We agreed to seek enlightenment together, but how did you end up seeking enlightenment for my mother

The pursuit of immortality?

In the long battle against the creatures of darkness, the patriotic fervor that once served the country and its people was crushed by reality, and in the end, the dragon slayer became the dragon himself.

Countless similar scripts flashed through Xu Zhou's mind instantly.

After that, Haojia asked some more questions, but all he got were irrelevant answers.

Clearly, no more information could be extracted from the guards. Xu Zhou had already verified this with the chef, but he hadn't brought it up himself.

"From now on, you'll come with me and help me out."

After the interrogation ended, Hao Jia did not execute the guard, but instead ordered him to pick up his weapon and leave.

Seeing this, Xu Zhou frowned slightly. He could sense that Hao Jia was extremely confident in the effects of his own relics.

But if it were him, he would definitely silence them on the spot and would never leave himself with a hidden danger that could explode at any time.

Considering that they might have to join forces with the other party when they went underground later, Xu Zhou kindly gave a reminder.

"I think you'd better not keep him around. Who knows if the Earl has left any hidden traps for him?"

Unfortunately, these words not only failed to attract the attention of the chosen one, but also aroused his rebellious mentality.

"Haha! With your meager courage, you think you can compete with me for first place? My affairs are none of your business, go cool off somewhere else!"

Xu Zhou shrugged indifferently. He had already planned his next move and didn't need to waste his breath on such a trivial matter.

On the other hand, Hao Jia became obsessed with Wu Lulu, repeatedly inviting her to join his group.

However, the little wolf girl was clearly not interested in this young man. After their previous encounters, she now only had a negative impression of Hao Jia and even labeled him as arrogant and frivolous.

But to everyone's surprise, this time before Wu Lulu could even speak, Xu Zhou accepted Hao Jia's invitation on her behalf.

Hao Jia and Lan Zhi looked over at the same time, both of them filled with surprise.

Wu Lulu didn't show any emotional fluctuations; she just wagged her tail and tilted her head, looking at Xu Zhou with a puzzled expression.

Hao Jia grinned, his expression clearly indicating that he believed Xu Zhou was backing down. He was about to take the opportunity to mock him, but when his gaze swept over Wu Lulu, who always obeyed Xu Zhou, he swallowed the words back and just opened his mouth.

In contrast, Lanzhi's expression hardened, and she gripped Haojia's arm tightly with a wary look, questioning him sharply with a cold gaze.

"What exactly are you planning? You don't seem like someone who's easy to talk to!"

After a subtle reminder from his companion, Hao Jia immediately realized what was going on, and a strong sense of vigilance appeared on his face.

Xu Zhou shrugged.

"Of course, there are conditions."

"You want my relics?" Hao Jia raised an eyebrow, his face showing realization. "But unfortunately, these are my heirlooms, and no one else can refine them. Forget about it."

"Who said I wanted your junk?" Xu Zhou couldn't help but roll his eyes. "What I mean is, as long as you can help Wu Lulu complete our team's challenge, I won't stop her from working with you."

"This is impossible! What about my mission?"

"Of course I'll assist you." Xu Zhou smiled slightly. "I'll team up with your aunt. I'll go to the study with her, and you and Wu Lulu will go find the Countess."

These words shocked Hao Jia and Lan Zhi once again. The two looked at each other, both seeing confusion in each other's eyes. Clearly, neither of them could figure out what Xu Zhou was up to.

"Xiao Hao, don't listen to him!" Lan Zhi reacted first, grabbing her companion's arm and heading towards the hall entrance. "This person is definitely up to no good. Let's go to the study now!"

Before Hao Jia could speak, Xu Zhou casually teased:

"Ms. Lan Zhi, your opinion is not important in your team. Why don't we hear what the chosen one has to say?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Hao Jia stopped in his tracks.

He grabbed the slightly anxious Lanzhi, looked up and met her eyes directly, his gaze revealing an undeniable firmness.

"Auntie, please allow me to think about it some more."

Seeing the boy's expression, Lanzhi already knew the answer. A look of helplessness appeared on her face, but she still forced a smile.

"Okay, Xiaohao, Auntie will listen to you."

At this moment, Haojia had already made up his mind.

What he was really planning was how to use this opportunity to take down Wu Lulu in one fell swoop.

Using the relics does have a chance of success, but he has not forgotten the so-called backlash of destiny. Although it is not yet clear how the danger will come, since he has come this far by relying on the power of destiny, he should not underestimate the warning from destiny.

He doesn't want to experience a second time making a similar disastrous 1-point throw.

What puzzled him even more was why Wu Lulu was so devoted to a man of average appearance.

Even to the point of severe dependence?

In the real world, countless beautiful women would throw themselves at you, but once they entered the Celestial Realm, their charm seemed to vanish into thin air.

Not only did Wu Lulu not flirt with him, but even the most ordinary maid ignored his advances and looked disgusted.

What kind of magic does this man in the black robe possess that makes the chosen one follow him so blindly? Could he have some special talent?

In order to find out this, Hao Jia felt that he had to seize this opportunity, and maybe he could uncover more secrets about Xu Zhou so that he could prepare a countermeasure in advance.

After all, judging from Wu Lulu's rather dim-witted appearance, she didn't seem like the kind of person who could keep a secret.

"I agree." Hao Jia looked at Xu Zhou, confidently extending his hand. "With my assistance, your team will definitely be able to complete the mission easily. I just wonder what kind of performance you can deliver?"

Xu Zhou didn't take the hand; he just smiled gently.

"I'm a hands-on person; I only look at results and never make empty promises."

"You can't outrun me, do you believe it or not?" Hao Jia retorted stubbornly.

Xu Zhou pursed her lips and remained silent.

Thus, the challengers from the two teams have, on the surface, completed a temporary reorganization, and each has a new goal.

Lan Zhi was the only one among the four who disagreed, but her voice ultimately couldn't make a decisive difference, and in order not to leave a negative impression on Hao Jia, she couldn't appear too forceful.

The reason this scene came about was essentially the result of a two-way selection between Lanzhi and Haojia. From the beginning, the members of their team were not equal, and Lanzhi was obviously well aware of this.

Before they set off, Hao Jia held Lan Zhi's hand and whispered in her ear, while Xu Zhou also summoned Wu Lulu alone.

However, he wasn't there to explain the reason to the bewildered girl; instead, he directly laid out the next course of action.

"If that person asks about your mission objective, just say that you took away the Countess's most treasured gold jewelry, and keep everything else a secret."

Wu Lulu nodded first, then shook her head slightly, her big, blinking eyes full of confusion.

"If nothing unexpected happens, that countess is most likely to have a problem," Xu Zhou explained softly, his eyes constantly fixed on the two people not far away.

"Does the boss mean we'll fight her?"

Wu Lulu pressed her body close to Xu Zhou, pricked up her ears and whispered a question, her tail unknowingly hooking onto the latter's thigh.

"That's possible, but not very likely." Xu Zhou nodded, then changed the subject, "If the Countess's primary target isn't you, then ignore everything else and head straight for the Rainbow Almond Candy. I guess it's most likely in the drawer of the table in the room, and less likely in the bedside table."

"Don't worry, I have a super sense of smell, I'll definitely find it!" Wu Lulu smiled sweetly, then paused slightly and asked softly, "And then what?"

"Hide well, don't let Haojia find out, then immediately drink the Swiftness Potion and run away. Come find me as soon as possible," Xu Zhou emphasized in a deep voice. "Remember, as long as no one is watching you closely, just complete your mission and don't worry about anything else."

He then added, "If you have no choice but to fight, then let the chosen one lead the charge, and decide whether to run away based on the situation."

After listening attentively, Wu Lulu suddenly stood up straight and saluted.

"Roger that, sir!"

She then maintained her salute, tilted her head and thought for a moment, before abruptly uttering a remark that didn't quite fit her personality.

"If that chosen one uses the relic on me, can I kill him?"

Xu Zhou's heart skipped a beat. He carefully examined the girl's eyes, which were still clear, watery blue, as if flowing with a pure, untainted wisdom.

"There's no need for that. He wouldn't have done that before entering the lady's room, and he wouldn't have had the chance to do it after entering the room."

"Although she didn't understand it very well, Wu Lulu did."

The girl, with an air of self-assurance, raised her right fist and pounded her chest, creating a surging wave of energy.

"very good."

Xu Zhou smiled; this was the most fitting statement for Wu Lulu's true nature.