The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Three hundred miles northeast of Fallen Demon Valley lies a deep, secluded canyon.

The malevolent energy in the valley was so dense it was almost tangible. An ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator would suffer mental and physical damage and damage to their Dao foundation if they stayed here for half a day. Even Core Formation cultivators needed to constantly circulate their cultivation techniques to resist the erosion of the malevolent energy.

Han Xuan and Han Li landed at the valley entrance, gazing at the pitch-black valley path ahead.

"Such a dense aura of malevolence." Han Li frowned slightly. "This is probably a core area of ​​an ancient battlefield, where no fewer than ten thousand cultivators have died."

"The denser the malevolent energy, the greater the opportunity here." Han Xuan remained calm, his sword energy flowing naturally around him, crushing the approaching malevolent energy. "Let's go in and take a look."

The two stepped into the canyon.

The valley path is flanked by steep cliffs, covered with sword and knife marks and large patches of dark red blood, still a horrifying sight after tens of thousands of years. Countless skeletons, some humanoid and some beast-like, are scattered on the ground, layer upon layer, accumulated over countless years.

"The owner of these skeletons was at least at the Core Formation stage in life." Han Xuan glanced at them. "Look at that golden skeleton. That's the golden body of a Nascent Soul cultivator after he passed away. It's a pity that he has lost his spirituality and is just an empty shell."

Following Han Xuan's gaze, Han Li indeed saw a golden skeleton sitting cross-legged, with a broken sword stuck in its sternum, clearly indicating that it had perished in battle.

"Even Nascent Soul cultivators have perished here, so the danger level of this place is probably no less than that of the core of the Fallen Demon Valley," Han Li said solemnly.

"Danger and opportunity coexist," Han Xuan said. "I sensed strong spiritual energy fluctuations ahead, at least three ancient treasure-level magical artifacts, and they are all well-preserved."

An ancient treasure! Han Li's eyes lit up. Ancient treasures are magical artifacts crafted by ancient cultivators, far surpassing the power of current magical artifacts of the same level, and often possessing special supernatural abilities. A complete ancient treasure is worth as much as a top-tier cultivation technique.

The two continued to explore further.

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the view ahead suddenly opened up. At the end of the canyon was a huge circular open space, and in the center of the open space was a dilapidated altar. Floating on the altar were three items: a blood-red longsword, a silver shield, and a black token.

All three items emanated powerful spiritual energy fluctuations, clearly indicating that they were all ancient treasures!

"Blood Fiend Blade, Silver Light Shield, Ghost King's Decree." Han Xuan recognized the origins of these three ancient treasures. "The Blood Fiend Blade is an ancient demonic treasure; its blade always draws blood. The Silver Light Shield is a defensive ancient treasure, capable of withstanding three attacks from a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. The Ghost King's Decree is a secret treasure of the ghost path, capable of summoning a Ghost King to aid in battle."

Han Li's breathing quickened. Any one of these three ancient treasures would be enough to tempt a Nascent Soul cultivator. If he could obtain even one, his strength would increase several times over.

But just then, a whooshing sound came from another direction.

Five figures flew out from the opposite valley and landed on the other side of the altar. The one in the lead was a middle-aged man in brocade robes, none other than Marquis Nanlong. Behind him were four Core Formation cultivators, with Wang Tiangu among them.

"Fellow Daoist Han, we meet again." Marquis Nanlong looked at the three ancient treasures on the altar, a greedy glint in his eyes. "It seems we have the same destination."

"Fellow Daoist Nanlong also wants to get his hands on these three ancient treasures?" Han Xuan said calmly.

"Treasures of nature are meant to be possessed by those with the right fate," Marquis Nanlong said with a smile. "Which of these three ancient treasures does Fellow Daoist Han want? We can discuss how to distribute them without ruining our relationship."

"I want them all," Han Xuan said calmly.

Marquis Nanlong's face darkened: "Fellow Daoist Han, your appetite is too big. Be careful not to overeat."

"Whether it's too much or too little, you'll only know after you try." Han Xuan took a step forward and arrived in front of the altar.

"Stop him!" Marquis Nanlong shouted coldly.

The four Core Formation cultivators behind him attacked simultaneously. Wang Tiangu summoned a black banner, the Ghost Spirit Sect's signature magic weapon, the "Ten Thousand Ghost Banner." The other three also unleashed their own techniques, and in an instant, magic weapons flew about, and spells roared.

Just as Han Li was about to lend a helping hand, Han Xuan didn't even look at him and slashed out with his sword.

"Clang!"

The sword energy was like a rainbow, transforming into four sword lights that attacked the four people.

"Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!"

With four soft sounds, the four magical treasures were simultaneously severed. Wang Tiangu and his companions were struck as if by a heavy blow, flying backward and crashing heavily against the cliff wall, spitting out blood, their auras instantly weakening.

One sword strike, and four Core Formation cultivators are defeated!

Marquis Nanlong's pupils contracted. He knew Han Xuan was powerful, but he hadn't expected him to be this powerful. That sword strike just now had already touched the threshold of the mid-stage Nascent Soul realm.

"Fellow Daoist Han, your swordsmanship is excellent," Marquis Nanlong said in a deep voice. "However, if you wish to monopolize all three ancient treasures, you'll have to ask if I'll allow it!"

As soon as he finished speaking, his mid-stage Nascent Soul aura erupted, and he transformed into a golden light, rushing towards Han Xuan. While still in mid-air, he struck out with his palm, the wind from which transformed into a giant golden hand that blotted out the sky.

"Golden Sun Palm!"

This is the signature move of Marquis Nanlong; he once killed a cultivator of the same level with a single palm strike.

Han Xuan remained expressionless, and with a flick of his longsword, the blade gleamed with a hazy gray light.

"Primordial Sword Qi, Slash!"

A gray sword aura shot into the sky and collided with the golden giant palm.

"boom!"

A deafening roar erupted, sending shockwaves surging. The golden giant hand was cleaved in two by the sword energy, the aftershocks blasting a deep crater into the ground.

Marquis Nanlong groaned and staggered back seven steps, his face pale. Han Xuan, on the other hand, retreated three steps, his expression unchanged.

High judgment.

"You...you've been hiding your cultivation level!" Marquis Nanlong stared intently at Han Xuan. "You're not just at the mid-stage of Core Formation; you're at least at the early stage of Nascent Soul!"

"So what if it is?" Han Xuan asked indifferently.

Marquis Nanlong's expression shifted. He had initially thought Han Xuan was only skilled in swordsmanship and that his cultivation was only at the Core Formation stage, so he was fearless. But now it seemed that his opponent was no weaker than him, and might even be stronger.

"Fellow Daoist Han, I apologize for my earlier offense," Marquis Nanlong said through gritted teeth. "I don't want any of these three ancient treasures. I'll take my leave now."

"Come and go as you please?" Han Xuan sneered. "Who do you take me for?"

"What do you want?" Marquis Nanlong's face was grim.

"Take my sword. If you can, you can leave. If you can't, leave your life behind," Han Xuan said.

"Arrogant!" Marquis Nanlong roared in fury. "I admit you're powerful, but killing me won't be so easy!"

"Then let's give it a try."

Han Xuan slowly raised his longsword, the tip pointing at Nanlong Hou. A terrifying sword intent spread out, locking onto the space around Nanlong Hou.

Marquis Nanlong felt a sense of impending death and dared not hold back any longer, summoning a golden round shield to block in front of him. This was his trump card, the "Golden Sun Shield," a mid-grade defensive magic weapon that had once blocked an attack from a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

"Reunite as one, slay!"

Han Xuan unleashed a sword strike.

This sword strike was no longer sword energy, but a hazy, gray sword light. Wherever the sword light passed, space distorted slightly, and time seemed to stand still.

"No!" Marquis Nanlong cried out in terror, activating the Golden Sun Shield with all his might.

"clang!"

The sword light struck the Golden Sun Shield, causing it to tremble violently and develop numerous cracks on its surface before shattering with a deafening roar. The sword light, its momentum undiminished, struck the Marquis of Nanlong in the chest.

"puff!"

Marquis Nanlong was sent flying backward, a deep, bone-revealing sword wound appearing on his chest, from which blood gushed forth. His aura instantly weakened, and even his nascent soul was severely injured.

"I...I surrender!" Marquis Nanlong said with difficulty. "Fellow Daoist Han, spare my life! I am willing to exchange all my possessions for your life!"

Han Xuan sheathed his sword and looked at Han Li: "Han Li, what do you suggest we do?"

Han Li was surprised that Han Xuan would ask him this question. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Senior, Marquis Nanlong is, after all, a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator. If we kill him, it might cause unnecessary trouble. It would be better to have him swear a great oath against the Han family, never to be an enemy of the Han family again, and then hand over all his treasures in exchange for his life."

"Alright." Han Xuan nodded, then looked at Marquis Nanlong, "Are you willing?"

"I am willing! I am willing!" Marquis Nanlong hurriedly replied, "I, Marquis Nanlong, swear by my inner demons that from this day forward I will never be an enemy of the Han family. If I break this oath, may I be struck down by heaven and earth!"

After saying that, he took off his storage ring and spat out his natal magic weapon, the "Golden Sun Mirror," and handed it to Han Xuan.

"Get lost." Han Xuan waved his hand.

Marquis Nanlong felt as if he had been granted a pardon and fled in a sorry state with his four seriously wounded men.

Han Xuan put away the treasures of the Marquis of Nanlong and looked at the three ancient treasures on the altar.

"Han Li, choose one of these three ancient treasures."

Han Li was taken aback: "Senior, this..."

"If it weren't for your protection, I wouldn't be able to face the enemy with peace of mind," Han Xuan said. "Choose one."

Han Li stopped refusing and, after some thought, chose the Silver Light Shield. The Blood Fiend Blade was a demonic magic weapon, and the Ghost King Token was a ghostly secret treasure; neither was suitable for him. The Silver Light Shield, however, was an ancient defensive treasure, just right for his use.

Han Xuan nodded, handed the Silver Light Shield to Han Li, and put away the Blood Fiend Blade and the Ghost King's Token.

"System, check the current status," Han Xuan silently instructed. As an avatar, he could also access some of the system's functions.

[Clone: ​​Han Xuan]

Cultivation Level: Mid-stage Core Formation (superficial) / Early-stage Nascent Soul (true)

[Possessing ancient treasures: Blood Fiend Blade, Ghost King's Token]

[Contribution Points: 4000 (Simultaneous with the main character)]

"A good harvest." Han Xuan nodded in satisfaction.

"Senior, there seems to be something else over there." Han Li pointed behind the altar.

Han Xuan scanned the area with his divine sense and indeed discovered a hidden stone door on the stone wall behind the altar. The stone door was tightly closed, and its surface was engraved with complex runes.

"This is... a legacy cave?" Han Xuan's eyes lit up.