Chapter 112 Twelve Supreme Kais
Turles only felt intense light flash before his eyes, making him involuntarily close them.
When he opened them again, he discovered himself inside a circular light barrier. Outside the barrier, colorful flowing lights continuously flashed past.
Turles curiously looked outside the barrier, but discovered that besides the continuously retreating colorful flowing lights, he couldn't see any other scenery.
"This is a universe space tunnel. You can only enter when breaking through universe barriers to enter other universes. If you accidentally fall out, you're on your own—because even I don't know where you'd end up!"
At this moment, Old Kai's voice suddenly rang in Turles's ear, pulling his attention back from outside the barrier.
"Has anyone gone to see what's outside these tunnels?"
Old Kai seemed somewhat shocked by Turles's thought process. He couldn't help glancing at him, but still answered his question.
"No one. Even if a God of Destruction fell in, no message has ever returned. But there are rumors that outside the tunnel are other worlds—worlds similar to this entire cosmos!"
"Alright, we're almost there. Prepare yourself!" Seeing Turles wanting to ask more, Old Kai directly interrupted.
Swallowing his continued questions, Turles looked ahead of the barrier. Only then did he discover the barrier's speed had already slowed. A massive palace appeared ahead.
"This is...?"
Looking at that massive, imposing palace and the large "Omni" character, Turles had a guess in his heart.
"It's Omni-King's palace—the location of our meeting. From now on, don't say anything or move randomly. Stay close to me!"
Arriving here, Old Kai became extremely solemn. Even his speaking voice subconsciously lowered considerably.
'This is Omni-King's palace?'
This thought flashed through Turles's mind.
Omni-King—the highest-ranking deity across the entire cosmos. Essentially Turles's boss's ultimate boss. Though his mentality seemed somewhat immature, he possessed the ability to casually erase entire universes.
Old Kai had mentioned that in his era, this cosmos still had 14 universes. In most ancient times, the entire cosmos had a full 18 universes. But now, only 12 universes remained. The other 6 universes went without saying.
So currently, Turles also grew cautious and careful. He wasn't like original story Goku—carelessly befriending Omni-King.
Stepping onto the palace stairs, Turles immediately felt heavy pressure fall upon him. Unlike gravity room pressure acting on his body, this seemed to directly act on his soul.
"You're now apprentice Supreme Kai—divine position is bound to your soul. This pressure isn't targeting you. Just relax and you'll be fine."
Just then, Old Kai's voice suddenly transmitted into Turles's mind. He immediately closed his eyes, easing his spirit. Sure enough, this heavy pressure quickly vanished.
Looking up at Old Kai, Turles didn't dare the slightest carelessness anymore. Following Old Kai's previously taught precautions, he tightly followed behind Old Kai, slowly walking through the palace gates.
Passing through a corridor, the three arrived at a plaza. Only now did Turles see Supreme Kais from other universes.
The three's arrival also attracted everyone's attention in the plaza.
"Who is he? I've never seen him. Did a new universe appear?" A Supreme Kai resembling a scholar pushed his glasses, asking another Supreme Kai beside him.
"Impossible. We'd definitely know if a new universe appeared. But I truly haven't seen this Supreme Kai either." A geek-style Supreme Kai immediately replied.
"But why is that human also wearing Supreme Kai robes? From the looks of it, he's even an apprentice Supreme Kai. Can humans also serve as Supreme Kai now?" At this moment, another somewhat arrogant and haughty Supreme Kai—face full of divine majesty—interjected.
"Humans originally could serve as Supreme Kai, okay? Just quite a long time ago. Look—Universe 10's Gowasu and Universe 6's Fuwa are walking over."
While these Supreme Kais whispered among themselves, Gowasu and Fuwa walked before the three.
Universe 10's Supreme Kai Gowasu was a Supreme Kai with yellow skin who appeared much older.
Universe 6's Fuwa was a lazy, easygoing, corpulent Supreme Kai. He was also the Supreme Kai who'd fixed his gaze on Turles the moment they appeared.
Before Gowasu could speak, Fuwa walked before Turles. Eyes shining while watching Turles, somewhat excitedly, he issued an invitation: "Kid, one look tells me you're a warrior! How about we have a battle?"
Looking at this somewhat overly familiar Supreme Kai before him, Turles felt somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected such a battle-loving existence among Supreme Kais. Interested, he slightly bent his waist, asking:
"Hello, Supreme Kai-sama. I'm currently just an apprentice Supreme Kai. I'm afraid I'm no match for you!"
Turles still decided to play it safe first. This place differed from others. Though Turles felt he should probably be somewhat stronger than this fatty before him.
But Fuwa didn't believe Turles's words. He still wanted to say something, but Gowasu spoke now.
"Alright, Fuwa. Your matters can wait."
"Is this elder Universe 7's Supreme Kai?"
Gowasu seemingly held considerable prestige among Supreme Kais. Once he spoke, though Fuwa still wanted to say something, he ultimately stopped. Just watched Turles expectantly.
"You recognize me?"
Old Kai had surveyed all present Supreme Kais from the start. As expected—not a single familiar face remained.
Made sense. Though the Supreme Kai position—once bound—could theoretically achieve eternal life, not everyone could endure such long, tedious existence. So many Supreme Kais—after serving approximately ten million years—would actively relinquish their Supreme Kai position, passing it to their already-selected next apprentice Supreme Kai.
Moreover, universe development also required new blood. Especially this Supreme Kai position. Only through different philosophies' collisions could the entire universe avoid stagnating like dead water without ripples.
Gowasu was already the oldest Supreme Kai present.
"I'm Gowasu, currently Universe 10's Supreme Kai. I've managed Universe 10 for ten million years. So I guessed Elder was Universe 7's Supreme Kai. After all, only Universe 7's Supreme Kai has been absent from Supreme Kai meetings for tens of millions of years."
Though Gowasu appeared somewhat aged, his thinking remained sharp. He quickly deduced most of Old Kai's origins. However—
"Then I must disappoint you. I've already relinquished the Supreme Kai position. Universe 7's current Supreme Kai is this one—Shin. He's somewhat my descendant."
After speaking, Old Kai pulled Shin before Gowasu, making a simple introduction.
This was also Old Kai helping Shin expand connections. Between universes, some were closer, some more distant. Not just because competitive relationships existed among twelve universes, but also because Shin was currently too inexperienced. Gowasu before them appeared to be a kind person.
Naturally, Shin didn't know Old Kai's intent doing this. He just somewhat flustered, deeply bowed to Gowasu, voice trembling slightly, "Gowasu-sama, hello. I'm Shin, Universe 7's Supreme Kai. Please guide me kindly!"
"Hehe, Shin-sama is too polite. Let's just exchange ideas."
Gowasu was indeed a kind person. Seeing Shin so polite, he quickly waved modestly. Then he placed his gaze on Turles.
"This person... is Universe 7's apprentice Supreme Kai?"
Gowasu's voice held some hesitation. Because according to Old Kai's words, Shin had clearly just become Supreme Kai. Logically, he shouldn't select an apprentice Supreme Kai this quickly.
Turles also recognized from the start this Universe 10 Supreme Kai who'd later die at his disciple Zamasu's hands. Seeing him notice himself, he quickly bowed slightly.
"Oh, he's an outstanding human from our universe. I just selected him as apprentice Supreme Kai for training. This time, he's just here to witness things."
Old Kai proactively redirected the topic to himself. His introduction of Turles was just glossed over. Then he chatted leisurely with Gowasu, incidentally inquiring about various universes' situations over these past seventy million years.
On the other side, another familiar figure appeared before Turles.
"Hello, I'm Zamasu. Like you, I'm also an apprentice Supreme Kai. Currently studying under Teacher Gowasu!"
A green-skinned apprentice Supreme Kai who appeared humble and gentle—wearing the same style robes as Turles—extended his hand toward Turles, greeting him.
Watching this future true "Goku Black," a trace of surprise flashed through Turles's eyes.
"Hello, I'm Turles. Like you said, I'm also apprentice Supreme Kai—Universe 7's apprentice Supreme Kai!"
Turles extended his hand, grasping Zamasu's.
Feeling the calluses on the hand, Zamasu's heart jolted. But his face showed no change whatsoever. Still maintaining that gentlemanly appearance, he smiled, saying:
"Then we truly have fate! Among all present Supreme Kais, only we two are apprentice Supreme Kais. Hehe!"
Turles didn't know whether current Zamasu—like in the original—had already used the time ring with Gowasu to view humanity's future development, thus conceiving ideas of eliminating humans.
If not yet—fine. But once he already held such thoughts while still treating him—a human—with this attitude, then this person's danger level needed raising another degree.
So Turles's face also showed a seemingly sincere fake smile. He echoed, "Is that so? Then it seems we truly have fate!"
During the following time, Turles and Zamasu chatted here. Old Kai conversed joyfully with Gowasu. Only leaving Shin somewhat at a loss, standing in place—occasionally glancing at Old Kai, then looking at Turles.
However, soon, a figure's appearance made everyone present fall silent.