It could be said that the Martial Path Mode in this online game was like a broader, more open-ended version of the Instruction Space!
In the Virtual Earth Network, martial artists who encountered difficulties in their training or wanted to challenge stronger opponents could send an instruction request. If both parties agreed, they would enter a special space within the Virtual Earth Network where they could freely spar and duel.
Since everything was virtual, there was no need to worry about life-or-death consequences—they could go all out without restraint.
However… the one who initiated the instruction had to pay a fee!
Not everyone was willing to spend that money.
But now, with the Martial Path Mode in this game, players could bring their real martial arts skills into the game—wasn't that just like an actual martial arts showdown
As for concerns about whether the game's bosses could match the realism of real-life martial opponents
——Well, if you thought about it, even their own martial arts techniques in the Virtual Earth Network were all calculated and supported by Jarvis. So how much easier would it be for Jarvis, who controlled the game bosses entirely Jarvis had access to the combat data of everyone in the Virtual Earth Network—simulating a bunch of bosses with real power levels would be child's play.
Virtual Earth Network, Muten City.
Many players who hadn't logged out had already discovered the announcement for the Earth Defense Battle game on the Virtual Earth Network Company's official website. Nearly everyone currently in Muten City was buzzing with excitement.
I can't wait for the moment this game goes live!
Exactly! Always applying for instruction sessions burns through way too many credit points and virtual coins! This is perfect—grinding bosses every day shouldn't cost money, right At least we won't have to pay them to drop gear!
Haha, the regular game mode drops gear, but we're martial artists—we'll stick to the 'Martial Path Mode' for real combat!
That's the spirit!
In an instant, the simple game announcement from the Virtual Earth Network Company had sparked massive discussions both online and offline, in both the virtual and real worlds. Countless martial artists spent the night too excited to sleep. Many logged off, only to howl at the moon in their courtyards, overwhelmed with anticipation.
---
Yajirobe pushed open the door and stepped into the courtyard, gripping the hilt of his sword as he looked up at the night sky.
The night was cold.
The wind was cold.
The blade was cold.
And so was his heart.
Once again, Yajirobe couldn't help but recall the recent Muten Tournament in the Virtual Earth Network—how Chi-Chi's attention had been entirely fixed on that guy who looked just like Goku... the one called Kakarot. She hadn't spared a single glance for him, the one who had been watching her all along. Just like all those years before, he could only silently observe her from the shadows.
Kakarot…
The slightly chubby, squint-eyed rising star of the martial arts world—ranked 10th in the Muten Tournament—repeated the name in his mind. He remembered how, back when he was traveling with Krillin and the others, he had always thought there was something off about Goku. The first time they met, the guy had been unbelievably savage and ruthless. But the second time, at Korin Tower, he had seemed no different from the Goku he'd seen on TV.
So, the vicious one was Kakarot.
The one Chi-Chi liked… was Kakarot.
Lost in thought, Yajirobe pulled out a large steamed bun from who-knows-where and silently took a bite. As he chewed the cold, tasteless bun, he drew his Muten Blade with a shing! The sword, neither quite metal nor wood, left a hazy afterimage in the moonlight.
Moonlight glinted off the blade, like a curved smile flickering in the darkness—was someone laughing, or crying
Faster!
Faster!
My blade—it can still go faster!
If I can't catch up to Chi-Chi… at least I can catch up to my own blade!
Shoving the last of the bun into his mouth, Yajirobe began swinging his Muten Blade like a man possessed. With each furious shout, his slashes churned the air into chaotic, violent gusts, turning the courtyard into a storm of blades.
His heart grew colder, as cold as the steel in his hands. At this moment, he felt as if he had truly become a blade himself. Instinctively, he fused the principles of Muken with his swordsmanship, unleashing the Muten Slash—
BOOM!
A tangled, mysterious pattern—the flowing inscriptions from the Muten Monument on the third floor of Muten Tower—flashed through his mind. His spirit shook as a bottleneck shattered. His blade moved faster than ever, tearing through the night until its movements became invisible. With a final slash, the sword cleaved a deep fissure into the ground, splitting the courtyard wall clean in two.
Through the gap in the wall, a sliver of light seeped in. Only then did Yajirobe realize—
Dawn had arrived.
Beep!
Still lost in the morning light, the Babata on his wrist vibrated. He raised it and saw a single line of text on the small display
"Tomorrow at 11 AM, Taro will receive the thirteen participants of the Muten Tournament in the Virtual Earth Network, including the top ten winners and three notable contestants."
Taro…
Yajirobe's heart burned with anticipation. As the 10th-place finisher in this year's Muten Tournament, he naturally had the right to meet Taro.
The top ten of this Muten Tournament were:
1. Goku!
2. Tienshinhan!
3. Kakarot!
4. Krillin!
5. Piccolo!
6. Master Jifen!
7. Master Yixin!
8. The Old monk from the Orin Temple!
9. Chiaotzu!
10. Yajirobe!
When the results were announced, many were shocked. The appearance of three veteran masters had even pushed out disciples of the Muten School from the top ten! But upon reflection—Goku, Tienshinhan, Kakarot, Krillin, and Chiaotzu—hadn't all of them been personally trained by Taro at some point? In essence, they were the Muten School! As for the three old masters… the Muten School no longer had Taro himself presiding over daily instruction, so it wasn't surprising if they temporarily lagged behind other sects.
But let's not forget—aside from Taro, the strongest fighter in the world was still widely acknowledged to be Gohan, the former head of the Muten School's dojo! The Muten School's reputation as the pinnacle of martial arts would never waver.
"Three notable contestants?" Yajirobe frowned and tapped his Babata, checking the names.
- Muten School's top disciple, Ilip!
- Mr. Satan!
- Chi-Chi!
Before the grand banquet in the Virtual Earth Network, Taro's group held a private celebration at Bulma's home in West City.
Food, drinks, games—Bulma's estate was like a miniature modern metropolis, equipped with every luxury imaginable (and some that weren't). Krillin and the others, despite their extraordinary martial prowess, were still young city-dwellers at heart and threw themselves into the festivities with gusto.
Well, almost all of them.
Goku, ever the simpleton, had to be dragged along by Krillin and Bulma. Unable to refuse his friends, the inaugural Muten Tournament champion was subjected to endless teasing—especially from a jealous Krillin, who made sure his best friend "enjoyed" every attraction.
Even Phoenix, the immortal bird, fluttered around, joining the revelry.
Meanwhile, the older generation—Gohan, Dr. Briefs and his wife, and Hathaway—chatted leisurely as they observed the merriment. The day was filled with laughter, particularly from Bulma, who acted completely unrestrained. Krillin joked that she'd "gone mad from being single too long."
"None of your business!" Bulma retorted, downing a large glass of wine. Her cheeks flushed crimson as the alcohol trickled down her slender neck.
"You're drunk…" Krillin sighed, sipping his soda. As a disciplined martial artist, he avoided alcohol entirely. The sight of Bulma's tipsy antics made his bald head wrinkle in disapproval.
---
Taro had only made a brief appearance at the start of the party before quietly excusing himself. That was just his nature—solitude suited him far more than crowds. Detached, almost indifferent to worldly affairs, he was the eldest presence there, and no one dared disturb the legendary master.
Strolling alone in the garden, Taro walked with his eyes closed, each step deepening his harmony with the natural world.
Flap-flap-flap…
A fiery blur soared from behind and landed on his shoulder, letting out a drunken hiccup—Phoenix, now covering its beak with its wings.
Taro shook his head. The little glutton would never kick its drinking habit.
Time slipped away unnoticed. By the time the stars and moon adorned the night sky, Taro hovered cross-legged in meditation, his breaths syncing with the rhythm of nature itself.
Dawn arrived swiftly. When Hathaway came looking for him the next morning, she nearly missed him entirely—his presence had blended so seamlessly with the surroundings. Only their deeper connection snapped her out of her daze.
She laughed. "I almost walked right past you!"
Taro opened his eyes and smiled faintly, offering no words.
Hathaway, however, seemed to have something on her mind. Sensing this, Taro descended gently to the ground, Phoenix still snoozing on his shoulder. A peculiar expression—half-amused, half-baffled—played across Hathaway's face.
"What is it?" Taro asked.
"Bulma barged into my room crying at the crack of dawn…" Hathaway stifled a giggle, feigning seriousness. "According to her, Goku 'took advantage' of her while she was drunk last night!"