The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

The atmosphere on the deck of the broken-airship suddenly froze.

The two black flying boats of the Yin Ghost Sect formed a pincer movement, blocking the advance of the Void-Breaking Ship. Dozens of black-robed cultivators hovered in the air. The Ghost Cry True Person, a late-stage Core Formation cultivator, stood with his hands behind his back, his withered face expressionless, but the chilling pressure emanating from him made many Foundation Establishment cultivators on the deck turn pale.

"The Yin Ghost Sect is quite arrogant, daring to block the flying ship of my Wanbao Merchant Guild."

A calm voice rang out, and a middle-aged cultivator in brocade robes stepped out of the cabin of the Skybreaker. This man had a refined appearance and a restrained aura; he was clearly a late-stage Core Formation cultivator and the steward of this Skybreaker, Jin Buhuan, the steward of the Myriad Treasures Merchant Guild.

"So it's Fellow Daoist Jin." Ghost Cry Master bowed slightly, his voice hoarse. "It's not that I want to cause trouble for the Myriad Treasures Merchant Guild, but a traitor from my sect has stolen an important treasure and fled to the Great Jin. According to the clues, that person may have infiltrated this Void-Breaking Ship. I would be grateful if Fellow Daoist Jin could do me a favor and allow me to search the place. I will reward you handsomely afterward."

Jin Buhuan frowned slightly: "Fellow Daoist Guiqi, the guests on the Void-Breaking Ship are all VIPs who have paid spirit stones. My Wanbao Merchant Guild promises to protect the privacy and safety of our guests. You think you can make me break the rules of the guild just because you say 'search'?"

"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible," Ghost Cry Master said sinisterly. "The treasure stolen by that traitor is no ordinary item; it is a part of the Yin Soul Pearl, the most treasured artifact of our Yin Ghost Sect. If this thing falls into the wrong hands, the consequences will be unimaginable. If Fellow Daoist Jin insists on stopping us, I will have no choice but to ask the Sect Master to come and talk to us personally."

Upon hearing the words "Yin Soul Pearl," Jin Buhuan's expression changed slightly. The Yin Soul Pearl was the most prized treasure of the Yin Ghost Sect, said to be a flawed, all-powerful spiritual artifact with the miraculous effects of collecting souls, refining spirits, and enhancing cultivation. If this item was involved, the matter was indeed troublesome.

However, he could not easily agree to the search, otherwise the reputation of Wanbao Chamber of Commerce would be ruined.

"How about this?" Jin Buhuan pondered for a moment. "Fellow Daoist Guiqi said the traitor is on the flying boat. Do you have any evidence? If you can identify who it is, or sense the aura of that treasure, I can make an exception and allow you to search a specific area. But if you search all the guests aimlessly, I'm afraid I cannot comply."

Ghost Cry Master narrowed his eyes, and a black compass appeared in his hand. The compass needle spun wildly, eventually pointing to the VIP cabin area of ​​the Skybreaker.

"It's over there!"

Jin Buhuan looked in the direction of the pointer and was secretly alarmed. The passengers in the first-class cabin were all wealthy and powerful, including at least three Core Formation cultivators and two Nascent Soul cultivators. Offending any of them would be troublesome.

Just as he hesitated, a calm voice came from the first-class cabin.

"Is this what the Yin Ghost Sect is looking for?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a white figure emerged from Cabin A3; it was Han Mu. In his hand, he held a black bead the size of an egg, its surface shimmering with an eerie light and emanating a faint aura of malevolent spirits.

Upon seeing the bead, Ghost Cry Master's pupils contracted: "A fragment of the Yin Soul Bead! It really was in your hands!"

The people on deck erupted in uproar.

"Was that a passenger in first class? A mid-stage Core Formation cultivator?"

"He actually possesses fragments of the Yin Soul Pearl; could he truly be a traitor to the Yin Ghost Sect?"

"No, if they were a traitor, why would they take it out willingly?"

Han Mu remained calm as he looked at Ghost Cry Master: "I purchased this item at the market for three thousand mid-grade spirit stones. If you wish, you can buy it back at the original price. However, if you intend to forcibly take it, although my cultivation is lacking, I am not one to be easily manipulated."

"Purchased from the market?" Ghost Cry Master sneered. "This item is a secret treasure of our sect, never to be leaked. Where did you buy it? Who was the seller?"

"The seller declined to reveal their name, only saying that this item came from the Southern Frontier," Han Mu said calmly. "I noticed that this bead is made of a special material and contains pure Yin energy, which is somewhat beneficial to cultivation, so I bought it. What, just because it's something from the Yin Ghost Sect doesn't mean others can't buy it?"

"Southern Xinjiang?" A look of doubt flashed in Ghost Cry Master's eyes. The Yin Ghost Sect did indeed send a group of disciples to Southern Xinjiang three months ago, but they all disappeared, including the elder who was carrying the Yin Soul Pearl fragment.

Could it be that those people met with misfortune, and the treasure was lost?

"No matter where you obtained it, this is a treasure of our sect and must be returned," said Ghost Cry Master in a deep voice. "Hand over the fragments of the Yin Soul Pearl, and I may spare your life."

"What if I don't hand it in?" Han Mu's eyes turned slightly cold.

"Then don't blame me for being impolite." Ghost Cry Master waved his hand, and dozens of Yin Ghost Sect disciples behind him simultaneously summoned their magical artifacts, exuding a chilling aura.

Jin Buhuan's face was grim, and he was about to speak when Han Mu spoke first.

"Fellow Daoist Jin, this matter is a private affair between Han and the Yin Gui Sect, and has nothing to do with the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce. Please step aside, Fellow Daoist, and I will handle it myself."

"Fellow Daoist Han..." Jin Buhuan hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself. Although he admired Han Mu's demeanor, the Yin Gui Sect was powerful, and he couldn't afford to offend them.

"It's alright." Han Mu waved his hand, took a step forward, and arrived in the air outside the flying boat, standing opposite Ghost Cry Master.

"Boy, you have guts." Ghost Cry Master looked at Han Mu, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes, which then turned into killing intent. "However, guts won't save your life. I'll give you one last chance. Hand over the fragment of the Yin Soul Pearl, kneel down and beg for mercy, and I may accept you as a disciple and spare your life."

"No need," Han Mu shook his head. "If you're going to do it, do it quickly. I'm in a hurry."

"You're courting death!" Ghost Cry Master roared in fury, and with a flick of his sleeve, three ghost heads shot out, rushing straight at Han Mu. These three ghost heads all possessed the aura of the early stage of Core Formation, and were "Three Yin Ghosts" refined by Ghost Cry Master using a secret method, possessing considerable power.

Han Mu remained expressionless, unfolded his white jade folding fan, and gently fanned himself.

"call!"

A gentle breeze blew by, and the three menacing ghost heads suddenly froze, then melted away like ice and snow meeting fire, turning into three wisps of black smoke and dissipating.

"What?!" Ghost Cry Master's expression changed drastically. This Three Yin Ghost was something he had spent a hundred years refining, something that even ordinary late-stage Core Formation cultivators would find difficult to withstand, yet it was broken by a single fan from the other party?

"Use whatever other tricks you have up your sleeve," Han Mu said calmly.

A fierce glint flashed in Ghost Cry Master's eyes. He bit his tongue, spitting out a mouthful of blood essence, and quickly formed hand seals.

"Ten Thousand Ghosts Devour Souls!"

The essence of blood transformed into a sky full of blood mist, from which countless grotesque ghostly figures emerged, baring their fangs and claws as they lunged at Han Mu. This move was a forbidden technique of the Yin Ghost Sect, extremely powerful, but it would severely damage one's vital energy after use, and Ghost Cry Master was forced into a corner.

Han Mu shook his head slightly: "A trivial skill."

He waved his folding fan again, and this time it wasn't a gentle breeze, but a dazzling white light.

Wherever the white light passed, the illusory ghosts howled and vanished, and the blood mist was completely purified. Ghost Cry Master was struck as if by a heavy blow, flying backward, spitting out a mouthful of blood, and his aura instantly weakened.

"You...you're not a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator!" Ghost Cry Master stared at Han Mu in horror. The power of that attack just now had reached the Nascent Soul level!

"When did I say I was in the mid-stage of Core Formation?" Han Mu asked with a half-smile.

Ghost Cry Master's face turned deathly pale. He knew he had kicked a hornet's nest; the opponent was at least at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm, and possibly even the middle stage! Such a being was simply not someone he could afford to provoke.

"Senior, spare my life!" Ghost Cry Master hurriedly begged for mercy. "It was my ignorance that led me to offend you, Senior. I'll give you the fragment of the Yin Soul Pearl, I only beg you to spare my life!"

Han Mu glanced at him, then closed his folding fan: "Get lost. Tell your sect leader that now that I've bought this item, it's mine. If you cause any more trouble, you'll face the consequences."

"Yes, yes!" Ghost Cry Master was overjoyed and hurriedly led his men away in a sorry state.

On the deck, everyone stared at Han Mu in disbelief, their eyes filled with awe.

A Nascent Soul cultivator! This Senior Han, who appears to be only at the mid-stage of Core Formation, is actually a Nascent Soul expert!

Jin Buhuan was even more relieved, thankful that he hadn't offended this senior earlier.

"Senior Han, thank you for rescuing the flying boat." Jin Buhuan bowed respectfully.

"No need for formalities." Han Mu waved his hand and returned to his cabin.

The storm subsided, but Han Mu knew that things were not so simple.

Back in the cabin, Han Mu took out the fragment of the Yin Soul Pearl and carefully sensed it.

"The yin energy contained within this bead is indeed pure, making it a treasure for ghost cultivators. However, it's not very useful to me, but I can keep it; it might come in handy later."

Putting away the beads, Han Mu began to plan his next journey.

Following the airship's route, the next stop was Yangzhou. Yangzhou was the second largest province in the Great Jin Dynasty, rich in cultivation resources, and home to several large markets and auction houses. He planned to stay in Yangzhou for a while to see if he could collect the resources he needed.

"System, check the current status."

[Host: Han Mu]

[Cultivation Level: Peak True Nascent Soul Stage / Early Nascent Soul Stage]

[Cultivation Techniques: Fifth level (peak) of the Primordial Longevity Technique, Fourth level of the Heaven-Gathering Divine Technique, and the Nine Revolutions Undying Body (not yet cultivated)]

[Supernatural Abilities: Lesser Five Elements Sword Formation, Primordial Chaos Qi, Heaven-Gathering Technique]

[Avatars: Han Bai (Peak Core Formation), Han Qing (Mid-Core Formation)]

[Family: Han Family]

Family members: 4923

Foundation Establishment cultivators: 89

Core Formation cultivators: 3

Nascent Soul cultivator: 1 person

[Special Buildings: Spirit Eye Spring, Heart Refining Tower, Transmission Pavilion (Under Construction)]

[Family Talent: Bloodline Resonance]

[Contribution Points: 8000]

[Side Quest: Clan Core Formation (2/3)]

"My cultivation level is now showing as early Nascent Soul stage. This was automatically adjusted by the system after I displayed my strength just now," Han Mu thought to himself. "That's good. It'll be more convenient to act in the Great Jin Dynasty if I'm only at the early Nascent Soul stage."

"I have 8000 contribution points, which I can exchange for some things in the system. But there's no rush. Let's wait until we get to Yangzhou and see if we can buy the resources we need before deciding what to exchange for."

Three days later, the Skyship arrived at Guangling City, the largest city in Yangzhou.

Guangling City, located at the confluence of the Grand Canal and the Yangtze River, boasts well-developed water transport and thriving commerce, making it the most prosperous city in the Yangzhou cultivation world. A third-tier spiritual vein runs through the city, its rich spiritual energy attracting a large number of cultivators.

Han Mu disembarked from the flying boat and rented a cave dwelling in the city for temporary residence.

After settling in, he began to gather information in the city.

The largest intelligence organization in Guangling City is the "Tianji Tower," which is said to be owned by the Tianji Pavilion, one of the seven major sects of the Great Jin Dynasty. Han Mu spent one hundred mid-grade spirit stones to buy a jade slip containing recent intelligence on the cultivation world in Yangzhou.

The jade slip contained a wealth of information, but Han Mu focused on the information regarding the auction and trade fair.

"Three days from now, the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce will hold a large-scale auction, which is said to feature several treasures, including a piece of 'Geng Essence'."

Han Mu's eyes lit up when he saw the words "Geng Jing".

Geng Essence is a top-grade material for forging metal-attribute flying swords. Adding it to a flying sword can greatly enhance its sharpness and toughness. Han Li's "Azure Origin Sword Art" is a metal-attribute sword art. If his natal flying sword is forged with Geng Essence, its power can be increased by several times.

"According to the outline, I need to photograph the Geng Essence and then 'unintentionally' reveal it to Han Li through Yun Ge," Han Mu thought to himself. "This is a good opportunity. It can both fulfill the outline's plot and deepen Han Li's sense of belonging to the Han family."

However, Geng Essence is a rare material and quite expensive. Han Mu estimated his net worth. Over the years, through system tasks and family business, he had accumulated about 500,000 mid-grade spirit stones. Adding some unused magic treasures and materials, the total value was around 800,000 mid-grade spirit stones.

The market price of Gengjing is roughly between 100,000 and 150,000 mid-grade spirit stones, which he can easily afford.

"Besides Geng Essence, I also need to see if there are any other resources I need. In particular, I need to keep an eye out for spiritual treasures that can help me break through to the Nascent Soul stage. Although the chances are slim, I still need to keep an eye out for them."

Over the next three days, Han Mu wandered around Guangling City, purchasing some spiritual herbs and materials unique to the Great Jin Dynasty. The cultivation level in the Great Jin was indeed higher than in Tiannan; many resources rare in Tiannan could be bought here, though at higher prices.

Three days later, the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce auction was held as scheduled.

The auction house was located in the center of Guangling City, a five-story circular building that was said to be able to accommodate tens of thousands of people. Han Mu, as a Nascent Soul cultivator, was arranged to sit in a VIP box on the third floor.

As the auction began, one treasure after another was brought to the stage, sparking rounds of bidding.

Han Mu waited patiently, his goal was clear—Geng Jing.

An hour later, the auctioneer announced loudly: "The next item, a top-grade metal material—Geng Essence, weighing three jin and seven liang, with a starting bid of eighty thousand mid-grade spirit stones!"