Destruction is my honor. Since you wish to fight, then let us fight! Even if I am defeated!" Piccolo decisively removed his white weighted training outfit.
Under everyone's shocked gazes, he slowly floated into the sky until reaching the same altitude as Beerus.
"What's your name?" Beerus smiled, extremely satisfied with Piccolo's answer.
"Piccolo!" Looking directly into Beerus's eyes at close range, Piccolo personally experienced just how powerful God of Destruction Beerus's aura truly was.
"I can sense the power of a true god within your body. If I'm not mistaken, you should also be able to transform, right?
"Transform quickly and let this god see that special Divine Power within you."
Beerus stated directly.
Hearing this, a sharp glint flashed through Piccolo's eyes. He had guessed as much, so he calmly replied: "Facing a God of Destruction like you, I dare not hold back in the slightest. Since you want to see it, then watch carefully!"
As his words fell, Piccolo activated the energy pool within his body.
In an instant, a crimson-gold energy storm swept across the heavens, dyeing more than half of Earth crimson-gold.
Completely opposite to the spectacle Vegeta created earlier.
His powerful aura swept across the entire planet, while faint dragon roars echoed between heaven and earth.
At the center of the crimson-gold energy storm, Piccolo's form began changing. From base form, he entered his giant state, then transformed into Orange Form.
But it was not over. His transformation was far from finished.
Orange Form was merely the beginning. Dragon God Might continued expanding as the aura storm transformed into a golden vortex rotating through the sky.
Such a sight was utterly shocking and unbelievable.
[As expected, it's the Dragon God's power! I never thought that after so many years, I would feel this power again. Things are becoming more and more interesting. First there were several Saiyans becoming wild gods, then a Vegeta strong enough to rival a God of Destruction, and now another Dragon God appears.]
Beerus held his chin with one hand, his eyes fixed on the center of the aura storm as anticipation rose within him.
Meanwhile, Son Goku, Raditz, and Broly on the ground were left completely dumbfounded by the sight.
As fellow cultivators of Divine Power, they could clearly sense just how terrifying the Divine Power erupting from Piccolo had become.
Most importantly, this Divine Power was completely different from what they cultivated.
Whis observed Piccolo's transformation in the sky, the mysterious smile on his face deepening further.
[As expected, you have completely taken that step. Let me witness the transformation beyond Orange Form.] Lin Chuan crossed his arms and silently thought with great anticipation.
"That guy Piccolo…" Vegeta's face became extremely ugly.
Only someone who had fought Beerus personally would understand Beerus's terror.
Although Piccolo had reached the same level as him, Piccolo would still undoubtedly lose this battle.
Feeling heavy-hearted, Vegeta shifted his gaze toward Lin Chuan.
He did not know how strong Lin Chuan truly was, but his instincts told him that even facing God of Destruction Beerus head-on, the current Lin Chuan could still avoid falling into disadvantage.
He was still far too weak.
...
Soon, Piccolo's final transformation neared completion.
When the crimson-gold energy storm dissipated, Piccolo's appearance underwent a complete transformation.
Unlike the bulky Orange Form from before, the current Piccolo appeared slightly leaner. His pupils were crimson-gold, while his skin deepened into a darker crimson-gold color, almost as though formed from energy itself.
This form was precisely the evolved version of Orange Form! Also called by Piccolo the Dragon God Form Third Stage!
The first stage was Giant State, the second stage was Orange Form, and now came the third stage: Crimson-Gold.
In this form, Piccolo had already stepped into the Tenth Dimension realm, stronger than Vegeta who had just transformed into Ultra Ego State!
Of course, if they truly fought, Vegeta would not necessarily lose.
Piccolo's base form alone possessed a battle power of 500 Zhi!
Giant State provided a hundredfold amplification, while Orange Form was another hundredfold increase over Giant State!
Surpassing the limits of Orange Form further increased his Orange battle power tenfold.
Equivalent to Orange Form's ultimate limit reaching a thousandfold amplification over Giant State.
Combined together, after a one-hundred-thousandfold amplification, his battle power reached 5000 Rang!
And now Dragon God Third Stage Crimson-Gold provided another thousandfold increase, reaching the 500 Gou unit!
"Sorry to keep you waiting." Piccolo's simple sentence radiated an invisible pressure.
Especially the Dragon Might naturally emitted from his crimson-gold pupils. Even opponents of the same level would subconsciously avoid his gaze.
"This power is indeed impressive, but it seems you still haven't completely mastered it." Beerus smiled slightly and raised one hand, curling his finger toward Piccolo, signaling him to attack.
"This is my first time fighting in this form. Be careful, God of Destruction Beerus!!" With a loud shout, Piccolo attacked without hesitation.
Facing Beerus, and with Vegeta's previous failure as a lesson, he would not miss any opportunity.
Although his body became leaner and closer to his normal shape, his attacks became even fiercer and stronger than in Orange Form.
Every strike and movement carried extremely powerful pressure.
Moreover, every attack contained killing intent aimed directly at killing Beerus.
Testing attacks would definitely not gain him any advantage, so Piccolo completely threw caution aside.
'BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!...'
Explosions continuously erupted through space.
Piccolo attacked with full force, pressing God of Destruction Beerus.
Even though Beerus was merely playing around, this alone was enough to shock everyone present.
Even God of Destructions from other universes would be startled by such a scene.
Beerus was genuinely surprised by the combat ability Piccolo displayed.
Because he discovered Piccolo's attacks were gradually approaching the combat methods of gods.
Unlike Vegeta, whose power reached that level while still using mortal battle instincts.
If this were certain God of Destructions from other universes, they might genuinely suffer under Piccolo's hands.
"HAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!" As the assault continued, Piccolo roared and unleashed a full-power strike.
This time, Beerus did not dodge and instead blocked with his right hand.
'BOOM!!!!' A massive explosion erupted.
Space warped violently as the ultimate destructive force behind Piccolo's punch drove Beerus back nearly a hundred meters.
Beerus!
Was forced back by Piccolo!
"Hehehe~! Truly astonishing power, but you should still have more than this, right?" Beerus narrowed his eyes and spoke teasingly.
The invisible Divine intimidation radiating from him seemed to warn Piccolo that if he still did not reveal something greater, he would lose his chance.
"Super Demon——Piercing——Light——Killing——Cannon!!" Piccolo unleashed the Demon Piercing Light Killing Cannon with all his power, its might surpassing imagination.
This attack possessed the power to slay gods. Among equals, almost no one could block it!
But in Beerus's eyes, the Super Demon Piercing Light Killing Cannon merely looked flashy.
Beerus casually raised his right hand, curled his index finger while gathering power, then flicked it.
A tiny particle of God of Destruction Power the size of a grain of rice shot forward and collided with the Super Demon Piercing Light Killing Cannon.
'BANG!!!' A loud explosion echoed out.
The Super Demon Piercing Light Killing Cannon was completely destroyed by God of Destruction Power, transforming into countless starlike fragments drifting through space.
Seeing this scene, Piccolo's expression changed as his heart grew heavier.
Beerus was even more troublesome than he imagined. No wonder someone at Vegeta's level stood no chance at all.
"HAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!" Piccolo clenched both fists tightly as dense crimson-gold aura exploded from his body, powerful Dragon Might spreading across heaven and earth.
His aura continuously rose and expanded, crimson-gold energy erupting outward as the powerful Dragon God aura transformed into tangible flames burning around him.
Once the energy reached its critical point, Piccolo roared and entered an Energy Burst State! Launching a fierce assault!!
'BOOM!!!!!' A dazzling light bloomed between heaven and earth as the fierce battle erupted once more!
In Energy Burst State, Piccolo entered a completely selfless realm. Every attack became savage and perfectly timed.
His speed continuously increased, while the sharpness of his punches and kicks became increasingly terrifying. This assault was on an entirely different level from before.
Under Piccolo's fierce offensive, Beerus became interested and finally launched a counterattack.
'BANG!!' A dull explosion rang out.
Beerus threw a heavy punch. Its overwhelmingly tyrannical force sent Piccolo flipping away. Immediately afterward, Beerus kicked Piccolo, shattering Dragon God Power while sending him flying several thousand meters away.
Now it was Beerus's turn.
'WHOOSH~!!' A sharp tearing sound echoed.
In the next instant, Beerus's body exploded with terrifying speed. Catching up to Piccolo, he rotated around Piccolo's body at ultra-high speed.
Strange and ruthless attacks struck from every direction at extreme speed, forcing Piccolo entirely onto the defensive.
'RIP~! RIP~! RIP~!...' Sounds of flesh splitting echoed continuously.
In just a few seconds, multiple wounds were torn open across Piccolo's body by Beerus's bizarre attacks, purple blood spilling from the injuries.
The overbearing Dragon God Power continuously healed Piccolo's injuries, but Beerus's attacks were simply too fast, never giving Piccolo even a moment to breathe.
The healing speed of Dragon God Power was far slower than the rate at which he was being injured.
This could not continue. Otherwise his body would collapse very quickly.
He could only use that move now.
Gritting his teeth, Piccolo suddenly caused the crimson-gold aura around him to explode upward. Dragon Might soared into the heavens as his energy poured outward without restraint.
Beerus, who had been attacking, was forcibly driven back by the overbearing Dragon God Power, while the playful expression on his face deepened.
How could Piccolo's intentions escape his eyes?
Perfect timing. He also wanted to see whether the legendary Dragon God Power or his God of Destruction Power was stronger.
At this moment, Piccolo's energy burst reached its peak, his aura rapidly drawing inward as he compressed it with all his strength.
His left hand gripped his right wrist while Dragon God Power gathered in his left palm. After countless layers of compression, it vaguely formed the head of a golden dragon.
"Dragon God——Impact Cannon!!!" As the words fell, a dragon-shaped energy cannon erupted from Piccolo's hand.
Like a giant dragon soaring through heaven and earth, it carried boundless Dragon Might toward Beerus.
"What astonishing energy. This is becoming interesting." Beerus revealed a delighted expression. God of Destruction Power surged around him as he raised his right hand, gathering God of Destruction Power into a Super Destruction Sphere before thrusting it forward.
The instant both energies collided, the entire world changed color.
Dragon God Power and God of Destruction Power clashed evenly at first, neither side capable of truly suppressing the other.
The Dragon God Power unleashed by Piccolo was incomparably overbearing. In some sense, it was equal to God of Destruction Power, even faintly superior.
But unfortunately, the gap in strength was too large. This balanced situation was completely shattered the moment Beerus exerted more force.
'HUMMM~!!!'
The Super Destruction Sphere expanded, surrounded by strange purple-red light.
The Dragon God Impact Cannon was forced backward, the overwhelming pressure causing Piccolo's expression to drastically change.
"This is bad!! I can't hold it much longer!!" Piccolo desperately increased his energy output, yet still could not stop the advance of the Super Destruction Sphere.
The gap… was too great!
The result seemed predetermined from the very beginning. Piccolo's ending would become the same as Vegeta's.
The moment the destruction energy struck Piccolo, the unprecedented pain caused him, just like Vegeta before him, to release a heart-wrenching scream.
Everyone's hearts tightened.
Even Lin Chuan inhaled deeply.
He wanted to intervene, but this was Piccolo's battle. If he interfered before true death arrived, then he would only harm Piccolo instead.
Yet no one expected that at this exact moment, because Piccolo's life faced its greatest threat, Son Gohan could no longer endure it.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, he actually completed the Super Saiyan Beast Form! Shocking everyone present!
Surpassing the limits of Mystic Form, the savage pressure overflowing from him, although far inferior to Piccolo and Vegeta at their peak states, still reached the Ninth Dimension level.
With a base power of 500 Gai, the ten-thousandfold amplification of perfected Mystic Form raised him to 500 Zhi, and with the hundredfold increase from Beast Form, his power directly skyrocketed to 5 Rang!
This level of strength was already nearly comparable to Future Son Gohan from that future era… although still somewhat lacking, at least this Son Gohan did not become Scholar Gohan.
Moreover, the Son Gohan of this world would definitely surpass the Future Son Gohan from this timeline.
As Son Gohan intervened.
Beerus was startled by this special power and stopped releasing God of Destruction Power. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Piccolo broke free from the destructive damage.
"Gohan?!" Piccolo was shocked by Son Gohan's breakthrough.
Very quickly, he sensed disaster approaching and hurriedly adjusted his condition, preparing for battle at any moment.
Beerus was not an ordinary opponent.
Battles of this level were not something one could casually interfere in.
"Brat, interrupting this god's game comes with a price!" A trace of gloom flashed through Beerus's eyes as he casually condensed another Super Destruction Sphere and hurled it toward Piccolo and Son Gohan.
"This is bad, that guy is angry."
"Get back! Gohan!!"
Piccolo shielded Son Gohan behind him while releasing Dragon God Power, resisting the advance of the Super Destruction Sphere.
But even while fully unleashing Dragon God Power, the effect was minimal, only slightly slowing the sphere's advance.
Watching Piccolo desperately resist, Son Gohan clenched his teeth and inwardly cursed his own weakness.
Then, as though making a decision.
He chose to stand beside Piccolo, simultaneously unleashing his own power to help resist the Super Destruction Sphere.
"I won't hide behind others anymore, Uncle Piccolo!!"
Son Gohan revealed the true thoughts within his heart. His overwhelming aura grew stronger and stronger, while the amplification granted by Beast Form continuously increased.
A hundredfold increase over perfected Mystic Form was merely the foundation.
Silver-white lightning continuously exploded around his body, and even his base power faintly showed signs of further advancement.
"Gohan, you really have grown." Piccolo felt endless emotion inwardly.
Although he was happy, under the current situation, this was not a battle his Gohan should be participating in.
If he himself was swallowed by the Super Destruction Sphere, there was still a chance to survive, but if Gohan were swallowed, it would be over!
"Not good!!!" Suddenly, the pressure drastically increased, causing Piccolo's expression to change violently.
The Super Destruction Sphere had already advanced directly before the two of them, leaving them no room to resist.
With the situation developing to this point, everyone on the ground inhaled sharply.
It seemed the overwhelming power of a God of Destruction simply could not be stopped.
And at this exact moment, Lin Chuan moved.
Using Space Instant Transmission, he crossed space and appeared before Piccolo and Son Gohan.
Simultaneously raising one hand, he blocked the overwhelmingly powerful Super Destruction Sphere with a single palm.
Piccolo was shocked: "Old Lin?!"
Son Gohan exclaimed joyfully: "Uncle Lin Chuan!"
Seeing clearly the person who blocked his Super Destruction Sphere, Beerus did not become angry. Instead, anticipation began rising within him.
"Switching players now, Piccolo." Lin Chuan smiled slightly.
Utilizing the Law of Destruction, he disintegrated Beerus's Super Destruction Sphere from the inside out.
Watching Lin Chuan effortlessly neutralize his destruction, a trace of displeasure flashed deep within Beerus's eyes.
Just as he expected, since Vegeta mastered it, this Saiyan brat Whis claimed was even stronger had mastered it as well.
[Are you really going to fight? Old Lin, this isn't a joke!] Piccolo communicated mentally with Lin Chuan.
[Beerus came for me from the very beginning. Whether you and Vegeta fought him or not, even without Vegeta provoking him first, this battle would still happen. Besides, now his fighting spirit has already been ignited. There's no avoiding the fight anymore.] Lin Chuan mentally responded.
Receiving the answer, Piccolo understood this was no longer his battlefield.
Without hesitation, he exchanged a few words with Son Gohan before the two withdrew from the battlefield.
As they departed, the atmosphere became subtle.
The previous two battles had merely been warmups for Beerus.
Now that Lin Chuan had been forced to step in, the real battle was finally beginning.
...
On the ground.
"Lin Chuan is finally going to fight?! This guy's methods are becoming more and more mysterious. That teleportation just now was even more advanced than Instant Transmission." Fiery excitement flashed through Son Goku's eyes, his anticipation impossible to conceal.
Every single one of them lost to Beerus, and everyone wanted to know just how Lin Chuan compared to Beerus.
This battle held enormous meaning for all of them.
"Four years have passed. Just how far has your strength progressed, Talos…" Raditz muttered deeply.
Lin Chuan's strength had always remained uncertain to them.
Back then, Lin Chuan unleashed Super Saiyan Blue 3 and shattered space itself with a single strike to heavily injure that evil being. Even now, they were still far from reaching that level.
Yet Beerus's strength was equally unfathomable.
"Lin Chuan…" Broly clenched his fists tightly as excitement gradually filled his eyes.
Besides them, Vegeta, the returned Piccolo and Son Gohan, as well as Krillin, Tien Shinhan, Android 16, Android 17, Majin Buu, and the others all felt anticipation and speculation.
Bulma, Android 18, and Android 21 stood together with Lin Xue, Lin An, and Lin Xin.