Before long, all three Androids were brought under control.
Trunks had originally intended to destroy them right then and there, but Lin Xuan stopped him.
In truth, even if Trunks destroyed these Androids in this era, it would have zero effect on his own future timeline.
This era did not belong to Trunks' timeline; rather, it was a parallel universe. That was precisely why historical events differed so drastically from what Trunks remembered.
In fact, Lin Xuan harbored suspicions that this timeline wasn't even identical to the original story line.
For example, Vegeta and Nappa hadn't invaded Earth; instead, they had headed straight for Planet Namek. The timeline of events had diverged significantly.
Originally, Lin Xuan had wondered if his presence was causing a massive butterfly effect. Now, however, he realized he might simply be in an alternate parallel timeline that ran very close to the original storyline.
After subduing the three Androids, Lin Xuan powered down from his combat state.
This battle had been an experimental trial for him. Ever since mastering Armament Haki, he had been researching ways to combine it with other techniques.
Armament Haki not only enhanced defense but could also combine with other abilities to boost offensive output—much like Luffy's Gear Fourth in One Piece, which combined Armament Haki with his rubber body.
Lin Xuan had integrated Armament Haki with the Eight Gates Release, using Haki during the open-gate state to reinforce every cell and muscle fiber in his body.
The enhancement effect was staggering, doubling his physical output while coating the surrounding energy steam in dark Haki.
However, the drawback was an extreme drain on physical stamina. After deactivating the state, Lin Xuan felt his muscles and cells aching—a distinctly uncomfortable sensation.
Had his physical body not been absurdly durable, he suspected such a transformation might have left him temporarily paralyzed.
*'Regardless, the results are quite impressive. Once I master it further, it will become even smoother!'* Lin Xuan mused.
Just as Lin Xuan prepared to lead the Androids away, his expression suddenly shifted. His gaze snapped toward the southwest horizon.
"Oh? A Ki signature this chaotic... Could it be...?" Lin Xuan narrowed his eyes, a cold smile spreading across his face. "Just as I anticipated—that guy has finally shown up!"
***
At the same time, in a secluded, quiet town elsewhere on Earth.
A grotesque, humanoid monster covered in green chitinous armor was strolling casually down the deserted highway. With every step he took, a long tail ending in a sharp, needle-like stinger swayed behind him.
Everywhere the monster passed, not a single living soul remained—only empty piles of clothes scattered across the ground.
This monster was none other than the entity Lin Xuan had been waiting for—Cell!
Cell originated from yet another future timeline. He was a bio-android constructed by Dr. Gero using genetic cells collected from the universe's greatest martial artists. Though he possessed perfect genetic potential, his body remained incomplete.
To achieve his complete, perfect form, he needed to absorb Androids 17 and 18.
However, in his timeline, Androids 17 and 18 had already been destroyed by Trunks.
Thus, Cell had ambushed and murdered the Trunks of his timeline, stolen his time machine, reverted into a larval egg, and traveled back three years to this timeline—all to devour Androids 17 and 18 to achieve perfection!
Having arrived three years prior, Cell had remained in egg form to heal from the temporal jump, only fully maturing into his mobile form today.
Immediately upon awakening, he had sought out a human town, absorbing every citizen to restore his drained energy.
Now, having wiped out the entire town, he was preparing to hunt down Androids 17 and 18.
However, just as he was about to depart, a figure descended from the sky.
The newcomer possessed green skin, but he was certainly no ally of Cell's—it was Piccolo, who had recently returned from his training in the afterlife.
During the Frieza conflict, Piccolo had sacrificed himself and gone to train under King Kai. Only recently had he asked Master Roshi to contact the Dimensional Guild on Planet Namek, using the Namekian Dragon Balls to bring him back to life.
Having just revived and flown past this town, Piccolo had picked up an abnormal anomaly and landed to investigate.
To his shock, every citizen in the town had vanished into thin air, leaving behind piles of clothing and abandoned cars scattered across the streets.
Piccolo quickly locked onto the green monster standing in the middle of the road.
Fixing a stern, cautious glare on Cell, Piccolo barked, "Who are you?!"
At his words, Cell suddenly threw back his head and roared, unleashing a massive aura of Ki!
Piccolo's face transformed into utter shock. "What?! Why do you have my Ki signature?!"
He could distinctly sense an energy signature coming from Cell that was identical to his own!
Cell sneered ominously, a eerie laugh escaping his beak. "Because... I am your brother! Heheh-haha!"
As his voice echoed, Cell's body erupted with a multitude of conflicting, terrifying Ki signatures—Goku, Vegeta, Frieza, King Cold, and more!
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