The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Qingxu Mountain Range, the forbidden area of ​​the Han family.

Han Li sat cross-legged in a newly opened cave, with three items floating in front of him: a fragment of the Ice Soul Pearl, the Ice Soul Sword, and a replica of the Ice Soul Pearl. He had been back from the Ice Plains for a month, and after dealing with Han Mu's "passing away," he began to go into seclusion to digest what he had gained.

"The method of refining the Ice Soul Pearl..." Han Li probed his sea of ​​consciousness with his divine sense, comprehending the refining method obtained from the system. This method is extremely profound, requiring ten-thousand-year-old mysterious ice as the foundation, supplemented by seven kinds of ice-attribute spiritual materials, and then tempered with Nascent Soul True Fire for forty-nine days before it can be refined.

"I have the Ten Thousand Year Mystic Ice, and the fragments of the Ice Soul Pearl can replace some of the spiritual materials. I'm still missing six kinds: 'Frosty Jade Marrow,' 'Ice Crystal Stone,' 'Snow Soul Grass,' 'Mystic Yin Iron,' 'Ice Silkworm Silk,' and 'Frosty Moon Stone.'" Han Li counted the materials. The ice-attribute materials he had bought earlier were just what he needed, except for the Mystic Yin Iron and the Frosty Moon Stone.

"System, exchange for Xuan Yin Iron and Cold Moon Stone."

[Exchange for 1 piece of Mystic Yin Iron, requiring 500 Contribution Points]

[To exchange for 1 Frost Moon Stone, 500 Contribution Points are required]

[Redeem or not?]

"exchange."

[Exchange successful, 1000 contribution points consumed]

[Remaining Contribution Points: 12000]

Two spiritual materials appeared before Han Li. The Profound Yin Iron was as black as ink and icy to the touch; the Cold Moon Stone was as white as jade and emitted a faint moonlight. Both were excellent materials for refining ice-attribute magic weapons.

With all the materials ready, Han Li began refining. He first used his Nascent Soul True Fire to melt the ten-thousand-year-old Xuanbing, and then added the other materials one by one. Each time a material was added, he needed to use hand seals to control the heat, which was extremely mentally taxing.

Seven days later, all the materials fused into a blue liquid. Han Li threw in the fragment of the Ice Soul Pearl, and the liquid instantly boiled, transforming into a blue vortex.

"Freeze!"

Han Li formed hand seals, creating hundreds of magic hand gestures. The blue liquid gradually solidified, transforming into a bead the size of a longan. The bead's surface had nine natural patterns, very similar to the Ice Soul Bead imitation, but its aura was more ancient and profound.

"The next step is the most crucial one—injecting the essence of ice."

Han Li closed his eyes and began to circulate the Ice Soul True Scripture. The primordial power left behind by the Ice Soul True Monarch within his body slowly surged out and flowed into the bead. The bead shone brightly, and the temperature of the entire cave dropped sharply, with frost forming on the ground and walls.

Forty-nine days later, Han Li opened his eyes, a trace of weariness flashing in them. Floating before him was a perfect blue bead, with icy mist flowing inside, as if containing a world of ice and snow.

Ice Soul Pearl, complete!

Although it is not a complete Tongtian Lingbao (a powerful magical artifact), it has been fused with fragments of the Ice Soul Pearl and Han Li's original power, making its power no weaker than that of a high-grade ancient treasure. Moreover, it has great potential, and if other fragments can be collected in the future, it is expected to reproduce the power of the Tongtian Lingbao.

System notification: Crafting successful. Obtained 'Ice Soul Pearl' (Superior Ancient Treasure)

【Ice Soul Pearl: An ancient treasure of the ice attribute, containing a trace of ice essence, capable of releasing an extreme cold domain that freezes all things】

Han Li nodded in satisfaction and stored the Ice Soul Pearl in his dantian to nurture it. He then took out the Ice Soul Sword, a top-grade ancient treasure, which was perfect for use in conjunction with the Ice Soul Pearl.

"With these two treasures, my strength will increase by at least 30%, enough to contend with a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator."

He emerged from seclusion and arrived at the main hall. Han Changqing was handling clan affairs when he saw him come out and rose to greet him.

"Fellow Daoist Han Li, how was your seclusion?"

"Successfully." Han Li nodded. "Brother Changqing, how is the Han family doing now?"

"Thanks to the ancestor's blessings, the family is thriving," Han Changqing said with a smile. "The three prefectures have been initially stabilized, with Han Bai, Han Qing, and Han Xuan each governing one prefecture, and we have recruited many independent cultivators and guest elders. The family's businesses have also expanded considerably, with involvement in elixirs, magical artifacts, and talismans, and our income is ten times what it used to be."

"That's good." Han Li pondered, "However, the tallest tree in the forest is bound to be felled by the wind. The Han family's rise has been too rapid, which inevitably attracts jealousy. I suggest forming an 'enforcement team' composed of Foundation Establishment and Core Formation cultivators to patrol the three states and deter villains."

"What you say is absolutely right, fellow Daoist." Han Changqing nodded. "I have already made arrangements for this matter. In addition, I would like to invite you to serve as the 'Supreme Elder' of the Han family, with a status equal to mine, to jointly govern the family."

Han Li shook his head: "I'm used to a leisurely life and don't like being tied down. However, I will be staying at the Han family's residence. If there's anything important, you can contact me anytime."

"Alright then." Han Changqing didn't insist. "By the way, Yun Ge sent word the other day that she's doing well in Huangfeng Valley and has advanced to the third-tier alchemist, currently attempting to break through to the fourth tier. Ling'er is also highly regarded in the Yanyue Sect, having been accepted as a personal disciple by a Nascent Soul elder."

"They've both made something of themselves," Han Li said with satisfaction. He had watched Han Yunge and Han Ling'er grow up, and he was happy for their achievements.

The two chatted for a while longer before Han Li took his leave. He returned to his cave to continue his seclusion. This time, he not only needed to consolidate his cultivation but also to study the "Ice Soul True Scripture" and the "Primordial Chaos Sword Technique" in preparation for breaking through to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm.

……

The Spirit Realm, in the northern part of the Azure Phoenix Mountains.

Han Mu stood atop a towering peak, overlooking the valley below. The valley spanned a hundred miles, surrounded by mountains on three sides and water on one side. It was rich in spiritual energy and had a strategic location, making it an ideal place to establish a stronghold.

"This is it." Han Mu selected the location and began to set up the formation. He first set up the "Five Elements Defense Formation" around the valley. This formation was learned from the "Heavenly Secrets Manual" and was arranged according to the principle of mutual generation and mutual restraint of the five elements. It had extremely strong defensive power and could block attacks from cultivators in the early stage of the Void Refinement Realm.

Next, he set up a "Spirit Gathering Array" in the center of the valley, gathering spiritual energy from a radius of a thousand miles. The spiritual energy in the spirit realm was already abundant, and after being gathered by the Spirit Gathering Array, the concentration of spiritual energy in the valley reached twenty times that of the outside world, comparable to the main spiritual vein of some medium-sized sects.

"System, exchange for the 'Cross-Dimensional Communication Array' diagram."

[To exchange for a cross-dimensional communication array diagram, 5000 contribution points are required.]

[Redeem or not?]

"exchange."

[Exchange successful, 5000 contribution points consumed]

[Remaining Contribution Points: 19000]

The interdimensional communication array, capable of transmitting information across interfaces, was prepared by Han Mu for the Han family in the human realm. With this array, he could stay informed about the Han family's situation in the human realm at any time, and even send resources over when necessary.

Han Mu spent three days setting up an interdimensional communication array in a stone hall deep in the valley. The moment the array was activated, he sensed a connection with the Ascension Platform in the Qingxu Mountains of the human realm.

"It's done." Han Mu nodded in satisfaction. He then opened up dozens of cave dwellings in the valley and built alchemy rooms, weapon forging rooms, skill transmission pavilions, scripture storage buildings and other buildings, thus forming the prototype of a cultivation base.

"It's time to give this place a name." Han Mu gazed at the emerging stronghold, pondered for a moment, and said, "Let's call it 'Han City.' Although it's just a valley now, in the future, this will be the foundation of the Han family in the Spirit Realm."

"System notification: Establish a base in 'Hancheng' and complete the 'Establish a foothold in the Spirit Realm' mission."

[Mission Completed, Rewards: 10000 Contribution Points, Cross-Dimensional Communication Array (Already Obtained)]

Current contribution points: 29000

Han Mu opened the system panel to check the status of Han City:

【Hancheng (Spirit Realm Stronghold)】

[Level: Beginner]

[Area: Within a radius of 100 li]

[Defense: Five Elements Defense Formation]

[Spiritual Energy: Spirit Gathering Array (20x)]

[Buildings: 50 Cave Dwellings, 1 Alchemy Room, 1 Weapon Forging Room, 1 Skill Transmission Pavilion, 1 Scripture Repository, 1 Interdimensional Communication Array]

Population: 1 person (Han Mu)

"A city built by one man..." Han Mu smiled. But this was just the beginning. Once he had a firm foothold in the Spirit Realm, he would find a way to bring over the core members of the Han family from the Human Realm to expand Han City.

"Is Fellow Daoist Han here?"

A clear, cold female voice came from outside the valley. Han Mu scanned the area with his divine sense and saw Nangong Wan standing outside the valley, followed by two people. One was a middle-aged man in brocade robes, with a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivation and an extraordinary demeanor; the other was an old man in green robes, with an early-stage Void Refinement cultivation and a profound aura.

"Fellow Daoist Nangong, please come in." Han Mu activated the formation and led the three in.

"Fellow Daoist Han, this is my master, 'Tian Yuanzi,' an elder of Tianyuan City," Nangong Wan introduced the middle-aged man in brocade robes, then pointed to the old man in green robes, "This is 'Azure Phoenix Demon King,' the lord of the Azure Phoenix Mountain Range."

"Greetings, fellow Daoists." Han Mu cupped his hands in greeting. Tian Yuanzi was in the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm, and the Azure Phoenix Demon King was in the early stage of the Void Refinement realm; both were prominent figures in the Spirit Realm.

"Fellow Daoist Han, you're too kind," Tian Yuanzi said with a smile. "I heard from Wan'er that Fellow Daoist Han is quite powerful, having single-handedly repelled three Nascent Soul cultivators and saved her life. I thank you on Wan'er's behalf."

"It was nothing, not worth mentioning," Han Mu said casually.

"Fellow Daoist Han is too modest," said the Azure Phoenix Demon King, his voice aged. "Those three are the 'Black Wind Three Fiends,' who specialize in ambushing lone cultivators. Together, they can rival an early-stage Void Refinement cultivator. Fellow Daoist Han was able to repel them, so your strength is probably no less than that of a Void Refinement cultivator."

Han Mu narrowed his eyes slightly. This Azure Phoenix Demon King had sharp eyes; he had actually seen through his concealed cultivation level. However, he didn't care. In the Spirit Realm, strength was the only thing that mattered.

"You flatter me, Demon King. I was merely lucky."

"Whether it was luck or not, Fellow Daoist Han saved Wan'er, so he is a friend of Tianyuan City." Tian Yuanzi said solemnly, "Fellow Daoist Han, are you able to help us establish a base here? Please feel free to ask if you need anything."

"Thank you for your kind offer, fellow Daoist." Han Mu said without ceremony. "I am new here and do need some manpower. In addition, I would like to understand the situation in the Spirit Realm, especially the distribution of human power."

"That's easy." Tian Yuanzi took out a jade slip. "This is a map of the Spirit Realm, as well as an introduction to the major human forces. As for manpower, I can send ten Nascent Soul cultivators and one hundred Core Formation cultivators here for Fellow Daoist Han to command."

"Thank you very much then." Han Mu accepted the jade slip. With the support of Tianyuan City, Hancheng's development will be much smoother.

The three talked for a while longer before Tian Yuanzi and the Azure Phoenix Demon King took their leave. Nangong Wan stayed behind.

"Fellow Daoist Han, my master has instructed me to stay here temporarily to assist you in establishing a base," Nangong Wan said.

"Thank you for your help, Fellow Daoist Nangong." Han Mu nodded. Nangong Wan possessed the bloodline of the Heavenly Phoenix and was quite powerful. With her help, things were indeed much more convenient.

"Furthermore, the 'Tianyuan City' will host the 'All Races Conference' three years from now, at which time representatives from all the major races of the Spirit Realm will participate. My master hopes that Fellow Daoist Han can also attend and broaden his horizons."

"The Grand Assembly of All Races?" Han Mu's heart skipped a beat. This was a great opportunity to understand the structure of the Spirit Realm.

"Very well, I, Han, will certainly attend the meeting three years from now."