The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

At the summit of Green Bamboo Peak, the protective array slowly opened a gap, and Han Mu led the group down.

Han Changqing had already received the message and was waiting in the square with Li Yuanming, Zhang Xuanfeng, and others. Upon seeing Han Mu return, everyone stepped forward and bowed.

"Welcome back to the mountain, Ancestor!"

"Father, you must be tired from your journey." Han Changqing stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over Doctor Mo, Nangong Wan, and the five teenagers from the Li family, a questioning look flashing in his eyes.

"We'll talk about it when we get back." Han Mu waved his hand, indicating that everyone didn't need to be so polite.

He first arranged for Doctor Mo to stay in a guest residence that had been prepared beforehand. There was a separate alchemy room and a medicinal garden, right next to the Spirit Eye Spring, where the spiritual energy was abundant. Doctor Mo was very satisfied with his accommodation, especially when he saw the Spirit Eye Spring, a glint of light flashed in his cloudy old eyes.

"Patriarch, this Spirit Eye Spring is of excellent quality. Refining pills here can increase the success rate by at least 10%," Doctor Mo remarked.

"I'm glad you're satisfied." Han Mu nodded. "Settle in first, and start refining pills for the family in three days. Make sure you have all kinds of pills for healing, cultivation, and breaking through realms. I'll have Changqing deliver the materials."

"Yes," Doctor Mo replied.

After settling Doctor Mo in, Han Mu turned to Nangong Wan and said, "Miss Nangong's injuries have not yet healed. You may stay at the Han family's residence for a while. If you need anything, please feel free to ask."

Nangong Wan hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Then I'll trouble you. My injuries require seven days of rest, after which I will leave."

"No rush," Han Mu said to Han Changqing. "Arrange a quiet courtyard for Miss Nangong, and use the highest standards for all expenses."

"Yes." Han Changqing replied and personally led Nangong Wan away.

Finally, it was the turn of the five teenagers from the Li family. Han Mu looked at them and said, "From this day forward, you are members of the Han family. Changqing, arrange for them to settle down and teach them the Qi Refining Chapter of the 'Primordial Longevity Technique,' so they can cultivate together with the other disciples."

"Understood." Han Changqing nodded and said to the five teenagers, "Follow me."

After arranging everything, Han Mu returned to his cave, and Han Changqing quickly followed him in.

"Father, this Doctor Mo and Miss Nangong..." Han Changqing hesitated before speaking.

"Doctor Mo is a guest elder I invited from Jiayuan City. He is proficient in medicine and alchemy, and will be in charge of the family's alchemy affairs from now on," Han Mu explained. "Nangong Wan is a disciple of the Hidden Moon Sect. She encountered danger on her journey, and I rescued her. Her injuries are quite serious, and she needs to recuperate here for a few days."

Han Changqing suddenly realized and asked, "What about the Li family in Jiayuan City...?"

"The Li family suffered heavy losses in the attack by the Ghost Spirit Sect and has formed an alliance with the Han family." Han Mu briefly recounted the events in Jiayuan City, omitting the details about the Heavenly Fiend True Monarch and the Source of Yin Fiend. "Those five children were hostages sent by the Li family as a sign of their sincerity. If they are well-nurtured, they may produce some Foundation Establishment seedlings in the future."

"Son understands." Han Changqing nodded and then reported on the family's development during Han Mu's absence.

"As you instructed, the family has been making every effort to recruit disciples with spiritual roots. In the past half month, we have recruited forty-seven people from surrounding villages and towns. Among them, three have good aptitude and are pseudo-spiritual roots, while the rest are four or five spiritual roots. Adding to the original twenty-three, the family now has a total of seventy cultivators, including sixty-nine in the Qi Refining stage and one in the Foundation Establishment stage."

Han Mu nodded. Seventy people—thirty short of the system's requirement of one hundred—but progress was already rapid.

"How is your cultivation progressing?"

"The disciples who cultivate the Qi Refining chapter of the Primordial Longevity Technique have generally increased their cultivation speed by more than 30% compared to before." Han Changqing smiled. "Especially those three children with pseudo-spiritual roots: one named Han Shi, fifteen years old, has already reached the third level of Qi Refining; one named Han Yu, fourteen years old, has reached the second level of Qi Refining; and one named Han Huo, sixteen years old, has reached the third level of Qi Refining. At this rate, they are expected to reach the late stage of Qi Refining before the age of twenty."

In the cultivation world, pseudo-spiritual roots are considered average aptitude, inferior to true spiritual roots and heavenly spiritual roots, but much stronger than four-spiritual roots and five-spiritual roots. If they can be cultivated, they may be able to establish their foundation in the future.

"Are there enough resources?" Han Mu asked.

"It's barely enough." Han Changqing's expression turned serious. "The family's stockpile of spirit stones and pills is being depleted quickly, especially the pills. Elder Mo's arrival is timely; having him refine pills will alleviate a lot of the pressure."

Han Mu took out a bag from his storage pouch: "There are five thousand spirit stones in here. Take them and use them. Also, have Doctor Mo start refining pills as soon as possible. First, refine a batch of Qi Gathering Powder and Qi Strengthening Pills to ensure the disciples' cultivation needs are met."

"Yes." Han Changqing took the bag and then asked, "Father, what about those five Li family members...?"

"Treat everyone equally," Han Mu said. "Since they've joined the Han family, they're Han family members. However, their cultivation techniques can be temporarily retained until they reach the mid-stage of Qi Refining, at which point they can switch to cultivating the 'Primordial Longevity Technique'."

"My son understands."

"There's one more thing." Han Mu took out the blueprint for the "Heart Refining Tower" from his pocket. "I obtained this from an ancient site. It's the blueprint for a special building called the 'Heart Refining Tower.' This tower can temper a cultivator's character and is very beneficial for breaking through bottlenecks. Find some clansmen who understand architecture and build it as soon as possible."

Han Changqing took the blueprints and examined them carefully, becoming increasingly astonished: "This Heart Refining Tower actually has nine levels, each corresponding to a different level of mental challenge... If it can be built, it will be of immense benefit to the cultivation of my Han family's disciples!"

"I'll figure out the materials," Han Mu said. "You should choose the location first and do the preliminary preparations."

"yes!"

After Han Changqing stepped down, Han Mu sat cross-legged and brought up the system panel.

[Host: Han Mu]

[Realm: Foundation Establishment Level 7 (True) / Foundation Establishment Level 1 (Surface)]

[Cultivation Technique: Primordial Longevity Technique (Second Level, Minor Success)]

[Clan cultivators: 70 (Foundation Establishment 1, Qi Refining 69)]

[Clan Development Task Progress: Number of cultivators 70/100, Foundation Establishment cultivators 1/3]

[Current Task: Constructing the Heart Refining Tower (In Progress)]

We're still short thirty people. It should take a little over two years to gather them all. The key is Foundation Establishment cultivators; we're still short two.

Doctor Mo is at the peak of the tenth level of Qi Refining. With the aid of Foundation Establishment Pills, his chances of achieving Foundation Establishment are quite high. However, he is too old, and his meridians are damaged, so the success rate is not high. Moreover, Foundation Establishment Pills are rare. Even a major sect like Yellow Maple Valley only produces a dozen or so each year, and very few of them end up outside.

"Looks like I need to start planning for the Foundation Establishment Pill in advance," Han Mu muttered to himself.

He remembered that in the original story, Han Li obtained his first Foundation Establishment Pill from Yellow Maple Valley. But now Han Li was only at the seventh level of Qi Refining, far from Foundation Establishment. Moreover, Han Mu didn't want to snatch Han Li's opportunity—that was Han Tianzun's starting capital, and he couldn't touch it.

"System, query the ways to obtain Foundation Establishment Pills."

[Searching...]

[Method 1: Exchange within the Seven Major Sects (Requires becoming an inner disciple or completing a major task)]

[Option 2: Auction bidding (prices are usually above 5,000 spirit stones, and there are few buyers even if the price is right)]

【Option 3: Self-refinement (Requires a third-level alchemist level; the main ingredient, "Foundation Building Fruit," is scarce)】

【Option 4: Explore Ancient Ruins and Mysteries (Extremely Low Probability)】

Neither is easy.

Han Mu frowned in thought. Han Yunge was in Huangfeng Valley; perhaps he could find a way. But Chen Song was only a third-tier alchemist, and his status in Huangfeng Valley wasn't high; he might not be able to obtain Foundation Establishment Pills.

"It seems I still have to rely on myself."

He got up and left the cave, arriving at the Spirit Eye Spring on the back mountain. Doctor Mo was meditating by the spring when he sensed Han Mu's arrival and quickly got up.

"Master of the family."

"Sit down." Han Mu sat down opposite him and took out the three Five Elements Fruits. "Elder Mo, look what these are."

Doctor Mo took the Five Elements Fruit and examined it carefully. Suddenly, his eyes widened: "This...this is the Five Elements Fruit?! The legendary main ingredient for refining the 'Five Elements Condensing Elixir'?!"

"Not bad." Han Mu nodded. "The Five Elements Condensing Pill can increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment by 30%, and it has no side effects. If you can refine it, your chances of Foundation Establishment will greatly increase."

Doctor Mo's breathing quickened, and his withered hands trembled slightly. He had been stuck at the tenth level of Qi Refining for thirty years, his lifespan nearing its end, and Foundation Establishment was his only obsession. Now that hope was within reach, how could he not be excited?

"Master, where did you obtain these Five Elements Fruits?" Doctor Mo asked, barely suppressing his excitement.

"I obtained it by chance." Han Mu didn't elaborate. "I have the formula for the Five Elements Condensing Pill, but refining this pill requires a third-level alchemist and mastery of the method of harmonizing the five elements. Elder Mo, how confident are you?"

Doctor Mo pondered for a moment, then solemnly said, "If the materials are complete and the formula is correct, I am 60% confident. However, I need to go into seclusion for three months to study the formula and adjust my condition."

"Alright." Han Mu made the decision. "You will prepare with all your might for the next three months. The family will provide you with all the resources you need. After three months, we will begin refining the pills."

"Thank you, Patriarch!" Doctor Mo bowed deeply, a resolute glint in his eyes.

This is his last chance, and he must seize it.

After arranging things for Doctor Mo, Han Mu went to Nangong Wan's residence.

This was a quiet and secluded courtyard, with several spirit bamboos growing in it, creating an elegant environment. Nangong Wan was meditating and regulating her breathing in the courtyard when she sensed Han Mu's arrival and slowly opened her eyes.

"Fellow Daoist Han."

"How are Miss Nangong's injuries?" Han Mu asked.

"I'm much better now and will be fully recovered in three days," Nangong Wan said. "I am very grateful to Fellow Daoist Han for saving me this time. If I need anything in the future, I will definitely repay you."

"It was no trouble at all." Han Mu waved his hand. "But there is something I would like to ask Miss Nangong."

"Speaking."

"Does Miss Nangong know where one can find Foundation Establishment Pills or Foundation Establishment Fruits?" Han Mu asked directly.

Nangong Wan glanced at Han Mu and slowly said, "Foundation Establishment Pills are strategic resources of the seven major sects and are rarely leaked out. Foundation Establishment Fruits are even rarer, growing only in a few secret realms. Fellow Daoist Han, would you like some?"

"There are members of the family who need to establish their foundation," Han Mu said.

Nangong Wan pondered for a moment and said, "Three months later, the Hidden Moon Sect will open the 'Ice Soul Secret Realm.' The secret realm contains the 'Ice Spirit Fruit,' which can be used to refine Foundation Establishment Pills instead of Foundation Establishment Fruits. However, the secret realm is only open to Hidden Moon Sect disciples, and the number of places is limited."

The Ice Soul Realm? The Ice Spirit Fruit?

Han Mu's heart skipped a beat. This was indeed an opportunity.

"Miss Nangong, could you please help me?" Han Mu asked.

Nangong Wan shook her head: "Although I can bring one person in, they must be a disciple of the Hidden Moon Sect. If Fellow Daoist Han is interested, you can have a member of your clan join the Hidden Moon Sect, and I can introduce you then."

To join the Hidden Moon Sect?

Han Mu's eyes flickered slightly. This was indeed a good idea. Establishing ties between the Han family and the seven major sects was part of the plan. Now that Han Yunge had entered Huangfeng Valley, if someone else joined the Yanyue Sect, the Han family would have connections with both sects, making things much easier for them.

"Thank you for your advice, Miss Nangong." Han Mu cupped his hands in greeting. "I will consider this matter."

After leaving Nangong Wan's courtyard, Han Mu had already made up his mind.

For a family to thrive, it needs to pursue multiple avenues. Alchemy, cultivation, and joining a major sect should all be pursued simultaneously.

The three-year agreement is tight, but Han Mu is confident that the Han family will impress everyone in three years.