Chapter 14: Atop the Tower

Xavier and Celine made only a brief stop at the base of Korin Tower before they accelerated upwards, climbing the ivory-colored tower toward its summit.

At the top of Korin Tower, within a dome-shaped structure, Korin, the cat hermit, stood next to a water jug, leaning on a cane with a grave expression. The water in the jug mirrored the scene of Xavier and Celine rapidly ascending the tower. Their speed was so great that the whirlwind they created dispersed the clouds surrounding the tower, and they were quickly nearing the top.

“Oh dear, where did these monsters come from? They’re about to reach the top already. They make King Piccolo from three hundred years ago look like nothing!” Korin mused, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He paced back and forth, stroking his beard, filled with unease: “Such powerful beings suddenly appearing on Earth, I wonder if they bring fortune or calamity!”

Korin and Kami, the guardian deity above him, had noticed Xavier and Celine as soon as they arrived on Earth due to their inability to conceal their Ki. The immense aura emanating from the two was not only shocking but also caused a sense of helplessness—such a terrifying presence had never been seen or even heard of; it was suffocating.

All Korin could hope was that they would not pose a threat to Earth.

For Korin and Kami, whose battle powers didn't even reach 260, the presence of Xavier and Celine with powers of 2530 and 1980 respectively was unimaginable and shook them profoundly, like an earth-shattering event.

“They’re here!” Korin shuddered, diverting his gaze from the water jug just as two young children floated outside the top of the tower.

“It’s unbelievable how quickly they passed the test of Korin Tower; they are incomprehensibly strong!” Korin braced himself and walked up to greet Xavier and Celine.

At that moment, Xavier was assessing the plump white cat before him, thinking to himself that this must indeed be Korin, exactly as described in the stories—he was said to be over 800 years old.

“What brings you two here?” Korin asked cautiously.

In the temple above Korin Tower, Kami also watched intently with a serious expression, while Mr. Popo stood by carefully.

“Korin, I have heard that this sacred land is the origin of Earth's martial arts. We have come to seek guidance in training methods from you,” Xavier said with a smile, getting straight to the point.

Korin’s expression eased as he responded, “Your strength far surpasses my own, many times over. I fear there is little I can teach you.”

Korin seemed relieved at Xavier's request. It was clear they were not there to pose any threat but to seek guidance in controlling their powerful auras. This provided a comforting pretext for the ancient guardian to offer his assistance without fear.

"Since that's the case, let me assess your true strength," Korin nodded, deciding to get a direct measure of their capabilities, not merely relying on the powerful aura they unintentionally radiated.

"I'll go first," Xavier offered and immediately began to channel his energy.

Instantly, an overwhelming aura burst forth, transforming into a gale that swept around him, tossing everything on Korin's Tower helter-skelter. The force of Xavier’s power alone was enough to distort the immediate environment, demonstrating a level of strength that left Korin utterly stunned. He had never encountered such intense power; it rooted him to the spot, momentarily unable to move.

After calming his energy, Xavier looked around and noticed the chaos his demonstration had caused. "That should be about right," he said, surveying the disorder.

"Now it's my turn," Celine chimed in, slightly skeptical of the elderly feline's capabilities but still ready to show her strength. As she released her power, another potent and fierce aura enveloped the tower. While her display was not as overpowering as Xavier's, it still significantly impressed Korin.

"Enough, enough! I don't know where you all come from, but you're terrifyingly strong!" Korin exclaimed, wiping the sweat from his forehead and pacing back and forth. "I do have some training methods here, but they all require starting from the basics. However, given the immense power you already possess, tempering it won't be simple."

The more formidable the energy, the more dominant it becomes, making it increasingly difficult to master completely. The training methods Korin knew required practitioners to start from the beginning, complicating the teaching process for individuals already so powerful.

"Let me handle this problem," a venerable voice suddenly intervened.

Korin turned around, surprised to find two new figures had appeared beside the tower. Kami, leaning on a staff, and Mr. Popo standing on a flying carpet, were hovering in midair.

"Kami..." Master Korin stirred, clearing his throat. Surely, with such a formidable being making an appearance on Earth, it was inevitable that Kami would reveal himself.

"Greetings, distant travelers. I am Earth's Guardian. Perhaps the heavens can offer some assistance with your troubles," Kami said, his aged face breaking into a benevolent smile.

Xavier, too, smiled and responded, "If that's the case, then we'll be in your care, Kami."

"Not at all, not at all. Please, both of you, come to the temple," Kami nodded, his heart finally easing. As long as they were not malevolent, fostering good ties with Earth was worthwhile. Turning to Master Korin, Kami continued, "Korin, this matter is of great importance; please, join us."

"Of course!" Master Korin nodded, leaning on his staff as he stepped onto the flying carpet.

"The temple lies directly above Korin's Tower. Will you join us, or perhaps..."

"We'll fly up on our own," Xavier declared, his spirits high. With the guidance of Master Korin, Kami, and Mr. Popo, he was confident he would soon master the secrets of Ki.

"Let's go together, Celine!"

Grasping Celine's hand, Xavier shot into the air and headed towards the temple. They soared through dense clouds charged with lightning, reaching the hemispherical temple perched at an incredibly high altitude—a structure bathed in hues of red.

The air was thin here, the atmospheric pressure low, and the temperature cooler than below.

"Is there really such a place here?" Celine marveled at Earth's wonders.

Despite the planet's relatively weak life force, neither Korin's Tower nor the temple they were now approaching could have been crafted by ordinary beings. Perhaps, there were indeed mystical martial arts hidden here.

Soon after, Kami and Master Korin arrived.

"Just a moment, please," Kami said politely, then turned to Mr. Popo and instructed, "Popo, fetch the weighted clothing."

Mr. Popo nodded and entered the temple, soon returning with two sets of orange martial arts uniforms.

"These garments were prepared long ago for martial artists challenging this temple, endowed with a significant weighting effect—about 15 times normal gravity. I never thought we'd use them again..." Kami explained.

Xavier took the uniforms with surprise, donning them quickly. A powerful force weighed down on him, making even walking a challenge.

"This gravity is intense, feels like I'm filled with lead..." Xavier's expression shifted as he took a few steps, his forehead already beading with sweat, his breathing growing labored.

Saiyans naturally live under 10 times Earth's gravity on Planet Vegeta, adapting innately to such conditions. However, 15 times gravity was still quite formidable for them.

In the original series, Goku only began to adapt to 20 times gravity on his journey to Planet Namek, where his power level was well over 8,000, far surpassing Xavier's current strength of 2,530.

Thus, the 15 times gravity was already a significant challenge for both Xavier and Celine.

Meanwhile, Celine, having donned her weighted uniform, also slowed her movements significantly.