Virtual Earth Network, Muten Main City.
In midair, many floating islands resembling manors hovered quietly, and among them, Island No. 117 had now become the focus of the entire world!
Across the globe, online and offline, countless people were paying attention to this very place.
Television live streams, online streaming platforms...
Some were watching through AI assistants inside the Virtual Earth Network, others had opened livestream sites on their laptops, and some families had even gathered in front of the TV, waiting for that legendary figure to appear.
"I'm so excited! We're going to see the Muten Roshi!" someone exclaimed to a friend, barely able to contain their excitement.
"I thought I'd never get a chance to see the Muten Roshi in person in this lifetime..." another person said, filled with both excitement and disbelief. According to mainstream belief, the Muten Roshi had transcended life and death—he was seen as a near-immortal being, with some even believing he had truly achieved immortality, earning him the title of a real immortal.
"I envy those people... getting the chance to meet the Muten Roshi!" sighed an elderly man with white hair within a household. He had once been a martial artist himself, but his vitality had long faded and his skills had deteriorated with age.
"Grandpa, you were just born in the wrong era. If it were back in your prime, you'd definitely be one of the ten chosen," said the woman beside him, trying to comfort him.
This was just a small snapshot of the worldwide attention. Right at this moment—North City, South City, East City, West City, Central City... Sayuan City, Korin Tower, the area near the Gate of Asura... mountain villages, small towns, coastal fishing villages, islands large and small—billions were watching.
The No. 117 manor, where Goku and the others usually appeared in the network, had been temporarily opened to the media.
The usual manor, no different from any other floating island, had disappeared. In its place, Jarvis had reconstructed it into a massive, complete garden. At its center lay a spacious plaza, with long banquet tables laid out, laden with all sorts of gourmet food and drinks—no less impressive than in reality. Thanks to Jarvis's simulation, the sensory experience could even surpass reality.
Photographers weren't needed. In the Virtual Earth Network, with Jarvis's authorization, one could directly extract footage for live broadcast. But reporters on the scene were still essential—dozens to hundreds of top media professionals gathered, armed with cameras of all shapes and sizes, warily watching each other, all hoping to score the first exclusive interview.
Suddenly—
A slightly chubby young man with long black hair, wearing a longsword at his waist made of neither metal nor wood, materialized from a stream of green data.
"It's Yajirobe!"
"That's the Muten Blade! It's already been confirmed—that's the mysterious divine sword the Muten Roshi crafted for that Noah robe during the first World Martial Arts Tournament!"
"This Yajirobe is impressive! No one ever heard of his martial lineage, but with just the Muten Blade in hand, he suppressed Muten School's current top disciple, Ilip, to secure the tenth spot in this year's Muten Tournament!"
On the livestream, Yajirobe's squinty, dead-fish-like eyes filled the screen. The chubby fellow looked overwhelmed as he was swarmed by a pack of ravenous reporters. He clumsily answered a few questions before quickly fleeing.
"Ha! Yajirobe looks so flustered!" someone posted on the forum. "The little chubby guy is too adorable. I'm officially a fan now!"
"Sigh, he used to be a skinny, cold-blooded swordsman. How did he turn into this in the blink of an eye?" lamented an old female fan.
"He's not that chubby. I think he's just right!"
Leaving aside the chatter, after Yajirobe escaped into the restricted area protected by Jarvis, more and more individuals began to arrive, shifting public attention once again...
Next came the master Jifen. He was already very old, no longer the wild youth with an explosive afro that once roamed freely. His afro was now white, tied up casually with a straw rope. He carried himself with charm, and when approached by reporters, he simply laughed heartily and walked briskly over to Yajirobe.
"It's Jifen! Back in the day, his Explosive Flow Ki blasts shattered the limbs and skulls of countless villains!" someone exclaimed nostalgically. Those who had lived through that era were filled with complex emotions.
"Even though it's not his era anymore, he still shines just as brightly!" Some elderly viewers laughed loudly in front of their TVs. The appearances of people like Goku, Krillin, Tienshinhan, and Piccolo felt unfamiliar to them, but seeing these veteran martial artists at the Muten Tournament brought them right back to their youth.
Someone commented on the livestream: "That's the Yixin Master! He still hasn't changed—barefoot, hair loose, eyes never open, fighting entirely with Ki-sense..."
"The old holy monk from Orin Temple is here too! Of course, they're all here to meet the Muten Roshi, right? Hah! Even the holy monk couldn't resist the chance to see him!"
"What are holy monks and masters worth compared to the Muten Roshi? Let's be honest—if not for the Muten Roshi creating the World Martial Arts Tournament, the Martial Arts Association, and the Virtual Earth Network, would these people have achieved what they have today?"
"Exactly. If it weren't for the Muken technique he left in the Virtual Earth Network's Muten Tower..."
Online and offline, discussion was heated.
As more invited martial artists made their appearance, the anticipation for the Muten Roshi's arrival only grew.
Then came Ilip, Mr. Satan, and Chi-Chi...
Seeing Ilip, some viewers chuckled quietly: "This so-called 'trio of highlights' must've been allowed only because Ilip's directly from the Muten School, right? Looks like the Muten Roshi gave his own guy a boost."
Of course, what they didn't know was that in Taro's heart, it was perhaps Mr. Satan and Chi-Chi whose names meant even more to him.
Mr. Satan—an up-and-coming martial artist enjoying widespread fame. Unlike those born prodigies, he felt more ordinary and relatable. Because of that, he had won the support of many martial artists with average talent, as well as those who admired the martial way.
As for Chi-Chi, not only was she exceptionally talented and strikingly beautiful, but she was also a rare female martial artist. Her popularity among women was terrifying—she was rapidly closing in on Goku, the world's most popular martial artist!
Piccolo was the last among them to appear. As soon as he showed up, none of the reporters surged forward. Instead, they instinctively backed away a few steps. This contestant, cold and ruthless from beginning to end, made them uneasy—especially in person, where the icy aura radiating from this green-skinned alien named Piccolo could truly be felt.
Piccolo walked straight into the area protected by Jarvis where Yajirobe and the others were. Wearing a white cape, he folded his arms in silence once inside, showing not the slightest interest in acknowledging anyone.
Yajirobe, Jifen, Master Yixin, the venerable monk from Orin Temple, Ilip, Mr. Satan, and Chi-Chi exchanged glances but remained quiet. Piccolo ignored them, and they had no affection for him either. None of them believed they were inferior to Piccolo—in a true life-or-death battle, it was anyone's guess who would live and who would die.
Suddenly, the crowd of reporters burst into cries of astonishment, as though a bomb had gone off among them.
Chi-Chi and the others turned toward the pavilion, where one figure after another emerged: Goku, Kakarot, Tien, Krillin, and Chiaotzu—direct disciples of the Muten School!
"Damn it, how come they were already inside?!" The reporters scratched their heads in frustration, nearly driven mad. Goku and his group had entered directly from the area protected by Jarvis, completely denying them a chance to pester them.
"Just wait… the officials said we'd have time for interviews…" some reporters tried to comfort themselves. There was no helping it—Virtual Earth Network Company was the top dog. Keep whining, and they'd simply cut your feed. And the person behind Virtual Earth Network was none other than the Muten Roshi himself!
After Goku and the others appeared, an old man with a flowing white beard followed behind them—Gohan.
The entire online world erupted.
"It's Master Gohan!"
"The greatest under the heavens—no, the second greatest!"
"The peerless master under the Muten Roshi! His senior disciple, Gohan! Finally, we see him in the flesh!"
Gohan smiled faintly as he looked at the reporters trapped outside the barrier projected by Jarvis, scurrying about like mice. He felt a deep sense of satisfaction—he had no desire to deal with bothersome journalists.
Following him out were Bulma and Hathaway.
The two of them, one older and one younger, looked like a pair of flower-like sisters and instantly set the internet ablaze.
"Is that Bulma? The heiress of Capsule Corporation?"
"Holy crap, the richest, most beautiful woman in the world! My dream girl!!"
"Goddess!!"
"Who's the woman beside Miss Bulma? Her sister? Her mother?"
"Wait a sec, isn't the woman beside Bulma suspiciously similar to the legendary wife of the Muten Roshi? And doesn't she look just like that mysterious Dr. Hathaway from the First Research Institute of Virtual Earth Network?"
Setting aside the endless speculation, when Taro finally walked out at the very end, not only did all the spectators watching the event go wild, but even the martial artists present were stirred with emotion!
Even the three old-school martial arts masters—Jifen, Master Yixin, and the venerable monk from Orin Temple—trembled with excitement upon seeing the man walking behind Goku and the others.
The Muten Roshi… the living legend!
Among those who practiced martial arts in this world, who hadn't dreamed of seeing the Muten Roshi in person? Who hadn't revered him while growing and training step by step? What martial arts master hadn't trained in the Muken? Who hadn't stood in awe of the Muken's boundless depth and mystery, feeling like a speck of dust in comparison?
"Master…" Even the usually free-spirited Jifen, who had never changed despite his age, was so overwhelmed upon seeing Taro that he didn't know where to put his hands and feet—like an excited child.
"To see the Muten with my own eyes today, I could die with no regrets," murmured Master Yixin and the Orin Temple monk.
The three of them had achieved profound realms in martial arts. Precisely because of this, they could better sense in person the boundless cosmic depth radiating from the Muten's presence. It was like a tiny ant standing before an endless mountain—a natural feeling of reverent awe.
As someone once said, "If in the morning I learn the Way, I can die content by evening."
Today, the three masters shared a similar sentiment. After witnessing the Muten Roshi, they realized just how deep, vast, mysterious, and unfathomable the path of martial arts could be.
Gohan led a group of more than ten martial artists in mutual exchange, setting the tone for future Muten Tournaments. From now on, after every Muten Tournament, the top ten contestants and the three most noteworthy martial artists would gather in Virtual Earth Network to exchange knowledge and techniques.
At last, Taro summoned all the reporters, saying he had something important to announce.
All live feeds on Earth now focused on him.
Everyone held their breath, unsure what the Muten was about to declare.
Taro's expression was calm as he said, "You've all seen the game Earth Defense Battle, right? The Frieza Army in that game is real."
For a moment, it was as if the entire planet fell silent.