The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Three months later, Han Li returned to Tiannan.

He first went to Huangfeng Valley to meet with Patriarch Linghu, briefly recounting his experiences in the Great Jin Dynasty, and then hurriedly headed to Qingxu Mountain Range. Having not seen the Han family for ten years, he wanted to see how they were doing and also to find out if the mysterious and unpredictable Senior Han Mu had truly "passed away."

However, when he arrived at the Qingxu Mountains, he was stunned by the sight before him.

A solemn atmosphere enveloped the entire Qingxu Mountain Range. White banners hung at the mountain gate, and all members of the Han family were dressed in mourning clothes, their faces etched with sorrow. A faint sadness permeated the air, and even the light barrier of the mountain-protecting array seemed to dim slightly.

"This..." Han Li's heart sank, and an ominous premonition surged into his mind.

"Senior Han Li!" a familiar voice rang out.

Han Li turned his head and saw Han Yunge walking quickly towards him. She was still wearing a blue dress, but her eyes were slightly red, clearly she had been crying. She had reached the mid-stage of Core Formation, and her aura was much more solid than it had been ten years ago, but at this moment her face was filled with grief.

"Yun Ge, what happened?" Han Li asked in a deep voice.

"Ancestor... Ancestor has passed away." Han Yunge's voice choked with sobs, and tears welled up again.

Han Li was struck dumb. Although he had been mentally prepared, he still found it hard to believe. Had the seemingly omnipotent and unfathomable Senior Han Mu really just left like that?

"When did this happen? How did you pass away?" Han Li pressed.

"Three months ago, the cave where the Ancestor was in seclusion suddenly collapsed, leaving no one inside except for a jade slip." Han Yunge took out the jade slip and handed it to Han Li. "It says: The Great Dao is boundless, and immortality is the companion. Father said that the Ancestor's lifespan had run out, and he passed away peacefully."

Han Li took the jade slip and probed it with his divine sense. Just as Han Yunge had said, it contained only those eight words. But something felt off. With Senior Han Mu's strength, if he truly intended to pass away, how could he do so so quietly? Moreover, the cave had collapsed and was completely empty; this seemed more like… destroying evidence?

No, that's not right. If Senior Han Mu faked his death to escape, why didn't he tell his family? Given Han Changqing and Han Yunge's trust in him, they would never reveal the secret. Unless... there's more to the story.

"Take me to see it," Han Li said.

Han Yunge nodded and led Han Li to the depths of the forbidden area. This place was originally Han Mu's secluded cultivation spot, but now it was a ruin. The mountain had collapsed, rocks were piled up, and the spiritual energy was chaotic, clearly indicating that it had undergone a drastic change.

"When the Ancestor passed away, strange phenomena appeared in the sky, spiritual energy surged, and the cave collapsed," Han Yunge explained. "My father and several uncles tried to clear the ruins and search for the Ancestor's relics, but they were blocked by a mysterious force and could not get close."

Han Li took a few steps forward and indeed sensed an invisible barrier. This barrier appeared thin, but it was exceptionally tough; even with his early Nascent Soul cultivation, he was unable to break through it.

"This is... a spatial restriction?" Han Li's heart skipped a beat. He had seen similar records in the "Heavenly Secrets Manual," which was a profound spatial array that could not be set up by anyone other than a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Could it be that Senior Han Mu really didn't die? Or did he leave the human realm in some way?

Han Li thought about it more and more and it seemed more and more likely. Based on the strength Senior Han Mu had displayed, far exceeding that of ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators, he was most likely at the Deity Transformation level. Deity Transformation cultivators had lifespans of several thousand years, while Senior Han Mu was only a little over three hundred years old. How could he have suddenly passed away?

"Yun Ge, take me to see your father," Han Li said.

The two arrived at the main hall, where Han Changqing was discussing matters with several clan elders. Upon seeing Han Li, Han Changqing rose to greet him, looking haggard.

"Fellow Daoist Han Li, you're back." Han Changqing's voice was hoarse. "You probably already know..."

"Brother Changqing, please accept my condolences." Han Li cupped his hands in greeting. "The matter of the Ancestor is indeed strange. I suspect that the Ancestor did not truly pass away peacefully, but that there is another hidden reason."

"What?" Han Changqing was taken aback. "What makes you say that, fellow Daoist?"

"Judging from the restrictions outside those ruins, they are profound spatial formations, which only a Nascent Soul cultivator could set up," Han Li said in a deep voice. "Moreover, the ancestor's strength is unfathomable, far beyond that of a Nascent Soul cultivator. With his cultivation level, his lifespan should have been at least another thousand years. How could he have suddenly passed away?"

Han Changqing and the other elders exchanged glances. Their highest cultivation level was only Core Formation, and they didn't know much about the Nascent Soul stage, but Han Li's words did make sense.

"Then what about the old ancestor..." A glimmer of hope ignited in Han Changqing's eyes.

"I suspect that the Ancestor may have faked his death and escaped to a higher level of world," Han Li said. "I once read in an ancient book from the Great Jin Dynasty that Nascent Soul cultivators could shatter the void and ascend to the upper realm. Perhaps the Ancestor took this path."

"Ascending to the upper realm..." Han Changqing murmured to himself. If that were truly the case, then Senior Han Mu had not perished, but had gone to a wider world—this was a joyous occasion!

"However, this matter should not be publicized," Han Li cautioned. "The Ancestor's passing may not necessarily be a bad thing for the Han family. Now that the Han family controls three states, it is inevitable that it will attract covetous eyes. If news of the Ancestor's presence spreads, those petty villains will not dare to act rashly. But if they know that the Ancestor has left, things may change."

"Fellow Daoist is absolutely right." Han Changqing nodded. "Let's handle this matter as if the Ancestor had passed away peacefully. To the outside world, we'll announce that the Ancestor failed to break through to the mid-Nascent Soul stage and passed away peacefully due to the exhaustion of his lifespan. To the inside world... we'll say that the Ancestor went into seclusion to seek a breakthrough."

After everyone had discussed and decided, Han Li settled down at the Han family residence. He planned to go into seclusion for a period of time to digest what he had gained from the Ice Plains, and at the same time secretly investigate the truth behind Han Mu's "passing away".

Three days later, the Han family held a grand funeral for Han Mu. All the major powers in Tiannan sent people to pay their respects, and even several Nascent Soul elders from the Righteous Path Alliance attended in person.

At the funeral, Han Changqing, holding the jade slip left by Han Mu, announced to the crowd: "Our ancestor Han Mu failed to break through to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm, exhausted his lifespan, and passed away three months ago. Before his death, he left behind eight words: 'The Great Dao is boundless, immortality is the companion.' This is the precept of our Han family, and future generations should remember it!"

Everyone sighed with regret. Who could have imagined that the Han family patriarch, who had slain five demons with a single sword and whose power shook the south, would pass away so suddenly?

However, just as the funeral was about to end, a strange thing happened.

"Boom!"

The clear sky suddenly darkened, and countless auspicious, multicolored clouds converged from all directions, forming a massive vortex above the Qingxu Mountains. At the center of the vortex, a thick, multicolored beam of light, hundreds of feet long, descended from the sky, enveloping the entire Qingxu Mountains.

"This is... a spiritual energy infusion!" a knowledgeable Nascent Soul cultivator exclaimed.

Within the seven-colored pillar of light, countless specks of light drifted down and merged into the bodies of the Han family members. All members of the Han family, regardless of their cultivation level, felt a surge of pure spiritual energy flowing into their bodies, and their cultivation level increased at a visible speed.

"I've broken through! I've broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage!" a Han family disciple at the ninth level of Qi Refining shouted excitedly.

"I've broken through too! Mid-stage Core Formation!" Han Yunge was both surprised and delighted as she felt the surging magical power within her body.

"This is... the Ancestor's final gift!" Han Changqing knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face. He had been stuck in the mid-stage of Core Formation for many years, but now he had broken through to the late-stage of Core Formation in one fell swoop!

Not only members of the Han family, but also guests who came to pay their respects, as long as they were within the Qingxu Mountain Range, benefited. Dozens of Qi Refining cultivators established their foundations on the spot, several Foundation Establishment cultivators broke through to the Core Formation stage, and even a few Nascent Soul cultivators felt their cultivation improve slightly.

"The Han family patriarch is truly unfathomable!" exclaimed a Nascent Soul patriarch. "To be able to conjure such extraordinary celestial phenomena after his passing, bestowing blessings upon his descendants—such methods are unheard of!"

"The rise of the Han family is unstoppable," another Nascent Soul ancestor murmured.

The spiritual energy infusion lasted for a full hour. After the pillar of light dissipated, the spiritual energy concentration in the Qingxu Mountains increased by 30%, vegetation grew wildly, and spiritual herbs were everywhere, making it seem like a paradise on earth.

The cultivation levels of the Han family members generally improved by one or two minor realms, with more than thirty new Foundation Establishment cultivators and five new Core Formation cultivators, resulting in a surge in the overall strength of the Han family.

"Thank you for your grace, Ancestor!" The Han family members knelt and bowed, their voices shaking the heavens.

The guests who came to pay their respects also bowed, expressing their reverence for Han Mu. After this incident, the Han family's position in Tiannan was completely solidified, and no one dared to provoke them easily anymore.

Standing in the crowd, Han Li watched the auspicious clouds gradually dissipate in the sky, his heart filled with countless emotions. This spiritual energy infusion was probably a contingency plan left behind by Senior Han Mu. Such a method was truly unfathomable.

"Senior Han Mu, where exactly did you go?" Han Li looked up at the sky, a hint of longing flashing in his eyes.

Meanwhile, in the distant spirit world.

Han Mu stood before a newly opened cave dwelling, gazing at a jade talisman in his hand. The talisman shimmered with light, displaying the words, "Spiritual energy infusion complete, Han family's strength enhanced."

"System, check the status of the Han family in the human realm," Han Mu silently commanded.

[Status of the Han Family in the Human Realm:]

Family members: 5321

Foundation Establishment cultivators: 158 (30 new additions)

Core Formation cultivators: 12 (5 new additions)

[Nascent Soul cultivators: 2 (Han Li, Han Changqing)]

[Special Buildings: Spirit Eye Spring, Heart Refining Tower, Skill Transmission Pavilion, Enlightenment Cliff, Ascension Platform, Five Elements Gathering Spirit Array]

[Family Talents: Bloodline Resonance, Fortune Protection, Bloodline Awakening (Activated)]

[Family fortune: Prosperous]

"Not bad, Changqing has actually formed his Nascent Soul." Han Mu nodded in satisfaction. Han Changqing has three spiritual roots and his aptitude is average, so it is truly remarkable that he was able to form his Nascent Soul. It seems that this is thanks to the spiritual energy infusion.

"Bloodline awakening has also been activated, and the future of the Han family is promising."

He put away the jade talisman and looked into the distance. Three months ago, he saved Nangong Wan, snatched the "Heavenly Phoenix Feather" from three Nascent Soul cultivators, and reached an agreement with Nangong Wan: he would help Nangong Wan heal her injuries, and Nangong Wan would introduce him to high-ranking members of the human race.

Now that Nangong Wan has recovered from her injuries, she has returned to her sect to report back. He, on the other hand, has temporarily settled in a cave dwelling on the northern side of the Qingluan Mountains.

"It's time to make plans for the Han family's development in the spirit world."

Han Mu took a step and disappeared from the spot.

Although the human realm and the spirit realm are separated by billions of kilometres, the story of the Han family has only just begun.