Within the grand hall of the Hu Family.
The pungent scent of blood made people involuntarily furrow their brows; Hu Li's body had long been shattered into pieces, torn to shreds by Hu Qingbi herself.
Her eyes were a bloody red, her body covered in fresh blood, her cold gaze sweeping over the Hu Family's powerhouses.
That blood-red gaze was like two soul-snatching crimson pearls, making one feel as if they'd be devoured with just an extra glance, and no one dared to meet her eyes.
The grisly death of Hu Li was right in front of them, not to mention the mysterious Xiao Yi standing by the side.
Naturally, no one dared to say much.
Hu Qingbi looked coldly at the crowd and said sternly, "You all have heard it, my father was killed by that despicable Hu Li in cahoots with Xu Shiheng. Do you still want me to marry Xu Tao?"
One after another, the elders exchanged glances, all bowing their heads.
Who would dare to agree now?
Hu Qingbi snorted and said emphatically, "Listen to me, all of you, gather all the Hu Family's forces by noon tomorrow. I shall settle this with a fight to the death with the Xu Family atop Iron Mountain!"
The crowd exchanged looks.
An elder of the Fifth Layer of the Divine Power Realm hesitated and said, "Miss, we must not act rashly in this affair! The Xu Family's power far surpasses ours, to say nothing of Xu Shiheng who has already reached the peak of Shentong, and Xu Tao who has broken through to the Tenth Layer of Shentong. We simply are no match for them!"
"Yes, to engage in a fight to the death with the Xu Family at this time would be a suicide mission!"
A few elders spoke out with worried faces.
As long as they could protect their own small piece of interest, the revenge for Hu Yi and who would call the shots in Iron Mountain City in the future were simply not their concerns.
Hu Qingbi's face turned pale.
She never expected that even after learning the truth about Hu Yi's death, these clan members would still remain indifferent, only thinking of their own benefits.
Xiao Yi, standing nearby, glanced at the group of complacent Hu Family powerhouses, grinned, and said, "Miss Hu, some people are just naturally base; no matter how nicely you try to persuade them, they won't take you seriously!"
Hu Qingbi was startled, then steeled her heart.
She struck out in succession.
The two elders who had first raised objections had their heads smashed by Hu Qingbi's palm, one after the other. She said coldly, "I'll say it again, all Hu Family forces will gather by noon tomorrow for a fight to the death with the Xu Family. Do you understand?"
"Miss, please rest assured, we will definitely not disappoint you!"
Seeing the awe in the elders' eyes, Hu Qingbi huffed coldly, then turned to Xiao Yi, gave a respectful bow, and said with meticulous courtesy, "Qingbi is grateful for your assistance, Sir!"
Xiao Yi helped her up, shook his head, and said, "You needn't thank me; I've already received my payment from your father." After pausing, he handed over the scroll of the "Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill" to Hu Qingbi.
"Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill?"
Hu Qingbi's expression changed drastically, then she revealed a look of ecstasy.
The "Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill" was the Hu Family's ancestral cultivation technique, which traditionally only the heads of the family and their heirs could practice.
Hu Qingbi had only practiced the first half so far, but now with the complete "Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill," given enough time, she was certain to lead the Hu Family to new heights of glory.
Xiao Yi said solemnly, "If it's convenient, could you tell me about your wagered duel with Xu Tao?"
Upon hearing the name Xu Tao, Hu Qingbi's face contorted with added ferocity.
She took a deep breath and said in a heavy tone, "Our Hu Family and the Xu Family have always been rivals; our two families control over eighty percent of the mines in Iron Mountain City. Since my father went missing, the Xu Family has been suppressing us at every turn. Not long ago, they proposed a wagered duel where the loser would have to surrender all of their mining veins. I had no choice but to agree under pressure..."
Iron Mountain City is the mining capital of the Tianqing Kingdom.
If the Xu Family managed to take over the Hu Family's mines, they would become the undisputed mining kings of the Tianqing Kingdom, and even the royal family of Tianqing Kingdom would have to ask favors from them.
Xiao Yi asked, "Do you have confidence in your fight against Xu Tao?"
Hu Qingbi gave a wry smile and said, "I've heard that Xu Tao has secluded himself and advanced to the Tenth Layer of the Divine Power Realm. I'm no match for him. But even if it means death, I will never surrender..."
With her inherently tenacious character, and especially after knowing that Hu Yi's death was inextricably linked to Xu Shiheng, there was no way she would compromise.
Xiao Yi was silent for a moment before asking, "Are there any specific rules about who can fight in your duel?"
Hu Qingbi shook her head, then suddenly, her expression froze, and she looked at Xiao Yi with disbelief, "Benefactor, could it be that you..."
Xiao Yi nodded and said, "I'll fight for you."
It was precisely because of Hu Yi's Golden Core that he was able to enter the Divine Realm so smoothly with Fang Qingzhu, allowing Fang Qingzhu to defeat Fang Jin.
This debt of gratitude couldn't simply be repaid by returning the royal order and the "Mixed Yuan Purple Mist Skill"!
Hu Qingbi looked at Xiao Yi with gratitude, "Thank you, benefactor... As long as we can defeat the Xu Family, I am willing to hand over all of the Xu Family's mines to you!"
Xiao Yi waved his hand and said, "Keep the Xu Family's mines for yourself, I might have some cooperation to discuss with you when the time comes!"
In his hands, he held a map of the Tungsten Iron Mine.
According to the old crone, it was the biggest vein in the entire Iron Mountain Range.
Its value was probably more than the combined mines of both the Xu Family and the Hu Family.
This Tungsten Iron Mine was far too precious, and with Xiao Yi's current strength, it would be impossible to keep it safe once exposed.
A loud boom suddenly erupted from Xu Tao's room, causing the entire residence to tremble slightly, and everything inside was a mess.
Dressed in black with a pale, cold, and fierce face, Xu Tao growled furiously, "That Hu Qingbi, she actually dared to send people to kill my eldest brother and third younger brother? I must kill this woman, no, I will annihilate the entire Hu Family and let them accompany my brothers in death!"
In front of Xu Tao, wearing a python robe and an indifferent expression, Xu Shiheng casually said, "Tao'er, Hu Qingbi is not a concern, but the person she has invited is not so simple, even Geng Jing died by his hand. If that man fights for Hu Qingbi tomorrow, you must be very careful!"
"Father, rest assured! With my current strength, even Geng Jing wouldn't last three moves against me."
Xu Tao, with a look of disdain, lifted his hands with palms facing upwards, and as his fingers twitched slightly, his gaze became immensely cold, "It doesn't matter if that boy doesn't show up, but if he dares to, I will squash him easily. Moreover, my senior brother Jin He will also be coming to watch the battle tomorrow; with him supporting us, nothing can go wrong!"
Xu Shiheng looked at Xu Tao with satisfaction, and his eyes flickered coldly, "Hu Yi, oh Hu Yi, I will personally take the Hu Family you've built and make it mine. Not only your family but also your daughter will become playthings under my son's hip, hahaha..."