The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Han Yunge piloted the flying boat, speeding along the way. The journey from Huangfeng Valley to Cuiping Mountain should have only taken two days, but now that the demonic path was rampant, she dared not take the main road and could only detour through remote mountain forests, taking a full five days to arrive.

Seeing that the protective array of Cuiping Mountain was still intact, she felt relieved. But then a question arose in her mind—why were there so many people outside the array?

At the foot of Cuiping Mountain, hundreds of cultivators had gathered, their cultivation levels ranging from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment. Most of them wore worried expressions, and some were even injured. Disciples of the Han family were maintaining order in front of the mountain gate, seemingly registering something.

"Yun Ge is back!" The disciple guarding the mountain recognized her and quickly opened a corner of the great formation.

Han Yunge retracted her flying boat and landed inside the great formation. Han Changqing greeted her: "Yunge, are you alright?"

"Father, I'm fine. What's going on with those people outside?" Han Yunge asked.

Han Changqing sighed: "They are all small families and independent cultivators from the surrounding area. Their mountain gates were breached by the demonic path, and they have nowhere to go, so they came to my Han family for protection."

"The demonic forces have already reached this area?"

"No, that's not it. It's just that the news of Huangfeng Valley's withdrawal from Yue Kingdom has spread, and these small families are afraid of being abandoned, so they're flocking here," Han Changqing explained. "Our ancestor has decreed that as long as one swears an oath of loyalty to the Han family for a hundred years, one can join our Han family as a guest elder or disciple. In just three days, we've already gathered twenty-three Foundation Establishment cultivators and one hundred and eighty Qi Refining cultivators."

Han Yunge gasped. The Han family originally had only twenty-four Foundation Establishment cultivators, and now that number had doubled! Although their loyalty remained to be tested, their apparent strength had at least increased dramatically.

"Over at Huangfeng Valley..." Han Changqing hesitated, then stopped.

"Master let me choose for myself, and I'm back," Han Yunge said. "The sect is already preparing to evacuate. The sect leader said that we can only hold on for another month at most before the entire sect moves to Yuanwu Kingdom."

Han Changqing's expression turned grave: "A month... wouldn't that mean the Yue Kingdom would be..."

"The Yue Kingdom can't be defended anymore," Han Yunge said in a low voice. "Master said that the six sects of the Demonic Path have dispatched three Nascent Soul cultivators. Tianque Fortress, Huadao Dock, and Qingxu Sect have all fallen. Now only Huangfeng Valley, Yanyue Sect, Lingshou Mountain, and Jujian Sect are still resisting. But Lingshou Mountain has already defected, and Jujian Sect has also suffered heavy losses. It's only a matter of time before they are defeated."

Han Changqing was silent for a moment, then said, "The ancestor is waiting for you. Come with me."

The two arrived at the Hall of Longevity, where Han Mu was listening to Doctor Mo's report.

"Ancestor, among the newly recruited cultivators, there are three alchemists, two weapon refiners, and one formation master, all at the second-tier level. I have arranged for them to take the exams, and those who pass will be incorporated into their respective halls," said Doctor Mo.

"Well done." Han Mu nodded. "How about the resources?"

"The Jinxia Mountain Mine can produce 500 mid-grade spirit stones and 10,000 low-grade spirit stones per month, which is enough to support the family's current expenses. In addition, the spirit herbs and materials received from those collapsed families are worth about 50,000 spirit stones. However, the consumption of pills is very high, especially healing and recovery pills. The inventory can only last for three months."

"Three months is enough," Han Mu said. "Yun Ge, you've come back just in time. The family urgently needs pills, so you should establish your foundation as soon as possible and then take charge of the alchemy hall."

"Yes, Ancestor!" Han Yunge quickly replied. She took out the Foundation Establishment Pill given to her by Elder Chen: "My master gave me a Foundation Establishment Pill, and I plan to go into seclusion to establish my foundation."

"One isn't enough." Han Mu shook his head, took out a jade bottle, and said, "Here are five Foundation Establishment Pills. Take them. I need you to successfully establish your foundation within ten days, then start refining pills and produce enough for the family to use for three years within three months."

Han Yunge took the jade bottle, shocked. Five Foundation Establishment Pills! Where did the Ancestor get so many Foundation Establishment Pills? You must know that even a sect like Yellow Maple Valley can only refine a dozen or so Foundation Establishment Pills each year, and even the core disciples have to fight over them.

But she didn't ask any further questions, only nodding emphatically: "Yun Ge will certainly not fail the Ancestor's trust!"

"Go ahead." Han Mu waved his hand.

After Han Yunge withdrew, Doctor Mo also took his leave. Only Han Mu and Han Changqing remained in the hall.

"Father, won't gathering so many people attract the attention of the demonic path?" Han Changqing asked with some concern.

"We should be cautious, but there's no need to worry for now," Han Mu said. "The main target of the demonic path right now is the Seven Great Sects. In their eyes, our Han family is just a small fry, and they won't spend too much effort on us. By the time they've dealt with the Seven Great Sects, we should be ready too."

"Get ready?" Han Changqing asked, puzzled.

"A month from now, when Huangfeng Valley withdraws, I will personally go there to receive what they can't take," Han Mu said calmly. "In addition, send someone to contact the Yanyue Sect and tell them that if they are willing, they can retreat to my Han family for temporary refuge. The condition is that they must hand over 30% of their resources."

Han Changqing's eyes widened: "Would the Hidden Moon Sect agree?"

"They have no other choice," Han Mu said. "The Yue Kingdom is about to fall. The Hidden Moon Sect either has to retreat to the Yuanwu Kingdom or be destroyed. But the Yuanwu Kingdom is far away, and the demonic path will definitely ambush them along the way. It's hard to say how many will survive. My Han family has a great formation protecting us, and we also have a Core Formation cultivator in charge. It's a safer choice."

"But the Hidden Moon Sect is the largest sect in the Yue Kingdom, with a Nascent Soul cultivator in charge. Why would they be willing to live under someone else's roof?"

"It is precisely because they are the number one sect that the demonic path is focusing their attack on them," Han Mu said. "The Nascent Soul ancestor of the Hidden Moon Sect, True Person Hidden Moon, is nearing the end of his lifespan and his strength is no longer what it once was. Once the demonic path's Nascent Soul cultivators surround him, he will surely die. Rather than waiting to die, it is better to find a place to temporarily avoid the brunt of their attacks. My Han family is the best choice."

Han Changqing suddenly realized: "Father has a long-term vision!"

"Go, and get these two things done as soon as possible."

"yes!"

After Han Changqing left, Han Mu got up and walked to the window, gazing at the distant mountains.

"System, check the current family status."

Family members: 1032 (684 bloodline members, 348 guest elders)

[Cultivation level distribution: Core Formation stage 1 person (protagonist's apparent cultivation level), Foundation Establishment stage 47 people, Qi Refining stage 584 people]

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

[Family Businesses: Alchemy Hall, Weapon Forging Hall, Array Formation Hall, Spirit Herb Garden x3, Spirit Fields x200 mu]

[Family Contribution Points: 4550]

Main Quest: Rise of the Clan (72% Progress)

[Special Mission: Merge Three Disintegrated Families (1/3)]

"Two more families are still missing," Han Mu muttered to himself.

At that moment, he sensed something and looked towards the southeast. There, a powerful aura was rapidly approaching.

"A Nascent Soul cultivator?" Han Mu's eyes narrowed.

A moment later, a beam of moon-white light landed outside Emerald Screen Mountain, revealing the figure of an old man in white robes. The old man had white hair and a youthful face, and his aura was profound. He was none other than the Nascent Soul Ancestor of the Hidden Moon Sect—Hidden Moon True Man.

"Is Fellow Daoist Han here?" Master Yanyue's voice echoed through the formation.

Han Mu activated the great formation and went out to greet them: "Fellow Daoist Yanyue, your presence is an honor. I am sorry for not welcoming you sooner."

Master Yanyue scrutinized Han Mu, inwardly shocked. He couldn't discern Han Mu's cultivation level, only sensing an aura as deep and unfathomable as an abyss. This was at least the late stage of Core Formation, perhaps even the peak!

"Fellow Daoist Han, you are too kind." Master Yanyue cupped his hands in greeting. "I have come here without permission to make a deal with the Han family."

"Fellow Daoist, please speak."

"The demonic path is powerful, and the Yue Kingdom is about to fall. My Yanyue Sect is preparing to withdraw, but with so many disciples, we are too conspicuous, and the demonic path will surely intercept and kill us. I would like to ask the Han family to temporarily protect a group of disciples, about three hundred people, including twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators and two hundred and eighty Qi Refining cultivators. In return, my Yanyue Sect is willing to pay one hundred thousand spirit stones, plus three third-tier magic artifacts and five cultivation manuals."

Han Mu chuckled inwardly; the old fox had indeed come. He feigned hesitation, saying, "Fellow Daoist Yanyue, it's not that I'm unwilling to help, but my Han family's strength is limited, and we can barely protect ourselves, let alone your sect's disciples."

Master Yanyue hurriedly said, "Fellow Daoist Han need not worry. These disciples will disguise themselves as rogue cultivators and come in batches, so their identities will not be exposed. In addition, I can leave you a token. If the demonic path attacks, you can use this token to plead with the Ghost Spirit Sect of Tianque Fortress. They will not make things difficult for the Han family."

Han Mu's heart skipped a beat. Tianque Fortress is now the Ghost Spirit Sect's stronghold. Does True Person Yanyue have connections with the Ghost Spirit Sect? No, it should be that Yanyue Sect is secretly colluding with the Demonic Path and is preparing to surrender.

"Fellow Daoist and the Ghost Spirit Sect..." Han Mu asked tentatively.

"To be honest, I have reached an agreement with the Ghost Spirit Sect. As long as the Hidden Moon Sect withdraws from Yue Kingdom, the Ghost Spirit Sect will not cause trouble." True Master Hidden Moon lowered his voice, "This matter should not be publicized, so please keep it a secret, Fellow Daoist Han."

Han Mu sneered inwardly. This old fox was indeed plotting to surrender. But wasn't that perfect?

"Since you are so sincere, I will accept," Han Mu said. "However, 100,000 spirit stones are not enough. I want 200,000 spirit stones, plus the alchemy and weapon-forging inheritance of the Hidden Moon Sect."

Master Yanyue's expression changed: "Fellow Daoist Han, this is a bit too much..."

"Fellow Daoist may consider it, but time waits for no one," Han Mu said calmly. "The demonic path could breach the Hidden Moon Sect's gates at any moment. At that time, I'm afraid your sect's disciples will..."

Master Yanyue gritted his teeth: "Fine, I agree! But Fellow Daoist Han must guarantee the safety of these disciples!"

"nature."

The two made a vow to overcome their inner demons. Master Yanyue left behind a token and a deposit before hastily departing.

Han Mu played with the crescent-shaped jade pendant in his hand. This was the token of the Hidden Moon Immortal and also the inheritance token of the Hidden Moon Sect.

"System, does accepting disciples of the Hidden Moon Sect count as annexing a clan?"

[The Hidden Moon Sect has been detected as a sect-based force, not a family-based force, and is therefore not included in the annexation mission.]

However, accepting disciples of the Hidden Moon Sect can greatly enhance the strength of the clan, rewarding 3000 contribution points.

[Note: There may be spies among the disciples of the Hidden Moon Sect. Please be cautious in your investigations.]

"A spy?" A cold glint flashed in Han Mu's eyes. "Then we'll carefully examine them."

He summoned Han Changqing and instructed him, "The Hidden Moon Sect will send three hundred disciples over. You are in charge of receiving them. Remember, everyone must be carefully vetted, especially the Foundation Establishment cultivators. Place a soul restriction on them. Anyone who resists must be killed without exception."

"yes!"

Han Changqing accepted the order and left. Han Mu returned to his quiet room and began to plan his next move.

The three hundred disciples of the Hidden Moon Sect are a tempting target, but also a hot potato. If the demonic path discovers this, the Han family will become the target of everyone's wrath. However, fortune favors the bold, and this deal is worthwhile.

"More importantly, the Hidden Moon Sect will leave behind a large amount of resources that they can't take with them when they leave. We can't let those things go to waste," Han Mu murmured.

He took out a communication talisman and sent a message to Han Bai: "Get ready. In a month, come with me to the old site of the Hidden Moon Sect."

"Yes, Your Majesty."