As his words fell, Mao Gu's figure shimmered, without waiting for Bajie to agree.
The curtain of azure light enveloped Bajie like an enormous net.
Bajie felt the White Jade Arena beneath his feet abruptly contract.
When he opened his eyes again, the world around him had turned upside down.
Bluestone paving spread beneath his feet, and houses rose on either side.
The crooked-necked locust tree stood in the center of town, a few sparrows perched on its branches with their necks tucked in.
"Marshal."
Mao Gu appeared before Bajie and said solemnly:
"If, at sunset five days from now, you can bring the person blessed with an affinity for immortality beneath this locust tree to meet me, you win."
Bajie narrowed his eyes. "What if I find the wrong person, or fail to bring them here within five days?"
"Then we begin again." Mao Gu paused.
"You have three rounds, Marshal. Each round lasts five days. When the time is up, this town will reset. Everything within it will return to its original state."
"Reset? What if I can't find them in any of the three rounds?"
"Then I will have been fortunate enough to win."
Mao Gu paused, his tone turning exceptionally stern:
"One more thing, Marshal. Within this little town, you would do best not to use any magical power. Please also entrust your weapon to my keeping."
"If you use supernatural abilities during the trial, this spell will instantly collapse. I have warned you beforehand. If you insist on using them, that will count as failing to find the person, and you will forfeit."
Bajie fell silent for a moment, then handed over the Nine-Toothed Rake.
Mao Gu accepted it. "With that, I shall take my leave."
Bajie suddenly felt that this Middle Mao Lord was