The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Han Li wanted to say something, but the auras were already closing in, and it was too late. Three figures emerged from the spatial turbulence, surrounding them in a triangular formation.

Besides the gray shadow who had escaped earlier, the other two, an old woman in red and a middle-aged man in black robes, both possessed auras stronger than the gray shadow at its peak, clearly at the peak of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm.

"Is it him?" The old woman in red looked at Han Mu, her voice shrill. "His Dao Seed collapsed, his cultivation plummeted, yet he managed to injure you like this?"

The gray figure's face was grim: "Don't underestimate him. He has mastered the spacetime laws at the Dao Ancestor level. Although he's only at the beginner level, their power is considerable. My spacetime flag was destroyed by him."

"A Dao Ancestor-level Spacetime Law?" The black-robed middle-aged man's eyes lit up as he stared at Han Mu, a greedy glint in them. "No wonder I was able to hurt you. Boy, hand over the Spacetime Dao Ancestor's inheritance, and I'll spare your life."

Han Mu grinned, though the smile was forced: "Want the inheritance? Sure, come and take it yourself."

"You're courting death!" The middle-aged man in black robes sneered, raising his hand to strike out with a palm. The palm print transformed into a gigantic black hand, blotting out the sky and the sun, grabbing towards Han Mu. The strike of a peak Great Luo Golden Immortal was earth-shattering in its power; even through the spatial turbulence, it still made Han Mu feel suffocated.

Han Mu did not take the attack head-on. Instead, he swung the Blade of Time, creating layers of time barriers around himself. At the same time, he retreated rapidly, rushing deeper into the spacetime vortex.

"Trying to run?" The old woman in red sneered, tapping her cane, and countless red threads flew out, wrapping around Han Mu. These threads contained corrosive power, capable of eroding immortal energy protection; once entangled, even a god could not save him.

Han Mu was struggling to stay afloat, facing numerous dangers. In his current state, let alone a peak Great Luo Immortal, even an early Great Luo Immortal could easily crush him. He had only managed to hold on until now thanks to the strangeness of the Time Law and the blessing of the Time Dao Ancestor's inheritance.

"Fellow Daoist Han, go!" Han Li suddenly roared, slashing his sword at the old woman in red. The sword light was like a rainbow, tearing through space and time, forcing the old woman to retreat and defend.

"A mere Golden Immortal dares to interfere?" The old woman in red struck with her cane, shattering the sword light, and the aftershocks struck Han Li. Han Li coughed up blood and flew backward, crashing into the spatial turbulence and disappearing without a trace.

"Han Li!" Han Mu's heart sank, but before he could react, the black-robed middle-aged man's giant hand had already reached for him. Han Mu gritted his teeth, and the Blade of Time flew out of his hand, piercing towards the giant hand.

"Like a mantis trying to stop a chariot." The middle-aged man in black robes scoffed, his giant hand clenching as he was about to crush the Blade of Time. But at that moment, the Blade of Time suddenly erupted with a blinding silver light, and a vast power of spacetime surged forth from it.

This power was more than ten times stronger than what Han Mu had used before. The black-robed man's giant hand melted away like ice and snow upon contact with the silver light, instantly collapsing. The remaining force of the silver light did not diminish, shooting towards the black-robed man.

"What?!" The middle-aged man in black robes' expression changed drastically, and he summoned a black shield to block in front of him. The silver light struck the shield, causing it to vibrate violently and crack, but it ultimately blocked the attack.

"This is... the power of the Dao Ancestor! You can actually activate the power of the Dao Ancestor?" The middle-aged man in black robes was both surprised and delighted. He was surprised that Han Mu could actually activate the power of the Dao Ancestor, although it was only a trace, it was enough to threaten a peak Great Luo Immortal. He was delighted because this meant that the inheritance of the Dao Ancestor of Time and Space was stronger than he had imagined. If he obtained it, he might be able to glimpse the realm of the Dao Ancestor.

Han Mu was also stunned. That attack just now wasn't initiated by him at all; it was the Blade of Time that unleashed itself. Could it be that the Blade of Time contained the remnant will of the Dao Ancestor?

"Young man, hand over your inheritance, and I may take you as my disciple and pass on the supreme Dao to you." The middle-aged man in black robes changed his tone, coaxing him patiently.

"Dream on." Han Mu sneered, recalling the Blade of Time. He could feel that the previous attack had exhausted the power stored in the Blade of Time, making it unusable for a short time. Moreover, his injuries were worsening, and the backlash from the collapse of his Dao Seed was growing stronger. He could only hold on for ten more breaths before he completely lost his fighting ability.

"If you won't listen to reason, you'll have to suffer the consequences." The middle-aged man in black robes' face darkened, and he attacked again. This time, he used his full strength; the giant black hand was twice the size of the previous one, blotting out the sky and blocking all of Han Mu's escape routes.

The old woman in red and the gray figure also attacked simultaneously, red threads and gray currents of energy surging from both sides, forming an encirclement with the giant black hand. With these three experts joining forces, even if Han Mu were at his peak, let alone now that he was seriously injured, he wouldn't be able to withstand them.

A flicker of despair crossed Han Mu's eyes. Was he really going to die here today?

Just then, something unexpected happened.

The Blade of Time vibrated once more, and a phantom figure emerged from it. The figure was an old man with white hair and a blurred face, but he was surrounded by a vast power of spacetime, as if he were spacetime itself.

"The Dao Ancestor of Time and Space!" The three middle-aged men in black robes paled and retreated in unison, their eyes filled with terror. The Dao Ancestor was one of the most powerful beings in the Immortal Realm, capable of annihilating a Grand Luo Golden Immortal with a single thought. Even a mere wisp of his remnant spirit was beyond their ability to withstand.

The white-haired old man glanced at Han Mu and nodded: "Not bad, you've managed to hold on until now, you haven't disgraced me."

Han Mu smiled wryly: "Senior, if you don't come out soon, I'm really going to die."

"I won't die." The white-haired old man turned around, looking at the three middle-aged men in black robes with indifferent eyes. "Three Grand Luo Immortals dare to steal my inheritance?"

"Dao Ancestor, spare our lives!" The three middle-aged men in black robes were terrified and hurriedly bowed. "We were unaware that this was the Dao Ancestor's lineage and have offended you. Please forgive us!"

"Forgive me?" The white-haired old man shook his head. "You dare to harm my successor? You still want to live?"

He raised his hand and pointed, sending three silver beams of light flying towards the three men in black robes. The three tried to dodge, but their bodies were immobilized, as if frozen in place. They could only watch helplessly as the silver beams of light entered their bodies.

"This is a spacetime imprint. For the next hundred years, your cultivation will not advance an inch, and you will have to endure the torment of spacetime power. After a hundred years, the imprint will disappear on its own. Whether you live or die depends on your fate," the white-haired old man said calmly.

The three middle-aged men in black robes turned pale, but dared not object. They could only bow and say, "Thank you, Dao Ancestor, for sparing our lives."

"Get lost," the white-haired old man waved his hand.

The three felt as if they had been granted a pardon, turned around and fled, disappearing into the turbulent flow of time and space in the blink of an eye.

The white-haired old man then turned to look at Han Mu, his illusory figure fading even further: "My time is running out. This wisp of remnant spirit was originally intended to test the inheritor, but I never expected it to be used here."

"Senior..." Han Mu didn't know what to say.

"No need for further explanation," the white-haired elder interrupted him. "You have passed the test and are qualified to receive my inheritance. However, your Dao seed has collapsed, and your injuries are severe. Even with a time-space crystal, it will take a hundred years to recover. I have two choices for you."

"Please enlighten me, senior," Han Mu said respectfully.

"First, I will give you three spacetime crystals. After you refine them, you can recover your cultivation within a hundred years, and even advance further. However, you cannot leave this place within a hundred years, otherwise your foundation will completely collapse, and even a god cannot save you."

"Secondly, with my last strength, I will send you away from this place to a safe one. However, your cultivation will drop to the early stage of Golden Immortal, and you will not be able to recover for a hundred years. But there are clues to the Heart of Time and Space there. If you can find the Heart of Time and Space, you will not only be able to recover your cultivation, but also condense the Dao Body of Time and Space, and have the hope of stepping into the Dao Ancestor realm."

Han Mu remained silent. The first option was safe, but he couldn't leave for a hundred years, essentially trapped here. The second option was dangerous, with his cultivation level dropping even further, but it offered clues to the Heart of Time and Space. The Heart of Time and Space was the origin of the Time and Space Dao Ancestor; if he could find it, he could indeed ascend to the heavens in one step.

"I choose the second one." Han Mu said almost without hesitation. He couldn't afford to wait a hundred years. The system mission only had 99 years left, and he had to recover his strength as soon as possible to kill the Chaos Dao Venerable. Moreover, the temptation of the Heart of Time and Space was too great; it was worth the gamble.

"You have guts." The white-haired old man nodded and raised his hand to touch Han Mu's brow. A surge of pure spacetime power flowed into Han Mu's body, temporarily suppressing his injuries, but his cultivation began to decline, falling from the peak of the Golden Immortal realm to the late, middle, and early stages of the Golden Immortal realm, eventually settling at the early stage of the Golden Immortal realm.

At the same time, a surge of information flooded into Han Mu's mind—clues about the Heart of Time and Space.

"The Heart of Time and Space is located in the deepest part of the Chaos Sea, in a place called the 'Chaos Remnant.' It is fraught with danger; even a Great Luo Golden Immortal would face nine deaths if they went there. But there lies the Heart of Time and Space, as well as my complete inheritance. If you are destined, you may be able to obtain it." After the white-haired old man finished speaking, his figure became even more ethereal, almost disappearing.

"Thank you, senior." Han Mu bowed.

"No need to thank me, this was your own choice." The white-haired old man waved his hand, and his figure completely disappeared. The Blade of Time also dimmed, turning into an ordinary longsword, which fell into Han Mu's hand.

Han Mu sheathed the Blade of Time and looked around. The spacetime vortex had become even more violent due to the appearance of the Dao Ancestor's remnant will, and it could collapse at any moment. He had to leave as soon as possible.

"Han Mu!" Han Li's voice came as he burst out of the spatial turbulence, looking disheveled but still alive.

"Are you alright?" Han Mu asked in surprise.

"I almost died. Luckily, the remnant spirit of that Dao Ancestor appeared and repelled those three, saving my life." Han Li said with lingering fear, looking at Han Mu, "How are you? Your cultivation... has dropped to the early stage of Golden Immortal?"

"Yes, but he won't die for now." Han Mu briefly explained what had just happened, including the clues about the Heart of Time and Space.

After listening, Han Li remained silent for a moment: "The Chaos Remnant, I know that place is indeed dangerous. But since we have the Heart of Time and Space, it's worth the risk. I'll go with you."

"No need. Your injuries are also quite severe. Go back and heal first. I'll find the Heart of Time and Space myself." Han Mu shook his head.

"In your current state, going alone would be suicide," Han Li insisted. "Although I am only at the peak of the Golden Immortal realm, my swordsmanship is unique, and my combat strength is comparable to the early stage of the Great Luo Immortal realm. I can help you."

Seeing the determination in Han Li's eyes, Han Mu knew he couldn't persuade him otherwise, so he nodded and said, "Alright, let's go together then. But let's go back first; Liu Ruyan and the others are still waiting for us."

The two left the spacetime vortex and returned to the stone house. Liu Ruyan and the others breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Han Mu, but they became worried again when they saw that his cultivation had dropped to the early stage of Golden Immortal.

Han Mu briefly explained the situation, including the matter of the Heart of Time and Space. After listening, Liu Ruyan and the others all expressed their desire to go together.

"The Chaos Relics are too dangerous. Going there would be suicide for you." Han Mu refused directly. "Fellow Daoist Han can come with me. You all stay here and find a safe place to cultivate. I will come back to you after I find the Heart of Time and Space and recover my cultivation."

Liu Ruyan wanted to say something more, but seeing Han Mu's unwavering gaze, she finally nodded: "Alright, we'll stay. But you must all come back alive."

"Don't worry, I won't die." Han Mu grinned, his eyes still firm despite his declining cultivation level.

Han Li took out the three spacetime crystals and handed them to Han Mu: "These are the crystals you wanted. Although you can't use them now, they might be useful if you keep them."

Han Mu accepted the crystal; it was warm to the touch, and the pure power of spacetime flowed into his body, alleviating some of his injuries. He summoned the system panel:

Name: Han Mu

True Realm: Early Stage of Golden Immortal (Dao Foundation Damaged, Cultivation Dropped)

Superficial Realm: Mid-stage True Immortal (Disguised)

Time Law: 80% Complete (Can be used, but power is halved)

Spatial Laws: 30% of Mastery

Celestial Aura: 0 points

Fusion degree of Chaotic Spacetime Dao Patterns: 85%

Spacetime beacon control level: 70%

特殊状态：道种崩溃（恢复中，剩余：99年364天23时辰）、传承融合度：80%（剩余20%需百年内融合）

Clue to the Heart of Time and Space: Chaos Remnant, exact location unknown.

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

[Warning: Foundation severely damaged; unable to break through to the Great Luo realm within a century]

[Warning: Your cultivation level has dropped, and your strength has been greatly reduced. It is recommended that you temporarily avoid trouble.]

[New Mission: Find the Heart of Time and Space (Mission Rewards: Time and Space Dao Body, Complete Inheritance)]

Han Mu's eyes lit up when he saw the new mission. The Space-Time Dao Body—that was the body of a Dao Ancestor. If he could condense it, his future would be limitless.

"Let's leave here first and find a place to heal our wounds," Han Mu said to the others as he put away the control panel.

The group nodded, left the stone house, and flew out of the spatial turbulence. This time it went smoothly; they encountered no pursuers or danger. Half an hour later, they flew out of the spatial turbulence and arrived at the edge of the Chaos Sea.

On the edge of the Chaos Sea lies a small island with a temporary market where cultivators exchange goods. Han Mu and his companions landed on the island and found an inn to stay at.

Inside his inn room, Han Mu sat cross-legged, healing his injuries. Although he possessed a Time-Space Crystal, his cultivation level was too low to refine it; he could only nurture it slowly. Han Li was also healing in the next room, having been severely injured by the attack from the old woman in red.

Liu Ruyan and the others gathered information on the island and bought some healing pills.

Three days later, Han Mu's injuries stabilized. Although his cultivation was still at the early stage of Golden Immortal, he could at least exert the combat power of a mid-stage Golden Immortal. Han Li had also recovered to about 70-80%, and his sword cultivation had even improved, bringing him to within a hair's breadth of reaching the Great Luo realm.

"It's time to go," Han Mu said to Han Li as he walked out of the room.

Han Li nodded, and the two left the inn, flying towards the depths of the Chaos Sea. Liu Ruyan and the others saw them off to the island and watched them depart.

"You must come back alive," Liu Ruyan whispered.

"Don't worry, Senior Han is a lucky person and will definitely come back," Luo Feng comforted him, but his eyes were also full of worry.

The depths of the Chaos Sea are fraught with danger. But for the Heart of Time and Space, and to restore his cultivation, Han Mu must go.

Meanwhile, deep within the Chaos Sea, an even greater storm was brewing.