The Gate of the Demon Realm

After bidding farewell to Master Roshi, Ziye and Goku went their separate ways. Ziye returned once more to the Korin Sanctuary, exchanged a few pleasantries with Upa and his father, and began his climb up Korin Tower.

"Why have you come back again?"

Seeing Ziye, Korin couldn't help but look puzzled as he asked the question.

"Hehe, I'm here to bring you a gift, of course!"

Ziye chuckled, pulled several fragrant grilled fish from a Hoi-Poi Capsule, and handed them to Korin.

"Meow~"

Upon seeing the grilled fish, Korin let out an excited cry. Drool dripped from the corner of his mouth onto the floor as he snatched the fish from Ziye's hand, gulped, and began to devour them greedily.

"Meow~ Delicious, absolutely delicious!"

"Tell me, Ziye, you never visit without a reason. Last time you traded a few grilled fish for a whole jar of Senzu Beans, so what are you after this time?"

"Hehe, Korin, you really are sharp. I do have a favor to ask!" Ziye laughed, then leaned in close to Korin.

"Stop right there! Even if the fish is delicious, I'm not trading any more Senzu Beans!"

Seeing the mischievous look on Ziye's face, Korin spoke decisively.

"That's not it!"

"Korin, I want to become stronger. Do you have any ideas?" Ziye asked with a serious expression.

"Your current strength is enough that even your master couldn't beat you. Are you still complaining that you aren't strong enough?"

"Besides, your strength has already surpassed mine; I have no way to help you!" Korin shook his head, saying helplessly.

Hearing this, Ziye frowned slightly and snatched the grilled fish right out of Korin's hand.

"Meow~ What are you doing? Give that back!" Korin flew into a rage.

"Hehe, don't get angry yet! I mean your fish no harm!"

"I just want you to help me find if there are any powerful opponents left on Earth so I can grind for some experience!" Ziye held the grilled fish high and asked.

Hearing this, Korin fell silent. He glanced toward the sky, then shook his head again.

Whoosh!

"You brat, what are you doing?"

Seeing this, Ziye threw one of the grilled fish off Korin Tower. Korin was instantly furious, cursing at Ziye.

"Korin, you'd better think carefully! Otherwise, you won't be able to keep this last fish either!" Ziye dangled the remaining fish in front of Korin and said with a smile.

"Damn it, you're actually threatening me!"

"I won't give in!"

"Sigh."

"Don't throw it! I'll tell you, alright?"

Hearing this, Ziye stopped his movements and asked again, "Tell me quickly, where is that person?"

"I really can't do anything with you!"

Korin shook his head helplessly, his expression suddenly turning serious. He said faintly, "That place is very dangerous. Are you sure you want to know?"

Hearing this, Ziye nodded without hesitation.

"That place is the Demon Realm!"

"The Demon Realm?"

Hearing the name, Ziye searched his mind, but his memories were too chaotic, and he couldn't recall anything.

"That's right! Legend has it that the place is a completely different world from the human realm. Countless demons and monsters live there; there is no chance of survival for a human who enters!" Korin nodded earnestly, his face grave.

"Sounds interesting. I've decided—I'm going there!" Ziye declared decisively.

Ziye didn't have much of the original plot in his memory, and after living in the world of Dragon Ball for so long, he had forgotten most of the story, remembering only the general direction of events.

Originally, he had intended to use Korin to find the entrance to the Heavenly Realm, but hearing about a more interesting place was an unexpected bonus for Ziye.

Korin was stunned, looking at Ziye in surprise. He had intended to use this to scare the boy and get back at him for the grilled fish, but he hadn't expected the newborn calf not to fear the tiger, openly declaring he would storm the Demon Realm!

"Korin, tell me quickly, how can I enter the Demon Realm?" Ziye asked excitedly.

"You really want to go? The Demon Realm is different from the human world; it's very easy to lose your life there!" Korin felt a hint of regret and asked again.

"Stop the chatter and tell me where the entrance to the Demon Realm is!" Ziye asked impatiently.

"This... alright!"

"Follow me."

"There are two entrances to the Demon Realm: one in the human world, and the other kept here."

As he spoke, Korin led Ziye into a dark, eerie room where the gloom made Ziye lose his sense of sight.

As Korin raised a torch, a mirror covered in dust and cobwebs appeared before them.

"It's this."

Korin said indifferently, then reached out to flick away the rag in front of him, causing dust to fill the entire room.

"Cough, cough..."

"How long has it been since you cleaned this thing?" Ziye choked on the dust, his expression turning ugly as he spoke.

"This thing hasn't been used since it was sealed three hundred years ago."

"Remove the seal on the mirror, place your hand upon it, and you will be able to enter!"

"The Demon Realm is truly dangerous. I advise you not to go barging in blindly, lest you lose your life!"

Korin glanced at Ziye and offered a word of caution once more.

"Alright, I get it!"

"So long-winded!"

Ziye waved his hand dismissively, then stepped forward and tore the seal off the mirror.

Filled with excitement, he placed his hand upon it. The next second, a strange black hole appeared within the mirror, and a peculiar gravitational force pulled Ziye inside.

"So this is the Demon Realm?"

When Ziye opened his eyes again, the surrounding environment had suddenly become eerie and terrifying. As a few cold gusts of wind blew past, a chill could not help but well up in his heart.

Looking into the distance, a gloomy and empty tunnel appeared before him. The environment remained as dark as ever, but a few rays of light leaking from the surrounding walls allowed Ziye to see the path ahead clearly.

Swish!

Ziye had barely moved a few steps into the gloomy tunnel when a piercing sound suddenly rang out. His eyes narrowed as he saw a sharp dagger hurtling toward him.

Seeing this, Ziye quickly dodged, and the dagger embedded itself directly into the wall behind him. Immediately after, a cold voice echoed in Ziye's ear.

"Who dares to trespass in the Demon Realm?"