After this period of closed-door cultivation, the four of them had exhausted all the resources they had accumulated.
To continue enhancing their strength, they had no choice but to accept missions.
The quartet was fortunate enough to stumble upon a pursuit mission.
The target was named Zhou Chongshan, who had assassinated the offspring of a major power. This major power had placed a hefty bounty on his head.
Pursuit missions for Immortal King realm cultivators were not common. To vie for the bounty, at least hundreds of Immortal King realm cultivators were hunting Zhou Chongshan.
According to information from the mission hall, the last known location of this individual was the Xuanbing Mountain Valley.
While searching for their target, Qin Hanchu and the other three acquired a considerable amount of resources.
These resources might not be immediately useful, but they could be sold.
The prices might not be high, but it was better than nothing.
Even if they couldn't be exchanged for energy crystals, they could be brought back to the Divine Continent Great World to cultivate Ji Huairou and others.
Unknowingly, Qin Hanchu and the other three had been searching the Xuanbing Mountain Valley for a week.
On this day, they encountered a team of four.
"Fellow Daoists, the area ahead is the domain of the Xuanbing Immortal Flood Dragon. If there are only four or five of you, the Xuanbing Immortal Flood Dragon will definitely not let you pass easily. Are you interested in joining forces?"
"With our eleven people traveling together, it certainly wouldn't dare to show itself."
The man in green spoke amiably, as if merely seeking companionship to traverse the Xuanbing Immortal Flood Dragon's domain.
Although the opposing party had more people, Qin Hanchu and the other three were bold and skilled.
"Alright," Qin Hanchu replied.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Zhou You."
"These six are my companions."
"Fellow Daoist, are you also in Xuanbing Mountain Valley searching for the Tomb of the Cold Emperor?" Zhou You asked with a smile as they walked through the valley.
Qin Hanchu asked in confusion, "Tomb of the Cold Emperor? I haven't heard of it."
"Is that so?" Zhou You chuckled. "Then it's nothing."
Zhou You's words seemed innocent, but he was intentionally trying to pique the curiosity of Qin Hanchu and the other three.
Knowing that Zhou You was trying to lure them, Qin Hanchu and the other three naturally did not fall for it.
Seeing that Qin Hanchu and the other three did not pursue the matter further, Zhou You and his companions showed some surprise.
After walking for a long time, Zhou You finally couldn't hold back. "Fellow Daoist Qin, aren't you curious about what I mentioned regarding the Tomb of the Cold Emperor?"
Qin Hanchu smiled. "That's easy to understand. It's the tomb of a powerful individual, nothing particularly intriguing."
"Aren't you tempted by the treasures within the Tomb of the Cold Emperor?"
"Do you know what our cultivation philosophy is?" Qin Hanchu's tone carried a hint of mockery.
One of Zhou You's team members asked curiously, "What is it?"
Qin Hanchu smiled. "Gou!"
"Gou? What does that mean?" Zhou You asked with a look of confusion.
"It means to be a bit timid, to avoid trouble where there is danger, that way you can live a longer life."
"Since you know about the Tomb of the Cold Emperor, then surely many others know of its existence."
"To vie for the Cold Emperor's treasures, fierce battles will undoubtedly break out. Such a place is too dangerous."
Upon hearing this, Zhou You and his companions were somewhat at a loss for words.
After a long silence, Zhou You coughed and said, "While what you say has some merit, I can't quite agree."
"It's alright. This is my way of doing things, and I won't expect you to emulate me."
"If you wish to contend for the Tomb of the Cold Emperor, we offer our spiritual support."
Zhou You: "Are you four really not going? If we join forces, we'd certainly have a greater chance of success."
Qin Hanchu shook his head. "It's too dangerous. We have our own mission to attend to, so we won't participate."
Seeing that Qin Hanchu remained unmoved, Zhou You sighed helplessly. "Alright, I won't force you."
Zhou You was not wrong. There was indeed an ancient remnant beast at the Immortal King realm here.
This creature's spiritual sense had been locked onto Qin Hanchu and the others.
However, with eight people on Qin Hanchu's side, how would it dare to show itself brazenly?
After passing through the domain of the Xuanbing Immortal Beast, Qin Hanchu clasped his hands. "We shall take our leave now. Until we meet again."
"Fellow Daoist, the direction you are heading is towards the Tomb of the Cold Emperor." Zhou You spoke as he saw Qin Hanchu and the others turn away.
"Is that so?" Qin Hanchu said awkwardly, "Then we'll go this way."
"Forget it, we'll just 'gǒu' with you guys then." Just as Qin Hanchu and the other three had walked a dozen steps, Zhou You and his group caught up. "With the strength of our four people, even if we went, it would be seeking death."
"Are you really not going?"
"That's the Tomb of the Cold Emperor, who knows if there might be top-tier cultivation methods and materials." Qin Hanchu teased.
"If we had your assistance, we might dare to risk it. But with just the four of us, I fear we have little chance."
"During this period, at least over two hundred Immortal King realm powerhouses have rushed over."
"So many experts? That is indeed perilous," Long Zhu smiled.
"That's precisely why I wanted to pull you all along, so we could look out for each other," Zhou You said.
"Aren't you afraid we'll betray you?" Patriarch Baili said.
"Although we've only been together for a few days, I feel that you four Fellow Daoists are very righteous."
"Besides, we can sign a Dao Oath contract."
Upon hearing Zhou You's words, Qin Hanchu chuckled but did not reply.
A moment later, Qin Hanchu stopped.
"Fellow Daoist Qin, why have you stopped?" Zhou You asked curiously, seeing Qin Hanchu halt.
Qin Hanchu frowned. "Something's not right. There seems to be danger here."
Upon hearing this, Zhou You laughed. "Fellow Daoist Qin, you are truly too cautious. How come I don't sense any danger?"
Qin Hanchu looked at Zhou You and said, "You deliberately led us to this place, there shouldn't be any ulterior motives, right?"
Zhou You exclaimed in surprise, "Fellow Daoist Qin, why do you say that?"
"You have no ulterior motives?" Qin Hanchu asked.
Zhou You quickly replied, "Of course not."
"Alright then, it's my suspicion." Qin Hanchu smiled. "Don't blame me. I'm just being cautious to avoid being tricked."
Zhou You chuckled. "Fellow Daoist Qin, your method is quite good. If we truly had something to hide, you would have seen through it."
"Heh heh... better safe than sorry," Qin Hanchu said.
"That's not wrong either." Zhou You pointed ahead. "Let's go. Perhaps there will be gains if we continue forward."
"Our objectives are different. There's no need for us to travel together any further," Axiang said.
"Now there's only one path. We'll part ways when we reach a fork in the road!" a woman beside Zhou You said.
After walking for another twenty minutes, Zhou You stopped. He looked back at Qin Hanchu. "Fellow Daoist Qin, do you feel something is amiss?"
Qin Hanchu nodded. "I do. You seem quite happy."
Zhou You chuckled. "Indeed, I am somewhat happy. Do you know why I'm happy?"
"The prey has walked into the trap, of course, it's cause for happiness," Qin Hanchu said with a smile.
Qin Hanchu's words caused Zhou You and his companions' expressions to suddenly freeze. He looked at Qin Hanchu in shock. "You guessed it?"