The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Outside Cuiping Mountain, Xue Sha and Mei Ji, along with more than ten Foundation Establishment cultivators of the demonic path, hovered in mid-air.

"Senior brother, the Han family seems to have some tricks up their sleeves." Mei Ji frowned slightly as she looked at the multicolored light shield covering Cui Ping Mountain. "This mountain-protecting formation is at least a high-grade third-order formation."

Xue Sha sneered, "So what if it's a third-tier grand formation? How many spirit stones can a Foundation Establishment family afford to maintain its operation? We can wear them down!"

He waved his hand: "Form the formation! Attack the formation with the Blood Fiend Banner!"

The twelve Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators dispersed in response, each taking out a small blood-red banner and chanting incantations. The small blood-red banners grew longer in the wind, transforming into twelve large blood-red banners, each over ten feet tall, their surfaces covered with ghostly shadows and swirling with eerie winds.

"Blood Fiend Banner Formation, attack!"

The twelve Blood Fiend Banners simultaneously emitted scarlet blood light, converging into a thick pillar of blood that slammed into the protective array of Cuiping Mountain.

"Boom—"

The array trembled violently, and the multicolored light shield rippled, but it did not break.

"What?!" Blood Fiend's expression changed. The combined attack of the twelve Blood Fiend Banners was enough to kill a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator, yet they couldn't break through this formation?

"This formation is no simple matter," Mei Ji said in a deep voice. "It seems the Han family has some hidden strength."

"Keep attacking! I don't believe a Foundation Establishment family can have enough spirit stones to maintain the great formation!" Blood Fiend gritted his teeth.

The twelve Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators once again activated the Blood Fiend Banner, and blood-red light continuously bombarded the great formation.

Inside Cuiping Mountain, members of the Han family gathered in front of the mountain gate, their expressions tense as they watched the blood-red light bombarding the outside of the great formation.

"Changqing, how are the spirit stones being used?" Doctor Mo asked.

Han Changqing stood at the core of the formation, holding a jade tablet in his hand, sensing the formation's condition: "The Five Elements Reversal Formation is a high-grade third-tier formation with extremely strong defensive capabilities, but it also consumes a lot of resources. Each attack consumes ten mid-grade spirit stones. At this rate, our stockpile of spirit stones can only last for three days."

"Three days..." Doctor Mo frowned. "Is the patriarch still in seclusion?"

"Our ancestor is currently in seclusion, attempting to break through to the late stage of Core Formation. We cannot disturb him," Han Changqing said. "Besides, our ancestor has already made arrangements, so we don't need to panic."

As soon as he finished speaking, a beam of white light descended from the sky and landed in front of the mountain gate. It was Han Bai.

"Greetings, Elder Han!" Everyone was overjoyed.

Han Bai nodded and looked outside the formation: "Two early-stage Core Formation cultivators and twelve Foundation Establishment cultivators, they certainly think highly of the Han family."

"Elder Han, what should we do?" Han Changqing asked.

"Activate the formation and let them in," Han Bai said calmly.

"What?" Everyone was shocked.

"Elder Han, there are two Core Formation cultivators outside..." a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Han family said worriedly.

"It's alright." Han Bai waved his hand. "Activate the formation."

Han Changqing hesitated for a moment, but still chose to believe. He cast a spell, and the protective array of the mountain opened a crack.

"Haha, the formation is open!" Blood Fiend exclaimed joyfully. "Looks like we've run out of spirit stones! Follow me and charge in!"

He and Mei Ji were the first to rush into the formation, followed closely by twelve Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators.

As the group entered the formation, the scene before them abruptly changed. The original mountains and forests vanished, replaced by a vast expanse of white mist, making it impossible to distinguish east from west.

"An illusion array?" Blood Fiend scoffed. "A mere trick!"

He formed a hand seal and spat out a mouthful of blood. The blood transformed into countless tiny crimson insects, which flew in all directions. This was his unique secret technique, "Blood-Attracting Insects," which could break illusion arrays and locate their core.

However, not long after the blood-attracting insects flew out, they all lost their sense of touch and disappeared without a trace.

"How is this possible?" Blood Fiend's face turned ugly.

"Senior brother, this formation is not simple." Mei Ji looked around warily. "Let's retreat first..."

Before she finished speaking, countless golden light swords suddenly shot out from the white mist.

"Be careful!"

Blood Fiend hastily conjured a crimson shield, holding it in front of him. Lightswords struck the shield, producing a series of clanging sounds. But the next moment, his expression changed drastically—cracks appeared on the shield's surface; it couldn't withstand the lightswords!

"This is... a third-tier attack formation!"

He hurriedly retreated, but it was too late. Another wave of lightsabers shot in from all directions, blocking all his escape routes.

"A sea of ​​blood raged!"

Blood Fiend roared, his body erupting with dense crimson light, transforming into a sea of ​​blood that devoured all the incoming light swords. But the light swords were endless, and the sea of ​​blood was quickly consumed.

"Junior sister, help me!" Xue Sha cried out urgently.

Meiji dared not be negligent and summoned a pink ribbon. The ribbon transformed into a sky full of pink mist, merging with the sea of ​​blood, barely managing to withstand the light sword attack.

But the twelve Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators weren't so lucky. They were separated by the white mist and fought individually. Faced with the endless stream of light swords, several of them were quickly shot down.

"Form the formation! Form the formation!" shouted a demonic cultivator at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage.

The remaining people quickly huddled together, joining forces to erect a defensive light shield. However, the shield teetered precariously under the lightsaber's attacks, and was on the verge of shattering.

"Why hasn't Elder Han shown himself yet?" Han Changqing and the others wondered, looking at the scene within the formation.

"He's waiting," Doctor Mo said in a deep voice, "waiting for those two to exhaust more of their magical power."

Sure enough, after an incense stick's time, Xue Sha and Mei Ji's magical power had been mostly depleted, and the sea of ​​blood and the pink mist had thinned considerably.

"Friends of the Han family, we admit defeat!" Blood Fiend shouted through gritted teeth. "Let us leave, and I, Blood Fiend, swear I will never set foot on Cuiping Mountain again!"

A soft laugh echoed from within the white mist: "Coming and going as you please, what do you take my Han family for?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the white mist dissipated, revealing Han Bai's figure. He stood with his hands behind his back, his expression indifferent.

"Mid-stage Core Formation?!" Xue Sha and Mei Ji's expressions changed drastically. They thought the Han family only had one early-stage Core Formation cultivator at most, but they never expected it to be mid-stage!

"Senior, please forgive me! I was blind and disrespectful, and I have offended you. I am willing to offer up all my possessions in exchange for my life!" Xue Sha immediately knelt down and begged for mercy. Mei Ji also quickly knelt down, looking at Han Bai with a pitiful expression.

Han Bai glanced at them and said calmly, "Are you from the Ghost Spirit Sect?"

"Yes, this junior is Xue Sha, an outer elder of the Ghost Spirit Sect. This is my junior sister, Mei Ji," Xue Sha hurriedly replied.

"The Ghost Spirit Sect..." Han Bai mused, "Why have you come here?"

"It was the young sect leader Wang Chan's order. He said that Yue Kingdom was about to fall into chaos, and ordered the disciples to take the opportunity to seize the resources of Ling Mountain in preparation for the southward advance of the demonic army." Xue Sha dared not hide the truth.

"Wang Chan..." A cold glint flashed in Han Bai's eyes, "Where is he now?"

"The young sect leader is stationed at the former site of Tianque Fortress, commanding the demonic forces in the eastern part of Yue Kingdom," Xue Sha said.

Han Bai nodded: "Alright, you can die now."

"What?" Xue Sha's expression changed drastically. Just as he was about to fight desperately, Han Bai struck out with a palm.

The five-colored divine light transformed into a giant hand, engulfing Xue Sha and Mei Ji. Before they could even scream, they were crushed into a bloody mist.

"System, how many contribution points did you gain for killing two early-stage Core Formation cultivators?"

[Defeat 2 early-stage Core Formation cultivators, gain 4000 contribution points]

[Defeat 12 Foundation Establishment cultivators, gain 1200 contribution points]

[Completed the Family Protection Mission, earned 2000 Contribution Points]

Current contribution points: 2550

Han Bai nodded in satisfaction, then turned to the few surviving Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators: "What about you? Do you want to live or die?"

"We want to live! We want to live!" The men kowtowed immediately.

"Very good. Make a vow to the inner demons, pledging allegiance to the Han family for a hundred years, and you will be spared death."

None of them dared to disobey, and they immediately swore an oath against their inner demons. Han Bai then placed a restriction on their souls before removing the great formation.

"Changqing, these people are yours. Demonic cultivators are ruthless and must be kept under strict watch. If they make any unusual moves, kill them without hesitation."

"yes!"

After dealing with these matters, Han Bai arrived outside the cave where Han Mu was in seclusion. The stone door of the cave opened, and Han Mu stepped out.

"This is the Venerable One." Han Bai bowed.

"Well done." Han Mu nodded. "Wang Chan of the Ghost Spirit Sect... it seems the demonic path intends to take root in Yue Kingdom."

"My Lord, should we temporarily evacuate?" Han Bai asked.

"No need," Han Mu shook his head. "Emerald Screen Mountain is protected by a powerful formation, and with you in charge, any Core Formation cultivators that come will die. As for Nascent Soul cultivators... they can't worry about us for now."

He looked eastward, where the demonic energy was even more intense.

"With the demonic forces launching a massive invasion and the seven sects of Yue Kingdom preoccupied with their own problems, this presents an opportunity for my Han family to expand. Issue the order to continue recruiting rogue cultivators and expand our influence. Also, send people to inquire about the situation at the other spiritual mountains; if any have been breached by the demonic forces, report back immediately."

"Yes."

After Han Bai left, Han Mu returned to his cave and took out the Golden Condensation Pill.

"System, how long will it take to refine this pill?"

[Golden Core: Can help Core Formation cultivators advance one minor realm.]

[With the host's early Nascent Soul stage cultivation, it will take ten days to fully refine it.]

After refining, one's apparent cultivation level can be raised to the late stage of Core Formation, and one's true cultivation level can be raised to the mid stage of Nascent Soul.

"Begin refining."

Han Mu took the Golden Condensation Pill and closed his eyes to cultivate. Ten days later, he opened his eyes, a flash of brilliance appearing in them.

"System, check the current status."

Name: Han Mu

[Actual Cultivation Level: Mid-Nascent Soul Stage (Appears to be Late-Core Formation Stage)]

[Cultivation Techniques: Primordial Longevity Technique (Fourth Level Peak), Heaven-Gathering Divine Technique (Great Completion)]

[Magic Items: Qiankun Fan (Natal Magic Item Embryo), Five Elements Flag (Tier 3, High Grade), Soul-Suppressing Bell (Tier 3, Mid Grade), Five Elements Pagoda (Tier 3, High Grade)]

[Family Status: 732 members, 1 Core Formation cultivator (on the protagonist's surface), 24 Foundation Establishment cultivators, 308 Qi Refining cultivators]

[Family Territory: Cuiping Mountain (Second-Tier Spirit Vein), Jinxia Mountain (Medium-Sized Spirit Stone Mine)]

[Family fortune: Steadily rising]

Main Quest: Rise of the Clan (68% Progress)

[Contribution Points: 2550]

[Special Reward: None]

"Mid-stage Nascent Soul." Han Mu felt the surging magical power within his body and nodded in satisfaction. With his current strength, combined with his Five Elements Avatars and the grand formation, he could even put up a fight against a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

"However, that's not enough," he murmured. "The six sects of the Demonic Path have at least six Nascent Soul cultivators, and the Heavenly Fiend True Monarch, who is at the Deity Transformation stage, is also in charge. I must break through to the Deity Transformation stage as soon as possible in order to truly gain a foothold in this chaotic world."

He took out a communication talisman and sent a message to Han Changqing: "Notify Yun Ge to establish her foundation as soon as possible. After she establishes her foundation, she can apply to Huangfeng Valley to return to her family."

"Yes, Ancestor."

Huangfeng Valley, Danxia Peak.

Han Yunge received the message from her family and felt relieved. The ancestor had emerged from seclusion, and the Han family was safe and sound.

"Yun Ge, how are the preparations going?" Elder Chen walked into the alchemy room.

"Master, your disciple is ready to establish the foundation," Han Yunge said respectfully.

"Alright. This is the Foundation Establishment Pill I prepared for you. Please keep it safe." Elder Chen handed over a jade bottle. "In addition, the sect leader has ordered all Qi Refining Peak disciples to assemble at the main peak within three days to prepare for the evacuation of Yue Kingdom."

"Evacuate?" Han Yunge was taken aback.

"The demonic path is too powerful; Yue Kingdom cannot be defended. Huangfeng Valley will retreat to Yuanwu Kingdom to join forces with the Righteous Alliance," Elder Chen sighed. "You are a member of the Han family; whether you stay or leave is your decision. But if you stay, there may be danger."

Han Yunge was silent for a moment, then said, "Master, this disciple wants to return to the clan."

Elder Chen glanced at her and nodded: "Very well. With your grandfather in charge of the Han family, they might be safer than if you came with us. Go ahead, and be careful on your journey."

"Thank you, Master!" Han Yunge bowed, packed her things, and left Huangfeng Valley.

Unbeknownst to her, shortly after she left, a black beam of light descended into Yellow Maple Valley and headed straight for the main peak.

"Special Envoy of the Ghost Spirit Sect pays respects to Fellow Daoist Linghu."

Linghu Patriarch looked at the cultivator shrouded in black mist before him, his expression grave: "What instruction does the Ghost Spirit Sect have?"

"My sect's young master has ordered that if Yellow Maple Valley is willing to submit to the Ghost Spirit Sect, its lineage can be preserved and it will enjoy first-class treatment. If it does not comply..." The black-mist cultivator smiled sinisterly, "...it will kill without mercy."

Linghu Laozu's face turned ashen.

The world of Yue has changed completely.