My Scales Can Make Equivalent Exchange
Chapter 144: Opening

Chapter 144: Chapter 144: Opening

"Wow!"

At this moment, the Five Ghosts cried out, their expressions somewhat wilted, as if they were very uncomfortable with the environment here.

Wang Zijia frowned as he looked at the Five Ghosts, roughly understanding the reason. They were born out of the sins of the Hundred Demon Bewitching Domain and grew by consuming demons and ghosts.

Therefore, to some extent, they should be considered a part of this Mysterious Domain. However, under the influence of Wang Zijia, they gradually developed their own consciousness, which caused them to be affected by this place.

In other words, while they naturally fit in here, it could also affect their nascent consciousness. If Wang Zijia just allowed them to be, in the end, they could lose that newborn sense and become the Five Ghosts of this domain.

Of course, all of this was based on the assumption that he wouldn’t exchange them.

After consoling the Five Ghosts, they immediately transformed into ghostly shadows and concealed themselves around, standing guard for Wang Zijia during the night.

After finishing all these, only then Wang Zijia noticeably felt exhaustion. The day’s events had sapped his mind considerably.

Given the situation, it was not suitable to do anything adventurous. Therefore, after once again ensuring there were no issues with the room and setting up several array disks, Wang Zijia finally entered a light sleep state.

······

That night was more peaceful than Wang Zijia had anticipated. It passed quietly without any incidents.

The next morning, the gray sky began to lighten visibly as it had done the previous night, and in just over a quarter of an hour, it transformed from pitch darkness into daytime.

Wang Zijia rose as usual, entering the courtyard to practice his martial arts.

But as he stepped out, Liu Chengyu from the courtyard next door entered with a team from the Market Square Law Enforcement Team.

Wang Zijia looked at Liu Chengyu in confusion and approached him with questioning eyes.

Before Liu Chengyu could speak, the leader of the law enforcement team bowed to Wang Zijia and handed him an invitation.

Seeing this, Wang Zijia promptly returned the salute, accepted the invitation, and asked curiously, "What is this for?"

"Today, Lord Nanfei is hosting a banquet, inviting all fellow Taoists. Hearing that the Wanyu Sect has sent two experts, I especially came to invite you two." The leader of the law enforcement team responded.

Wang Zijia’s eyes twinkled. He didn’t immediately refuse. If his guess is right, this should be the commencement of all the events in this Mysterious Domain.

"I wonder what is the occasion? A birth anniversary? A scholarly debate? I want to be prepared." The expression on Wang Zijia’s face normal, he responded.

"It’s not a big event. Our Nanfei Manor will be holding a grand Dharma assembly tomorrow. Lord Nanfei is hosting this banquet in advance to invite you all to witness the assembly." The team leader replied with a smile.

It seemed that this Mysterious Domain was indeed like an ordinary one, unfolding the events that occurred during the transformation.

Wang Zijia paused for a moment, and after a rapid train of thought, asked, "May I know where the banquet will take place and the exact time of the banquet?"

"The banquet will commence at noon, and it will be held in the Fake Garden," the team leader answered.

Wang Zijia’s eyes twinkled. After pondering for an instant, he said, "Alright, I’ll get ready to go. You can go inform the other fellow Daoists now!"

"Then we look forward to your presence!" Having said that, the team leader left with the others.

"Elder, are we really going to that Fake Garden?" After calming down overnight, Liu Chengyu had also realized that Wang Zijia couldn’t possibly be any elder, but he kept using the same address, "If there are no accidents, once we enter, that will be the start of this plotting incident."

"If we don’t go, could you find the way out?"

"Or could you ensure that you and I are not the ones lying in those coffins at the assembly tomorrow?"

"How about could you ensure that you won’t be assimilated by this Mysterious Domain?"

"At the very least, can you make sure that avoiding it will deter the plotting incidents, or even skip all the plotting instances entirely?"

Wang Zijia’s series of questions left Liu Chengyu speechless.

Was he not worried?

From the various hints, the Illusion Master must be the Lord of the Market Square, the former Perfected Realm mortician.

An existence of the Perfected Realm was not something they, as children, could fight against. After the transformation, it would only become scarier. But what other options did they have?

The only guiding mana was pointing towards the Fake Garden, even towards that Illusion Master. He had to go take a look. He couldn’t just admit defeat?

Furthermore, as the start of the plotting event, it was impossible to easily escape from this banquet.

If they really wanted to escape, the consequences could be even worse. They could be accused of offending Lord Nanfei and caught in the middle of the plotting incident?

Or even killed directly!

······

Not knowing the exact time of the banquet, Wang Zijia and Liu Chengyu left after waiting for about two hours.

Before leaving, Wang Zijia had a sudden idea. With a thought, his clothes underwent subtle changes, as did his attire. To others, he now looked like the person who was at the entrance of the Heavenly Fragrance Park the previous night, number thirteen.

"You should change into this attire too." Wang Zijia said to Liu Chengyu who was standing nearby.

Liu Chengyu was stunned for a moment as he looked at Wang Zijia’s retrostyle outfit from a thousand years ago. Soon, he understood and went through the same changes to his attire.

Wang Zijia nodded in approval. The two of them then left the cave mansion together and headed towards their destination.

They had scouted the place the previous day, so they were quite familiar with the route. In no time at all, they arrived at their destination.

At the moment, people were being checked at the entrance of the Fake Garden before being allowed in. It was quite lively.

With their invitations, Wang Zijia and Liu Chengyu were able to enter the garden without any issues. Guided by a few servants, they arrived at a vast grand hall.

The layout of the palace was a bit like an ancient imperial palace, with towering pillars on both sides of the grand hall. Tables had been neatly arranged in rows with a carpet, made from an unknown beast’s skin, spread in the middle. There was a throne-like chair at the end of the hall.

Wang Zijia and Liu Chengyu were among the later arrivals. Although the host of the banquet hadn’t arrived yet, more than half of the guests were already present.

Music was already playing inside the hall. Dancers, dressed as immortal maidens, swayed gently to the rhythm.

As Wang Zijia was led into the grand hall, his gaze instantly narrowed as he saw the crowd.

The guests wore a variety of different outfits, resembling a gathering of wandering cultivators. Among them, Wang Zijia saw at least ten familiar faces, all of whom were those exceptional talents whom he had come across at the Ginseng Garden earlier.

They had changed their attire. No longer dressed as disciples of the Three Sects, some were dressed as ragged Daoist priests while some were cold Daoist nuns. There were even untidy old men.

Some people sat in their seats with gloomy expressions, observing everything. It seemed like they still retained their consciousness.

Others had already forgotten themselves, completely immersing themselves into their roles. They appeared to be exactly like the character they were supposed to play a thousand years ago in the plot of the scheme. They actively participated in the banquet.

Gu Xuefeng, the sword repair Daoist that Wang Zijia was quite familiar with, was also among them. At this moment, he was also a sword repairman, albeit dressed as a ragged, wandering hero.

In tattered robes with a headband across his forehead, he sat in a corner of the grand hall. Holding a broken sword, he watched the scene before him with furrowed brows.