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Duanmu Shuo finally rose from his seat, his gaze fixed on Xu Sheng and Zhou Qingruo as he spoke, "If that is the case, then please stay with the Duanmu Clan for a few more days. I believe it won't be long before the other major Family Heads come knocking on our door!"

In his heart, he held no fear that the other major families would fail to come. They had finally joined hands, and seizing the opportunity when the Duanmu Clan could not find another Immortal Monarch Realm Elder in such short notice, they would certainly not let this chance slip by!

Upon hearing this, Xu Sheng and Zhou Qingruo also stood up, with the former chuckling lightly, "We will follow the Duanmu Patriarch's words, then. During this time, we shall be in your care!"

The latter merely cast a fleeting glance at Duanmu Shuo with her indifferent beautiful eyes…

Just then, Duanmu Lian's beautiful eyes shone with a keen light, as if she had thought of something important!

She hurriedly spoke, "Wait! Patriarch! I think that while Qingruo and Xu Sheng stay with the Duanmu Clan, we should bestow upon them the position of Elder!"

Xu Sheng and Zhou Qingruo both looked at her with questioning eyes, and so did Duanmu Shuo and the other Elders!

Especially Duanmu Shuo, whose expression seemed to demand a reason!

Duanmu Lian, realizing she had been misunderstood, coughed a few times before explaining, "Cough cough... Patriarch, you've all misunderstood. What I meant was, we at least have to let the disciples of the Duanmu Clan be aware, to prevent any slip-ups later on!"

"If they find out that we're not actually Elders of our family, we might be disqualified from the duel!"

Once they heard Duanmu Lian's explanation, everyone suddenly understood…

Indeed, if they were discovered over such a trivial detail, all their efforts would have been in vain!

Duanmu Shuo nodded seriously, "We certainly cannot overlook this matter. I will immediately announce the appointment of the two as Elders!"

After speaking, he looked at Duanmu Lian with a bit more admiration in his eyes…

Thanks to her reminder, they could avoid potential mishaps!

Xu Sheng too, looked at Duanmu Lian with complex eyes…

To think of such a detail, her mind truly was quick-witted…

He then turned to Duanmu Shuo and spoke, "Then, Patriarch Duanmu, we shall take our leave!"

With that, he and Zhou Qingruo beside him left the hall…

Watching the two of them leave without hesitation, Duanmu Lian's lips twitched a few times…

So in sync as to completely ignore her, indeed, a partner with whom one has shared intimate moments is more important than a friend like herself!

With that thought, her beautiful eyes turned toward Duanmu Shuo, and she rose to her feet and said, "Patriarch, if there's nothing else, I shall take my leave as well!"

Seeing through her thoughts, Duanmu Shuo replied indifferently, "Hmm! Go on then!"

As Duanmu Lian took a step forward, Duanmu Shuo's voice, filled with loneliness, rose again…

"Wait… if you can persuade her… ask her to come back. The doors of the Duanmu Clan will always be open for her!"

Duanmu Lian nodded lightly, "Patriarch, I will do my best."

With those words, she too left the hall…

After everyone had departed, the Elders sitting in their own places began to murmur cynically, "Damn it! Why do they have to be specially granted the position of Elders?"

"We've got no choice. If the disciples who are unaware of the truth slip up, that man won't be able to represent the Duanmu Clan in the duel!"

"Let's hope the Patriarch's expectations for him come to fruition, otherwise it's just a waste of our emotions! Hmph."

Hearing their murmurs, Duanmu Shuo glanced at them coldly and said, "You lot better be cautious too, don't let any word slip out by mistake! Oh yes, and do announce their appointments as Elders!"

Despite the severe displeasure in their hearts, they endured it all for the sake of successfully gaining control over the Xuanming Domain!

"Yes, Duanmu Patriarch!"

...

Soon after, the news of Zhou Qingruo and Xu Sheng assuming the positions of Elders within the Duanmu Clan had spread throughout the entire Duanmu Mansion!

Almost every disciple was quietly discussing the matter!

One of the disciples said cautiously, "Hiss! Have you heard? That Duanmu Qingruo and the man called Xu Sheng by her side were personally appointed as Elders by the Family Head!"

Another disciple replied excitedly, "I heard too. It seems that Duanmu Qingruo must have had other reasons for leaving our clan in the past; otherwise, how could the Family Head allow a betrayer to take up the position of Elder again!"

"I said as much, Elder Qingruo and Elder Lian are friends—they surely couldn't be devious people!"

"Both Elders are powerful beings at the Immortal Monarch Realm. With them joining us, the Duanmu Clan's strength has certainly risen a notch!"

While they were discussing, a cold voice suddenly rang out...

"What are you discussing? Get back to your cultivation immediately!"

At this shout, the disciples hurriedly ceased their discussions and began to practice on their own...

The speaker was naturally one of the many Elders, who after glaring fiercely at these disciples, said dismissively, "Hmph! They are just a temporary tool to be used! How could they possibly take on the role of Elders within the Duanmu Clan!"

...

At this moment, on the other side, Xu Sheng and two others were sitting in a garden within the Duanmu Mansion!

All of them exchanged glances, and the atmosphere in the space seemed somewhat awkward...

Zhou Qingruo's cold Beautiful Eyes were fixed on Duanmu Lian before her, as she said icily, "Duanmu Lian, tell me, why did you deliberately bring up the matter of us taking on the roles of Elders?"

Xu Sheng responded with a light smile, "Miss Lian, you didn't get our consent at all for this!"

Facing their direct stares, a somewhat guilty Duanmu Lian slightly bowed her head and coughed, "Cough cough... Qingruo, Xu Sheng, didn't I already explain? If we're putting on a show, it has to be complete. It wouldn't be good if people from other families discovered us halfway through!"

However, such a perfunctory answer obviously didn't satisfy Zhou Qingruo and Xu Sheng...

The former narrowed her Beautiful Eyes and asked, "Is that really all there is to it?"

Duanmu Lian blinked her eyes, looking pitiful as she said, "Of course, that's all there is to it. Qingruo, I have never deceived you about anything all these years! Don't even you trust me?"

This act was clearly an attempt to charm her way out of trouble!

Zhou Qingruo replied unsparingly, "Hmph, don't I know what you're like?"

Seeing this, Duanmu Lian pressed her tender thin lips together and sighed, "Alright, Qingruo, I just wanted these disciples of the Duanmu Clan to see you in a new light so that if you ever wished to return to Duanmu..."

Before she could finish, Zhou Qingruo interrupted her discontentedly, "There's no need to say more. It's impossible for me to return to the Duanmu Clan. It has been impossible for a long time..."

Her being in Duanmu Mansion was already a strain on herself, let alone returning?

Without even thinking about it, it was utterly impossible!

...

...