Azure Cloud Prefecture.
The intelligence Li Xinjue had gathered had also landed in Li Jianshu's hands.
He was currently gripping two jade slips, frowning as he inspected them.
Over two hundred years old, Li Jianshu had his hair half-tied up, lacking the hair ornaments of others.
This was simply because whenever there were matters in the Azure Cloud Prefecture, Li Jianshu handled them personally.
He had once said that if it weren't for adhering to the etiquette that 'one's body, hair, and skin are received from one's parents', he would have shaved his head bald just like the First Ancestor long ago.
In the hall, Huang Xiujin stood by his side as a constant attendant.
When Li Jianshu handled matters, he was the type to 'kill but not bury'; Huang Xiujin couldn't afford to leave his side even for a single step.
Sun Haotian (Patriarch of the Sun Clan from the Duravia Trade Prefecture), and Feng Chunlin (Patriarch of the Feng Clan from the Azure Cloud Prefecture) were all present.
However, before Li Jianshu, they lacked the casualness they once had when facing the Li family members of the past.
They had no choice but to be this way. Throughout the entire Azure Cloud Prefecture, no one dared to make a mistake in front of Li Jianshu.
Even if a descendant of the Li Clan committed an illegal act outside, Li Jianshu would still strike them dead with a bolt of lightning.
"Under the Patriarch's legal system, this year, the twenty-four commanderies of the Azure Cloud Prefecture have seen their newly added spiritual fields, cultivators, and spiritual beasts all meet expectations."
Huang Xiujin read aloud solemnly.
"Seventy percent of the harvest is to be consumed by the Azure Cloud Prefecture, while the other thirty percent will be sold outside by the Heavenly Principle Hall, the major sects of the Azure Cloud Prefecture, and the merchant guilds of the immortal clans...
Cultivators breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm have registered with the government.
In these ten years, twelve people have reached the Nascent Soul realm... and one person has reached the Divinity Transformation realm..."
"Opening of secret realms, sea region wars, competitions among the various sects and clans..."
Huang Xiujin read through the development matters of the Azure Cloud Prefecture one by one.
Li Jianshu also asked a few questions and sought everyone's opinions; this discussion had already taken half a day.
Feng Chunlin glanced at the jade slip in Li Jianshu's hand and said deeply, "Patriarch Li, we have already heard about the matters in the Northern Frontier. If the Li Clan..."
But before he could finish speaking, Li Jianshu had already cupped his hands.
"Thank you for your concern, Patriarch Feng. However, the world is not peaceful right now, and you all must also guard the Azure Cloud Prefecture from external disturbances.
As for the matters in the Northern Frontier, we have our own plans."
Hearing this, Feng Chunlin only nodded.
He also sighed inwardly at how times had changed.
If this had been in the past when Li Dalong was around, if something happened to the sects and clans of the Azure Cloud Prefecture, everyone would find a shady spot to discuss it, and then grab their blades and go out together for a massive brawl.
Now, the Azure Cloud Prefecture's territory was vast.
Although the Li Clan and the Feng Clan still intermarried generation after generation, the Feng Clan was not what it used to be either; the sects and clans had also seen a new generation replace the old, and there were more things to consider.
After the others had left.
Li Jianshu asked Huang Xiujin, "Have the clan members who accompanied the major factions of the Department of Immortal Suppression to the Wu tribe's rear all returned?"
"They are already on their way," Huang Xiujin nodded slightly.
After the incident in the Northern Frontier occurred, this Patriarch hadn't even given it a second thought.
He had immediately sent messages to the family's major Grotto-Heaven, calling the clan members to come.
Huang Xiujin pondered for a moment and said deeply,
"Patriarch, the journey to the Northern Frontier is long and distant, and our Li Clan's major Grotto-Heaven also needs experts to hold the line.
If we go to the Northern Frontier, I'm afraid there will be quite a bit of trouble. Why not ask the major factions of the Azure Cloud Prefecture for help..."
Li Jianshu interrupted Huang Xiujin.
"The family elders fighting Void Refinement experts and killing Body Integration experts in the Western Frontier have established an illustrious reputation, drawing the attention of the people of the world.
Behind massive prestige lies wariness and the fire of jealousy. This is what you taught me, Sir."
Hearing this, Huang Xiujin stroked his beard and nodded, his face full of gratification. His years of assisting Li Jianshu had not been in vain.
"The matters in the Northern Frontier can only be handled by our Li Clan ourselves.
The elders obtained bountiful harvests in the Western Frontier. Those with ulterior motives who know of this will inevitably harbor thoughts of catching our Western Frontier elders all in one net," Li Jianshu said.
"Sir, you must have heard what the Department of Immortal Suppression, the Wenren Clan, and the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion are saying about us outside."
"Mostly praise. They say that with the Li family members from the Western Frontier present, the Azure Cloud Prefecture will prosper without decline.
That we are the rising stars of the dynasty and can serve as the pillars of the dynasty,"
Huang Xiujin sneered.
"But there are many hidden tricks within this."
"Killing with praise."
Li Jianshu snorted coldly.
"Now that our family has gained immense benefits in the Western Frontier, it has instead placed our Li Clan in grave danger.
The numerous factions of the dynasty appear to yield to our Li Clan, yet they are itching to eat us clean and wipe their mouths, seeing just how delicious we are."
Huang Xiujin shrugged.
Let alone outsiders viewing the Li Clan this way, over the years, they themselves had been quite covetous of the neighboring Eternal Immortal Sect.
More than once, Huang Xiujin had wondered what benefits the family could fish out from the Eternal Immortal Sect if Ancestor Lan were to unexpectedly fall one day.
"In this current situation, what should I do? Sir, please advise me," Li Jianshu frowned.
The Azure Cloud Prefecture was developing, and he had many questions of his own about charging into the Northern Frontier.
However, Huang Xiujin, who usually played the contrary view in discussion, said,
"The Patriarch is doing the right thing. There are only three ways to handle the Northern Frontier matter.
The first is to ignore it, which would make others think the events in the Western Frontier were merely rumors, attracting many flies.
The second is to call upon friends and allies; with our current power, we could even invite Body Integration experts, but that would also make people think our Li Clan is weak."
"The Patriarch charging in is just right. Deterring the petty scoundrels will induce greater wariness in those with ulterior motives."
Hearing this, Li Jianshu breathed a sigh of relief.
"While the various Ancestors in the Western Frontier remain unmoving, the clan members from our Li Clan's major Grotto-Heaven will march north to battle the Qiu Clan.
This will let the world see that not only are the elders of our Li Clan powerful, but we juniors are also extraordinary!"
Li Jianshu slowly walked out of the main hall.
"If they dare lay a hand on the elders of our Li Clan, they'd best consider whether they possess the strength to wipe out every last descendant—heirs who still carry the unbroken will and dignity of our ancestors."