Reborn

FRIENDS AND FOES (1)

Sakura glanced outside the carriage thinking what lies ahead of her. She saw the verdant valleys and lakes, the monstrous mountains and the wild breeze. If life could be like this peaceful and calm, Sakura thought. Expectations were different from reality though. The carriage stopped and Sakura heard the driver say, 'Eldest miss we have arrived, 'Sakura gracefully got down from the carriage and simultaneously also saw Ichika and Danuja also getting down. They walked towards her hand in hand.

''I don't know why a trash like you is even willing to go to the dark forest, but you better stay away from us otherwise......,"Danuja warned Sakura.

''Otherwise what Crown prince? 'Sakura said glaring at him.

''Otherwise we wouldn't like to drag your filthy dead body by ourselves, because you are too disgusting and I don't want to taint my hands,'' he replied mockingly.

Sakura snorted and went away from them. Let us see who is going to die and who is going to live, Sakura thought. Sakura saw many people ahead of her, this year is surely going to be exciting.

A bolt of memories attacked Sakura's mind. It was the information of people around her. Mostly they were from different good and evil sects. There were disciples from this continent she recognized that came either from Camelia sect or Diyu sect. Other people were from different continents that Sakura did not even have a clue of. There were also some individual martial artists that were disguised, but none of them were even near Sakura's strength .Suddenly there was a huge whirlwind coming towards the dark forest, only a few common people who came to bid their family farewell were terrorized by it.Others were staring at with jealousy and contempt. Sakura couldn't understand the reason.

''The Raven sect is so powerful, I envy them,'' someone said.

''Of course, it is because of their sect master Niko that they tower above all the other sects,'' a tall and sturdy man replied.

''The sect master is so handsome, I would even be his maid to stare at him all day,'' a young noble woman said, a dreamy look in her eyes.

''The origin of the Raven sect is still a mystery, but wherever it came from sure has conditions favorable to cultivate to  master Niko's level,'' said a youth.

''I heard he has reached Earth Realm third level,'' an elder from Camelia sect said admiringly.

''Only if we had enough resources to reach higher levels,'' some people replied.

Now Sakura understood that people from this world knew about higher levels, but didn't have enough resources to reach higher realms. The whirlwind cleared and there hovered a man above in the sky, followed by some youths who wore sect uniforms. Sakura glanced at the man and immediately recognized him; it was the Blood Devil organization's leader. She wasn't surprised by another identity. He does look handsome though, Sakura thought.

''Greetings to sect leader Niko, 'everybody bowed except Sakura.

Niko was used to this display, but was astonished to see a girl not bowing towards him. He recognized the girl; it was the Eldest miss of Eito household; Sakura. What is this  weak girl doing at the entrance of the dark forest, Niko thought. Was his elder brother protecting her, this absurd thought popped into Niko's mind? His shadow guard confirmed Sakura's identity. Sakura felt an intense gaze directed at her and she looked above at Niko.His crystal blue eyes held a cold and aloof expression staring at her with contempt. Sakura also fearlessly stared at him with a steel like gaze. Both of them stared at each other for a while, which was noticed by none other than Ichika. Ichika gritted her teeth and thought, why was Niko staring at Sakura, wasn't she better looking than that trash. Once upon a time Ichika also attempted to capture Niko's heart, but he ignored her which made her mad. Then she directed her focus at Danuja, he was Ichika's second choice.

Ichika blurted in anger, 'Sakura! Why are you not bowing before sect leader Niko?"

It was then that everybody noticed an ugly girl not bowing before sect leader Niko. Those who were of Chenghuang continent recognized the infamous trash Sakura were stupefied and others thought this girl was stupid, but had courage.

''Courage without strength is useless, 'Niko's voice echoed in everyone's ears.

When Sakura was still not bowing people were gossiping about her. All remarks were nasty, like how she disrespected Niko, how she was an admirer of Niko and shamelessly staring at him, some even labelled her a  slut. When Sakura heard all this, she was angry to the point of exploding her powers, but held back as she didn't want to blow up her disguise so fast. Sometimes for greater fortune, a small failure is necessary.

Sakura bowed and replied, 'I am sorry for not bowing to sect leader Niko. It is my first time coming so far and naturally did not recognize him.''

Niko was sure of getting a different response from her, but was disappointed with her as she sported the same attitude like others. Seems like she is just an ordinary person, what does brother see in her to protect, Niko thought.

''Mmmh,''Niko replied.

''Everybody let's proceed into the dark forest, it has opened," someone shouted.

It was then that Niko noticed Sakura's level, Moonlight Realm second level. Did brother help her? he thought.

He was more curious about Sakura now. Everybody proceeded towards the dark forest, the last one to enter was the Raven sect. The entrance was almost on verge of closing when an unknown shadow passed through it.