Chapter 187 – Beerus Has Arrived on Earth
The rich aroma filled the air, and Beerus, having calmed down, joined the ranks of the gluttons with a cold expression.
"So hot, so hot..."
"Huff... huff... huff..."
As the table grew increasingly messy, everyone gradually slowed their pace, eventually ending the hotpot feast with satisfied expressions.
"A good fight followed by hotpot—now that's living!" Lin Qi patted his belly. It had been a long time since he'd felt this full.
And just as long since he'd had such a satisfying battle...
"Mhm!" Quitela also set down his chopsticks and nodded in satisfaction. "To wake up and see such a delightful scene—this is bliss!"
"Hmph. You've eaten, now scram. What, planning to stick around for dessert?" Beerus, with panda-like bruises around both eyes, snorted coldly.
"Tch, watch your tone, you loser! You couldn't even beat my backup!" Quitela's tail was practically curled skyward in triumph.
"Damn it... You want me to round up a few backups to beat you up?!" The veins on Beerus's forehead popped as his rage reignited.
"Tch, I'm so scared. Who're you gonna call, Saiyans? There's not a single Saiyan out there who can beat my Lin Qi!"
Seeing the argument about to erupt again, Whis put down his chopsticks and elegantly dabbed at the corner of his mouth before speaking.
"Hotpot really does call for drinks... and maybe dessert to top it off."
"Lord Beerus, care to join me? It's quite delicious."
Hearing this, Beerus's throat bobbed as his anger once again faded. In a frosty tone, he asked, "You discovered some new delicacy while I was asleep, didn't you?!"
"Oh, it wasn't me. It was Lord Quitela's backup who found it!" Whis casually threw Lin Qi a compliment.
But Beerus wasn't as easy to placate as Champa. He kept a sour face and didn't even glance at Lin Qi. "Hmph... You think you can win me over with food?"
"Shall we go then?" Whis slowly stood up and looked back at Beerus. "You staying here to nap, Lord Beerus?"
"In that case, we won't wait for you. Just be sure to send a few helpings my way later!" Quitela grinned and waved at Lin Qi.
"Farewell!" Cognac gave everyone a polite nod and left along with Cooler, who'd stayed behind in the God of Destruction Realm.
As Quitela and his group departed, Lin Qi ignored Beerus and chatted with Whis, "Bulma said one of her chains, something called Wanda Mall, opened recently..."
"Three full floors of food. A few of them are supposed to be amazing! There's this dish with boiled fish and shrimp together, and I heard they even have cheese pizza..."
"... (⊙o⊙)" Beerus was already wide-eyed, swallowing hard.
"Then let's hurry up and go! Hahaha..." Whis was excited, placing a hand on Lin Qi's shoulder. "Use your Instant Transmission—quick!"
"Let's stop by Bulma's place first. I need to talk to Vegeta anyway," Lin Qi casually glanced at Beerus.
"Wait a sec, you bastard, Whis..." Beerus suddenly appeared behind Whis and put a hand on his shoulder.
Trying to save face, he muttered, "Hmph. I'm just accompanying Whis to a planet in our own universe. It has nothing—absolutely nothing—to do with you!"
No one responded.
The next moment, Lin Qi teleported with Whis and Beerus to the courtyard of Bulma's villa.
What was supposed to be a quiet yard turned out to be bustling with people.
Aside from Goku, who was absent, the entire Son family was present. Gohan and Videl were starting to look suspiciously close.
Piccolo was resting peacefully off to the side, Krillin's family exuded warmth, and Master Roshi had brought along the old sea turtle.
Even Yamcha, Tien, Chiaotzu, Puar, and Oolong—the semi-retired crew—were all here.
"Lord Lin Qi..." Even the bald, burly Nappa was mingling in the crowd.
"Where've you been? We've been waiting forever!" Raditz stepped forward to greet Lin Qi.
"We heard you can turn us into Super Saiyan Gods. Is that for real?" Nappa crowded over, eyes shining with excitement.
"Super Saiyan God?!" Beerus's thoughts flashed back to what Lin Qi had said before their match. "You really can bring about a Super Saiyan God?"
"Your power levels are still this low?" Lin Qi frowned at Raditz and Nappa.
"Can't be helped. Maybe we just weren't born with that kind of battle talent..."
"Yeah, even with that near-death cheat you gave us, our growth in power's still pathetic..."
"It's honestly frustrating... Vegeta goes through one life-or-death moment and jumps millions in power..."
"We don't even break a million. Barely a few hundred thousand..."
Hearing their complaints, Lin Qi was helpless. What could he say? It's not their fault they didn't have the protagonist's aura.
Vegeta was the story's number two guy. You two just can't compare.
"Hey, hey... too noisy!" Beerus felt his head throbbing. "I want to destroy all of them right now!"
"There you are..." Vegeta walked over from a nearby path, squinting at the two behind Lin Qi.
"Him..."
A bead of cold sweat rolled down Vegeta's forehead. That large, hairless cat—how could he forget?
Back when Planet Vegeta still existed, this creature once stomped his father's pride into the ground... over a pillow!
The God of Destruction, Beerus!
"Hmm? This guy looks kinda familiar..." Beerus also noticed Vegeta and frowned. "Is this the one who's supposed to become a Super Saiyan God?!"
Vegeta, sweat trickling, silently offered the food from the table beside him.
While he stayed silent, the rest of the crowd finally noticed Whis and Beerus, and whispers began to spread.
"Hey, check out the people Lin Qi brought this time... I can't sense any energy from them!"
"Are they aliens? Maybe someone Dr. Brief is researching?"
Oolong turned to Puar, "Don't you think they kinda look like you guys...?"
"Hey hey, what are you all going on about...?"
"It's getting even louder..." Beerus clutched one ear, and in his other hand, destructive energy began to gather. "Maybe I should just blow them all up!"
"Then you'll have come all this way for nothing. No food for you," Lin Qi reminded him calmly. "This planet is Champa's top-priority protection zone in his universe."
"Because this one planet has the richest food variety."
"Tch..." Beerus clicked his tongue, veins still bulging, but eventually dispersed the energy.
"Lin Qi, what're you all doing here?" Bulma approached, with Mr. Satan behind her and Buu cradling a puppy.
"What took you so long!" Bulma greeted Lin Qi like an old friend, glancing casually at Whis behind him.