The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

At dawn, Han Mu returned to Qingzhu Peak without making a sound.

He had just passed through the protective mountain formation when Han Changqing rushed up to him: "Father, are you alright? There's something strange going on in the direction of Black Wind Ridge. Before dawn, the sky was filled with yin energy, and there were explosions."

"It's nothing." Han Mu waved his hand. "There's been a bit of an accident at the Ghost Spirit Sect and the Joyful Union Sect's camps. They probably won't be able to take care of us for a while. Go to the council hall and gather everyone."

"yes!"

A quarter of an hour later, the council hall was full of people. Han Changqing, Li Yuanming, Zhang Xuanfeng, and Doctor Mo sat in the front row, followed by more than a dozen managers and core disciples at the late stage of Qi Refining.

Han Mu briefly recounted what happened at Black Wind Ridge, omitting the part about the Yin Sha Soul-Guiding Banner, and only saying that the demonic path was performing some kind of evil ritual, which he secretly disrupted, triggering a backlash.

"So, the demonic cultivators who besieged us should have retreated back to Black Wind Ridge by now?" A look of joy flashed in Li Yuanming's eyes.

"They won't be coming anytime soon, at least not for a while," Han Mu nodded. "But we can't let our guard down. Changqing, any new information from the scouts?"

"Yes," Han Changqing said. "Half an hour ago, a scout reported that the demonic cultivators besieging Yanling Fort suddenly turned around and returned to Black Wind Ridge at full speed. They seemed to be in a great hurry."

"That's right," Han Mu said. "The ritual they were performing has gone wrong, and we need to suppress it. But we can't let our guard down either. Send down the order to keep the mountain-protecting formation active, and have all the disciples take turns on guard duty."

"yes!"

"Fellow Daoist Li, Fellow Daoist Zhang, take your men to check the surrounding area and see if there are any spies from the demonic path who have escaped."

"clear!"

Everyone obeyed and left, except for Doctor Mo.

"Master, the refining of the Five Elements Condensing Pill Powder..." Doctor Mo hesitated. These are turbulent times, and alchemy requires absolute silence. If disturbed, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Continue," Han Mu said decisively. "The more critical the situation, the more we need Foundation Establishment cultivators to oversee things. Elder Mo, you focus all your energy on refining the pills, and I will personally protect you. After you finish refining them, immediately go into seclusion to establish your Foundation. As long as you can successfully establish your Foundation, the Han family will have two Foundation Establishment cultivators, giving us more confidence when facing the demonic path."

"Yes! I will do my utmost!" Doctor Mo nodded emphatically.

For the next three days, the entire Han family was on high alert, but the anticipated demonic attack did not materialize. Instead, the commotion coming from the direction of Black Wind Ridge grew louder and louder, sometimes with violent explosions, sometimes with mournful howls, and sometimes with towering pillars of yin energy.

On the evening of the third day, an astonishing piece of news arrived.

"Ancestor! The scouts report that the demonic cultivators of Black Wind Ridge... have retreated!" Han Changqing rushed into the council hall, his face full of disbelief.

"Withdrawn?" Han Mu raised an eyebrow. "All withdrawn?"

"They've all retreated!" Han Changqing said. "The scouts said they saw over a hundred demonic cultivators fleeing in panic, many of them wounded, and several being carried away. They retreated very quickly, without even dismantling their camp, only taking away important items."

"It seems something really serious has happened at Black Wind Ridge," Han Mu said thoughtfully.

"Father, should we..." A ruthless glint flashed in Han Changqing's eyes, "...take advantage of their retreat and attack?"

"No." Han Mu shook his head. "Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. They still have nearly a hundred people, and quite a few of them are Foundation Establishment cultivators. With our small force, going there would be suicide. Besides... Black Wind Ridge is very dangerous right now. Don't go."

"Danger?"

"Hmm." Han Mu looked northwest, his expression grave. "The ritual I disrupted may have attracted something it shouldn't have. Have all the scouts withdraw. Black Wind Ridge and its surrounding area within fifty miles is now a restricted zone; no one is allowed to approach."

"Yes." Although Han Changqing was puzzled, he did as instructed.

Han Mu's caution was correct. Late that night, a deafening roar echoed from the direction of Black Wind Ridge. The sound was inhuman, filled with savagery and madness. Immediately afterward, a pillar of blood-red light shot into the sky, dyeing half the night sky dark red.

The entire cultivator community of Yanling Fortress was alarmed, and they all rushed outside to watch. The crimson pillar of light lasted for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before slowly dissipating. But the oppressive feeling that made one's heart tremble lingered for a long time.

"Master, what is that?" Doctor Mo appeared beside Han Mu at some point, his voice trembling slightly.

"I don't know," Han Mu shook his head, "but it's definitely not something good. It seems that the Ghost Spirit Sect and the Joyful Union Sect have lost more than they gained this time."

"This is a good thing for us."

"Not necessarily," Han Mu said calmly. "Black Wind Ridge is too close to Yanling Fortress. If something happens there, we will also be affected. Pass down the order that, starting tomorrow, no disciple shall leave the area within thirty miles of Green Bamboo Peak. Accelerate the construction of the Heart Refining Tower; we need more methods to temper our character."

"clear."

Over the next few days, the Han family returned to peace. The demonic cultivators did not reappear, and Black Wind Ridge gradually quieted down, but the eerie and sinister aura lingered, as if a ferocious beast was lurking in the darkness, ready to awaken at any moment.

On the third day, in Doctor Mo's alchemy room.

Han Mu set up a triple protective array to ensure the alchemy process was undisturbed. Doctor Mo adjusted his state, raising his energy and spirit to their peak, and then began refining the pills.

The refining of the Five Elements Condensing Elixir Powder is ten times more difficult than that of the Five Elements Harmonizing Elixir. It requires the simultaneous processing of twenty-seven main ingredients, including the Five Elements Fruit, Condensing Essence Grass, and Solidifying Spirit Flower, as well as forty-nine auxiliary ingredients. The requirements for controlling the fire, melting the ingredients, and condensing the elixir are extremely high. The entire process takes twelve hours and cannot tolerate the slightest mistake.

Doctor Mo was completely focused, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Han Mu stood guard beside him, occasionally casting spells to help stabilize the spiritual energy balance within the alchemy furnace.

Time passes little by little.

Six hours later, the main ingredients had completely melted and began to fuse.

Eight hours later, the auxiliary medicine was added, and the liquid began to solidify.

Ten hours later, a strange fragrance wafted from the alchemy furnace, mixed with the aroma of medicine and the fluctuations of the five elements of spiritual energy.

Eleven hours later, Doctor Mo suddenly uttered a low shout: "Condense!"

The alchemy furnace trembled violently, its lid was flung open, and nine five-colored rays of light shot into the sky, only to be blocked by the protective array. Doctor Mo grabbed with both hands and collected all nine rays of light into the jade bottle.

"It's done!" Doctor Mo collapsed to the ground, his body soaked in sweat, but his face was full of ecstasy.

Han Mu took the jade bottle and poured out a pill. The pill was only the size of a soybean, crystal clear, with faint five-colored patterns on its surface, emanating a rich spiritual energy of the five elements and a special Daoist charm.

"System, identify the elixir."

[Under investigation...]

[Item: Five Elements Condensing Elixir Powder (Superior Grade)]

[Effect: Increases Foundation Establishment success rate by 30% (If taken at Foundation Establishment Level 1, it can raise the success rate to Foundation Establishment Level 2)]

Side effects: None

[Evaluation: Perfect quality, maximizing efficacy]

"Perfect quality!" Han Mu's eyes flashed with joy. With this pill, Doctor Mo's success rate in establishing his foundation would be at least 50%, and with his years of accumulation and improved cultivation techniques, he should have a 70% chance.

"Elder Mo, you've worked hard." Han Mu put away the pills. "You should meditate for three days to restore your condition to its peak, and then go into seclusion to establish your foundation. I will prepare everything you need for foundation establishment."

"Thank you so much, Patriarch!" Doctor Mo's voice choked with emotion. He had waited for this day for thirty years.

Just then, Han Changqing's urgent voice suddenly came from outside the cave: "Father! We have a guest!"

"Who?"

"It's...it's Wang Chan from the Ghost Spirit Sect!"

Han Mu's eyes turned cold. Wang Chan? He still dares to come?

"Let him wait," Han Mu said to Doctor Mo. "You should adjust your breathing first; I'll go and meet him."

"Master, be careful."

Han Mu left the alchemy room and entered the council hall. Wang Chan sat in the guest seat, his face gloomy, accompanied only by two Qi Refining stage guards. He looked somewhat disheveled, his robes torn, and his breathing unstable, clearly indicating that he had suffered a serious injury.

"Young Master Wang, what brings you here?" Han Mu sat down in the main seat, his tone indifferent.

Wang Chan stared at Han Mu, a complex look flashing in her eyes—anger, apprehension, and even a hint of…fear?

"Han Mu, was it you who orchestrated the Black Wind Ridge incident?" Wang Chan asked through gritted teeth.

"What is Young Master Wang saying? I don't understand," Han Mu said calmly. "Isn't Black Wind Ridge the territory of your Ghost Spirit Sect and Joyful Union Sect? Why are you blaming me for what happened?"

"Don't play dumb!" Wang Chan suddenly stood up. "That out-of-control Spirit Summoning Array attracted the 'Yin Sha Ghost King'! That's a being comparable to the Core Formation stage! We lost more than thirty people just to barely seal it! You dare say this has nothing to do with you?!"

Yin Sha Ghost King? Core Formation Stage?

Han Mu was startled. He hadn't expected the Yin Sha Soul-Guiding Banner to attract something so terrifying. However, he remained calm: "Young Master Wang, you must provide evidence. My Han family has been staying indoors these past few days; how could we possibly have gone to Black Wind Ridge to cause trouble? It is you who have gathered hundreds of cultivators to besiege my Han family; are you trying to break our three-year agreement?"

Wang Chan's expression shifted, but she finally took a deep breath and suppressed her anger: "Han Mu, I didn't come here to argue with you. Elder Xue Sha asked me to pass on a message: We can let bygones be bygones regarding the Black Wind Ridge incident. But the three-year agreement needs to be changed."

"How should it be changed?"

"One year." Wang Chan held up her index finger. "Within one year, the Han family is not allowed to expand or form alliances with other forces. After one year, we will leave each other alone. As compensation, we can give you three Foundation Establishment Pills."

Three Foundation Establishment Pills? That's quite a generous gesture.

But Han Mu laughed: "Young Master Wang, do you think I'd believe that? When have your Ghost Spirit Sect and Joyful Union Sect ever kept their word?"

"This time it's for real," Wang Chan said in a deep voice. "The incident at Black Wind Ridge has caused us heavy losses, and we need time to recuperate. Moreover... although the Yin Sha Ghost King has been sealed, the seal is unstable and will break in three years at most. At that time, the entire Yanling Fortress will suffer. We need time to set up a stronger seal."

This is the real reason.

Han Mu's eyes flickered. It seemed the trouble at Black Wind Ridge was greater than he had imagined. If the Yin Sha Ghost King, a Core Formation stage being, were to truly break free from its seal, Yanling Fort would be the first to suffer.

"One year is too short, two years," Han Mu bargained. "And I want five Foundation Establishment Pills, plus detailed information on the 'Yin Sha Ghost King'."

"You!" Wang Chan gritted her teeth, but remembering Elder Xue Sha's instructions, she finally nodded. "Alright, two years it is. The Foundation Establishment Pills and intelligence will be delivered in three days."

"make a deal."

Wang Chan gave Han Mu a deep look, then turned and left.

Watching his disappearing figure, a cold glint flashed in Han Mu's eyes.

Two years...time is running out.

"System, retrieve the current status."

[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: 85 (3 new members)]

[Family Development Task: Number of cultivators 85/100, Foundation Establishment cultivators 1/3]

[Current Mission: Responding to the Crisis of the Yin Sha Ghost King (New)]

[Mission Requirement: Eliminate the threat of the Yin Sha Ghost King within three years]

[Task Reward: Depends on the solution method]

The Yin Sha Ghost King... a threat to those in the Core Formation stage.

Han Mu looked northwest, his eyes resolute.

He had to ensure that the Han family possessed the strength to contend with those at the Core Formation stage within two years.

Otherwise, the Han family will surely be destroyed.