The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Three months later, in Hancheng.

Han Li stood before the Hall of Law Enforcement, behind him were twenty cultivators dressed in uniform cyan outfits. These were law enforcement officers he had selected from three hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators in Han City. Their cultivation levels ranged from the late Foundation Establishment stage to the mid-Core Formation stage, and each of them possessed sharp eyes and a capable demeanor.

"From today onwards, you are the first batch of members of the Han City Law Enforcement Team." Han Li's gaze swept over the crowd. "Your duties are threefold: first, to maintain order within the city; second, to patrol the surrounding areas; and third, to carry out special missions. Do you understand?"

"Understood!" the twenty people replied in unison.

Han Li nodded. In the past three months, he not only formed an enforcement team, but also taught them the improved version of the "Primordial Chaos Sword Technique" he brought from the human realm. Although its power was not as great as the original, it was still a decent technique in the spirit realm, enough to increase the strength of these team members by 30%.

"Let's go, routine patrol." Han Li waved his hand and led the enforcement team to fly out of Han City on their swords.

According to the division of duties among the patrol envoys, the area within three thousand li around Hancheng is under the jurisdiction of Han Mu. As an elder of law enforcement, Han Li naturally has to undertake patrol duties. Over the past three months, he has already familiarized himself with the surrounding terrain. Today, he is heading to "Wind and Thunder Valley," which is five hundred li to the southeast.

Wind and Thunder Valley gets its name from the constant winds and thunder. The valley is rich in a spiritual material called "Wind and Thunder Stone," which is an excellent material for refining thunder-attribute magic weapons. However, the valley is home to many demonic beasts, the most dangerous of which is the "Wind and Thunder Eagle." Adults of this species possess the strength of a Nascent Soul cultivator and live in groups, so ordinary cultivators dare not venture deep into the valley.

After flying for half an hour, Wind and Thunder Valley came into view. Between two mountain peaks, a deep canyon meandered forward, with howling winds, lightning, and thunder, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was exceptionally violent.

"As planned, form groups of three and disperse to explore," Han Li ordered. "Signal immediately if you encounter any danger, and do not venture deeper without authorization."

"yes!"

The team members dispersed, while Han Li, leading two mid-stage Core Formation members, flew directly to the deepest part of the valley. He needed to personally investigate to see if there were any hidden dangers threatening Han City's safety.

The deeper they went, the stronger the wind and thunder became. Han Li raised his protective spiritual light, blocking all the incoming wind blades and lightning. The other two team members were not so relaxed. Although they also raised their shields, their faces were pale, clearly indicating that they had consumed a lot of energy.

"You all retreat to the valley entrance to provide backup; I'll go in alone," Han Li said.

"Elder, this is too dangerous..." a team member said worriedly.

"It's alright, I know what I'm doing," Han Li waved his hand. The two had no choice but to leave.

After they left, Han Li took a deep breath, and a faint layer of icy mist appeared around him, which was the protective divine power of the "Ice Soul Shield" from the "Ice Soul True Scripture". This shield can not only defend, but also absorb some lightning attribute attacks and convert them into his own mana.

He continued deeper and soon reached the bottom of the valley. Here, the wind and thunder were even more violent, and the ground was riddled with deep craters, clearly indicating frequent lightning strikes. Han Li scanned the area with his divine sense and detected strong fluctuations of spiritual energy deep within the valley, suggesting the presence of something.

"Let's go take a look."

He cautiously approached, passing through a thundercloud, and suddenly the view opened up before him. There stood a flat stone platform, about a hundred feet in diameter, with a broken sword stuck in its center. The sword was rusted and crackled, but faint flashes of lightning emanated from it. Scattered around the broken sword were several skeletons, seemingly those of human cultivators, who had been dead for countless years.

"This is..." Han Li stepped forward to examine it and found a storage bag next to the skeleton, but it had long been weathered and would crumble at the slightest touch. Only a black token was intact. The token was neither gold nor wood, and it was heavy in the hand. The front was engraved with the words "Heavenly Thunder," and the back was covered with complex runes.

"The Heavenly Thunder Token?" Han Li's heart skipped a beat. He had seen it in the spiritual realm information Han Mu had given him. In ancient times, there was a "Heavenly Thunder Sect" that specialized in thunder magic and was renowned for its power. Later, for unknown reasons, the sect was wiped out. This Heavenly Thunder Token was the token of the Heavenly Thunder Sect.

"Could this be the ruins of some sect called Heavenly Thunder Sect?"

Han Li carefully examined the stone platform and indeed found a hidden cave entrance behind the broken sword. There were remnants of a protective barrier at the entrance, but due to its age, its power had diminished to less than one-tenth. He easily broke through the barrier and entered the cave.

Inside the cave was a downward-sloping passage, with stone walls on both sides carved with lightning patterns, faintly shimmering with lightning. Han Li became even more certain that this place was related to the Heavenly Thunder Sect.

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a stone gate appeared ahead. Nine lightning bolt patterns were carved on the stone gate, and there was a groove in the center, the shape of which matched the Heavenly Thunder Token perfectly.

"As expected, a token is needed." Han Li took out the Heavenly Thunder Token and placed it into the slot.

With a "click," the stone door slowly opened. Behind the door was a small stone chamber, only about ten zhang square. The interior was simply furnished with a table, a chair, and a bed. Several jade slips were placed on the table, and a skeleton sat on the bed.

The skeleton was pale gold, indicating that it had a high level of cultivation in life, at least at the Nascent Soul stage. The skeleton held a purple bead in its hand, with lightning flashing inside, as if sealing a bolt of lightning.

Han Li first bowed to the skeleton: "Senior, please forgive me. I entered this place by mistake. If I have offended you, please forgive me."

He stepped forward to examine the jade slips. The first one recorded the identity of the owner of this place. It turned out that this person was Lei Yuanzi, the last elder of the Heavenly Thunder Sect. A thousand years ago, the Heavenly Thunder Sect suffered a great calamity, and he fled to this place with severe injuries, eventually passing away peacefully. Before his death, he left behind all his life's learning and the sect's tokens here, waiting for a destined person.

The second jade slip contained the "Heavenly Thunder Orthodox Method," the supreme cultivation technique of the Heavenly Thunder Sect, which could be cultivated up to the Great Ascension stage. However, this technique required extremely high levels of lightning spiritual root, and Han Li, lacking such a root, was unable to cultivate it.

The third jade slip records several secret strongholds of the Heavenly Thunder Sect, as well as some hidden secrets. It mentions that the destruction of the Heavenly Thunder Sect was related to a treasure called the "Thunder Source Pearl." This pearl was formed from innate thunder spirit and contained endless thunder power. Obtaining it would allow one to control all thunder in the world.

"Thunder Source Bead..." Han Li looked at the purple bead in the skeleton's hand. Could this be it?

He carefully removed the bead, and the moment he touched it, a violent surge of lightning power rushed into his body. If he hadn't made some progress in cultivating the Ice Soul Scripture and had the Ice Soul Bead protecting him, he would probably have been electrocuted on the spot.

"Such powerful lightning energy!" Han Li quickly circulated his magic power to suppress it and put the bead into his storage ring. Although this item was good, he was not yet able to refine it with his current cultivation level, and forcibly using it would only backfire on him.

He searched the stone chamber again and found several lightning-attribute magical artifacts and materials. Although their spiritual power was greatly damaged due to their age, they could still be used after being reforged. Most importantly, he found a small teleportation array under the bed. Next to the array was a jade slip explaining that this array led to the "Heavenly Thunder Secret Realm," which was the most important legacy of the Heavenly Thunder Sect.

"Heavenly Thunder Secret Realm..." Han Li noted down the activation method and coordinates of the teleportation array. This array requires Nascent Soul stage mana to activate and can only be used once every hundred years, with the next opening in thirty years.

"It seems I'll have to wait until my cultivation is sufficient before exploring again." Han Li put away all his items, bowed three times to the skeleton, and left the stone chamber.

Back at the valley entrance, the team members had been waiting for a long time. They all breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Han Li return safely.

"Elder, have you found anything?" a team member asked.

"We've discovered an ancient cultivator's cave and have finished exploring it," Han Li said. "However, don't spread this around, lest it cause unnecessary trouble."

"clear!"

The group returned to Hancheng. Han Li recorded the situation at Wind and Thunder Valley, preparing to report it to Han Mu. As for the Heavenly Thunder Token and Thunder Source Pearl, he did not plan to disclose them for the time being, as they involved ancient sects and were too complicated.

Back in the Enforcement Hall, Han Li was preparing to go into seclusion to digest what he had learned when a team member rushed in to report.

"Elder, there's trouble in the west of the city!"

"What is it?"

"A group of demon cultivators are challenging us outside the city, saying they want to see the city lord and demand an explanation."

"The demon race?" Han Li frowned. Han City is located in the Azure Phoenix Mountain Range, bordering the territory of the demon race. Although Han Mu has a relationship with the Azure Phoenix Demon King, the demon race has complex factions, and friction is inevitable.

"Let's go take a look."

Han Li led his enforcement team to the west of the city. There stood more than ten demon cultivators outside the city walls, led by a burly man with a leopard's head and a human body, a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator with a fierce aura. Behind him followed a group of Nascent Soul and Core Formation stage demons, each with hostile eyes.

"Who goes there and why are you challenging me in Hancheng?" Han Li asked in a deep voice.

"So you're in charge?" The burly man with the leopard's head glared at Han Li. "I am Black Leopard, the master of Black Wind Cave in the Azure Phoenix Mountains. You people from Han City stole treasures from my cave. Hand them over immediately, or I'll raze your wretched city to the ground!"

"Theft?" Han Li sneered. "Do you have any evidence?"

"Evidence?" Black Panther waved his hand, and a wolf demon behind him pushed out a bound Han City cultivator. "This is the witness! He stole the 'Black Wind Stone' from my Black Wind Cave and was caught red-handed!"

The cultivator from Han City was a young man in the Foundation Establishment stage. His face was bruised and swollen. Upon seeing Han Li, he cried out, "Elder, you've been wronged! I was just gathering spiritual herbs nearby; I didn't enter any Black Wind Cave, nor did I see any Black Wind Stone!"

Han Li looked at Black Panther: "You say he stole, but do you have any witnesses or physical evidence? Do you think you can convict the people of Hancheng based solely on your word?"

"I said he stole it, and that's it!" Black Panther said arrogantly. "Enough nonsense, either hand over the man and the treasure, or let's settle this with our fists!"

Han Li's gaze grew cold. This black leopard was clearly deliberately causing trouble. The theft was just an excuse; its real purpose was probably to test Han Cheng's strength or simply to take advantage of him.

"In that case, I, Han, will gladly accept your superior skills." Han Li took a step forward and arrived at the open space outside the city.

"Late Nascent Soul stage?" The black panther sensed Han Li's cultivation level, a hint of apprehension flashing in its eyes, but it immediately grinned maliciously. "So what if your cultivation is high? Every member of my Black Wind Cave demon race is a skilled warrior, far superior to you human cultivators!"

He roared and revealed his true form, transforming into a three-zhang-long black panther, his body radiating demonic energy as he pounced on Han Li.

Han Li neither dodged nor evaded, but instead formed a sword with his fingers, unleashing a cyan sword aura. Wherever the sword aura passed, ripples spread through the space; it was none other than the "Primordial Sword Aura" from the "Primordial Sword Technique."

"Roar!" The black panther swung its claws to disperse the sword energy, but a bloody gash appeared on its claws. It roared and spat out a black wind blade, which spun and slashed towards Han Li, sending sand and stones flying wherever it passed.

Han Li unleashed the Azure Thunder Sword, its blade blazing with lightning, cleaving apart the wind blades with a single strike. At the same time, he formed a hand seal with his left hand, unleashing the "Freezing a Thousand Miles" technique from the Ice Soul Scripture, causing a chilling aura to permeate and freeze the space around the black panther.

The black panther's movements faltered, and Han Li seized the opportunity to close in, his Azure Thunder Sword transforming into countless sword shadows that enveloped the panther. The black panther desperately resisted, but Han Li's swordsmanship was exquisite, and with the aid of ice-type divine abilities, the panther quickly fell into a disadvantageous position.

"puff!"

The Azure Thunder Sword pierced the black panther's left shoulder, blood spurting out. The black panther screamed and flew backward, crashing heavily to the ground, revealing its human form, its face pale.

"Cave Master!" The other demons were shocked and wanted to step forward.

"Who dares to move!" Han Li shouted coldly, a chilling sword intent locking onto all the demons. The demons instantly felt as if they had fallen into an ice cave, unable to move.

"You...you dare to hurt me!" The black panther was both shocked and furious. "I am under the command of the Azure Phoenix Demon King. You have injured me; the Demon King will not let you off!"

"I will explain to the Azure Phoenix Demon King myself," Han Li said calmly. "But you have trespassed into Han City and slandered my Han City cultivators. You must give an explanation for this. Otherwise, I don't mind keeping you all here."

"You..." Black Panther was so angry he almost vomited blood, but the situation was beyond his control, so he could only grit his teeth and say, "Fine, Black Wind Cave was in the wrong today, let's drop this matter!"

"Give up?" Han Li sneered. "You've injured a cultivator from Hancheng, and you're just going to let it go like that?"

"So what do you want?"

"Compensation." Han Li held up three fingers. "Three Nascent Soul stage treasures, or their equivalent value in spirit stones. In addition, a public apology and a guarantee that you will not repeat this mistake."

Black Panther's face turned ashen, but seeing Han Li's icy gaze, he finally gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, I'll pay!"

He took out a black cloak and two bottles of pills, along with 100,000 spirit stones, and threw them on the ground. Then he clasped his hands in a fist salute to the Han City cultivator: "I apologize for the misunderstanding today!"

After saying that, he led his men away in a dejected manner.

Han Li put away the compensation and said to the Han City cultivator, "You've been frightened. Take these spirit stones and pills and recover well."

"Thank you so much, Elder!" the monk said, tears of gratitude streaming down his face.

Han Li gazed in the direction the demon race had departed, his eyes deep and thoughtful. This was just the beginning; the struggle in the Spirit Realm had only just begun.