The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

The atmosphere was solemn on the way back to Hancheng. Although Han Li and his group of five knew that Han Mu was incredibly powerful, witnessing him display his Nascent Soul cultivation and intimidate more than ten forces in one fell swoop left them utterly shocked. This was the ancestor they followed, a man of hidden strength who had astonished everyone with his sudden rise to power.

Han Mu said nothing more, leading everyone on their way at full speed. He knew that displaying his strength today would inevitably attract the attention of all parties in the Spirit Realm, and Han City would enter a new stage of development. It was both an opportunity and a challenge.

Three days later, Hancheng was in sight.

"Greetings, City Lord!" The guards on the city wall bowed in unison upon seeing Han Mu's return, their voices resounding through the sky. They had already received news of their city lord's great prowess in Hanyue Plain, and each of them felt a surge of pride.

Han Mu nodded in acknowledgment and went straight back to the City Lord's Mansion. Han Changqing, Doctor Mo, and other core members had been waiting for a long time.

"Father, are you alright?" Han Changqing asked with concern. Although he had received a message saying that they had won a great victory, he was completely relieved to see Han Mu return safely.

"It's alright." Han Mu sat down in the main seat. "Tell me about the situation these past few months."

"Yes," Han Changqing reported. "In the three years since Father left, Han City has developed smoothly. The Bloodline Awakening Pool has helped three more batches of disciples awaken, two of whom have Heavenly Spiritual Roots and six have special physiques. The Enlightenment Tower has been completed, and more than twenty Core Formation cultivators have been comprehending within it, with three successfully breaking through their Core Formation to become Nascent Souls."

"In addition, the cloud mist stone mine in Liuyun Valley has a stable output, producing 5,000 catties per month. A rich mine of spirit stones has been discovered in Feixia Ridge, which is expected to be mined for 50 years. The spirit beast breeding in Bibo Lake is also on track, with three pairs of 'Azure Water Dragons' already laying eggs."

"As for cultivators, Hancheng currently has over 6,200 cultivators, including 18 Nascent Soul cultivators, 280 Core Formation cultivators, 1,300 Foundation Establishment cultivators, and over 4,600 Qi Refining cultivators. The number of mortals has exceeded 10,000."

Han Mu nodded in satisfaction. In three years, Hancheng's strength had steadily increased, and it had already begun to take shape.

"Well done," he praised. "From now on, Hancheng will enter a period of rapid development. Changqing, make arrangements immediately. Starting today, Hancheng will be under lockdown for three months, with the highest level of the city's protective array activated. No one should leave or enter unless absolutely necessary."

"A city lockdown?" Han Changqing was taken aback. "Father, has something serious happened?"

"Indeed." Han Mu's expression was solemn. "While my display of strength in Cold Moon Plains deterred the villains, it also made Han City a target of everyone's ire. The Blood Demon Sect, Shadow Kill Hall, and Samsara Hall will never let this go, and forces like Moonflower Palace may also secretly sabotage us. We must improve our strength as soon as possible before they launch a joint attack."

"I understand." Han Changqing nodded. "I'll make the arrangements right away."

"Furthermore," Han Mu looked at Han Li, "Han Li, take Yun Ge, Jing Lei, Ling'er, and Tian Feng to the 'Hun Yuan Cave' for seclusion. There are nine Moon Essence Pills here; each of you five should take one and be sure to break through to the Nascent Soul stage within three months."

He took out a jade bottle and poured out five Moon Essence Pills. The pills were as clear as jade, shimmering with moonlight, and exuded a pleasant fragrance.

"Moon Essence Pill!" Han Changqing was moved. He knew the value of this pill; one was enough to make a Nascent Soul cultivator fight to the death, yet Han Mu took out five at once.

"Senior, this is too precious." Han Li also felt the pressure. "The Moon Essence Pill is the most precious treasure of Hancheng. I have not made any contribution and dare not accept such a great gift."

"No need to refuse." Han Mu waved his hand. "You have risked your life for Hancheng and are both wise and brave in the Guanghan Realm. You deserve this pill. Besides, Hancheng needs strong people to guard it. Only when you and Yun Ge break through to the Nascent Soul stage as soon as possible can Hancheng be stable."

"Yes!" Han Li no longer refused and solemnly accepted the pill. He would remember this trust.

"Yun Ge, your talent for alchemy is outstanding. These three Moon Essence Pills are for you to study. Try to replicate a simplified version." Han Mu handed the remaining three pills to Han Yun Ge. "If you succeed, the number of Nascent Soul cultivators in Han City will be endless."

"Yun Ge will do her utmost!" Han Yun Ge said excitedly. Studying the Moon Essence Pill would greatly improve her alchemy skills.

"Jing Lei, Ling'er, and Tian Feng, the three of you have performed exceptionally well in the Guanghan Realm, but your cultivation is still shallow. This time in seclusion, you must not only break through to the Nascent Soul stage, but also solidify your foundation. You must not be impatient for quick success."

"Yes, Ancestor!" the three replied in unison.

"Dr. Mo, you are in charge of allocating resources and fully supporting their seclusion. If they need anything, just ask Changqing."

"I understand," Doctor Mo said, bowing.

With the arrangements made, Han Li and his group of five headed to the Hunyuan Cave for secluded cultivation. The Hunyuan Cave was the place with the richest spiritual energy in Hancheng, located at the core of the spiritual vein, and with the spirit-gathering array set up by Han Mu, the cultivation effect was ten times that of the outside world.

The five of them each chose a quiet room, took the Moon Essence Pill, and began their seclusion.

Han Li sat cross-legged on the futon. The Moon Essence Pill melted instantly upon entering his mouth, transforming into a cool spiritual energy that flowed into his limbs and bones. This spiritual energy was pure and gentle, perfectly blending with his ice-type magic power, constantly cleansing his meridians and expanding his dantian.

He could feel that the nascent soul was growing rapidly, gradually growing from five inches tall to six inches, seven inches... The ice crystal patterns on the surface of the nascent soul were becoming clearer and clearer, emitting a strong chill.

"The path to becoming a deity lies in the unity of the primordial spirit and the nascent soul, with the spirit merging into the nascent soul and the nascent soul being conceived in the spirit." Han Li recalled the insights on becoming a deity imparted by Han Mu, and circulated the "Ice Soul True Scripture" to guide the power of the moonlight to temper the nascent soul.

As time passed, Han Li's aura grew stronger and stronger. Outside the quiet room, Han Yunge, Han Jinglei, Han Ling'er, and Han Tianfeng were also undergoing the same transformation.

Meanwhile, the entire city of Han was placed on full alert. The city's protective array was fully activated, forming a massive, multicolored light shield that enveloped the entire city. Cultivators within the city intensified their training, while the number of patrols outside the city tripled, operating day and night.

Han Mu wasn't idle either. In the underground secret chamber of the city lord's mansion, he began to set up the "Zhou Tian Xing Chen Grand Array". This was a top-level array he had exchanged from the system, with star stones as its core, drawing upon the power of the Zhou Tian stars, and its defensive power far exceeded that of the current city-protecting array.

"System, exchange for auxiliary materials for the Zhou Tian Star Array." He thought to himself.

[Exchange for auxiliary materials for the Zhou Tian Star Array requires 15000 contribution points]

[Redeem or not?]

"exchange."

[Exchange successful, 15000 contribution points consumed]

[Remaining Contribution Points: 22000]

A pile of materials appeared in the secret chamber: meteorite iron, void stone, sun and moon refined gold, celestial river sand... each one was a rare material. Han Mu began to set up the array, carefully carving each array pattern and meticulously arranging each array eye.

This is a massive project; even with his Nascent Soul cultivation level, it would take him a month to complete. But once it's laid out, Han City will be impregnable, and even a Nascent Soul cultivator would find it difficult to breach.

Just as Hancheng was making intensive preparations, undercurrents were swirling in the outside world.

At the Blood Demon Sect's headquarters, Xue Li knelt before an old man in a blood-red robe, trembling all over.

"Sect Master, Han Mu is at least at the Nascent Soul stage. Your subordinate is incompetent; please punish me!"

The old man in the blood-red robe had a withered face and bloodshot eyes; he was none other than the Blood Demon Sect Master, "Blood Celestial Venerable," a cultivator at the mid-stage of the Integration Realm. He remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Integration Realm... No wonder you were able to seize the Underworld King's Seal. This is not your fault. Get up."

"Thank you, Sect Master!" Xue Li breathed a sigh of relief.

"However, Hancheng must be destroyed." Blood Celestial Venerable's eyes flashed with killing intent. "News has come from the Samsara Palace that they have invited the 'Old Man of the Ghostly Souls' to take action. The Shadow Assassin Palace will also send three Void Refinement Assassins to cooperate. Prepare yourself; we will besiege Hancheng in three months."

"The Ghostly Old Man?!" Xue Li exclaimed in shock. "Wasn't that person in seclusion, attempting to break through to the Mahayana stage? How could he be..."

"The Samsara Palace paid a heavy price," Blood Celestial Venerable sneered. "Han Mu possesses something they need. This time, Han City is doomed."

The same situation is unfolding in the Shadow Killing Hall and the Samsara Hall. The three major forces are secretly joining forces, mobilizing troops, and preparing to deliver a fatal blow to Hancheng.

At this moment, Hancheng was still immersed in the joy of rapid development, completely unaware that a monstrous crisis was approaching.

Inside the Hunyuan Cave, Han Li's aura had reached the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, and he could break through at any moment.

The transformation into a divine being is within reach.