Family Management Game In Immortal Continent Chapter 866: Fish In Troubled Waters

Merit City, the Li Clan Main House.

"To the Family Head, a report: Intelligence has arrived from Lady Tianyue and Lady Kuanghua out of the Battle Grotto-Heaven."

With deep respect, the Wine Madman informed Li Xinnian,

"Trouble broke out in Shadowfell Prefecture. A Nascent Soul clan clashed fiercely inside the city, deploying a formation to seize a demonic cultivator.

That demonic cultivator bore a rare innate ability— a set of 'wind-catching ears.'

Our people seized family members from that group for questioning.

Through Soul Searching, we discovered their clan was pursuing a detached head."

Li Xinnian nodded with a smile. "You've labored enough. You're free to go."

"Understood!"

The Wine Madman quickly withdrew.

As he exited the main hall, his eyes caught the gently rocking Old Tree, and he let out a heavy sigh of ease.

Dealing with fellow Li family members, he didn't show such profound deference, but toward Li Xinnian, he held a clear sense of reverence.

On the outside, this fresh Family Head seemed warm and easy to approach, yet the Wine Madman sensed deeply:

Li Xinnian stood as the very last individual in the Li family anyone ought to challenge—not even in jest.

Some years back, at a lavish gathering in Azure Cloud Prefecture, a minor clan—blind to the peril—had quipped in jest,

"How the Li family climbed from obscurity to such heights is truly motivating; we could surely follow suit."

At that moment, Li Xinnian had chuckled and joined in the fun.

But soon after... in merely two brief years, that clan disappeared entirely.

Despite the scale of the incident, no rumors surfaced in their regional city.

...

Once the Wine Madman left, Li Xinnian's features stayed lit with grins.

A gleam came from the storage ring on his slim left pinky finger, summoning three jade slips right before him.

The dispatches included:

"Out of Shadowfell Prefecture: Updates on Zishu Lingtian's head; a sect pursues a vicious spirit."

"A concealed sect has emerged anew; red glows lit up the night sky, likely tied to the hunt for Zishu Lingtian."

"Multiple great forces have breached Wu Clan lands; tales claim cries rang out about Zishu Lingtian's corpse."

"Clearly, the Fourth Prince didn't limit the pact to us alone.

In pursuit of Zishu Lingtian's Three Corpses, the word has circulated across the whole Azure Imperial Dynasty.

The chance to attain Body Integration is an irresistible lure for all under heaven."

Li Xinnian creased his forehead.

For more than ten years, starting from when the Fourth Prince tasked them with seeking Zishu Lingtian, such events had kept happening without pause.

This sparked his curiosity about the Zishu family's matters; however, the further he delved, the more questions piled up inside him.

The Human Sovereign surely ranks as the mightiest being across the realm.

Nearly all from his time endure, but the Human Sovereign nears death.

He sired numerous offspring, each a supreme prodigy, yet they perished successively.

Today, just Fei Heng endures as a fitting Crown Prince.

The Fourth Prince obviously cherishes the Zishu Clan's dominion so much, yet he pushes for uprising.

Such enigmas couldn't help but disturb Li Xinnian.

The Li Clan intertwined fully with the Imperial Dynasty; with rising uncertainties, peril lurked ever closer.

All at once, soft hands settled on his head, kneading his temples.

A gentle scent wafted by his nostrils.

Li Xinnian's face softened, a grin forming.

"Qingya, weren't you heading to your clan to watch that senior advance to Divinity Transformation? What's wrong? Did they bother you once more?"

"Mm."

Nangong Qingya grew ever more poised and elegant.

With a soft smile, she replied,

"It lasted just a couple of days; for some reason, I simply can't adjust to being back at my clan now.

Ancestor Xianliu hoped I'd murmur some 'pillow talk' to you, aiming to boost the Nangong family ventures even more.

Enduring three days there left me thoroughly irritated."

"The Nangong family's persistent flaw." Li Xinnian shut his eyes for calm, savoring this uncommon peace.

"Should he press again, direct him to discuss it face-to-face with me.

Considering his years and cultivation level, his schemes and deeds seem utterly childish.

Doesn't he worry about turning into a jest among his kin?"

"I've already conveyed that. Should the Nangong family possess real talent, success will come on its own.

Lacking ability, even endless aid from us won't let them cling to their heritage."

Nangong Qingya inquired, "Right after I got back, I noticed your heavy frown. What's weighing on you?"

Li Xinnian let out a breath.

"Long ago, the Fourth Prince presented us a proposal for gaining the Body Integration chance.

All this time, the Li Clan ignored it completely.

Yet lately, the Fourth Prince has broadcast it across the Azure Dynasty, drawing in countless powers with its allure."

Hearing this, Nangong Qingya stayed silent, just absorbing his words quietly.

Her spouse shouldered endless duties, bottling up so many concerns inwardly.

He'd never voice such fears to the elders, dreading failure might let them down.

In these moments, she merely had to hear him out in stillness.

"Fei Heng's rule over recent years, combined with High Ancestor Tianyue's duties in the army bases, has made it clear worldwide that the Li Clan holds the Imperial Family's utmost confidence.

Plus, our disciples frequently enforce Immortal Suppression Bureau orders to purge opponents; as a result, even Hidden Factions seek to steer clear of clashing with the Li Clan."

"This brings advantages, but drawbacks too."

"The Family has claimed various Cave Abodes, rooting ourselves in more than a dozen spots around the globe.

To outsiders, we've reached the stature of a Hidden Immortal Clan.

Still, the Li Clan lags well behind a true Hidden Immortal Clan's power.

Including the Old Ancestor, the Grand Ancestor, two Void Refining Forefathers, and two guest Void Refining elders...

Our real might doesn't match the Immortal Zhao Clan from those times."

"In those days, Crown Prince Sheng toppled instantly.

Don't let Fei Heng's current calming of frontiers and steadying of home fool you, or the Dynasty's slow revival—the Human Sovereign's end draws near.

Worldly storms shift unpredictably; absent a Body Integration master in the Family, how could I rest secure?"

While talking, Li Xinnian chuckled wryly at himself.

"Qingya, am I acting small-minded? The Elders dismissed it, and I felt nothing.

But seeing rivals scramble for it now, I'm genuinely craving that Body Integration prospect."

Nangong Qingya offered a refined smile.

"No pettiness here. Others are just taking the lead, sparing you the toil.

With chaos stirring the depths, this is the perfect time to 'fish in troubled waters' and join the fray."

The pair of spouses shared light talk and merry laughs.