The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Three days later, late at night, the protective array of Qingzhu Peak was fully activated.

A pale blue light curtain enveloped the entire Han family compound, with countless runes flowing across its surface. This was the highest defensive state of the "Azure Bamboo Sealing Spirit Array" left by the Han family's ancestors, which consumed dozens of low-grade spirit stones every moment.

Han Mu stood in front of the main hall, gazing at the sparse starlight in the night sky. Behind him stood Han Changqing, Li Yuanming, and Zhang Xuanfeng, side by side, followed by thirteen Qi Refining stage cultivators from the Han family, and the remaining seven cultivators from the Li and Zhang families.

There are a total of twenty-three people; this is all the resistance force currently in Yanling Fortress.

"Father, the mountain-protecting formation has stabilized," Han Changqing reported in a low voice. "At the current rate of consumption, the eight thousand low-grade spirit stones in our inventory can last for a month."

"Not enough." Han Mu shook his head. "If the enemy really attacks, they won't give us a month."

"That……"

"Take out all the mid-grade spirit stones for later use," Han Mu said calmly. "Also, how's Yun Ge doing?"

"Yun Ge is in the alchemy room with several juniors, working hard to refine pills for healing and restoring spiritual energy." Han Changqing paused, "She said that in two days at most, she will be able to refine a batch of 'Qingyuan Pills'."

The Azure Origin Pill, a top-grade first-tier elixir, is remarkably effective in restoring spiritual power for Foundation Establishment cultivators. This was the first high-level pill formula Han Yunge learned from the "Azure Origin Pill Manual," and she never expected it to come in handy at this crucial moment.

A hint of relief flashed in Han Mu's eyes. Although his granddaughter was young, she could handle things in crucial moments.

"Tell her to rest and not overwork herself," Han Mu instructed, then turned to Li Yuanming and Zhang Xuanfeng, "Fellow Daoists, how are your injuries recovering?"

Li Yuanming said with a wry smile, "The external injuries are fine, but my spiritual energy has been severely depleted. It will take at least five more days to fully recover."

Zhang Xuanfeng's left arm was still bandaged, and his face was still pale: "I've injured my bones and tendons, so I'll be lucky if I can exert half of my fighting strength."

Han Mu nodded and took out two bottles of pills from his storage bag: "These are 'Stabilizing Essence Pills' and 'Bone-Growing Powder,' which will be beneficial to your injuries."

The two accepted the pills, their eyes flashing with gratitude. At times like these, every pill was a precious resource.

"Fellow Daoist Han, do you think those people from the Demonic Path... will really come?" Li Yuanming couldn't help but ask.

"Yes," Han Mu affirmed. "Since they've made a move against the Li and Zhang families, they won't let the Han family off the hook. The fact that they haven't come yet suggests they're waiting for something."

"What are you waiting for?"

"Waiting for someone." Han Mu looked up at the western night sky. "Or... waiting for us to lower our guard."

Before he finished speaking, a jade pendant at his waist suddenly became slightly warm—this was the early warning artifact of the mountain-protecting formation!

"They're here!" Han Mu's eyes narrowed.

Almost simultaneously, more than a dozen streaks of light lit up the night sky, approaching from afar and quickly arriving outside the Han family's mountain gate.

The three streaks of light landed, transforming into three cultivators. In the middle was a sinister-looking young man, none other than Wang Chan, the young master of the Ghost Spirit Sect. To his left was a charming woman in red, Dong Xuan'er of the Joyful Union Sect. To his right was an old man in black robes, his face gaunt, his aura even more sinister than Wang Chan's.

Behind the three, twelve demonic disciples at the late stage of Qi Refining spread out, forming a semi-circle around the Han family's mountain gate.

"Han Mu, come out and speak!" Wang Chan shouted, his voice filled with undisguised arrogance.

Han Mu took a deep breath and slowly walked out of the mountain gate. His face was "pale" and his breath was "weak," still looking sickly.

"Young Master Wang, what brings you here so late at night?" Han Mu asked calmly.

Wang Chan sneered, "Han Mu, don't play dumb. The Li and Zhang families are gone; only your Han family remains in Yanling Fortress. I'll give you two choices: First, submit to my Ghost Spirit Sect and offer up all your spiritual resources, and your Han family line will continue; second, resist to the bitter end, and after tonight, the Han surname will cease to exist in Yanling Fortress!"

Han Mu did not answer immediately, his gaze sweeping over Wang Chan and the other two.

Wang Chan, at the peak of the tenth level of Qi Refining, could potentially reach Foundation Establishment at any time.

Dong Xuan'er, at the ninth level of Qi Refining, is skilled in the art of charm.

The black-robed old man… Han Mu’s pupils contracted slightly. This old man possessed a profound aura, at least at the Foundation Establishment stage! And not just the early Foundation Establishment stage, but most likely the middle Foundation Establishment stage!

"System, scan the black-robed elder's cultivation level."

[Scanning in progress...]

[Target: Elder of the Ghost Spirit Sect]

[Realm: Foundation Establishment Level 3]

[Technique: Ghostly Spirit Yin Sha Technique]

[Danger Level: Moderate]

Foundation three layers...

Han Mu's heart sank. This was more troublesome than he had anticipated. His true cultivation level was the fifth level of Foundation Establishment, but he only appeared to be at the first level. If he were to actually fight, he would have to eliminate this third-level Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator without revealing his true strength.

"Young Master Wang, the Han family has a history of over a hundred years and has never bowed to the demonic path," Han Mu said slowly. "I'm afraid things won't go as you wish today."

"You're courting death!" Wang Chan's face turned cold, and he waved his hand, saying, "Kill!"

The twelve demonic disciples attacked simultaneously, unleashing various spells and magical artifacts at the mountain-protecting formation.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The light curtain trembled violently, and the runes on its surface flickered wildly.

"Hold on!" Han Changqing shouted, leading the Han family cultivators to maintain the formation with all their might.

Han Mu didn't move, he just stared at Wang Chan and the other two.

As expected, Wang Chan and the other two did not make a move immediately, seemingly observing the strength of the mountain-protecting formation.

"Han Mu, do you think this formation can protect you?" Dong Xuan'er said with a coquettish laugh. "Once the formation breaks, you will all die."

Han Mu remained silent.

He is waiting.

Waiting for an opportunity.

Under the relentless bombardment of the demonic disciples, the protective array was growing dimmer and dimmer. At this rate, it would be breached in at most half an hour.

"Fellow Daoist Han, this can't go on," Li Yuanming said through gritted teeth. "Let's fight our way out and battle them!"

"Wait a little longer," Han Mu shook his head.

Time passes little by little.

After an incense stick's time, the light of the mountain-protecting array had dimmed by one-third.

"That's about enough." The old man in black robes finally spoke, his voice hoarse and unpleasant. "This formation has reached its limit. I will break it."

He stepped forward, his hands forming a hand seal, and dense black energy emanated from his body. The black energy condensed into a gigantic ghostly claw, which fiercely grabbed at the light barrier.

scoff!

The ghost claw gripped the light screen, causing several cracks to appear on its surface!

"Now!" A glint flashed in Han Mu's eyes.

He crushed a jade talisman in his sleeve with his right hand.

That was a "ground fire lightning talisman" that he had buried three miles outside the formation beforehand!

Rumble!

Suddenly, the ground in the distance exploded, and crimson fire shot into the sky. Then, several silver bolts of lightning struck down, intertwining with the fire to form a region of lightning and fire.

The sudden turn of events threw the demonic disciples into a panic.

"What's going on?!" Wang Chan asked sternly.

"It's a trap!" The black-robed elder's expression changed. "Retreat!"

But it was too late.

Han Mu crushed another jade talisman with his left hand—this was the "Ten Thousand Vine Entangling Spirit Array"!

Countless thick vines sprouted from the ground, instantly binding the six demonic disciples. These vines were exceptionally tough, making it difficult for the Qi Refining stage cultivators to break free.

"Save them!" Wang Chan cried out urgently.

Just as he and Dong Xuan'er were about to make a move, Han Mu made his move.

It wasn't an attack, it was a retreat.

He retreated into the protective mountain formation, shouting to Han Changqing, "Change formation!"

"Yes!" Han Changqing made a hand seal, and the light screen of the mountain-protecting formation suddenly changed from its original hemispherical shape to a huge vortex.

The vortex generated a powerful suction force, pulling the six demonic disciples who were entangled by the vines, along with the vines, into the formation!

"Not good!" The old man in black robes was shocked and tried to stop it, but it was too late.

After the six demonic disciples were sucked into the formation, they were immediately subdued by the Han family cultivators.

"Wang Chan, your people are in my hands," Han Mu said calmly. "Now, we can talk."

Wang Chan's face was ashen as she stared intently at Han Mu: "What do you want?"

"It's simple," Han Mu said. "You leave, and I'll release the people. From now on, we'll leave each other alone."

"Dream on!" Wang Chan gritted her teeth. "You think you can threaten me by capturing a few Qi Refining stage disciples?"

"What if..." Han Mu paused, "and then... this?"

He clapped his hands.

Han Yunge walked out of the main hall, holding a jade box in her hands. She opened the jade box, and inside was a blood-red bead the size of a pigeon egg, emitting a strong aura of bloodlust.

"The Blood Fiend Seed?!" the black-robed elder exclaimed in shock. "How did this thing end up in your hands?!"

"That's none of your concern," Han Mu said calmly. "Young Master Wang, you should know the significance of the Blood Fiend Seed to the Ghost Spirit Sect. If I were to offer it to the Seven Great Sects, do you think the Ghost Spirit Sect would be in serious trouble?"

Wang Chan's expression kept changing.

The Blood Fiend Seed is a relic of the Blood Fiend Sect's founder, containing the secrets of the sect's core heritage. If this item falls into the hands of the seven major sects, the Ghost Spirit Sect's plan to secretly infiltrate and win over the remaining forces of the Blood Fiend Sect over the years will be completely exposed.

"You want to use this to exchange for the safety of the Han family?" Wang Chan said in a deep voice.

"Not only that." Han Mu shook his head. "I also need you to promise that you will not attack Yanling Fort again within three years."

"Three years..." Wang Chan looked at the old man in black robes.

The old man in black robes transmitted his voice: "Young Master, the Blood Fiend True Seed must not fall into the hands of the Seven Great Sects. As for the three-year agreement... agree to it for now, and there will be plenty of opportunities later once we get the item."

Wang Chan took a deep breath: "Alright, I agree. Hand over the Blood Fiend Seed and everyone, and we'll leave immediately."

"Retreat thirty miles away first," Han Mu insisted. "Once I receive your signal to retreat, I will naturally release the people and hand over the goods."

A murderous glint flashed in Wang Chan's eyes, but she ultimately nodded: "I hope you keep your word."

He waved his hand, and led Dong Xuan'er, the black-robed old man, and the remaining demonic disciples away in a streak of light.

Han Mu watched them disappear into the horizon, then turned to Han Changqing and said, "Strengthen vigilance; they might come back."

"Father, are we really going to give them the Blood Fiend Seed?" Han Changqing asked in a low voice.

"Here you go." Han Mu's lips curled into a slight smile. "But it's not real."

He gestured for Han Yunge to step forward and take out the "Blood Fiend True Seed" from the jade box.

Upon closer inspection, although this bead also exudes a bloodthirsty aura, its color is much lighter than that of a genuine bloodthirsty seed, and the internal liquid flow is not natural enough.

This is a "pseudo-Blood Fiend Seed" that Han Yunge imitated over three days using several blood-attribute spiritual herbs and a secret technique from the "Azure Origin Pill Manual". Its appearance and aura are indistinguishable from the real thing, but a careful examination will reveal its flaws.

"It will be at least a few days before they find out it's fake." Han Mu put away the fake beads. "By then, we will be well prepared."

He looked westward, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

This game has only just begun.