The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

The main hall was deathly silent.

The Netherworld Emperor's pure black eyes were fixed on Han Mu—no, to be precise, on the Heart of Time and Space in Han Mu's hand. Silver light flowed in Han Mu's palm, forming a stark contrast with the deathly aura emanating from the Emperor.

"The successor of the Time Dao Ancestor?" Han Mu gripped the Heart of Time and Space, his entire body on high alert. Liu Ruyan and the others also felt as if they were facing a formidable enemy, and they all took out their magical treasures. Han Li's pupils shrank, and he subconsciously took a half step back.

The Great Luo Golden Immortals are beings who can obliterate them with a mere breath.

"No need to be nervous." The Netherworld Emperor rose from the high platform, his black robes billowing even without wind. He didn't release any pressure, but the difference in their life levels made everyone almost breathless. "If I were to attack you, you would have died the moment you stepped into the Netherworld Abyss."

Han Mu took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down: "Senior said I am the successor of the Time Dao Ancestor, what makes you say that?"

"The Heart of Time and Space only recognizes the inheritors of the Time Dao Ancestor lineage as its supreme authority." The Netherworld Emperor slowly descended from the high platform, and with each step, a circle of black ripples lit up on the floor of the hall. "You bear traces of the laws of time, though faint, they cannot escape my notice."

"The Time Dao Ancestor... is he still alive?" Han Mu asked tentatively.

"Dead, yet still alive." The Netherworld Emperor's words stunned everyone. He stopped three zhang away from Han Mu, his gaze as deep as an abyss: "Existences at the level of Dao Ancestors are hard to truly die. The Time Dao Ancestor was one of the first seven Dao Ancestors to attain Dao in the Immortal Realm, and he controlled the laws of time. Back then, in order to stop the Chaos Dao Venerable from refining the Chaos Sea, he burned his origin and perished together with the Chaos Dao Venerable."

"But he left behind a contingency plan—the Heart of Time and Space, and a lineage of inheritance. You are the chosen one."

Han Mu was silent for a moment: "Senior, have you been waiting for me for a long time?"

"Thirty thousand years," the Netherworld Emperor said calmly. "Since the Time Dao Ancestor fell, I have been waiting for you here. The Netherworld Abyss is the border between the Immortal Realm and the Chaos Sea. The ancient teleportation array beneath this imperial palace is the only passage to the Chaos Sea."

Han Mu's heart skipped a beat. Han Li had previously said that the Chaos Sea was the origin of the Immortal Realm, and that the Heavenly Court wanted to enter the Chaos Sea through the spacetime node to seize the origin of chaos. Now it seemed that the Time Dao Ancestor had foreseen this day long ago.

"What is the relationship between you, Senior, and the Time Dao Ancestor?" Han Li suddenly asked. He was more cautious than Han Mu, and even when facing a Grand Luo Golden Immortal, he had to ask clearly.

The Netherworld Emperor glanced at Han Li, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes: "You are very cautious, that's good. I am an old friend of the Time Dao Ancestor. Before he fell, he entrusted me to wait for his successor here. As for the Chaos Dao Venerable... Hmph, just a madman who dared to try to control the entire Immortal Realm."

"Was the Heavenly Court created by the Chaos Dao Venerable?" Han Mu asked.

"That's right. The Chaos Dao Venerable wanted to refine the Chaos Sea to become the master of the Immortal Realm, and even transcend the Immortal Realm. To this end, he created the Heavenly Court, controlled the order of the Immortal Realm, and plundered resources. But the Chaos Sea is extremely dangerous. Even the Dao Ancestor would have a nine-out-of-ten chance of dying if he went in. He needs the Heart of Time and Space to protect him."

The Netherworld Emperor paused for a moment: "So he has been searching for the Heart of Time and Space. For the past thirty thousand years, the people of the Heavenly Court have infiltrated the Netherworld Abyss countless times, trying to activate the ancient teleportation array, but I have stopped them all. But this time is different. The Chaos Dao Venerable seems to have found another way to enter the Chaos Sea, so he is determined to obtain the Heart of Time and Space."

Han Mu recalled the white-clad woman he had encountered at the Temple of Time and Space; she must be from the Heavenly Court, and possessed immense power. If it weren't for Elder Heiyuan's desperate efforts, they wouldn't have been able to escape at all.

"What does Senior want me to do?" Han Mu asked directly.

"Go to the Chaos Sea and fulfill the last wish of the Time Dao Ancestor," said the Netherworld Emperor. "The Chaos Sea contains the legacy left by the Time Dao Ancestor. If you can obtain it, you will have a chance to break through to the Dao Ancestor Realm and stop the Chaos Dao Venerable's conspiracy."

"Why me?" Han Mu asked, puzzled. "Senior is a Great Luo Golden Immortal, far stronger than me. Why didn't you go yourself?"

The Netherworld Emperor shook his head: "I am of the Netherworld physique and cannot enter the Chaos Sea. The Chaos Sea rejects all undead and Netherworld beings. The moment I step into it, I will be torn apart by the laws of chaos. Only living people, and living people who cultivate the laws of time, can enter."

"Moreover..." He looked at the Heart of Time and Space in Han Mu's hand, "The Heart of Time and Space has recognized you as its master. This is destiny. Only you can inherit the legacy of the Time Dao Ancestor."

Han Mu remained silent. He summoned the system panel, wanting to see if there were any prompts.

Name: Han Mu

True Realm: Peak Golden Immortal

Surface Realm: Mid-stage True Immortal

Time Rule: Small Success Rate 5%

Spatial Laws: Introduction 12%

Celestial Aura: 3500 points

Fusion degree of Chaotic Spacetime Dao Patterns: 22%

Spacetime beacon control level: 18%

System Task: Refining the Heart of Time and Space (In Progress)

[Hidden Quest Triggered: The Last Wish of the Time Dao Ancestor]

[Mission Objective: Enter the Chaos Sea and obtain the Time Dao Ancestor's inheritance]

[Task Reward: Time Law upgraded to Great Perfection, Chaotic Dao Body Awakened]

[Punishment for failure: The Heart of Time and Space is seized by the Chaos Daoist, and the Immortal Realm falls]

Han Mu's eyes twitched. This mission... the reward was tempting, but the punishment for failure was too severe. The Immortal Realm had fallen? If the Chaos Dao Venerable truly refined the Chaos Sea, the entire Immortal Realm would fall under his control.

"Senior Han, are we in deep trouble?" Luo Feng muttered under his breath, sweat beading on his forehead. Although he was simple-minded, he wasn't stupid; he could tell how serious the matter was.

"Shut up." Zhou Meng glared at him, but his own palms were sweating. The Great Luo Golden Immortal, the Dao Ancestor, the Chaos Sea, the survival of the Immortal Realm… how could they, mere shrimps, possibly concern themselves with such matters?

Liu Ruyan looked at Han Mu with a complicated expression. She trusted Han Mu's judgment, but this matter was too big, so big that it was suffocating.

"Fellow Daoist Han, what do you think?" Han Li asked. He was also shocked, but calmer than the others. After all, he had explored the spacetime nodes and had some understanding of the Chaos Sea.

Han Mu did not answer immediately. He looked at the Netherworld Emperor: "Senior, what will happen if I don't go to the Chaos Sea?"

"The Chaos Dao Venerable will obtain the Heart of Time and Space, refine the Chaos Sea, and become the Lord of the Immortal Realm. At that time, all those who disobey him will die," the Netherworld Emperor said calmly. "Including you, your family, and everyone you care about. An existence at the level of the Dao Ancestor can destroy a realm with a single thought. Where do you think you can escape to?"

Han Mu's heart sank. He thought of the Han family in the Spirit Realm, and of Han Yunge and the others who had ascended to the Immortal Realm. If the Chaos Dao Venerable truly became the ruler of the Immortal Realm, they would surely die.

"I'll go." Han Mu uttered two words.

"Senior Han!" Liu Ruyan and the others spoke at the same time, trying to dissuade him.

"No need to say anything more." Han Mu waved his hand. "If I don't go, everyone will die. If I go, at least there's a glimmer of hope. Besides..." He looked at the Heart of Time and Space in his hand, "The Time Dao Ancestor has chosen me; perhaps this is my destiny."

"Good." The Netherworld Emperor nodded. "You have courage, worthy of being chosen by the Time Ancestor. But you need to think carefully. The Chaos Sea is extremely dangerous. Even with the Heart of Time protecting you, you will still face a nine-out-of-ten chance of death. Moreover, the Heavenly Court has already laid a net outside the Netherworld Abyss. As soon as you leave the Imperial Palace, you will be surrounded and killed."

"How many people from Heaven have come?" Han Li asked.

"Two peak Grand Jade Immortals, ten mid-Grand Jade Immortals, thirty early-Grand Jade Immortals, and countless Golden Immortal-level Heavenly Soldiers," said the Netherworld Emperor. "The Chaos Dao Venerable is determined to obtain the Heart of Time and Space; this time, he has spared no expense."

Everyone gasped. This lineup was more than enough to wipe out a medium-sized sect.

"Can you stop them, senior?" Han Mu asked.

"If I were to intervene, I could hold you off for a while. But the Chaos Dao Venerable might descend in person, and then I wouldn't be able to protect you," said the Netherworld Emperor. "Therefore, you must enter the Chaos Sea as soon as possible. The Chaos Sea is a forbidden area that even the Dao Ancestor fears, and the Chaos Dao Venerable dares not enter it lightly. That is your only chance."

"Where is the ancient teleportation array?" Han Mu asked.

"Below the Imperial Palace." The Netherworld Emperor waved his hand, and the ground in the center of the hall cracked open, revealing a downward staircase. The staircase was deep and mysterious, its destination unknown. "Go down the staircase, and you will see a teleportation array. Activate it with the Heart of Time and Space to teleport to the outer edge of the Chaos Sea. But remember, the teleportation array is one-way; once you go, you cannot return. Unless you obtain the inheritance of the Time Dao Ancestor and master the complete laws of time and space, you will not be able to open a passage back yourself."

Han Mu looked at the steps, then at Liu Ruyan and the others: "You all stay here, I'll go alone."

"No!" Liu Ruyan was the first to object. "It's too dangerous. I'll go with you."

"I'll go too," Bai Ling said.

"Me too." Zhou Meng, Luo Feng, Lin Fan, Lin Xue, and Li Qingzhu spoke at the same time.

Han Li remained silent for a moment before saying, "Fellow Daoist Han, I have some knowledge of the Chaos Sea, and perhaps I can be of help."

Han Mu shook his head: "The Chaos Sea rejects those with Netherworld Bodies, so you can't enter, Fellow Daoist Han. As for you..." He looked at Liu Ruyan and the others, "This journey is fraught with peril, and I cannot take you on this risk."

"Senior Han, I don't like hearing that." Luo Feng was unusually serious. "From the ancient battlefield of time and space to the Netherworld Abyss, what dangers haven't we faced? We die together, we live together!"

"Yes!" Zhou Meng nodded. "We're a team. How can we let you take risks alone?"

Liu Ruyan walked up to Han Mu and looked him straight in the eye: "Han Mu, I know you mean well. But some things can't be carried alone. Letting us help you, at least... will give us some support."

Han Mu felt a warmth in his heart as he looked at the determined eyes of the crowd. He knew he couldn't persuade them otherwise.

"Okay." He nodded. "Then let's go together. But you have to promise me that if we encounter any danger that we can't overcome, we should immediately retreat back to the teleportation array and not worry about me."

"It's a deal." Liu Ruyan smiled.

Han Mu looked at the Netherworld Emperor: "Senior, when do we set off?"

"Now," said the Netherworld Emperor, "the Heavenly Court is already attacking the barriers outside the Imperial Palace. I can hold them off for three days. Within three days, you must enter the Chaos Sea, otherwise..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear: In three days, the Chaos Daoist might personally descend, and then no one would be able to leave.

"Let's go." Han Mu no longer hesitated and took the lead towards the steps.

Liu Ruyan and the others followed closely behind. Han Li stood still, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Fellow Daoist Han, take care. If you have the chance to return, remember to come find me in the Netherworld Abyss. I still have some information about the Chaos Sea that might be useful to you."

Han Mu turned around and cupped his hands to Han Li, saying, "Fellow Daoist Han, until we meet again."

Until we meet again.

Han Mu turned and stepped onto the stairs. The stairs were deep and dark, with black stone walls on both sides, covered with ancient runes. The further down he went, the fainter the deathly aura became, replaced by a chaotic, primordial atmosphere.

That was the aura of the Chaos Sea.

A quarter of an hour later, the nine people reached the top of the stairs. Before them was a huge stone chamber, with a circular stone platform in the center, engraved with extremely complex array patterns. The array had nine grooves, each emitting a different color of light.

"This is the ancient teleportation array." Han Mu walked to the stone platform and took out the Heart of Time and Space.

The Heart of Time and Space automatically took flight, hovering in the center of the formation, radiating a brilliant silver light. The nine slots lit up one after another, and finally the entire formation was activated, filling the stone chamber with a rich power of time and space.

"Stand in the center of the formation," Han Mu said.

The nine people stood on the stone platform as instructed. The silver light of the Heart of Time and Space enveloped them, the formation began to operate, and the space fluctuated violently.

But at that moment, a loud bang came from above the stone chamber, and the entire imperial palace trembled.

"Oh no, the Heavenly Court has broken in!" Liu Ruyan's expression changed.

"It's too late, activate the formation quickly!" Han Mu gritted his teeth and poured all his immortal power into the Heart of Time and Space.

The array shone brightly, and the figures of the nine people began to blur. However, cracks had already appeared in the top of the stone chamber, and a giant golden hand pierced through the stone wall, reaching out to grab the array.

That was a strike from a peak Great Yi Jade Immortal, enough to destroy the entire stone chamber.

"Walk!"

Han Mu roared, and the silver light of the Heart of Time and Space instantly surged to its maximum. The figures of the nine people completely vanished, and the golden giant hand grasped at empty air.

The stone chamber collapsed with a deafening roar.

Inside the imperial palace, the Netherworld Emperor looked up, his pure black eyes gazing upwards. The protective barriers outside the palace had shattered, and dozens of golden-armored figures rushed in.

Leading them were two peak-level Great Yi Jade Immortals, their auras as deep and vast as the sea.

"Netherworld Emperor, hand over the successor of the Time Dao Ancestor, and we may spare your life," one of them said coldly.

The Netherworld Emperor laughed, a cold laugh: "You think you can take me?"

He raised his hand, and the death energy of the entire Netherworld Abyss gathered wildly, transforming into a massive black hand that blotted out the sky, which slammed down towards the group of celestial generals.

A great war broke out.

Meanwhile, Han Mu and his nine companions had already been transported to another world.

It was a chaotic ocean, boundless and limitless, without sky or earth. Gray, chaotic currents flowed through the void, each strand as heavy as a star. In the distance, enormous shadows roamed within the chaos, exuding a chilling aura.

We've arrived at the Chaos Sea.

"This is the Chaos Sea?" Luo Feng looked at the hazy world before him, swallowed hard, and said, "It doesn't feel very welcoming."

Han Mu gripped the Heart of Time and Space tightly, its silver light protecting everyone: "Stay close to me, don't get separated. The Chaos Sea is fraught with danger; once you're separated, you'll never find your way back."

The nine nodded and, led by Han Mu, headed into the depths of the Chaos Sea.

Unbeknownst to them, thousands of miles behind them, amidst the chaotic currents of air, a pair of eyes slowly opened.

Those eyes were pure gold.