The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

The stairs descended, seemingly bottomless. Smooth stone walls surrounded them, inscribed with silver runes that emitted faint fluctuations of the laws of time. Han Mu walked at the front, the Blade of Time in his hand emitting a soft silver light, illuminating the path ahead. Han Li followed closely behind, with Liu Ruyan and the other six cautiously trailing behind.

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the stairs still seemed endless. Luo Feng couldn't help but mutter, "Just how long is this staircase? Does it lead all the way to the center of the earth?"

"Say less, save your energy." Zhou Meng glared at him.

"I'm just curious," Luo Feng muttered. "Senior Han, do you think there might be treasures inside the relics of the Time-Space Dao Ancestor? Like those elixirs that can instantly make one a saint, or divine artifacts that can destroy the world with a single wave?"

Before Han Mu could speak, Han Li shook his head and said, "The Dao Ancestor of Time and Space attained enlightenment through the laws of nature, and did not value external objects. Among his relics, the most valuable things should be the inheritance and insights into the laws of time, while magical treasures and pills are relatively few."

"Huh?" Luo Feng looked disappointed. "So we risked our lives to come in just for some insight?"

"You know nothing!" Zhou Meng cursed. "The understanding of the Law of Time is more precious than any magic weapon or elixir! Senior Han was able to kill a mid-stage Grand Luo Immortal with only the cultivation of a Golden Immortal... no, an early-stage Grand Luo Immortal, precisely because of the Law of Time! I wouldn't trade this kind of opportunity for ten divine artifacts!"

Luo Feng scratched his head: "That's true. But I don't understand the laws of time, so there's no use in trying to comprehend them."

"You..." Zhou Meng was so angry at this fool that he couldn't speak.

Han Mu smiled but didn't reply. He could understand Luo Feng; for most cultivators, tangible magical treasures and pills were indeed more real than vague insights. But at his level, the understanding of laws was fundamental.

After walking for about half an hour, light finally appeared ahead. At the end of the stairs was a huge underground space. The space was circular, about a thousand feet in diameter and a hundred feet high. A silver palace floated in the center of the space. The palace was not large, with only three floors, but it was made entirely of time crystals and exuded a strong aura of the laws of time and space.

"The Temple of Time and Space." A hint of excitement flashed in Han Li's eyes. "It's exactly the same as the records in the ruins. This is where the Time and Space Dao Ancestor left his legacy."

Han Mu looked at the silver palace. The palace gates were tightly closed, and intricate silver runes were engraved on them. The runes were slowly circulating, forming a profound array. He could sense that this array contained extremely strong spacetime power. If it were forcibly broken, it would cause spacetime turbulence, and even a Great Luo Golden Immortal would perish.

"How do we get in?" Liu Ruyan asked.

"We need the laws of time." Han Li looked at Han Mu, "Fellow Daoist Han, it's up to you now."

Han Mu nodded and walked to the gate. He activated the Law of Time, and silver light surged from his palm, flowing into the runes on the gate. Sensing the Law of Time, the runes began to flow faster, emitting a soft buzzing sound.

But the gate remained closed.

"Not enough." Han Mu frowned. The time law he injected was like a stone sinking into the sea, not even making a ripple. The spacetime power required for this door far exceeded his current cultivation level.

"Try using the Heart of Time and Space," Han Li suggested.

Han Mu's heart stirred, and he activated the Heart of Time and Space within his body. The Heart of Time and Space trembled slightly, and a surge of pure time and space power flowed out, entering the gate through his palm. This time, the runes erupted with dazzling silver light, and the entire palace began to tremble.

The door slowly opened.

Behind the door is a long corridor with murals on both sides. The murals depict various scenes: the beginning of chaos, the birth of the Time Dao Ancestor; wielding the River of Time, establishing the time order of all realms; battling the Chaos Dao Venerable, both suffering heavy losses; finally leaving behind a wisp of remnant soul, establishing this Temple of Time and Space, awaiting its successor.

Han Mu walked forward while looking at the murals. Han Li and the others followed behind, all engrossed in the sights. These murals recorded the life of the Time Dao Ancestor and explained the origins of the Chaos Dao Venerable.

It turns out that the Chaos Dao Venerable was not a native cultivator of the Immortal Realm, but rather a wisp of chaotic will from the depths of the Chaos Sea. He wanted to devour the Immortal Realm and return it to chaos. To protect the Immortal Realm, the Time Dao Ancestor fought a great battle with him. Although he severely injured the Chaos Dao Venerable, he himself was also seriously wounded and perished, leaving only a remnant soul.

"The Chaos Daoist... intends to destroy the entire Immortal Realm?" Liu Ruyan's face paled. Although she knew the Chaos Daoist was powerful, she hadn't expected his purpose to be so terrifying. Destroying the Immortal Realm meant the death of all living beings, including her, her family, and everything else.

"No wonder the Heavenly Court sought refuge with the Chaos Daoist," Han Li said in a deep voice. "Those people in the Heavenly Court have gone mad in their pursuit of immortality and power. They think that by siding with the Chaos Daoist, they can achieve eternal life, but they don't realize that the Chaos Daoist desires the destruction of the entire Immortal Realm. If the Immortal Realm is gone, how can they possibly survive?"

"A bunch of idiots!" Zhou Meng cursed.

Han Mu remained silent and continued walking forward. At the end of the corridor was a grand hall, with a silver sphere of light floating in the center. Within the sphere, a figure could be vaguely seen, sitting cross-legged, eyes closed in deep concentration.

"The remnant soul of the Time Dao Ancestor?" Han Mu stopped in his tracks.

"It shouldn't be a remnant soul, but just a wisp of his will," Han Li said. "The remnant soul of the Time Dao Ancestor has long since dissipated; this is just a wisp of his will left behind to guide the successor."

Just then, the figure within the sphere of light opened its eyes. They were silver eyes, within which seemed to flow the river of time. The figure looked at Han Mu and slowly spoke, its voice aged and ethereal: "Finally, we've waited for you, inheritor of the laws of time."

"Senior is the Time Dao Ancestor?" Han Mu clasped his hands in greeting.

"It's just a wisp of thought." The figure shook its head. "My true self has perished, and this wisp of thought can only exist for a short while. To make a long story short, since you have obtained the Heart of Time and Space and cultivated the Law of Time, you are qualified to receive my inheritance."

"But passing on this knowledge is not easy; it requires passing three trials. The first is enlightenment. The second is seeking the truth. The third is severing my own ego. By passing these three trials, one can obtain all that I have learned in my life, and the Heart of Time and Space can be completely refined, making one a true Master of Time and Space."

Han Mu frowned: "Three trials? How long will it take?"

"It could take as little as three days, or as long as three years," the figure said. "But time flows differently outside. A year here is only a day outside. You can continue your trials here without worrying about time."

"What about them?" Han Mu asked, looking at Han Li and the others.

"They can observe from the sidelines, but they cannot interfere with your trial. If they do, they will be teleported out," the figure said. "Also, I sensed three Great Luo Golden Immortals entering the ruins and heading this way. They carry the aura of the Chaos Dao Venerable and are likely his lackeys. If you accept the trial, they will find this place soon."

Han Mu's eyes narrowed. The three old men in black robes had caught up.

"Senior, could you please keep them out?" Han Mu asked.

"Yes, but it will consume the power of this wisp of my will. I can only hold them off for three days at most. After three days, this wisp of my will will dissipate, and they will be unable to stop me," the figure said. "Therefore, you only have three days. Within three days, you must pass three trials, otherwise the inheritance will be interrupted, and you will be teleported out to face those three Great Luo Golden Immortals."

Han Mu remained silent. Three trials—it sounded incredibly difficult. Would three days be enough?

"Senior Han, rest assured and accept the test. We'll protect you!" Luo Feng patted his chest and said, "Although we can't defeat a Grand Luo Golden Immortal, we can still stall for time!"

"Stop dragging it out! You can't even withstand one of their moves." Zhou Meng rolled his eyes, but then said seriously, "But Senior Han, don't worry, we will protect you with our lives. You must pass the test as soon as possible so that we have a chance to survive."

Liu Ruyan, Bai Ling, and the others nodded, their eyes resolute.

Han Mu took a deep breath and looked at the figure: "Senior, let's begin."

The figure nodded and pointed. The silver sphere of light transformed into a stream of light and entered Han Mu's brow. Han Mu's body trembled, and he closed his eyes, falling into a state of enlightenment. Three doors appeared before him, inscribed with "Enlightenment," "Inquiry into the Dao," and "Slaying Myself."

"The first level, enlightenment." The voice of the figure echoed in Han Mu's mind, "Only by enlightenment can one know one's true self. Enter this gate and question one's true nature."

Han Mu pushed open the "Mingxin" door and went inside.

Behind the door was a pure white space, with a mirror floating in the center. Han Mu's figure was reflected in the mirror, but the Han Mu in the mirror had a cold look in his eyes and a powerful aura, clearly indicating that he was at the peak of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm.

"This is your future self," the figure said. "A question for understanding: Why do you cultivate?"

The Han Mu reflected in the mirror spoke, his voice icy: "For immortality, for power, for transcendence. Those who stand in my way shall die."

Han Mu looked at himself in the mirror, remained silent for a moment, and then shook his head: "That's not right."

"Why is it wrong?" the person in the mirror asked.

"I started cultivating to protect myself, to avoid being bullied. Later, it was to protect—to protect my family, my friends, and everything I care about," Han Mu said slowly. "Immortality and power are just means, not ends. My goal is to enable the people I care about to live better lives in this cruel world."

"Naive." The person in the mirror sneered. "The immortal realm is a dog-eat-dog world. You yourself might not even be able to live well, yet you want to protect others? Only by becoming strong yourself can you achieve everything. Everyone else is just a burden."

"Perhaps," Han Mu smiled. "But what's the point of immortality if you can't even protect the people you care about? No matter how strong you are, if you're all alone, what's the difference between you and a walking corpse?"

The person in the mirror remained silent, their figure gradually fading away. The pure white space shattered, and Han Mu returned to the main hall, opening his eyes.

"Mingxin has passed," the figure said. "Time taken: half an hour."

Han Mu looked at Han Li and the others, whose eyes were filled with concern. He nodded to indicate that he was alright.

"The second level is the Inquiry," the figure continued. "What is the Dao? What is the Law? What is space and time?"

Han Mu pushed open the door to "Seeking the Way" and went inside.

Behind the door was a dark space filled with countless twinkling lights. Each light represented a Dao, a Law. Han Mu needed to find his own Dao within these lights.

Han Mu did not rush to make a choice. Instead, he sat cross-legged in the darkness, closed his eyes, and began to contemplate. He recalled his journey: from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core, from Nascent Soul to Deity Transformation, from the Spirit Realm to the Immortal Realm. He had cultivated the Way of the Sword, he had cultivated the Way of Formations, and he ultimately chose the Law of Time.

Why choose the time-based law?

Because time is both the fairest and the most ruthless thing. It can turn oceans into mulberry fields, beauties into bones, and heroes into withered remains. But time can also witness everything, record everything, and change everything.

Han Mu reached out and grasped a silver speck of light. The speck of light transformed into a river of time, flowing through his palm. Within this river lay his past, his present, and his future.

"My Dao is the Dao of Time." Han Mu opened his eyes, his gaze shining brightly with silver light. "My method is to control time, reverse the past, freeze the present, and glimpse the future. Spacetime is the extension of time and the carrier of space. Time is the foundation, space is the application; only when spacetime is unified can it be called the Great Dao."

The dark space trembled, and all the points of light flew into Han Mu's body. His aura surged, and his comprehension of the laws of time rapidly improved, soaring from 15% to 25%, 35%, 45%... and finally settling at 50%.

"The question has been answered." The figure's voice sounded again, this time with a hint of relief. "Time taken: one hour."

Han Mu returned to the main hall, his aura even more profound. Han Li and the others could sense that although Han Mu's realm hadn't changed, his strength had increased, and his control over the laws of time was more refined.

"The final step is to sever myself," the figure said. "Sever your obsessions, sever your inner demons, sever your illusions. Only by severing myself can I attain enlightenment."

Han Mu pushed open the "Slay Me" door and went inside.

Behind the door was a blood-red space, and standing within it stood a person who looked exactly like Han Mu. But that person's eyes were blood-red, and his body emanated a dense black aura—a demonic force, an obsession, and an illusion.

"Kill me, and you'll pass the test." The inner demon Han Mu grinned, his smile sinister. "But if you kill me, you will no longer be yourself. You will lose all emotions and become a walking corpse. Do you dare?"

Han Mu looked at his inner demon and slowly drew the Blade of Time.

Just then, a rumbling sound came from outside the main hall. The voices of the three black-robed elders rang out: "Han Mu, come out and face your death!"

"They've found this place." Han Li's expression changed as he looked at the figure.

"Don't worry, they can't get in." The figure raised his hand, and a silver light barrier enveloped the entrance to the hall. "But the barrier can only last for three days. An hour and a half has already passed, leaving one and a half days. Han Mu must pass the 'Slay Me Test' in the remaining time, or all his efforts will be in vain."

Everyone looked towards the third door, which was shrouded in blood. The sounds of clashing weapons and Han Mu's muffled groans could be faintly heard inside. Clearly, the Trial of Slaying Me was more difficult and dangerous than the previous two.

"Senior Han, you must succeed!" Luo Feng clenched his fist and murmured.

Zhou Meng, unusually, didn't complain and stared intently at the third door.

Liu Ruyan gripped her longsword tightly, ready for battle at any moment. Although the figure had said the old man in black robes couldn't get in, she couldn't completely believe it. What if he could?

Time passed second by second. Half an hour, an hour, an hour and a half...

Inside the third door, the fighting grew increasingly intense, and Han Mu's muffled groans became more frequent. Clearly, he was at a disadvantage.

"This is bad." Han Li's face darkened. "The Trial of Severing Myself is a battle against one's own inner demon. The inner demon possesses all of the original body's memories and supernatural abilities, and even understands the original body's weaknesses better than the original body itself. Although Fellow Daoist Han has increased his strength by passing the first two trials, his inner demon has also increased in tandem. This battle will not be easy."

"What should we do then?" Luo Feng asked anxiously.

"He can only rely on himself." Han Li shook his head. "Outsiders can't help."

Just then, the third door burst open. Han Mu stumbled out, covered in blood, with a deep, bone-revealing wound on his chest. But his eyes were clear and resolute.

"Kill me, then pass." Han Mu uttered four words, then spat out a mouthful of blood and knelt on one knee.

"Senior Han!" Liu Ruyan and the others rushed forward.

Han Mu waved his hand to indicate that he was alright. He looked at the figure, which had become very faint, almost transparent.

"Time is running out." The figure's voice was weak. "The inheritance is yours."

He raised his hand and pointed, the last bit of silver light entering Han Mu's brow. Han Mu's body trembled, and countless pieces of information flooded his mind—the accumulated knowledge of the Time Dao Ancestor, his understanding of the laws of time, his comprehension of spacetime, and his knowledge of the essence of the Great Dao.

"Remember, the true body of the Chaos Dao Venerable is in the deepest part of the Chaos Sea. He has three avatars: one in the Heavenly Court, one in the Netherworld Abyss, and one outside the spacetime turbulence. To kill the Chaos Dao Venerable, you must first destroy his avatars; otherwise, the true body will not perish until the avatars are dead."

After uttering his last words, the figure vanished completely.

The silver light barrier began to fluctuate and crack. The attacks from the three black-robed elders grew increasingly fierce, and the light barrier was on the verge of shattering.

Han Mu forced himself to stand up and brought up the system panel.

Name: Han Mu

True Realm: Early Stage of Great Luo Golden Immortal

Surface Realm: Mid-stage True Immortal

The Law of Time: 50% Success

Spatial Laws: 30% of Mastery

Celestial Aura: 10200 points

Fusion degree of Chaotic Spacetime Dao Patterns: 80%

Spacetime beacon control level: 60%

Special Status: Refining the Time Dao Seed (Remaining: 35 hours), Receiving Inheritance (Fusion Rate 1%)

System mission: Proceed to the depths of the Chaos Sea and annihilate the Chaos Daoist (Remaining: 99 years and 363 days)

[Acquired: Time Dao Ancestor's Inheritance (In Fusion)]

[Gained: Temporary Control of the Temple of Time and Space]

[Obtained: Location information of the Chaos Dao Venerable's clone]

[Recommendation: Refine the inheritance immediately to enhance your strength]

"Refine it," Han Mu murmured to himself. He sat down cross-legged and began refining the inheritance in his mind. However, the inheritance was too vast; with his current cultivation level, it would take him at least a month to fully refine it. But the three black-robed elders wouldn't give him a month.

The silver light barrier was cracking more and more, and the figures of the three old men in black robes could already be seen. The light barrier would surely shatter within a quarter of an hour.

"Senior Han, please focus on refining, we'll hold them off!" Liu Ruyan drew her sword and stood in front of the light barrier. Bai Ling, Zhou Meng, Lin Fan, Lin Xue, and Li Qingzhu also stood beside her, assuming fighting stances.

Luo Feng scratched his head and pulled out a handful of talismans: "I still have some in stock here, it should hold out for a while."

Han Li also drew his longsword and stood in front of the crowd: "I'll lead the charge. Fellow Daoist Han, hurry up."

Han Mu closed his eyes, focusing all his energy on refining the inheritance. The inheritance surged forth like a tide, his cultivation slowly increasing, and his understanding of the laws of time deepening. But the speed was too slow, far too slow.

The light barrier shattered, and the three old men in black robes rushed in.

"Han Mu, prepare to die!" The old man in black robes struck out with his palm, aiming straight for Han Mu's head.

Han Li slashed out with his sword, blocking the palm strike, but was knocked back three steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. After all, he was only at the peak of the Golden Immortal realm; being able to withstand an attack from a mid-stage Great Luo Immortal was already his limit.

"An ant dares to block your way?" The old man in black robes sneered and struck again with a palm. This palm strike was even more powerful, and Han Li could not withstand it.

Just then, Han Mu opened his eyes. A flash of silver light appeared in his eyes, and the Law of Time was activated.

"Time stands still."

The three black-robed elders froze instantly, their thoughts halting. But this only lasted a moment before the black-robed elders broke free. The cultivation of a mid-stage Great Luo Golden Immortal couldn't be completely frozen by time stillness.

But one breath is enough.

Han Mu rose, unleashing the Blade of Time. This strike contained a trace of the true essence of the Time Dao Ancestor's inheritance, swift as lightning yet seemingly as slow as a snail. The black-robed elder clearly saw the strike, yet couldn't dodge it, for this strike wasn't aimed at the present, but at the past.

A flash of light, and the black-robed elder froze, a gash appearing on his chest. He looked down at the gash, disbelief in his eyes.

"Time...cut through the past..." The black-robed elder uttered a few words with difficulty, then his body disintegrated and turned to ashes. Han Mu's strike was not aimed at his present self, but at his past self. With his past self severed, his present self naturally died as well.

The other two generals were terrified and turned to flee. But Han Mu wouldn't give them a chance; with another swing of the Blade of Time, the two followed in the footsteps of the black-robed elder.

In three breaths, the three Great Luo Golden Immortals were all annihilated.

Han Mu spat out a mouthful of blood and knelt on one knee. The previous strike had taken a heavy toll on his already severely injured body, and this only worsened his condition. However, he forced himself to stay upright because the system panel showed that only three hours remained for refining the Time Dao Seed.

"Senior Han!" Liu Ruyan and the others rushed forward.

"I'm fine." Han Mu waved his hand and looked at Han Li. "Thank you."

"Of course." Han Li shook his head, looking at Han Mu with a complex expression in his eyes. He had clearly seen that slash just now; it was a "slash" that only a peak Great Luo Golden Immortal could master. Han Mu had used it with his early Great Luo cultivation, and although the cost was huge, it also proved the terrifying nature of his talent.

"Let's get out of here first." Han Mu stood up, and the Temple of Time and Space began to shake, clearly on the verge of collapse. He had received the inheritance, and the Temple of Time and Space had completed its mission and was about to be destroyed.

Everyone hurriedly left. Just as they exited the Temple of Time and Space, the entire underground space began to collapse. They retraced their steps, bursting out of the ground and returning to the safe island.

On the safe island, the spacetime turbulence continued to howl. But Han Mu could sense that the spacetime turbulence had weakened somewhat, clearly due to the collapse of the Spacetime Temple.

"Where to now?" Han Li asked.

Han Mu did not answer, because he discovered that on the system panel, the refining time for the Time Dao Seed was down to its last hour. The fusion of the inheritance was only 10% complete.

If he cannot fully refine the Dao Seed within an hour, it will collapse. At that time, he will suffer a backlash, which could result in a drop in cultivation or even death and the dissipation of his Dao.

"We must find a safe place to cultivate and refine the Dao Seed in seclusion," Han Mu said.

"Let's go to my cave dwelling," Han Li said. "I have a temporary cave dwelling in the Chaos Sea, which is fairly secluded."

Han Mu nodded, about to speak, when suddenly his expression changed, and he looked towards the edge of the safe island. There, a gray figure slowly emerged—it was the mysterious person who had been spying on them earlier.

The gray figure was shrouded in gray mist, obscuring its face; only a pair of eyes were visible, coldly watching Han Mu.

"The inheritor of the Time Dao Ancestor, we've finally waited for you." The gray figure spoke, his voice hoarse. "Hand over the inheritance, and I'll spare your life."

Han Mu gripped the Blade of Time tightly. He could sense that this gray figure was very strong, even stronger than the black-robed elder. At least a late-stage Great Luo Golden Immortal, perhaps even at its peak.

Emerging from the tiger's den, only to fall into the wolf's lair.