The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Huangfeng Valley is located in the Luoyun Mountains in the southeast of Yue Kingdom. Its mountain gate stretches for three hundred miles, and its main peak, "Tianzhu Peak," soars into the clouds and is shrouded in mist all year round. It is the sect with the most flourishing lineage of alchemy among the seven major sects of Yue Kingdom.

After flying for two days with Han Yunge, Han Mu finally arrived at the outer edge of the Luoyun Mountains. He did not fly directly to the mountain gate, but landed in the small town of Luoyun at the foot of the mountain.

The town was small, but very bustling. Shops lined both sides of the street, selling elixirs, magical artifacts, and talismans, as well as buying and selling spiritual herbs and materials from demonic beasts. Cultivators came and went in an endless stream, most of them wearing the standard yellow robes of Yellow Maple Valley, with cultivation levels ranging from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment.

"Let's rest here for a while and find out what's going on," Han Mu said to Han Yunge.

The two entered a teahouse called "Listening to the Rain Pavilion" and chose a seat by the window. The waiter quickly served them some spiritual tea and some snacks.

Han Mu scanned the teahouse with his divine sense. Most of the people present were Qi Refining cultivators, while the few Foundation Establishment cultivators were also talking in hushed tones. He quickly gleaned some useful information.

"...I heard that this year's inner sect selection is being overseen personally by Martial Uncle Li Huayuan, and the requirements are much stricter than in previous years."

"That's right, my cousin has three spiritual roots and is at the seventh level of Qi Refining, but he was eliminated in the first round."

"It's said that only thirty inner disciples will be accepted this year, but there have been over a thousand applicants..."

Han Mu understood. Huangfeng Valley was indeed strict in accepting disciples; it seemed he needed to come up with a safer approach.

"Grandfather, I..." Han Yunge was a little nervous. Although she was confident in her talent for alchemy, she was unsure of herself after hearing how fierce the competition was.

"It's alright," Han Mu said calmly. "We'll go take a look at 'Danxin Pavilion' later."

Danxin Pavilion is a pill shop opened by Huangfeng Valley, and also a window for the sect to showcase its pill-making strength to the outside world. Inner sect pill masters are stationed there year-round, and if one can pass their test, it might be possible to take a shortcut.

After finishing their tea, the two arrived at Danxin Pavilion in the center of the town.

This is a three-story pavilion, with carved beams and painted rafters, exuding an extraordinary grandeur. Above the door hangs a gilded plaque with the three large characters "Danxin Pavilion" written in vigorous strokes, faintly exuding the fragrance of cinnamon.

Upon entering the pavilion, a rich aroma of medicine wafted through the air. The spacious and bright main hall on the first floor displayed various elixirs, ranging from the most basic Qi Gathering Powder to the precious Foundation Establishment Pill. However, this strategic resource, the Foundation Establishment Pill, was only on display and not for sale.

"Fellow Daoists, what kind of pills do you need?" A female cultivator in yellow robes approached, her Qi Refining Level 8 cultivation level was high, and her smile was gentle.

"We would like to meet the esteemed alchemist in charge of your establishment," Han Mu said.

The female cultivator was taken aback. She glanced at Han Mu and, seeing that he was only at the first level of the Foundation Establishment stage and had a junior in the Qi Refining stage with him, said tactfully, "Senior, our sect leader is currently refining pills and is probably unable to receive guests. If you need custom-made pills, you can register your request first..."

"We're not here to order custom pills," Han Mu interrupted her, pointing to Han Yunge. "My granddaughter has some talent for alchemy, and we'd like to ask your esteemed alchemist for some guidance."

The female cultivator suddenly realized that they had come to seek apprenticeship. She had seen many people like this. Every day, more than a dozen cultivators who claimed to be "talented" would come, but only one in ten would actually be chosen.

"In that case, please follow me." The female cultivator did not refuse and led the two to the second floor.

The second floor was where distinguished guests were received, and it was elegantly decorated. The female cultivator invited the two to sit down and went to the back hall. After a short while, an elderly man with white hair came out.

The old man wore a yellow alchemist's robe with three maple leaves embroidered on his chest—the mark of a third-tier alchemist in Yellow Maple Valley. A third-tier alchemist meant being able to refine Foundation Establishment stage pills, a status comparable to a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"I am Chen Song, an alchemist from Huangfeng Valley. May I ask what you two have to say?" The old man's gaze swept over Han Mu, lingering on Han Yunge for a moment longer.

"Master Chen," Han Mu said, bowing. "My granddaughter, Han Yunge, possesses dual spiritual roots of wood and fire and is quite interested in alchemy. Having heard that Yellow Maple Valley is a sacred place for alchemy, she has come to seek an opportunity."

As he spoke, he gestured for Han Yunge to take out a jade bottle.

Han Yunge understood and took out the "Stabilizing Essence Pill" that she had refined the day before from her storage bag, presenting it with both hands.

Chen Song took the jade bottle, uncorked it, and poured out a pill into his palm. The pill was emerald green and round, with faint red patterns on its surface, and emitted a pure medicinal fragrance.

"The Qi-Strengthening Pill is of above-average quality, with a success rate of..." He sniffed it, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, "...around 50%?"

"Master Chen has a good eye." Han Mu nodded. "This batch of pills indeed has a 50% success rate."

Chen Song looked Han Yunge over again, this time much more seriously: "How long have you been refining this pill, young friend?"

"Reporting to Senior, I have been practicing alchemy for less than three months," Han Yunge replied truthfully.

"Three months?!" Chen Song's eyes flashed with a sharp light. "Tell me, when refining the Qi-Strengthening Pill, what is the ratio of the Wood Spirit Mushroom and the Dew-Condensing Flower? How is the heat controlled?"

This is a test.

Han Yunge took a deep breath and recounted the key points her grandfather had taught her, along with her own practical experience, in a clear and organized manner, paying attention to every detail. When she got to the crucial points, she even gestured with her hands to illustrate the changes in the flames.

Chen Song was increasingly surprised as he listened. This young girl not only had a solid theoretical foundation, but also an extremely keen grasp of the timing and intensity of the process; many details that even experienced alchemists might not notice.

"Indeed, he is a promising talent." Chen Song nodded, but then changed the subject, "However, although having both wood and fire spiritual roots is suitable for alchemy, Huangfeng Valley considers more than just talent in alchemy when accepting disciples."

He looked at Han Mu: "Fellow Daoist Han should know that my Yellow Maple Valley is one of the seven major sects of Yue Kingdom. When accepting disciples, we prioritize their character and conduct, and only then consider their aptitude and talent. Although your granddaughter has talent, but..."

"I understand what Master Chen means." Han Mu interrupted him, taking out a jade slip from his robes. "This is a family heirloom of alchemy, recording some unique fire control techniques and elixir formulas. If Master Chen finds it useful, he may keep it for reference."

Chen Song took the jade slip, probed it with his divine sense, and his expression immediately changed.

The jade slip contained the essence of what Han Mu had extracted from the "Qingyuan Danjue" (Azure Origin Elixir Manual), including a simplified version of the "Five Elements Fire Control Technique" and several improved elixir formulas. These things were nothing to Han Mu, but they were rare treasures to the alchemists of Huangfeng Valley.

"This..." Chen Song was shocked. The contents of this jade slip were far more valuable than he had expected. In particular, the fire control technique, if he could thoroughly study it, might allow him to advance his alchemy skills to another level.

"Fellow Daoist Han, this gift is too generous," Chen Song said after a moment's thought. "How about this, I will accept Yun Ge as a nominal disciple and have her study under me for now. If she can pass the inner sect assessment within three years, she can formally join Huangfeng Valley. If not... then she can only be an outer sect disciple."

As a nominal disciple, one's status is lower than that of an inner disciple but higher than that of an outer disciple. They receive formal instruction from a master and can enjoy some of the inner sect's resources. This is already the biggest concession Chen Song can make.

"Thank you very much, Master Chen!" Han Yunge quickly bowed.

Han Mu also cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you for your trouble, Master Chen."

"No need to be so polite." Chen Song waved his hand and said to Han Yunge, "Now that you have joined my sect, you must abide by the sect rules. Starting today, you will live in the apprentice room in the backyard of Danxin Pavilion, and you will begin learning from me tomorrow."

"Yes, Master."

Chen Song then looked at Han Mu: "Fellow Daoist Han, now that Yun Ge has joined my sect, you can rest assured. Huangfeng Valley is relatively safe; no one will bully her."

"With Master Chen's words, I can rest assured." Han Mu nodded, gave Han Yunge a few more instructions, and then took his leave.

As Han Mu walked out of Danxin Pavilion, he glanced back. Han Yunge stood at the door, her eyes slightly red, but she still managed to hold back her tears.

"Cultivate diligently," Han Mu transmitted his voice. "I will come to pick you up in three years."

"Granddaughter will definitely work hard!" Han Yunge nodded emphatically.

Han Mu didn't linger and turned to leave. Sending Han Yunge into Yellow Maple Valley was only the first step; next, he had to go to Jiayuan City to handle another important matter.

He had just left the town, preparing to fly on his sword, when he suddenly sensed something and turned to look in the direction of Tianzhu Peak.

A streak of azure light shot up from the mountaintop at incredible speed, disappearing into the horizon in the blink of an eye. The aura of that light was powerful, indicating it belonged to at least a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"System, record the aura of that escaping light."

[Record complete]

[Target: Foundation Establishment Level 8 cultivator]

[Technique Characteristics: Primarily Wood-based, suspected to be a core technique of Yellow Maple Valley]

[Identity Speculation: Inner Sect Elder of Yellow Maple Valley]

Han Mu's eyes flickered slightly. The elders of Huangfeng Valley were out at this hour; he wondered what important matter they had to attend to. But that was none of his concern; he needed to hurry to Jiayuan City.

He took off on his sword and flew towards the northwest.

Jiayuan City is about 800 li away from Luoyun Mountain Range. Even at his speed, it would take him most of a day to fly there at full speed. But he wasn't in a hurry; he could gather some information along the way.

After flying for about an hour, a dense forest appeared ahead. Just as Han Mu was about to go around it, his divine sense suddenly stirred, and he sensed spiritual energy fluctuations in the forest.

"Was there a fight?"

He concealed his presence, landed silently, and stealthily approached.

In the dense forest, three black-clad cultivators were besieging a young man in yellow robes. The young man appeared to be seventeen or eighteen years old, with a cultivation level of only the seventh level of Qi Refining, but he was agile and barely managed to hold on against the three attackers.

"A seventh-level Qi Refining expert against three eighth- or ninth-level Qi Refining experts..." Han Mu glanced at it and suddenly froze.

He recognized the face of the boy in the yellow shirt.

Although he looked much younger, the determination in his brows and the calmness in his eyes made him unmistakable.

It's Han Li.