The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

The news of the Li family's annihilation in the Qingxu Mountains spread throughout the cultivation world of Yue Kingdom within three days.

The incident caused a stir among all parties.

A family with a late-stage Foundation Establishment patriarch was wiped out without warning. The ruthlessness and strength displayed by the Han family made many forces that had previously looked down on the Han family abandon their contempt.

But more than anything, there was fear and dissatisfaction.

Of the six factions in Yue Kingdom, five, excluding Huangfeng Valley, sent envoys to Yanling Fort to "visit" the Han family. Ostensibly, they were there to congratulate the Han family on their establishment, but in reality, they were there to probe their strength and exert pressure.

The first place we arrived at was Spirit Beast Mountain.

Spirit Beast Mountain is renowned for its beast taming abilities, and its sect boasts four Core Formation cultivators, placing it in the middle tier of the six sects of the Yue Kingdom. The envoys who have arrived this time are the Third Elder of Spirit Beast Mountain, the Mid-Core Formation True Man of Ten Thousand Beasts, and two late-Foundation Establishment deacons.

Han Mu received them in the council hall.

"Fellow Daoist Han, I have long admired your name." The Beast Master was a short, stout old man with a smile, but the shrewd glint in his eyes from time to time showed that he was not as kind as he appeared.

"Fellow Daoist Wanshou, you're too kind. Please have a seat." Han Mu gestured to the maid to serve tea.

After both parties took their seats and exchanged a few pleasantries, Master Wanshou got down to business.

"Fellow Daoist Han, I heard that the Han family is going to formally establish itself as a clan and build a mountain gate in the Qingxu Mountains?" Master Wanshou took a sip of tea and said slowly.

"That's true." Han Mu nodded.

"The Qingxu Mountains are within the sphere of influence of my Spirit Beast Mountain." Master Wanshou put down his teacup, his smile fading. "The Li family is an affiliated family of my Spirit Beast Mountain. The Han family destroyed the Li family; shouldn't they give my Spirit Beast Mountain an explanation?"

The atmosphere in the hall froze instantly.

Han Changqing, Han Yunge, and other high-ranking members of the Han family frowned. This Master of Ten Thousand Beasts was clearly up to no good.

Han Mu remained unmoved and said calmly, "The Li family is out of touch with reality. The Han family has merely dealt with some fools. What, Fellow Daoist Ten Thousand Beasts, are you going to stand up for the Li family?"

"It's not a matter of stepping forward," the Beast Master said with a forced smile. "It's just that the Han family's actions are far too domineering. There are three small spiritual veins in the Qingxu Mountains, and my Spirit Beast Mountain has already set its sights on one of them, intending to establish a branch there. Now that the Han family has occupied the Qingxu Mountains, shouldn't they cede one of the spiritual veins to my Spirit Beast Mountain?"

"Give up a spiritual vein?" Han Mu laughed. "Fellow Daoist Wanshou is joking. The Qingxu Mountain Range is now Han family territory. Why should we give up Han family property to your Spirit Beast Mountain?"

"Just because Spirit Beast Mountain is one of the six sects of Yue Kingdom!" Behind Master Wanshou, a late-stage Foundation Establishment deacon from Spirit Beast Mountain couldn't help but shout.

Han Mu glanced at him, and the steward immediately felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, his whole body stiffened, and he couldn't even speak.

"I'm talking to your elders. When did it become your place, a Foundation Establishment junior, to interrupt?" Han Mu's voice was calm, but the pressure contained within it made the steward's face turn pale, and he almost knelt down.

The True Man of Ten Thousand Beasts' expression darkened, and he released a pressure from the mid-stage Core Formation realm, which countered Han Mu's pressure.

"Fellow Daoist Han, it is beneath your dignity to attack a junior."

"Identity?" Han Mu shook his head. "In the Han family, there are only friends and enemies. When friends come, the Han family treats them with courtesy. When enemies come, whether they are Foundation Establishment or Core Formation cultivators, there is only one fate."

Then, Han Mu looked at True Man of Ten Thousand Beasts: "Fellow Daoist Ten Thousand Beasts, do you wish to be a friend or an enemy of the Han family?"

Master Wanshou narrowed his eyes: "Fellow Daoist Han, are you threatening me?"

"So what if it is?" Han Mu said indifferently.

"You!" Master Wanshou slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "Han Mu, don't think that just because your Han family has three Core Formation cultivators, you can do whatever you want! My Spirit Beast Mountain has four Core Formation cultivators, plus guardian spirit beasts. If it really comes down to a fight, your Han family might not be a match for you!"

"Then let's give it a try." Han Mu also stood up, fully releasing his mid-stage Core Formation aura, which collided with the pressure of the Myriad Beasts True Man.

"boom!"

Two powerful pressures, each at the Core Formation level, collided in the council hall, causing the air to explode. Tables, chairs, and tea sets could not withstand the pressure and shattered.

Han Changqing, Han Yunge, and the others retreated repeatedly, their faces pale. The clash of auras between Core Formation cultivators was beyond their ability to withstand.

The Beast Master was shocked. Han Mu's aura was no weaker than his own, and perhaps even slightly stronger. This Han Mu was indeed as rumored, with unfathomable strength.

But he had already spoken, and if he backed down now, he would lose all face for Spirit Beast Mountain.

"Since Fellow Daoist Han insists, let's settle this with a duel," True Man of Ten Thousand Beasts said coldly. "One month from now, my Spirit Beast Mountain will send someone to spar with the Han family. If the Han family loses, the Qingxu Mountain Range will cede a spiritual vein. If Spirit Beast Mountain loses, this matter will be dropped, and Spirit Beast Mountain will acknowledge the Han family's status in the Qingxu Mountain Range. What do you say?"

"Okay." Han Mu nodded. "However, that's not enough. Let's add some more stakes. If the Han family wins, Spirit Beast Mountain will have to compensate the Han family with 100,000 spirit stones and three third-tier spirit beast cubs."

"One hundred thousand spirit stones? Three third-tier spirit beast cubs?" Master Wanshou laughed angrily, "Fellow Daoist Han has quite the appetite!"

"Afraid to gamble?" Han Mu asked with a half-smile.

"Fine, let's gamble!" Master Wanshou gritted his teeth. "If the Han family loses, they will not only have to give up a spiritual vein, but also compensate Spirit Beast Mountain with 200,000 spirit stones and the Han family's alchemy heritage!"

"Sure," Han Mu readily agreed.

"Alright! See you at Qingxu Mountain Range in a month!" Master Wanshou waved his sleeve and turned to leave with two stewards.

Watching the three figures disappear into the distance, Han Yunge couldn't help but say, "Grandpa, why did you agree to him? What if we lose..."

"We won't lose," Han Mu said confidently.

"However, since Spirit Beast Mountain dared to propose a sparring match, they must be confident. They might send a cultivator in the late Core Formation stage," Han Changqing said worriedly.

"So what if he's in the late Core Formation stage?" Han Mu said calmly. "Han Bai is also at the peak of Core Formation. He has a good chance of winning against someone in the late Core Formation stage. Besides, I didn't say I would necessarily have Han Bai make a move."

"What does Father mean?"

Han Mu looked at Han Li: "Han Li, are you willing to represent the Han family in the battle?"

Han Li was taken aback: "Me?"

"That's right." Han Mu nodded. "Although you are only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, your actual combat strength is no weaker than that of the late stage. Moreover, the Azure Origin Sword Technique you cultivate is a top-tier technique, so fighting opponents of higher levels is not a problem. I will give you a magic weapon and teach you a secret technique. Within a month, your strength will increase by another 30%. At that time, you might not be without a fighting chance against someone at the early stage of Core Formation."

"Moreover, Spirit Beast Mountain thought we would send Core Formation cultivators to fight, so we deliberately sent Foundation Establishment cultivators. As long as you win, the Han family's reputation will be thoroughly established, letting those forces that are still watching know that the Han family not only has powerful Core Formation cultivators, but also Foundation Establishment cultivators who can fight beyond their level."

Han Li pondered for a moment, a glint of fighting spirit flashing in his eyes: "This junior is willing to give it a try!"

"Good!" Han Mu praised. "From today onwards, you will enter the family's forbidden area to cultivate, and I will personally guide you. In a month, let the Spirit Beast Mountain know what a true genius is."

"yes!"

Han Li followed Han Mu into the forbidden area, while Han Changqing, Han Yunge, and the others began preparing for the competition a month later. Although Han Mu was confident, the necessary preparations still needed to be made.

……

Three hundred li outside Yanling Fortress lies the Qingxu Mountain Range.

This area originally belonged to the Li family, but it has now been taken over by the Han family. Most of the Li family members have been dismissed, and the few who were willing to submit have been incorporated into the outer sect of the Han family.

Han Qing is directing his clansmen to clear the ruins and build a new mountain gate.

According to Han Mu's plan, the new mountain gate will be divided into an inner gate and an outer gate. The inner gate will be where the core disciples and elders of the Han family live and cultivate, while the outer gate will be where affiliated families and guest elders live.

Han Mu himself also arrived at the Qingxu Mountains, where he was going to set up the "Five Elements Reversal Array".

The Five Elements Reversal Formation is a top-tier fourth-order formation. Once successfully deployed, it can withstand attacks from late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, and even deity transformation cultivators can withstand it for a short time. With this formation, the safety of the Han family's mountain gate is guaranteed.

"System, exchange for formation materials."

[Exchange for the Five Elements Reversal Formation materials requires 2000 contribution points. Exchange now?]

"exchange."

【兑换成功，消耗2000贡献点，获得五行灵玉×5、虚空石×10、玄晶铁×100、千年灵木×50、地脉灵髓×1】

Current contribution points: -1450

Han Mu's contribution points had turned negative, but he didn't care. As long as he successfully established his clan and completed the mission, he would receive even more contribution points as a reward.

"Begin setting up the formation."

Han Mu leaped into the air, hovering above the Qingxu Mountain Range. He formed hand seals and cast spells, sending materials such as Five Elements Spirit Jade and Void Stone into various parts of the mountain range according to specific directions.

As the formation was set up, the spiritual energy of the Qingxu Mountains began to converge, forming a massive vortex. The vegetation in the mountains grew wildly, and the previously damaged spiritual veins began to slowly repair themselves.

Three days later, the Five Elements Reversal Formation was completed.

Standing atop the main peak, Han Mu felt the power of the great formation and nodded in satisfaction.

"With this formation, no one can breach the Han family's mountain gate unless a Nascent Soul cultivator arrives in person."

"Next, I will guide Han Li."

……

Han Li was cultivating in the forbidden area.

Han Mu gave him a magical flying sword called "Azure Edge Sword" and a secret technique called "Five Elements Sword Escape." The Azure Edge Sword is a low-grade magical treasure with considerable power. The Five Elements Sword Escape is an excellent secret technique for escaping and ambushing, and once mastered, its speed is comparable to that of a cultivator in the early stage of Core Formation.

"Han Li, you have cultivated the Qingyuan Sword Art to the Foundation Establishment stage, but you are still a bit short of reaching the Core Formation stage," Han Mu instructed. "In the next month, I will use the spiritual energy infusion method to help you improve your cultivation and strive to break through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. At the same time, you need to master several divine abilities of the Qingyuan Sword Art, especially the 'Qingyuan Sword Shield' and 'Sword Light Splitting.' These two divine abilities, combined with the Five Elements Sword Escape, are both offensive and defensive, and are sufficient to deal with cultivators in the early Core Formation stage."

"Yes, Patriarch," Han Li replied respectfully.

For the next month, Han Li began a hellish training regimen.

Every day, Han Mu would use his own spiritual power to empower him, forcibly raising his cultivation level. At the same time, he also had to practice supernatural abilities and fight against Han Mu's clones.

Han Li's talent was already extraordinary, and with Han Mu's meticulous guidance and resource allocation, his cultivation improved rapidly. In just twenty days, he broke through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. Five days later, he had also mastered several divine abilities of the Azure Origin Sword Art.

"That's about it." Han Mu looked at Han Li, who was fighting against Han Bai's clone, and nodded slightly.

At this moment, Han Li, wielding the Azure Edge Sword, unleashed the Sword Light Splitting Technique, conjuring twelve sword lights, each possessing the power of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. Combined with the Five Elements Sword Escape, his speed was extremely fast, forcing even Han Bai's clone to take him seriously to avoid being at a disadvantage.

"With your current strength, you have a 50% chance of winning against someone in the early stage of Core Formation. If you catch them off guard, your chances could reach 70%," Han Mu commented.

Han Li sheathed his sword and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Patriarch."

"This is all thanks to your own hard work." Han Mu waved his hand. "There are still five days until the competition. Focus on consolidating your cultivation and adjusting your condition. In five days, I want you to make a name for yourself in one battle, so that the entire cultivation world of Yue Kingdom will know that the Han family not only has a Core Formation cultivator, but also a genius junior!"

"This junior will certainly live up to the patriarch's expectations!"

……

Five days later, at the newly built martial arts training ground of the Han family in the Qingxu Mountains, the place was packed with people.

Representatives from all the major powers in the Yue Kingdom came to observe the battle. There were elders from the six sects, heads of various families, and experts from the independent cultivation world.

Everyone wanted to see just how powerful the suddenly rising Han family really was. They also wanted to see how this competition between the Han family and Spirit Beast Mountain would end.

"The people from Spirit Beast Mountain have arrived!"

Someone shouted, and everyone looked over.

Several streaks of light flew in from the horizon, led by the Myriad Beasts True Man. Behind him followed three cultivators, one of whom possessed a powerful aura, clearly a late-stage Core Formation cultivator!

"It's the Grand Elder of Spirit Beast Mountain, True Man Golden Roc!" someone exclaimed.

"With the late-stage Core Formation cultivator, Golden Roc Master, personally taking action, the Han family is in deep trouble this time."

"Han Mu, the strongest member of the Han family, is only at the mid-stage of Core Formation. He doesn't have much of a chance against Golden Roc Immortal."

"It seems that Spirit Beast Mountain is determined to give the Han family a hard time."

The crowd was abuzz with discussion, and none of them had a good chance of winning over the Han family.

Han Mu stood calmly with the rest of the Han family on one side of the training ground.

"Fellow Daoist Han, we apologize for keeping you waiting." The Myriad Beasts True Man landed with the Golden Roc True Man, and said with a forced smile, "This is the Grand Elder of my Spirit Beast Mountain, the Golden Roc True Man. This time, Senior Brother Golden Roc will be the one to handle the competition. Fellow Daoist Han should have no objections, right?"

Han Mu glanced at Golden Roc Master and nodded: "Okay."

"Then let's begin," Master Wanshou said with a smile. "I wonder which member of the Han family will send to fight? Fellow Daoist Han Bai, or Fellow Daoist Han Qing?"

Han Mu shook his head: "Neither."

"Oh? That was Fellow Daoist Han personally taking action?" Master Wanshou raised an eyebrow.

"No, not exactly." Han Mu looked behind him. "Han Li, go and meet with Golden Roc Master."

As soon as he finished speaking, Han Li stepped out of the crowd and came to the center of the training ground.

The entire room fell silent.

Everyone was stunned.

Mid-stage Foundation Building?

The Han family sent a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator to challenge the Golden Roc True Man, who was in the late Core Formation stage.

Has Han Mu gone mad?