The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Azure Phoenix Peak, located deep within the Azure Phoenix Mountain Range, is the ancestral home of the Azure Phoenix demon race. This peak rises tens of thousands of feet high, perpetually shrouded in mist and clouds, its azure color resembling a blue phoenix spreading its wings, ready to take flight. At its summit stands the Azure Phoenix Palace, the residence of the Demon King and the meeting place for the demon race.

Han Ling'er traveled for three days in a small magical boat, finally arriving at the foot of Qingluan Peak. Dressed in an ice phoenix feather robe, her aura was ethereal and cold, and her stunning beauty made her appear like a celestial being descended to earth. The mountain-guarding demon cultivator, recognizing her as a human cultivator, was about to stop her, but upon seeing the Han City token hanging at her waist, he quickly bowed in respect.

"So you are an envoy from Hancheng. Please wait a moment while I announce your arrival," the leading demon cultivator said respectfully.

Han Ling'er nodded and stood quietly to wait. She scanned her surroundings with her divine sense. The spiritual energy on Qingluan Peak was more than ten times that of the outside world, no wonder it could nurture such a powerful clan as the Qingluan Demon Clan. However, she also noticed that there were many hidden sentries everywhere on the mountain, and the defenses were very tight, which meant that the Qingluan Demon Clan had been in turmoil recently.

"Elder Han, the Demon King requests your presence." The demon cultivator quickly returned and led Han Ling'er up the mountain.

Ascending the winding mountain path, one sees exotic flowers and rare herbs, as well as mythical birds and auspicious beasts. Many demon cultivators, whether in human form or their true form, are cultivating and playing in the mountains, casting curious glances at Han Ling'er. It is not uncommon for human cultivators to come to Qingluan Peak, but a female cultivator so young, beautiful, and with such outstanding temperament is rare.

Upon reaching the summit, a breathtaking view unfolded before us. In the center of a vast platform stood a magnificent palace—the Azure Phoenix Palace. The palace was nine stories high, entirely constructed of jade, with lifelike azure phoenix patterns carved on its eaves.

In the plaza before the palace, two rows of demon cultivators stood solemnly in their robes, their cultivation levels at least at the Nascent Soul stage. Han Ling'er remained composed as she calmly walked past and arrived at the palace. The palace doors were open, and the interior was brightly lit. In the center, seated in the main seat, sat a middle-aged man in a green robe, none other than the Azure Phoenix Demon King. On either side sat more than ten elders, their cultivation levels unfathomable, all at least at the Deity Transformation stage.

"Han Ling'er from Hancheng greets the Demon King and all the elders." Han Ling'er bowed respectfully, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Elder Han, there's no need for such formalities," the Azure Phoenix Demon King smiled. "Han City and my Azure Phoenix Demon Clan are friendly neighbors. Elder Han, what brings you here?"

"I have come on the orders of the City Lord to discuss the details of trade between our two races with the Demon King." Han Ling'er took out a handwritten letter from Han Mu and a list. "These are the trade terms drafted by Han City. Please take a look, Demon King."

The maid took the letter and list and presented them to the Demon King. The Demon King unfolded them and read them, nodding occasionally. The list specified the elixirs, magical artifacts, talismans, and other items that Han City could provide, as well as the demon race's specialties required. The terms were fair and reasonable, truly indicating sincere trade.

"Lord Han's suggestion is very reasonable." After reading it, the Demon King said to the elders on either side, "What do you all think?"

"Demon King, this matter requires further discussion." A cold voice rang out. The speaker was an old man in black robes sitting at the head of the right side. His face was withered and his eyes were sunken. He was none other than the First Elder, Qingming.

"Does the Grand Elder have any objections?" the Demon King asked.

"Hancheng has only been established for three years and its foundation is still shallow. The quality of the goods it provides may not be reliable," Qingming said calmly. "Moreover, humans are cunning and we must be wary. In my opinion, we can postpone the trade and discuss it again after we have investigated it thoroughly."

Han Ling'er's heart skipped a beat. Just as the Ancestor had predicted, Qing Ming would indeed interfere. She remained calm and composed, saying, "The Grand Elder's words are reasonable. However, although Han City has only been established for a short time, its City Lord, Han Mu, once served as an Inspector in Tianyuan City and has dealings with forces such as Tianyuan City and Wanbaolou. The quality of the goods he provides is guaranteed. If the Grand Elder is still concerned, we can start with small-scale transactions to test the quality before expanding the scale."

"Hmph, silver-tongued indeed." Qingming sneered. "You claim to have dealings with Tianyuan City, but do you have any proof?"

"This is a letter from Jin Buhuan, the owner of Tianyuan City. Please take a look, Demon King." Han Ling'er took out another letter. This was prepared in advance by Han Mu. Jin Buhuan did indeed have a relationship with Han Mu, so writing a letter of recommendation would not be difficult.

The Demon King took the letter and examined it. In it, Jin Buhuan praised Hancheng highly, saying that Han Mu was an upright person and that the goods from Hancheng were of superior quality. After reading it, he smiled and said, "Since Master Jin is the guarantor, I am humbled. Elder, there is no need for further doubts. The trade is settled."

Qingming's face darkened, but since the Demon King had already spoken, he couldn't object any further. He could only snort coldly and remain silent.

"Elder Han has come from afar, so please rest here for a few days. The specific details can be discussed by your subordinates." The Demon King said to Han Ling'er, "Qingyu, take Elder Han to the 'Green Bamboo Courtyard' to settle in and treat him well."

"Yes, Father." A girl in feathered robes stepped forward in response; it was Qingyu, the daughter of the Demon King. She approached Han Ling'er and smiled, "Elder Han, please follow me."

Han Ling'er bowed and took her leave, then followed Qing Yu out of the main hall.

Located halfway up Qingluan Peak, Qingzhu Courtyard is a secluded and tranquil place, filled with green bamboo and boasting an elegant environment. After arranging everything and leaving two maids to attend to her, Qingyu departed.

"Elder Han, please feel free to give any instructions if you need anything," Qingyu said before leaving.

"Thank you, Miss Qingyu," Han Ling'er said.

As night fell, Han Ling'er meditated in her room. She appeared to be cultivating with her eyes closed, but in reality, she was projecting her divine sense outwards, vigilant of her surroundings. The Ancestor had sent her here; trade was merely a pretext. Her true purpose was to investigate Qingfeng and the Demon Clan's movements, and she dared not be careless.

At midnight, a slight noise suddenly came from outside the window. Han Ling'er opened her eyes and saw a dark figure silently sneaking into the courtyard, heading towards her room. The person's cultivation was not low, at least in the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm, and their concealment skills were superb; if she hadn't been on guard, she would have had a hard time noticing them.

"Who?" Han Ling'er whispered, simultaneously summoning the Ice Phoenix Feather Robe. The robe emitted a bright blue light, transforming into a protective shield around her entire body.

"Heh heh, not bad at being alert." The shadowy figure stopped, revealing its true form—a pale-faced young man with a cold glint in his eyes. Han Ling'er recognized him; he was none other than Qingfeng, the Son of Qingming.

"Young Master Qingfeng, what brings you here so late at night?" Han Ling'er asked coldly.

"Nothing much. I just heard that a beautiful elder has come to Hancheng, so I've come to pay her a visit." Qingfeng chuckled wickedly. "Elder Han, you've come from afar, you must be lonely. Why don't I keep you company for a chat?"

As he spoke, he reached out to grab Han Ling'er. His palm glowed with a blue light and transformed into a sharp blue claw, clearly indicating that he had cultivated some kind of demonic art.

Han Ling'er's eyes turned cold. Although she was only at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm, she was protected by the Ice Phoenix Feather Robe and had the life-saving techniques bestowed upon her by Han Mu, so she was not afraid. She formed a sword with her fingers and unleashed a blast of icy blue sword energy, a move from the "Ice Soul True Scripture".

"Huh? Ice-based techniques?" Qingfeng was slightly surprised, but then grinned maliciously. "Interesting. This young master likes intense techniques!"

He swayed, dodging the sword energy, and simultaneously spewed out a cloud of azure poisonous mist. The mist had a pungent, foul odor, and wherever it passed, the green bamboo withered instantly, clearly indicating its extreme toxicity.

Han Ling'er dared not take the attack head-on and used her Ice Escape Technique to dodge. But Qingfeng was even faster, following her like a shadow, its sharp claws striking repeatedly, each strike containing deadly poison. If it weren't for the Ice Phoenix Feather Robe protecting her, she would have already been injured.

"Young Master Qingfeng, this is Qingluan Peak. How dare you attack the envoy from Hancheng? Aren't you afraid of being punished by the Demon King?" Han Ling'er fought and retreated, trying to buy time.

"Punish you?" Qingfeng sneered. "Once I capture you and place a restriction on you, who will know what happened tonight? Then you'll be my person, and Hancheng will have to obey!"

He unleashed his full power, unleashing his late-stage Nascent Soul cultivation, forcing Han Ling'er to retreat steadily. Although the Ice Phoenix Feather Robe provided defense, it consumed a great deal of energy, and Han Ling'er felt her spiritual power rapidly draining away.

"I can't delay any longer." She gritted her teeth, took out the communication talisman Han Mu had given her, and prepared to crush it.

"Trying to call for help? Too late!" Qingfeng sensed her intention and spat out a blue bead. The bead expanded in the wind, transforming into a blue light shield that enveloped the entire courtyard, isolating it from the outside world.

"Anti-space Bead?" Han Ling'er's expression changed. This bead can isolate communication and spatial fluctuations, rendering the Ten Thousand Mile Communication Talisman unusable.

"Now, you can't escape!" Qingfeng grinned as he pounced.

At that moment, a sudden change occurred.

"Buzz—"

A crack suddenly appeared in the sky, and a cyan sword aura descended from above, instantly shattering the light barrier formed by the Sky-Sealing Pearl. The sword aura continued its momentum, slashing straight at the cyan wind.

"Who?!" Qingfeng was shocked and activated his protective demonic energy with all his might, while simultaneously summoning a blue shield.

"clang!"

The sword energy struck the shield, shattering it instantly. Qingfeng was struck as if by a heavy blow, flying backward and spitting out a mouthful of blood.

From the crack, a figure in a green robe slowly emerged—it was Han Mu. His expression was calm, but his eyes flashed with cold light, clearly indicating that he was truly enraged.

"Han...Han Mu!" Qingfeng's face turned deathly pale when he saw who it was. Although he was arrogant, he knew that Han Mu was a Nascent Soul cultivator, and he was definitely not someone he could contend with.

"Qingfeng, you have quite the nerve," Han Mu said calmly. "Who gave you the courage to touch anyone from Hancheng?"

"Lord Han, this is a misunderstanding..." Qingfeng forced himself to remain calm. "I was merely sparring with Elder Han..."

"A friendly spar?" Han Mu sneered, reaching out to grab him. Qing Feng immediately felt an invisible force binding him, rendering him unable to move.

"Lord Han, show mercy!" A hurried shout came from afar. Several figures broke through the air, including the Azure Phoenix Demon King, Elder Qing Ming, and others. They sensed the shattered Sky-Sealing Pearl and the aura of the Nascent Soul cultivator, and rushed over.

"The Demon King's arrival is timely." Han Mu did not loosen his grip, and said calmly, "Your son sneaked into the residence of the envoy in Han City late at night with malicious intent. How should this matter be dealt with?"

The Demon King looked at Qingfeng, then at Han Ling'er. He saw that although she had escaped unharmed, her breathing was disordered, clearly indicating that she had been through a fierce battle. His face turned ashen.

"You unfilial son!" the Demon King roared, "How dare you commit such a disgraceful act!"

"Father, I..." Qingfeng wanted to explain, but when he saw the Demon King's cold eyes, he immediately fell silent.

"Demon King, we cannot rely on only one side of the story." Elder Qingming stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Feng'er may have just been confused for a moment, and no actual harm was caused. City Lord Han, why don't you give me some face and let this matter drop? I will definitely discipline him strictly."

"Just let it go like this?" Han Mu looked at Qing Ming. "Elder, you make it sound so easy. If I hadn't arrived in time, Han Ling'er would have already been killed. At that point, Han City and the Qingluan Demon Clan would be mortal enemies. Do you think this matter can be left at that?"

Qingming's face was grim; he hadn't expected Han Mu to be so adamant. But Qingfeng was his only son, and he couldn't leave him unsaid.

"What are Han Chengyi's intentions?"

"It's very simple," Han Mu said. "First, Qing Feng must publicly apologize to Han Ling'er and pay 100,000 spirit stones in compensation. Second, he must be confined to Qingluan Peak for a hundred years and is not allowed to leave even a step. Third, he must hand over information about the mastermind behind this."

"The mastermind behind this?" The Demon King frowned. "Lord Han means..."

"Does the Demon King think your son is merely lustful?" Han Mu sneered. "I have investigated thoroughly. Several months ago, Qingfeng secretly went to Tianyuan City to meet with assassins from the Shadow Assassin Hall, spending 500,000 spirit stones to hire someone to assassinate Elder Han Li of my Han City. Later, he instructed the Black Leopard of Black Wind Cave to provoke Han City, and today he even attacked Han Ling'er. If no one was behind this series of actions, would he dare to act so recklessly on his own?"

Upon hearing this, the Demon King and the elders' expressions changed drastically. They naturally knew what kind of organization the Shadow Assassin Hall was. If Qingfeng was truly colluding with the Shadow Assassin Hall, then the nature of the matter would be completely different.

"Feng'er, is what Lord Han said true?" The Demon King stared at Qingfeng, a murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

Qingfeng's face was ashen; he knew he had been exposed and there was no room for further denial. He looked at his father, Qingming, his eyes pleading.

Qingming sighed inwardly, knowing he couldn't protect his son today. He gritted his teeth and said, "Demon King, there may be more to this matter. But if Feng'er really did these things, I will not protect him. However, the mastermind that City Lord Han mentioned might just be Feng'er, young and impetuous, being misled..."

"Bewitched?" Han Mu interrupted him. "Does the Grand Elder know who misled him?"

Qingming was speechless. He knew who it was, of course, but he couldn't say.

"Since the Grand Elder is unaware, then let me, Han, tell you all." Han Mu looked at Qing Ming and said, word by word, "It was you, Grand Elder, who bewitched Qing Feng, instigated him to collude with the Shadow Assassin Hall, and sowed discord between Han City and the demon race!"

"Whoosh—"

The elders were in an uproar. The Demon King's face was ashen as he stared intently at Qingming.

"Lord Han, you're spouting nonsense!" Qingming roared. "I am utterly loyal to the demon race; how could I do such a thing?"

"Loyalty?" Han Mu took out a recording stone and infused it with spiritual power. An image appeared on the stone, showing Qing Ming having a secret conversation with a man in black robes. The man in black robes had a cold aura and wore a Shadow Assassin Hall token at his waist.

"Three months ago, at White Bone Ridge, the Grand Elder met with 'Ghost Face' from the Shadow Assassin Hall to discuss how to eliminate me, frame the Demon King, and help you ascend to the throne," Han Mu said calmly. "Should I continue to keep this under wraps?"

Qingming's face turned deathly pale, and he trembled all over. He hadn't expected Han Mu to have even found out about this.

"Qingming, what else do you have to say?" The Demon King's voice was icy cold, filled with murderous intent.

"I...I..." Qingming suddenly sprang to his feet, transforming into a streak of azure light as he fled into the distance. He knew that his scheme had been exposed, and staying behind would mean certain death.

"Trying to leave?" The Demon King sneered, reaching out to grasp Qingming. A giant azure claw appeared out of thin air, firmly gripping him.

"Demon King, spare me! Spare me!" Qingming cried out in terror.

"Colluding with foreign enemies and betraying the demon race is an unforgivable crime!" Pain flashed in the demon king's eyes, but without hesitation, he squeezed hard with his giant claw.

"puff!"

Qingming transformed into a cloud of blood mist, his form and spirit utterly destroyed.

"As for Qingfeng..." The Demon King looked at Qingfeng, whose face was ashen, and sighed, "Abolish his cultivation and imprison him in the dungeon forever."

"Father, spare me! Spare me!" Qingfeng collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down his face. But the Demon King remained unmoved, crippling his cultivation with a single finger and ordering his guards to take him away.

After dealing with the two, the Demon King bowed deeply to Han Mu: "Lord Han, I have failed in my duty of discipline, causing Han City to suffer humiliation. Please forgive me. From this day forward, the Azure Phoenix Demon Clan and Han City will be forever on friendly terms. Anyone who harbors disloyalty will be punished by heaven and earth!"

Han Mu returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "The Demon King is truly wise and righteous, I admire him. Let this matter rest, and may the friendship between our two races last forever."

"Excellent!" The Demon King was overjoyed. "Lord Han, Elder Han, please return to the palace. I will host a banquet to apologize!"

The group returned to the Azure Phoenix Palace. At the banquet, the Demon King and Han Mu had a pleasant conversation, finalizing trade details and reaching a series of cooperation agreements. The relationship between Hancheng and the Azure Phoenix Demon Clan, ironically, became even closer.

After the banquet, Han Mu left with Han Ling'er. On the way back, Han Ling'er asked, "Ancestor, how did you know the Grand Elder would resort to desperate measures?"

"He colluded with the Shadow Assassins Hall to murder the Demon King. If his plot is exposed, he will surely die, so naturally he has to flee," Han Mu said. "However, although we have eliminated Qingming and his son today, the crisis of the Qingluan Demon Clan has not been resolved."

"Does 'Ancestor' refer to the Demon Clan?"

"Not bad." Han Mu gazed into the depths of the Azure Phoenix Mountains. "The collusion between Qingming and the Shadow Assassin Hall may be a minor matter. The frequent activities of the Demon Clan in the Azure Phoenix Mountains suggest they have much bigger ambitions. There are probably even spies within the Demon Clan."

Han Ling'er felt a chill run down her spine. The waters of the Spirit Realm were deeper than she had imagined.

"Once we get back, put Hancheng on high alert," Han Mu said. "A storm is brewing, and we must be prepared."