The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Zhongzhou, Baiyun Temple.

Han Li temporarily stayed at the temple after being introduced by Bai Yunzi. Baiyun Temple is located in the "White Mist Mountain Range" in the eastern part of Zhongzhou. The mountain gate is not large, but the spiritual energy is abundant and the environment is quiet and secluded, making it a good place for cultivation.

"Fellow Daoist Han, this is the best guest cave in the temple. The spiritual energy concentration is five times that of the outside world. You can cultivate here in peace." Bai Yunzi led Han Li to a solitary mountain peak. The cave was opened up halfway up the mountain, and there was an array protecting the entrance.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Baiyun." Han Li cupped his hands in thanks. This cave dwelling was indeed quite nice, even better than his previous cave dwelling in Yellow Maple Valley.

"No need to be so polite. We've hit it off, so this little thing is nothing to worry about," Bai Yunzi said with a smile. "Also, there's a large auction in 'Ten Thousand Immortals City' in Zhongzhou in three days. There will be many rare treasures on display. If Fellow Daoist Han is interested, you can come with me."

"Ten Thousand Immortals City?" Han Li's heart skipped a beat. He was planning to purchase some cultivation resources in Zhongzhou, especially ice-attribute treasures, in preparation for his journey to the Ice Plains.

"Exactly. Wanxian City is the largest city in Zhongzhou, jointly managed by the three major sects. It holds the 'Wanxian Auction' every ten years, attracting cultivators from all over the Great Jin Dynasty," Bai Yunzi introduced. "It is said that this auction will have a grand finale treasure, a replica of the ancient ice-attribute magic weapon 'Ice Soul Pearl,' which is quite powerful."

A replica of the Ice Soul Pearl! Han Li's eyes lit up. Although it was just a replica, obtaining it would greatly help him cultivate ice-type techniques and explore the ice plains.

"Alright, I will go with you in three days."

After Bai Yunzi left, Han Li entered the cave and set up a protective barrier. The cave was spacious, with a cultivation room, an alchemy room, a weapon-refining room, and a spirit herb garden—everything one could need. He nodded in satisfaction and sat down cross-legged in the cultivation room.

"System, check the current status," Han Li silently instructed. Ever since triggering the hidden quest in the Burial Dragon Abyss, he had discovered that the system left behind by Senior Han Mu seemed to be gaining more and more functionality as his cultivation level increased.

[Host: Han Li (Subordinate)]

[Bound Family: Han Family]

[Cultivation Level: Early Nascent Soul Stage]

[Techniques: The sixth level of the Azure Origin Sword Art, the third level of the Primordial Chaos Sword Art, and a fragment of the Heavenly Secret Manual]

[Magic Items: Azure Thunder Sword (Superior Grade), Silver Light Shield (Ancient Treasure), Heavenly Secret Token (Special)]

[Current Mission: Inheritance of the Ice Soul (In Progress)]

[Task Progress: Obtained Inheritance Diagram (1/3)]

[Additional Feature: Contribution Points Shop (Unlocked)]

"A contribution point shop?" Han Li wondered. With a thought, a light screen appeared before him. The screen was categorized into various items such as cultivation techniques, pills, magic weapons, materials, and formations, a dazzling array, but most of them were grayed out, indicating insufficient permissions.

He could only see a few items, and the prices were all shockingly high.

"Five Elements Elixir Powder: 1000 Contribution Points"

"Infant Strengthening Pill: 2000 Contribution Points"

"Formation Breaking Talisman: 500 Contribution Points/Talisman"

"Ten Thousand Mile Message Token: 1000 Contribution Points/Token"

"How many contribution points do I have now?" Han Li asked.

Current contribution points: 1500

[Contribution Points Acquisition Methods: Completing System Tasks, Improving Cultivation Level, and Clan Development]

With only 1500 points, he could only buy one Formation-Breaking Talisman. Han Li thought for a moment and decided not to exchange for it immediately. Contribution points were precious and should be used wisely.

He then checked the details of the "Ice Soul Inheritance" quest. The quest consists of three steps: the first step is to obtain the inheritance map (already completed), the second step is to find the Ice Soul True Monarch's cave, and the third step is to pass the test to obtain the inheritance. Each step has a reward, and completing the entire quest will reward you with 10000 contribution points and the method for refining Ice Soul Pearls.

"The method of refining the Ice Soul Pearl..." A glint flashed in Han Li's eyes. If he could refine a true Ice Soul Pearl, he would have an additional trump card of the Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure level, greatly increasing his strength.

However, the icy plains are dangerous, and with his current strength, venturing there rashly could be perilous. He needs to make more thorough preparations.

"First, I'll participate in the auction to see if I can buy any ice-attribute treasures. In addition, I'll need to purchase some high-level talismans, formations, and life-saving pills."

Han Li finalized his plan and began his secluded cultivation. He took out a Nascent Soul Stabilizing Pill to solidify his cultivation. At the same time, he separated a wisp of his divine consciousness to comprehend the array formation knowledge in the "Heavenly Secrets Manual".

Three days later, Han Li and Bai Yunzi went to Wanxian City.

Wanxian City is located in the center of Zhongzhou. It is a huge city floating in the air, covering an area of ​​a hundred miles. The city walls are made of white jade, which shines brightly in the sunlight. The city is filled with buildings, wide streets, and a constant flow of people. The lowest cultivation level of the cultivators is the Foundation Establishment stage, and Core Formation cultivators can be seen everywhere, and Nascent Soul cultivators are not uncommon.

"What a magnificent immortal city!" Han Li exclaimed. A cultivation city of this scale is unique in Tiannan.

"Wanxian City is the number one city in the Great Jin Dynasty, so it is naturally extraordinary," Bai Yunzi said with a smile. "This is Fellow Daoist Han's first time here, so you should take your time to explore. There are many shops in the city that sell all kinds of treasures; you might just find something good."

The two entered the city and found an inn to stay in. The auction wouldn't start for three days, so they had time to look around.

Han Li strolled around the city and was truly amazed. The shops here were far larger than those in Tiannan, and the quality of the treasures they sold was also much higher. He spent 100,000 spirit stones to buy a batch of fourth-tier talismans and a set of "Five Elements Defense Array," and another 50,000 spirit stones to buy three bottles of "Rejuvenation Pills," which could heal injuries to the soul.

"Fellow Daoist, do you need ice-attribute materials?" In a shop called "Ice Crystal Pavilion," the shopkeeper took the initiative to strike up a conversation when he saw that Han Li was interested in ice-attribute materials.

"Exactly." Han Li nodded. "Does the shopkeeper have any high-quality ice-attribute materials?"

"Yes, of course." The shopkeeper enthusiastically took out a jade slip. "This is our shop's inventory list. Please take a look, fellow Daoist."

Han Li probed with his divine sense and found a list of dozens of ice-attribute materials, ranging from third to fifth rank, some of which were exactly what he needed.

"I'll take all of these: Jadeite, Ice Crystal Stone, Snow Soul Grass." Han Li ordered seven or eight kinds of materials.

"Alright!" The shopkeeper was overjoyed. These materials were worth nearly 200,000 spirit stones, which was a big deal.

After paying the spirit stones, Han Li was about to leave when the shopkeeper suddenly said, "If you still need ice-attribute treasures, you might want to check out the 'black market' in the west of the city. Sometimes they have treasures of dubious origin there, which are cheap, but it's hard to tell if they're genuine or fake; you'll need a discerning eye."

"The black market?" Han Li's heart skipped a beat.

"Yes, it's in 'Ghost Alley' in the west of the city. It's open every night at midnight and closes before dawn." The shopkeeper lowered his voice. "But fellow Daoist, be careful. It's a mixed bag there, and murders and robberies often happen."

"Thank you for reminding me, shopkeeper." Han Li noted down the location.

Back at the inn, Han Li checked the materials he had purchased and was quite satisfied. These materials were enough for him to forge several ice-attribute magic weapons to cope with the harsh cold of the icy plains.

At midnight, Han Li went alone to Ghost Alley in the west of the city.

Ghost Alley is located in the most remote corner of Wanxian City. The alley is narrow and dark, with dilapidated houses on both sides, and an eerie atmosphere permeates the air. There are already many cultivators in the alley, all wearing masks or cloaks to conceal their identities.

Han Li also put on his cloak, concealed his aura, and walked into the alley. Dozens of stalls were set up on both sides of the alley. Most of the stall owners were taciturn. The goods were placed directly on the ground with clear prices. If you liked something, you could buy it without asking where it came from.

Han Li's gaze swept over the goods, which were a mixed bag, including fragments of magic weapons, ancient book remnants, materials from demonic beasts, and even a few magic weapons stained with blood, which were obviously of dubious origin.

He browsed around but didn't find anything he particularly wanted. Just as he was about to leave, a stall in a corner caught his attention.

The stall owner was an old man in a black robe, with a cold and sinister aura. He only displayed three items on his stall: a black iron plate, a blood-red jade pendant, and a roll of animal hide map.

Han Li's gaze fell on the animal hide map. The map was made of an ancient material, with scorch marks on the edges, suggesting it had been torn from an ancient book. The map depicted mountains and terrain, with a red dot in the center and four small characters next to it: Ice Soul Cave Heaven.

Ice Soul Cave Heaven! Han Li was shocked. Wasn't this the cave of Ice Soul True Monarch?

He suppressed his excitement, walked to the stall, picked up the black iron piece, examined it, and asked, "Fellow Daoist, what is this iron piece?"

"I don't know, I found it." The old man in black robes said in a hoarse voice, "100,000 spirit stones, no bargaining."

Han Li put down the iron plate and picked up the blood-red jade pendant: "What about this one?"

Two hundred thousand.

Finally, he picked up the animal hide map: "This map..."

"Five hundred thousand," the old man in black robes quoted directly.

"Too expensive." Han Li shook his head. "It's just a fragment of a map, not worth the price."

"Buy it or don't, it's up to you." The old man in the black robe closed his eyes and ignored him.

Han Li pondered for a moment, then took out a storage bag: "Three hundred thousand, that's all I have."

The old man in black robes opened his eyes, glanced at the storage bag, and nodded: "Deal."

Han Li paid the spirit stones, put away the map, and turned to leave. He hadn't been gone long when a figure wearing a ghost mask quietly followed him from the depths of the alley.

"The fish has taken the bait..." the masked man muttered to himself, a greedy glint in his eyes.

As Han Li stepped out of Ghost Alley, he immediately sensed someone following him. He remained calm and headed towards the inn. While passing through a secluded street, three figures suddenly emerged from the shadows and surrounded him.

The leader was a one-eyed giant with early Nascent Soul cultivation, while the other two were late Core Formation cultivators.

"Kid, hand over the map you just bought, and I'll spare your life," the one-eyed giant sneered.

"Are you from the black market?" Han Li asked calmly.

"So what if it is? If you know what's good for you, hand over the treasure, otherwise..." Before the one-eyed giant could finish speaking, Han Li suddenly moved.

The Azure Thunder Sword was drawn, its light flashing like lightning, aimed straight at the one-eyed giant's brow. The one-eyed giant was shocked and hurriedly raised a shield to defend himself.

"clang!"

The sword light struck the shield, shattering it instantly. The Azure Thunder Sword, its momentum undiminished, pierced the one-eyed giant's head, obliterating his soul and spirit.

Seeing this, the other two turned and fled. Han Li flicked his finger, and two sword energies shot out, killing the two men.

After collecting the three people's storage bags, Han Li quickly left. Back at the inn, he set up a protective barrier and carefully examined the animal hide map.

The map was indeed a route map of the Ice Soul Cave Heaven. Although incomplete, it marked the approximate location of the cave and several restrictions. Combined with the inheritance map in his sea of ​​consciousness, the location of the Ice Soul True Monarch's cave was basically determined.

"System notification: Obtained fragment of Ice Soul Cave Map, quest progress updated."

[Ice Soul Inheritance Quest Progress: Obtained Inheritance Map (1/3), Obtained Cave Heaven Fragment Map (2/3)]

[Reward: 2000 Contribution Points]

Current contribution points: 3500

"Just one last step." A glint flashed in Han Li's eyes.

Three days later, the Wanxian Auction will begin, and he will do his best to compete for the replica of the Ice Soul Pearl in order to make final preparations for his trip to the Ice Plains.