The Saiyan In The Cultivation World.

[[A/N: updates would be slow for some time. Sorry for the trouble.

By the way I would like to give a shoutout to Nathan Mcrenolds the premium channel. That really motivated me to keep going,

Also I would love to give another shoutout to Ximnax, who supported me through cashapp. If I could hug you I would.]

"Why would you show such a look of relief?" I asked softly, my voice calm but laced with curiosity. Lan Mei's expression immediately returned to her usual professional composure, betraying nothing. I let the question linger in the air as I mulled over the possibilities in silence.

Lan Mei sighed in relief because something was going according to plan.

Lan Mei sighed in relief because an imminent danger had been avoided.

To me, the first option seemed far more likely. The second, while possible, didn't align with her typical demeanor. If the first was true, it could mean Lan Mei knew something valuable was hidden here, something worth the risk of investigating. Could this hidden value be connected to the origin of the illness? Most likely.

Just as I was lost in thought, my senses picked up on a faint life force in this otherwise lifeless wasteland. Without hesitation, I commanded the dragon to head toward the location. In mere seconds, we crossed hundreds of miles, arriving at a desolate area far from any remnants of civilization.

There, I saw her—a young girl, barely clinging to life. She was all skin and bones, her frail frame draped in bloodstained, tattered clothing. Her movements were slow and unsteady, each step a struggle. She didn't seem to notice us as we approached.

She looked to be around eighteen years old, but the harshness of her condition made it difficult to tell. Not far from her, a group of scavengers waited patiently, their eyes fixed on her with predatory intent. They were clearly expecting her to collapse at any moment, eager to pounce the instant she drew her last breath.

The scene was heartbreaking—a starving girl, teetering on the brink of death, while scavengers circled, ready to feast.

'A curse...' I thought, my eyes fixed on the girl. She was the root cause of the illness that had plagued this land. It didn't take long for me to uncover the truth after scanning her with my abilities. Her curse wasn't something she was born with; it had been placed upon her later in life. Using my power over space and time, I looked into her past and saw glimpses of the moment it was cast upon her. But why? Why curse her in such a cruel way?

This curse was designed to kill indiscriminately, sparing no one—not even Spirit Ascension realm experts. It wasn't just a tool of destruction; it was crafted to make her suffer. Yet, despite being the likely last survivor of this desolate empire, she still clung to life, struggling forward with sheer willpower.

The barrier had been up for thirteen years. That meant she had survived in this isolated, lifeless world for over a decade, much of it in complete solitude. The strength of will required to endure such an existence wasn't small.

I watched as she took another unsteady step forward. Every movement seemed to drain her, her frail body bearing the weight of her struggle. It was as if she could collapse at any moment... and she did. She stumbled and hit the ground hard, her body finally giving out.

She tried to rise, but her strength had left her entirely. All she could do was curl into a ball, conserving what little energy she had left. She knew the scavengers circling above would take this opportunity to strike. She had no choice but to bide her time.

The birds, cunning and patient, swooped in when they believed she was defenseless. They targeted her from behind, aiming for her most vulnerable spot—her back and lower body, planning to start eating her from there. It was a calculated move, a grim and macabre display of their survival instincts.

But as soon as one of the birds bit down, her body shot forward with startling speed. Her hand lashed out, seizing the bird by the neck. The others scattered in alarm, their plan foiled. The captured bird struggled fiercely, but her grip was unyielding. Without hesitation, she opened her mouth and began to eat it alive, tearing into its flesh with raw desperation.

I observed the scene with growing intrigue. The way she moved, the precision of her reaction, it wasn't normal. For someone on the brink of death, her senses were too sharp, her reflexes too refined. This girl wasn't just a cursed survivor; there was clearly more to her than met the eye.

"I don't like these games you're playing with me..." I said sharply, throwing a glare at Lan Mei. She sighed but remained silent, her expression unreadable, as I turned my attention forward and approached the girl.

The moment I stepped closer, she noticed me and instantly tensed, her frail body coiling like a cornered animal. Her wide eyes darted toward me, filled with wariness and shock.

"What's your name?" I asked lightly, my tone calm but firm as I looked down at her.

For a moment, she said nothing, her lips trembling as if the simple act of speaking was foreign to her. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she forced the words out, her voice weak and scratchy, like it hadn't been used in years.

"Lei Na," she whispered.

I nodded. "I'm Zhou Lianchen, prince of the Zhou Empire," I introduced myself, holding out my hand to her. "Want to come with me?"

Lei Na's gaze flickered to my outstretched palm, her expression conflicted. She looked at me, then back to my hand, her desperation almost palpable. She wanted to take it, to grasp onto the lifeline I was offering, but fear kept her rooted.

"Leave," she croaked, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes filled with anguish as she turned her face away. She didn't want to bring more death, more suffering, to anyone else. Whatever illness had taken everything from her still loomed over her like a shadow, and she wasn't willing to risk letting it claim anyone else.

"Even though you want to come with me, you choose to push me away out of fear that you might kill me?" I said, my tone calm yet edged with amusement. "Like you could kill me. What you are is someone who has been cursed. Follow me, and one day, I'll break that curse and set you free." I smiled faintly as I spoke.

Her lips trembled, her voice weak as she echoed, "Cursed?"

Shock and disbelief filled her eyes, but as the word sank in, her expression shifted. The pieces began to fall into place. Her thoughts drifted back, and the realization hit her like a thunderclap—the day it all began: her fifth birthday.

Her eyes burned with a sudden, raw hatred. Memories surfaced, vivid and unbearable. The image of her mother and everyone she loved flashed before her, their faces contorted in agony as they suffered slow, excruciating deaths. The old, the young, even the pregnant—none had been spared. All of it, because of this damned curse.

Suddenly, the sky darkened, pulling me from my thoughts. I looked up, my gaze narrowing. Thunder rumbled overhead, and streaks of lightning crackled across the heavens. Turning back, I saw Lei Na's eyes blazing with lightning, her fury manifesting in raw, destructive energy.

"I see why you were cursed," I said softly, a note of curiosity lacing my words.

She had awakened an incredibly powerful bloodline, one intrinsically tied to the essence of lightning itself. The sheer force of it was undeniable. But a question gnawed at me: how could such a potent bloodline exist in this small world?

My eyes shifted toward Lan Mei, who, as expected, avoided my gaze. Her refusal to meet my eyes confirmed what I already knew—she had the answers but chose to keep silent. It was annoying, but I decided not to press her. Instead, I let out a small sigh and turned back to the girl.

With a gentle tap on her forehead, I knocked her unconscious. She was far too weak to fully awaken her bloodline. The rage was there, burning bright enough to bring it forth, but her frail body couldn't handle the strain. If she forced it, she'd only destroy herself.

I scooped her up, ignoring the dirt and blood smearing my clothing. Her weight was negligible, she felt as light as a feather in my arms. Without a second glance, I headed back to the carriage. 

"Deal with the curse, or at least ensure it doesn't harm anyone," I ordered, my tone sharp and unyielding. Lan Mei froze for a moment, hesitation flickering across her face. She wasn't supposed to interfere in such matters, not without proper cause. But as her gaze met mine, she let out a reluctant sigh and complied. With a simple wave of her hand, Lei Na's curse was sealed.