The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

The golden-armored man exuded an overwhelming aura, with more than ten golden-armored celestial soldiers standing behind him. The weakest of them was at the late stage of the Golden Immortal realm, and there were also two deputies at the early stage of the Great Jade Immortal realm. With such a lineup, let alone Han Mu and his nine companions, even the river guardians would have to think twice.

"The Heavenly Court's Patrol Division?" Han Mu's heart sank. The Heavenly Court had actually managed to track them all the way to the River of Time; they must have gone to great lengths. Moreover, the leader was a late-stage Great Yi Jade Immortal, which was beyond his capabilities.

"Han Mu, you murdered a Heavenly Court inspector and stole a precious Heavenly Treasure; your crimes are heinous. I, 'Golden Edge,' have been ordered by the Heavenly Emperor to arrest you." The golden-armored man's voice was icy. "If you surrender, you may be spared physical punishment. If you dare to resist, you will be killed without mercy!"

"Senior Han, what should we do?" Luo Feng swallowed hard. "We can't win this battle."

Han Mu didn't speak, but quickly scanned the system panel:

Name: Han Mu

True Realm: Peak Golden Immortal

Surface Realm: Mid-stage True Immortal

Time Rule: 45% for Beginners

Spatial Laws: Introduction 5%

Celestial Aura: -100 points

Fusion degree of Chaotic Spacetime Dao Patterns: 18%

Spacetime beacon control level: 15%

The control over the spacetime beacon has increased to 15%, which seems to be a result of refining the fragments of time. However, the immortal spiritual energy is currently negative, so the system functions are basically unusable, and I can only rely on my own strength.

"General Jin Feng, what crime have I committed?" Han Mu stalled for time while observing the surrounding terrain. This was the lower reaches of the River of Time, where the river was wide, but not far ahead was a spacetime turbulence zone, where the river was swift and spacetime was disordered—perhaps this was an opportunity.

"What crime?" Jin Feng sneered. "You killed three of my patrol officers and stole the Time-Space Beacon. You still dare to say you're innocent? The Time-Space Beacon is a treasure of the Heavenly Court. How dare you lay a finger on it? Hand over the Time-Space Beacon and come back to the Heavenly Court with me for trial. Perhaps then I can spare your life."

"The spacetime beacon was obtained by chance, not stolen by me," Han Mu said. "As for those three, they attacked me first, I was only acting in self-defense."

"Eloquent tongue." Jin Feng, too lazy to waste words, waved his hand and said, "Take him down! Dead or alive!"

Two golden-armored celestial soldiers, both at the peak of the Golden Immortal realm, rushed towards Han Mu from the left and right. Their coordination was impeccable; one wielded a spear, the other a sword. The spear flashed like a dragon, the sword light cascaded like a waterfall, sealing off all of Han Mu's escape routes.

Han Mu dared not be careless. Although these two were at the peak of the Golden Immortal realm, their combined strength was no weaker than that of an early-stage Great Jade Immortal. He activated the Law of Time, setting up a time-slowing field in front of him, and drew his sword to meet the enemy.

Sword light clashed with spear shadows and blade glints, unleashing a blinding burst of light. Han Mu, fighting two opponents simultaneously, was not at a disadvantage; on the contrary, he subtly suppressed his opponents.

"The Law of Time?" Jin Feng's eyes narrowed. "No wonder he could kill my patrol officers. But a Golden Immortal is still a Golden Immortal. The gap between him and a Great Jade Immortal cannot be bridged by the laws of time."

He personally took action, unleashing a palm strike. The palm wind transformed into a giant golden hand, tearing through space and time, instantly reaching above Han Mu's head. This palm strike contained the full power of a late-stage Great Yi Jade Immortal, enough to annihilate any Golden Immortal.

Han Mu's expression changed drastically; it was too late to dodge. He gritted his teeth, preparing to use the Immortal Coffin to withstand the attack. But just then, a beam of silver light shot out from the Time-Space Ship, heading straight for the golden giant palm.

It was a backup plan left by the river guardians!

The silver light collided with the golden giant hand, both annihilating. The guardian's voice echoed in the void: "Jin Feng, the River of Time is not a place for your Heavenly Court to run rampant. Get out!"

The sound wasn't loud, but it contained profound principles, causing Jin Feng's face to turn pale and him to retreat three steps.

"River Guardian!" Jin Feng gritted his teeth. "This man killed my Heavenly Court Inspector and stole my Heavenly Court's most precious treasure. The Heavenly Court must bring him to justice. Is the River Guardian going to protect this criminal?"

"A criminal?" the river keeper asked calmly. "You say he's a criminal, so he is? Where's the evidence?"

"The evidence is conclusive!" Jin Feng took out a bronze mirror, and the scene that appeared in the mirror was Han Mu killing the three women in white outside the maze. "The Time Reversal Mirror recorded it clearly. He killed people and stole the treasure."

The river guardian was silent for a moment, then said, "Private duels are forbidden on the River of Time, but if you insist on fighting, I won't stop you. However, I must warn you that the area ahead is a spacetime turbulence zone, fraught with danger. Even a Great Jade Immortal would face a near-death experience if they went in. If you want to fight, go somewhere else; don't pollute my River of Time."

After he finished speaking, the silver light disappeared, and the river guardian stopped interfering.

Jin Feng's expression shifted. The river guardian was clearly biased towards Han Mu, but the opponent's strength was unfathomable, and he dared not confront him directly. Moreover, the river guardian had said that the area ahead was a spacetime turbulence zone, which was indeed dangerous. However, he was ordered to capture Han Mu, and if he returned empty-handed, he would be unable to explain himself to the Heavenly Emperor.

"Han Mu, this is your last chance. Surrender now!" Jin Feng shouted.

Han Mu grinned: "General Jin Feng, come and arrest me if you dare."

After saying that, he urged the Time-Space Ark to plunge into the turbulent spacetime zone ahead.

"You're asking for death!" Jin Feng roared in fury, disregarding the danger, and led his men to chase after them.

The Spacetime Turbulence Zone, as the name suggests, is a place where spacetime is disordered, the flow of time is erratic, space is distorted and folded, and there are dangers such as spacetime rifts and spacetime vortexes. If a Golden Immortal enters, he will almost certainly die, and even a Great Jade Immortal must be extremely cautious.

Han Mu's Time-Space Ship, created by the old fisherman using a Time-Space Fish, possesses a natural resistance to temporal turbulence and travels relatively smoothly. However, Jin Feng and his crew's warship were not so lucky; it became unstable and its speed greatly reduced as soon as they entered.

"Senior Han, they're catching up!" Liu Ruyan glanced back and saw that Jin Feng's warship, though slow, was still closing in.

"Ignore it, keep going." Han Mu fully activated the Time-Space Ark, rushing deeper into the turbulent zone. He had a time-space beacon, which allowed him to sense time-space fluctuations and avoid the most dangerous areas. Jin Feng and the others, on the other hand, had to force their way through and suffered heavy losses.

Suddenly, a spacetime rift appeared in front of the warship. Jin Feng reacted quickly and dodged in time, but the stern was still grazed, leaving a deep crack. Several heavenly soldiers were swept into the rift and disappeared without even letting out a scream.

"Damn it!" Jin Feng was both shocked and furious. Even he was wary of the power of the spacetime rift. The fact that Han Mu was able to avoid it in advance must be thanks to the spacetime beacon.

"General, should we continue the pursuit?" the adjutant asked. They had only just entered the city and had already lost several men; continuing the pursuit would likely result in even greater losses.

"Chase! We must chase!" Jin Feng gritted his teeth. "We must retrieve the spacetime beacon; it's the Heavenly Emperor's order. Moreover, this kid possesses the Law of Time and Chaos Dao Patterns, which are extremely valuable. If we can capture him, we will all gain great merit."

With such a generous reward, brave men are sure to come. Hearing this, the heavenly soldiers roused themselves and continued their pursuit.

However, the spacetime turbulence zone was becoming increasingly dangerous, with spacetime rifts and vortexes appearing one after another. Jin Feng's warship took several more hits and suffered severe damage. In contrast, Han Mu's spacetime vessel was like a fish in water, moving faster and faster.

"This won't do," Han Li frowned. "Although the spacetime turbulence zone can stop them, we can't get out either. Once the spacetime ship runs out of energy, we'll be trapped here to die."

"I know." Han Mu looked ahead. "A hundred miles ahead, there's the entrance to the ancient battlefield of time and space. The token given by the river guardian can open the entrance; let's go in and hide for a while."

"Ancient battlefield of time and space? Isn't that more dangerous?" Zhou Meng grinned.

"Even if it's dangerous, it's better than being captured by the Heavenly Court," Han Mu said. Being captured by the Heavenly Court means certain death. Although the Ancient Battlefield of Time and Space is dangerous, it offers a glimmer of hope.

A hundred miles seemed an exceptionally long distance amidst the turbulent flow of time and space. The Time-Space Ship dodged left and right, avoiding numerous spacetime rifts, finally arriving before a vortex. At the center of the vortex was a point of light, the entrance to the ancient battlefield of time and space.

"This is it!" Han Mu took out the token given to him by the river guardian and infused it with magic power. The token glowed silver and shot into the vortex. The vortex spun faster, and the light spot at the center expanded, forming a portal of light.

"Go!" Han Mu urged the Time-Space Ship to rush towards the portal.

"Stop him!" Jin Feng panicked. Ignoring the danger, he urged the warship forward with all his might, rushing towards the light gate. But the warship was too big and too slow. By the time they reached the light gate, Han Mu's space-time ship had already sunk halfway into it.

"Stay here!" Jin Feng struck out with a palm from afar, his giant golden hand grabbing towards the stern of the Time-Space Ship. If this palm landed, the Time-Space Ship would inevitably be damaged, and might even be pulled out of the portal.

Han Mu was prepared. He turned and swung his sword, the light striking the giant golden palm. The sword only momentarily paused the palm, unable to stop it. Just as the giant palm was about to seize the Time-Space Ark, a ruthless glint flashed in Han Mu's eyes. He activated the Time-Space Beacon, forcibly tearing open a spacetime rift to block the giant palm.

The giant hand slammed into the spacetime rift and was swallowed by it. However, Jin Feng was, after all, a late-stage Taiyi Jade Immortal. Only a small portion of the giant hand was swallowed, while the majority still reached out to grab the spacetime ship.

At this critical moment, the gate suddenly trembled violently, and a terrifying aura emanated from within. The aura was desolate, ancient, and violent, as if it came from a ferocious beast from ancient times.

"roar!"

A beastly roar erupted from within the portal, causing the spatial turbulence to momentarily halt. Jin Feng's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly withdrew his hand and retreated. But it was too late; a gigantic claw covered in scales emerged from the portal and slammed into the golden giant hand.

The giant golden hand shattered like paper, but its momentum remained undiminished as it slammed towards Jin Feng. Jin Feng tried his best to defend, but was still sent flying, spitting out blood. The warship behind him fared even worse; grazed by the giant claw, it disintegrated instantly, resulting in heavy casualties among the celestial soldiers on board.

"An ancient beast of time and space!" Jin Feng exclaimed in shock. The guardian beast the river guardian spoke of was actually at the entrance!

Han Mu was also startled. Shouldn't the ancient beast of time and space be deep within the ancient battlefield? How did it end up at the entrance? But he didn't have time to think about it. Taking advantage of Jin Feng being repelled, the Time-Space Ship completely disappeared into the light gate.

The portal slowly closed, and the giant claws of the ancient time-space beast retracted. Jin Feng steadied himself, staring at the portal with a grim expression.

"General, should we continue the pursuit?" The deputy clutched his chest, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He too had been injured by that claw attack.

"What the hell are you chasing!" Jin Feng cursed. "The ancient time-space beasts are guarding the entrance; going in is suicide. Besides, the ancient time-space battlefield has time-space turbulence, making it easy to get in but difficult to get out. If that kid Han Mu goes in, he probably won't come out either."

"What should we do then? How are we going to explain this when we get back?"

"Just say that Han Mu stormed into the ancient battlefield of time and space, was killed by the ancient beasts of time and space, and his body was never found." Jin Feng gritted his teeth. "Anyway, very few people who go in come out alive. As for the time and space beacon... just say it was swept away by the time and space turbulence and can't be found."

"Yes." The deputy breathed a sigh of relief. Although the reason was far-fetched, it was still better than returning empty-handed.

Jin Feng glanced at the portal one last time, then led his remaining troops away. He dared not linger any longer; if the ancient beast of time and space were to reappear, they would all perish here.

Inside the portal, Han Mu and his nine companions tumbled out of the Time-Space Ship and landed on a desolate land. The sky was gray, the earth was scorched, and broken weapons and corpses were scattered everywhere, with a chilling atmosphere permeating the air.

"Is this the ancient battlefield of time and space?" Luo Feng got up and looked around. "The killing intent is so strong, it makes my hair stand on end."

Han Mu also sensed that the spacetime forces here were extremely violent, with the flow of time fluctuating wildly and space itself distorted unpredictably. Ordinary people who stayed here for too long would experience spacetime distortion and their souls would collapse.

"Let's find a place to hide and recover." Han Mu put away the Time-Space Ark. The Time-Space Ark transformed into silver light and entered his body. This ark was transformed from the Time-Space Fish and was connected to him; it could be stored and nurtured within his body.

The nine found a dilapidated palace ruin and hid inside. Han Mu set up a concealment array to isolate their presence.

"Senior Han, what should we do next?" Liu Ruyan asked.

"Heal your wounds first, then go find the Heart of Time and Space," Han Mu said. "The River Guardian said the Time-Space Beast is mostly asleep, so if we're careful, we should be able to avoid it. Once we get the Heart of Time and Space, we'll find a chance to leave."

"Ancient Beast of Time and Space..." Han Li smiled wryly, "That claw attack just now was at least at the peak of the Great Yi Jade Immortal realm. Stealing something from under its nose is as difficult as ascending to heaven."

"No matter how difficult it is, I must try." Han Mu was resolute. Without obtaining the Heart of Time and Space, his Time and Space Laws would be difficult to master, and his strength could not be improved rapidly. Moreover, the Heavenly Court would not let him go; without strength, there was only death ahead.

The group fell silent, each tending to their own injuries. Han Mu also sat down cross-legged, examining his own condition. Although his exchange with Jin Feng was brief, he had sustained some internal injuries and needed to recuperate.

But as soon as he entered meditation, he sensed a fluctuation coming from afar. The fluctuation was subtle, but it did not escape his perception.

"Someone's here!" Han Mu opened his eyes and looked in the direction from which the fluctuations came.

In the distance, a streak of light rapidly approached, arriving above the ruins in the blink of an eye. The light dissipated, revealing two figures: a man and a woman. The man was handsome and dashing, the woman beautiful as a flower; both possessed the aura of a mid-stage Great Yi Jade Immortal.

The two men had clearly spotted Han Mu and his group, their gazes fixed on the ruins with scrutiny.

"Oh, another newcomer." The handsome man chuckled. "A peak Golden Immortal leading a team of eight Golden Immortals. They dare to come to the Ancient Battlefield of Time and Space with this lineup? They've got some nerve."

The beautiful woman covered her mouth and chuckled, "They're probably just poor wretches who wandered in by mistake. But since they're here, they're not leaving. We just happen to need a few cannon fodder to scout ahead, so these are the ones."

Han Mu's heart sank. He had just escaped one tiger's den only to fall into another. These two mid-stage Great Jade Immortals were easier to deal with than Jin Feng, but they were still not someone they could contend with.

"Seniors, we have only stumbled upon this place by mistake and had no intention of offending you. We will leave now," Han Mu said, cupping his hands in greeting.

"Leave?" The handsome man laughed. "The Ancient Battlefield of Time and Space is a one-way street, you didn't know that? Since you're here, behave yourself and do some work for us, maybe you can live a few more days."

The beautiful woman nodded: "We're heading to the 'Temple of Time and Space,' and we need a few scouts. You're perfect; your cultivation levels are just right, so we won't feel bad if you die."

Pathfinders, cannon fodder? Han Mu's eyes turned cold. They were being used as expendable resources.

"Senior, our strength is too weak to be of any help." Han Mu stalled for time, thinking of a solution.

"I have to help, whether I can or not." The handsome man grew impatient, raising his hand to grab Han Mu. "Either obey me, or die!"

The massive hand contained the oppressive force of a mid-stage Great Jade Immortal, making Han Mu feel as if he were trapped in quagmire, unable to move. This was the suppression of realms, the absolute crushing power of a Great Jade Immortal over a Golden Immortal.

Han Mu gritted his teeth, preparing for a desperate fight. But just then, a deafening roar echoed from afar. It was an ancient beast from another time!

The handsome man and beautiful woman's expressions changed drastically. Forgetting Han Mu, they turned and ran. The ancient beast of time and space had awakened; they dared not linger.

Han Mu's heart tightened. The ancient beast of time and space had awakened, and their plans were completely disrupted.

But this gave him a chance to catch his breath. Taking advantage of the two men's escape, Han Mu led the group away in the opposite direction. The most important thing now was to find a safe place to hide and wait for the ancient beast of time and space to fall into slumber again.

But he had only flown a hundred miles when a figure suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking his path. It was a woman in white, with an exquisitely beautiful face, but her aura was as cold as frost; she was clearly also a mid-stage Great Yi Jade Immortal.

"Another Great Jade Immortal?" Han Mu's lips twitched. How come there are so many powerful figures in this ancient battlefield of time and space?

The woman in white looked at Han Mu with a complex expression, a mixture of murderous intent and apprehension. She spoke slowly, her voice cold and clear: "Han Mu, I've been waiting for you for a long time."

Han Mu was taken aback: "You know me?"

"More than just acquaintances," the woman in white sneered. "My junior sister, Bai Li, died at your hands. Today, I will avenge her!"

Bai Li's senior sister? Han Mu remembered. The white-clad woman he killed outside the maze was named Bai Li. She had said her senior sister would avenge her, but he hadn't expected her to actually track him down here.

"It's a misunderstanding. Bai Li attacked me first. I was only defending myself," Han Mu explained.

"Enough with the nonsense, prepare to die!" The woman in white drew her sword, its light as white as snow, aiming straight for Han Mu's brow. This sword strike was as fast as lightning, containing the full power of a mid-stage Great Yi Jade Immortal, which Han Mu simply could not withstand.

"System, exchange for the 'Great Teleportation Talisman'!"

[Insufficient Celestial Energy, Exchange Failed]

Damn it! Han Mu gritted his teeth, preparing to use the Immortal Coffin. But at that moment, a beam of black light descended from the sky, blocking Han Mu's path, colliding with the sword light, and both were annihilated.

An elderly man in black robes appeared in front of Han Mu, his back to Han Mu and facing the woman in white. His voice was hoarse: "Bai Shuang, isn't it a bit inappropriate to bully the weak?"

"The Old Man of the Black Abyss?" The woman in white, Bai Shuang, exclaimed, her expression changing. "You want to protect him?"

"I have been entrusted with a task, and I must be loyal to it," the old man from the Black Abyss said calmly. "The river guardian asked me to spare his life. You may leave; I will not kill you today."

"The river guardian?" Bai Shuang gritted her teeth. "Fine, very well! Han Mu, you're lucky this time, but next time I'll take your life!"

After saying that, she turned and left, disappearing into the horizon in the blink of an eye.

The Black Abyss Elder then turned to look at Han Mu. He was an old man with a withered face and cloudy eyes, but his aura was unfathomable, at least at the peak of the Great Yi Jade Immortal realm.

"Thank you for saving me, senior." Han Mu cupped his hands in thanks.

"No need to thank me, the River Guardian sent me," said the old man from the Black Abyss. "The River Guardian said that the Time-Space Beast has awakened and is wandering within the ancient battlefield. You are safe for now. However, the Time-Space Beast will only slumber for three days before waking up again. If you want to obtain the Heart of Time, you must succeed within three days, otherwise you will surely die when the Time-Space Beast awakens."

"Three days?" Han Mu frowned. The Ancient Battlefield of Time and Space was so vast; would three days be enough to find the Heart of Time and Space?

"The Heart of Time and Space is located in the 'Temple of Time and Space' at the center of the ancient battlefield, but the Temple of Time and Space is bound by time and space restrictions, and only those who have mastered the laws of time and space can enter," said the Old Man of the Black Abyss. "You have a Time and Space Beacon, so you should be able to enter. But there are also dangers inside the Temple of Time and Space, so be careful."

After saying this, the Old Man of the Black Abyss transformed into black light and disappeared.

Han Mu remained silent for a moment, then said to the group, "Let's go to the Temple of Time and Space!"

We only have three days, so we must hurry.

But just then, a jade slip in his arms suddenly vibrated. It was a communication jade slip left by Han Li. Han Mu took it out and looked at it, his expression changing slightly.

The jade slip contained only one sentence: "The Heavenly Court has sealed off the Netherworld Abyss. I am trapped. Come quickly!"

Han Li is in danger!

Han Mu gripped the jade slip tightly. On one side was the Heart of Time and Space, which was related to his strength improvement; on the other side was Han Li, who had been kind to him and he couldn't just stand by and watch him die.

A difficult choice.