Family Management Game In Immortal Continent Chapter 848: Year 686

[Year 686]

[Six years following the loss in Shadowfell Prefecture. The Wu Race grows ever more convinced that the Azure Dynasty nears its final days.

Three mighty totems—the Divine Bird, Moon Dragon, and Red Sun—remain in recovery inside the captured lands, biding their time until fellow Wu tribes join them for a grand joint assault on Shadowfell Prefecture.]

In this year, the Li family kept operating in the shadows, focused on absorbing the benefits seized from the Zhao Clan.

A spirit boat soared down from the skies above Azure Cloud.

The figure at the front of the vessel exuded a natural sense of regal authority.

His striking features showed a hint of concern, yet as he noticed the endless blizzards that once plagued Azure Cloud Prefecture had disappeared, giving way to thriving abundance, a faint smile appeared on his lips—only for that familiar sorrow to soon reclaim it.

When he reached the entrance to the Merit Grotto-Heaven, the Li Family Head, Li Xinnian, stood ready alongside his spouse.

"Hahaha, Nephew Xinnian."

Crown Prince Fei Heng eagerly leaped from the spirit boat without delay.

Guided by numerous Li family escorts, he stepped into the Merit Grotto-Heaven.

For many years now, he had borne the Crown Prince title and worked in the royal court.

Returning to the soil he had farmed for three centuries, a flood of feelings washed over him uncontrollably.

Over merely two decades or so, the Merit Grotto-Heaven brimmed even more with spiritual essence.

Once inside the central chamber, Li Xinnian called for tea to be brought.

Following some light talk about the family's constant transformations in these late years, Li Xinnian grinned.

"In the end, it's all thanks to the elders building such a firm base.

I, Xinnian, simply adhere to the elders' guidance, using the power they passed to me for the good of our clan and Azure Cloud."

Li Xinnian harbored deep appreciation for Fei Heng too.

Lately, the Li clan hadn't sought any aid from Fei Heng, but he still valued their longstanding connection.

Whenever chances for gain emerged, he made sure the Li clan profited, going so far as to suggest placing Li heirs in court roles—yet every such proposal got turned down courteously.

"If the whole dynasty resembled Azure Cloud Prefecture, it would bless our Human Race immensely."

Fei Heng let out a wry chuckle.

"In the past, when I yearned to claim the Crown Prince seat and grasp the court's vast might...

Only by actually taking that role for my Father Emperor did I grasp how carrying the Human Race's burden feels like treading fragile ice."

Li Xinnian's face stayed steady, but his fingers fidgeted beneath his robes.

"May I ask what support Your Highness seeks?"

"Shadowfell Prefecture."

Fei Heng cut straight to the point.

"The Wu Race's power swells daily. Without curbing their boldness, Shadowfell Prefecture faces grave danger."

At these words, Li Xinnian offered a wry smile.

"Your Highness, Azure Cloud Prefecture dispatches aid annually.

Your Highness knows our circumstances; Azure Cloud's folks endured two conflicts in Duravia Trade Prefecture. My Li clan has barely recovered."

"No, that's not it." Fei Heng gave another wry chuckle; he was well aware of parts of the Li family's history—they had always been entangled in fights.

Even with the Immortal Zhao Clan's fall, the Li clan didn't match the strength of genuine secluded powers; they had scant Void Refining cultivators.

Forcing the Li clan into a full-scale clash with the Wu Race would equate to hurling them into flames.

In that case, Azure Cloud Prefecture itself might fall to rival hidden groups.

Fei Heng continued,

"I'm aware the Li clan holds strong ties with my older brother, the Fourth Prince.

Numerous hidden factions I summoned to Duskwild Prefecture have attempted peace talks already, but none succeeded.

With no other option, I turn to the Li clan for intervention."

Li Xinnian paused briefly before inquiring, "One thing puzzles Xinnian."

"Go ahead, say it."

Li Xinnian went on,

"Long ago, the Fourth Prince fell from His Majesty's grace and got exiled to Duskwild Prefecture.

After so many ages—ten thousand years gone by—why does the Fourth Prince now rise in open revolt like this?"

"I haven't a clue." Fei Heng knitted his brow.

"I sent letters probing for answers, but Brother Fourth Prince ignored them all.

He just demanded I yield right away and stop blocking his Path of the Human Emperor."

Though baffled, Li Xinnian held back more queries; even Ancestor Yaowen couldn't uncover the truth from those old events.

Still, with Fei Heng seeking his aid, he agreed, "On the issue of convincing the Fourth Prince toward peace, I, Xinnian, shall consult the elders."

"Hahaha, splendid! If you can sway him even briefly, I'll lead the strike on the Wu Race without worry," Fei Heng boomed with laughter.

While the pair conversed, a yell erupted from beyond the chamber.

"Who? Who's planning to lead the charge against the Wu Race?

Those wretched Wu tribesmen are total filth!

They burst into my Buddhist temple out of nowhere—terrified this old woman into running away fourteen times!"

Li Kuanghua marched inside, teeth clenched in fury.

Fresh from her journey, she clearly simmered with wrath.

She shot a quick look at Li Xinnian and Fei Heng before flopping into a nearby chair, seething.

She grabbed a teacup off the table and chugged its contents crudely.

Smack!

Before the hall's occupants could fathom how Li Kuanghua's small, charming build hid such ferocious energy, she banged the cup down, seized Fei Heng, and hauled him toward the exit.

"Come on! We're off to battle the Wu Race! Rally the forces from the Dynasty's thirty-six prefectures and eradicate them for good!"

"..."

Dragged behind her, Fei Heng slapped his forehead.

Why did every soul in the ancient Li family turn out to be such 'hobmeat' troublemakers?