Sun Wuxiu landed in the Indian village at the base of Karin Tower, the homeland of Bora and Upa.
Without lingering, he merely released a trace of his Qi, instantly deterring the wild beasts lurking nearby, before heading directly toward the tower itself.
Looking up at the colossal pillar that pierced the clouds, Sun Wuxiu smiled.
“So this is the ladder mortals use to approach the realm of the gods.” “For me right now, it’s a little short.” He did not use the levitation ability of the Rooster Talisman, nor did he choose to climb for days like Son Goku had in the original story.
Instead, he slightly bent his knees.
“Ox Talisman: Strength.” “Rabbit Talisman: Superspeed.” BOOM!!!
The ground beneath him exploded apart as countless cracks spread outward.
Dust and debris shot into the sky.
Sun Wuxiu launched upward like an intercontinental missile, carrying a terrifying sonic boom as he rushed straight up along the tower’s surface.
The wind howled past his ears.
Layer after layer of clouds shattered beneath his feet.
A journey that would normally require days of climbing for an ordinary martial artist was completed by Sun Wuxiu in less than ten minutes through sheer explosive power.
…
At the summit of Karin Tower.
A plump white cat leaned on a cane while dozing lazily.
This was Korin.
Over the past eight hundred years, countless martial artists had attempted to climb Karin Tower, but only a handful had successfully reached the top.
“Snore…
snore…” Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind surged upward from below.
Korin’s whiskers bent crooked from the blast.
“Meow?!” The startled cat jumped upright.
Before he could react, a figure had already landed lightly atop the railing in front of him.
It was a young man wearing an orange martial arts uniform.
His breathing was perfectly steady.
Not a single drop of sweat could be seen on him.
“Yo.
So you’re Korin.
You’re a bit rounder than I imagined.” Sun Wuxiu jumped down from the railing and examined the legendary cat with interest.
“You…
how did you get up here?!” Korin’s eyes widened.
He hadn’t sensed anyone climbing the tower.
This youth had practically appeared out of nowhere.
“I ran up.” Sun Wuxiu shrugged.
“Ran…
ran up?!” Korin wiped away nonexistent cold sweat.
This tower was nearly ten thousand meters high and completely vertical.
Yet while he wasn’t paying attention, this kid had supposedly run all the way up?
Were youngsters nowadays all monsters?
“Ahem…” Having lived for eight hundred years, Korin quickly regained his composure.
“Since you managed to get here, you clearly possess some ability.” “I am the Immortal of this tower.” “You’ve come for the Sacred Water, haven’t you?” He pointed toward a large pot positioned in the center of the room.
“As long as you can snatch it from my hands…” Jingle.
A crisp ringing sound interrupted him.
Korin froze.
Something felt wrong.
Looking down, he saw that his cane was still in his grasp.
However, the bell hanging from it had disappeared.
His head snapped upward.
Sun Wuxiu stood there smiling while casually spinning the bell around one finger.
“You mean this bell?” “I don’t think it was particularly difficult to take.” “…” Korin became completely petrified.
One second?
No.
Not even a tenth of a second.
His proud speed had appeared slower than a snail before this young man.
“You…
you…” He stammered for quite some time before finally sighing.
“Fine.” “You win.” “You are the first person in hundreds of years to take the bell this quickly.” “Even Master Roshi wasn’t remotely close to this level when he came here.” “You may drink the Sacred Water.” To Korin’s surprise, Sun Wuxiu casually tossed the bell back without even glancing at the water pot.
“That kind of psychological trick should be left for future visitors.” Sun Wuxiu spoke calmly.
“My strength doesn’t need that sort of thing to prove itself.” “Besides, my goal isn’t you.” He lifted his head.
His gaze seemed to pierce through the roof of Karin Tower itself and continue toward the heavens beyond.
“I came here to meet Kami.” “!!!” Korin’s fur immediately stood on end.
“You…
you know about Kami?!” The existence of Kami was one of Earth’s greatest secrets.
Aside from Korin and the attendants of the Lookout, virtually nobody knew of his existence.
“Relax, Korin.” Sun Wuxiu waved his hand.
“I don’t have any bad intentions.” “I simply want to train there.” “This…
this breaks the rules…” Korin looked troubled.
“Without Kami’s permission, the Power Pole can’t…” At that moment, a majestic and ancient voice echoed directly within Korin’s mind.
“Korin.” “Allow him to come.” “Kami-sama?!” Korin immediately bowed toward the sky.
“This young man possesses extraordinary fortune and extraordinary power.” The voice continued.
“Although he carries a strong desire to fight, there is no evil within his heart.” “I would like to meet him as well.” “Understood, Kami-sama.” Korin breathed a sigh of relief.
His gaze toward Sun Wuxiu became noticeably more respectful.
“Kami has granted permission.” “You may proceed.” “Thank you.” Sun Wuxiu nodded.
Just as he prepared to leave, he suddenly stopped as though remembering something.
With a casual motion, he reached into his backpack and pulled out several large jars filled with enormous fresh fish he had caught in the forest below.
“Since this is our first meeting, I couldn’t come empty-handed.” “Please accept these fish as a small gift.” The moment Korin saw the fish, all traces of his immortal dignity instantly collapsed.
Drool nearly dripped from his mouth.
“Meow!” “Such huge fish!” “And they’re still alive!” “However…” Sun Wuxiu suddenly changed the subject.
“I’d also like to trade for some local specialties.” “What do you want?” Korin hugged the fish protectively and eyed him with suspicion.
“Senzu Beans.” Sun Wuxiu raised two fingers.
“Two jars.” “Two jars?!” Korin nearly dropped the fish.
“Do you think Senzu Beans grow on trees?!” “One bean can keep a person full for ten days and restore them from severe injuries as long as they’re still alive!” “Two jars?!” “Are you planning to start a war?” “It’s always better to be prepared.” Sun Wuxiu smiled.
“The enemies I face in the future may be very powerful.” “If I get beaten half to death and don’t have any beans on hand, that would be rather awkward.” “Besides, once I begin training on the Lookout, I probably won’t have time to come down here and catch fish for you anymore.” Korin struggled internally for a long time.
He looked at the lively fish.
Then at Sun Wuxiu’s completely shameless expression.
Finally, he surrendered.
“Fine!
Fine!
Fine!” “I’m afraid of you!” He hurried into the inner room and returned carrying two jars.
Though the containers weren’t large, they were packed tightly with Senzu Beans.
“Use them sparingly!” “This is the stock I’ve accumulated over hundreds of years!” “Thanks.” Sun Wuxiu waved his hand and stored the jars away inside capsules.
Although the Dog Talisman and Horse Talisman theoretically made Senzu Beans unnecessary for him, it never hurt to be prepared.
Besides, he couldn’t guarantee that future battles involving Son Goku and the others wouldn’t require them.
After completing the transaction, Sun Wuxiu no longer lingered.
“I won’t be using the Power Pole.” “I’ll fly up myself.” His feet slowly left the ground.
The power of the Rooster Talisman activated.
His body transformed into a streak of light that shot upward through the sea of clouds.
Like a comet ascending toward the heavens, Sun Wuxiu flew directly toward the sacred palace floating high above the world.
The Lookout.
The true gateway to the realm of the gods.