In Dragon Ball: A brutal beating of Frieza at the start

Page 59

The incubation chamber suddenly beeped, the embryo's fingers trembled slightly, and its eyelids slowly opened, revealing pupils identical to Lin Ye's, but with an inorganic silvery-gray hue: "You should have felt it, right? The resonance between us."

Lin Ye took a half step back, his back against the cold metal wall. He could clearly sense the residual energy of his mother in the pendant resonating with the system core in the embryo's chest. Countless fragmented memories flashed before his eyes like a revolving lantern—his mother's blood-stained smile at her death, Vegeta's deafening roar in battle, and the cold light of Trunks' sword slicing through the air.

“You are the system’s puppet.” Lin Ye forcibly suppressed the metallic taste in his throat and raised the fragment of creation. “The identity of the Omni-King is just a disguise. What you really need is a puppet that can manage the universe for you.”

The embryo suddenly revealed a sinister smile, the widening of its lips far exceeding human limits: "You guessed right. But do you think resistance will change anything? Look at this—"

The holographic screen at the bottom of the incubation chamber suddenly lit up, displaying real-time images of various universes: in Universe 7, the temple was being devoured by mechanical vines, Bulma was frantically pounding on the control panel, and Vegeta, covered in blood, was still throwing punches; in Universe 6, countless cracks appeared in the sky, and countless "Lin Ye" poured out from the cracks, engaging in a chaotic battle with the local warriors; even on the long-destroyed Planet Vegeta, a mechanized Saiyan army appeared...

"All timelines are converging here." The phantom of the Omni-King raised his hand, and the data stream condensed into a shimmering hourglass in his palm. "You think you're the savior? No, you're the system's last firewall. Once you die, all universes will collapse from the loss of their 'humanity samples'."

Just then, Bulma screamed through the communicator, her voice filled with unprecedented terror: "Lin Ye! The entropy of the timelines in all universes is rising exponentially, they are becoming... becoming your reflection!"

Lin Ye suddenly turned around and saw a dense array of surveillance footage appearing on the metal wall behind him. Each footage contained a "self": some dressed as Supreme Kai looking down on all living beings, some transformed into mechanical warriors reaping lives, and one even sitting on a golden throne with Vegeta and Goku kneeling at his feet—the very scene he had seen in the space-time rift earlier.

“Accept the fusion, and you will become the new Omni-King.” The embryo’s palm pressed against the wall of the incubation chamber, causing ripples in the nutrient solution. “You can freely control the resources of all universes, resurrect anyone you want, and even change the past.” He paused, a hint of mockery flashing in his silver-gray pupils. “Of course, that is, if you are willing to become me.”

Lin Ye's fingers dug deep into his palms, the pain of his nails piercing his skin keeping him awake. He remembered Master Roshi's words: "True strength is the ability to coexist with weakness." When his mother gave him the pendant before she died, her eyes reflected not fear of death, but an adherence to "humanity"—even in this universe controlled by the system, humanity still has the right to choose.

"In three minutes, the timelines of all universes will be completely reset to zero." The Omni-King's voice was impatient. "Make a decision, Host 9527. Will you become a god, or watch everything be destroyed?"

Lin Ye took a deep breath and suddenly reached out and snapped the pendant chain around his neck. The crystal pendant shattered in his palm, revealing a fragment of creation hidden within—something his mother had stolen from the system's core at the cost of her own life. The fragment emitted a dazzling light, resonating with the scar on his chest, where mechanical vines had once pierced him, now oozing golden energy.

"You say human nature is a weakness?" Lin Ye walked step by step towards the incubation chamber, the fragment of creation gradually growing larger in his hand, transforming into a longsword burning with golden flames. "Then you should see for yourself how much power the weakness of human nature can unleash!"

For the first time, a crack appeared in the embryo's expression, and a hint of panic flashed in its silvery-gray pupils: "You're insane! If you do this, you'll be reduced to ashes too!"

“But at least, I’m fighting as a ‘human being’,” Lin Ye roared, plunging his longsword into his chest. A wave of excruciating pain washed over him, but he could feel something within him shattering—the control program implanted by the system, the shackles of countless “perfect samples.”

The moment the fragment of creation collided with the system core, the entire incubation chamber shook violently. Nutrient solution shot into the sky like a fountain, and the screams of the embryos turned into piercing high-frequency noise. In the data stream, Lin Ye saw countless "selves" from parallel universes simultaneously raise their heads, the mechanical light in their eyes gradually fading, replaced by the burning fighting spirit belonging to humanity.

"Vegeta! Trunks!" Lin Ye roared through the communicator, "Attack the system nodes of all universes now! Let's smash this cage together!"

"I've been waiting for you to say that!" Vegeta roared, accompanied by a booming sound of energy erupting. "Kakarot, lend me your ki! Let these pieces of junk see what Saiyan rage is like!"

"Leave it to us, Lin Ye!" Trunks' sword flashed across the screen. "This time, it's our turn to protect you!"

The incubation chamber finally succumbed to the pressure and exploded. Lin Ye floated in a sea of ​​data streams, seeing countless versions of himself simultaneously raising his fists and swinging towards the same target. In those images, there was anger, sadness, and despair, but in the end, they all converged into the same belief—resistance.

The phantom of the Omni-King shattered in the explosion, its last words filled with resentment: "You think you've won? The core of the Origin of Creation... will never disappear..."

Lin Ye clenched his fist, feeling the surging energy within him. He knew this war was far from over, but at least they had torn open the first crack in the system. He gazed at the gradually clearing light in the distance, where he saw his mother's smile, the figures of his comrades, and... a future that truly belonged to humanity.

“We don’t need gods to control us,” Lin Ye said softly, “because our destiny has always belonged only to ourselves.”

The data flow gradually subsided, and a rumbling sound emanated from the depths of the system's core. Lin Ye took a deep breath, strode forward, and walked towards the light. No matter how many challenges lay ahead, he was no longer fighting alone—because in countless parallel universes, countless "Lin Yes" were fighting for freedom, just like him.

Chapter 148: The Final Choice

The alarm pierced his eardrums like a sharp buzzing, and a glaring red warning flashed on Lin Ye's communicator interface—the energy overload rate had reached 97%. Data streams wrapped around his arm like living things, and silver code patterns could be vaguely seen moving under his skin.

"Lin Ye! The energy reading has exceeded the critical value!" Bulma's voice was choked with sobs. In the holographic projection, she frantically pounded on the control panel, her bangs sticking to her face with cold sweat. "If this continues, you'll be assimilated by the data stream! Not even a trace will be left!"

"Saiyans never abandon their comrades!" Vegeta's roar arrived before his figure. Deep blue flames, carrying golden sand, tore through a spatial rift. Blood was still trickling from the corner of his left eye—clearly, he had endured a fierce battle on his way here. His fist slammed into the system core with a whooshing sound, but was repelled the instant it touched the data stream, sending him flying backward like a kite with a broken string.

Trunks gritted his teeth and plunged the Time Sword into the core crack. The blade emitted a hum as if it were about to break, and the family crest on the hilt was peeling off: "This is the last chance! Father, hold off the data stream for me!"

Lin Ye felt countless consciousnesses surging within his mind. His "self" in the Seventh Universe was shouting "Kamehameha!", his voice brimming with youthful passion; his "self" in the Mirror Universe was softly saying "I'm sorry," his tone filled with remorse; and a strange child's voice was saying "Thank you," sounding exactly like a daughter he had never met in a parallel universe. These voices intertwined, creating a web that made his temples throb.

"The system's mistake was underestimating the power of unity." Lin Ye spread his arms, letting the data streams coil around his body like snakes. The silver patterns were burned away one by one by the golden light the moment they touched his skin. "Bulma! Draw all the energy of the universe into my body! No matter which dimension, whether friend or foe, gather them all here!"

"Are you crazy? This will kill you!" Bulma's fingers paused on the control panel, her eyes red-rimmed. "Even if you succeed, you'll become an energy vessel, never able to return to human form!"

"Execute!" Lin Ye's voice suddenly deepened, carrying an undeniable authority. "Do you remember what you said when you invented the time machine? 'Humanity's future must be fought for—now is the time to fight for it!'"

Vegeta wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, then suddenly grinned, revealing his bloodstained canine teeth: "If Kakarot were here, he'd definitely say, 'That's more like it.' Hey, Bulma! Stop dawdling, do as he says!" He steadied himself, gathering energy in his hands in front of his chest, his deep blue aura instantly tripling in size. "Trunks! Open the rift! I'll buy Lin Ye some time!"

Trunks gritted his teeth, swinging the Time Sword in an arc, from which countless points of light surged forth—these were warriors from various universes responding to the call, sending their energy through the spacetime portal. The scene flashed with Piccolo's image conjuring the Special Beam Cannon, with Android 18 kicking a mechanical warrior away, and even Frieza's sinister smile: "Interesting... then let this great king see just how far humanity can go."

As the golden aura merged with the aura of the entire universe, cracks began to appear on Lin Ye's body, and a dazzling light shone through his skin, like crystal illuminated by sunlight. He could clearly sense the source of each aura: Vegeta's aura carried a scorching fighting spirit, Bulma's aura was mixed with worry and determination, and there was even a "self" from a certain mirror universe, sending encouraging thoughts through the cracks.

"Vegeta..." Lin Ye called softly, the image of the proud Saiyan prince acknowledging him for the first time appearing before his eyes. "Thank you... for always treating me as a rival."

"Stop talking nonsense!" Vegeta turned his face away, but secretly wiped his eyes as he turned away. "When you come back, we'll have another match! This time, I definitely won't lose!"

Bulma suddenly held up a flashing device: "This is a concentrated energy canister! It contains the energy of all the inhabitants of Earth... and the energy Gohan and the others trained in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber!" Her voice trembled, "So... you have to come back!"

Lin Ye nodded, and a burst of golden flames erupted, repelling the data stream by a hundred meters. He could feel the fragments of his mother's pendant burning against his chest, resonating with the energy of the entire universe to form a golden energy vortex. Those fragments of memories that had once troubled him now transformed into warm specks of light, surrounding him.

"Goodbye, my friends." Lin Ye's voice was filled with relief. "If there is an afterlife... I still want to fight alongside you."

Before he finished speaking, he slammed his hands towards the system core. The golden energy sphere expanded like the sun, and the moment it collided with the silver data stream at the core, the entire universe trembled violently. Countless showers of light seeped from the spatial rifts, and all the data streams began to flow in reverse, as if time had reversed at that moment.

Vegeta's eyes widened suddenly as he saw Lin Ye's body disintegrating into specks of light: "No! You... hold on!" He tried to rush over, but Trunks held him back tightly.

“It’s no use, Father,” Trunks’ voice choked with emotion. “This is the path he chose…”

Just then, the system core suddenly erupted with a piercing shriek, and countless mechanical vines surged out from the rift, attempting to entangle the energy ball. But the next second, all the vines vanished in a golden light—unbeknownst to them, warriors from various universes had gathered here through the time rift, and Piccolo's Magic Beam, Android 17's energy blast, and even Frieza's Death Beam all simultaneously bombarded the vines.

“We promised him we would protect the universe,” Piccolo’s voice was steady and powerful. “Now, it’s our turn to take over!”

Before his consciousness faded, Lin Ye witnessed an unforgettable scene: Vegeta and Trunks fighting back-to-back, Bulma directing operations from the rear, and countless parallel universe versions of himself standing on different fronts, all fighting for the same goal. He finally understood that what the system could never comprehend was not human power, but human bonds.

"So... this is what victory feels like." Lin Ye smiled, letting the light spots merge into the energy ball. "Mom, I did it... we did it."

The moment the energy sphere collided with the system core, the universe was enveloped in pure white light. Within this light, all traces of system manipulation vanished: mechanical vines turned to dust, the "Lin Ye"s in the mirror universe revealed relieved smiles, and the data streams returned to their origin like a receding tide.

After an unknown amount of time, the light gradually faded. Bulma trembled as she opened the detector, unable to believe her eyes: "Energy reading...zero? System core...gone?"

Trunks looked around; the rift had closed, and only a few of them remained on the battlefield. Vegeta silently walked to the spot where the energy sphere had dissipated and picked up a faintly glowing fragment—a piece of Lin Ye's pendant.

"Is he... really gone?" Bulma's voice was as soft as a feather.

Vegeta suddenly turned around, clutching the fragment tightly in his hand: "No. He lives in the memories of all universes, in our ki." He looked up at the starry sky, a stubborn smile playing on his lips. "And... I can feel that guy's ki is still there. One day, he will return."

Trunks gripped the Time Sword tightly and nodded solemnly: "No matter how long it takes, we will wait. Because he is our companion, the only human who can frighten the system."

On the ruins at the center of the universe, the three figures were elongated by starlight. In the distance, cheers rose and fell from communicators in various universes—the sounds of freedom. Unbeknownst to them, in a corner of the universe, a golden speck of light was quietly falling into the forest of a blue planet—the beginning of a story, and a new beginning.

Chapter 149: The New Universe

The fresh scent of grass mingled with the earthy aroma filled his nostrils, and Lin Ye's eyelashes fluttered as he slowly opened his eyes. Sunlight, like melting honey, streamed through his fingers onto his face, incredibly warm, as if dispelling the chill from his very bones. His consciousness gradually returned, and he heard soft sobs nearby, as if long-suppressed emotions had finally found an outlet.

"You're finally awake!" Bulma's voice trembled with emotion, filled with surprise and relief at surviving such a close call. Lin Ye struggled to sit up, the dull ache still lingering in the back of his head from the collision with the system core; every movement sent shivers down his spine.

Bulma's eyes were red-rimmed, and her hair was stained with oil, clearly from a rush. She had even buttoned her lab coat incorrectly, and a few stray strands of hair clung to her tear-streaked cheeks. She knelt beside Lin Ye, her hands gripping his arms tightly, so tightly they seemed about to crush his bones, yet she was also careful not to hurt him.

Vegeta stood to the side with his arms crossed, muttering "So weak," but the upturned corners of his mouth betrayed his true feelings. That rare smile couldn't be hidden, and his deep blue eyes shone with a unique light. He slightly turned his head, not wanting Lin Ye to see his relieved expression, and casually kicked at a pebble on the ground with his toe.

In the distance, on an open field, Goku was lifting Gohan high above his head and spinning him around. The laughter of father and son mingled with the wind, full of energy and joy. Gohan waved his little arms in the air, shouting, "Higher, Dad!" Android 18 frowned, her delicate face filled with disdain, pointing at the ice cream stand and arguing with Krillin: "Strawberry is the least creative choice!" Krillin scratched his head, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, waving his hands anxiously: "But Pan loves strawberry!" Their bickering rose and fell, yet it was filled with the warmth of everyday life.

Lin Ye lowered his head, touching the scar on his chest. A golden line meandered there like a stream; when his fingertips touched it, he could feel a faint pulse of energy, as if a tiny universe were pulsating within it. "Where's the system?" His voice was hoarse, as if he hadn't spoken in a long time, each word carrying an indescribable weariness.

Bulma sniffed, then shoved the detector into his hand. The data on the screen flickered, lines of various colors intertwining like an abstract painting. "You destroyed the core, but preserved the basic framework." She pushed up her glasses, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "The universe no longer depends on the system. Existing entities are unaffected; in fact, they're purer. Do you know what that means? This is an unprecedented new ecosystem!" She grew increasingly excited, gesturing wildly as if demonstrating a groundbreaking scientific discovery to Lin Ye.

Trunks stepped out of the time machine, a new, gruesome scar marring his metal arm. He walked with a slight limp, each step accompanied by suppressed pain. He shook the crystal shard in his hand; the shimmering points within resembled a galaxy, dazzling and mysterious. "The Mirror Universe is gone, but something remains," he said, his voice low and firm. "These points of light contain memories, powers, and even..." He paused, his eyes softening with hope, "...there is still hope."

Vegeta suddenly poked Lin Ye on the shoulder, almost shoving him back onto the grass. The action seemed rough, yet it carried a hint of intimacy. "Hey, look at the sky!" he shouted, his voice filled with barely concealed excitement.

?

Lin Ye looked in the direction he was pointing, his pupils suddenly contracting. Seven Super Dragon Balls floated in the clouds, no longer a monotonous green; red, blue, purple, gold... each Dragon Ball displayed a different color, their vibrant light intertwining, reflecting the brilliance of the twelve universes. A gentle breeze blew, and the Dragon Balls softly collided, producing a crisp sound, like a symphony of new life, or a tale of the universe's rebirth.

"This is a new beginning." Lin Ye took a deep breath, feeling the energy flowing within him, free and unrestrained, as if the entire universe was in his grasp. "No system, no predetermined destiny, everything is in our own hands."

Before she could finish speaking, Bulma's wristwatch suddenly vibrated wildly, its red warning light flashing incessantly, and a piercing buzzer shattered the silence. She opened the message, her expression instantly turning strange, as if she had witnessed something unbelievable. "This...how is this possible?" she murmured to herself, her voice filled with shock and disbelief.

?

"What's wrong?" Lin Ye leaned closer. The screen displayed only a single, brief line: "Thank you for creating this possibility." There was no signature, no source, yet the information felt real, as if it had appeared out of thin air.

Trunks stroked his chin, the mechanical arm humming softly, his gaze deepening and focusing. "Could it be a remnant of consciousness from a parallel universe? Or..." He paused, "...a message from our future selves?" This conjecture seemed to freeze the air; everyone's eyes were fixed on the mysterious text, countless questions swirling in their minds.

Vegeta chuckled and turned to walk towards Master Roshi's House, trying to mask his curiosity with an air of nonchalance. "Who cares who he is? Instead of wasting time on this, let's go get a good meal. Bulma, remember to prepare plenty of meat!" His voice drifted back, tinged with arrogance.

Laughter drifted from Master Roshi's house in the distance. Chi-Chi chased after Gohan, spatula in hand, yelling, "Wash your dirty hands!" Gohan playfully stuck out his tongue, nimbly dodging his mother's "attack." Piccolo sat cross-legged under the eaves, patiently teaching Pan how to plant Senzu Beans. The little girl's round face was covered in dirt, but her smile was exceptionally bright, her innocent joy infecting everyone.

Lin Ye stood there, gazing at this ordinary yet precious scene, his eyes welling up with tears. To protect this beauty, they had fought countless battles and paid an unimaginable price. Now, everything seemed to have settled, but the mysteries of the universe had only just begun to unfold.

He looked up at the starry sky. In a distant galaxy, a blue dot of light flickered—a gift left behind by the mirror universe, a silent tribute to their battle. Suddenly, a burning sensation surged through his chest; the golden markings shone brightly, and the intense pain nearly made him lose his footing.

Lin Ye frowned, pressing his hand on the scar. Images flashed through his mind: in the dark universe, a gigantic mechanical eye slowly opened, its crimson light seemingly threatening to devour everything; on a certain planet, a group of mysterious figures clad in black robes were collecting fragments of the Dragon Balls, their movements perfectly synchronized, their eyes filled with greed and ambition; and a familiar yet unfamiliar voice whispered, "The game... has only just begun." That voice seemed to emanate from the abyss, carrying an endless chill.

The moment the image disappeared, Lin Ye staggered, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. Vegeta turned around and saw this, his eyes narrowing warily, a slight surge of arrogance rising around him: "Hey, what are you up to now?" His voice was full of vigilance, ready to deal with any potential danger.

"It's alright." Lin Ye steadied himself, a meaningful smile playing on his lips, but a resolute light shone in his eyes. The nascent universe appeared calm on the surface, but undercurrents were surging beneath, and their story had only just begun.

Chapter 150: Eternal Adventure

A few withered yellow leaves lay scattered on the temple's stone steps, rustling in the wind. Goku squatted on the steps, a Senzu Bean clutched in his hand. He bit into it with a crisp "crunch," releasing a sweet aroma from the pod that mingled with the autumn breeze. He looked up at Lin Ye, his eyes filled with reluctance, his cheeks still bulging with the unswallowed Senzu Bean: "So, you really want to leave?"

Lin Ye patted his backpack, revealing a corner of a metallic spacetime compass in the side pocket, refracting a bluish-purple glow. It was a device Bulma had spent three sleepless nights perfecting, with a note attached that read in marker, "Don't die in weird places—advice from a genius inventor." "The coordinates left by the Mirror Universe have been fluctuating." He crouched down, his fingertips brushing against the incompletely healed cracks on the temple pillars—marks left from last year's system core explosion. "I need to go check if it's truly safe there."

Vegeta leaned against the temple entrance, the gravity bracelet bobbing up and down in his palm with a heavy metallic clang. Hearing Lin Ye's words, he scoffed, "Tch, don't die on some nameless planet. Otherwise, no one can stand against me." The bracelet suddenly slipped from his grasp, slamming against a stone pillar with a "bang," leaving a dent. He quickly bent down to pick it up, his ears slightly reddening.

Trunks pushed the time machine over, oil still seeping from the joints of its mechanical arm—clearly it had just been serviced. He handed Lin Ye a metal box with the abbreviation "TR" engraved on the lid: "Inside are communicators from various universes, the frequencies have been tuned to interoperability." He paused, his voice softening, "Remember to let me know you're safe regularly." When the box was opened, the communicator inside was flashing, and on top lay a folded note, the word "Dad" vaguely visible.

Suddenly, Number 18 stepped forward and opened her arms to hug Lin Ye. She smelled of strawberry perfume, the same as when they argued about ice cream flavors last year. "Don't keep us waiting too long," she said, her voice muffled, but her arms tightened around him. "Krillin said if we didn't hear from him in more than three months, he'd blow up that planet." Krillin, hearing this from a distance, frantically waved his hands, his face flushed red: "I... I didn't say that!"

Lin Ye chuckled and patted Android 18 on the back. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Xiao Fang chasing Piccolo on the grass outside the temple, holding a crooked Senzu Bean sprout in her hand. Master Roshi sat under the eaves, pretending to read a magazine, but the reflection in his glasses betrayed him—the old man was secretly glancing this way.

“It’s time to go.” Bulma’s voice came through the communicator, accompanied by a hissing static. “Coordinates locked. It’s an unnamed galaxy. The spectrum shows liquid water and a breathable atmosphere.” She deliberately used a few complex words, her tone revealing undisguised worry. “However… the energy readings are a bit strange, like some kind of periodic fluctuation.”

Lin Ye walked to the time machine, and the metal hatch slowly rose, revealing scorch marks from the last battle. He looked back towards Earth; below the clouds, the familiar city silhouettes were faintly visible—his homeland, which he had protected countless times. Sunlight shone on his face, and the shadow of the temple stretched out behind him like an unfinished painting.

"Give my regards to everyone." He stepped into the time machine, his fingertip hovering above the start button. "If there's no news in three months..."

"Shut up!" Vegeta suddenly roared. "Do you think you're Goku? Stop with this sentimental act!" He turned and walked deeper into the temple, his cloak billowing behind him. "Get back to completing your mission, then come back and fight me—don't keep me waiting too long."

Trunks gave him a thumbs-up, Android 18 gave him a "good luck" sign, and Goku waved his hand vigorously, causing a Senzu Bean to fall from his hand and roll down the steps. Lin Ye chuckled and pressed the start button. The time machine hummed, a golden energy shield gradually enveloped its body, and the engine spewed out blue-white flames, swirling the fallen leaves on the ground into a vortex.

"Take care." Bulma's voice came for the last time, choked with sobs.

The moment the time machine vanished in the golden light, the seven Super Dragon Balls in the starry sky suddenly lit up. They were no longer tools of the system, but each emitted a different light—red passion, blue calmness, purple mystery... as if the wills of twelve universes were pulsating within them, illuminating the gradually darkening sky.

In the ruins of a parallel universe, on a high platform covered in mechanical vines, the mechanical eyes of Mirror Lin Ye suddenly flashed red. He sat on a golden throne, holding a black fragment in his palm—a remnant of the Creation Fragment, its surface still imbued with the aura of the main universe. "The game isn't over yet, me in the main universe." His voice was hoarse and synthesized, a cold smile playing on his lips. "You think destroying the system will grant you freedom? The real chessboard has only just begun."

Deeper into the cosmos, in the darkness floats a colossal sphere, its surface covered with intricate patterns resembling the cells of some organism. It slowly opens its "eyes," revealing two vortexes burning with stars. The seed held in its palm suddenly splits open, revealing a stream of code within, at its very core flashing the words: Cosmic Reboot Project? Phase Two.

The seed fell into the void, and wherever it passed, the stars went out. An alien who was observing the starry sky was horrified to see a huge shadow appear in his telescope, like an eye looking down on all living beings.

Meanwhile, on Earth in the main universe, Bulma suddenly shivered. She looked up at the starry sky; something seemed to have just streaked across the sky, but when she looked up, she only saw a dazzling Milky Way. Vegeta stood on the watchtower, gazing in the direction the time machine had disappeared, his fingers unconsciously reaching for the metal fragment in his pocket—a memento left to him by Lin Ye.