"Patriarch..." Peter Bennett was somewhat angry and confused.

"In my estimation, that old immortal Lillian Warren doesn't have much time left." Richard Bennett narrowed his eyes, full of confidence, and said, "The Wang clan is now like a dying, sick tiger—this is the most dangerous time. If we press too hard, we might provoke a desperate counterattack. Our Liu clan isn't afraid, but we also don't want the Zhao clan to swoop in and reap the benefits."

Lillian Warren!

That name was like a poisonous thorn stuck in the Liu clan's throat. As long as she lived, the Liu clan dared not completely tear things apart with the Wang clan.

"Is this really true, Patriarch?" Peter Bennett was overjoyed.

"Originally, when Lillian Warren secluded herself and didn't even show up for the major event of the Wang clan's leadership change, I already had a hunch." Richard Bennett let out a cold chuckle. "Seeing how that new clan leader Charles Warren is so impatient, even wanting to risk everything in a life-and-death struggle with us, it confirms my suspicions even more. Heh, as if I'd let him have his way. At the fastest, two or three years; at the slowest, four or five. Once Lillian Warren dies..."

"Patriarch? That long?" Peter Bennett was a bit dazed.

"What do you know? The rise and fall of a clan can't be accomplished overnight! Our Liu clan has waited all these years—can't we endure just a few more?" Richard Bennett flicked his sleeve and, supported by the family guards, stepped onto the carriage. "Besides, before Lillian Warren dies, our Liu clan still has a lot of preparations to make. Everton, remember this: without my orders, you are not to have any conflict with the Wang clan, or you'll be punished by clan law!"

"Yes, Patriarch." Peter Bennett held back his frustration, but could do nothing except respectfully see off the clan leader Richard Bennett's carriage.

……

Meanwhile, Charles Warren had left several family guards at the dock to carry out their tasks, and boarded David Warren's medium-sized fishing boat, the "Dinghai," together with his aunt Evelyn Grant. The medium-sized fishing boat was about eight or nine zhang long and more than two zhang wide, made entirely of wood.

From the tall mast and the lowered sails, it was clearly a sail-powered vessel.

David Warren ordered the crew to raise the sails and set out from the harbor, and was about to enthusiastically introduce the ship's facilities to Charles Warren when Evelyn Grant said sternly, "Charlie, Sixth Uncle, let's talk at the stern."

The two followed her instructions, and as the boat rocked, it gradually sailed out of the deep-water harbor.

"Sigh... Charlie, you went too far today." Evelyn Grant sighed. "Ancestor 珑烟 has sacrificed her whole life for the clan, enduring countless hardships. How could you speak so carelessly and hint at such things about her, especially in public? And you even had the guards spread rumors! Your actions today will surely reach the elders' ears, and those seniors will definitely scold you."

"Um..." David Warren on the side was also a bit flustered. "Fifth Sister-in-law, what should we do? The elders won't impeach Charles, will they?" Ancestor 珑烟 was not only the clan's pillar, but also a towering presence. David Warren naturally held her in deep respect.

"Sixth Uncle, calm down, calm down." Charles Warren smiled calmly. "The elders are all seniors. I believe that once I explain things, they'll understand. Aunt, let me ask you: how much longer can Ancestor 珑烟 hold on?"

"Charlie, how can you be so disrespectful to Ancestor 珑烟? We shouldn't speak carelessly..."

"Aunt, as clan leader, I must consider the clan's future interests as a whole." Charles Warren directly interrupted Evelyn Grant. "If I can't even ask or know how much longer the ancestor can hold on, how can I plan for the clan's future? If that's the case, I'm not fit to be clan leader and should step down as soon as possible."

……

Chapter Five: Ancestor 珑烟! Our Trump Card

……

"Charlie, how... how can you say such things?" Evelyn Grant hadn't expected the always well-behaved Charles Warren to say something so shocking.

"Fifth Sister-in-law, I think Charles makes sense." David Warren was rather impressed with Charles Warren today and immediately chimed in, "If we know how much longer Ancestor 珑烟 can support the clan, everyone can be mentally prepared."

Evelyn Grant's expression shifted several times before she finally said, "This is a clan secret. A few days ago, when I went to report to Ancestor 珑烟, she told me herself that if she doesn't have to fight, she can hold on for another twenty years. But if she does have to fight... it's hard to say."

Twenty years? Charles Warren pondered deeply. That was much longer than he had expected, which meant there might still be a chance to turn things around.

"Charlie, you are the clan's only hope." Evelyn Grant said gravely. "Our Wang clan must continue to endure and keep a low profile, gathering all our strength to help you break through to the Spirit Platform Realm within twenty years. We must not let any trouble arise!"

"Yes, yes, Sixth Uncle will try to catch more spirit fish and sell them to raise resources for you." David Warren agreed. "As long as you can reach the Spirit Platform Realm, our Wang clan will truly be saved."

"I reach the Spirit Platform Realm? And then what?" Charles Warren sneered coldly. "Never mind whether I can even make the breakthrough—do you think the Liu and Zhao clans will just sit by and watch me do it? Will they give me twenty years? Even if I somehow succeed, I'll just become another Ancestor 珑烟!"

Charles Warren was a transmigrator, so he could break free from the Wang clan's habitual way of thinking.