Family Management Game In Immortal Continent Chapter 773: The Zhao Clan’s Background

[Special Event—The Zhao Clan's Background]

[The Three Thieves, your descendants, have spent many years probing the Zhao Clan's formations within the Duravia Trade Prefecture.

Because numerous seniors failed in their research of the formations' foundations, they chose an alternative path. By accompanying members of the Hall of Heavenly Principle to trace the clan's origins, they traveled to every site where the Zhao Clan has surfaced over the last one hundred and sixty thousand years to uncover the truth of their lineage.]

"Damn it, those Zhao family geezers have hidden themselves incredibly deep. Even when Chang'an visited the Imperial Capital to investigate their history with the Imperial Preceptor, he barely found a thing."

A grand spectacle unfolded as three lotus platforms drifted through the sky.

Li Tianyi, despite having lived for over five centuries, maintained his signature sloppy and relaxed demeanor. Standing beside his two younger brothers, a trace of annoyance colored his tone.

His frustration was understandable; since Li Xinnian took over as Family Head, the three of them had been tasked with investigating the Zhao Clan, keeping them on the move for decades.

While they had historically succeeded in every endeavor, they encountered nothing but obstacles regarding the Zhao family.

The only catharsis they had found was years ago, when they struck down that Zhao family prodigy with a bolt of lightning.

"The old Zhao family possesses some genuine skill." Li Tianqi, who once carried a tortoise shell on his back, had discarded it long ago upon reaching the Divinity Transformation realm.

Perhaps due to the "Iron Triangle" acting as charlatans for so long, Li Tianqi was now clad in emerald green battle armor, a golden halo radiating behind him.

Mentioning the Zhao clan now filled him with the same loathing felt by Li Tianyi.

"They mirror every move our family makes. Over the last century, they've been quite active and finally seem to grasp the value of secular influence.

Just like us, they scoured the imperial court for patronage and eventually aligned themselves with Crown Prince Sheng.

With such backing, they truly believe they can challenge our Li family."

Li Tianyi let out a disdainful snort.

"Who else could they turn to? The Zhao elders sent tributes to the Imperial Preceptor and the Grand Tutor, but those two didn't even acknowledge them.

I must admit, those two old bastards finally acted like decent people for once. Once we return, we should probably dig their Tablets out of the latrine in Merit City."

"Th... that's true, Big Brother, but doing that wasn't very honorable."

Li Tianming, the most grounded of the trio, spoke up timidly from the far left platform.

"If the Grand Tutor and the Imperial Preceptor ever found out, they would be furious."

"..."

The comment left Li Tianyi and Li Tianqi momentarily speechless.

In years past, they viewed Li Tianming as the strange one, but the roles had reversed. To Li Tianming, his two brothers now appeared like lunatics gripped by hysteria.

Leading the way for the trio were numerous cultivators from the Shadow Division of the Hall of Heavenly Principle, flying ahead of the lotus platforms.

Within that group, Scholar Wuwen swallowed nervously, reflexively touching his neck.

He was the one tasked with guiding the three brothers to the mission's objective.

He had hoped that after two or three centuries, the fear in his heart would have faded, but he found himself more terrified than ever.

These three were wild and unpredictable, never engaging in anything remotely respectable.

Even though he had already ascended to the Divinity Transformation stage after leaving the Tian Xing Cultivator Abode, his dread of the Three Thieves remained unchanged.

Reaching a massive mountain, Scholar Wuwen halted, turned around, and offered a respectful bow.

"My three Lords, we have arrived at the site where the Immortal Zhao Clan was wiped out one hundred and sixty thousand years ago."

"We appreciate your hard work; it is all thanks to you, Big Brother." Li Tianming offered Scholar Wuwen a grateful, friendly smile.

"No... it was no trouble at all." Seeing that shy grin and those wide, innocent eyes, Scholar Wuwen felt a chill run down his spine.

The memory of being tormented by a viciously smiling Li Tianming inside the Tian Xing Cultivator Abode flashed vividly in his mind.

It felt as though a spectral chain was tightening around his throat again, causing him to stammer, "My Lord, may... may I take my leave now?"

"Go ahead." Li Tianyi dismissed him with a wave.

As if receiving a royal pardon, Scholar Wuwen quickly led his men away, utilizing a secret technique to vanish toward Azure Cloud Prefecture.

Noticing Li Tianming's guileless expression, Li Tianyi cuffed him on the back of the head.

"Look at how much you frightened him. Drop the act and let's get to work."

Li Wei had touched down on yet another celestial body.

This planet was a chaotic spectacle; upon his arrival, he was met with howling gales, jagged lightning, and the roar of thunder.

Below him, muddy floods tore through the landscape, and a sharp, pungent odor filled the air.

As he prepared his device to harvest the power of Rules, Li Wei checked the interface, where the Three Thieves came into focus.

In their youth, the Three Thieves were guilty of every villainy—robbery, arson, theft, and murder.

However, as their Cultivation levels rose, they moved past such petty crimes, largely because... they now had subordinates to handle such dirty work.

The Dharma Treasure known as the "Talisman of the Fifteen Profound Seals" ascended into the sky above the mountain range.

From the talisman, hundreds of spectral elders in soul form emerged.

Successive layers of Domains blanketed the entire mountain range before the seniors sank into the earth and stone.

"Black Tortoise Formation Technique, Third Formation."

A multitude of seniors manifested from the black-and-yellow talisman paper, disappearing into the peaks.

Li Tianqi had already taken to the air, his voice chanting ancient incantations.

The green armor he wore shifted, transforming back into a tortoise shell before shattering into hundreds of shards.

These pieces drifted upward, arranging themselves into a complex array formation.

In under two hours, the spiritual formation had completely shrouded the mountains.

To the naked eye, nothing seemed different. However, any mortals passing by were unable to perceive the mountain at all. Disoriented, they would walk toward the peaks only to find themselves back where they started.

Terrified and confused, they shouted, "What sorcery is this? The mountain was standing right here yesterday, so how... how can it be gone?"

[Your descendant, Li Tianqi, follows the Dao of Risking Death. He has inherited the legacies of the Tortoise Shell and Tian Xing.

Having spent years under the guidance of his brother Li Tianyi and learning from various seniors, his mastery of Formation arts is profound, allowing him to dismantle tomb arrays and claim their treasures.

Acquired Profession: Formation Master]

[After centuries, he has finally unlocked the true, traditional purpose of the tortoise shell.

The shell is remarkably durable and filled with mystery, serving as a Foundation for Core Formation with a total of nine hundred and ninety-nine segments.]

[He has ascended to the Divinity Transformation realm. Acquired Domain: Black Tortoise.

Within this domain, physical defense is bolstered, and his spiritual power intensifies in proportion to the physical damage he endures.]

[Through years of dedication using the Black Tortoise Domain and Shell, he has mastered the "Mystic Tetragate Heaven-Quelling Formation," a collection of four Rank 5 Grand Arrays specialized in Slaughter, Defense, Concealment, and Speed.]