However, a bet with so much on the line would not be easy to win.
"I believe in you," Li Hongyou said in a low voice.
Li Luo rubbed the center of his brows in response. It seemed like everyone only knew how to pile on the pressure... Had they all forgotten that he was at the Greater Heavenly Resonance Tier?
"Eighty thousand dragon essence?"
When they heard Li Hongyou's counteroffer, many within the crowd were quietly shocked by the stakes. It was truly a huge sum of dragon essence; even a Grand Commander would need to save for multiple years to get that much.
Li Zhihuo couldn't help but laugh at the offer. He looked at Li Hongyou and asked, "What makes you think you’re worth such an amount?"
However, Li Hongyou ignored his condescending tone. She replied calmly, "I may not be worth eighty thousand dragon essence, but as long as I am in the Dragon's Fang Guardians, some people in the Dragon's Blood Guardians will feel uncomfortable. The additional amount is simply payment for that. Some may think this is a farce, but others will find it worthwhile."
When Li Hongyou finished speaking, she glanced over at Li Hongque, whose expression was dark. Her lips revealed a slight smirk, as if she was taunting her with those words.
Li Hongque clenched her fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Li Hongyou was not wrong. Each day Li Hongyou stayed in the Dragon's Fang Guardians was a day of torture for Li Hongque.
"Li Hongyou, do you want to play?" Li Hongque asked in an icy tone. At this point, the frustration on her face had subsided. However, those close to her knew that this was simply a sign that her anger had reached its peak.
She gave Li Hongyou a deadly stare. "Let's play, then. Eighty thousand dragon essence? I will fork out the difference. However, if you lose, you will not only have to quit the Dragon's Fang Guardians, but also come to the Dragon's Blood Lineage. In the future, you will have to obey every word of mine." Since the stakes of their bet had increased, she would not let Li Hongyou get away so easily. If this b.i.t.c.h fell into her hands again, she would surely make her regret coming here.
Despite the burning fury behind Li Hongque's gaze, Li Hongyou maintained her cool composure. "Fine," she replied coldly.
There was no reason for her to retreat. After all, her whole purpose for coming to the Dragon's Fang Guardians was to struggle against Li Hongque to the bitter end.
This was her main motivating force ever since her mother pa.s.sed away. She had always wanted to return the humiliation that her mother suffered.
She did not care what price she had to pay for it. As for falling into the hands of Li Hongque? That wasn't an issue either. If that happened, Li Hongque would only get a stiff corpse. The corpse would become another sharp blade directed at Li Yuanzhen and Li Hongque. At that time, their reputation would be completely tarnished.
As such, Li Hongyou would win the bet no matter what. After all, she was prepared to give up her own life.
While the sisters bickered with mortal animosity, the bystanders began to whisper amongst themselves. They were clearly related by blood, yet the scene reminded them of eternal enemies.
Li Zhihuo frowned a little at her response. Li Hongque was acting rashly yet again. There was no need to escalate matters. In fact, this was exactly what Li Hongyou wanted. Nonetheless, what Li Hongyou had said was not wrong—as long as she remained in the Dragon's Fang Guardians, it would be a thorn in their side.
They wouldn't care if she was simply useless. However, she possessed a lower ninth-grade Crimson Heart Vermilion Fruit resonance; she was also preparing to break into the Duke Stage. Once she succeeded, she would definitely become a pillar of strength for the Dragon's Fang Guardians.
What would the other lineages think of her and her family at that point?
As such, it was indeed best for them to remove Li Hongyou from the Dragon's Fang Guardians as soon as possible.
Li Zhihuo pondered in silence for a few moments. Then he turned over to Li Foluo and said, "The stakes have been set. If you regret it now, you can just kick Li Hongyou out of the Dragon's Fang Guardians. The other details can be discussed then."
Li Foluo replied coldly, "Discuss my a.s.s! The Dragon's Fang Guardians would never shy away from a challenge. If you want a bet, we'll give you one!" Since Li Hongyou herself had agreed, there was no need for him to say anything more.
"In that case, we will meet during the Ceremony of Ascent."
Li Zhihuo snorted coldly. "According to the rules, those with the same t.i.tle will fight with each other. The result will be decided in two matches."
As soon as he finished speaking, he turned around and left.
Li Hongque gave Li Hongyou another cold stare. "Cherish your last few days in the Dragon's Fang Guardians!"
With that, she followed Li Zhihuo.
Li Qingbai, who had received a blow from Jiang Qing'e earlier, had also stood up. He did not dare to look Jiang Qing'e in the eyes, but he turned his dark face towards Li Luo. "Fourth Grand Commander Li Luo, I will return the blow from your fiancee ten-fold when we meet in half a month."
When he turned to walk away, he could sense Jiang Qing'e sharp gaze lingering on him. Radiant light resonant power appeared once again, and the sight frightened him, so he hurriedly followed Li Zhihuo and the rest.
Despite all that, he shouted from afar, unwilling to back down, "Li Luo! Just wait and see!"
Li Luo pouted slightly as he could not be bothered with him. He looked helplessly over at Li Hongyou and sighed. "What have you done? Why are you so headstrong? How will this bet benefit you? If Li Hongque loses, she will only lose some dragon essence. If you lose, there will be no way out."
Li Hongyou simply smiled in response. "There was never a way out for me. You're the one that opened up this path for me. Seeing Li Hongque infuriated means much more to me than a breakthrough into the Duke Stage."
Her lips curved into a slightly perverse smile for a moment.
Li Luo scratched his head over all this. When a female got mad, the results were truly frightening.
"So, my future will be in your hands," Li Hongyou said to Jiang Qing'e and Li Luo as she tousled her long, red hair across her chest.
Jiang Qing'e reached out and grabbed Li Hongyou's hand. Her hand was cold, but there was a hint of gentleness within her golden eyes. She said calmly, "Don't give up on yourself. You are much better than her. The real act of revenge is not to be destroyed with her. Instead, it is to surpa.s.s her completely and let her sink into the deepest depths of shame and jealousy."
Li Hongyou was startled to hear this. She felt the warmth coming from Jiang Qing'e's tender palm, and her eyes became slightly watery. Jiang Qing'e's words reminded her of her mother's last words, which were full of worry for her.
Li Hongyou held onto Jiang Qing'e's hand and said softly, "Thank you."
She gave her a sense of hope with her belief, almost as if she was the sun that warmed one's soul.
At this point, Li Foluo turned to them. "The crux of the two battles will likely be Li Luo's fight. During the Ceremony of Ascent, the Dragon's Blood Guardians will likely send out the Right Dragon's Blood Envoy Li Yuanshan to challenge Jiang Qing'e. Li Yuanshan is an upper third-grade Duke. Li Changfeng fought him a few times, but he never managed to break through his defenses. If he cannot win against Jiang Qing'e, it will not be hard for him to force a draw since the fight has a time limit. In that case, Li Luo's battle will become the determining factor. If Li Luo loses, it will become one draw and one loss, which would be our loss in the bet."
Jiang Qing'e replied calmly, "I will not let it end in a draw."
If her battle ended in a draw, all the pressure would fall onto Li Luo. He was still at the Greater Heavenly Resonance Tier; the difference between him and an upper first-grade Duke was comparable to the difference between a first-grade Duke and a third-grade Duke.
After all, they were completely different stages.
Li Luo would not be allowed to borrow any external help from his spirit beast, so it would truly be a challenge.
Li Luo nodded. "It's indeed stressful. However, I will give it my all for the sake of Senior Hongyou."
Li Foluo shook his head. "It's useless to just talk about it. You're at the Greater Heavenly Resonance Tier with a Heavenly Resonance Diagram of sixty thousand feet, so you will need to reach seventy thousand feet at least and strengthen yourself as much as possible before the ceremony. I suggest that you cultivate at a particular place to accomplish that."
"Where?" Li Luo asked curiously.
Li Foluo took another glance at him.
"The World End's River Falling Star Terrace."