The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

In the early morning training ground, more than seventy disciples of the Han family sat cross-legged, breathing deeply. Faint spiritual energy circulated in the area, being absorbed and refined by these Qi Refining stage youths, transforming it into their own cultivation.

Han Mu stood on a high platform in the distance, observing quietly. Han Changqing stood beside him, quietly introducing the situation of each disciple.

"That one in blue is Han Shi, a pseudo-spiritual root, at the third level of Qi Refining. Next to him, in a green skirt, is Han Yu, also a pseudo-spiritual root, at the second level of Qi Refining. And on the far right, in a red robe, is Han Huo, at the third level of Qi Refining." Han Changqing pointed to several outstanding disciples in the arena, "They have only been practicing the Qi Refining chapter of the 'Primordial Longevity Technique' for half a month, and their progress is astounding."

Han Mu nodded, his gaze sweeping across the entire room before finally settling on a corner.

There sat a little girl, about seven or eight years old, dressed in a simple white dress, her hair tied in two buns, her delicate face showing a focused expression. The spiritual energy around her was denser than in other places, and carried a faint chill.

"Who is she?" Han Mu asked.

Han Changqing glanced at her and smiled, "That's Ling'er, your great-granddaughter Han Ling'er. Her parents were mortals who passed away three years ago, and she has been raised by the family ever since. A few days ago, it was discovered that she has spiritual roots, so she started cultivating with them."

Han Ling'er...great-granddaughter?

Han Mu's eyes flickered slightly.

"System, scan Han Ling'er."

[Scanning in progress...]

Name: Han Ling'er

Age: Eight years old

[Spiritual Root: Ice Spiritual Root (Mutated Water Spiritual Root)]

[Cultivation Level: First Level of Qi Refining (Beginner)]

[Cultivation Technique: Primordial Longevity Art - Qi Refining Chapter (Ice Attribute Mutation)]

[Potential: Extremely high (Highly recommended for development)]

Ice Spirit Root! It really is an Ice Spirit Root!

A look of delight flashed in Han Mu's eyes. The Ice Spirit Root was a mutated spiritual root, making it twice as effective in cultivating ice-attribute techniques, and its combat power was formidable. If it could be properly nurtured, its future achievements would be limitless.

"How long has she been cultivating?" Han Mu asked.

"It's only been seven days since her spiritual root was detected," Han Changqing said, "but she's already able to draw qi into her body and enter the first level of qi refinement. Moreover, when she cultivates, cold qi condenses around her, which is quite miraculous."

"Seven days..." Han Mu nodded. This talent is indeed astonishing.

He was about to say something when he suddenly sensed a divine sense sweeping across the training ground. The divine sense was gentle yet powerful, at least at the mid-Foundation Establishment level.

It's Nangong Wan.

Han Mu turned his head and saw that Nangong Wan had appeared not far away at some point, quietly watching Han Ling'er in the training ground, a look of surprise flashing in her eyes.

"Has Miss Nangong recovered from her injuries?" Han Mu asked.

"She's out of danger." Nangong Wan nodded, her gaze still fixed on Han Ling'er. "Fellow Daoist Han, who is that little girl...?"

"My great-granddaughter, Han Ling'er," Han Mu said. "What, is Miss Nangong interested in her?"

Nangong Wan did not answer immediately, but slowly walked to the edge of the training ground, carefully sensing the fluctuations of spiritual energy around Han Ling'er. After a moment, she turned to look at Han Mu, a hint of solemnity flashing in her eyes.

"Fellow Daoist Han, do you know what kind of spiritual root this girl possesses?"

"It should be a water elemental root," Han Mu said, feigning ignorance.

"No." Nangong Wan shook her head. "It's an ice spirit root, and an extremely pure one at that. Such talent is one in a million."

She paused, then continued, "My Hidden Moon Sect is renowned for its ice-attribute techniques, and the sect possesses several ice-attribute techniques that directly lead to the Nascent Soul stage. If this girl can join the Hidden Moon Sect, her future will be limitless."

They arrived as expected.

Han Mu understood, but his face showed a look of hesitation: "What does Miss Nangong mean...?"

"I want to take her as my disciple," Nangong Wan said directly. "I'll bring her back to the Hidden Moon Sect and teach her personally. With her aptitude, it's possible she can reach Foundation Establishment before the age of twenty, and Core Formation before fifty is not impossible."

These words caused Han Changqing, who was standing to the side, to gasp in astonishment. Foundation Establishment before twenty? Core Formation before fifty? What kind of concept is this? In the entire Yue Kingdom, those who can form their Core before fifty are extremely rare geniuses!

Han Mu pondered for a moment and said, "Ling'er is still young, and her parents died early, so she has been raised by her family. I need to ask her own wishes about this matter, and also discuss it with the elders of her family."

"Of course," Nangong Wan nodded. "However, Fellow Daoist Han, you must understand that although the Ice Spirit Root is powerful, it still needs a suitable cultivation method to guide it. If she stays in the Han family, it might hinder her future."

This is a blunt statement, but it is true. The Han family currently only has the "Primordial Longevity Technique," a Five Elements cultivation method, which is indeed not very compatible with the Ice Spirit Root.

"I understand." Han Mu nodded. "Miss Nangong, would you mind staying at the Han family home for a few more days? I will give you an answer in three days."

"Sure," Nangong Wan said. "In the next three days, I can teach her some basic ice-attribute spells so she can get a feel for them."

Thank you for your trouble.

After Nangong Wan left, Han Changqing couldn't help but ask, "Father, are you really going to send Ling'er to the Hidden Moon Sect? She's still so young..."

"Jade must be carved to become a useful object," Han Mu said calmly. "Ling'er is a piece of unpolished jade. Keeping her in the Han family will only bury her talent. The Hidden Moon Sect is one of the seven major sects of Yue Kingdom. It has a complete lineage and a Nascent Soul ancestor. It can provide her with the best training."

"But..." Han Changqing was still somewhat reluctant.

"Don't worry, Ling'er going to the Hidden Moon Sect is also a good thing for the Han family." Han Mu patted his son's shoulder. "The connections of the seven major sects are crucial to the development of the family. Moreover, Ling'er's surname is Han, so no matter where she goes, she will always be a member of the Han family."

These words eased Han Changqing's mind somewhat. Indeed, if Han Ling'er could distinguish herself in the Hidden Moon Sect, the Han family would have a powerful backer in the future.

"Then...should we ask Ling'er's wishes first?" Han Changqing asked.

"Of course I'll ask," Han Mu nodded. "Call her over, and I'll talk to her."

A moment later, Han Ling'er was brought before Han Mu. The little girl was a little nervous, her small hands clutching the hem of her clothes, her big eyes looking at Han Mu timidly.

"Ling'er, this is the Ancestor," Han Changqing introduced.

"Ling'er greets the Ancestor." Han Ling'er bowed obediently, her voice clear and melodious.

Han Mu smiled gently and gestured for her to sit down: "Ling'er, how is your cultivation going?"

"Reporting to Ancestor, everything went smoothly." Han Ling'er nodded. "It's just... sometimes it feels cold, and the surroundings freeze."

"That's the special feature of your spiritual root," Han Mu explained patiently. "You possess an ice spiritual root, which allows you to condense cold energy during cultivation. This isn't a bad thing; rather, it's your talent."

Han Ling'er nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

"Ling'er, if someone wanted to take you as their disciple and take you to a large sect to cultivate, would you be willing?" Han Mu asked.

Han Ling'er was taken aback, a look of confusion on her face: "Leave home?"

"Yes, it might be a few years, or even more than a decade, away," Han Mu said. "But there you'll find the best masters and the best techniques, which will make you incredibly powerful."

Han Ling'er lowered her head and thought for a moment, then suddenly looked up and asked, "If I become stronger, will I be able to protect my family?"

Han Mu's heart stirred, and he nodded, saying, "Yes. Becoming stronger will allow me to protect my family and the Han family."

"Then I'll go." Han Ling'er said without hesitation.

This straightforward answer surprised both Han Mu and Han Changqing. It was truly remarkable that an eight-year-old child could make such a decisive decision.

"Ling'er, aren't you afraid?" Han Changqing couldn't help but ask.

"I'm scared," Han Ling'er said honestly. "But my parents said that cultivators must be brave and diligent, and cannot be afraid. Besides... Ancestor and Uncle Changqing have been good to me, and I want to repay them."

These words moved Han Mu deeply. At such a young age, he already knew how to repay kindness; his character was truly admirable.

"Good child." Han Mu patted her head. "Since you are willing, in three days, Senior Nangong will take you back to the Hidden Moon Sect. When you get there, you must cultivate diligently and listen to your master."

"Ling'er remembers." Han Ling'er nodded emphatically.

After arranging things for Han Ling'er, Han Mu went to Doctor Mo's courtyard. Doctor Mo was studying the formula for the Five Elements Condensing Elixir in his alchemy room. Upon seeing Han Mu arrive, he quickly got up.

"Master of the family."

"How's it going?" Han Mu asked.

"I have basically mastered the formula, but there are a few details that still need to be refined," Doctor Mo said. "Especially the fusion of the medicinal power of the Five Elements Fruit; the slightest mistake will ruin everything. I want to refine a batch of 'Five Elements Harmony Pill' first to practice and ensure that everything goes perfectly."

"Sure." Han Mu nodded. "Just let me know what materials you need."

"All the materials are ready." Doctor Mo paused, then asked, "Master, that Miss Nangong seems quite interested in Miss Ling'er?"

"She wants to take Ling'er as her disciple and bring her back to the Hidden Moon Sect." Han Mu did not hide anything.

Doctor Mo's eyes lit up: "This is a good thing! Miss Ling'er has an ice spirit root. If she can receive the true teachings from the Hidden Moon Sect, her future achievements will be limitless. Moreover, the Hidden Moon Sect is one of the seven major sects. Having this connection will greatly benefit the development of the family."

"That's what I think too," Han Mu said. "Ling'er will leave with Nangong Wan in three days. Please take good care of her during these three days."

"I understand."

After leaving Doctor Mo's courtyard, Han Mu returned to his cave dwelling and sat down cross-legged.

"System, bring up the current 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)]

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

[Special Talent: Han Ling'er (Ice Spiritual Root, already arranged to join the Hidden Moon Sect)]

The family's development is progressing steadily, and Han Ling'er's arrangements are also going smoothly. Next, they need to wait for Doctor Mo to refine the Five Elements Condensing Pill and prepare for the Han family's disciples to join the Hidden Moon Sect.

However, the Hidden Moon Sect has strict rules for accepting disciples. Han Ling'er has an ice spiritual root and, with Nangong Wan's recommendation, entering the sect shouldn't be a problem. But it will probably be difficult for other disciples to join.

"Looks like I'll have to prepare a generous gift," Han Mu muttered to himself.

He remembered that the Hidden Moon Sect was famous for its ice-attribute techniques and had an extreme thirst for ice-attribute materials. The "Ice Soul Stone" he obtained in the Blood Fiend Mountains was a top-grade material for refining ice-attribute magic weapons, which should be able to impress the higher-ups of the Hidden Moon Sect.

Just as he was pondering this, Han Changqing's voice came from outside the cave: "Father, Miss Nangong requests an audience."

Han Mu's eyes flickered.

Just in time.