The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

One year later, in Tianyuan City.

Han Mu rode his escape light alone, flying unhurriedly towards the main city of the human race in the spirit realm. Over the past year, under the management of Han Changqing and others, Han City has been thriving. The resources from the three newly added areas have been produced stably, the law enforcement team has expanded to three hundred people, and three batches of Han family bloodline disciples have awakened in the pool, among whom there are many promising talents.

Today, he has come to assume his post as an honorary elder of Tianyuan City. Although it is only a nominal title, since he has accepted this position, he must go through the motions and take the opportunity to test the waters of Tianyuan City.

When they were still three thousand miles away from Tianyuan City, Han Mu suddenly stopped his escape and hovered in mid-air.

"You've all followed me all this way, aren't you going to show yourselves?" he said calmly, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding clouds.

"Heh heh, not bad at being alert." A chilling laugh rang out, and five dark figures emerged from the clouds, forming a pentagonal shape to surround Han Mu in the center. All five were dressed in black robes and wore ghost-face masks. Their auras were connected, clearly indicating that they were five late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators who had cultivated some kind of combined attack formation.

"The Shadow Assassins?" Han Mu's eyes turned cold. Those familiar clothes—it was the same group that had hunted Han Li down in Tianyuan City a year ago.

"Since you know it's the Shadow Assassins Hall, you should understand that you can't escape death today." The leader of the men in black had a hoarse voice. "Someone has offered a million spirit stones for the head of Lord Han. Lord Han, forgive me."

"A million spirit stones? You think highly of me, Han Mu." Han Mu sneered. "But do you five even deserve it?"

"Five Elements Annihilation Formation, activate!" The man in black didn't waste any words and immediately made his move. The five of them simultaneously formed hand seals, and five streams of black energy shot into the sky, weaving together in the air to form a large black net that descended upon Han Mu. Within the area covered by the net, space stagnated and spiritual energy was cut off; it was clearly a formation specifically designed to trap and kill experts.

"A mere trick." Han Mu neither dodged nor evaded, but instead raised his hand and struck out with his palm. The palm wind transformed into a huge, multicolored handprint, which crashed into the black net.

"boom!"

The net shattered instantly, and the five men in black groaned simultaneously, blood trickling from the corners of their mouths. Horror flashed in their eyes. The Five Elements Annihilation Formation was the signature formation of the Shadow Killing Hall; five late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators setting it up would have been more than enough to trap and kill early-stage Divine Transformation cultivators, yet Han Mu had broken it with a single palm strike?

"The intelligence is wrong, retreat!" The leader of the men in black made a decisive move, turning into black smoke and trying to escape.

"Can you escape?" Han Mu flashed and appeared in front of him, pointing a finger at his brow. The man in black's eyes widened as a bloody hole appeared between his brows, his soul and spirit annihilated.

The other four were terrified and fled in four different directions. Han Mu snorted coldly, flicked his fingers, and four streams of Primordial Chaos Sword Qi shot out, accurately striking the four men in the back. The four screamed and fell from the sky, lifeless.

In less than three breaths, all five Shadow Assassins, who were at the late Nascent Soul stage, were wiped out.

Han Mu waved his hand and collected the five people's storage bags. He scanned them with his divine sense and frowned slightly. In addition to the usual spirit stones and magic treasures, there was also a blood-red token with the character "blood" engraved on the front and a skull pattern on the back.

"Blood Skull... a remnant of the Blood Demon Sect?" Han Mu's eyes grew cold. In the battle of the Burial Demon Abyss, the three Demon Generals of the Blood Demon Sect were killed, and the Heavenly Demon Seal was destroyed. It seems that the other party did not let it go and actually colluded with the Shadow Killing Hall to hire someone to kill him.

"It seems I need to go somewhere before heading to Tianyuan City." Han Mu changed direction and flew eastward.

An hour later, he arrived at a desolate valley. This place was called "Ghost Cry Ridge," a secret stronghold of the Shadow Assassin Hall in the Azure Phoenix Mountains. This was intelligence he had bought at a high price from the Listening Wind Pavilion. He had originally planned to wait until Han Cheng's strength increased before clearing it out, but now it seemed he couldn't wait any longer.

Deep within the valley lay a hidden cave. An illusion array surrounded the cave, making it difficult for ordinary cultivators to spot. But for Han Mu, such an array was useless. He broke through the array and entered, where more than ten men in black were discussing matters.

"Who goes there?!" The leader was a one-eyed old man with the cultivation level of the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm. He was the person in charge of this stronghold, known as "Ghost Eye".

"The ones who will take your lives." Han Mu said no more and attacked directly. He unleashed the Primordial Thunder Technique, and lightning raged within the cave, accompanied by screams of agony. In less than ten breaths, all thirteen Shadow Assassins were dead, including Ghost Eye.

Han Mu searched the cave and found many valuable items: an assassination list, employer information, financial ledgers, and a blood-red communication talisman. The talisman contained a message: Three days later, meet the Blood Demon Sect envoy at the "Drunken Immortal Pavilion" in Tianyuan City.

"Interesting." Han Mu put away the communication talisman, burned the cave to ashes, and then continued on his way to Tianyuan City.

Two more hours passed, and Tianyuan City came into view. Han Mu took out his honorary elder token, which the city guards verified before respectfully allowing him to pass.

"Elder Han, the city lord is waiting for you at the Tianyuan Palace. Please follow me." A golden-armored guard at the late Nascent Soul stage stepped forward to lead the way.

Tianyuan Palace is located in the city center, serving as the residence and meeting place of City Lord Jin Yangzi. The palace is nine stories high, magnificent and imposing, even more so than Qingluan Palace. In the plaza in front of the palace stands a hundred-zhang-tall golden statue, none other than the founder of Tianyuan City, "Master Tianyuan."

"Fellow Daoist Han, it's an honor to meet you." An old man in a golden robe walked out of the hall. He had a kind face and an aura as vast as the sea. He was none other than the city lord, Jin Yangzi, who was at the mid-stage of the Void Refinement realm.

"Greetings, Lord Jin." Han Mu bowed.

"Fellow Daoist Han, there's no need for such formalities, please come in." Jin Yangzi led Han Mu into the hall, where they took their seats as host and guest. Maidservants served spiritual tea, its fragrance filling the air.

"Fellow Daoist Han, in the battle of the Burial Abyss, you slew three great demon generals and destroyed the Heavenly Demon Seal, making a great contribution to our human race." Jin Yangzi laughed, "On behalf of Tianyuan City and the human race of the Spirit Realm, I thank Fellow Daoist Han."

"You flatter me, City Lord. I was merely doing my duty," Han Mu said humbly.

"Not arrogant or impatient, very good." Jin Yangzi nodded. "Since Fellow Daoist Han is an honorary elder, there are some things you should know. My Tianyuan City governs 30 million li of human territory, with 36 halls under it, each in charge of various affairs. Although honorary elders do not participate in daily management, they have the authority to inspect, offer suggestions, and deploy troops. This is the detailed authority of the elder's token, please take a look, Fellow Daoist Han."

He handed over a jade slip. Han Mu probed it with his divine sense and found that it listed the various rights and obligations of an honorary elder. Indeed, his status was prestigious, equivalent to that of a deputy city lord.

"In addition, the 'Ten Thousand Races Auction' will be held in Tianyuan City in three days. There will be many rare treasures on display. If Fellow Daoist Han is interested, you can go and take a look." Jin Yangzi added, "I heard that this auction will have 'Guanghan Realm' entry tokens for sale. Although they are only outer tokens, they are still quite rare."

Tokens to enter the Guanghan Realm? Han Mu's heart stirred. Hancheng had already obtained two slots from the Alliance, but if they could get more tokens, they could send more people in and reap greater rewards.

"Thank you for informing me, City Lord. I will keep that in mind."

"There's one more thing," Jin Yangzi said with a slightly grave expression. "Recently, the demon race has been very active, not only in the Qingluan Mountains, but also along the entire border of the Spirit Realm. According to our scouts, it seems to be related to the 'Reincarnation Palace'."

"The Hall of Reincarnation?" Han Mu was hearing this name for the first time.

"That's one of the most mysterious forces in the spirit world. It's said to control the secrets of reincarnation, communicate with the dead, and even reverse life and death," Jin Yangzi said. "The demons are colluding with the Reincarnation Palace, so their ambitions must be enormous. Hancheng is located in the Qingluan Mountains, bordering the demon territory, so we need to be extra careful."

Han Mu noted it down. It seems the situation in the spirit world is more complex than he had imagined.

After chatting for a while, Han Mu took his leave. Jin Yangzi sent a steward to arrange accommodation for him in a quiet courtyard in the city, rich in spiritual energy and with an elegant environment.

As night fell, Han Mu meditated in his room and took out the blood-red communication talisman. Three days later, at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, the Blood Demon Sect's envoy... It seems he must go and meet him.

"System, exchange one 'Disguise Talisman' and one 'Concealment Talisman' each," he silently ordered to himself. Since he needed to investigate secretly, he naturally couldn't show his true face.

[Exchange for a disguise talisman requires 500 contribution points]

[Exchange for a Concealing Breath Talisman requires 500 Contribution Points]

[Redeem or not?]

"exchange."

[Exchange successful, 1000 contribution points consumed]

[Remaining Contribution Points: 42000]

Two talismans appeared in his hand. The Disguise Talisman could change his appearance and aura, making it difficult to detect unless one's cultivation level exceeded his by two major realms. The Concealment Talisman could suppress his aura to a specified level, making it ideal for playing the fool to deceive others.

"Blood Demon Sect, Shadow Kill Hall... Since you're courting death, don't blame me, Han." A cold glint flashed in Han Mu's eyes.

Three days later, at Zuixianlou.

Han Mu transformed into an ordinary-looking middle-aged cultivator, suppressing his aura to the early Nascent Soul stage. He sat on the second floor by the window, ordered a pot of spiritual wine and a few side dishes, appearing leisurely, but in reality, his divine sense enveloped the entire restaurant.

At noon, a man in black robes entered the restaurant and went directly to a private room on the third floor. This man was a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator with a cold aura; he was none other than the envoy of the Blood Demon Sect. Han Mu scanned the room with his divine sense and saw that two people were already waiting inside, both mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, and judging from their attire, they were from the Shadow Assassin Hall.

"Set up a soundproof barrier." With a thought, Han Mu silently infiltrated the private room with his Primordial Chaos Magic Power, creating an invisible barrier. In this way, those inside would not be able to detect the outside world, and those outside would not be able to hear the conversation inside.

"Blood Fiend Envoy, why are you so late?" a hoarse voice asked from inside the private room.

"We encountered some trouble on the way, but it's resolved." The Blood Fiend Envoy's voice was icy. "The five people we sent to assassinate Han Mu last time all had their soul lamps extinguished. It seems they failed."

"What? Five people set up the Five Elements Killing Formation, yet they couldn't kill him?" another person exclaimed in surprise.

"This person's strength far exceeds expectations; he's probably already at the late Nascent Soul stage, or even the Void Refinement stage," said the Blood Fiend Envoy. "The Sect Master has ordered a temporary halt to the assassination attempt, to concentrate our forces on a more important matter. News has come from the 'Reincarnation Palace' that the 'Netherworld Cave' will open in three months. It's one of the entrances to the Underworld, and we need something inside."

"The Netherworld Cave... that's a forbidden area, protected by ancient restrictions. Those above the Nascent Soul stage are not allowed to enter."

"That's precisely why we need to take action," the Blood Fiend Envoy said. "The Sect Master has reached an agreement with the Samsara Palace. They will provide the method to break the seal, and we will provide the manpower and resources. After the deed is done, the treasures inside will be divided equally. Your Shadow Assassination Palace is responsible for recruiting manpower, at least thirty people above the Nascent Soul stage."

"And the payment?"

"Each person will receive 100,000 spirit stones, with an additional 100,000 upon successful completion. Exceptional contributions will be rewarded handsomely."

"Alright, I, Shadow Assassin Hall, accept."

The three discussed the details further, and then parted ways half an hour later. Han Mu removed the barrier, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes. The Netherworld Cave, the entrance to the Underworld—what did the Blood Demon Sect and the Samsara Palace want from it?

"Looks like I'll have to make a trip to the Netherworld Cave." Han Mu had already made up his mind. The Blood Demon Sect was Han Cheng's mortal enemy, and he would naturally want to thwart whatever they wanted to do. Moreover, the entrance to the Netherworld might hold the treasures he needed.

He rose and left the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, returning to his residence. First, he would attend tomorrow's Myriad Races Auction, bid for the Guanghan Realm Token, and then visit the Netherworld Cave. As for the Blood Demon Sect and Shadow Killing Hall's conspiracies, he would deal with them then.

"System, check the information on the Netherworld Cave." Han Mu thought to himself.

[To exchange for detailed information about the Netherworld Cave, 3000 contribution points are required.]

[Redeem or not?]

"exchange."

[Exchange successful, 3000 contribution points consumed]

[Remaining Contribution Points: 39000]

A black jade slip appeared in Han Mu's hand. He probed it with his divine sense, finding detailed information about the Netherworld Cave's location, history, level of danger, and records of previous explorations. The Netherworld Cave was located at the border between the Spirit Realm and the Underworld, opening once every three hundred years and lasting for a month each time. The cave contained Netherworld energy that could erode life force, making it difficult for those below the Nascent Soul stage to withstand. However, it also contained rare and priceless treasures unique to the Underworld.

"It will open in three months... the timing is perfect." Han Mu put away the jade slip. The Guanghan Realm will open in half a year; there's enough time to go there after leaving the Netherworld Cave.

He gazed out the window; Tianyuan City was ablaze with lights, a scene of dazzling prosperity. But beneath this splendor, undercurrents surged. The Demon Clan, the Blood Demon Sect, the Shadow Assassin Hall, the Reincarnation Hall… all sorts of forces were stirring, and the Spirit Realm was about to face a storm.

Hancheng, however, will ride the waves and soar to new heights amidst this storm.