The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Hancheng, the City Lord's Mansion.

Han Mu stood by the window, toying with the blood-red dagger he had obtained from the assassins of the Shadow Assassin Hall. The dagger was seven inches long, entirely blood-red, with fine runes engraved on the blade, and a faint, bloody aura emanated from it. This dagger was called the "Blood Shadow Thorn," a standard magical artifact of the Shadow Assassin Hall. While not of high rank, only a mid-grade artifact, its strength lay in its stealth and viciousness, specifically designed to break through protective spiritual energy.

"Shadow Assassins..." Han Mu's eyes grew cold. This assassin organization was notorious in the Spirit Realm; they would kill anyone for enough spirit stones. Han Li was attacked in Tianyuan City, and the attackers were clearly after the Spirit Cleansing Elixir. However, news of Han Li winning the bid for the Spirit Cleansing Elixir only spread during the Wanbaolou auction. The fact that the Shadow Assassins received the news and acted so quickly indicates that they had spies at the auction, or that a participant leaked the information.

"System, exchange for three 'Tracing Talismans'," Han Mu silently ordered.

[To exchange for 3 Origin Tracing Tokens, 3000 Contribution Points are required]

[Redeem or not?]

"exchange."

[Exchange successful, 3000 contribution points consumed]

[Remaining Contribution Points: 33000]

The Origin Tracing Talisman can trace the aura and information of an item's previous owner, making it a valuable tool for tracking down clues. Han Mu took one out and affixed it to the Blood Shadow Thorn. The talisman flashed, transforming into a red light that outlined a blurry image in the air.

In the scene, a man in black wearing a ghost mask is handing the Blood Shadow Thorn to a middle-aged man in white robes. The middle-aged man in white robes has his back to the screen, so his face cannot be seen, but he has a blue jade pendant hanging at his waist, on which are engraved the words "Azure Phoenix".

"The Azure Phoenix Jade Pendant?" Han Mu's eyes narrowed. This jade pendant is the symbol of the Azure Phoenix demon clan, and only direct descendants can wear it. It seems that the mastermind behind this is related to the Azure Phoenix demon clan.

He then took out the intelligence jade slip from Tingfeng Pavilion and examined it carefully. The Qingluan demon clan was not a monolithic entity. Although the demon king "Qingluan" was the clan leader, several elders held real power, among whom the Grand Elder "Qingming" had always coveted the position of demon king. Qingming's son, "Qingfeng," was a rising star among the younger generation of the Qingluan demon clan, possessing a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivation, and was said to have secret dealings with the Shadow Assassination Hall.

"Qingfeng..." Han Mu memorized the name. If it was indeed him, the motive was obvious—Hancheng was on good terms with the Azure Phoenix Demon King, and Qingfeng wanted to sabotage this relationship, weaken the Demon King's power, and pave the way for his father to ascend to the throne.

"What a clever trick to use someone else to do your dirty work," Han Mu sneered. Now that the other party had made a move, he naturally wouldn't sit idly by and wait to die.

"Zhao Yuan," he called to the steward.

"What are your orders, City Lord?"

"Send a message to Tingfeng Pavilion. I need all the information about Qingfeng, the more detailed the better. Also, find out which external forces Qingfeng has contacted in the last three months, and how many spirit stones he has spent."

"yes!"

After Zhao Yuan withdrew, Han Mu went to the secret chamber beneath the city lord's mansion. He had transformed it into a cultivation room, surrounded by spirit-gathering arrays and defensive formations, where the concentration of spiritual energy was fifty times that of the outside world.

"System, check the current status."

[Host: Han Mu]

[World inhabited: The Spirit World]

[Cultivation Level: Mid-stage True Void Refinement / Early-stage Superficial Nascent Soul]

[Cultivation Techniques: Primordial Longevity Technique, Level 7 (Mid-Stage), Heaven-Gathering Divine Technique, Level 5, Nine-Turn Undying Body, Second Turn]

[Supernatural Abilities: Lesser Five Elements Sword Formation, Primordial Chaos Qi, Heaven-Gathering Technique, Five Elements Escape Technique]

[Magic Items: Qiankun Sword (Innate), Five Elements Flag (Ancient Treasure), Heavenly Secrets Disc (Special)]

[Families: Han Family (Human Realm), Han City (Spirit Realm)]

[Contribution Points: 33000]

[Current Task: Develop Hancheng (In Progress)]

[Quest Progress: Nascent Soul Cultivator 1/10]

"We still need nine Nascent Soul cultivators..." Han Mu pondered. Having obtained the Spirit Cleansing Elixir, the next step was to focus on nurturing Han Changqing, Han Yunge, and others, helping them break through to the Nascent Soul stage. Also, it was time to begin training that lightning-rooted brat, Han Jinglei.

He took out the deduced version of "Heavenly Thunder Orthodox Method" and the Thunder Source Pearl, preparing to go find Han Jinglei.

……

An ordinary courtyard in the eastern district of Hancheng.

Han Jinglei was practicing his fist techniques in the courtyard. He was sixteen years old, thin, but with bright eyes, and his fists flashed with lightning amidst the howling wind. Although he was only at the sixth level of Qi Refining, he had an extremely high affinity for lightning-based techniques, and his cultivation speed was three times that of ordinary cultivators.

"Indeed, the Lightning Spirit Root is extraordinary." A gentle voice rang out.

Han Jinglei was startled, turned around and saw Han Mu, and immediately knelt down: "Jinglei greets Ancestor!"

"Get up," Han Mu said, offering a slight gesture of support. "Do you know why I've come to find you?"

"I don't know, Jinglei." Han Jinglei stood up, his heart filled with trepidation. He was just a member of a collateral branch of the Han family, with ordinary talent, and he never thought that the patriarch would personally summon him.

"You possess a lightning spiritual root, making you a promising candidate for cultivating lightning techniques." Han Mu took out a deduced version of the "Heavenly Thunder Orthodox Method." "This is the supreme cultivation technique of the ancient Heavenly Thunder Sect, which can be cultivated up to the Mahayana stage. Today I will impart the first three levels to you. Cultivate diligently and do not waste this opportunity."

Han Jinglei took the jade slip and probed it with his divine sense. He was immediately shocked by its profound content. This technique was many times more advanced than the "Basic Lightning Drawing Technique" he was currently cultivating, and it pointed directly to the Great Dao.

"Thank you for bestowing this teaching upon me, Ancestor!" He knelt down again, his voice trembling with excitement.

"And this too." Han Mu took out a small jade bottle. "Inside are three 'Lightning-Attracting Pills,' which can help you sense the lightning of heaven and earth and accelerate your cultivation. Take one pill per month, and do not take more."

"yes!"

"Furthermore, starting today, you will move to the 'Thunderclap Courtyard' next to the City Lord's Mansion. There is a specially set-up thunder-gathering array there, which will enhance your cultivation." Han Mu said, "I will have Elder Han Li guide your cultivation. If you have any questions, you can ask him at any time."

Han Jinglei was speechless and could only kowtow repeatedly. He knew that his fate had been completely changed from this day forward.

"Cultivate diligently. I want to see you reach the Foundation Establishment stage in three years." After saying this, Han Mu turned and left.

He arrived at the Pill Pavilion, where Han Yunge was refining pills. Flames roared in the pill furnace, and the aroma of medicine filled the air. He was clearly refining a fourth-grade pill called "Nascent Soul Pill," which could increase the chances of a Core Formation cultivator breaking through to form a Nascent Soul.

"Ancestor." Han Yunge stopped what she was doing as soon as she saw Han Mu arrive.

"No need for formalities." Han Mu took out a drop of Spirit Cleansing Liquid. "This is for you. After consuming it, it will cleanse impurities from your spiritual root and improve your cultivation aptitude. You've been stuck at the early Nascent Soul stage for some time now, so breaking through to the middle stage shouldn't be difficult."

Han Yunge accepted the jade bottle, sensing the pure spiritual energy within. A look of delight flashed in her beautiful eyes: "Thank you, Ancestor!"

"In addition, this is a recipe for the 'Moonflower Pill'." Han Mu took out another jade slip. "The main ingredient is the Moonflower Lotus, which grows in the Guanghan Realm. Three years later, when you and Han Li enter the Guanghan Realm, if you can find the Moonflower Lotus and refine the Moonflower Pill, it can help Nascent Soul cultivators break through to the Divine Transformation Realm."

Han Yunge solemnly accepted it: "Yunge will certainly live up to the Ancestor's expectations."

After leaving the Pill Pavilion, Han Mu found Han Changqing and gave him a drop of Spirit Cleansing Liquid as well. Han Changqing was already in the mid-Nascent Soul stage, and after taking the Spirit Cleansing Liquid, he was expected to break through to the late stage within three years, and even attempt to reach the Divine Transformation stage.

Finally, he arrived at the Hall of Enforcement. Han Li was instructing the enforcement team members in their cultivation. Upon seeing Han Mu arrive, he told the team members to continue their practice and then came forward to greet him.

"senior."

"Han Li, I have something for you to do," Han Mu said. "I want you to secretly investigate Qing Feng of the Azure Phoenix Demon Clan and see which forces he has been in contact with recently, especially the Shadow Assassin Hall. But don't alert them; just gather intelligence."

Han Li's eyes narrowed: "Senior suspects it's him?"

"It's just a suspicion; we need evidence," Han Mu said. "Also, please take good care of Han Jinglei. He has a lightning spiritual root and cultivates the 'Heavenly Thunder Orthodox Method,' which can corroborate your understanding of the ice-type cultivation technique. It might also be helpful to you."

"I understand."

After making these arrangements, Han Mu returned to the city lord's mansion. Three days later, Zhao Yuan delivered intelligence from Tingfeng Pavilion.

The jade slip detailed Qingfeng's recent movements: Three months ago, Qingfeng secretly traveled to Tianyuan City and met a man in black robes at the "Drunken Immortal Pavilion." The man's identity was unknown, but he wore a Shadow Assassin Hall token at his waist. The two talked for an hour, and Qingfeng paid him 500,000 spirit stones.

Subsequently, Qingfeng contacted Black Panther of "Black Wind Cave" and instructed him to create friction around Hancheng to test its strength. Black Panther's previous provocation of Han Li was at Qingfeng's behest.

"It really was him." A cold glint flashed in Han Mu's eyes. Qing Feng not only hired someone to kill, but also sowed discord; his intentions were despicable.

"Lord, there is one more thing," Zhao Yuan said in a low voice. "The Listening Wind Pavilion has sent word that the Demon Clan's activities in the Azure Phoenix Mountains are becoming more and more frequent, as if they are searching for something. The Azure Phoenix Demon King has strengthened his defenses, but with little effect."

"The Demon Clan..." Han Mu tapped his fingers on the table. First the Shadow Assassin Hall, then the Demon Clan; the Azure Phoenix Mountains were becoming increasingly turbulent. Han City was located here, and they needed to make plans as soon as possible.

"Pass down the order: Hancheng is to enter Level Two alert, and the patrol area is expanded to two thousand li. Also, have Han Ling'er come to see me."

"Yes."

A moment later, Han Ling'er arrived at the City Lord's Mansion. She had already reached the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm, and after her Ice Spirit Root mutated, her cultivation speed was extremely fast, only a step away from the middle stage.

"Ancestor," Han Ling'er bowed gracefully.

"Ling'er, I have something for you to do," Han Mu said. "As the Foreign Affairs Elder of Han City, you will formally visit the Qingluan Demon Clan and meet with the Demon King. On the surface, it will be to discuss the details of trade between the two clans, but in reality, you will be gathering information on Qingfeng's movements and the specific details of the Demon Clan's activities."

Han Ling'er was quick-witted and immediately understood Han Mu's intention: "Ling'er understands, and will certainly not fail your trust."

"Here, take this." Han Mu took out an ice-blue feather robe. "This is the 'Ice Phoenix Feather Robe,' a top-grade defensive magic treasure that can withstand a full-force attack from an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Also, here are three 'Ten Thousand Mile Communication Talismans.' If you are in danger, immediately send me a message."

"Thank you, Ancestor." Han Ling'er accepted the gift, her heart filled with gratitude.

Go ahead, and be careful in everything you do.

After Han Ling'er left, Han Mu stood atop the city wall, gazing into the depths of the Qingluan Mountains. A storm was brewing; for Han City to establish itself in the Spirit Realm, it had to weather the test of time.

And he was ready.