The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Qingxu Mountain Range, the forbidden area of ​​the Han family.

In a newly built secluded cultivation cave, Han Li sat cross-legged. Three things floated in front of him: Five Elements Condensing Pill, Yuan-Stabilizing Pill, and Spirit-Concentrating Pill, as well as his newly crafted natal flying sword—the Azure Thunder Sword.

Outside the cave, Han Mu set up three layers of formations: a spirit-gathering formation, a defensive formation, and an isolation formation. The spirit-gathering formation gathers the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, the defensive formation can withstand attacks from Core Formation cultivators, and the isolation formation prevents external interference.

"Han Li, are you ready?" Han Mu's voice came through the formation.

"Ready, senior." Han Li took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with determination. With his four spiritual roots, the chance of him forming a core was slim, but he had his natal flying sword refined from Geng essence, the auxiliary pills given to him by Han Mu, and the resilient Dao heart he had honed on the edge of life and death over the years.

This time, he must succeed.

"Let's begin." Han Mu's voice was calm, yet it carried a reassuring power.

Without further hesitation, Han Li first took the Qi-Strengthening Pill and the Mind-Concentrating Powder. The pills entered his stomach, transforming into two warm currents; one sank into his dantian to solidify his foundation, and the other rose into his sea of ​​consciousness to condense his divine soul.

Once the medicinal effects had fully taken hold, he picked up the Five Elements Condensing Pill and swallowed it in one gulp.

"boom!"

The moment the pill entered his stomach, its immense medicinal power exploded, surging through his limbs and bones like a volcanic eruption. Han Li groaned, his face instantly turning red, and veins bulging on his forehead.

But he gritted his teeth and persevered, circulating the "Azure Origin Sword Technique" to guide the medicinal power to impact his dantian.

Within the dantian, the liquid true essence began to rotate violently, forming a vortex. At the center of the vortex, the true essence was continuously compressed and condensed, gradually transforming into a solid state.

This is a painful and lengthy process.

One day, two days, three days...

Strange phenomena began to appear in the sky outside the cave. First, spiritual energy gathered, forming a vortex with a diameter of a hundred feet. Then, the clouds churned, and faint thunder could be heard.

"The Heavenly Tribulation of Core Formation is coming." Han Mu stood outside the cave, looking up at the sky.

There are three tribulations in forming the Golden Core: spiritual energy infusion, inner demon invasion, and heavenly lightning tempering of the Golden Core. The spiritual energy infusion has already taken place within Han Li's body, the inner demon invasion is a test of the divine consciousness, and the heavenly lightning tempering of the Golden Core is the final hurdle from the outside world.

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: 10 ...

"Boom!"

On the seventh day, the first bolt of lightning struck.

A bolt of silver lightning, as thick as an arm, struck the defensive array above the cave. The array's light barrier trembled violently, but it managed to block the lightning.

"The first course is just an appetizer; the rest will be much stronger," Han Mu said calmly. The defensive formation he had set up could withstand six bolts of heavenly lightning; after that, it would be up to Han Li himself.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The second, third, and fourth bolts of lightning struck in succession, each thicker and more powerful than the last. By the sixth bolt, the lightning was as thick as a bucket, and the defensive array's light barrier dimmed, teetering on the brink of collapse.

"Snap!"

The seventh bolt of lightning struck, and the defensive formation finally succumbed, shattering with a deafening roar. The remaining force of the lightning, undiminished, struck the cave.

Just then, a streak of azure sword light shot into the sky from the cave, meeting the heavenly lightning head-on.

"laugh!"

The sword light and the thunder collided and were both annihilated.

The cave exploded, and Han Li's figure soared into the sky. He held the Azure Thunder Sword, and his aura fluctuated violently, sometimes at the peak of Foundation Establishment and sometimes at the early stage of Core Formation, clearly at a critical moment of breakthrough.

"The eighth path, come on!" Han Li roared to the sky, pointing his Azure Thunder Sword towards the heavens.

"Boom!"

The eighth bolt of lightning struck, no longer silver, but with a faint gold hue, and its power was greater than the previous seven combined.

Instead of retreating, Han Li advanced, his Azure Thunder Sword transforming into a long azure rainbow that collided with the golden lightning.

"clang!"

The clang of metal against metal resounded through the sky. Han Li was sent flying backward by the blow, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, but the Azure Thunder Sword remained intact, its blade shining even brighter.

"The last one." A hint of admiration flashed in Han Mu's eyes. Han Li's method of confronting the heavenly lightning head-on, though dangerous, was of great benefit to his sword cultivation.

The ninth bolt of heavenly lightning brewed in the clouds, yet it hesitated to strike. But the terrifying pressure emanating from it caused all living beings within a hundred miles to tremble.

"This is... the simultaneous arrival of the inner demon tribulation and the heavenly lightning tribulation?" Han Mu frowned slightly. This situation was rare, indicating that Han Li's Core Formation process had attracted the "special attention" of the Heavenly Dao.

In the ruins of the cave, Han Li sat cross-legged with his eyes closed. He was currently undergoing the test of his inner demons.

In the illusion of his inner demons, he saw his entire life.

The lowly status of a menial disciple in the Seven Mysteries Sect, the scheming and possession of Doctor Mo, the life-or-death battles in the Crimson Forbidden Land, the silent cultivation in Yellow Maple Valley, and the acceptance and support from the Han family...

Scenes flashed by, finally settling on a blurry face.

That was his deepest obsession—immortality.

"Is immortality... really possible?" The inner demon's voice whispered in my ear. "With four spiritual roots, even Foundation Establishment is a fluke, let alone Core Formation—it's a pipe dream. Give up, why struggle so bitterly?"

A cold smile appeared on Han Li's lips: "I, Han Li, have never believed in fate since I began my cultivation. So what if my aptitude is poor? So what if I lack opportunities? I will simply cut them down with a single sword strike!"

"Slay me?" The inner demon laughed. "Can you slay me? I am you, and you are me. Your fear, your doubt, your greed are all nourishment for me. The stronger you are, the stronger I become!"

"Then let's give it a try." Han Li opened his eyes, his gaze clear. "What I, Han Li, seek is immortality, but immortality is not the goal, but the process. Every hurdle, every tribulation on this path is a part of my Dao heart. You are merely another hurdle I must overcome."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Azure Thunder Sword in his hand suddenly shone brightly.

"With a clear and pure sword heart, one is impervious to all demons!"

"cut!"

The sword strike is not aimed at the inner demons, but at one's own heart. It cuts away fear, cuts away doubt, cuts away all distracting thoughts that hinder the path to enlightenment.

"No—" The inner demon roared in resentment before vanishing without a trace.

Almost simultaneously, the ninth bolt of heavenly lightning struck.

This bolt of lightning was no longer gold and silver, but pure purple, carrying an aura of destruction.

"Purple Heaven Divine Lightning!" Han Mu's expression changed slightly. This was the strongest lightning tribulation among the Core Formation Heavenly Tribulations, its power comparable to an attack from an early Nascent Soul cultivator. Han Li probably couldn't withstand it.

Just as he was about to make a move, he saw Han Li stand up, holding the Azure Thunder Sword horizontally in front of his chest, its blade crackling with lightning.

"With my sword, I draw upon the power of heavenly lightning to temper my body and refine my elixir!"

Instead of resisting, Han Li took the initiative to meet the Purple Heaven Divine Lightning.

"They've gone mad!" exclaimed several high-ranking members of the Han family who were secretly watching the battle.

But what happened next left them speechless.

The Purple Heaven Divine Lightning struck Han Li, but instead of turning him to ashes, most of it was absorbed by the Azure Lightning Sword in his hand. The remaining lightning power flowed within his body, tempering every inch of his flesh and blood, and every strand of his true essence.

"He's using heavenly lightning to temper his body!" Han Mu's eyes lit up. This requires immense courage and precise control; the slightest mistake could lead to death. But if successful, the rewards are enormous.

An hour later, the lightning dissipated.

Han Li hovered in the air, radiating the powerful aura of someone in the early stage of Core Formation. Lightning patterns flickered on his skin, marks of being tempered by heavenly lightning. The Azure Lightning Sword in his hand shone with a restrained brilliance, and a purple lightning pattern appeared on its blade, greatly increasing its power.

"We succeeded!" Han Changqing exclaimed excitedly.

The Han family cheered with joy. Their family had gained another Core Formation cultivator!

Han Mu also smiled. Han Li's successful Core Formation meant that the "Clan Core Formation" mission was completed, and he could also complete the hidden mission of "Investing in the Future".

But at that moment, something unexpected happened.

A dark figure appeared silently behind Han Li, striking him in the back with a palm. This palm strike was as fast as lightning and extremely ruthless; the space itself seemed to distort slightly where the palm's force passed.

Nascent Soul cultivator!

"Watch out!" Han Mu shouted sharply, his figure flashing as he prepared to rescue.

But someone was faster than him.

A white figure suddenly appeared behind Han Li and struck out with a palm as well.

"Bang!"

Their palms collided, creating a shockwave. The shadowy figure who had launched the sneak attack let out a muffled groan and was sent flying backward, revealing itself in mid-air as none other than the Black Fiend Old Demon of the Ghost Spirit Sect!

The one who blocked his palm strike was Han Mu's clone, Han Bai.

"Black Demon, you still dare to come?" Han Bai said coldly.

"Han Mu?" The Black Fiend Demon's face turned ugly. "No, you're not Han Mu! You're his clone?"

"So what if it is?" Han Bai said calmly, "You dare to ambush a member of my Han family, you will not be spared today."

"Arrogant!" the Black Fiend roared. "A mere clone dares to speak so arrogantly? Today, I will destroy this clone of yours, then kill Han Li, and finally raze your Han family to the ground!"

"You can give it a try." Han Bai took a step forward, his sword intent soaring into the sky.

Han Mu himself then came to Han Li's side to check on his condition.

"Senior, I'm alright." Han Li's face was pale, but his eyes were bright. "I'm so grateful to Senior Han Bai for saving me just now."

"Hmm." Han Mu nodded and looked at the battle in the air.

Han Bai was at the peak of the Core Formation stage, but by cultivating the "Primordial Chaos Sword Technique," his combat strength was comparable to that of an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Black Fiend Old Demon was at the early-stage Nascent Soul stage, but he had been injured by Han Mu and had not yet fully recovered. The two fought fiercely, evenly matched for a time.

"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: 4941

Foundation Establishment cultivators: 91

Core Formation cultivators: 4 (Han Li added)

Nascent Soul cultivator: 1 person

[Special Buildings: Spirit Eye Spring, Heart Refining Tower, Skill Transmission Pavilion]

[Family Talent: Bloodline Resonance]

[Contribution Points: 7000]

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

[Mission Rewards: 5000 Contribution Points, Special Building "Enlightenment Cliff" x1]

Hidden Mission: Invest in the Future (Completed)

[Mission Rewards: 10000 Contribution Points, Special Item "Compass of Destiny" x1]

Mission accomplished, reward received.

A cold glint flashed in Han Mu's eyes as he looked at the Black Fiend Old Demon.

It's time to solve this problem.