The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

The Netherworld Python's tail swept across, but Han Mu remained unfazed. The white longsword in his hand instantly blazed with golden light. He no longer concealed his true cultivation level; the aura of an early-stage Golden Immortal erupted, and his sword light shone like a rainbow as he met the python's tail head-on.

"boom--"

The sword light collided with the snake's tail, producing a deafening roar. Han Mu was forced back more than ten feet, his arm going numb, while the Netherworld Python's tail was also slashed with a deep wound, black blood splattering everywhere.

"Early Golden Immortal stage? No!" A hint of surprise flashed in the Netherworld Python's eyes. "Your aura is only at the early Golden Immortal stage, but your combat power is no less than that of a late Golden Immortal stage!"

Luo Feng watched in stunned silence. He had thought Han Mu was at most a mid-stage Golden Immortal, but he hadn't expected Han Mu to display such combat power that he could actually withstand a peak Golden Immortal, the Netherworld Python! Although he was slightly at a disadvantage, it had far exceeded his expectations.

"Fellow Daoist Han, I'm here to help you!" Luo Feng shouted, his golden longsword slashing towards the Netherworld Python's vital spot.

"roar!"

The Netherworld Python roared and spewed out a cloud of black mist. The black mist was incredibly foul, and even the space around it sizzled and corroded as it passed through. Luo Feng's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly retreated, but the black mist was extremely fast and instantly enveloped him.

"Not good!" Luo Feng felt the protective immortal light around him rapidly dissipating; this black mist was highly poisonous!

"Golden Thunder Technique!" Han Mu raised his hand and unleashed a golden bolt of lightning, which blasted into the black mist. The extremely yang and powerful lightning collided with the sinister black mist, producing a crackling sound, and most of the black mist was dispelled.

Taking advantage of the moment, Luo Feng rushed out of the black mist, his face pale, clearly severely poisoned. He hurriedly swallowed an antidote pill, but its effect was limited; the Netherworld Python's poison was too potent.

"Centurion Luo, you step back and heal your wounds. Leave this beast to me," Han Mu said in a deep voice, a cold glint in his eyes. Now that his Golden Immortal strength had been revealed, there was no need to hide it any longer.

"System, analyze the weaknesses of the Nether Python."

[Testing in progress...]

[Target: Mutant Netherworld Python (Peak Golden Immortal)]

[Weakness: The area three inches below the single horn between its eyebrows is where its inner core is located, and its defense is weakest there.]

[Suggestion: Use the Golden Thunder Technique to attack the area below the unicorn horn, combined with the God-Slaying Sword Qi to break its defense]

Han Mu's mind raced, and he instantly devised a plan. He blurred into three afterimages, attacking the Netherworld Python from three directions. Although the Netherworld Python was powerful, it lacked intelligence and was momentarily unsure which to attack.

"Golden Palace Thunder Technique, Thunder Net Heavenly Net!"

Han Mu made a hand seal, and countless golden lightning bolts emerged from the void, transforming into a massive lightning net that enveloped the Netherworld Python. The Netherworld Python struggled frantically within the lightning net, the lightning and black mist constantly colliding and emitting dense explosions.

"Now!" A glint flashed in Han Mu's eyes, and his figure moved like lightning, instantly appearing above the Netherworld Python's head, his white longsword piercing three inches below its single horn.

"God-Slaying Sword Qi!"

Crimson sword energy condensed at the tip of the sword, piercing the air with a piercing sound, and struck the target fiercely.

"Pfft—"

The longsword pierced three inches, but was stopped by a layer of hard scales. The Nether Python, in pain, frantically shook its head, trying to throw Han Mu away. Han Mu gripped the longsword tightly, his immortal power surging wildly within him, and the sword tip slowly penetrated deeper.

"Break it!"

Han Mu roared, channeling all his immortal power into the sword. The longsword erupted with dazzling light, finally piercing through the scales and penetrating the flesh.

"roar--"

The Nether Python let out a shrill scream, its massive body twisting wildly, smashing the surrounding rocks to pieces. Han Mu was thrown out, tumbling several times in the air before regaining his footing, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

He was injured, but the Netherworld Python was more severely wounded. The longsword had pierced right into its inner core. The God-Slaying Sword Qi had invaded the inner core and was wreaking havoc.

"Strike while the iron is hot!" Han Mu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and charged forward again. This time, he held nothing back, unleashing the deadly moves from the "Golden Jade Book" with all his might.

"Golden Palace Immortal Light, Slash!"

A dazzling golden light slashed out from Han Mu's hand. This golden light contained the law of metal, and was incomparably sharp, cutting through even space itself in its path. The Netherworld Python sensed a deadly threat and tried to dodge, but its inner core was injured, making it a fraction of a second slower.

"Sizzle—"

The golden light struck the Netherworld Python at its seven-inch mark, cleaving it in two! The Netherworld Python's massive body crashed to the ground, struggled a few times, and finally lay still.

"Huff...huff..." Han Mu gasped for breath, his face pale. That attack had consumed seventy percent of his immortal power. If the Netherworld Python's inner core hadn't been injured, he might not have been able to kill it in one strike.

"System, check the status."

[Host: Han Mu]

[True Cultivation Level: Early Golden Immortal (70% Immortal Power Consumed)]

[Surface Cultivation Level: Peak Mahayana Stage]

[Cultivation Techniques: Primordial Longevity Technique (Complete), Golden Jade Book (Middle Volume, First Level)]

[Celestial Aura: 3127/10000]

[Status: Minor injury, excessive consumption of immortal energy]

Fortunately, it was just a minor injury. Han Mu took out a few recovery pills and swallowed them, and his immortal power began to slowly recover.

"Han... Fellow Daoist Han, are you alright?" Luo Feng flew over from afar, his eyes filled with shock as he looked at Han Mu. The Netherworld Python, a peak Golden Immortal, had actually been slain by Han Mu! Although Han Mu himself appeared to be seriously injured, this feat was enough to shock the entire Iron Blood Pass!

"It's alright." Han Mu shook his head, looking at the Reincarnation Stone in the center of the pool. "Go and retrieve the Reincarnation Stone."

The two flew to the center of the pool, and Han Mu waved his hand, sending the Reincarnation Stone into his grasp. The Reincarnation Stone was cool to the touch, with black and white energy flowing within it, emanating a profound aura of reincarnation.

"This is the Reincarnation Stone." Excitement flashed in Luo Feng's eyes. "With it, I can refine a Reincarnation Immortal Artifact and hopefully break through to the mid-stage of the Golden Immortal realm!"

Han Mu handed the Reincarnation Stone to Luo Feng. Luo Feng was taken aback: "Fellow Daoist Han, this..."

"As agreed, the Reincarnation Stone is yours," Han Mu said calmly. "I'm only interested in clues about the Reincarnation Palace."

Luo Feng gave Han Mu a deep look, then solemnly accepted the Reincarnation Stone: "Fellow Daoist Han, your kindness is deeply appreciated. I do indeed know some clues about the Reincarnation Palace."

He took out an ancient jade slip: "I obtained this from an ancient ruin. It records the location of a stronghold of the Reincarnation Palace. However, that stronghold is located deep in the wilderness, extremely dangerous, and it is said that there are Great Luo Golden Immortal-level wild beasts roaming there. I originally planned to explore it after breaking through to the mid-stage of the Golden Immortal realm, but now that I have the Reincarnation Stone, perhaps I can do it earlier."

Han Mu took the jade slip and probed it with his divine sense. Inside the jade slip was a map, marking a location in a valley three million miles away in the depths of the wilderness. It was indeed dangerous, marked with a warning: "Great Luo-level wild beasts appear."

"Thank you." Han Mu put away the jade slip. A Great Luo Golden Immortal level wild beast was indeed too much for him to handle with his current strength, but he could memorize its location and go there after his strength improved.

"Fellow Daoist Han, I owe you a great debt this time," Luo Feng said sincerely. "If it weren't for your help, I wouldn't have been able to obtain the Reincarnation Stone, and I'd probably have lost my life here. If you ever need my help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask."

"Centurion, you're too kind. It's just a mutually beneficial arrangement." Han Mu waved his hand. "Let's leave here quickly. The battle just now was quite loud and might attract other wild beasts."

"Yes, let's go quickly." Luo Feng nodded. The two dared not linger and quickly left the Netherworld Valley.

Shortly after they left, several figures appeared outside the Netherworld Valley. Leading them was a man in black robes, exuding a chilling aura; he was clearly a late-stage Golden Immortal. Behind him followed three mid-stage Golden Immortals, each radiating murderous intent.

"The commotion just now came from here," said a mid-stage Golden Immortal cultivator.

The black-robed man scanned the Netherworld Valley with his divine sense, his expression changing drastically: "The Netherworld Python has been killed! The Reincarnation Stone is also gone!"

"What?" The other three were shocked. The Netherworld Python was a mutated wild beast at the peak of the Golden Immortal realm. Who could kill it? Could it be that the Taiyi Jade Immortal made a move?

"There are two people, one at the early stage of Golden Immortal, and the other at the peak of the early stage of Golden Immortal." A cold glint flashed in the black-robed man's eyes. "They went in that direction, pursue them!"

"yes!"

The four transformed into four streaks of black light and chased after the direction Han Mu and his companion had left.

At this moment, Han Mu and Luo Feng had already traveled thousands of miles away from the Netherworld Valley. Luo Feng's poison had not yet been completely neutralized, and his face remained pale. Although Han Mu was seriously injured, his recovery speed was extremely fast. With the "Primordial Longevity Technique," his recovery ability far surpassed that of his peers.

"Fellow Daoist Han, your injuries..." Luo Feng was surprised to see Han Mu's complexion return to its rosy hue. Han Mu had clearly been seriously injured just now, how could he have recovered so quickly?

"I have a special healing technique," Han Mu explained simply. He did indeed recover very quickly, thanks to the power of the "Primordial Longevity Technique." Cultivating the five elements simultaneously creates a continuous cycle of life, naturally resulting in astonishing recovery ability.

Luo Feng didn't ask any further questions; everyone has their own secrets. He swallowed a healing pill and sat cross-legged to regulate his breathing. Han Mu also meditated beside him, while remaining vigilant of his surroundings.

Suddenly, Han Mu opened his eyes and looked behind him: "Someone is chasing us. There are four of them, all Golden Immortals, and the leader is a late-stage Golden Immortal."

"What?" Luo Feng's expression changed. "Could it be that they're after the Reincarnation Stone?"

"Possibly." Han Mu stood up, a cold glint in his eyes. "Prepare for battle."

As soon as they finished speaking, four figures descended from the sky, surrounding them. The leader, a man in black robes, sized up Han Mu and Luo Feng, and coldly asked, "Did you kill the Netherworld Python? Who has the Reincarnation Stone?"

Luo Feng's heart sank; they were indeed after the Reincarnation Stone. He stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Who are you? We obtained the Reincarnation Stone through our own abilities; do you intend to steal it by force?"

"Robbery?" The man in black robes sneered. "The Reincarnation Stone originally belonged to my clan, but it was taken by the Netherworld Python. You killed my clan's guardian beasts and stole my clan's most precious treasure, and you dare to call it robbery?"

"Your clan's creature?" Luo Feng frowned. "The Netherworld Python is a wild beast; when did it become your clan's guardian spirit beast?"

"Enough with the nonsense!" a mid-stage Golden Immortal cultivator behind the black-robed man shouted. "Hand over the Reincarnation Stone, and we'll spare your lives!"

Han Mu looked at the man in black robes and suddenly asked, "Are you from the Samsara Palace?"

A hint of surprise flashed in the black-robed man's eyes, followed by a cold laugh: "Since you know, then you should hand it over even more. The Reincarnation Stone is of great use to my palace. Handing it over might give you a chance to join the Reincarnation Palace."

It really is the Samsara Palace! Han Mu's heart skipped a beat. He had just been looking for a way to contact the Samsara Palace, but they had delivered themselves right to his doorstep. However, judging from their demeanor, they weren't here to make friends, but to kill.

"What if I say no?" Han Mu said calmly.

"Then die!" The man in black robes waved his hand, and three mid-stage Golden Immortal cultivators attacked Han Mu and Luo Feng simultaneously.

"Watch out!" Luo Feng shouted, slashing out with his golden longsword. However, he was still suffering from poisoning, and his strength was greatly reduced. He was entangled by a mid-stage Golden Immortal cultivator and was at a disadvantage.

Han Mu remained calm despite being attacked by two mid-stage Golden Immortals. In his prime, he could easily have annihilated them. However, his injuries were not yet healed, and his immortal power had only recovered to half its original strength, making it somewhat difficult for him to deal with two mid-stage Golden Immortals.

"System, exchange for 'Rejuvenation Pill'."

[Exchange successful. Consumed 100 Immortal Spirit Energy. Obtained 1 Rejuvenation Pill]

Han Mu consumed the Rejuvenation Pill, and his immortal power rapidly recovered. He no longer held back, unleashing his full power as an early-stage Golden Immortal. With his white longsword in hand, he unleashed a powerful slash.

"Golden Palace Immortal Light, Slash!"

A dazzling golden light enveloped the two mid-stage Golden Immortal cultivators. Their expressions changed drastically, and they hurriedly summoned their magical treasures to defend themselves.

"Boom! Boom!"

Two loud bangs rang out, and the two men were blasted away, spitting out blood. They were only at the mid-stage of the Golden Immortal realm; how could they withstand Han Mu's full-force attack? If Han Mu hadn't been still recovering from his injuries, this sword strike would have been fatal.

"A Golden Immortal at the early stage, yet possessing such combat power?" A look of surprise flashed in the black-robed man's eyes, followed by a cold laugh. "No wonder he could kill the Netherworld Python. However, this ends here."

The man in black robes took a step forward, unleashing the full power of a late-stage Golden Immortal, making it difficult for Luo Feng to breathe. He raised his hand and struck Han Mu with a palm strike, the wind from his palm like a knife, tearing through space.

Han Mu's pupils contracted. A late-stage Golden Immortal, two minor realms higher than him. If he were at his peak, he could put up a fight. But now, his injuries hadn't healed, and his immortal power had only recovered to 70%. Against a late-stage Golden Immortal, his chances of victory were slim.

"I have no choice but to fight with my life on the line." A resolute glint flashed in Han Mu's eyes as he prepared to unleash his trump card. Just then, an unexpected change occurred.

"Who dares to harm the people of my Samsara Palace?"

A clear, cold female voice descended from the sky. Then, a white sword light slashed down, shattering the black-robed man's palm strike.

Everyone looked up and saw a woman in white standing in mid-air. The woman was stunningly beautiful, with a cold and aloof demeanor. She held a white longsword in her hand, and her aura was as vast as the sea, clearly indicating that she was at the peak of the Golden Immortal realm!

"Holy Maiden?" The man in black robes' expression changed drastically upon seeing the woman in white. He hurriedly bowed and greeted her, "Your subordinate pays respects to the Holy Maiden!"

"Greetings, Holy Maiden!" The other three mid-stage Golden Immortal cultivators also hurriedly bowed.

The woman in white coldly stared at the man in black: "Black-robed man, who gave you permission to act on your own?"

"Your subordinate... Your subordinate only wants to retrieve the Reincarnation Stone..." The man in black robes was sweating.

"The Reincarnation Stone?" The woman in white looked at the Reincarnation Stone in Han Mu's hand, a strange light flashing in her eyes. "This Reincarnation Stone, is it yours?"

Han Mu was wary. This woman in white was the Holy Maiden of the Samsara Palace, a peak Golden Immortal with unfathomable strength. He gripped his longsword tightly and said in a deep voice, "We took it from the Netherworld Python."

"The Netherworld Python?" The woman in white glanced in the direction of the Netherworld Valley and nodded. "You do have some skill to kill the Netherworld Python. The Reincarnation Stone is of great use to my temple. Would you be willing to part with it? I am willing to exchange it for something of equal value."

Han Mu and Luo Feng exchanged a glance. The other party's attitude was good; they didn't try to take it by force and were even willing to exchange. Moreover, the other party was the Holy Maiden of the Samsara Palace, possessing great strength; a direct confrontation would not be a wise move.

"What will the Holy Maiden use in exchange?" Han Mu asked.

The woman in white took out a jade slip: "This is a map of an ancient ruin. Inside is a treasure that can help you break through to the mid-stage of the Golden Immortal realm. In addition, I can grant you one request, as long as it does not violate the principles of the Samsara Palace."

Han Mu took the jade slip, scanned it with his divine sense, and a look of surprise flashed in his eyes. The jade slip recorded an ancient ruin called "Xuantian Secret Realm," which contained a treasure called "Xuantian Creation Liquid," which could indeed help Golden Immortal cultivators break through their bottlenecks.

"Deal." Han Mu handed the Reincarnation Stone to the woman in white.

The woman in white took the Reincarnation Stone and nodded in satisfaction: "You've done very well. Black Robe, take them back to the branch hall and treat them well."

"Yes!" The man in black robes dared not disobey and respectfully agreed.

The woman in white glanced at Han Mu and said meaningfully, "I'll be waiting for you in the Samsara Palace." After saying that, she turned into a beam of white light and disappeared.

Han Mu gazed in the direction where the woman in white had disappeared, lost in thought. The Holy Maiden of the Samsara Palace, a peak Golden Immortal, seemed quite interested in him? What was going on?

"Please follow me, gentlemen." The man in black robes became much more respectful to Han Mu and Luo Feng. With the Holy Maiden's words, he dared not be negligent.

Han Mu and Luo Feng followed the man in black robes as they flew towards the branch hall of the Samsara Palace. Whether this journey would bring fortune or misfortune remained to be seen.