Looking at the massive, two-story white building, Qin Yan and Kami took in their surroundings with curiosity.
Hum! Thud!
Right then, the main doors on the first floor slowly creaked open. Out stepped a green-skinned Namekian, roughly the same height as Kami.
"Hmm?"
Qin Yan was slightly taken search as he looked at the figure.
The Namekian possessed a physique boasting a defined eight-pack. He bore a striking resemblance to the rejuvenated King Piccolo from the original story, and he even wore a white battle robe just like Piccolo Jr.
He was clearly a warrior-type Namekian. Qin Yan sensed his auraa surface Power Level of only about 300. However, Namekians were experts at controlling their strength; his true Power Level was closer to 3,800. For this race, that was quite formidable, easily rivaling the strength of a mid-class Saiyan warrior.
"Stan!" Elder Moori called out.
Indeed, this warrior was not Nail, the one who guarded the Grand Elder during the Namek Saga. Qin Yan guessed that Nail hadn't even been born yet. If he recalled correctly, Nail wouldn't be born until Age 744. Several years remained before he would take up his post at the Grand Elder's side.
"Elder Moori! And our esteemed guests! You have finally arrived," the warrior named Stan said in a deep voice.
"Yes," Elder Moori nodded.
"Hello," Qin Yan and the others offered a polite greeting.
"Please, follow me inside. The Grand Elder has been waiting for you for a long time," Stan said calmly, gesturing toward the open doors. Without another word, he turned and led the way.
"Let us go in," Elder Moori said softly. Stan led them inside, with Qin Yan and the others following close behind.
The first floor was a wide, open space with a large jar placed against one of the walls.
"The Grand Elder is upstairs," Stan said plainly. He then levitated off the ground, rising toward the second floor as if riding an invisible elevator.
"Very well," Moori replied gently, flying up after him. Qin Yan and the others followed suit.
Passing through the large opening in the ceiling, they entered the Grand Elder's chamber. Before them sat a Namekian of staggering size, his face etched with even more years than Kami's.
He was seated upon a colossal stone throne. Due to his extreme age and massive frame, movement had clearly become difficult for him. Yet, despite his imposing presence, his face radiated a gentle, kindhearted warmth.
"He's so huge!" Leah whispered, unable to contain her surprise.
Grand Elder Guru was indeed much larger than any other Namekian. It was to be expected of the miraculous figure who had personally given birth to dozens, if not hundreds, of his kind.
"So this is the Grand Elder of Planet Namek? He is truly extraordinary." Facing the Grand Elder in person, Qin Yan felt a surge of awe despite being mentally prepared for the sight. Centuries had left their mark on the Grand Elder's body, which was now steeped in the weathered wisdom of the ages.
"Welcome, travelers," Guru's voice rang out slowly. It was a melodious, resonant sound, like an ancient folk song flowing through the river of time. The aged, gentle tone allowed one to feel the weight of his experiences and the depth of his wisdom.
Qin Yan felt a slight jolt as he listened. That deep, magnetic voice possessed a unique charm that made one want to lose themselves in its rhythm. As expected of the Grand Elder; his words carried a power that struck the heart.
Compared to the version of the Grand Elder from decades in the future, this Guru appeared much younger and more spirited. Though his body was physically weak, his tone was quite robust.
"I see! You are the son of Katas! To think that after all these years since the Namekian Cataclysm, I would see the descendant of an old friend... this is a joyous day indeed!" The moment he saw Kami, the Grand Elder instantly deduced his origins.
Moori and Stan were both visibly shaken by this revelation. They looked at the elderly Kami with shock, stunned to realize that this old man was a contemporary of their Grand Elder.
"Greetings, Grand Elder," Kami said, offering a respectful smile to the ancient Namekian.
"Welcome home," Guru replied, his voice filled with warmth and affection.
Those two simple wordswelcome homebrought tears to Kami's eyes. His body trembled uncontrollably as he managed a shaky response. "Yes..."
"All these years, living so far away in a foreign land... it must have been exhausting."
Kami froze where he stood as if struck by lightning. Memories of growing up alone and the long centuries that followed flooded his mind. He had spent his life believing he had no family, that he was utterly alone in the universe. But now he saw the truth. He had kin; he had a home. His eyes grew moist as a complex whirlwind of emotions he hadn't felt in hundreds of years surged through him.
"I... I have lived well," Kami said, eventually composing himself. "Though many things happened, I met many true friends. The people of Earth are very kind, and they treated me well. I have grown used to life there after several hundred years."
Time takes its toll on all, and the experiences of centuries had transformed the boy Kami once was. After calming his racing heart, his raspy, peaceful voice drifted through the quiet chamber. Though he spoke lightly, everyone present could sense how difficult his journey had truly been.
"That is good. It seems you found your own destiny. Congratulations," Guru said with a kind smile, genuinely happy that Kami had grown up safe and sound.
"Yes! I have been very lucky," Kami replied. "However, Grand Elder, it is you who has truly suffered. Carrying the hope of the entire Namekian race alone for so long, witnessing that terrible disaster, and enduring those hard times... to be the one who stayed behind is the true burden."
Kami spoke with deep reverence and concern. He knew that the Grand Elder was the one who had truly faced the greatest hardships, holding the race together single handedly. It filled Kami with profound admiration.
"Haha! The past is in the past," Guru laughed softly. "Seeing our people flourish as they have, and meeting the descendant of a dear friend... there is hope for our race's revival. I am content." A relaxed, blissful smile spread across his face. His laughter and voice radiated a motherly compassion and tolerance that warmed the souls of all who heard it.
In that moment, the two elderly men seemed to be conversing across the vastness of time and space, their voices carrying the weight of centuries. It was a long overdue reunion, a scene filled with warmth and heart stirring emotion.
"And these two little ones... you are Saiyans, are you not?" Guru asked, his gaze shifting toward Qin Yan and Leah as his voice softened.
"Indeed. You have a keen eye, Grand Elder," Qin Yan said, not at all surprised that a wise sage like Guru could see through them. He stepped forward openly. "My name is Qin Yan, and this is Leah. We are both members of the Saiyan race."
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