The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

The Li family's secret chamber was located ten feet underground in the mansion, forged from refined iron and surrounded by defensive formations. Li Yuanhong personally led the way, opening three heavy stone doors before arriving at the core of the secret chamber.

The secret chamber was small, about three zhang square. On the stone platform in the center, there was a jade box. The jade box was completely black, and its surface was engraved with complex runes, obviously to suppress the yin energy of the object inside.

"This is the Yin Sha Iron." Li Yuanhong opened the jade box.

Inside the box was a fist-sized black ore, its entire surface dark and emanating a chilling aura. The ore's surface had natural patterns that vaguely formed some kind of design, resembling a distorted human face or eerie runes.

Han Mu's eyes narrowed. With his cultivation at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment, his divine sense was far more acute than that of ordinary people. He could clearly sense that the Yin energy contained in this ore was extremely pure, and... it seemed to also contain a faint spiritual fluctuation.

"System, scan for Yin Sha Iron."

[Scanning in progress...]

[Item: Yin Sha Iron (Mutant)]

[Quality: Tier 3, Superior]

【Characteristics: Contains pure Yin energy, can be used to refine Yin-attribute magical artifacts】

[Special Discovery: Faint fluctuations of remnant soul energy are sealed inside the ore, suspected to be the remnant soul of an ancient cultivator.]

[Warning: The remnant soul's state is unstable; forcibly probing may trigger a backlash]

The remnant soul of an ancient cultivator?

Han Mu's heart stirred. No wonder the Ghost Spirit Sect valued it so much; it was probably not just for the refining materials, but more likely to obtain some kind of inheritance or information from this remnant soul.

"Fellow Daoist Li, where was this ore discovered?" Han Mu asked.

"Deep in the Black Wind Mountain mine, thirty miles west of the city," Li Yuanhong said. "My Li family has been mining that mine for over ten years, and it has always produced ordinary black iron ore. Three days ago, the miners dug into a natural cave deep inside and discovered this ore in the center of the cave."

"Take me to see it," Han Mu said.

"Now?" Li Yuanhong was taken aback.

"The sooner the better." Han Mu nodded. "Although the Ghost Spirit Sect has retreated, there's no guarantee they won't come back. Moreover... I suspect there's an even bigger secret hidden behind this ore."

Li Yuanhong pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay, I'll arrange it right away."

Half an hour later, Han Mu, Doctor Mo, and Li Yuanhong left the Li family and flew towards Black Wind Mountain in the west of the city. Accompanying them were two late-stage Qi Refining managers from the Li family, who were responsible for leading the way.

Black Wind Mountain is not high, but its terrain is steep and its forests are dense. At the foot of the mountain is a mine built by the Li family, where dozens of miners are busy at work. Upon seeing the patriarch arrive in person, the mine manager hurriedly went to greet him.

"Master, what brings you here?" The steward was a middle-aged man at the sixth level of Qi Refining, his face weathered and worn.

"Take us to the cave where we found that ore," Li Yuanhong said.

"Yes."

The foreman led the five men into the mine. The mine was deep and dark, with torches lit on both sides, barely illuminating the way ahead. The deeper they went, the colder the atmosphere became, and a faint fishy smell filled the air.

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a fork in the road appeared ahead. The foreman pointed to the left: "This is a newly dug mine tunnel, leading to that cave."

The group turned to the left and walked several hundred steps more, when suddenly the view ahead opened up.

This is a naturally formed karst cave, about ten zhang high and over twenty zhang wide. The cave ceiling is covered with dense stalactites, and the floor is covered with strangely shaped stalagmites. In the center of the cave, there is a stone platform about three zhang in diameter, with a depression in the center, which is where the Yin Sha Iron was placed.

"This is it," the steward said, pointing to the stone platform.

Han Mu walked to the stone platform and examined it carefully. The surface of the platform had naturally formed patterns that were somewhat similar to those on the Yin Sha Iron. He reached out and touched the platform, and could feel a faint trace of Yin Sha Qi remaining.

"System, scan the entire cave."

[Scanning in progress...]

[Anomaly Detected: Faint Array Fluctuations Found in Cave Walls]

[Formation Type: Soul-Sealing and Suppressing Array (Damaged)]

[Function: Seals spiritual power and suppresses the soul]

[Dating estimate: at least 3,000 years ago]

A spirit-sealing and soul-suppressing formation? Suppressing souls?

Han Mu's eyes narrowed. This cave was indeed extraordinary.

"Elder Mo, what do you think?" Han Mu asked Doctor Mo.

Doctor Mo was squatting on the ground, picking up some soil with his fingers, smelling it, and tasting it with the tip of his tongue. He frowned and said, "This soil contains the scent of 'Soul Burial Soil' and... the roots of 'Yin Spirit Grass'."

"Burial Soil for Souls? Yin Spirit Grass?" Li Yuanhong's expression changed. "Aren't those ingredients for refining Soul-Nourishing Pills?"

"Indeed." Doctor Mo stood up, his expression grave. "Burial Soul Soil is the soil from which cultivators are buried, formed over many years by absorbing Yin energy. Yin Spirit Grass, on the other hand, only grows in extremely Yin places and is usually accompanied by a large number of Yin spirits. The fact that both of these things are here at the same time..."

He looked at Han Mu: "Patriarch, this cave is probably more than just a mineral vein."

Han Mu nodded, walked to the cave wall, and placed his hand on it. He slowly poured spiritual energy into the wall, and the patterns on the surface suddenly glowed with a faint black light, but it vanished in an instant.

"As expected, there is a formation." Han Mu said in a deep voice, "And it is a very ancient spirit-sealing formation."

"A spirit-sealing formation?" Li Yuanhong asked, puzzled.

"A formation used to seal spiritual power and suppress souls," Han Mu explained. "It's usually used to seal away dangerous entities, or... protect important inheritances."

He paused, then continued, "That piece of Yin Sha Iron was probably not naturally formed. Rather, it was forged three thousand years ago using special techniques to serve as the core of an array, suppressing what's in this cave."

"Suppress what?" Li Yuanhong's voice was dry.

"It's hard to say." Han Mu shook his head. "It could be the remnant soul of a powerful cultivator, or some kind of evil entity, or even... it could be an entrance to some secret realm."

He looked into the depths of the cave, where it was pitch black, as if it led to an abyss beneath the earth.

"System, can you deduce the complete structure of the formation?"

[This deduction requires a large amount of spiritual energy. It is recommended that the host reach the eighth level of Foundation Establishment before attempting it.]

[Preliminary investigation can be conducted at this time: Stimulate the core of the formation with the five elements' spiritual power and observe the reaction.]

Han Mu pondered for a moment, then said to Li Yuanhong, "Fellow Daoist Li, you take your men and retreat to the cave entrance first. I need to investigate the details of this formation."

"Fellow Daoist Han, be careful." Li Yuanhong didn't ask any more questions and led the steward out of the cave.

Doctor Mo didn't leave, but stood beside Han Mu: "Patriarch, I'll stay here. If anything unexpected happens, it'll be good to have someone to look after us."

Han Mu nodded, formed hand seals, and five streams of spiritual energy surged from his fingertips, pressing them onto five points on the rock wall. Gold, cyan, blue, red, and yellow spiritual lights spread across the rock wall, outlining a fragmented array pattern.

As spiritual energy was infused, the black light on the rock wall grew brighter and brighter, eventually coalescing into a blurry shadow in the center of the cave. Within the shadow, the outline of a seated human figure could be vaguely seen, but the face was indistinct and unclear.

"This is... a manifestation of a remnant soul?" Doctor Mo exclaimed in surprise.

Han Mu increased his spiritual power output, and the humanoid outline gradually became clear. It was an old man wearing an ancient robe, with disheveled white hair, a withered face, and closed eyes. Beneath him was a complex array pattern, the core of the Spirit Sealing and Soul Suppressing Array.

Suddenly, the old man opened his eyes!

Those were empty eyes, without pupils, only two dark flames flickering within.

"Three thousand years... Finally, someone has come..." An old and hoarse voice echoed in the cave.

Han Mu felt a chill run down his spine. He unleashed his full spiritual power, instantly setting up the Five Elements Sword Formation to protect him and Doctor Mo in the middle.

"Who are you, senior?" Han Mu asked in a deep voice.

"I am... the Heavenly Fiend True Lord," the old man slowly spoke. "Three thousand years ago, I was framed by a villain, my physical body was destroyed, and my remnant soul was sealed here. Young man, if you can help me break free, I can bestow upon you an unparalleled inheritance, helping you achieve the Nascent Soul Dao!"

Han Mu's eyes flickered. A Nascent Soul inheritance? Indeed tempting. But would a remnant soul sealed for three thousand years be so kind?

"System, analyze the state of this remnant soul."

[Analysis in progress...]

[Target: The remnant soul of the Heavenly Fiend True Monarch]

[Status: Extremely weak, soul power less than one ten-thousandth of its peak]

[Danger Level: High (The remnant soul contains intense resentment and obsession, and has a tendency to possess others)]

[Recommendation: Exercise caution when engaging in such transactions; however, take necessary precautions.]

Possession tendency...

Han Mu sneered inwardly. Sure enough, none of these old monsters, sealed away for so many years, were easy to deal with.

"Senior Tian Sha," Han Mu said calmly, "my cultivation is too weak to help you escape. However, if you have any unfulfilled wishes, perhaps I can assist you."

This is a test, and also a bargaining tactic.

The Heavenly Fiend True Monarch remained silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "This junior is very cautious. Very well, I will not hide it from you. The core of this Spirit Sealing and Soul Suppressing Formation is that piece of Yin Fiend Iron. As long as you can obtain the 'Mysterious Yang Jade' and neutralize the Yin Fiend with the power of Mysterious Yang, the formation will dissolve on its own."

"Mysterious Yang Jade?" Han Mu frowned. "That's a fourth-grade spiritual material, comparable to a Nascent Soul stage treasure. Where am I supposed to find it?"

"Eight hundred li west of Jiayuan City lies Mount Xuanyang, where the Xuanyang Jade mine is located," said True Lord Tiansha. "However, the Xuanyang Sect guards the area, and ordinary people are not allowed to enter. If you can obtain a piece the size of a fist, I will impart the first three levels of the Heavenly Fiend Demonic Art to you, enough to allow you to cultivate to the Golden Core stage!"

"Heavenly Fiend Demonic Art"? A demonic cultivation technique?

Han Mu understood. No wonder the Ghost Spirit Sect valued it so much; they probably already knew that the remnant soul of the Heavenly Fiend True Monarch was sealed here, and wanted to obtain the inheritance of demonic arts through the Yin Fiend Iron.

"I need to consider it," Han Mu said, not giving an immediate answer.

"Alright," Heavenly Fiend True Monarch didn't insist, "but you must be quick. This formation can't hold for much longer; at most, it will completely collapse in three years. At that time, my remnant soul will dissipate, which is a minor matter. The 'Source of Yin Fiend' suppressed in this cave will erupt, and the entire Jiayuan City will be turned into a ghost realm!"

The source of Yin energy?

Han Mu's eyes narrowed. This was the real threat!