After saying goodbye to Master Roshi, Ziye and Goku went their separate ways. Ziye returned to Korin Sanctuary, exchanged a few pleasantries with Upa and his father, then began climbing Korin Tower again.
"Why are you back?"
Korin couldn't help looking puzzled when he saw Ziye, and asked him.
"Heh heh, I came to bring you a gift, of course!"
Ziye chuckled, then took several fragrant grilled fish out of a Hoi-Poi Capsule and held them out to Korin.
"Meow~"
At the sight of the grilled fish, Korin let out an excited cry. Drool dripped from the corner of his mouth onto the floor. He snatched the fish from Ziye's hands, swallowed, then eagerly gobbled them down.
"Meow~ Delicious! So delicious!"
"Ziye, you never come here without a reason. Last time, you traded me a few grilled fish for a whole jar of Senzu Beans. What do you want this time?"
"Heh heh, you're sharp, Korin. I do have a favor to ask!" Ziye laughed and stepped closer to him.
"Don't even think about it! No matter how delicious those fish are, I'm not trading them for Senzu Beans!"
Seeing the look on Ziye's face, Korin immediately refused.
"That's not what I'm asking!"
"Korin, I want to get stronger. Do you know a way?" Ziye asked with a serious expression.
"You're already stronger than your teacher. You still think you're not strong enough?"
"Besides, you're already stronger than me. I can't help you!" Korin shook his head helplessly.
At that, Ziye frowned and snatched the grilled fish from Korin's hands.
"Meow~ What are you doing? Give my fish back!" Korin roared.
"Heh heh, don't get mad! I'm not after your fish."
"I just want you to help me find out if there are any powerful opponents left on Earth, so I can grind some experience!" Ziye held the fish high above his head and asked.
Korin fell silent. He glanced up at the sky, then shook his head again.
Whoosh!
"You little brat, what are you doing?"
Seeing this, Ziye tossed one of the grilled fish off Korin Tower. Korin instantly flew into a rage and yelled at him.
"Korin, think it over again! Otherwise, you might lose this fish too!" Ziye waved the last remaining grilled fish in front of Korin and said with a smile.
"Damn it, you're threatening me!"
"I won't give in!"
"Fine!"
"Don't throw it! I'll tell you!"
Hearing that, Ziye stopped and asked, "Tell me where that person is!"
"You really are impossible!"
Korin shook his head helplessly. Then his expression suddenly turned serious as he said, "That place is dangerous. Are you sure you want to know?"
Ziye nodded without hesitation.
"It's the Demon Realm!"
"The Demon Realm?"
Hearing the name, Ziye searched his memories, but they were such a jumbled mess that he couldn't recall anything.
"That's right! Legend has it that it's a world completely different from the human world. Countless demons and monsters live there, and no human who enters has any chance of making it back alive!" Korin nodded gravely.
"That sounds interesting. I've decided—I'm going there!" Ziye declared at once.
Ziye barely remembered the plot to begin with. After living in the Dragon Ball world for so long, he had forgotten most of it, retaining only a vague sense of how things unfolded.
He had originally planned to ask Korin to help him find the entrance to the Heavenly Realm. He hadn't expected to hear about somewhere even more interesting. For Ziye, it was an unexpected bonus.
Korin stared at Ziye in surprise. He'd meant to scare him with this story and get even for the fish, but the kid was actually fearless enough to declare he'd enter the Demon Realm!
"Korin, tell me quickly—how do I get into the Demon Realm?" Ziye asked eagerly.
"You really want to go? The Demon Realm is nothing like the human world. You could easily lose your life!" Korin felt a pang of regret and asked again.
"Stop wasting time and tell me where the entrance is!" Ziye pressed impatiently.
"This... All right!"
"Come with me."
"There are two entrances to the Demon Realm. One is in the human world, and the other is here."
As he spoke, Korin led Ziye into a gloomy room. The darkness inside left Ziye unable to see a thing.
Korin raised a torch, revealing a mirror covered in a dusty cloth.
"This is it."
Korin said this casually, then reached out and pulled the cloth away. A cloud of dust immediately filled the room.
"Cough, cough..."
"How long has it been since you cleaned this place?" Ziye coughed as the dust got in his throat and asked with a grimace.
"This hasn't been used since it was sealed three hundred years ago."
"Lift the seal on the mirror and put your hand on it. Then you'll be able to enter."
"The Demon Realm really is dangerous. I'd advise you not to go barging in. You could lose your life!"
Korin glanced at Ziye and tried to dissuade him again.
"All right, I get it!"
"You're so naggy!"
Ziye waved him off, unconcerned, then stepped forward and peeled the seal off the mirror.
With excitement, he placed his hand on it. The next instant, a strange black hole appeared inside the mirror, and a peculiar force pulled Ziye in.
"So this is the Demon Realm?"
When Ziye opened his eyes again, the surroundings had suddenly turned eerie and frightening. A few cold gusts blew past, sending a chill through him.
He looked into the distance. An empty, gloomy tunnel stretched before him. It was as dark as ever, but a few faint rays of light shone through the walls, just enough for Ziye to make out the path ahead.
Whoosh!
Ziye moved forward. After walking a few steps into the gloomy tunnel, he suddenly heard something whistle through the air. His gaze sharpened as a sharp dagger came flying toward him.
Ziye quickly dodged. The dagger struck the wall behind him. Then a cold voice rang in his ear.
"Who dares trespass in the Demon Realm?"
Before you continue