The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Three years later, in the Great Jin Dynasty, within the territory of Qingzhou.

Han Li walked along the streets of Qingyang City, the largest city in Qingzhou, surveying this bustling immortal city. Compared to Tiannan, the cultivation civilization of the Great Jin Dynasty was indeed more prosperous. Foundation Establishment cultivators could be seen everywhere on the streets, Core Formation cultivators were not uncommon, and one could even occasionally sense the aura of Nascent Soul cultivators.

He had been in the Great Jin Dynasty for a year, during which he traveled to several states, experiencing various customs and cultures. His cultivation had also steadily improved, and he was only a step away from the mid-stage of Core Formation. More importantly, he had collected a considerable amount of rare spiritual herbs and refining materials, and his alchemy and weapon-refining skills had both progressed.

"Fellow Daoist, do you need guidance?" A thin young cultivator approached, his eyes gleaming with the shrewdness typical of a businessman.

"No need." Han Li waved his hand and continued forward. He was no longer a naive newcomer and knew that those who took the initiative to strike up conversations were mostly brokers who preyed on outsiders.

"Fellow Daoist, don't be so quick to refuse." The young cultivator persisted. "I think this is your first time in Qingyang City, right? There are many rules in Qingyang City. You know which places you can go and which places you can't go, which shops sell genuine goods and which are shady shops. If you don't know the ropes, you'll suffer losses."

Han Li stopped and looked at the young man: "Do you know where I can buy top-quality refining materials? I need materials with a metallic element."

The young man's eyes lit up: "Fellow Daoist, you've come to the right person! The best refining materials in Qingyang City are all at 'Wanbaolou,' but the prices are outrageously high. If you want something affordable, you have to go to the 'Random Cultivator Market' in the south of the city. There are many cultivators setting up stalls there, and you can occasionally find some good stuff. However..."

"But what?"

"However, things haven't been peaceful at the independent cultivator market lately." The young man lowered his voice. "I heard that some cultivators from Tiannan have set up stalls there, selling all sorts of good stuff, which has attracted a lot of envious people. Yesterday, a fight broke out, and two Foundation Establishment cultivators died."

A cultivator from the south? Han Li's heart stirred. He had been traveling in the Great Jin for a year and had not yet encountered a fellow countryman from the south.

"Take me to the market for independent cultivators, and this mid-grade spirit stone is yours." Han Li tossed out a spirit stone.

"Alright!" The young man happily accepted the spirit stone. "Fellow Daoist, follow me!"

The two walked through several streets and arrived at an open area in the south of the city. The area was bustling with activity, with hundreds of stalls selling various items such as pills, magical artifacts, talismans, and spiritual materials. It was indeed much more lively than regular shops.

Han Li dismissed the young man and wandered around alone. He was mainly focused on metallic materials, wanting to add some auxiliary materials to the Azure Thunder Sword to improve its quality.

After browsing for half an hour, he stopped in front of a corner stall. The stall owner was an old man in black robes with a late Foundation Establishment cultivation level. On his stall were several magical artifacts, several bottles of pills, and a fist-sized pale golden ore.

"Gengjin?" Han Li's eyes lit up. Gengjin is a metallic material one level below Gengjing, but it is still an excellent material for forging flying swords. Such a large piece is enough to upgrade the Azure Thunder Sword to the level of a mid-grade magic weapon.

"Fellow Daoist, how much is this piece of Geng Gold?" Han Li asked.

The old man in black robes looked up, revealing a scarred face: "Three thousand mid-grade spirit stones, no bargaining."

"Too expensive." Han Li shook his head. "The market price is at most two thousand."

"It's three thousand, take it or leave it." The old man was very firm.

Han Li pondered. He did need this piece of Gengjin, but three thousand mid-grade spirit stones were indeed too expensive. Although he had accumulated some wealth over the years, he couldn't afford to squander it like this.

Just as he hesitated, a sarcastic voice rang out: "This piece of Geng gold, I, this young master, will take it."

Three cultivators in brocade robes approached. The one in the lead was a slick-haired young man with an early Core Formation cultivation level. Behind him were two late Foundation Establishment guards, clearly scions of some powerful family.

"Fellow Daoist, I was the one who asked first," Han Li said, frowning.

"So what if you asked first?" The young man glanced at Han Li sideways. "I'll offer four thousand for it."

Greed flashed in the old man's eyes, but he still shook his head: "Sorry, this fellow Daoist asked first. There are rules to follow in doing business."

"Rules?" the young man sneered. "In Qingyang City, the Zhao family is the rule! Old man, don't push your luck. Five thousand spirit stones, will you sell?"

The Zhao family? Han Li's heart stirred. He had heard of the Zhao family of Qingyang City. They were a local cultivation family with a late-stage Core Formation ancestor, making them a powerful force in Qingyang City.

"Young Master Zhao, there's an order to things," Han Li said in a deep voice. "I'll take this piece of Gengjin, three thousand spirit stones."

"Who do you think you are?" a guard behind the young man shouted. "You dare to snatch things from Young Master Zhao? You're asking for trouble!"

Another guard released his pressure directly, his late-stage Foundation Establishment aura pressing down on Han Li. In their eyes, Han Li was only at the early stage of Core Formation, the same level as their young master, but their young master had a family background and would be more than capable of dealing with a rogue cultivator.

A cold glint flashed in Han Li's eyes. He hadn't wanted to cause trouble, but the other party had gone too far.

"What, you want to make a move?" The young man's face darkened when he saw that Han Li did not back down. "In this Qingyang City, no one dares to disrespect the Zhao family. I'll give you one last chance. Get lost, or don't blame me for being impolite."

"Does the Zhao family have a lot of influence?"

A calm voice suddenly rang out. Everyone turned their heads and saw a man in black robes who had appeared beside the stall at some point, playing with a magical artifact on the stall with great interest.

The man in black appeared to be very young, with an ordinary face and a restrained aura, making it impossible to discern the depth of his cultivation. However, his ability to appear silently among them suggested he was no ordinary person.

"And who are you?" the young man asked warily, looking at the man in black.

"Han Xuan." The man in black put down his magical artifact, looked at Han Li, and a smile flashed in his eyes. "Han Li, it's been a long time."

"Senior Han!" Han Li exclaimed in surprise. The person before him was none other than the mysterious and powerful Senior Han Xuan from the Han family. He never expected to meet him in the Great Jin Dynasty.

Han Xuan nodded and looked at the young man: "Han Li will take this piece of Gengjin. Do you have any objections?"

"You..." The young man tried to say something, but was stopped by a guard behind him. The guard's face turned pale, and he transmitted his voice, "Young master, this person is unfathomable. He is at least in the late stage of Core Formation, and may even be a Nascent Soul cultivator. He must not be provoked!"

The young man's expression shifted, but he finally gritted his teeth and said, "Since you've stepped in, senior, I naturally wouldn't dare to argue. Let's go!"

The three of them slunk away.

Upon seeing this, the old man in black robes knew that an important person had arrived, and quickly said, "Senior, please take the two thousand spirit stones of Gengjin."

Han Xuan tossed him a storage bag: "Three thousand, keep the change."

"Thank you very much, senior!" the old man said with great joy.

Han Xuan handed the Gengjin to Han Li: "Keep it; it will benefit your swordsmanship."

"Thank you, senior!" Han Li accepted the Gengjin, feeling grateful. Although this senior Han Xuan was mysterious, he had indeed treated him well.

"Let's find somewhere to talk," Han Xuan said.

The two left the market where the cultivators lived and went to a teahouse in the city, where they asked for a private room.

"Han Li, what brings you to the Great Jin?" Han Xuan asked.

"It was Senior Han Mu who suggested that I come and travel," Han Li said. "The senior said that the cultivation level in the Great Jin Dynasty is higher and there are more opportunities, so he let me come out and see for myself."

"The patriarch's considerations are thorough," Han Xuan nodded. "How has your year been?"

"It went fairly smoothly," Han Li said. "My cultivation has improved, and I've also collected some resources. It's just that the Great Jin Dynasty is too treacherous, so I dare not be too ostentatious."

"Caution is the right thing to do," Han Xuan said. "The Great Jin is not like the Southern Heaven. There are Nascent Soul cultivators here, and they are as numerous as hairs on a cow. With your cultivation at the early stage of Core Formation, you really need to be careful."

"This junior understands," Han Li asked. "Senior, what brings you to the Great Jin Dynasty...?"

"I have some business to attend to," Han Xuan said casually. "Also, I need to attend an auction."

"An auction?"

"Yes, Wanbaolou will be holding a large auction in three days, and I heard there are many good items," Han Xuan said. "I received news that there will be a piece of Geng Essence at the auction."

"Geng Essence!" Han Li's breath hitched. Geng Essence was a top-tier material, more than ten times more precious than Geng Gold. If he could obtain it, the Azure Thunder Sword could potentially be upgraded to a superior-grade magic weapon!

"What, interested?" Han Xuan asked with a half-smile.

"Such a treasure is naturally of interest to me," Han Li said with a wry smile, "but the Geng Essence is priceless, and I'm afraid I can't afford it."

"If you can't afford it, you can exchange it," Han Xuan said. "If you really want it, I can help you bid for it, but you need to do three things for my Han family."

Han Li's heart skipped a beat. This scene seemed familiar; back in the Yue Kingdom, Senior Han Mu had used similar conditions to exchange Geng Essence for him.

"Please speak, senior."

"First, if the Han family is ever in trouble, you must lend a helping hand. Second, once you have mastered alchemy, you must refine three batches of pills for the Han family. Third..." Han Xuan paused, "...if one day your cultivation surpasses mine, you must protect the Han family for a hundred years."

These three conditions seem simple, but they are actually quite profound. The third one, in particular, practically binds Han Li to the Han family.

Han Li pondered for a long time before solemnly saying, "This junior agrees."

"Okay." Han Xuan nodded in satisfaction. "See you at the auction in three days. Here's your invitation."

He handed Han Li a gold invitation card, then got up and left.

Han Li held the invitation, his heart filled with emotion. Although this Senior Han Xuan acted mysteriously, he had indeed taken great care of him. However, he always felt that Senior Han Xuan possessed a familiar aura, very similar to Senior Han Mu…

Banishing that thought, Han Li began to look forward to the auction three days later. He was determined to obtain the Geng Essence.

Meanwhile, outside the teahouse, Han Xuan (actually Han Mu's clone) smiled slightly.

"Geng Jing... I hope Han Li won't let me down."

He swayed and disappeared into the crowd.