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 massive haul of loot has been acquired.]

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

The toll of this bell pierces through Rules to manipulate the human soul and mind.

It triggers violations of the Ten Precepts (such as killing, theft, lust, and deceit). Victims find their Divine Souls imprisoned within their own delusions.]

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

This endless veil serves as a garment that grants the power to kill invisibly. It effectively masks both the wearer's physical presence and their killing intent.]

[Mid-grade Dharma Treasure: Dream-Entering Mirror (Total Destruction). A tool used to pull victims into waking dreams.]

[Spirit Objects...]

“Thump!”

Zhao Wan tumbled out of a rift in space, crashing onto the floor of the Heavenly Palace. Their conflict had raged for five consecutive days.

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

Imperial Preceptor Min Youguo stood at the forefront, leading a gathering of a hundred officials and the various commanders of the Imperial Capital.

Sitting upon the central throne was Crown Prince Sheng; his complexion was ghostly pale as he slumped there in despair.

When Zhao Wan’s broken, dying form hit the tiles, the disheveled Crown Prince began to shake violently, his hair falling into a mess.

“Wan’er... Wan’er...” he sobbed, his voice thick with grief.

Li Yaozu was also looking haggard. Bloody claw marks marred his white robes. Blood leaked from his wrist, traveling down the hilt and blade of his sword before splashing onto the floor.

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

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

“Sister Fang, I owe you my thanks.”

The treasures taken from Zhao Wan were currently stowed in his sword box—most notably that “Soul-Enrapturing Heart-Unraveling Bell.”

Zhao Wan had unleashed that cursed Dharma Treasure the moment their fight began, and he had been ensnared during their very first clash.

He was supposed to be a sword cultivator with a heart as calm as a still lake! A sword cultivator!

And yet, the bell affects anyone who has ever broken the Ten Precepts. In this world, who can claim to be perfectly sinless?

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

Inside the sword box, Fang Linglong was inspecting the various Dharma Treasures.

“Ah Zu, this bell is quite a find. If you can refine its spirit and pair it with your ‘Trickster Flashstrike’ sword technique, the results will be incredible.

This mid-grade shadow-veil dress should go to my disciple. That girl will surely refuse, so you’ll have to force it on her. It is a shame about the mirror, though; it’s completely trashed.”

Fang Linglong stopped speaking when she realized Li Yaozu wasn't responding.

Noticing his dark, brooding expression, she couldn't help but frown.

“The enemy is beaten, so why the long face? When I possessed your body, I mostly saw physical wounds. Was your Divine Soul damaged? Did you actually succumb to her illusions?”

“....” Li Yaozu’s face turned rigid.

After a tense silence, he answered awkwardly, “I was struck by the Killing Precept. I saw visions of endless blood and corpses; I just need some time to settle my mind.”

“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, let it drop.”

“Oh.”

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

...

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

Li Yaozu’s gaze swept over the officials, his face filled with coldness.

He didn't believe for a second that no one else in this massive court was strong enough to deal with Zhao Wan.

Li Yaozu knew he wasn't a savior; he was merely the only one willing to do the dirty work of entering the Heavenly Palace to slay the Crown Princess and openly defy Crown Prince Sheng.

Without waiting for a reply from Min Youguo, he vanished, traveling back toward Azure Cloud Prefecture.

On the floor, a wretched Zhao Wan continued to crawl toward Crown Prince Sheng on the throne.

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

He leaped from his seat, only to trip and fall, desperately crawling toward Zhao Wan.

The court officials watched the scene with complicated emotions.

This pair, who had dominated the imperial court for decades, were ultimately nothing more than pawns on a chessboard.

Min Youguo gave a dismissive wave of his hand.

“Apprehend the Zhao family demon and cast him into the death-row cells. Escort His Highness the Crown Prince back to his quarters to recover.

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

“Hear the imperial decree: The Duravia Trade Prefecture has suffered under Prince Qian’s rule for too long, resulting in drained resources and rebellion.”

“Effective immediately, Duravia Trade Prefecture is merged into Azure Cloud Prefecture.”

“The Li clan of Azure Cloud has shown great loyalty in protecting the throne and restoring peace to the Imperial Dynasty.

Li Dalong, the Prefecture Lord of Azure Cloud, is appointed as the Guardian of the Southern Border.

He is tasked with the suppression of the Wu Clan in the south and the Southern Sea territories.

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

The entire assembly of civil and military officials was stunned.

Out of the thirty-six prefectures of the Imperial Dynasty, the Li clan now controlled two.

That was shocking enough, but with the Imperial Preceptor reclaiming his power, the creation of the “Guardian of the Southern Border” post was a monumental shift not seen in millennia.

From this day forward, the Li clan would answer only to the Emperor and stand under the protection of the Imperial Preceptor.