The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Deep within the Fallen Demon Valley, a palace entirely constructed of white jade floats a hundred feet in the air. The palace is not large, with only three courtyards, but the aura it exudes makes all the cultivators who approach feel their hearts tremble.

"Celestial Palace of the Heavenly Vault..." Han Xuan gazed at the white jade palace, a trace of reminiscence flashing in his eyes, "The palace of the Celestial Vault Immortal in ancient times, I never thought it would fall into this place."

"True Man of the Heavenly Vault?" Han Li asked in confusion.

"A late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, only half a step away from Refining Void," Han Xuan said. "This person is proficient in formations and weapon crafting, and has collected countless treasures throughout his life. This immortal palace was originally a flying magic treasure, but unfortunately it was damaged in that great battle and crashed here."

Han Li gasped. Late Nascent Soul stage! That was a realm he could hardly imagine. And this palace was actually a magical artifact. How high must the cultivator's artifact-refining skills be to create such a massive palace?

At this moment, more than twenty cultivators had gathered around the Immortal Palace. The lowest cultivation level was late Core Formation, and there were six Nascent Soul cultivators, including three early Nascent Soul cultivators, two mid Nascent Soul cultivators, and one whose aura was unfathomable, probably late Nascent Soul cultivators.

"The Blood Demon of the Ghost Spirit Sect, the Yin Luo True Man of the Heavenly Fiend Sect, the Worry-Free Child of the Blade Transformation Valley..." Han Xuan's gaze swept across them, recognizing several of them. "They are all famous old monsters in Tiannan."

"Senior, should we still go in?" Han Li asked telepathically. With so many Nascent Soul cultivators, his cultivation level would be far from sufficient in the event of a conflict.

"Let's go in," Han Xuan said calmly. "The Immortal Palace's restrictions are powerful; even late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators would find them difficult to break. We'll wait until they've exhausted their strength before we enter."

The two landed on a distant mountain peak, concealed their presence, and observed quietly.

A pale golden light barrier enveloped the outer perimeter of the celestial palace, with runes flowing across its surface, clearly a powerful protective formation. Six Nascent Soul cultivators were attacking the barrier together, unleashing various magical treasures and spells that bombarded it, creating ripples, but the barrier remained unbroken.

"Gentlemen, this cannot continue," the Blood Demon said in a deep voice. "This formation is the ancient 'Zhou Tian Xing Chen Grand Formation,' with unparalleled defense. Our attacks are merely tickling it. We should join forces and unleash our strongest attack to break through its defenses."

"What insightful opinion does Fellow Daoist Blood Fiend have?" asked True Person Yin Luo.

"I possess a secret technique called 'Blood Fiend Breaking Restriction Technique,' which can temporarily increase attack power by 30%," said the Blood Fiend Old Demon. "However, it requires everyone's cooperation to concentrate our power in one place."

The Nascent Soul cultivators exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

"Okay, let's give it a try!"

The six took their positions and simultaneously unleashed their strongest attacks. The Blood Demon King's body surged with crimson light, transforming into a hundred-foot-long blood-red blade; behind Yin Luo Zhenren, a phantom of a ghost king appeared, wielding a giant axe; and Wuyouzi summoned a golden greatsword, its blade energy crisscrossing...

"boom!"

The six attacks converged into one, slamming into the same point on the light barrier. The light barrier trembled violently, and finally a small crack appeared.

"Now!"

Several figures seized the opportunity to rush towards the crack. The fastest was the Blood Fiend Old Demon, who transformed into a streak of blood light and instantly disappeared into the Immortal Palace. Immediately afterward, Yin Luo Zhenren, Wuyouzi, and others also entered one after another.

"Walk!"

Han Xuan, carrying Han Li, transformed into a beam of sword light and rushed into the Immortal Palace at the last moment before the rift closed.

Upon entering the celestial palace, the scene before one's eyes changed dramatically. From the outside, it appeared to be a palace with only three courtyards, but inside lay a hidden paradise, a small grotto-heaven spanning several miles in circumference. Pavilions, terraces, bridges, flowing water, a garden of spiritual herbs, an alchemy room, and a weapon-refining room were all present, the spiritual energy so dense it was almost liquefied.

"A spatial array!" Han Li exclaimed in amazement. To be able to compress such a vast space within a palace, this Celestial True Man's array skills were truly remarkable.

The six Nascent Soul cultivators who had entered earlier had already dispersed, each seeking their own opportunities. The Blood Fiend Old Demon rushed towards the main hall, True Person Yinluo went to the alchemy room, and Wuyouzi ran towards the spirit herb garden…

"Han Li, go to the library," Han Xuan said. "There should be cultivation techniques passed down there, which will be most useful to you. I'll go check out the main hall."

"yes!"

The two split up.

Han Li arrived at the library. It was a three-story building with the door ajar. He pushed the door open and entered, where he saw dozens of bookshelves neatly arranged, filled with jade slips and ancient texts. However, most of them had lost all their spiritual energy and would turn to ashes at the slightest touch.

"What a pity," Han Li sighed inwardly, and continued to delve deeper.

On the innermost shelf of the third shelf, he found three well-preserved jade slips. The surface of the jade slips shimmered with a faint spiritual light, clearly indicating that they were protected by a restriction.

Han Li carefully removed the first jade slip and probed it with his divine sense.

"The True Explanation of the Celestial Array Dao, Master Tianqiong's Insights on Array Techniques..."

The second one: "The Five Elements Weapon Forging Technique, a weapon forging inheritance..."

The third item: "A fragment of the 'Hun Yuan Sword Manual'..."

Han Li's heart pounded wildly. The Primordial Chaos Sword Technique! He had felt the power of this sword technique from Senior Han Xuan. If he could obtain this inheritance, his sword cultivation would surely advance greatly.

He quickly put away the three jade slips and then found an ancient wooden box in the corner of the bookshelf. Opening the box, he found a fist-sized silver bead inside, with faint flashes of lightning within.

"This is... the Heavenly Thunder Pearl?" Han Li recognized the item. The Heavenly Thunder Pearl is a one-time-use magic weapon made by collecting thunder from the nine heavens. Its power is comparable to a full-force attack from an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, making it an excellent life-saving item.

Han Li packed up the wooden box and prepared to leave. But just then, he heard footsteps coming from downstairs.

"Boy, hand over the stuff." A cold voice rang out.

Han Li turned his head and saw an old man in black robes standing at the top of the stairs. It was Wang Tiangu from the Ghost Spirit Sect. Behind him were two late-stage Core Formation cultivators, and the three of them surrounded Han Li in a triangular formation.

"Elder Wang, the treasures here belong to the destined one," Han Li said in a deep voice.

"Those destined to receive it will obtain it?" Wang Tiangu sneered. "But you'll need to be alive to take it. Hand over those three jade slips and the wooden box, and I might spare your life."

"What if I don't pay?"

"Then die!" Wang Tiangu waved his hand, and the three of them attacked at the same time.

Han Li was prepared; he instantly summoned his Silver Light Shield to block in front of him. At the same time, he drew his Azure Thunder Sword and slashed at the Core Formation cultivator on his left.

"Clang clang clang!"

The three magical treasures struck the silver shield, causing it to tremble violently, but it remained intact. The Core Formation cultivator on the left was not so lucky; he was struck in the shoulder by the Azure Thunder Sword, screamed in pain, and flew backward.

"An ancient treasure-level defensive magic weapon!" A greedy glint flashed in Wang Tiangu's eyes. "Kid, you've got quite a few good things on you. Give them all to me!"

He summoned a small black banner, and with a flick of the banner, countless fierce ghosts roared out and pounced on Han Li. This was his natal magic weapon, the "Hundred Ghosts Banner," which possessed considerable power.

Han Li neither dodged nor evaded, his silver shield protecting him, while his Azure Thunder Sword transformed into streaks of sword light, annihilating the approaching evil spirits. At the same time, he secretly activated the Heavenly Thunder Pearl he had just obtained.

"Boom!"

A bolt of silver lightning, as thick as a bucket, shot out from the bead and struck Wang Tiangu directly. Wang Tiangu's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly activated the Hundred Ghost Banner to defend himself.

"puff!"

The lightning struck the banner, instantly blasting a large hole in it. Wang Tiangu was struck as if by a heavy blow, spitting out a mouthful of blood, his breath weakening.

"You...you actually dared to destroy my natal magic weapon!" Wang Tiangu was both shocked and furious.

"So what if I destroy your magic weapon?" Han Li said coldly, "If you dare to pester me again, I'll kill you too!"

"Arrogant!" Wang Tiangu gritted his teeth, ready to fight to the death.

But at that moment, a figure appeared silently in the library.

"Elder Wang, step down."

The newcomer was an old man in a blood-red robe, with a withered face and a cold aura; he was none other than the Blood Demon of the Ghost Spirit Sect.

"Grand Elder!" Wang Tiangu exclaimed with delight, "This brat destroyed my natal magic treasure! I beg the Grand Elder to avenge me!"

The Blood Fiend Old Demon glanced at Wang Tiangu, then his gaze fell on Han Li: "A junior of the Han family? To have such strength at the early stage of Core Formation, not bad. Hand over what you obtained in the Immortal Palace, and I might spare your life."

Han Li's heart sank. The Blood Fiend Old Demon was a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator, far beyond his ability to contend with. But he couldn't possibly hand over the opportunity.

"Senior Blood Fiend, the treasures here were obtained by my own abilities. Aren't you ashamed to forcibly seize them?"

"Identity?" The Blood Fiend Demon sneered. "The cultivation world is a dog-eat-dog world, why bother with so many rules? I'll give you three breaths. If you don't hand it over, you die."

Han Li gripped the Azure Thunder Sword tightly, ready to fight to the death. But just then, a calm voice rang out:

"Blood Fiend, do you think my Han family has no one to rely on?"

Han Xuan appeared in front of Han Li.

"Han Xuan?" The Blood Fiend Old Demon narrowed his eyes. "You're the Han family sword cultivator who defeated Marquis Nanlong? You're only at the early Nascent Soul stage, yet you dare to be so insolent before me?"

"Whether it's presumptuous or not, we'll only know after we try," Han Xuan said calmly.

"Fine, I'll test your strength!" The Blood Demon waved his hand, and a giant blood-red palm slammed towards Han Xuan.

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

Han Xuan remained expressionless, and with a flick of his longsword, a gray sword aura slashed out.

"Primordial Sword Qi!"

"boom!"

The sword energy collided with the giant palm, unleashing a terrifying shockwave. The bookshelves and classic texts inside the library were shattered, and the entire building teetered on the brink of collapse.

Blood Demon King retreated three steps, his expression slightly changing. Han Xuan, on the other hand, took a step back, his expression remaining unchanged.

"You... concealed your cultivation level!" The Blood Fiend Old Demon stared intently at Han Xuan. The power of that sword strike just now had reached the mid-Nascent Soul stage.

"So what if it is?" Han Xuan retorted.

The Blood Demon's expression shifted. He had initially thought Han Xuan was only at the early Nascent Soul stage, but it turned out he was actually at the mid-Nascent Soul stage. This level of strength was no weaker than his own.

"Fellow Daoist Han, this is a misunderstanding," the Blood Fiend Demon suddenly laughed. "Since this boy is a member of your Han family, then the treasure belongs to him. We'll keep to ourselves, how about that?"

"Alright." Han Xuan nodded, "However, your Ghost Spirit Sect has repeatedly provoked my Han family, so you should give us an explanation."

"What explanation?"

"Take my sword. If you can, this matter will end here. If you can't, leave your life behind."

"Arrogant!" the Blood Fiend Demon 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, its blade gleaming with a hazy gray light. A terrifying sword intent spread out, locking onto the space around the Blood Fiend Old Demon.

Sensing the impending death, the Blood Demon King dared not hold back any longer and summoned a blood-red shield to block his path. This was his trump card, the "Blood Demon Shield," a defensive magic weapon that had once withstood 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!" Blood Demon cried out in terror, activating the Blood Demon Shield with all his might.

"clang!"

The sword light struck the Blood Demon Shield, causing it to tremble violently and develop numerous cracks before finally shattering. The sword light, still powerful, struck the Blood Fiend Old Demon in the chest.

"puff!"

The Blood Demon 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!" the Blood Fiend Old Demon managed to say. "Fellow Daoist Han, spare my life! I'm willing to exchange all my possessions for it!"

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, Blood Fiend Old Demon is, after all, the Supreme Elder of the Ghost Spirit Sect. If we kill him, the Ghost Spirit Sect will surely be at odds with the Han family to the death. It would be better to have him swear a great oath against the inner demons, never to be an enemy of the Han family again, and then hand over all his treasures, and spare his life."

"Alright." Han Xuan nodded, then looked at the Blood Fiend Old Demon, "Are you willing?"

"I'm willing! I'm willing!" the Blood Fiend Old Demon hurriedly said. "I, Blood Fiend, 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 "Blood Fiend Pearl," and handed it to Han Xuan.

"Get lost." Han Xuan waved his hand.

Blood Demon Lord felt as if he had been granted a pardon and fled in a sorry state with Wang Tiangu and the others.

Han Xuan put away the Blood Fiend Old Demon's treasures and looked at Han Li: "How was the harvest?"

"I obtained three inheritance jade slips and one Heavenly Thunder Pearl," Han Li said.

"That's right." Han Xuan nodded. "The core of the Immortal Palace is in the main hall. There's something there that I must obtain. You wait here; I'll be right back."

"Yes."

Han Xuan transformed into a streak of sword light and flew towards the main hall.

Inside the main hall, a fierce battle is currently raging. Five Nascent Soul cultivators, including Yin Luo Zhenren and Wuyouzi, are vying for a small golden cauldron floating in the center of the hall.

The small tripod has three legs and two handles, and its surface is engraved with patterns of the sun, moon and stars. The aura it exudes is clearly that of a replica of a divine treasure!

"The Sun and Moon Universe Cauldron!" Yin Luo Zhenren's eyes were bloodshot. "Obtaining this cauldron makes the Nascent Soul stage attainable!"

"Dream on!" Wuyouzi slashed at Yinluo Zhenren with his sword, "This cauldron belongs to my Huadaowu!"

Five Nascent Soul cultivators were locked in a fierce battle, causing the main hall to teeter on the brink of collapse.

Han Xuan entered the main hall silently, his gaze sweeping over the battle before finally settling on a stone platform in a corner of the hall. On the platform sat a jade box containing a purple token.

"The Celestial Decree..." Han Xuan's eyes lit up. This decree is the control center of the Celestial Palace; once refined, it grants control over the entire palace.

He flashed to the stone platform and reached for the jade box.

"Stop!" Yin Luo Zhenren spotted Han Xuan and swung his axe.

Han Xuan didn't even look, and swung his sword backhand.

"laugh!"

The sword energy shattered the axe light, its remaining force still striking, sending Yin Luo Zhenren flying.

"This belongs to me, who has any objections?" Han Xuan stood with his sword in hand, coldly surveying the crowd.

The five Nascent Soul cultivators stopped fighting, staring at Han Xuan with changing expressions. The power of that sword strike had left them all feeling a chill.

"Since Fellow Daoist Han wants it, then take it," Wuyouzi said first. He had witnessed Han Xuan's strength and knew he couldn't afford to offend him.

The others nodded in agreement, indicating that they were giving up.

Han Xuan put away the jade box, not even glancing at the small golden cauldron, and turned to leave the main hall.

"Senior, that cauldron..." Han Li asked in confusion when he saw Han Xuan return.

"That was bait," Han Xuan said calmly. "The real treasure is in my hands. Let's go, it's time to leave."

The two left the celestial palace and flew towards the exit of the Fallen Demon Valley.

Behind them, five Nascent Soul cultivators engaged in another fierce battle for the Sun and Moon Universe Cauldron.