Chapter 1023: Confrontation (Please Subscribe)_1

On the other side, within the house where Zhou Qingruo once lived...

Elder Duanmu Lian's beautiful eyes flickered with a sharp light as she wrapped her arms around Zhou Qingruo's and laughed playfully, "Qingruo, it's been a long time since we've sparred, hasn't it?"

Hearing this, Zhou Qingruo couldn't help but frown in confusion, "What do you mean by this?"

Out of the blue, Elder Duanmu Lian was proposing a spar?

It truly puzzled her, but she knew for sure it was not a good sign!

Elder Duanmu Lian blinked her pretty eyes, licked her thin lips provocatively, and taunted, "What's the matter? Qingruo, are you saying that your strength has become so weak that you're scared to spar with me?"

She had her reasons for wanting a duel with Zhou Qingruo within the Duanmu Clan!

But Zhou Qingruo just gazed at Elder Duanmu Lian for a few seconds, then spoke indifferently, "Not interested!"

Elder Duanmu Lian was taken aback, apparently a bit surprised that after her own provocation, Zhou Qingruo just dismissed it with no interest...

Confused, she said, "That's not right! In the past when I provoked you like this, the real Duanmu... no, Zhou Qingruo was not like this!"

Zhou Qingruo said annoyedly, "Tell me the truth, what's your purpose for wanting to spar with me?"

Elder Duanmu Lian swallowed and awkwardly confessed, "This... I just purely want to test my own strength. After all, apart from the Family Head and the Elder Family Head, you are the only one in the Duanmu Clan whose strength can match mine."

Zhou Qingruo's amber-colored beautiful eyes narrowed even more, always feeling that the Elder Duanmu Lian in front of her was lying, yet she couldn't pinpoint the lie...

She pressed further, "Is it really that simple??"

Elder Duanmu Lian earnestly patted her chest and declared, "Of course, it's that simple! Think about it, Qingruo, when have I ever tricked you? Help me out this once, please?"

After finishing, she stared at Zhou Qingruo with a pitiful gaze, waiting for her response...

Looking at the pleading expression in her eyes, Zhou Qingruo hesitated for a few seconds, then nodded slightly, "Well... alright."

She had a feeling that something bad was about to happen!

...

Not long after, the disciples of the Duanmu Mansion were all discussing something...

One of the disciples spoke carefully, "Did you hear? Elder Lian is actually going to have a duel with Duanmu Qingruo, who once left our Duanmu Clan!"

Another disciple beside him put a finger to his lips to shush him, and warned, "Hush, don't go spreading rumors! It's said that the true identity of this Duanmu Qingruo is the Family Head's daughter!"

"Not only that, but she was also an elder of our Duanmu Clan back in the day, her strength not even slightly inferior to Elder Lian's!"

"Really? This Duanmu... former Elder Qingruo is actually that powerful? Elder Lian's cultivation level has reached the Immortal Monarch Realm! Not even the Family Head is guaranteed to win against her."

Suddenly, an exclamation interrupted these Duanmu Family Disciples' conversation...

"Hurry up to the martial arts field, everyone, Elder Lian is about to spar with that Duanmu Qingruo!"

In an instant, the disciples who were still standing around lit up with excitement and, like a tide, all headed towards the martial arts field.

Meanwhile, standing on the martial arts stage, Zhou Qingruo's delicate face appeared slightly grim....

Her gaze fixed on Elder Duanmu Lian not far away, she gritted her teeth, "Elder Duanmu Lian, didn't you say it was just that simple?"

If it was merely a simple spar, why spread the word and attract so many disciples of the Duanmu Clan to come and watch...?

The disciples were one thing, but why had Duanmu Shuo and those elders also come along?

And as if it had been anticipated, the seats were already neatly arranged, just waiting for the two of them to start the spar!

Opposite her, Duanmu Lian blinked her innocent eyes, explaining "Qingruo, these Duanmu Clan disciples really weren't summoned by me!"

Then her gaze flickered towards Duanmu Shuo and the others as she coughed, "Cough cough... As for the Family Head and the rest, you know when two Immortal Monarchs spar, if one is not careful, the entire practice field could be destroyed—which would be bad!"

And Zhou Qingruo's icy gaze firmly rested on her, as if saying another word...

You're pretending, just keep on pretending!

Seeing this made Duanmu Lian feel somewhat embarrassed, "Uh... things have come to this point, Qingruo, let's discuss any matters after the spar is finished!!"

Alright, she admitted it, this was a premeditated plan!

The main reason for doing this was because of Zhou Qingruo; she had intended to use this spar to change the Duanmu Clan disciples' view of her...

In doing so, if Zhou Qingruo ever wanted to return to the Duanmu Clan, she would face much less trouble, after all, her strength was evident!

Thinking of this, the disciples from the Duanmu Family below all started to shout out loud...

"Go Elder Lian! Show this traitor of our Duanmu Clan the extent of your strength, far beyond her reach!"

"That's right! Elder Lian, show her the strength of our Duanmu Clan now, something she can't aspire to!"

"Elder Lian! Fight on!! Elder Lian! Fight on!"

Zhou Qingruo decisively ignored these Duanmu Family disciples, seriously saying to Duanmu Lian, "Duanmu Lian, I'll give you this much face... but there won't be a next time!"

"Furthermore, if I make a move, it won't be with any restraint!"

The implication was clear; she would use all her strength, approaching this duel as a battle to the death, a habit of hers all along!

Seeing that there was no retraction, Duanmu Lian breathed a sigh of relief at the bottom of her heart and earnestly replied, "Okay."

As her words fell, Zhou Qingruo's amber eyes suddenly turned frosty, "Then..."

A blood-colored Pei Sword, exuding a murderous intent, quietly solidified in her hand and in the next moment, her figure vanished, charging straight towards Duanmu Lian...

Duanmu Lian, who also drew her personal sword, faced the charge fearlessly...

While watching the fierce duel between Zhou Qingruo and Duanmu Lian, one of the elders turned to Duanmu Shuo with curiosity, asking "Family Head, who do you think will win between Elder Lian and that Duanmu Qingruo?"

Duanmu Shuo along with the other elders cast strange glances at the former...

Feeling the direct stare of the crowd, the elder became somewhat flustered, "I... did I say something wrong?"

Suddenly, it seemed he realized something and quickly shut his mouth, choosing not to speak further...

...

Scripture Vault!

Xu Sheng looked at the Immortal Rank Martial Technique in his hand with a complex expression, saying "As expected of an Immortal Tier Martial Technique, it's so abstruse! Even the method to cultivate it is half-understood!"

However, he still managed to learn it...

But it took roughly half an hour, a stark contrast to the time required to cultivate a Heavenly Skill!

Shaking off these thoughts, he once again turned his attention to the other Immortal Rank Martial Techniques...

"To cultivate all these Immortal Rank Martial Techniques, there's still a long road ahead!"

...