The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

A month has passed in the blink of an eye.

Han Mu successfully refined the core array plate of the Five Elements Demon Suppression Array. This array consists of five array plates, each corresponding to one of the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Once set up, it can draw upon the power of the five elements of heaven and earth, and its defensive power is sufficient to withstand the full-force attack of a cultivator in the early stage of the Mahayana stage.

"With this formation, Hancheng can finally have a foothold." Han Mu put away the formation plate with satisfaction.

At this time, Han Feng and his two companions had also returned with the invitations. Most of the forces within a three-thousand-mile radius indicated that they would attend the city-building ceremony, but a few forces had ambiguous attitudes and even made rude remarks.

"City Lord, the Crimson Flame Sect, the Profound Yin Sect, and the Heavenly Wind Valley not only refused to come, but also made sarcastic remarks, saying that Han City is nothing but a nouveau riche and is not worthy of being on equal footing with them," Han Feng reported, his face filled with anger.

"The Crimson Flame Sect Master, Ancestor Crimson Flame, is a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. He controls a medium-sized fire spirit stone mine and has three thousand disciples, making him the strongest force in the surrounding area," Han Yu added. "The Profound Yin Sect and Heavenly Wind Valley are slightly weaker, but they also have mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators in charge."

"Oh? Late Nascent Soul stage?" Han Mu chuckled. "Looks like you think Han Cheng is easy to bully."

"Lord, shall I go and teach them a lesson?" Han Shan was eager to try. He had just broken through to the Void Refinement stage and was looking for someone to test his skills against.

"No need," Han Mu waved his hand. "They're just clowns; they'll be dealt with on the day of the ceremony. You all go and prepare for the ceremony; I need to set up the formation."

"yes!"

After the three of them left, Han Mu flew to the sky above Han City, took out the Five Elements Array Plate, and began to set up the array.

He formed hand seals, and five beams of light flew from his hands, landing in the five directions of Han City: east, south, west, north, and center. The array plate sank into the ground, connecting with the earth's veins, and instantly, the spiritual energy of the entire Han City began to surge.

"Five Elements Demon Suppression, Awaken!"

Han Mu let out a low shout, and five beams of light shot into the sky, weaving into a five-colored net of light above Han City before disappearing into the void. From the outside, Han City appeared unchanged, but if any enemy invaded, the Five Elements Formation would instantly activate, blasting away the invading force.

"System, check the formation attributes." Han Mu thought to himself.

【The Five Elements Demon-Suppressing Formation (Complete Version)】

[Rank: Tier 8, High Grade]

[Functions: Defense, Attack, Trapping Enemies, Gathering Spirit]

[Defense Capability: Can withstand a full-force attack from an early-stage Mahayana cultivator for the duration of an incense stick burning]

[Attack Power: The combined Five Elements Divine Light can severely injure a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator]

[Spirit Gathering Effect: Increases the spiritual energy concentration in Hancheng by three times]

[Consumption: Requires 1,000 high-grade spirit stones daily (can be automatically replenished by the earth's veins)]

Status: Activated

"Not bad." Han Mu nodded in satisfaction. With this grand formation, Han City's safety was guaranteed. Even if a Mahayana cultivator attacked, it could withstand the attack for a while.

After setting up the grand formation, Han Mu returned to the City Lord's Mansion. Han Yunge had also emerged from seclusion, successfully breaking through to the mid-stage of the Void Refinement realm, her aura becoming even more solid.

"Grandpa, the invitations for the ceremony have all been sent out. Of the thirty-seven surrounding forces, thirty-four have indicated they will attend. There are still three..." Han Yunge reported, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes.

"It's alright," Han Mu said with a smile. "It's their loss if they don't come. Go and prepare the reception arrangements for the grand ceremony, and make sure that the guests who come feel the sincerity of Hancheng."

"Yes." Han Yunge nodded and turned to get busy.

Three days later, the grand ceremony for the founding of Hancheng was officially held.

On this day, Han City was brightly decorated and filled with joy. The square in front of the City Lord's Mansion was filled with tables and chairs, and all kinds of spiritual fruits and wines were available. The Han family members, dressed in uniform, greeted the guests at the entrance.

"The Sect Master of Qingyun Sect has arrived!"

"The leader of the Flying Snow Sect has arrived!"

"The Lord of Tianjian Manor has arrived!"

One by one, various forces arrived, mostly led by Nascent Soul stage cultivators with a few Nascent Soul disciples. They were all very curious about Hancheng, this emerging power, especially after hearing that the Hancheng city lord had once killed a Nascent Soul stage demon lord. They were eager to see this mysterious city lord with their own eyes.

"The Crimson Flame Sect has arrived!"

Suddenly, a greeting rang out, drawing everyone's attention. A group of people strode in, led by a red-haired elder, none other than the Crimson Flame Ancestor, a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Behind him followed three early-stage Nascent Soul elders and more than ten Nascent Soul disciples.

"The Crimson Flame Ancestor actually came? Didn't he refuse?"

"Looks like they're here to cause trouble."

"Interesting, this is going to be interesting."

The guests whispered among themselves, all realizing that the Crimson Flame Ancestor's visit was ill-intentioned.

Han Feng stepped forward and said in a respectful but not arrogant manner, "Fellow Daoist Chi Yan, it is an honor to have you here. Please take a seat."

The Crimson Flame Ancestor sneered, "City Lord Han has quite the airs. I've come in person, and he doesn't even come out to greet me?"

"The city lord is entertaining distinguished guests and will come out shortly," Han Feng said calmly. "If Fellow Daoist Chi Yan does not wish to wait, you may leave on your own."

"Insolence!" an elder behind the Crimson Flame Ancestor roared angrily, "Who do you think you are, daring to be disrespectful to the Ancestor?"

Han Feng's eyes turned cold: "This is Han City, not the Crimson Flame Sect. If you're here as a guest, Han City welcomes you. But if you're here to cause trouble, don't blame me for being impolite."

"You're welcome? Hahaha!" Ancestor Crimson Flame laughed loudly, "You think you can be so 'unreserved' just because you're only at the early stage of the Void Refinement realm? I'd like to see how you'll handle that!"

Before he finished speaking, the Crimson Flame Ancestor unleashed a terrifying aura, the pressure of a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator sweeping across the entire venue. Some guests with lower cultivation levels turned pale and retreated hastily.

Han Feng remained unfazed, releasing the aura of an early-stage Void Refinement cultivator to neutralize the pressure from the Crimson Flame Ancestor. Although he was only at the early stage of Void Refinement, he cultivated the techniques taught by Han Mu, possessing a solid foundation, and was not afraid of the pressure from a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

"Void Refinement Stage!" Ancestor Crimson Flame's expression changed slightly. He had originally thought Han Feng was only at the Nascent Soul stage, but he hadn't expected him to be at the Void Refinement stage. Moreover, judging from his aura, he wasn't just an ordinary early-stage Void Refinement cultivator.

"Fellow Daoist Chi Yan, today is the founding ceremony of Han City, and it is not appropriate to resort to violence. Please take a seat." A gentle voice rang out, and Han Mu walked out from the inner hall.

He was still dressed in a blue robe, holding a white jade folding fan, with a smile on his face, looking harmless. But the Crimson Flame Ancestor's pupils shrank, because he couldn't see through Han Mu's cultivation level.

"Mid-stage Void Refinement?" Ancestor Crimson Flame wondered, but he wasn't sure. Han Mu gave him a strange feeling; on the surface, he was at the mid-stage of Void Refinement, but he also gave off a faint sense of danger.

"Hmph, City Lord Han has finally come out." The Crimson Flame Ancestor restrained his aura, but his tone remained unfriendly. "I've come today to ask whether it's true or false that City Lord Han killed a Demon Clan Nascent Soul cultivator?"

"Of course it's true," Han Mu said calmly.

"Hahaha!" Ancestor Crimson Flame laughed again. "City Lord Han, don't boast. A Nascent Soul cultivator isn't someone you can just kill as you please. In my opinion, that Blood Fiend Demon Lord died at the hands of other experts. You just got lucky, didn't you?"

Upon hearing this, the guests' expressions changed drastically. This was a blatant provocation.

Han Mu laughed: "If Fellow Daoist Chi Yan doesn't believe me, you can try."

"Let's give it a try!" Old Ancestor Crimson Flame was also hot-tempered and was about to make a move.

"Wait a minute." Han Mu raised his hand. "Today is the day of the grand ceremony; bloodshed is inappropriate. How about this: I will stand here without moving and accept three moves from you. If I retreat even a step, I will lose, and Han City will be immediately disbanded, with all its resources handed over to you. If I do not retreat, you will apologize to me. How does that sound?"

"Arrogant!" Ancestor Crimson Flame roared in fury. He was, after all, a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, and had been famous for thousands of years. When had he ever been so looked down upon?

"Fine! I'd like to see what you've got up your sleeve!" The Crimson Flame Ancestor stopped wasting words and directly summoned his natal magic weapon—the Crimson Flame Divine Fire Cover.

This was a fire-attribute magic weapon, a high-grade sixth-rank artifact, and the signature weapon of the Crimson Flame Ancestor. With a single hand seal, the Crimson Flame Divine Fire Shield grew to a hundred feet in size, descending upon Han Mu. Inside the shield, raging flames burned intensely, the temperature so high that even the void itself was distorted by the heat.

"Crimson Flame Divine Fire Shield! This is the Crimson Flame Ancestor's killing move!"

"Lord Han is overconfident. Even a mid-stage Void Refinement cultivator might not dare to take this attack head-on."

"It looks like Hancheng is going to lose face today."

The guests were all talking about it, and they all thought that Han Mu was being too arrogant.

Han Mu maintained a smile until the Divine Fire Cover was about to fall, then gently raised his folding fan and waved it upwards.

"Disperse."

With a single word uttered, the hundred-foot-tall Crimson Flame Divine Fire Shield suddenly stopped in mid-air, then with a "bang," it shattered into countless fragments. His natal magic weapon destroyed, the Crimson Flame Ancestor coughed up a mouthful of blood, his aura weakening.

The entire room fell silent.

Everyone stared in disbelief at this scene. The Crimson Flame Ancestor's signature magic weapon had actually been destroyed by Han Mu with a single fan? What kind of power was this?

"That's one move," Han Mu said calmly. "There are two more moves to go."

Ancestor Crimson Flame's face turned deathly pale, his eyes filled with horror. He finally understood that Han Mu's strength far exceeded his imagination. That seemingly effortless fan contained a power he could not comprehend.

"Lord Han, your power is unparalleled! I concede defeat!" Ancestor Crimson Flame said through gritted teeth. "I was offended before, please forgive me, Lord Han."

As he spoke, he bowed deeply, his posture extremely humble. Circumstances dictated his actions; he had no choice but to yield.

"To err is human, to forgive divine." Han Mu closed his folding fan. "Please take a seat."

"Thank you, City Lord." The Crimson Flame Ancestor felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly led his disciples to a corner to sit down, no longer daring to be presumptuous.

The other guests looked at Han Mu with newfound awe. A magic weapon that could destroy a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator—his strength was probably no less than that of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

"The envoy from Tianyuan City has arrived!"

Just then, another announcement rang out. A group of golden-armored cultivators approached, led by a middle-aged scholar whose aura was concealed, making his cultivation level impossible to discern. However, the ten golden-armored cultivators behind him were all at the Void Refinement stage!

"Qing Yuanzi, the law enforcement elder of Tianyuan City, has come to congratulate Hancheng on its founding ceremony on the orders of the city lord!" the middle-aged scholar said with a cupped hand and a smile.

"Qing Yuanzi!" the guests exclaimed in surprise. This was the second most important figure in Tianyuan City, a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, and he had actually come in person?

"Fellow Daoist Qingyuan, it is an honor to have you here. I, Han, have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me." Han Mu returned the greeting with a cupped hand, but a thought suddenly occurred to him. Qingyuanzi, that name sounds somewhat familiar.

"Lord Han, you are too kind," Qing Yuanzi said with a smile. "The Lord of the City heard that Lord Han had slain the Blood Fiend Demon Lord and rendered a great service to the human race, so he specially ordered me to deliver this congratulatory gift."

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and ten golden-armored cultivators carried up five jade boxes.

"This is a small token of the city lord's appreciation; please accept it, City Lord Han."

Han Mu opened the jade boxes, and instantly, spiritual energy surged into the sky. The first jade box contained a ten-thousand-year-old spiritual herb, the second a piece of Geng metal essence, the third a bottle of Heavenly Origin Pills, the fourth a set of defensive formations, and the fifth a jade slip.

"I am unworthy of the generous gift from City Lord Tianyuan," Han Mu said, putting away the jade box, but his vigilance only grew stronger. Unsolicited kindness is always suspicious. City Lord Tianyuan's offer of such a valuable gift must be for something far more significant.

"Lord Han, there's no need for such formalities," Qing Yuanzi said with a smile. "The Lord has another message for you: The Guanghan Realm is about to open, and if you are interested, you may send someone there. Tianyuan City is willing to reserve three spots for you."

The Moon Realm!

The guests erupted in another uproar. The Guanghan Realm was a renowned secret realm in the Spirit Realm, opening only once every thousand years. It contained countless rare and precious treasures, and might even offer opportunities to achieve immortality. Each time it opened, the available spots were extremely valuable; how could Tianyuan City have directly granted Han City three spots?

"Thank you for your kindness, City Lord." Han Mu's heart stirred. Guanghan Realm, isn't that the small world mentioned in the system mission? It seems it's time to send some clansmen there for training.

"Furthermore, the city lord also said that if City Lord Han is willing, he can come to Tianyuan City for a chat. The city lord greatly admires City Lord Han and would like to have a drink and a good talk with him," Qing Yuanzi added.

"I'll definitely visit you when I have the chance," Han Mu said with a smile.

"Alright, then I won't bother you any longer. Farewell." Qing Yuanzi cupped his hands and left with the golden-armored cultivator.

After Qing Yuanzi left, the guests looked at Han Mu with even greater awe. To be valued so highly by the City Lord of Tianyuan, Han Mu was indeed no ordinary man.

The ceremony continued, but the atmosphere had completely changed. Everyone treated Han Mu with utmost respect, and no one dared to provoke him anymore.

While Han Mu entertained the guests, he was secretly plotting. The Tianyuan City Lord's overtures, the quota from the Guanghan Realm, and Qing Yuanzi's arrival... all of this foreshadowed an even greater storm to come.

"System, check the current task progress." Han Mu thought to himself.

[Current Task: Establish Royal City Power (In Progress)]

[Task Progress: Nascent Soul cultivators 1/3, Void Refinement cultivators 4/10]

[Duration until mission completion: 2 years and 11 months]

Side Quest: A Journey to the Moon Realm (Available)

[Mission Requirements: Send your clansmen into the Moon Realm and obtain at least one fragment of a celestial artifact]

[Task Rewards: 50000 Contribution Points, Special Building "Guanghan Palace" (can accelerate cultivation)]

【Is it accepted? 】

"Accept," Han Mu thought to himself. He was determined to go to the Guanghan Realm.