Family Management Game In Immortal Continent Chapter 789: Guardian of the Southern Border

[Your descendant, Li Yaozu, has triumphed over Zhao Wan with the assistance of Fang Linglong.]

[A vast hoard of loot has been acquired.]

[Supreme-grade Dharma Treasure: Soul-Enrapturing Heart-Unraveling Bell.

The resonance of this bell can bypass Rules to manipulate the human soul and heart.

It triggers violations of the Ten Precepts (such as slaughter, theft, lust, and falsehood). Those ensnared will have their Divine Souls trapped within a realm of self-illusion.]

[Mid-grade Dharma Treasure: Purple Wisteria Shadow-Veil (Minor Damage).

An endless shroud; when donned as a garment, it executes targets invisibly. It possesses the power to mask one's physical presence and killing intent.]

[Mid-grade Dharma Treasure: Dream-Entering Mirror (Total Destruction). Capable of pulling victims into dreamscapes during the day.]

[Spirit Objects...]

"Thud!"

Zhao Wan tumbled from a rift in space and slammed onto the floor of the Heavenly Palace. Their conflict had raged for five days.

The Heavenly Palace had been nearly empty at the start, but it was now as crowded as a busy market by the time Li Yaozu reappeared.

Leading a hundred officials and the capital's military commanders, Imperial Preceptor Min Youguo stood waiting.

Slumped upon the central throne was a pale and defeated Crown Prince Sheng.

The disheveled Crown Prince, his hair a mess, began to shake violently as Zhao Wan’s broken body struck the ground.

He let out a choked sob, crying, "Wan'er... Wan'er..."

Li Yaozu was equally drained, his face devoid of color. Bloodstained claw marks marred his white robes. His right hand remained clamped around his sword hilt, from which blood flowed down the blade to drip onto the floor.

Though the Heavenly Palace was filled with powerful experts, Li Yaozu ignored them completely.

Even with Zhao Wan at death's door, a sense of dread still lingered within him.

"Sister Fang, I owe you my thanks."

Zhao Wan’s treasures were now stowed within his sword box—most notably that "Soul-Enrapturing Heart-Unraveling Bell."

The moment they crossed paths, Zhao Wan had activated that cursed Dharma Treasure, and he had succumbed during their very first clash.

He was a sword cultivator! His heart was supposed to be as tranquil as a still lake!

However, the bell snares anyone who has ever broken the Ten Precepts. And who in this world can claim to be without sin?

Furthermore, the illusions within that Dream-Entering Mirror were far too embarrassing for him to ever disclose.

Inside the sword box, Fang Linglong examined the various Dharma Treasures.

"Ah Zu, this bell is quite remarkable. If you can subdue its artifact spirit and integrate it with your 'Trickster Flashstrike' sword technique, the results could be extraordinary.

As for this mid-grade shadow-veil garment, you should give it to my disciple. She will surely refuse, so you must compel her to take it. It is a shame about the mirror; it is utterly ruined."

Fang Linglong paused, noticing that Li Yaozu had not replied.

Sensing his grim mood, she couldn't help but knit her brows.

"The enemy is defeated; why the long face? When I possessed your body, your wounds were mostly physical. Did her technique wound your Divine Soul instead?"

"...." Li Yaozu’s expression turned rigid.

After a tense silence, he answered awkwardly, "I was struck by the Killing Precept. I was forced to witness oceans of blood and mountains of corpses; I simply need some time to recover."

"That doesn't make sense. I don't sense any killing intent coming from you."

"My heart is as still as water; the Killing Precept was suppressed long ago. Sister Fang, please, drop the subject."

"I see."

A mischievous glint flickered in Fang Linglong’s eyes within the sword box.

...

"Lord Imperial Preceptor, the Li family is still owed a Void Refining corpse."

Li Yaozu looked upon the assembled officials with a cold, displeased gaze.

He refused to believe that in such a grand imperial court, he was the only person capable of taking down Zhao Wan.

Li Yaozu did not view himself as a hero; he knew these schemers simply needed a pawn bold enough to enter the Heavenly Palace, slay the Crown Princess, and show no respect to Crown Prince Sheng.

After delivering his message to Min Youguo, he flickered out of existence, departing for Azure Cloud Prefecture.

On the floor, Zhao Wan struggled miserably to crawl toward Crown Prince Sheng on his throne.

"Wan'er... Wan'er!" A spark of life returned to the Crown Prince’s hollow eyes.

He bolted from his seat, only to trip and fall, desperately crawling toward Zhao Wan on his hands and knees.

The court officials watched the scene with complicated emotions.

This powerful couple, who had dominated the court for decades, had been reduced to mere pawns on a chessboard.

Min Youguo gave a casual flick of his wrist.

"Apprehend the Zhao family demon and cast him into the death-row cells. Escort His Highness the Crown Prince back to his chambers to recuperate.

I must now report the success of this mission to His Majesty."

"Hear the Emperor's decree: The lands of Duravia Trade Prefecture have suffered under Prince Qian's long rule, resulting in depleted wealth and a rebellious populace."

"Henceforth, Duravia Trade Prefecture shall be annexed into Azure Cloud Prefecture."

"The Li clan of Azure Cloud has shown great merit in defending the throne and restoring the Dynasty’s peace.

Li Dalong, the Prefecture Lord of Azure Cloud, is hereby named Guardian of the Southern Border.

He is tasked with the suppression of the Southern Sea and the southern Wu Clan.

He shall hold the Second Rank, lead a million-strong army, and remain ready for His Majesty’s imperial orders!"

The entire assembly of civil and military officials gasped in shock.

The Li clan now controlled two of the Empire's thirty-six prefectures.

That was startling enough, but with the Imperial Preceptor reclaiming his authority in these dark times, the creation of the "Guardian of the Southern Border" title was a shift the world hadn't seen in ten thousand years.

From this day forward, the Li clan would answer only to the Emperor while enjoying the Imperial Preceptor's favor.