The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

The gray figure slowly approached, each step carrying a heavy sense of oppression. The spatial turbulence around him automatically retreated, as if afraid to get closer. That kind of pressure was far stronger than that of the black-robed elder; he was at least a late-stage Great Luo Golden Immortal, and possibly even at its peak.

"Hand over the inheritance, and I'll leave you with a whole corpse." The gray shadow spoke again, his voice hoarse and grating, like two stones rubbing against each other.

Han Mu gripped the Blade of Time tightly, his immortal power surging wildly within him, but his injuries were too severe, each surge bringing excruciating pain. The Time Dao Seed had only three hours left, and its fusion rate was only 10%. If he acted now, his chances of victory were less than ten percent.

"Who are you?" Han Mu asked, stalling for time while quickly considering a solution.

"You don't need to know." The gray figure stopped ten feet away, its cold eyes staring at Han Mu from within the gray mist. "I'll give you three breaths to consider whether to hand it over or not."

"What difference does it make whether I hand it over or not?" Han Mu continued to stall.

"Hand it over, and I'll let you die a quick death. Don't hand it over, and I'll extract your soul, refine it into a soul lamp, and burn it for ten thousand years." The gray shadow spoke calmly, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

Han Li stepped forward, blocking Han Mu's path: "If you want to harm Fellow Daoist Han, you'll have to get past me first."

The gray figure glanced at Han Li: "Peak Golden Immortal, your swordsmanship is not bad, but not enough. Get out of the way, or I'll kill you too."

Han Li didn't move, his longsword pointing diagonally at the ground, his sword intent rising steadily. He was only a hair's breadth away from becoming a Great Luo Immortal, but that hair's breadth was an insurmountable chasm. However, sword cultivators excel in offensive combat; if he fought with his life on the line, he might be able to injure Gray Shadow and create an opportunity for Han Mu.

Liu Ruyan, Bai Ling, Zhou Meng, and the others also stepped forward, assuming fighting stances. Luo Feng took out a handful of talismans; although their grade wasn't high, there were quite a few, probably several dozen.

"Tsk, a bunch of ants." The gray figure seemed a little impatient and raised his hand. A gray stream of energy swirled out, transforming into a giant hand that slammed down on the crowd.

Before the giant palm even arrived, its oppressive aura was already there. Liu Ruyan and the other six were struck as if by a heavy blow, all coughing up blood and staggering backward. Only Han Li managed to stand firm, but his face was also pale. Even a casual wave of the hand from a late-stage Grand Luo Golden Immortal was something a Grand Yi Jade Immortal could not withstand.

Han Mu gritted his teeth, preparing to use his last trump card—burning the essence of his Dao Seed to forcibly enhance his strength. Although this would cause his Dao Seed to completely collapse and damage his foundation, it was still better than dying here.

Just then, the system panel suddenly popped up and refreshed automatically:

[A deadly crisis detected]

[Recommendation: Immediately consume all your Immortal Spiritual Energy to exchange for a "Time Freeze Talisman (One-Time Use)," which can freeze a late-stage Grand Luo Golden Immortal for one breath.]

[Exchange requires: 10000 Immortal Spirit Energy]

[Current Celestial Aura: 10200 points]

[Redeem or not?]

Han Mu's eyes lit up. A single breath was enough for him to do a lot.

"exchange!"

[Consumes 10000 Immortal Spirit Energy]

[Obtained: Time Freeze Charm (One-time use)]

[Remaining Celestial Energy: 200 points]

A silver talisman appeared in Han Mu's hand. Without hesitation, he activated it. A burst of silver light exploded, enveloping an area of ​​a hundred feet in radius. The gray shadow's movements froze instantly, even its thoughts ceased. But Han Mu could sense that the talisman's power was rapidly depleting, lasting at most only a breath.

"Go!" Han Mu shouted, unleashing the Blade of Time to create a temporal barrier around the gray shadows. This barrier would delay the gray shadows for a moment, giving them time to escape.

Han Li reacted the fastest, grabbing Han Mu and rushing into the depths of the spatial turbulence. Liu Ruyan and the others quickly followed. They plunged into the spatial turbulence and disappeared into the distorted spacetime.

A moment later, the gray figure broke free from the time freeze. He looked at the time barrier set up by Han Mu, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, which then turned cold. He raised his hand and pointed, shattering the time barrier.

"Can you escape?" The gray figure sneered, his figure blurring as he chased after the turbulent spacetime.

Within the turbulent spacetime, time and space were in utter chaos. One second they might be in the same spot, and the next they could be thousands of miles away. Han Mu and the others dared not linger, desperately flying forward. However, Han Mu's injuries were too severe, and his speed was decreasing more and more.

"Fellow Daoist Han, how are your injuries?" Han Li asked as he flew.

"I'm not going to die yet." Han Mu gritted his teeth and persevered, but blood kept spilling from the corner of his mouth. Forcibly activating the laws of time and using the power of the Dao Seed was worsening his injuries. Only two and a half hours remained for refining the Dao Seed, and the inheritance fusion rate had only increased by 1%, reaching 11%.

"This isn't a solution," Liu Ruyan said urgently. "That gray figure is too fast; it will catch up sooner or later."

"Let's go to my cave," Han Li said. "My cave is protected by a spacetime array, so we might be able to hide there for a while."

"lead the way."

Han Li changed direction and flew to the left front. After flying for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a huge floating rock appeared in front of him. The rock was a hundred feet in size, with a pitted and uneven surface, and looked very ordinary. But when Han Li flew to the rock, he cast a few spells, and a vortex entrance appeared on the surface of the rock.

"Go in." Han Li flew into the vortex first, followed closely by Han Mu and the others.

Inside the vortex was a small space, only about ten feet in diameter, with a stone table and benches, and a simple spirit-gathering array. The immortal energy here was thin, but it was well-hidden.

"This is a cave I temporarily created. It's concealed by a spacetime array, so even a Great Luo Golden Immortal wouldn't be able to find it without careful investigation," Han Li explained. "But it won't last long. That gray shadow is proficient in the laws of spacetime and will find this place sooner or later."

"How long can it last?" Han Mu asked.

"At most one hour." Han Li's expression was solemn.

One hour... Han Mu looked at the system panel. There were still two and a half hours left to refine the Dao Seed, and the inheritance fusion rate was 11%. Even if he went into seclusion here, he wouldn't have enough time to completely refine it.

"Senior Han, please heal your injuries first. We will protect you," Liu Ruyan said. "Every little bit helps."

Han Mu shook his head: "Ordinary healing won't work. I need to completely refine the Dao Seed and the inheritance. But there's not enough time..."

"What should we do then?" Luo Feng asked anxiously. "Should I go out and distract him? I still have a few escape talismans here; that should buy me some time."

"Are you going to your death?" Zhou Meng cursed. "That gray figure is at least a late-stage Grand Luo Immortal. You're just a Golden Immortal; he could kill you with a single slap."

"That's still better than waiting to die here," Luo Feng said, his neck stiff.

Han Mu looked at Luo Feng, a warmth spreading through his heart. This simpleton, though sometimes unreliable, was very loyal in crucial moments.

"No need," Han Mu waved his hand. "I have a way, but I need you to protect me and prevent anyone from disturbing me."

"What method?" Han Li asked.

"Forced refining." Han Mu uttered four words.

"Forced refinement?" Han Li's expression changed. "Both the Dao Seed and the inheritance need time to slowly integrate. Forced refinement will damage the foundation and may even cause the body to explode and die."

"I can't worry about that now." Han Mu sat down cross-legged. "I can't be disturbed while I'm refining, or I'll surely die. I'll try to finish within one hour."

Han Li was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Alright, we'll protect you."

Liu Ruyan, Bai Ling, and the others nodded in agreement and each took their place at the cave entrance. Although they knew they couldn't stop the gray shadows, they could at least buy some time.

Han Mu closed his eyes and began to forcibly refine the Dao Seed and the inheritance. He no longer proceeded gradually, but instead used the most brutal method to forcefully integrate the power of the Dao Seed and the inheritance into his body. This was extremely risky; the slightest mistake could sever all his meridians and cause his soul to collapse, but it was the only option at the moment.

The power of the Dao Seed surged wildly within his body, and the inherited information flooded his sea of ​​consciousness like a tidal wave. Han Mu's face flushed red, veins bulged, and his body trembled slightly. He gritted his teeth and persevered, guiding the power of the Dao Seed to circulate through his meridians, refining the inherited information.

Time ticked by. Half an hour later, Han Mu began to radiate a silver light, and the fluctuations of the laws of time grew stronger and stronger. The degree of inheritance fusion increased rapidly from 11% to 20%, 30%, 40%... but at the cost of cracks appearing in his meridians and his soul enduring immense pressure.

Outside the cave, amidst the turbulent flow of spacetime, the gray figure was searching meticulously. He could sense the presence of Han Mu and the others nearby, but couldn't pinpoint their exact location. The interference from the turbulent flow was too strong, and coupled with the array concealing Han Li's cave, he couldn't find them for the time being.

"Interesting, you actually managed to evade my search." The gray figure sneered. "However, you won't be able to hide for long."

He raised his hand and unleashed a stream of gray energy. The energy dispersed, transforming into countless fine threads that burrowed into the spatial turbulence. These threads could sense spatial fluctuations, ensuring that as long as Han Mu and the others remained nearby, they would be able to find them.

Inside the cave, Han Mu's refining process had reached a critical moment. The inheritance fusion rate had reached 50%, and there was still one hour left to refine the Dao Seed. But at this moment, the Dao Seed suddenly trembled violently and began to backfire. Han Mu groaned, spat out a mouthful of blood, and his aura rapidly weakened.

"Senior Han!" Liu Ruyan exclaimed and was about to step forward.

"Don't move!" Han Li stopped her. "We can't disturb her now, or all our efforts will be in vain."

"But……"

"Trust him." Han Li stared at Han Mu, a complex look flashing in his eyes. He had never seen anyone so desperate, so severely injured, yet still forcibly refining the Dao Seed and the inheritance. This perseverance, this determination, he himself was ashamed of his own.

Han Mu had indeed reached his limit. The backlash from the Dao Seed was growing stronger, and the inherited information was far too vast; his sea of ​​consciousness was about to burst. If this continued, he would explode and die within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

At this critical moment, the system panel popped up again:

[Host detected to be in critical condition]

[Recommendation: Consume 200 Immortal Spirit Energy to exchange for "Rejuvenating Elixir (Diluted Version)," which can repair physical injuries and stabilize the soul.]

[Redeem or not?]

"exchange!"

[Consumes 200 Immortal Spirit Energy]

[Obtained: Rejuvenating Elixir (Diluted Version)]

[Remaining Celestial Energy: 0 points]

A drop of golden liquid appeared in Han Mu's mouth, melting instantly and transforming into a warm current that flowed throughout his body. His shattered meridians began to repair, and his damaged soul stabilized. Although it was only temporary, it was enough for Han Mu to complete the final refining.

Han Mu's spirits lifted, and he fully activated his cultivation technique. The backlash from the Dao Seed was suppressed, and the inherited information rapidly merged. The fusion rate soared from 50% to 60%, 70%, 80%...

Outside the cave, the gray figure suddenly opened its eyes and looked in a certain direction: "Found it!"

He moved swiftly, appearing before the boulder and pointing a finger. The array on the boulder's surface fluctuated violently, cracks appearing.

"Oh no, he's been found!" Han Li's expression changed drastically, and he drew his sword, ready to rush out.

"Wait," Han Mu suddenly spoke, his voice calm. "Let him in."

"Fellow Daoist Han, you..." Han Li turned around and saw that Han Mu had already opened his eyes. At this moment, Han Mu's aura was restrained, his eyes were deep, and the laws of time flowed around him, as if he had merged with time and space. Although his cultivation was still at the early stage of the Great Luo realm, the feeling he gave people was completely different.

"I've finished refining it." Han Mu stood up and stretched his wrists. "Although I've only refined 80%, it's enough."

"Eighty percent?" Han Li was taken aback.

"Hmm, the remaining 20% ​​will take time to digest, but it's enough for now." Han Mu looked at the cave entrance, where the formation had been broken, and the gray figure walked in.

Upon seeing Han Mu, the gray figure's eyes flashed with surprise: "You refined the Dao Seed and the inheritance? How could it be so fast?"

"Nothing is impossible." Han Mu raised his hand, and the Blade of Time appeared in his hand. At this moment, the Blade of Time had a restrained silver light, and many mysterious patterns appeared on its blade, which were the marks of the Time Dao Ancestor's inheritance.

"So what if you've refined it?" the gray figure sneered. "Your injuries haven't healed, and your cultivation is only at the early stage of the Great Luo realm, while I am at the peak of the Great Luo realm. What do you have to fight me with?"

"You'll know once you try." Han Mu grinned, his smile icy.

Without further ado, the gray figure attacked. Gray energy transformed into countless sharp arrows, shooting towards Han Mu. Each arrow contained the power of spacetime, capable of distorting space and time, and blocking any escape route.

Han Mu neither dodged nor evaded, unleashing the Blade of Time. The silver blade light rippled outwards like water, shattering the gray arrows in its path. The blade light, its momentum undiminished, slashed towards the gray shadow.

The gray figure's expression changed slightly, and he raised his hand to block. Gray energy transformed into a shield, blocking in front of him. The blade struck the shield, unleashing a blinding light. The shield trembled violently, cracking but not shattering.

"Interesting." The gray figure's eyes turned serious. "With mastery of the Time Law and the inheritance of the Time Dao Ancestor, you can indeed threaten me. But, it's not enough."

He formed hand seals, and a surge of gray energy shot into the sky, transforming into a colossal gray beast. The beast, resembling a gluttonous beast, opened its massive maw and lunged at Han Mu. This attack contained the full power of the gray figure; even a late-stage Grand Luo Golden Immortal would have to retreat.

Han Mu took a deep breath and raised the Blade of Time high. Silver runes lit up on the blade, and the laws of time operated at full power. Behind him, a faint phantom of a river of time appeared, though it was very faint, it was definitely there.

"Time, sever!"

A single, silent slash was unleashed. The gray behemoth froze in mid-air, then split open, dissipating into a stream of gray energy. The blade continued its advance, slashing towards the gray shadow.

The gray figure finally changed color, retreating rapidly while simultaneously summoning a small gray flag. The flag grew in the wind, transforming into a ten-zhang-long (approximately 33 meters) large flag, which it held in front of him. The blade struck the flag, causing it to tremble violently, and a crack appeared on its surface.

"Pfft!" The gray figure spat out a mouthful of gray blood, his eyes filled with horror. His "Time-Space Flag" was a high-grade acquired spiritual treasure with extremely strong defensive power, yet it had been cracked by Han Mu's single slash. This attack power was already close to that of a late-stage Grand Luo Golden Immortal.

"What kind of swordsmanship is that?" Gray Shadow stared at the Blade of Time in Han Mu's hand.

"Sever time and space." Han Mu uttered three words and swung his sword again. This time, the sword light was faster and sharper, as if it could sever time and tear apart space.

The gray figure dared not take the blow head-on. With a flicker, it vanished from its original spot and reappeared behind Han Mu, striking Han Mu in the back with a palm. But Han Mu seemed to have anticipated this, countering with a backhand slash. The blade light collided with the palm print, and both of them were forced back.

The gray figure retreated ten steps, while Han Mu retreated thirty steps, clearly demonstrating the difference in their strength. Although Han Mu's attack power was close to that of a late-stage Great Luo Immortal, his cultivation was ultimately only at the early stage of the Great Luo Immortal, so he would still be at a disadvantage in a direct confrontation.

"Fellow Daoist Han, I'm here to help you!" Han Li drew his sword, and a streak of azure sword light slashed towards the gray figure. This sword strike contained the essence of his life's swordsmanship, its power comparable to a full-force attack from the early stage of the Great Luo realm.

The gray figure casually swung his hand, shattering the sword light, but this delay allowed Han Mu's blade to strike again. The gray figure was forced to defend once more, appearing somewhat disheveled.

Liu Ruyan, Bai Ling, and the others also joined the fray. Although their attacks posed no threat to Gray Shadow, they could disrupt Gray Shadow's judgment and create opportunities for Han Mu.

Gray Shadow was enraged. He, a peak Great Luo Immortal, had been besieged by a bunch of ants and even lost the battle. If word got out, where would he put his face?

"You're courting death!" the gray figure roared, his gray aura surging and transforming into countless gray chains that shot towards the crowd. This time, he used his full strength, and wherever the chains passed, space and time seemed to freeze.

Han Li, Liu Ruyan, and the others' expressions changed drastically; they simply couldn't withstand the spatial and temporal power contained within these chains.

Han Mu's eyes narrowed, the Blade of Time plunged into the ground, and he formed hand seals: "Time, freeze!"

A silver light spread out from him, causing the gray chains to slow down drastically, though they continued to advance slowly. The gray shadow's cultivation was too high; the effect of time freezing on him was limited.

"Let's see how long you can hold out!" The gray figure sneered, continuing to urge the chains on.

Han Mu gritted his teeth and persevered, veins bulging on his forehead. His injuries hadn't healed, and forcibly activating the Time Law had taken a huge toll. He would be exhausted in ten breaths at most.

At this critical moment, a new message suddenly popped up on the system panel:

[Host detected to be nearing its limit]

[Suggestion: Burn your Dao Seed's essence to forcibly boost your cultivation to the mid-stage of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm. Duration: One incense stick's time]

[Aftereffects: Dao seed collapses, cultivation level drops to peak Golden Immortal, requires a hundred years to recover]

[Will it burn?]

Han Mu smiled bitterly. Burning the essence of his Dao Seed could temporarily boost his cultivation, but the price was too high. The Dao Seed would collapse, his cultivation would plummet, and it would take a hundred years to recover. But if he didn't burn it, everyone would die here today.

"combustion!"

Han Mu made a decision. A Dao seed can be found again, cultivation can be improved again, but once a person dies, everything is gone.

boom!

Within Han Mu's body, the Dao Seed burned, transforming into pure power that surged into his limbs and bones. His aura steadily increased, soaring from the early stage of the Great Luo realm all the way to the middle stage, and it continued to rise, eventually settling at the peak of the middle stage of the Great Luo realm, just one step away from the late stage of the Great Luo realm.

"You..." Gray Shadow's expression changed drastically. He sensed a threat from Han Mu. Han Mu was now capable of threatening his life.

Han Mu opened his eyes, which shone with a dazzling silver light. He drew the Blade of Time and said, word by word, "Now, it's my turn."

With a single slash, the world changed color.