Chapter 1028: The Outcome is Decided (Please Subscribe)_1
Duanmu Lian looked at the unscathed Zhou Qingruo before her and chuckled, "Qingruo, it seems we haven't decided on a winner, have we?"
However, her own goal was not to distinguish a winner from Zhou Qingruo, but rather to let the disciples of the Duanmu Clan feel the latter's formidable strength!
In this way, she also reduced many rejections for her return to the Duanmu Clan!
The most important thing was, even if there were a real contest, Duanmu Lian didn't believe she would lose to Zhou Qingruo!
Zhou Qingruo on the other side heard this and her amber-colored Beautiful Eyes flickered a few times as she said indifferently, "Really? Why don't you take another look at the Martial Arts Stage? Are you sure we haven't decided on a winner?"
Upon hearing this, Duanmu Lian's heart tightened inexplicably and her gaze turned towards the ground of the Martial Arts Stage…
After a careful observation, she immediately discovered the massive pit before her was actually closer to her side than Zhou Qingruo's!
In other words, if they were to increase their Spiritual Power input, she would definitely be the first to be hit by the attack...
After a long silence, Duanmu Lian took a deep breath and openly admitted, "Hmm, in this contest... I lost. It is indeed Qingruo, you've finally won against me once."
Her words were fraught with heavy teasing...
Although she had lost, she didn't think she was inferior to Zhou Qingruo!
Seeing this, Zhou Qingruo's expression suddenly darkened…
But she didn't speak to deny it, indeed, this was her first victory!
After all, in their previous contests, it was generally Duanmu Lian who had a slight edge!
But below, complaints were already starting to be voiced by the disciples of the Duanmu Clan…
One disciple said resentfully, "What? Elder Lian lost? It was supposed to be a draw, wasn't it?"
Another disciple glanced at the ground of the Martial Arts Stage and sighed, "Hey, if you look closely at the two huge pits on the Martial Arts Stage, it's clear that they are closer to Elder Lian. Duanmu Qingruo indeed won!"
"What? How can this count as winning or losing? Plainly, neither person was injured, on what basis do you declare Elder Lian lost, that's preposterous!!"
However, apart from these few, the majority of the disciples were exclaiming with amazement, "Who would have thought Duanmu Qingruo actually beat Elder Lian? Her strength is truly extraordinary!"
"Surely, such a strong individual must have had her reasons for leaving the Duanmu Clan in the past!"
"If Elder Qingruo were to return to our Duanmu Clan, wouldn't that mean we now have five Immortal Monarch Realm powerhouses?"
"Idiot, it's four, the Elder Family Head is not far from breaking through to that realm!"
Seeing these discussing disciples, the Elder Family Head's turbid gaze sharpened as he opened with Spiritual Power mingled in his voice, "The result of this sparring match is clear, Duanmu Qingruo has won by a narrow margin!"
To be honest, he was somewhat surprised in his heart that Zhou Qingruo had beaten Duanmu Lian, albeit by a narrow margin!
As this statement was made, the disciples who were intensely discussing below all quieted down…
Even their Elder Family Head had announced it in this way, clearly indicating that he, too, believed Duanmu Qingruo had secured the victory—naturally, no one would foolishly dispute this decision!
Standing in front of his seat, Duanmu Shuo, upon hearing the outcome of the two's contest announced by his father, couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief…
After so many years, his heart still leaned towards his own daughter…
As if sensing his emotions, the other Elders began to fawn, "Elder Lian has actually lost, Family Head, Duanmu Qingruo truly is your daughter!"
"Exactly, exactly, in my opinion, why not take this opportunity to have her return to the Duanmu Clan? Whether it's her strength or other aspects, she is more than qualified to take up the Elder position again!"
"Family Head, I agree with this proposal!"
"I also agree with reinstating Duanmu Qingruo as a Clan Elder!"
Who knew, Duanmu Shuo could only sigh helplessly...
"Don't ever bring this matter up again in the future!"
If a simple sentence could make Duanmu Qingruo return to the family, how could he remain indifferent!
...
Before long, only a "crack..." was heard as the door to the Scripture Vault slowly opened...
Zhou Qingruo, who had just finished her confrontation, entered along with Elder Duanmu Lian...
Xu Sheng stopped his cultivation, placing the Immortal Rank Martial Technique back onto the shelf...
He turned around leisurely and cast a glance at the two women, teasing, "Hmm, weren't you two just fighting? How come you've made up now?"
Elder Duanmu Lian raised an eyebrow and said, "Who told you we were fighting, it was just a long overdue spar, that's all!"
Zhou Qingruo's cheeks still appeared cool as she simply said, "Hmm!"
Xu Sheng nodded thoughtfully and pressed on, "Then who won and who lost?"
That was the point he was more concerned about!
Elder Duanmu Lian suddenly choked, coughing behind her hand, "Cough cough... It was definitely a tie. It's impossible to declare a winner under everyone's gaze, right!"
"Don't you agree, Qingruo?"
Having said this, she suddenly threw a peculiar coquettish look towards Zhou Qingruo...
Zhou Qingruo glanced at her and said helplessly, "Hmm, it ended in a draw!"
Seeing their subtle actions, Xu Sheng asked doubtfully, "Is that really the case?"
Elder Duanmu Lian quickly changed the subject, "That's right, it's just as you heard, don't dwell on this. How is your cultivation going?"
Xu Sheng suppressed his curiosity and explained, "Hmm! I should be able to complete the remaining Martial Techniques in half a day!"
This provided Elder Duanmu Lian with something to tease about, as she sneered, "Complete the remaining Martial Techniques? Xu Sheng, don't tell me you couldn't learn the Heavenly Skills, and went to learn the Earth-tier Martial Techniques instead??"
No wonder when he first saw Xu Sheng, he could only use the Earth Rank techniques and those below them. So he couldn't learn them!
Meanwhile, Zhou Qingruo, standing beside them, turned her gaze to the techniques on the shelf in front of Xu Sheng and immediately sensed their difference. Astonishment flickered in her beautiful eyes...
Those were actually Immortal Rank Martial Arts!
In the Duanmu Clan, only the elders and higher-ranked powerhouses were allowed to cultivate these techniques. For an outsider like Xu Sheng, it was basically impossible to have the chance to cultivate them!
Moreover, if he cultivated them without permission, it should be quite unlikely, as the Scripture Vault was guarded by that entity whose power far surpassed the Immortal Monarch Realm!
It couldn't have failed to notice Xu Sheng's presence!
Considering this, the entire matter was incredibly frightening!!
Thinking this, Zhou Qingruo looked solemnly at Xu Sheng and asked, "Xu Sheng, have you been coerced into agreeing to some demand of the Duanmu Clan?"
This sudden question caused Xu Sheng to pause, with several big question marks appearing in his mind, "???"
Zhou Qingruo paused for a moment, then continued in a cold voice, "If that's the case, tell me immediately, and then leave the Duanmu Clan right now. Never become their puppet!!"
...