The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Before the Palace of the Underworld, nearly a hundred people from three factions stood ready. The palace before them soared into the clouds, constructed entirely of black stone, exuding an ancient and sinister aura. The palace doors were tightly shut, covered with intricate underworld runes, from which faint black light flowed, clearly indicating the presence of powerful restrictions.

"This restriction is at least at the Nascent Soul level; it will require combined efforts to break." The gray-robed man observed for a moment, then said hoarsely, "Fellow Daoist Blood Fierce, you lead the attack on the left gate; Fellow Daoist Ghost Shadow, you lead the attack on the right gate; I will provide support from the center. The temporary team members will be dispersed around the perimeter to prevent interference from the Netherworld creatures."

"Alright." Xue Li and Gui Ying nodded, each leading their men to their positions.

Han Mu mingled among the temporary team members, observing secretly. He already knew from the complete map that the Underworld Palace's restrictions were called the "Nine Netherworld King Array," which required a specific method to break; a direct attack would only trigger a backlash from the array. However, the three forces clearly did not know this method and intended to break it by brute force.

"Begin!" the gray-robed man hissed.

Bloodthirsty Fiend spat out a blood-red flying sword, its blade radiating a blinding crimson light, and slashed fiercely towards the left gate. Ghost Shadow, meanwhile, summoned a jet-black dagger, transforming it into a black streak as it pierced towards the right gate. The gray-robed man formed hand seals, unleashing a hazy gray beam of light that blasted towards the center of the hall's entrance.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Three loud bangs shook the palace gates, and the runes on their surfaces shone brightly. Black light surged out like a tide, transforming into countless black arrows that rained down on the crowd.

"Watch out!" someone cried out, and they quickly defended themselves. But the black arrows were extremely powerful. Several temporary team members' defenses were breached, and they were riddled with bullets and fell to the ground dead with screams.

"Keep going! Don't stop!" Xue Li shouted, intensifying his attacks. The Blood Demon Sect disciples he brought also joined in, bombarding the left gate with blood light and demonic energy.

The Shadow Assassins were equally ruthless. Their assassins were skilled in murder, their attacks precise and deadly, targeting the weakest points in the defenses. The gray-robed man continuously unleashed gray beams of light, seemingly gentle, but each time they struck the defenses, the runes dimmed slightly.

While "struggling" to block the black arrows, Han Mu secretly calculated. At this rate of attack, it would take at least half an hour to break the barrier, and at least twenty or thirty people would die. He didn't want to wait that long, nor did he want to reveal his strength; he needed to find a way to secretly speed things up.

"System, exchange for three 'Breaking Restriction Talismans'." He thought to himself. Breaking Restriction Talismans can temporarily weaken the power of restrictions without leaving a trace, which is perfect for him.

[Exchange for 3 Breakthrough Charms, requires 3000 Contribution Points]

[Redeem or not?]

"exchange."

[Exchange successful, 3000 contribution points consumed]

[Remaining Contribution Points: 31000]

Taking advantage of the chaos, Han Mu moved his position and quietly arrived near the left gate. Xue Li was attacking with all his might and had no time to spare. Han Mu flicked his finger, and a barrier-breaking talisman silently affixed to the corner of the left gate, the rune's light flashing almost imperceptibly.

He then repeated the process, placing one on the right door and one in the center. The three barrier-breaking talismans took effect, instantly reducing the power of the restriction by 30%.

"Hmm?" The gray-robed man was the first to notice the anomaly. "The restriction is weakening, speed up the attack!"

Blood Fierce and Ghost Shadow also felt the pressure greatly reduced. Although they had doubts, they seized the opportunity and increased their output. The process of breaking the barrier, which originally took half an hour, was shortened to fifteen minutes.

"Boom!"

The palace gate finally gave way and shattered with a crash. Behind the gate was a deep, dark passage; divine sense probing into it was like throwing a stone into the sea.

"There are traps in the passage, scout ahead!" Xue Li looked at the temporary team members, a cold glint in his eyes.

The temporary team members turned pale, but dared not disobey. Ten temporary team members gritted their teeth and entered the passage, each three zhang apart, proceeding cautiously. Han Mu was among them; he appeared nervous, but in reality, his divine sense had already thoroughly investigated the situation.

The passage was a hundred feet long, paved with bluestone, and the stone walls on both sides were carved with scenes of the underworld. It seemed peaceful, but every ten feet there was a trap, either a spike trap, a poison gas trap, or an illusion array. These traps posed a considerable threat to Nascent Soul cultivators, but with Han Mu's strength, he could easily break through them.

"Ah!" A scream came from ahead. A temporary team member triggered a spike trap and was pierced by a bone spike that protruded from the ground, dying instantly. The others became more cautious, but the traps were hard to avoid, and three more fell victim.

Han Mu narrowly avoided several traps, but secretly used his Hunyuan magic to destroy several key array points, reducing obstacles for those behind him. He couldn't make it too obvious, so each destruction was disguised as an accidental trigger.

Reaching the middle of the passage, a three-way intersection appears ahead. The three paths lead to the left side hall, the right side hall, and the main hall, respectively. According to the map, the main hall is where the Hades Seal is located, but the side halls also contain treasures.

"We'll split into three groups." The gray-robed man caught up, looked at the three paths, and said, "Fellow Daoist Bloodfiend, take the left path; Fellow Daoist Ghost Shadow, take the right path; and I will take the middle path. The temporary team members will each follow one path, and their fates are in the hands of destiny."

Han Mu was assigned to the gray-robed man's group and followed them into the middle passage. This passage was wider, and murals began to appear on both sides, depicting scenes of Hades conquering all directions. At the end of the passage was a huge stone gate, with the three large characters "Hall of Hades" carved on it.

"We've arrived at the main hall." The gray-robed man stopped and carefully examined the stone door. There were no restrictions on the stone door, but it exuded a chilling pressure, as if an ancient ferocious beast lurked within.

"Push it open," the gray-robed man ordered. Several temporary team members stepped forward and pushed the door forcefully. The stone door did not budge; instead, black mist surged from it, enveloping the men. When the black mist dissipated, the men had turned into withered bones, devoid of any life.

"The Death Aura of the Underworld!" someone exclaimed, taking several steps back. The Death Aura of the Underworld is the original death aura cultivated by the Underworld King, capable of eroding life force; anyone below the Nascent Soul stage who touches it will die.

The gray-robed man frowned slightly and took out a gray bead. The bead emitted a soft light, forcing back the deathly aura on the door slightly. "This bead can resist the deathly aura for a moment, but someone needs to use it to open the door. Who will go?"

The temporary team members looked at each other, none daring to respond. While using the bead to open the door might ensure temporary safety, no one knew what dangers lay behind it, and besides, the bead belonged to the gray-robed man, who could take it back at any time.

"I'll go." Han Mu hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. He sensed danger behind the door, but it was within a manageable range. Moreover, this was a good opportunity to get close to the Hades Seal.

"You?" The gray-robed man sized up Han Mu. This rogue cultivator at the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm had behaved rather unremarkablely throughout the journey, but he hadn't expected him to show such courage at this crucial moment. "Good. Take this bead and push open the stone door. If you can return alive, I will accept you as a disciple."

"Thank you, senior." Han Mu "excitedly" accepted the bead and walked towards the stone door. The bead emitted a soft light, keeping the deathly aura out. He placed his hands on the stone door and pushed hard.

"boom……"

The stone gate slowly opened, revealing a massive hall. The hall stood a hundred feet tall, with a black throne in the center. Seated on the throne was a skeleton dressed in black robes, holding a black square seal—the Seal of the Underworld King!

But the hall contained more than just a throne. Around the hall stood twelve statues of underworld generals, each exuding the aura of a peak Nascent Soul cultivator. Beneath the throne were three coffins, covered with talismans and emanating an ominous aura.

"The Mark of Hades!" A burning desire flashed in the gray-robed man's eyes, but he did not rush in. He sensed danger inside the hall; the twelve statues of Hades generals and the three coffins were not simple.

Han Mu stood at the entrance, seemingly awestruck by the grandeur of the hall, but secretly observing. He sensed that the twelve statues of the Underworld Generals contained the remnants of true Underworld Generals, which would awaken once triggered. The three coffins contained the three great generals of the Underworld King, all possessing the strength of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

"System, exchange twelve 'Soul-Fixing Talismans' and three 'Corpse-Sealing Talismans'," Han Mu silently ordered. These two talismans could temporarily immobilize the remnant souls of the Netherworld Generals and the warriors in the coffins, buying him time.

[Exchange for 12 Soul-Stabilizing Charms requires 6000 Contribution Points]

[To exchange for 3 Corpse Sealing Talismans, 3000 Contribution Points are required]

[Redeem or not?]

"exchange."

[Exchange successful, 9000 contribution points consumed]

[Remaining Contribution Points: 22000]

With the talisman in hand, Han Mu felt somewhat relieved. He turned to the gray-robed man and said, "Senior, there may be danger inside the hall. Should I retreat first?"

"No need. You stay at the door and I have my own plans." The gray-robed man waved his hand, looking at Xue Li and Gui Ying who were rushing over. The two also arrived with their respective men, and when they saw the scene inside the hall, greed flashed in their eyes.

"The Hades Seal is right before us, but it's quite dangerous," the gray-robed man said. "Those twelve statues and three coffins are not simple; we must be careful."

"Never mind the danger, let's get the Underworld King's Seal first!" Xue Li was impatient and waved for several Blood Demon Sect disciples to enter. As soon as the disciples stepped into the hall, the twelve statues trembled simultaneously, and eerie green soul flames lit up in their eye sockets.

"Those who trespass into the Underworld Palace shall die!" A cold voice came from the statues, and the twelve statues came to life at the same time, transforming into twelve underworld generals, each three zhang tall, wielding bone spears, and charging towards the intruders.

"Form ranks and prepare for battle!" Xue Li roared. The Blood Demon Sect disciples formed ranks to resist, but the Netherworld General was powerful and immortal, and several of them soon perished.

The ghostly figure and the gray-robed man also joined the battle with their respective groups. Only through the combined efforts of the three forces could they barely hold off the twelve underworld generals. However, the three coffins began to tremble, and the lids slowly opened, releasing three auras of Nascent Soul level beings.

"Oh no, the warrior in the coffin is about to awaken!" The ghost's expression changed drastically.

Han Mu seized the opportunity and secretly made his move. He flicked his fingers in quick succession, and twelve Soul-Stabilizing Talismans silently affixed to the backs of the twelve Netherworld Generals. The Netherworld Generals paused for a moment; although it was only for three breaths, it was enough.

"Now! Take the seal!" The gray-robed man seized the opportunity, transforming into a gray shadow and rushing towards the throne. Blood Fierce and Ghost Shadow also moved at the same time, and the three of them arrived in front of the throne almost simultaneously, reaching out to grab the Underworld King's Seal.

Just then, Han Mu moved. He had already secretly set up the "Minor Five Elements Teleportation Array," which he activated at this moment, swapping positions with a shadowy figure beside the throne. The next instant, he appeared beside the throne, and to the astonishment of the three, grabbed the Underworld King Seal.

"You're courting death!" Bloodthirsty, Ghost Shadow, and the gray-robed man roared simultaneously, unleashing three attacks at Han Mu. But Han Mu was prepared. He unleashed the full power of his Primordial Thunder Technique, sending five bolts of heavenly lightning crashing down upon the three. At the same time, he crushed three corpse-sealing talismans and affixed them to the coffin, which was about to be fully opened.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The lightning collided with the attacks of the three, unleashing a deafening roar. Han Mu used the force to retreat, having already exited the hall, the Underworld King's Seal in his hand.

"Stop him!" Xue Li roared in fury, ignoring his injuries as he gave chase. However, the sealing talisman on the coffin took effect, delaying the awakening of the three warriors, and the twelve underworld generals broke free of the soul-fixing talisman and charged back in. The scene was chaotic.

Without looking back, Han Mu transformed into a streak of light and rushed out of the passage, heading towards the exit. He had the Underworld King's Seal in his hands; this place was no longer safe to linger.

Behind them, roars, screams, and explosions filled the air. The infighting among the three factions had only just begun.