The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Three days later, the people from the Ghost Spirit Sect delivered the promised item as agreed.

Wang Chan did not come in person, but sent a messenger at the Qi Refining stage. The messenger carried a storage bag containing five Foundation Establishment Pills emitting a faint fragrance, and a jade slip containing detailed information about the Yin Sha Ghost King.

Han Mu examined the Foundation Establishment Pill; its quality was average, but it was indeed genuine. The Ghost Spirit Sect could produce five of these strategic resources, indicating that Black Wind Ridge's troubles were greater than anticipated, and they truly needed time.

"Go back and tell Wang Chan that my Han family will abide by the two-year agreement. But if you try anything again, don't blame me for being impolite," Han Mu said calmly to the messenger.

"Yes, I will certainly convey your message." The messenger retreated tremblingly.

After seeing the messenger off, Han Mu immediately summoned Han Changqing, Doctor Mo, Li Yuanming, and Zhang Xuanfeng to the council hall. Five Foundation Establishment Pills were placed on the table, emitting an alluring spiritual light.

"These five Foundation Establishment Pills are an apology from the Ghost Spirit Sect, and also a hush money payment," Han Mu said. "With these, the family can have a few more Foundation Establishment cultivators. But how to distribute them needs to be discussed."

Everyone stared intently at the Foundation Establishment Pill, their breathing rapid. For Qi Refining cultivators, this was a coveted treasure, a key to the Great Dao.

"Patriarch, I..." Doctor Mo spoke first, his voice trembling slightly. He had been stuck at the tenth level of Qi Refining for thirty years, and his lifespan was running out. The Foundation Establishment Pill and the Five Elements Condensation Pill were his last chances.

"Elder Mo, there's no need for further words." Han Mu interrupted him, took out a Foundation Establishment Pill and the Five Elements Condensation Pill, and pushed them in front of him. "These Foundation Establishment Pill and Five Elements Condensation Pill are yours. You have worked hard and made great contributions to the family's alchemy, and this is what you deserve. In three days, you will go into seclusion to establish your foundation."

"Thank you, Patriarch!" Doctor Mo's hands trembled as he accepted the pill, his old eyes reddening.

"Fellow Daoist Li, Fellow Daoist Zhang," Han Mu then looked at Li Yuanming and Zhang Xuanfeng, "You two have been at the tenth level of Qi Refining for over a year, with solid foundations. I'm giving you these two Foundation Establishment Pills, hoping you can successfully establish your foundations and become an asset to the Han family."

Li Yuanming and Zhang Xuanfeng exchanged a glance, then stood up simultaneously and bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Han! If we can both establish our foundations, we will follow the Han family's lead without any disloyalty!"

They were originally the heads of the Li and Zhang families, but after their families were wiped out, they took refuge with the Han family, always feeling uneasy. Now, Han Mu not only took them in but also bestowed upon them Foundation Establishment Pills; this kindness was too great.

"No need for formalities." Han Mu waved his hand. "The Han family, the Li family, and the Zhang family are already one. We share the same fate, and we share the same fate. Your success in establishing your foundation is a good thing for the family."

With the remaining two Foundation Establishment Pills, Han Mu kept one: "This one is for a promising and meritorious member of the family. Changqing, draft a plan to select a candidate from among the members who have reached the eighth level of Qi Refining and bestow the pill upon them."

"Yes." Han Changqing nodded.

After a moment's thought, Han Mu said, "I'm going to send this one to Huangfeng Valley for Yun Ge. She'll be cultivating there, and with the help of the Foundation Establishment Pill, her foundation establishment will be much smoother. Besides... she needs to help her family gain a foothold in Huangfeng Valley."

"Father's considerations are thorough," Han Changqing agreed. Han Yunge is the Han family's representative in Huangfeng Valley; the higher her cultivation level, the more beneficial it will be for the family.

After distributing the Foundation Establishment Pills, Han Mu took out the jade slip: "This is information about the Yin Sha Ghost King. Everyone, take a look."

He projected the contents of the jade slip into the air. Text and images appeared in the light and shadow, detailing the origins, strength, and weaknesses of the Yin Sha Ghost King, as well as the sealing measures currently being taken by the Ghost Spirit Sect and the Joyful Union Sect.

The Yin Sha Ghost King was originally a late-stage Core Formation cultivator in the Ghost Path. Three thousand years ago, he was besieged by his enemies, his physical body was destroyed, and his remnant soul fled into the Yin Sha Land. Over the years, he absorbed Yin Sha energy and transformed into a Ghost King. His strength is equivalent to the mid-stage Core Formation stage, but because he is a ghost, he is not afraid of physical attacks and has extremely high resistance to magic. He is especially skilled at manipulating Yin spirits and evil energy.

The Ghost Spirit Sect and the Joyful Union Sect used the "Nine Yin Soul-Locking Array" to temporarily seal it deep within Black Wind Ridge, but this array can only last for a maximum of three years. After three years, the Yin Fiend Ghost King will inevitably break free.

"Mid-stage Core Formation..." Li Yuanming's face paled. "How can we possibly withstand such a being?"

"It is indeed difficult." Zhang Xuanfeng smiled bitterly. "There is a qualitative difference between Foundation Establishment and Core Formation. Ten late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators may not be a match for one early-stage Core Formation cultivator, let alone a Ghost King in the mid-stage Core Formation stage."

Han Mu did not refute. What he said was true. In the cultivation world, the suppression of cultivation level is absolute. Although he, at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment, could defeat cultivators at the eighth or ninth level of Foundation Establishment, he was still like an ant when facing a Core Formation cultivator.

"Therefore, we only have three years," Han Mu said in a deep voice. "Within three years, we must find a way to deal with the Yin Sha Ghost King, or... acquire the power to fight against a Core Formation stage cultivator."

"How is this possible..." Han Changqing murmured.

"Man proposes, God disposes." Han Mu's eyes were firm. "Elder Mo, you go and prepare for your seclusion. Everyone else, perform your duties and intensify your cultivation. I need to go to Yellow Maple Valley, firstly to deliver Foundation Establishment Pills to Yun Ge, and secondly to inquire whether the Seven Great Sects have any methods to deal with the Yin Sha Ghost King."

"Father, are you going alone?" Han Changqing asked worriedly.

"It's alright, go and come back quickly," Han Mu said. "I'm entrusting the family to you. Remember, keep the mountain gates tightly closed and strengthen security. Don't send anyone near Black Wind Ridge for the time being."

"My son understands."

After arranging everything, Han Mu returned to his cave and began preparing to head to Yellow Maple Valley.

He first checked 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)]

[Family cultivators: 85]

[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 (Countdown: 2 years and 11 months)]

[Task Reward: Depends on the solution method]

We only need fifteen more cultivators to complete the task, and the reward is the Five Elements Elixir Condensation and Dispersal Elixir Formula and the Heart Refining Tower. The Heart Refining Tower is helpful in tempering one's character, so we should expedite its construction.

If Doctor Mo succeeds in completing the Foundation Establishment cultivator's mission, he will have two. One is still missing… perhaps one can be chosen from Li Yuanming or Zhang Xuanfeng, or we can wait for Han Yunge to reach Foundation Establishment.

"System, deduce a method to counter the Yin Sha Ghost King."

[Driving simulation in progress...]

Method 1: Ask a cultivator at the Core Formation stage or above to intervene (low feasibility)

[Method Two: Deploy a large-scale pure Yang formation to counteract Yin (requires a fourth-tier formation master; materials are scarce)]

Method 3: Find a magical artifact or technique specifically designed to subdue ghosts (requires a specific opportunity)

Method 4: Take advantage of the sealed state of the Yin Sha Ghost King to set a trap in advance and lure it into the trap (extremely high risk)

Neither is easy.

Han Mu frowned. It seemed he would have to inquire more in Huangfeng Valley. The seven major sects had a long history and might possess secret methods to subdue ghosts.

Three days later, Doctor Mo was ready and began his foundation-building seclusion in the cave chosen by Han Mu. Han Mu personally set up a protective array to ensure that no one would disturb him.

"Elder Mo, go all out. If you succeed, you'll reach the Foundation Establishment stage; if you fail, it'll just mean leaving a few years earlier. But in any case, the Han family will remember your contributions," Han Mu said before parting.

"Rest assured, Patriarch, I will do my utmost." Doctor Mo took a deep breath, stepped into the cave, and the stone door slowly closed.

After seeing Doctor Mo off, Han Mu prepared to depart.

"Father, take care on your journey." Han Changqing saw him off at the mountain gate.

"I'm leaving the family to you." Han Mu patted his son's shoulder. "If anything happens, contact me using the communication talisman. Also, the construction of the Heart Refining Tower cannot stop. I hope to see its basic structure when I return."

"Your son will certainly live up to your expectations."

Han Mu took off on his sword, transforming into a streak of azure light, and flew towards Yellow Maple Valley in the southeast direction.

The journey from Yanling Fort to Huangfeng Valley is five hundred li, which he could cover in half a day at his speed. Along the way, he flew while pondering his next plan.

Sending Han Yunge Foundation Establishment Pills was one reason; finding out methods to subdue ghosts was another; and thirdly… he wanted to see if he could use Han Yunge to establish connections with higher levels of Huangfeng Valley. If he could make the Han family an affiliated family of Huangfeng Valley and gain the sect's protection, they would have a better chance of dealing with the threat of the Yin Sha Ghost King.

As they were flying, the sounds of fighting suddenly came from the mountains and forests below. Han Mu intended to go around it, but when he scanned the area with his divine sense, he suddenly paused.

That's... Han Li?

In the valley below, Han Li was confronting three cultivators. The three cultivators, two men and one woman, were all dressed in the attire of Yellow Maple Valley, and their cultivation levels were between the eighth and ninth levels of Qi Refining. Han Li, on the other hand, was only at the seventh level of Qi Refining and was injured, clearly having already fought a battle.

"Han Li, hand over the Purple Monkey Flower, and we can pretend nothing happened," the leading youth said coldly.

"I discovered the Purple Monkey Flower first, why should I give it to you?" Han Li gritted his teeth.

"Why should we? Because we're stronger than you!" another youth sneered. "A mere seventh-level Qi Refining cultivator dares to try and steal our spirit herbs? You're courting death!"

Seeing that the three were about to make a move, Han Mu frowned and descended with his escape light.

"stop."