The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

The Fallen Demon Valley is located at the border of Tiannan and Nanjiang, and is a huge rift valley stretching for thousands of miles. It is said to be the battlefield of the ancient war between good and evil, where countless cultivators perished, leaving behind countless inheritances and magical treasures, but also giving rise to countless dangers.

Every three hundred years, the restrictions in the valley weaken for three months, during which time cultivators can enter to search for treasures. However, less than 30% of them manage to come out alive.

Even so, every time the Demon Valley opens, it still attracts the attention of the entire Tiannan cultivation world.

On a desolate mountain a thousand miles away from the Fallen Demon Valley, hundreds of cultivators had already gathered. The lowest cultivation level was Foundation Establishment, Core Formation cultivators were everywhere, and one could even sense the aura of several Nascent Soul cultivators.

Han Xuan and Han Li stood at the edge of the crowd, inconspicuous.

Han Xuan was Han Mu's third avatar. On the surface, he was at the mid-stage of the Core Formation realm, dressed in a black outfit, carrying an ancient longsword, and exuding a cold and aloof aura. Han Li, on the other hand, wore a blue robe and concealed his aura, but his early-stage Core Formation realm cultivation could not be hidden from the high-level cultivators present.

"Senior Han, this trip to the Fallen Demon Valley will probably not be peaceful," Han Li transmitted his voice. He noticed that there were many Ghost Spirit Sect cultivators in the crowd, and the leader was an old man with a sinister face, whose cultivation level was clearly at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm.

"That's Wang Tiangu from the Ghost Spirit Sect, the senior brother of the Black Fiend Old Demon," Han Xuan said calmly. "It seems the Ghost Spirit Sect is determined to cause trouble for my Han family."

"Senior, should we temporarily avoid their sharp edge?" Han Li frowned. Although he was not afraid, he did not want to cause trouble for the Han family.

"No need." A cold glint flashed in Han Xuan's eyes. "If they don't provoke us, fine. But if they dare to provoke us, I don't mind losing another Nascent Soul cultivator from the Ghost Spirit Sect."

Han Li was startled. This Senior Han Xuan seemed to be only at the mid-stage of Core Formation, but the confidence in his tone made him feel that the other party truly had that strength.

"The barrier at the valley entrance is starting to weaken!" someone exclaimed.

As everyone looked, they saw the blood-red light curtain at the entrance of the Fallen Demon Valley slowly fading, and the scene behind the light curtain was faintly visible—a dilapidated palace, broken mountain peaks, piles of white bones, and a malevolent aura permeating the air.

"Charge!"

Someone shouted, and hundreds of cultivators transformed into streaks of light, rushing into the valley. Some were killed by the restrictions as soon as they entered, while others passed through smoothly.

Han Xuan and Han Li exchanged a glance, then flew into the valley at a leisurely pace.

The moment they passed through the light barrier, a dense aura of malevolence swept over them. Han Li frowned slightly, circulating his internal energy to keep the aura at bay. Han Xuan, however, remained unmoved; the malevolent energy had no effect on him whatsoever.

"Han Li, the Fallen Demon Valley is divided into three layers: the outer perimeter, the inner layer, and the core. The outer perimeter is mostly a battlefield for Foundation Establishment and Core Formation cultivators, the inner layer may contain the inheritance of Nascent Soul cultivators, and the core area is the most dangerous, said to contain ancient restrictions and remnant souls," Han Xuan said. "Let's wander around the outer perimeter first and see if there are any opportunities suitable for you."

"I'll leave it all to you, senior." Han Li nodded.

The two landed in ruins. This place had once been a palace, but now only crumbling walls remained. Scattered on the ground were fragments of magical artifacts and several weathered skeletons.

"These are relics of ancient cultivators, but they are too old, and their spiritual energy has long since dissipated, so they have little value." Han Xuan swept them with his divine sense and shook his head.

Suddenly, his gaze sharpened as he looked into the depths of the ruins.

"There's a fluctuation of spiritual energy over there, let's go check it out."

The two arrived deep within the ruins, where they saw a mural carved on a broken wall. The mural was already blurred and indistinct, but it could be vaguely discerned that it depicted a great battle, with countless cultivators besieging a demon god with wings on his back.

"This is... an ancient demon?" Han Li examined it carefully.

"It should be." Han Xuan stared at the mural. "This mural contains a trace of Daoist essence, which can help in comprehending combat techniques. You can meditate here for a while, and I will protect you."

Han Li didn't stand on ceremony, sat down cross-legged, and began to study the mural.

Han Xuan stood to the side, his divine sense scanning the surroundings warily. Soon, he discovered three groups of cultivators approaching.

"Things are really not peaceful these days," Han Xuan sneered.

The first to arrive was a group of five cultivators, all at the late Foundation Establishment stage, dressed in matching blue robes, seemingly disciples of a small sect. Upon seeing Han Xuan and Han Li, they hesitated, then avoided them, keeping a safe distance.

The second group consisted of three Core Formation cultivators, two men and one woman. Leading them was an elderly man in the mid-Core Formation stage; a glint of greed flashed in his eyes when he saw Han Li before the mural.

"Fellow Daoist, we discovered this place first, please make way," the old man said in a deep voice.

"You guys spotted it first?" Han Xuan said calmly. "How come I didn't see it?"

"Hmph, you won't listen to reason, so you'll have to suffer the consequences!" The old man waved his hand, and the three of them attacked Han Xuan simultaneously, unleashing their magical weapons.

"court death."

Han Xuan didn't even draw his sword; he simply formed a sword shape with his fingers and pointed it in mid-air.

"laugh!"

Three invisible sword energies shot out from the sky, striking the three magical treasures precisely. The treasures let out a mournful cry, their spiritual light dimmed, and they flew back. The three Core Formation cultivators were struck as if by a heavy blow, spitting out blood and flying backward.

"Sword intent manifested! You are a sword cultivator!" The old man was terrified and dared not linger any longer, fleeing in a sorry state with his companions.

Han Xuan did not pursue them, but instead looked at the third group of people.

There were seven people in the group, led by a middle-aged man in brocade robes with a powerful aura, clearly a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Behind him were six Core Formation cultivators, one of whom Han Xuan recognized—Wang Tiangu of the Ghost Spirit Sect.

"Fellow Daoist, your skills are impressive." The middle-aged man in brocade robes sized up Han Xuan. "I am Marquis of Nanlong. May I ask your name, Fellow Daoist?"

Marquis of Nanlong! A renowned mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator among the rogue cultivators of Tiannan. It is said that he once single-handedly killed three cultivators of the same level, and his strength is unfathomable.

"Han Xuan," Han Xuan said calmly.

"Han?" A strange light flashed in the eyes of the Marquis of Nanlong. "Could it be someone from the Han family of the Qingxu Mountains?"

"Exactly."

"So you are a fellow Daoist from the Han family." Marquis Nanlong laughed. "Fellow Daoist Han Mu killed the Black Fiend Old Demon with his early Nascent Soul cultivation. This matter has spread throughout Tiannan. I admire him. I did not expect that the Han family would have a sword master like Fellow Daoist Han Xuan."

"You flatter me," Han Xuan said, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Fellow Daoist Han, this mural seems to contain an ancient combat technique that would greatly benefit our cultivation," said Marquis Nanlong, gazing at the mural. "How about we collaborate to study it?"

"No need," Han Xuan shook his head. "My junior is currently meditating and it's inconvenient to disturb him. If Fellow Daoist Nanlong wishes to meditate, he can wait until he finishes."

Marquis Nanlong's face darkened. Given his mid-Nascent Soul stage status, he had already shown considerable courtesy by speaking politely; how dare the other party refuse?

"Fellow Daoist Han, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit." Behind Marquis Nanlong, a cultivator at the peak of the Core Formation stage said coldly, "The Marquis's willingness to cooperate with you is an honor. How dare a mere mid-Core Formation cultivator put on airs in front of the Marquis?"

Han Xuan glanced at him: "The master is speaking, the dog shouldn't interrupt."

"You!" The cultivator was furious and was about to make a move, but was stopped by Marquis Nanlong.

"Fellow Daoist Han, are you really not going to reconsider?" A cold glint flashed in Marquis Nanlong's eyes.

"I won't repeat myself," Han Xuan said calmly.

"Fine, fine, fine!" Marquis Nanlong laughed in fury. "I'd like to see just how capable the Han family's swordsmen really are!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he unleashed his full Nascent Soul stage aura, pressing down on Han Xuan like a mountain.

Wherever the oppressive force passed, the ground cracked inch by inch, and the air exploded. The six Core Formation cultivators hurriedly retreated, fearing they would be affected.

Han Xuan remained expressionless, his body radiating sword energy that easily blocked the oppressive aura.

"You've got some skill." Marquis Nanlong narrowed his eyes and raised his hand to strike out with a palm.

This palm strike, seemingly casual, contained the terrifying power of a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator; wherever the palm wind passed, space itself was slightly distorted.

Han Xuan finally drew his sword.

"Clang!"

The longsword was drawn, its light as clear and sharp as autumn water. He unleashed a single strike, without any earth-shattering force, only a sword aura refined to its utmost.

"laugh!"

The sword energy struck the palm wind, tearing it apart like paper. The sword energy continued its relentless advance, heading straight for the Marquis of Nanlong's face.

Marquis Nanlong's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly summoned a golden shield to block in front of him.

"clang!"

The sword energy struck the shield, causing it to tremble violently and leaving a deep sword mark on its surface. Marquis Nanlong was forced back three steps, his face alternating between pale and flushed.

"You...you're not a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator!" Marquis Nanlong stared intently at Han Xuan. The power of that sword strike just now had reached the Nascent Soul level!

"When did I say I was in the mid-stage of Core Formation?" Han Xuan sheathed his sword, his tone calm.

Marquis Nanlong's expression shifted. He couldn't discern Han Xuan's cultivation level, but the fact that Han Xuan could force him back with a single sword strike meant his strength was definitely no weaker than that of an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, and he might even be a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator disguised as a Core Formation cultivator.

"The Han family... is indeed unfathomable," Marquis Nanlong thought to himself. Han Mu alone was terrifying enough, and now Han Xuan has appeared. Just how many trump cards does the Han family have up their sleeve?

"Fellow Daoist Nanlong, shall we continue?" Han Xuan asked.

After a moment of silence, Marquis Nanlong cupped his hands and said, "I was rash today. Farewell."

Having said that, he turned and left with his men. He knew that even if he could defeat Han Xuan, it would be a pyrrhic victory. To be injured in a place like Fallen Demon Valley was tantamount to handing one's life over to someone else.

Watching Nanlonghou and the others leave, Han Xuan sheathed his sword and looked at the mural.

Han Li had already opened his eyes, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light, clearly indicating that he had gained a great deal.

"Senior, I have mastered an ancient combat technique called 'Breaking Army Slash,' whose power is no less than the killing move of the 'Azure Origin Sword Manual,'" Han Li said excitedly.

"Not bad." Han Xuan nodded. "This mural is useless now, let's continue deeper. I just sensed a strong spiritual energy fluctuation in the northeast direction, there might be a great treasure emerging."

"yes!"

The two transformed into streaks of light and flew off in the northeast direction.

Meanwhile, deep within the Fallen Demon Valley, in a dilapidated palace...

Marquis Nanlong sat in the main seat with a gloomy expression, with Wang Tiangu and five others standing below him.

"My lord, is Han Xuan really that powerful?" a Core Formation cultivator asked.

"His swordsmanship is no less than mine," Marquis Nanlong said in a deep voice. "The Han family should not be underestimated. Elder Wang, I do not wish to interfere in the feud between your Ghost Spirit Sect and the Han family. During your stay in Fallen Demon Valley, do not provoke anyone from the Han family."

"But Lord Marquis, the grudge of Senior Brother Black Fiend..." Wang Tiangu said unwillingly.

"That's your business." Marquis Nanlong waved his hand. "Once we're out of Fallen Demon Valley, you can fight however you want. But if anyone dares to cause me trouble in the valley, don't blame me for being impolite."

"Yes..." Wang Tiangu replied through gritted teeth.

The Marquis of Nanlong looked in the direction Han Xuan had left, a hint of solemnity flashing in his eyes.

"The Han family... it seems that the situation in Tiannan is about to change."