The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

In the pavilion, Daoist Qingxuan picked up a cup of tea that had appeared on the stone table at some unknown time, took a sip, and his gaze fell on the "Time-Tracing Array Plate" in Han Li's hand.

"It seems this young friend has a profound understanding of spacetime formations." Daoist Qingxuan put down his teacup. "Well? Can you verify that what I said was false?"

Han Li put away the array plate, his expression calm: "There are no problems with the timeline. But regarding the purpose of 'Time Lord,' senior, I'm afraid you're still hiding something."

"Oh?" Qingxuan Daoist asked with great interest.

"If it's just for power, for control of the source of time, the Time Lord already has enough strength and influence. Why be so obsessed with collecting the 'Coffin of Origin'?" Han Li stared directly at Qingxuan Daoist. "Especially at the risk of being targeted by various forces, to seize the fragments. This doesn't make sense."

Qingxuan Daoist was silent for a moment, then sighed: "You guessed right. The true purpose of the Time Lord is indeed not as simple as just controlling the source of time."

"What is that?" Luo Feng couldn't help but interject. "It can't be for immortality, can it? He's already a Taiyi Jade Immortal, his lifespan is almost infinite."

"Immortality?" Daoist Qingxuan shook his head. "For Venerable Shi, immortality is no longer his pursuit. What he wants is... transcendence."

"Transcendence?" Liu Ruyan frowned.

"To transcend the constraints of this great world and journey to a higher dimension," Qingxuan Daoist said in a startling statement. "The Source of Time is not only the starting point of all time in the heavens, but also hides 'space-time rifts' connecting other great worlds. The Time Lord believes that as long as we fully control the Source of Time, we can find and open these rifts and travel to the legendary 'Upper Realm'."

Han Mu's eyes narrowed. This statement subtly echoed the origins of his system.

"The Upper Realm..." Zhou Meng murmured, "The legendary true Immortal Realm?"

"Perhaps," said Daoist Qingxuan. "Only the Time Lord himself knows the specifics. But one thing is certain: he wants to leave this world, and as a 'controller' rather than a 'fleeing fugitive.' Therefore, he needs the 'Coffin of Origin,' a supreme treasure of chaos, both as a key and as the foundation for his place in the new world."

Han Mu slowly spoke, "Senior previously mentioned that the fifth fragment is deep within the 'Chaotic Mist Sea,' guarded by the 'Remnants of Time.' What is the origin of these remnants?"

"They are descendants of servants from the ancient 'Guardians of Time' lineage," Qingxuan Daoist explained. "Back then, when the Time Lord betrayed us, the Guardians lineage was almost completely wiped out. Only a few servants escaped into the Chaotic Mist Sea with some of the inheritance and treasures, establishing a refuge deep within and guarding the last fragment—the 'coffin lid'—for generations. That is also the most crucial part of the 'Coffin of Origin.' Without it, the reforged coffin can never be complete."

"What about the 'Key of Time'?" Han Li pressed. "Of the three fragments, besides the one you have, how do we find the other two?"

"The one in Shi Zun's possession must be on his main body or his most trusted 'guard'," said Qingxuan Daoist. "As for the last one... its whereabouts are indeed unknown. But according to our clan's ancient records, the last key fragment was taken by a mysterious powerhouse during the great war thirty thousand years ago, and has been missing ever since. The characteristics of that powerhouse..."

Qingxuan Daoist paused, then looked at Han Mu: "Ancient records state that that person had an aura similar to yours—not belonging to this realm, as if from beyond the heavens."

Han Mu's pupils contracted slightly.

"System?" Luo Feng blurted out, then immediately covered his mouth.

Qingxuan Daoist did not delve into the word, and continued, "Therefore, the whereabouts of the last key fragment may be related to you, young friend. As for how to find it, I have no idea."

Han Mu brought up the system panel and quickly scanned it.

Name: Han Mu

[True Realm: Early Stage of Taiyi Jade Immortal (75% recovered from injuries)]

[Time Rule: 75%]

[Status: Minor injury, recovering. Comprehension progress of "The Flow of Time and Light" (Part 2) 3%.]

[Celestial Aura: -6000 points]

[System Notification: The whereabouts of the crucial information "Key of Time" has been detected. This triggers the hidden quest "Searching for the Extraterrestrials." Quest Description: Based on the clues provided by Qingxuan Daoist, find the mysterious powerful figure who stole the last fragment of the "Key of Time" 30,000 years ago. Quest Reward: Key fragment coordinates clue.]

"The Outer Man..." Han Mu closed the panel. This task seemed to point to a deeper secret related to his transmigration and the system.

"Senior, where exactly is that 'Chaotic Mist Sea'?" Bai Ling asked. "How do we get there?"

"The Misty Sea is the outer barrier of the 'Source of Time,' and it has no fixed coordinates," said Daoist Qingxuan. "Its position constantly changes with the flow of the River of Time. Only by collecting three fragments of the 'Key of Time' and combining them into a complete key can a stable passage to the Misty Sea be opened at any location. Otherwise, even if you know the approximate location, you will get lost in the turbulent flow of spacetime and never find the entrance."

"So, we can't do anything right now?" Luo Feng scratched his head. "We need to find all the keys first?"

"That's one way to put it," Daoist Qingxuan nodded. "However, you can first go to the 'Origin Pool' for trials. The essence of time there can help you quickly recover from your injuries and improve your strength. Especially you, young friend—"

Qingxuan Daoist looked at Han Mu: "You are carrying four fragments. In the 'Origin Pool,' you should be able to trigger more resonance, which may allow the fragments to fuse further and even stimulate new abilities."

"Is the Origin Pool dangerous?" Li Qingzhu asked softly.

"For those with weak will and unstable foundations, this is a deadly place," Qingxuan Daoist said solemnly. "But for true powerhouses, it is a treasure trove. The source of time within the pool will wash over your physical bodies, souls, and even the foundation of your Great Dao. If you can withstand it, you will be reborn. If you cannot..."

Qingxuan Daoist didn't finish speaking, but everyone understood what he meant.

"I'll go." Han Mu said without hesitation.

"Brother Han, I suggest we send one person to test the waters first," Han Li said cautiously. "The strength of the Origin Pool is unknown. If everyone enters together and something goes wrong, there won't be anyone to rescue us."

"That makes sense." Liu Ruyan agreed. "My lord, let me go first. My injuries are the least severe, and I can withdraw in time if anything goes wrong."

Han Mu shook his head: "The Origin Pool is mainly for comprehending and resonating with fragments of the power of time. Your efforts will be limited. It's most suitable for me to go. If anything happens to me, you should evacuate immediately and don't worry about me."

"My lord!" Liu Ruyan exclaimed urgently.

"It's settled then." Han Mu stood up and looked at Daoist Qingxuan. "Senior, please lead the way."

Qingxuan Daoist gave Han Mu a deep look, then stood up and walked towards the back of the pavilion. That place was originally a passage leading to the "Mirror of Reincarnation," but now, with the changing light and shadow, it had transformed into another path radiating a soft white light.

"Follow this path to the end, and you will reach the 'Origin Pool'," said Daoist Qingxuan. "Young friend, let me remind you. In the Origin Pool, you may see some... illusions about the past. Some of these illusions are real, some are fake, and some... are 'future fragments' that may have happened but haven't. Remember, guard your true self and don't be misled by the illusions."

Han Mu nodded and stepped into the passage.

The passage wasn't long, and soon a hazy white light appeared at its end. Han Mu passed through the light barrier, and the scene before him made him slightly taken aback.

It was a milky-white pool, no more than ten feet square, its water thick and viscous, with a faint mist rising from its surface. But deep within the pool, countless stars seemed to be reflected, and tiny gray-white specks of light floated and sank like fireflies.

In the very center of the pool, a fist-sized, grayish-white crystal floated, constantly changing shape. The crystal emitted an aura of pure, timeless essence, resonating strongly with the "Source Coffin Mark" between Han Mu's brows.

"That's... the crystallization of the essence of time?" Han Mu's eyes narrowed.

Just as he was about to step into the pool, the water suddenly surged violently. The grayish-white particles of light quickly converged, coalescing into blurry images on the surface of the water.

The first scene: A stunningly beautiful woman dressed in white stands before a huge, grayish-white ancient coffin, tears streaming down her face. She forms a hand seal, transforming herself into countless points of light that merge into the coffin.

The second image: A blurry, dark golden figure laughs madly at the end of an endless river of time, with collapsing stars and wailing creatures behind it.

The third scene: Han Mu himself stands in a chaotic void, holding the complete "Coffin of Origin" in his hands, while the dark golden figure opposite him... is slowly kneeling on one knee.

"These are..." Han Mu's breathing quickened slightly.

"Is it true, is it false, is it possible, is it no longer possible?" Qingxuan Daoist's voice rang out by the pool. He had followed us in at some point. "Young friend, the trial of the Origin Pool has begun."

Suddenly, the pool water surged up and rushed towards Han Mu!