Reunion with Xun Er

"The Gu Clan regards the Dou Di Bloodline as the foundation of its very lifeblood and cannot afford the slightest loss. What truly worries us is that the involvement of outsiders will completely extinguish the already thin Bloodline Power within our descendants. Once the bloodline is severed, the Gu Clan's future inheritance of power will lose its foundation. That is the real reason we have deployed the Black Mist Army under strict guard and absolutely do not permit outsiders to remain in the Ancient Realm without authorization."

At this point, Gu Zhen paused slightly, his heavy gaze settling on Xiao Ling as his tone grew more solemn.

"Even ordinary descendants are subject to such concerns. The core members of the Gu Clan are bound even more strictly by clan rules. The clan has long decreed that core members may not marry outsiders, nor may foreign bloodlines be allowed into the clan. Lord Xiao Ling, by now, you should understand what I truly wished to say by inviting you two here today, shouldn't you?"

As Gu Zhen's words fell, even the wind at the prow seemed to slow. The faint fragrance of tea that had lingered beneath their noses now seemed shrouded in an invisible gloom, and even the surrounding air abruptly grew heavier.

He said nothing more, merely fixing his gaze steadily on Xiao Ling. The warmth had vanished from his eyes, leaving only unfathomable calm, as though he were silently awaiting an answer.

The deck was so quiet that the occasional clink of the Black Mist Army's armor could be heard. Every sound seemed to strike against their hearts, dragging the already grave atmosphere even lower.

Xiao Ling's fingers paused around his teacup, understanding flashing through his eyes. How could he fail to grasp the deeper meaning behind Gu