The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

The headquarters of the "Shadow Guild" is located deep underground in the City of Myriad Things. After passing through several strict array checkpoints and teleportation arrays, one finally arrives at a vast space shrouded in a special shadow power. There is no sunlight here, only a dim, eerie light from an unknown source, illuminating the rugged, cold-lined black stone buildings. The air is filled with a faint, yet mentally alert, special energy.

Led by Elder Shadow and Meiji, Han Mu arrived at the tallest black hall. The hall was empty, with only a huge stone round table in the center. At this moment, a figure shrouded in thick, flowing shadows, whose face was obscured but whose aura was as deep as an abyss, was sitting at the head of the round table. This was none other than Shadow Lord, the guild leader of the "Shadow Guild".

"Fellow Daoist Han, please have a seat." Ying Kui's voice seemed to come from all directions, hoarse and calm, revealing no emotion.

Han Mu calmly took his seat, with Zhou Meng and Bai Ling standing behind him. Han Li, Liu Ruyan, Luo Feng, and the others were arranged to rest in a side hall, accompanied by Mei Ji.

"Guild Master Yingkui, let's get straight to the point," Han Mu said directly. "What do you know about the 'Forging Heaven Workshop Secret Realm Map' and the movements of the 'Reverse Time Alliance'?"

"Fellow Daoist Han is indeed straightforward." The shadow around Ying Kui rippled slightly. "First of all, thank you for your intervention at the auction today, which saved my guild's reputation and that 'key'."

"The key?" Han Mu's eyes flickered slightly.

"Indeed, the 'key'," Shadow Lord said slowly. "In that bronze box, there is not the 'Forging Heaven Workshop Secret Realm Map' itself, but a token pointing to its true hiding place, or rather... half a 'key'. As for the other key item, its whereabouts have been unknown since the auction thirty years ago, and it is suspected to have fallen into the hands of the 'Reverse Time Alliance'. This is why they are willing to go to such lengths to seize it today."

Han Mu took out the bronze box and placed it on the table: "What's so special about this?"

"This item requires a special method, combined with a trace of the primordial aura of supreme time principles such as 'Time,' 'Reincarnation,' or 'Origin,' to activate and reveal its true map. For ordinary cultivators, obtaining it would only result in an antique," Ying Kui explained. "According to our guild's years of investigation, the complete 'Forging Workshop Secret Realm Map' does not point to Ou Yezi's actual 'Forging Workshop,' but rather to the secluded residence of his last known assistant before his disappearance—'Burning Sky Fire Craftsman.' That fire craftsman is said to be a key participant in Ou Yezi's forging of a treasure related to 'Time,' and his secluded residence, 'Heart of Molten Fire,' is located deep within the 'Burning Sky Star Sea.'"

"Burning Heaven Star Sea..." Han Mu recalled the geography of the Immortal Realm. It was a desolate place filled with eternal flames, star fire essences, and various fire-type ferocious beasts. The environment was extremely harsh, and cultivators below the Great Luo level had a nine-out-of-ten chance of dying if they entered.

"The third fragment of the 'Key of Time' is very likely in the 'Heart of Molten Core'?" Han Mu asked.

"Very likely," Shadow Lord affirmed. "The 'Reverse Time Alliance' is also searching for this item. They seem to possess another key token, or at least know part of the coordinates of the 'Heart of Molten Fire.' Eclipse has been operating in Myriad City for many years, secretly investigating intelligence on the 'Burning Heaven Star Sea,' making frequent moves. Their aggressive acquisition at this auction is probably an attempt to gather the tokens and gain the upper hand."

Han Mu was silent for a moment, then asked, "What does the guild leader want from all this?"

"Cooperation." Ying Kui's voice carried a hint of solemnity. "'The Reverse Time Alliance' is powerful, with a mysterious background and grand ambitions, and its interests frequently conflict with our guild's. Fellow Daoist Han's strength is unfathomable, and he has become a mortal enemy of 'The Reverse Time Alliance.' Our guild is willing to provide known information about 'Burning Heaven Star Sea' and 'Heart of Molten Fire,' as well as safe routes and necessary supplies for entering the Star Sea. We only hope that if Fellow Daoist gains anything in 'Heart of Molten Fire,' he can share information about Ou Yezi's weapon-forging heritage, or information unrelated to 'Key of Time.' Furthermore, in Myriad Manifestations Heavenly City, we can support each other and jointly deal with 'The Reverse Time Alliance.'"

Very practical conditions. Han Mu thought for a moment and then nodded in agreement: "Okay. Give me the intelligence and the route now. What we get from 'Heart of Molten Core' will depend on the situation. As for mutual assistance, as long as the 'Reverse Time Alliance' doesn't bother me, I won't bother with them."

"Great." The shadow beneath Shadow Lord extended, unfurling a black jade slip and a storage ring, which slid to Han Mu's feet. "The jade slip contains intelligence, a route map, and my guild's contact information. The ring contains some talismans and pills to ward off the Star Sea Flames and Void Storms. Also…"

He paused, his shadow hardening slightly: "According to the latest intelligence, after their defeat, 'Eclipse' has dispatched several elite teams to the 'Burning Sky Star Sea' through special channels, seemingly having obtained new coordinate clues. If Fellow Daoist Han wishes to go, the sooner the better."

Han Mu put away the jade slip and ring, stood up, and said, "Farewell."

After leaving the Shadow Guild headquarters, they met up with Han Li and the others. Han Mu briefly explained the situation.

"The Burning Heaven Star Sea? That place is said to be able to roast even Golden Immortals to ashes!" Luo Feng clicked his tongue in amazement. "I'm afraid my flesh isn't enough to roast them."

"With the Lord here, what is there to fear?" Liu Ruyan had blind faith in Han Mu.

Han Li frowned and said, "Brother Han, the fact that 'Eclipse' sent people ahead of time is probably a trap, or perhaps they have more accurate information. We must set off as soon as possible, and be careful that they might be setting up an ambush in the Star Sea."

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

Name: Han Mu

[True Realm: Mid-stage Taiyi Jade Immortal (Peak State)]

[Time Rule: 88%]

[Status: Good. Obtained information and resources related to "Burning Star Sea - Heart of Molten Fire".]

[Celestial Aura: -6000 points]

[System Notification: The third "Key of Time" fragment has been confirmed to point to "Burning Star Sea - Molten Heart". The "Reverse Time Alliance" has taken the lead. New quest "Searching for the Key in the Sea of ​​Fire" is triggered: Proceed to "Burning Star Sea", explore "Molten Heart", and obtain the third key fragment. Quest Rewards: Depends on completion. Warning: "Burning Star Sea" is an extreme environment with an extremely high danger level.]

"Make preparations. We'll depart for the 'Burning Sky Star Sea' early tomorrow morning," Han Mu ordered, a fierce glint in his eyes. "Eclipse wants to get there first? Let's see who's faster."

Just then, the gray-white mark in Han Mu's arms, which was bound to the control core of the "Relic of Time", suddenly emitted an extremely weak and intermittent pulsation, as if it had sensed something and pointed in a certain direction of the "Burning Heaven Star Sea", but it was still blurry.

Hmm? Could it be that there's something related to the "Relic of Time" or Senior Qingxuan at the "Burning Heaven Star Sea"?