At the same time.

In a tavern within Underground Palace City, the clan leaders of eight families who had grudges against Li Feng gathered together.

"Will this Li Feng take up the challenge?"

Ma Qianjun, the Family Head of the Ma Family, set down his teacup and glanced at the other Family Heads around him. The eight families had gathered together, some familiar with each other, some merely nodding acquaintances, all convening because of Li Feng.

Ma Qianjun was burly, with a resolute face, exuding the air of a martial artist, but clearly lacked in Qi Cultivation, appearing somewhat anxious at the moment.

After all, the Ma Family's strength was only of fifth or sixth rank in the Sixth Ring, with only two others at the Golden Core stage besides him.

If Li Feng were an easy target, Ma Qianjun would have dealt with him long ago. But even the Zeng Family, with its eight Golden Cores, was completely defeated, and he considered himself no match for Zeng Batian of the Zeng Family.

This time, if not for the Zeng Family leading and having seven other families responding, no matter how reckless he was, he wouldn't dare seek revenge on Li Feng.

And now, with more than twenty Golden Core experts from the eight families gathered, Ma Qianjun still felt uncertain, as the eight families were not of one mind.

Even if they could eventually take down Li Feng, who could guarantee survival? The death of even one or two members would be a significant blow to any family, potentially leading to their downfall.

As Ma Qianjun finished speaking, Hou Liang, the Clan Leader of the Hou Family, with his rat-like face and hooked eyes, chuckled lightly, "Whether Li Feng accepts the challenge or not doesn't change the outcome. Since he came to this Ninth Ring, he shouldn't expect to leave."

"Hmm, I bet Li Feng will accept, considering we've put over a hundred members of the Fang Family as bait."

"Even if he doesn't want to take up the challenge, the Lady Fang who came with him makes it impossible for him to ignore this. Despite the Fang Family's recent calamity and near-destruction, the head of the Fang Family remains, signifying the survival of Fire Seeds in their lineage. They've now pledged loyalty to Li Feng, and the head has even taken him as a mentor."

"In any case, he can't turn a blind eye. Even if he wants to feign ignorance, Lady Fang won't allow it. If news spreads, the Fang Family's morale would be crushed, leaving no hope for their revival."

The one speaking was an elderly man, Qi Changfeng. The Qi Family ranked among the top of the eight, deploying five Golden Core experts for this, rumored to be related by marriage to the Zeng Family. For the plan to kill Li Feng, the Qi Family went all out.

"Heh, Lady Fang was once one of the ten great beauties of Ancestor Dragon. Although she's no longer on the list, she's still stunning, adding a mature charm that's rumored to entice even Second Master Zeng. Now, she's under Li Feng's protection."

"Li Feng truly dares to take her in, possibly captivated by her charms."

"They've been traveling together as a pair. Who knows if they're intentionally avoiding that Fang boy."

"Do you think if there's an affair between the two, could Li Feng resist Lady Fang's gentle persuasion?"

A cold-faced middle-aged man sat snickering coldly.

"Alright, what's the point of discussing this now? As Master Hou said, regardless of whether Li Feng accepts, he will face a certain fate."

"However, what concerns me more than this is whether everyone is prepared."

"Feng Clan Leader, what do you mean by this?"

Feng Guang cast a glance at everyone present, "We are all the mainstays of our families and intelligent people. Let's be frank; with the numbers we've dispatched, killing Li Feng should be a given."

"But we've all seen Li Feng's strength. In the previous family battle, he slaughtered two from the Zeng Family in quick succession and trampled Zeng Batian underfoot. Zeng Batian is known as the Zeng Family's Tiger, a renowned expert in the Sixth Ring."

"Among those present, who would dare claim to defeat Zeng Batian completely? I doubt anyone."

Feng Guang surveyed the room and continued, "So if Li Feng is desperate, several here will likely suffer serious injuries or even death. For families in the Sixth Ring, which are mid to lower tier in strength, even one death is painful."

"I'm sure everyone has considered letting others take the risks while preserving their own. Let's not pretend otherwise."

The other seven Clan Leaders looked at Feng Guang, who candidly exposed their thoughts.

"Feng Clan Leader, isn't that thinking a bit petty? Since we all sent people, naturally we will give our all."

Though exposed, no one would directly admit it.

Feng Guang shrugged, "Even if I'm being petty, the point remains, killing Li Feng is our common goal, so don't expect to gain benefits without effort."

*Cough.*

At this moment, Qi Changfeng coughed, "Would everyone hear me out?"

"Please speak, Qi Clan Leader."

The group turned their attention to Qi Changfeng, the oldest among them, whose family also held the most power, granting him significant say.

"Among our eight families, some are familiar, others not, so it's inevitable to have some wariness. However, in killing Li Feng, we should stand united. What the Feng Clan Leader mentioned is also a concern for me."

"If we aren't united, Li Feng could take advantage of that. As you all know, Li Feng possesses powerful Vermilion Bird Bloodline. Even if he's only at the Golden Core Early Stage, his Bloodline Power boost means even an ordinary Golden Core Middle Stage would struggle against him."

Hmm.

The assembled Clan Leaders nodded, acknowledging the truth in Qi Changfeng's words. Their caution about Li Feng's capabilities made them prefer others to take risks, hoping to avoid danger personally.

The fear, however, is that if everyone thinks this way, no one will dare to fight. No matter how many there are, they'll just hinder each other.

"Does the Qi Clan Leader have any suggestions?"

"Yes, Qi Clan Leader, with your high esteem, do you have a solution?"

Qi Changfeng smiled faintly.

"Thank you for your trust. I'd like to share my thoughts. Everyone's concern is the potential great loss to your own families, fearing it might lead to misfortune. This is understandable; as leaders, we are all determined to protect our families, cautious of a single misstep leading to ruin."

"But killing Li Feng is an arrow on the bow, it cannot be left unresolved. And doing this is not without benefit—besides revenge, there are advantages involved, making it worth our efforts."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Therefore, I suggest that although we have over twenty Golden Core experts from the eight families, we can't just all swarm him."

"So I propose each of our eight families send one person to form an execution team. Simply by sending someone, each family fulfills their duty, but these eight must fight with all their might and cannot avoid combat. If someone falls in battle with Li Feng, that family should receive an extra half portion in any distribution."

"As for the others, they'll secure the perimeter, ready to replace as needed."