"Hello! My name is Piccolo, and these are Qin Yan and Liya. Please forgive us for the sudden intrusion," Kami said with a kind, composed smile as he greeted the Namekians.
Qin Yan had stepped back, letting Kami take the lead in the negotiations. After all, it was much easier for members of the same race to communicate with one another.
"Greetings. I am Moori, the Second Elder of Planet Namek." Seeing how polite the visitors were, Moori responded with equal courtesy. However, as he looked at Kami and saw the striking resemblance between them, Moori couldn't help but wonder if the old man was a Namekian. Yet, Moori knew every single Namekian on the planet. Deeply puzzled, he asked curiously, "Are you also a Namekian?"
"That is correct!" By now, Kami had cast aside all doubt. He was certain of his heritage and answered firmly.
"But why have I never seen you before? Where do you come from?" Moori's confusion deepened as he pressed for an answer.
"We have come from Earth, a planet on the distant side of the starry sky," Kami replied gently.
"WhWhat? Earth!" Moori cried out in shock. He hadn't expected them to be from another planet. He couldn't fathom why a Namekian would come from the stars.
The two Namekians standing beside him also gasped, their faces filled with astonishment.
"It happened like this... I was a Namekian sent to Earth to escape during the Great Cataclysm," Kami explained slowly, relaying the history Qin Yan had shared with him.
"I see! To think you are a survivor of that Great Cataclysm... that is truly remarkable," Moori said, his eyes wide with shock and realization.
"Welcome home! Come, don't just stand outside. Let's go over there and sit down to talk." Moori gave Kami a sincere smile and warmly invited the group to a nearby wooden table.
Kami and Qin Yan exchanged a look. Seeing Qin Yan nod, Kami turned back to Moori and replied, "Thank you. We appreciate the hospitality."
Moori's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed this interaction. He sensed that Qin Yan was no ordinary person; the youth was clearly the core of the group. Though he found it unusual, Moori said nothing, simply nodding with a smile as he led them to the table.
The group followed Moori to a large rectangular table and took their seats. However, Qin Yan and Liya were both quite short; when they sat down, only their heads were visible above the tabletop.
"Go and get something for our guests to drink!" Moori waved his hand, signaling a Namekian to fetch some tea.
"Of course, Second Elder," the Namekian replied before turning back toward the house.
"And these two are...?" Moori asked, eyeing Qin Yan and Liya with curiosity.
"They are my friends," Kami answered with a warm smile.
"I see. Welcome to Planet Namek!" Moori said kindly.
Qin Yan gave Moori a polite nod before speaking in a calm, direct tone. "Elder Moori, the reason for our visit is that we wish to pay our respects to the Grand Elder."
Qin Yan went straight to the point, making their intentions clear.
"WhWhat? You want to see the Grand Elder?" Moori's body jolted in surprise, his expression turning to one of shock.
"What? They want to see the Grand Elder? What are they planning?" Several other Namekians who were walking by overheard Qin Yan and cried out in alarm. They looked at the trio with expressions of tension and guarded suspicion.
"Might I ask why you are looking for the Grand Elder?" Moori's expression hardened, his voice turning solemn as he questioned them.
"Haha! No need to be nervous. We mean no harm," Qin Yan said with a light smile, unfazed by their reaction. "We simply have a matter we'd like his help with. Could you please introduce us?"
"Help? I'm afraid I must apologize. The Grand Elder is of a very advanced age and his health is failing. I doubt he can be of much assistance to you." Moori hesitated. Although he didn't know Qin Yan's specific goal, he refused the request to ensure the Grand Elder's safety.
"Heh." Qin Yan chuckled softly. He had anticipated Moori's concerns and wasn't discouraged by the refusal. He understood Moori's perspective perfectly.
Moori was a very responsible leaderotherwise, he wouldn't have been chosen as the next Grand Elder in the original story. Even if Moori refused to lead the way, Qin Yan had his own ways of finding the Grand Elder; it would just take a bit more time.
"If that's the case, then never mind," Qin Yan said, spreading his hands in a relaxed gesture.
"I am sorry..."
Moori's apology cut off abruptly. His face transformed into a mask of pure shock, as if he had been struck dumb. At that moment, a voiceancient, kind, and brimming with majestyreverberated within his mind.
"Bring them to me, Moori."
"Grand Elder..." Moori gasped aloud, his face filled with utter disbelief.
The sudden change left everyone stunned. They looked at Moori with strange expressions, wondering what had just happened. Qin Yan, however, had already guessed the truth.
"Bring them to see me! Moori!" The Grand Elder's heavy voice echoed in Moori's mind once more.
"I... Very well! Grand Elder!" Moori replied internally. Since the Grand Elder had spoken, Moori had no choice but to comply, no matter how reluctant he felt.
"Mm..." the Grand Elder groaned softly before his voice faded into silence.
Moori let out a long sigh, composing himself. He looked at Qin Yan and spoke slowly. "The Grand Elder has agreed. He wants me to bring you to see him."
"What?" Everyone except Qin Yan, Kami, and Liya cried out in disbelief. They couldn't understand why Elder Moori had suddenly changed his mind.
"But... why, Second Elder?" the other Namekians crowded around to ask.
"Sigh! It is the Grand Elder's wish!" Moori sighed.
"What?" The Namekians were speechless. None of them expected the Grand Elder to personally intervene for these strangers. A heavy silence fell over the group.
"Then I'll trouble you to lead the way, Second Elder," Qin Yan said, standing up and cupping his fists.
"Think nothing of it. I am merely following the Grand Elder's orders. Come, let us depart for his residence immediately."
Moori offered a polite reply and suggested they leave at once.
"Very well," Kami and Qin Yan said in unison after a brief look at each other.
"Follow me!"
With those words, Moori soared into the sky and streaked toward the north. Qin Yan and the others followed close behind.
...
The group flew north for about an hour.
Eventually, a unique rock tower appeared ahead of them. Perched atop the tower was a structure far more magnificent than the simple Namekian houses they had seen earlier.
They had finally arrived at the Grand Elder's dwelling.
Seeing the familiar sight, Qin Yan smiled faintly.
"That is where the Grand Elder lives!" Moori said joyfully, pointing toward the rock tower.
As a child of the Grand Elder, Moori felt a sense of happiness every time he visited, much like a child returning home to see a parent.
"It really is quite far!" Liya couldn't help but complain.
They flew a bit further until Moori suddenly came to a halt. Qin Yan and the others stopped as well.
Moori turned to look at them and pointed to a white house atop the rock tower. "The Grand Elder is inside that building."
Having said that, Moori descended toward the tower. Qin Yan and the others paused for a moment before following him down.
The group landed smoothly on the high stone platform.
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