Hearing this voice, Xu Sheng could faintly sense Zhou Qingruo's delicate body trembling next to him, before it returned to a state of calm once more…
In the depths of his heart, he secretly mused, "This voice is…"
Before he could ponder further, the Duanmu Clan disciples who were watching over here heard the voice and began to discuss among themselves…
One of the disciples questioned, "Is it the Family Head? That voice just now couldn't be mistaken, could it?"
"That's right, it's the Family Head. Now that he has found Duanmu Qingruo, do you think he will make a move to eliminate her? After all, this person is a traitor to our Duanmu Clan!"
"Hmph! It's better if she's purged. I really don't understand why Elder Lian brought her here. I find it vexatious! Not only did she leave the Duanmu Clan, she even has the shamelessness to come back!"
Their words were filled with intense disdain and anger, clearly not wanting Zhou Qingruo to have any more connections with the Duanmu Clan!
Apart from them, Duanmu Lian, who was standing not far away, her beautiful eyes suddenly tightened as she spoke softly, "Has the Family Head arrived?"
This sentence seemed to be an introduction for Xu Sheng, as well as an expression of her surprise…
Zhou Qingruo had also returned to the Duanmu Family's residence in the past, but undoubtedly, not a single member of the Duanmu Family aside from herself had shown her any kindness…
It was from that time on that Zhou Qingruo's connection with the Duanmu Clan was completely severed!
Xu Sheng silently nodded, "So it is the Duanmu Clan's Family Head? The words just now must have been Spirit Voice Transmission, and the cultivation level must at least have reached the Immortal Monarch Realm, the same as the three of them!"
As expected, a vast pale blue spiritual power burst forth, and a middle-aged man wearing a gray-white robe with a somewhat weathered face suddenly appeared before them!
He was none other than the Duanmu Clan's Family Head, Duanmu Shuo, whose strength had reached the terrifying Seventh Layer of the Immortal Monarch Realm!
One could discern those slightly narrowed eyes assessing Xu Sheng and Zhou Qingruo…
Upon seeing Duanmu Shuo appear, Duanmu Lian simply nodded and indicated, "Family Head!"
Being an Elder of the Duanmu Clan, she naturally did not need to be overly formal with Duanmu Shuo, the Family Head.
Duanmu Shuo responded with a faint "Hmm!"…
Then, Zhou Qingruo's amber-colored beautiful eyes met with his, and she spoke calmly, "Duanmu Family Head, I apologize for intruding!"
Normally, such a statement would not lose the propriety nor incite displeasure from others…
But…
Her relationship with the current Family Head of the Duanmu Clan was far from ordinary!
Upon hearing her, Duanmu Shuo furrowed his brows and said coldly, "Duanmu Qingruo, it's been so long, have you forgotten your own father?"
Upon hearing these words, Xu Sheng pursed his thin lips, "Father??"
This was somewhat beyond his expectations. He had thought Zhou Qingruo was just an Elder of the Duanmu Clan, but she turned out to be the daughter of the Duanmu Clan's Family Head…
Of course, he wasn't naive enough to think that as the head of such a significant clan, the Family Head would have only Zhou Qingruo as a daughter!
Zhou Qingruo glanced at him briefly and said flatly, "Sorry, Duanmu Family Head, my name is Zhou Qingruo. As for a father, I suppose there's not much memory left of that!"
This outright refusal to acknowledge the father-daughter relationship caused Duanmu Shuo to extend a finger towards Zhou Qingruo with an unsightly expression, "You… are you still holding a grudge against me for what happened in the past? Duanmu Qingruo, no matter what, I am your father. Are you planning to resent me for the rest of your life??"
Zhou Qingruo's tone turned a few degrees colder as she retorted without any sign of weakness, "Duanmu Family Head, please show some self-respect. As I said, my name is Zhou Qingruo!"
As the words fell, a terrifying presence of the Immortal Monarch Realm suddenly erupted from his body...
Seeing the situation was about to deteriorate, Duanmu Lian hurriedly spoke out in an attempt to console, "Family Head, Qingruo hasn't returned for so many years, this..."
Before she could finish, Duanmu Shuo interrupted her...
The man seemed to age decades in an instant, as his powerful aura completely dissipated in a moment...
His tone slightly heavy, he said, "Enough... no need to say more, since she does not wish to acknowledge me as her father, then so be it..."
He had prepared himself for this possibility from the moment he decided to see Zhou Qingruo...
With those words, his gaze moved to Xu Sheng, standing next to Zhou Qingruo, and felt a trace of surprise at the spiritual power fluctuations of the Immortal Monarch Realm coming from him, but he didn't show it...
Similarly, Xu Sheng was sizing up Duanmu Shuo and, knowing he held no hostility towards himself, he said with a light smile, "Duanmu Family Head!"
Instead, he turned to Duanmu Lian and said, "However... a guest has arrived, Elder Lian, they are in your hands!"
Duanmu Lian understood what he meant and nodded slightly, "Yes, Family Head!"
After these words, the figure of Duanmu Shuo disappeared from the spot...
Compared to the calm-faced three of Zhou Qingruo, the disciples of the Duanmu Clan were all dumbfounded...
Because they seemed to have uncovered an incredible secret!
No wonder Duanmu Qingruo was not pursued after betraying the Duanmu Clan, she turned out to be the daughter of the Family Head!!
One of the disciples swallowed hard, his face full of confusion, "What... what?? Wasn't Duanmu Qingruo a traitor of our Duanmu Clan? Why is she the daughter of the Family Head?"
Another disciple felt his worldview crumbling, incredulously stating, "Oh my god, especially the look of the Family Head just now, could it be that he did something to deeply disappoint Elder Qingsuo, causing her to leave the Duanmu Clan?"
"Hissss... doesn't that mean, we were just insulting the woman who was supposed to inherit the position of the Duanmu Clan's Family Head?"
"Are you all fools? The Family Head has more daughters than just Duanmu Qingruo!"
Duanmu Lian's beautiful eyes shifted to Zhou Qingruo, speaking softly, "Qingruo, don't mind those disciples, they are unaware of what happened back then! And moreover, I can tell the Family Head truly wishes for you to return to the Duanmu Clan!"
Zhou Qingruo replied indifferently, "Don't worry, I hold no grudges, or else, all these disciples of the Duanmu Clan would be dead!"
Her words carried truth, for if this had been any other family and they had openly discussed her in such a manner, she would have shown no mercy!
But the current situation evidently didn't allow for that, this was the Duanmu Clan, with whom she had deep roots, and moreover, with her cultivation level at the Immortal Monarch Realm, taking action could very likely lead to her demise here!
After all, the strongest within the Duanmu Clan was not Duanmu Shuo, but the Elder Family Head who had always remained hidden!!
Xu Sheng then lightly patted her shoulder, "I didn't expect you and the head of the Duanmu Clan to have such a relationship, Qingruo. Although I don't know the details, I think you did nothing wrong!"
Zhou Qingruo's beautiful eyes sparkled with a hint of brightness, "Thank you, Xu Sheng..."
Unconditional trust, huh? It indeed gave her an unprecedented feeling...
Duanmu Lian interrupted with a sour tone, "Alright, alright, enough of your affections, didn't you see that there are still so many disciples watching?"
...