Chapter 1054: The Day of Departure (Please Subscribe)_1

The other Elders exchanged glances upon hearing these words and nodded in agreement...

Currently, this is the only reasonable method! After all, there are only five spots available for entering the Xuanming Domain!

Ensuring the safety of the Duanmu Clan must be our primary concern!

Duanmu Shuo nodded and said, "Hmm! Then let it be so..."

But suddenly, a "crack" was heard, and the doors to the great hall were pushed open, as an old man, hunched over, stepped inside...

Without guessing, it was none other than the Elder Family Head of the Duanmu Family, Duanmu Xun!

All the Elders, upon seeing his entrance, rose from their seats, Duanmu Shuo included!

They said in unison, "Elder Family Head (Father)"

Duanmu Xun simply cast a murky glance over them and spoke indifferently, "Hmm!"

Duanmu Shuo asked with a grave tone, "Father, what brings you here? Has something happened in the Scripture Vault?"

Duanmu Xun, who seldom left the Scripture Vault, had been making rather frequent appearances of late!

It was very likely that something important had occurred in the Scripture Vault!

Upon hearing this, a gleam shone in Duanmu Xun's cloudy eyes as he rebuked softly, "With me guarding the Scripture Vault, what could possibly happen?"

A tinge of embarrassment spread across Duanmu Shuo's cheeks, "I've been overthinking it. With you here, certainly nothing can go wrong!"

The other Elders also wiped their foreheads, feeling somewhat ashamed...

This Elder Family Head's nature was fierce; he didn't spare even the Family Head any face!

Duanmu Xun snorted coldly and spoke again, "The time to enter the Xuanming Domain is drawing close, isn't it? What do you plan to do?"

Upon hearing this, Duanmu Shuo was stunned...

Clearly surprised that his father had come for this matter...

He then voiced the selection that had already been decided...

"I plan to send Xu Sheng, Lian'er, Qingruo, and two other disciples from the family to go together!"

Who knew that after listening, Duanmu Xun would harshly rebuke without any mercy, "Foolishness!"

Seeing his own father's fury, Duanmu Shuo hastily explained, "Father, please do not be angry. I will remove Qingruo's spot right away!"

Duanmu Xun drew in a sharp breath, grinding his teeth as he said, "Who told you to remove Qingruo's spot? I am saying that with the Xuanming Domain being such a perilous place, how can you send disciples there!"

The other families will surely send five Elders of formidable strength into the Xuanming Domain!

Sending two disciples will only be a burden!

Duanmu Shuo said solemnly, "Father, I am aware of what you are saying, but we severely offended the other major families in this confrontation, and I fear they may seek revenge!"

Duanmu Xun raised an eyebrow and scoffed, "Revenge? With the misshapen fruits of the other families? With me here, if they truly scheme anything, they shall not leave the Duanmu Mansion alive!"

He was completely unaware that it was this very boast that would lead the Duanmu Clan into jeopardy, but that is a story for later...

Duanmu Shuo and the other Elders all chose to remain silent "..."

After a long while, the former sighed and said, "If that is so, then let's follow your words, Father. I will reassign two Elders to go afterwards!"

Regardless of whether I am the Family Head or not, at the bottom of my heart, I always have a deep sense of fear for my father!

This is not a good thing at all!

...

After returning to the room, Xu Sheng and Zhou Qingruo sat on the bed, while Duanmu Lian, with a pouting mouth, sat on a chair nearby, gazing at the couple with a look of "lovers' affection".

Suddenly, Zhou Qingruo's expression became serious, and her amber-colored beautiful eyes flickered a few times…

She said very seriously, "Xu Sheng, in the Xuanming Domain, aside from the Duanmu Clan and the three major families we have seen before, there will also be encounters with other top families from Central State!"

"Their strength is mostly between the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm and the Immortal Monarch Realm! They should not be underestimated!"

Xu Sheng, seeing her so solemn, also focused and said, "Hmm! I know this; after all, the power of the forces in Central State is much stronger than in other places!"

However, Duanmu Lian suddenly interjected, "Xu Sheng, the most dangerous thing in the Xuanming Domain is not encountering Elders from other families, but..."

At that moment, she saw Zhou Qingruo's icy gaze fixed on her, making her shiver involuntarily…

With some embarrassment, she said, "Cough cough…I won't say anymore, Qingruo, you continue."

Internally, she couldn't help but think, "As expected, love trumps friendship. Back then, even if I interrupted, Zhou Qingruo would just silently look at me, but now there's a hint of threat in her eyes!"

Zhou Qingruo's expression then softened a bit, and she said coldly, "Just as she was about to say, the most dangerous thing in the Xuanming Domain is not the people from other families, but the Strange Beasts inside!"

Xu Sheng's dark eyes narrowed, and he urgently inquired, "Strange Beasts? Qingruo, do you mean Monster Beasts?"

Zhou Qingruo shook her head, then nodded and replied, "Yes and no! Indeed, there are many Monster Beasts in the Xuanming Domain, but the Strange Beasts are even more terrifying entities! With Cultivation Levels generally above the Immortal Monarch Realm! One moment of inattention, and everyone could be wiped out!"

She herself had entered the domain with Duanmu Lian and several Elders from the Duanmu Clan, and halfway through, they encountered a Strange Beast that had reached the Saint Realm, resulting in only four of them, including her, surviving!

It was precisely because of that incident that the Elders of the various families sustained severe injuries, which led to the decision to limit the number of people entering the Xuanming Domain to avoid attracting the attention of the Strange Beasts due to excessive numbers!

After all, the strength of these nameless Strange Beasts had already surpassed the understanding of cultivators!

Thoughtfully, Xu Sheng said, "I see, Strange Beasts, huh?"

That was a name he had not heard before! It seemed that he must be extra careful on this trip!

Without the existence of Life Force and Destructive Power, if he died in this realm, that would be the end of everything!

...

Soon, Xu Sheng and Zhou Qingruo stayed within the Duanmu Clan for several days, and finally, the day to head to the Xuanming Domain arrived!

At this moment, all the disciples of the Duanmu Family stood outside the grand hall, each with a face full of excitement!

They all discussed loudly, "Today is the day we head to the Xuanming Domain, just thinking about it is thrilling! Who knows what good things the Elders will bring back!"

"Exactly, in the past expeditions, Elder Lian brought back many treasures from the Xuanming Domain. Surely this time, with the addition of Elder Qingruo and Elder Xu, we will reap a bountiful harvest!"

"The Xuanming Domain is no easy place; it's fraught with dangers. Everything the Elders obtain is gotten at the risk of their lives! The most important thing is to come back alive!!"

"Right, right, as long as the Elders come back alive, that's what matters!"

Seeing this noisy scene, Duanmu Shuo, standing at the forefront, shouted, "Everyone, quiet down!"

Instantly, the entire Duanmu Mansion fell silent! Everyone quietly looked towards him…

......