An arena. It is built on the neutral land between the two realms. There are hundreds of temporary stalls set up at the entrance that claim to sell powerful talismans and whatnot.

  They all look like scammers. Anyone with a good brain can tell, and yet, people are still flocking to them to waste their money.

  I shake my head internally and proceed to the entrance where four guards are stationed.

  From my new informants, we have to pay more if we need to have access to the best seats. I asked them which side had a good view of where those sect leaders would be seated and I was instructed to say, "Level two."

  They all look at me, examining what I'm wearing from the cuff in my hair to the shoes on my feet.

  "Five gold coins," he says. "Is she going with you?"

  I look back at the little dragon that is supposed to be there, only to see her hopping near a stall trying to grab a dragon figurine that is hanging high above.

  "Xing'er!"

  Turning to them, I answer, "Yes."

  I drop a small gold rock on the desk. It is equivalent to the ten gold coins if those bandits were correct.

  One of the guards picks it up for examination and then nods his head to his partners.

  "Zhuren."

  "Stop wasting any more time."

  "This way." Another guard directs ushering us toward the transportation array that has now been activated.

  "Don't get lost again or I will punish you."

  "Oh, okay."

  The array takes us directly to the seats we have paid for so much money.

  The first thing I do is to look around, searching for where the important figures will be seated.

  Four shaded boxes overlook the entire arena. Even though the seats I have paid for have some shade, they have no privacy.

  "Are you two lost?" someone asks, drawing my attention to her.

  "Why would we?"

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  She opens her fan and blows her face. "You don't look like..."

  "Xing'er, sit here." I point at the seat next to the young woman. She looks troublesome and I am not ready to listen to anyone talking too much. I hate noise.

  Xing'er does as told without asking why and I sit next to her. My eyes move back up at the private area where some individuals are already occupying.

  They're unfamiliar.

  'When will 'he' arrive?'

  "Here!" Xing'er's ever-lively voice beams as she presses something to my lips.

  I look down at it. Grapes.

  Normal grapes.

  "They gave me these. I've never eaten anything from the mortal world but I find these white sweet."

  I receive a genuine gift and put one in my mouth. She is right. These grapes are ripe just the way I loved them and white sweet.

  They melt in my mouth, exploding their flavor in my buds, leaving me yearning for more.

  I'd it because I haven't tasted them in such a long time? All I have been eating ever since I woke up is nectar and some pastries Xing'er has stored. Eating something fresh arouses my desire for sweet foods and drinks alike. But if I ask for the nectar here, its aura will attract unneeded attention.

  "Have more. I knew you would love them." She smiles adding more grapes in my mouth.

  'I should get her something. All she has been doing is giving and taking care of me. She is a good companion. I understand why he liked her.'

  We continue to enjoy the fruits, ignoring the stares from the other attendees seated around us. From their clothes to their manners, they must be affluent families.

  Even without looking at them, I can feel their judgemental eyes piercing through our bodies. What a shame.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  "Look! They have arrived! It's disciples from the Eternal Bloom sect!"

  Pleased gasps and murmurs quickly rise from the audience as they look up at the sky.

  A large flying ship approaches above the arena, casting its shadow upon our heads as if trying to show off.

  As it comes to a stop, disciples fly out of it on their swords. Their robes dance in the wind while maintaining graceful appearances.

  I do not pay any more attention to them. After all, the one who has brought me here has yet to arrive.

  As if the world is reading my mind, I feel a strong pressure approaching behind the flying ship.

  The clouds darken, and the winds grow more chilly.

  "Zhuren, who are they?"

  "Mmm...let us call them enemies for now."

  "Ooo!"

  What an entrance. Is this the idea of that impostor? I never used to have such an unnecessary flashy appearance.

  "The demons have arrived."

  "The demons!"

  "Look closely. They are riding those dark clouds."

  "Mother, I'm scared," a child's voice cries from behind us.

  The audacity of these humans is astonishing. But the stupidity of the one pretending to be me is even greater and more frustrating.

  "Eternal Bloom sect leader!" a voice booms from the flying ship, announcing to everyone of the woman in red robes now leaving the ship.

  A flight of red stairs appears from where she is down to the box reserved for her and her sect's elders.

  She walks down with elegance, smiling and waving at the audience who are on their feet cheering for her arrival.

  "Lord of the demons, Yuan Ye."

  The mention of this name makes my heartbeats dull.

  I find myself already on my feet, anticipating the presence of the demon lord. The one who is stealing my glory.

  From the dark clouds, figures emerge flying on their swords. Leading them is a familiar face. He wears the same clothes I did. Has his hair up the same way I used to. And even smiles just like I did.

  I frown. 'Who is this person?'

  He and his subordinates come down to occupy the second box next to the one the Eternal Bloom sect is in while their disciples fly to their designated seats.

  The two factions do not even bother greeting each other.

  I cannot bear it any longer.

  Maybe I should just leave for now before I lose my patience and confront him. If that happens, it might break out into a fight, causing fatalities from the audience who do not deserve it.

  I am also not going to sit and watch humans humiliate demons.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  "What have we left? Did you not come here to watch them fight?"

  "No. I have already seen whatever I came here for," I answer as we walk away from the arena's gates.

  I'll let him be for now. When I create a good plan, I will go knocking at his door for answers.

  For now, I need to do something meaningful while I practice that will mark the start of my journey to being the supreme lord of the third world. What can bring humans and demons together?

  Business? No, greed will ruin them.

  Marriage? How will I convince two enemies to marry?

  Then...how about a sect?

  I will make all the rules. It will also be a good experience for me to learn how these two races can coexist without killing each other. For if they break the rules, I will flog their butts red.

  'Then, I'll call it, Heilian sect. The first of its kind for both humans and demons.'