The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

"You Mingzi, you're really persistent." Han Mu coldly looked at You Mingzi and the other two outside the hall, while quickly thinking of a countermeasure.

Youmingzi is a late-stage Golden Immortal with two mid-stage Golden Immortal subordinates, while Han Mu only has one late-stage Golden Immortal (his true cultivation level) on his side, and Han Li is only a mid-stage True Immortal. The disparity in strength is enormous. Although Han Mu is not afraid of Youmingzi, defeating Youmingzi and his two companions while protecting Han Li will be no easy task.

"Boy, you got away last time, let's see where you run this time!" Youmingzi sneered. "Hand over the fragments of the Time Dao Pattern obediently, and I might leave you with a whole corpse."

"A fragment of the Dao of Time?" Han Mu's heart skipped a beat. It seemed that Youmingzi also knew about this item and had been searching for it. No wonder he was chasing after him so relentlessly; it turned out he had come for the fragment of the Dao of Time.

"I don't know when the Dao pattern fragments appeared," Han Mu feigned ignorance.

"Stop playing dumb!" A cold glint flashed in Youmingzi's eyes. "Hand over the fragments of time runes you obtained in Black Wind Cave!"

"So you came for that fragment." Han Mu suddenly realized. "Unfortunately, I've already used the fragment. You're too late."

"Used it?" Youmingzi's face darkened. "Impossible! The fragment of the Time Dao Pattern contains the Law of Time. How could you possibly refine it? Kid, don't try anything funny, or I'll make you wish you were dead!"

"Believe it or not," Han Mu said calmly.

"You're courting death!" Youmingzi roared in fury, waving his hand. "Take him down!"

Two mid-stage Golden Immortal elders immediately rushed towards Han Mu. Han Mu said to Han Li, "Fellow Daoist Han, step back."

Knowing his own strength was insufficient, Han Li did not try to be brave. He retreated to a corner of the side hall and took out several defensive magic treasures to protect himself.

"System, exchange for 'Immortal Power Burst'."

[Exchange successful. Consumed 5000 Immortal Spirit Energy. Gained the "Immortal Power Burst" status, temporarily raising the player's cultivation level by one minor realm, lasting for the duration of an incense stick.]

Han Mu's aura surged instantly, rising from the late Golden Immortal stage to the peak Golden Immortal stage. Although his apparent cultivation level was still mid-True Immortal, his true combat strength had reached the peak Golden Immortal stage, a minor realm higher than You Mingzi.

"Hmm?" Youmingzi sensed the change in Han Mu's aura. Although he couldn't see through Han Mu's true cultivation level, his intuition told him that Han Mu had become stronger. However, Youmingzi wasn't worried. He was a late-stage Golden Immortal, and he also had two mid-stage Golden Immortal subordinates. Three against one, he was confident of victory.

"Netherworld Ghost Claws!" The two old men unleashed their Netherworld Ghost Claws simultaneously, their two hundred-foot-long ghost claws reaching out to grab Han Mu.

"A mere trick." Han Mu unleashed a sword strike, the gray sword energy tearing through the ghost claws, its momentum undiminished, slashing towards the two old men.

The two old men were shocked and hurriedly tried to dodge, but the sword energy was too fast. One of them was unable to dodge in time and was hit by the sword energy, spitting blood and flying backward.

"What?!" Youmingzi's pupils contracted. That sword strike just now was far more powerful than an early-stage Golden Immortal; it was at least at the mid- or late-stage Golden Immortal level. This kid was hiding his strength!

"What exactly is your cultivation level?" Youmingzi stared at Han Mu and asked in a deep voice.

"Guess." Han Mu sneered, his figure flashed, and he appeared behind another old man, thrusting out a sword.

The old man was prepared and turned around to strike out with his palm. The palm wind contained a strong Yin energy and collided with Han Mu's longsword.

boom!

The old man was forced back three steps, while Han Mu remained unmoved. The difference in skill was immediately apparent; Han Mu had a slight advantage.

"Attack together!" Youmingzi no longer dared to be arrogant and joined forces with two of his subordinates to besiege Han Mu.

Three Golden Immortals—one late-stage and two mid-stage—besieged Han Mu. Although Han Mu's true cultivation was at the peak of the Golden Immortal realm, fighting three against one was still quite a challenge.

"The Cycle of Reincarnation Sword Technique, All Swords Return to Their Origin!"

Han Mu unleashed his strongest sword technique, with thousands of sword shadows appearing, each containing the power of reincarnation, slashing towards the three.

"The Netherworld!"

"Yin Sha Palm!"

"A Night Parade of One Hundred Demons!"

The three, Youmingzi, each unleashed their unique skills. Youming Ghost Domain suppressed Han Mu's strength, while Yin Sha Palm and Hundred Ghosts Night Parade attacked Han Mu's main body.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The side hall collapsed completely under the terrifying energy impact, billowing smoke and dust. Han Li had already retreated to a distance, watching the battle with bated breath.

Amidst the smoke and dust, Han Mu engaged in a fierce battle with You Mingzi and the other two. Han Mu fought three against one, holding his own and growing stronger with each battle. He cultivated the "Primordial Longevity Technique," possessing immense immortal power far surpassing his peers. Furthermore, the acceleration provided by the laws of time made his movements ghostly, causing most of You Mingzi and the other two's attacks to miss.

"Damn it, how is this kid so strong!" Youmingzi cursed inwardly. He thought he would easily defeat Han Mu, but he didn't expect Han Mu to be so difficult to deal with. If they continued fighting, even if he could win, it would be a Pyrrhic victory, and the losses would outweigh the gains.

"Boy, hand over the fragment of the Time Dao Pattern, and I'll leave immediately. Otherwise, it'll be a fight to the death!" Youmingzi shouted.

"If you want the fragments, come and get them if you can." Han Mu remained unmoved.

"Fine, you forced me to this!" A ruthless glint flashed in Youmingzi's eyes as he took out a black talisman. The talisman was inscribed with strange runes and exuded a chilling aura.

"Netherworld Talisman!" Han Mu recognized the talisman. The Netherworld Talisman is a secret talisman made by the Netherworld Sect. It can summon Netherworld Ghost Generals, comparable to the peak of a Golden Immortal. However, the talisman will disappear after use, making it a life-saving trump card.

Youmingzi was actually willing to use the Youming Talisman, which means he was really in a hurry.

"With my blood, I summon the Netherworld Ghost General!" Youmingzi bit his tongue and spat out a mouthful of blood essence onto the talisman. The talisman shone brightly, transforming into a cloud of black mist, from which emerged a ghost general three zhang tall.

The ghost general was clad in black armor, wielding a giant axe, and exuded a powerful aura, clearly a peak Golden Immortal!

"Kill him!" Youmingzi pointed at Han Mu.

The ghost general roared and swung his axe at Han Mu. Wherever the giant axe passed, space distorted, and its power was astonishing.

Han Mu's expression turned solemn. A Ghost General at the peak of the Golden Immortal realm was not easy to deal with. He used all his strength to accelerate time and narrowly avoided the axe, but the axe wind still struck him, sending him flying dozens of feet away, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

"Fellow Daoist Han!" Han Li exclaimed in surprise.

"I'm fine." Han Mu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and stared at the ghost general. A peak Golden Immortal was indeed powerful, but not invincible.

"System, exchange for 'Evil-Slaying Divine Thunder'."

[Exchange successful. Consumed 3000 Immortal Spirit Energy. Obtained 1 Demon-Slaying Divine Thunder]

The Divine Thunder that Breaks Evil is extremely yang and powerful, specifically designed to counter yin and evil. Netherworld Ghosts are formed from yin energy and are most afraid of this extremely yang Divine Thunder.

A golden lightning pearl appeared in Han Mu's hand, its surface crackling with electricity and emanating a terrifying aura.

"Go!" Han Mu threw the Thunder Pearl at the Ghost General.

The ghost general instinctively sensed danger and tried to dodge, but the lightning pearl was too fast and struck the ghost general in the chest in an instant.

boom!

Golden lightning erupted, engulfing the ghost general. The ghost general let out a shrill scream and was quickly dissolved in the golden lightning, eventually turning into ashes.

"What?!" Youmingzi was dumbfounded. The Golden Immortal peak ghost general he summoned with his life essence was actually killed by a single lightning pearl? What kind of lightning pearl was that, so terrifying?

Han Mu was also taken aback. He knew that the Evil-Breaking Divine Lightning was effective against ghosts, but he hadn't expected it to be so effective. A single lightning bead had annihilated a peak Golden Immortal ghost general. As expected of a system product, it was bound to be of high quality.

"If you have any other tricks up your sleeve, bring them on." Han Mu looked at You Mingzi, his eyes filled with murderous intent. Since they had already become enemies, he couldn't let You Mingzi go, or the consequences would be dire.

Youmingzi's expression shifted, but he finally gritted his teeth and said, "Let's go!"

The two subordinates, already terrified, immediately followed Youmingzi and fled. Han Mu did not pursue; he had just exhausted himself activating the Demon-Slaying Divine Thunder and needed to recuperate.

"Fellow Daoist Han, are you alright?" Han Li flew over and asked with concern.

"It's alright, I'll just need to regulate my breathing for a moment." Han Mu swallowed a pill and began to regulate his breathing.

After an incense stick's time, Han Mu had fully recovered. The burst of immortal power had passed, and his cultivation had dropped back to the late Golden Immortal stage, but he still appeared to be a mid-True Immortal, which was imperceptible to You Mingzi and the other two.

"We shouldn't stay here any longer, let's leave quickly," Han Mu said. Although Youmingzi has retreated, he might return, so it's best to leave as soon as possible.

"Okay." Han Li nodded.

The two left the Valley of Burial Immortals and returned to the Palace of Reincarnation. The journey was uneventful; Youmingzi did not appear, seemingly truly terrified.

Upon returning to the Samsara Palace, Han Mu immediately went into seclusion to digest his gains. During his trip to the Burial Immortal Valley, he obtained a second fragment of the Time Dao Pattern, which, when combined with the first, yielded half a map of a Time-Space Secret Realm. He also acquired a Soul-Slaying Pearl, which could be used to refine Soul-Slaying Magic Treasures or cultivate Soul-Slaying Techniques.

"System, view personal information."

Name: Han Mu

[Realm Level: Late Stage of True Golden Immortal, Mid Stage of Superficial True Immortal]

[Cultivation Techniques: Primordial Longevity Technique (Seventh Level), Heaven-Gathering Divine Technique (Perfect), Reincarnation Sword Technique (Fifth Level)]

[Laws: Law of Time (Beginner 2%), Law of Reincarnation (Minor Success)]

[Celestial Aura: 3827 points]

[Magic Items: Qiankun Fan (Mid-grade Immortal Artifact), Time Dao Pattern Fragment x2 (can be assembled), Time-Space Secret Realm Fragment x2 (half a piece), Soul-Destroying Pearl x1]

[Family: Changsheng Han Family (Spirit Realm)]

[Current Task: Establishing the Foundation of the Immortal Realm (In Progress)]

The Time Law has increased to 2%, not bad. I have 3827 points of Celestial Spirit Energy left, I need to find a way to earn more.

"System, is there a quick way to obtain immortal spiritual energy?"

Immortal Qi can be obtained through mission rewards, defeating high-level cultivators, exploring secret realms, and completing system missions.

Han Mu considered it for a moment. Killing high-level cultivators was the fastest way, but it was risky. Exploring secret realms was also a good option, but it would take time. Completing system tasks was the safest option, but such tasks were rare and unpredictable.

"Let's take on a few missions first." Han Mu emerged from seclusion and arrived at the Mission Hall.

The mission hall was bustling with people, all disciples of the Samsara Hall accepting or submitting missions. Han Mu approached the mission light screen to check the available missions.

"Explore the Netherworld Abyss, search for the Soul Grass, reward 10,000 contribution points..."

"Slay a Golden Immortal-level early-stage wild beast, obtain its inner core, and receive a reward of 50,000 contribution points..."

"Escort the caravan to Tianfeng City, reward 30,000 contribution points..."

There were many tasks, but most of them were time-consuming and labor-intensive. Han Mu looked for a long time but couldn't find a suitable one.

"Guest Han, you're here to take on a mission too?" A familiar voice came from Liu Ruyan.

"Fellow Daoist Liu," Han Mu nodded, "I wanted to take on a mission to earn some contribution points, but I haven't found a suitable one yet."

"Guest Elder Han is quite capable and can take on some high-level missions," Liu Ruyan said. "I recently accepted a mission to explore an ancient ruin. The rewards are generous, but it's quite dangerous. Are you interested, Guest Elder Han?"

"What ancient ruins?"

"Deep in the wilderness, there is a place called 'Netherworld Abyss'," Liu Ruyan said.

The Netherworld Abyss? Han Mu's heart stirred. Han Li had said that the Netherworld Abyss might contain fragments of time-related Dao patterns.

"Tell me in detail," Han Mu said.

Liu Ruyan explained the mission to Han Mu. It turned out that an elder of the Reincarnation Palace had discovered an ancient ruin in the Netherworld Abyss, suspected to be the site of an ancient sect. However, the ruin was protected by a restriction, requiring five Golden Immortals to break through it together. The elder issued a mission, recruiting four Golden Immortals to explore the ruin with him, with the spoils to be distributed according to their contributions.

"That elder is a late-stage Golden Immortal, and with the four of us, that makes five people," Liu Ruyan said. "If Luo Feng, Zhou Meng, and Li Qingzhu go, and if Elder Han goes, we'll be complete."

Han Mu thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay, I'll go."

He must go to the Netherworld Abyss, which contains fragments of a time-space secret realm map. Moreover, with five people working together, their safety is much higher.

"That's great! With Guest Elder Han joining us, we're much more confident about this trip," Liu Ruyan said happily. "We'll be departing in three days. Guest Elder Han, please make the preparations."

"it is good."

Han Mu left the mission hall and returned to his cave, where he told Han Li about the matter.

"The Netherworld Abyss?" Han Li frowned. "That place is very dangerous. I went there once and almost didn't make it out. If you're going, Fellow Daoist Han, please be careful."

"Would Fellow Daoist Han like to come along?" Han Mu asked.

Han Li shook his head: "My cultivation is too low, I would only be a burden if I went. Besides, I have recently had some enlightenment and am preparing to go into seclusion to break through to the late stage of True Immortal."

"Alright, then you can stay here in seclusion. I'll set off in three days," Han Mu said.

Han Li nodded and entered the secret chamber for seclusion. Han Mu also began preparations, exchanging for some life-saving talismans and pills.

Three days later, Han Mu arrived at the meeting point, where Liu Ruyan and the other three were already waiting. In addition to Liu Ruyan, Luo Feng, Zhou Meng, and Li Qingzhu, there was also an old man in a gray robe with a profound aura. He was the elder who had issued the mission, and he was a late-stage Golden Immortal.

"This is Elder Mo," Liu Ruyan introduced.

"Elder Mo," Han Mu said, bowing.

Elder Mo glanced at Han Mu and nodded, saying, "Guest Han, I've heard so much about you. Now that everyone is here, let's set off."

The six left the Palace of Reincarnation and headed towards the Abyss of the Underworld.

Ten days later, the six arrived at the Netherworld Abyss. The Netherworld Abyss was a bottomless abyss, filled with black mist and faint sounds of ghostly wails and howls, which sent chills down their spines.

"The ruins are at the bottom of the abyss, follow me." Elder Mo took the lead and leaped into the abyss, with Han Mu and the other four following closely behind.

They descended about a thousand feet and arrived at the bottom of the abyss. The bottom of the abyss was a ruin, with broken walls and dilapidated buildings, clearly having been the site of a great battle.

"This is it." Elder Mo pointed to a stone door. The stone door was tightly closed, and a protective light flowed across its surface.

"This restriction is very strong. It will take five people attacking the same point at the same time to break it," Elder Mo said. "Guest Elder Han, Liu Ruyan, Luo Feng, Zhou Meng, and Li Qingzhu, the five of you take your positions and wait for my command to attack together."

The five took their positions as instructed, and at Elder Mo's command, they attacked the stone gate's restrictions simultaneously.

boom!

The barrier trembled violently, but did not break.

"Continue!" Elder Mo shouted.

The five attacked again, launching more than ten consecutive attacks, until the barrier finally showed cracks.

"Give it your all, it's almost broken!" Elder Mo shouted.

With all their might, the restriction finally broke, and the stone door slowly opened.

"Go in!" Elder Mo went in first, followed closely by Han Mu and the other four.

Behind the stone gate was a passageway lined with murals depicting scenes of ancient cultivators' lives. The group proceeded cautiously, walking for about a hundred feet before arriving at a grand hall.

In the center of the main hall stood an altar, upon which rested a jade box. The jade box was protected by a restriction, but it was much weaker than the restriction on the stone gate.

"The treasure should be in the jade box." Elder Mo's eyes flashed with greed as he walked toward the altar.

Suddenly, a sudden change occurred!

Black light shone around the altar, forming a trapping array that confined the six people within. At the same time, three figures appeared at the entrance of the main hall—it was Youmingzi and his two subordinates!

"Youmingzi!" Han Mu's face darkened.

"Hahaha, didn't expect that, did you? I've been waiting here all along!" Youmingzi laughed. "Elder Mo, thank you for leading the way."

Elder Mo's expression changed: "Youmingzi, you plotted against me?"

"So what if I schemed against you?" Youmingzi sneered. "I discovered this ruin a long time ago, but the restrictions were too strong for me to break. That's why I issued a fake mission to lure you here to break the restrictions. Now that the restrictions are broken, you're useless. Die!"

With a wave of his hand, Youmingzi unleashed countless fierce ghosts from the trapped formation, which pounced on the six people.

"System, exchange for 'Formation Breaking Talisman'."

[Exchange successful. Consumed 2000 Immortal Spirit Energy. Obtained 1 Formation Breaking Talisman]

Han Mu crushed the formation-breaking talisman, creating a gap in the trapping formation.

"Go!" Han Mu shouted, rushing out of the gap first. Liu Ruyan and the other three also reacted and rushed out after him. Only Elder Mo was a step too slow and was entangled by the vengeful ghost.

"Help me!" Elder Mo shouted.

Han Mu hesitated for a moment, then turned around and killed several fierce ghosts with a single sword strike, rescuing Elder Mo. The six of them rushed out of the main hall, but You Mingzi and his two companions were already blocking the exit of the passageway.

"Trying to leave? Not so easy!" Youmingzi sneered. "You'll all die today!"

"Is that so?" A cold voice suddenly rang out.

Youmingzi's expression changed, and he turned around abruptly. He saw a black-robed man appear behind him at some point. The man wore a mask, so his face was not visible, but his aura was as deep and boundless as the ocean, far surpassing that of a Golden Immortal.

"Palace Master!" Liu Ruyan exclaimed in surprise.

The man in black robes was none other than the master of the seventh branch of the Samsara Palace, a Taiyi Jade Immortal!

"Youmingzi, how dare you scheme against the people of my Samsara Palace!" the black-robed man said coldly.

Youmingzi broke out in a cold sweat and stammered, "Palace Master, please calm down. I... I didn't know they were from the Samsara Palace..."

"Now you know?" The man in black robes waved his hand, and the three of them, including Youmingzi, were struck as if by a heavy blow, spitting blood and flying backward, crashing heavily into the wall, their breaths weakened.

"Get lost," the man in black robes uttered a single word.

Youmingzi felt as if he had been granted a pardon and fled with his two subordinates in a panic.

The man in black robes looked at Han Mu and his group of six, his gaze lingering on Han Mu for a moment, and asked, "Are you all alright?"

"Thank you for saving us, Lord of the Palace," Han Mu and the other six bowed.

"Hmm, this place is not safe to stay any longer, let's leave first," said the man in black robes.

The seven left the Netherworld Abyss and returned to the Palace of Reincarnation. Along the way, Han Mu was filled with doubt. Why had the Palace Master suddenly appeared? Was it a coincidence, or…?