The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

The Bone Dragon, like an ancient, ferocious beast lurking in the darkness, hovered steadily in the void a million miles from the Myriad Manifestations Heavenly City. On board, the maximum concealment array was operating at full power, its mysterious energy perfectly concealing the Bone Dragon, as if it were an integral part of the void itself. Han Mu stood at the bow, his gaze sharp as torches, observing the tense standoff ahead through the layers of void.

Han Li focused intently on manipulating the observation array, which flashed with mysterious runes, instantly magnifying the image infinitely. In the blink of an eye, the details of the three factions' warships were clearly presented before everyone's eyes, as if they were right in front of them.

"My lord, the warship on the left, resembling a giant cyan python, belongs to the 'Palace of Time' lineage. Its leader, Elder Yin, has reached the peak of the Taiyi Jade Immortal realm, emanating a chilling aura. He is skilled in the Time Corrosion Divine Power; once unleashed, time, like a bone-corroding worm, can devour all life. He commands as many as thirty-seven warships and over twenty Taiyi Jade Immortals, each possessing a powerful aura and astonishing strength."

"The warship in the middle, resembling a black behemoth, belongs to the 'Hall of Reversal'. Its leader, Elder Xue, is also a peak Taiyi Jade Immortal, surrounded by blood-red light, and is proficient in the Reversal Time Killing Array. Once this array is activated, time is distorted, the world loses its color, and it can trap enemies in an endless vortex of time. He commands forty-two warships and about twenty-five Taiyi Jade Immortals, each with fierce eyes and high fighting spirit."

"The warship on the right, resembling a silver meteor, belongs to the 'Time Prison' lineage, the faction whose leader is currently in charge. However, Time Prison himself does not appear; instead, a deputy is in charge. Although the deputy is only at the late stage of Taiyi Jade Immortal, his aura is not to be underestimated. He commands the fewest warships, only twenty-eight, and fifteen Taiyi Jade Immortals, yet each of them is on high alert, radiating a powerful aura."

As Han Mu listened to Han Li's report, his gaze swept across the three fleets like lightning, and a mocking sneer curled at the corner of his mouth.

"With Ying Shi just dead, Shi Yu is temporarily taking over as leader. How could Elder Yin and Elder Xue be willing to accept this? They both want to seize power, but the three factions are evenly matched, and none of them dare to make the first move, fearing that a third party will reap the benefits. That's why they are at a stalemate."

"My lord, why don't we seize the opportunity, break in during the chaos, and make a fortune?" Luo Feng rubbed his hands together, his eyes gleaming with excitement, eager to try.

"It would be easy to break in, but what would happen after that?" Han Mu shook his head slightly, his expression cold. "The three factions together have nearly a hundred Taiyi Jade Immortals. Even if I had the ability to kill them all, I would definitely pay a heavy price. Moreover, this would inevitably enrage the Time Lord behind the Reverse Time Alliance, which would be a losing proposition."

"So we can only watch and wait?" Liu Ruyan asked, frowning.

"No, although we won't directly attack, we can make them fight amongst themselves, making the killing even more brutal!" A cunning glint flashed in Han Mu's eyes. "Han Li, is it possible to contact either Elder Yin or Elder Xue without revealing our identities?"

Han Li frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Yes, we can use the Shadow Guild's channels to send messages anonymously, but there will be some price to pay."

"The cost is not a problem. Contact Elder Yin and tell him that we have information about the whereabouts of the Time Prison and want to make a deal with him."

"yes!"

Han Li turned and strode towards the control room. The Bone Dragon had a special array connecting to the Shadow Guild's intelligence network. Although the array was expensive, it was extremely secretive, like an invisible barrier that firmly protected their information.

A moment later, Han Li hurriedly returned.

"My lord, we have made contact. Elder Yin is extremely cautious and has only agreed to meet in the VIP room of the 'Shadow Auction House,' and only one person is allowed to go. He will arrange for someone to meet him."

"Shadow Auction House, the largest underground auction house in Myriad City, with a mysterious and unpredictable background, is indeed an excellent place." Han Mu nodded slightly. "And the time?"

"Three hours later, a small auction will be held at the auction house as a cover."

"Alright, I'll go myself. You all stay here. Han Li, make sure the Bone Dragon is ready to evacuate at any time."

"yes!"

Three hours passed in the blink of an eye. Han Mu quietly left the Bone Dragon alone, transforming into an inconspicuous stream of light, and sped towards the Myriad Manifestations Heavenly City like a ghost.

Although the outer perimeter of Tiancheng was surrounded by the fleets of the three factions, Tiancheng itself was not sealed off, and cultivators continued to enter and exit, though the checks had become exceptionally strict. Han Mu activated the Law of Time, and the surrounding time seemed to be distorted by an invisible hand. He easily passed through the blockade, entering Tiancheng like a ghost. Following the route provided by Han Li, he arrived at an inconspicuous alley in the west of the city.

At the end of the alley was an antique shop, completely empty except for an old man who looked drowsy. Han Mu strode to the counter, gently tapped the table, and said in a low, firm voice, "Buying information."

The old man slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing in his cloudy gaze: "What news?"

"The Reverse Time Alliance, the whereabouts of Time Prison."

The old man stared intently at Han Mu for a few moments, then slowly stood up: "Come with me."

The old man opened the back door and led Han Mu through several intricate secret passages to an underground space. Although the space was not large, it was decorated very elegantly. In the center was an antique tea table, and sitting beside the table was an old man wearing a blue robe with a sinister face, who was Elder Yin.

"So you're the one who claims to have intelligence?" Elder Yin's gaze was sharp as a knife, as if trying to see through Han Mu and expose his disguise. However, Han Mu was shrouded in a faint mist of time, making it impossible for Elder Yin to see anything.

"Not bad." Han Mu remained calm and sat down leisurely opposite Elder Yin.

"Where's the intelligence?"

"Shi Yu is not on the front lines because he went to a place—the Eternal Forge."

Upon hearing this, Elder Yin's pupils constricted sharply, a hint of shock flashing in his eyes: "The Eternal Forge, the place of inheritance for the Heavenly Fire Craftsmen, what is he doing there?"

"Seize the sixth fragment of the Coffin of Origin, and incidentally, eliminate one person."

"Who?"

"Me." Han Mu's tone was calm, yet it exuded an undeniable domineering aura.

Elder Yin was taken aback at first, then realized what was happening and abruptly stood up, his eyes filled with surprise: "You're Han Mu, the one who killed Ying Shi!"

"Exactly."

Elder Yin's expression shifted repeatedly before he finally sat down, his gaze fixed intently on Han Mu: "Fellow Daoist Han, you've come to see me for more than just to inform me of Shi Yu's whereabouts, haven't you?"

"Naturally, I want to make a deal with Elder Yin."

"What kind of deal?"

"I will help you deal with Time Prison and Elder Blood, and help you ascend to the position of leader of the Reverse Time Alliance. In return, once you take the position, you must stop hunting me down and provide the whereabouts of the fifth fragment."

Elder Yin narrowed his eyes, a hint of doubt flashing within them: "Do you know where the fifth fragment is?"

"I know, it's located beneath the Myriad Manifestations Heavenly City, in the Ancient Demon-Sealing Well. But opening the Demon-Sealing Well requires three 'Time-Reversing Tokens,' and it's perfect that each of your three factions holds one, isn't it?"

Elder Yin fell silent. He was indeed aware of this information. The reason why the three factions were deadlocked was not only due to the struggle for power and profit, but also because of the Demon Sealing Well.

"You want the fifth piece?"

"That's right, I need it, and you need someone to open the Demon-Sealing Well. We each get what we need."

Why should I believe you?

"Just because I can kill Ying Shi, I can also kill Shi Yu and Elder Xue; just because I can leave now, and if you continue to hold out, it will only benefit the others sent by Shi Zun in the end."

Elder Yin's expression shifted between light and dark. After a long while, he gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, I agree, but you must first help me deal with Elder Xue. I will handle Shi Yu myself."

"Yes, Elder Blood will definitely attend the Shadow Auction House's annual auction in three days. That will be the best time to make a move."

"make a deal!"

Han Mu stood up, preparing to leave.

"Wait, how are you going to leave? The three factions outside have a tight blockade."

"I have my own way."

Han Mu's figure flickered and disappeared from the spot like a gust of wind, as if he had never appeared.

Elder Yin glanced at the empty seat, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes: "Such a masterful time-travel technique! This young man guarding the lineage is no ordinary person!"

After leaving the antique shop, Han Mu returned to the Bone Dragon and briefly explained the situation to everyone.

"My lord, are we really going to help Elder Yin? What if he changes his mind after taking office?" Zhou Meng asked with a worried expression.

"He won't go back on his word because he needs me to help him secure his position. The Anti-Time Alliance is riddled with factions. Even if he kills Elder Blood and Time Prison, he won't be able to hold onto his position as leader. He needs external support, and we are his best allies."

"And what do we get in return?"

"The fifth fragment still has some time to develop. Once we collect all the fragments and break through to the Great Luo realm, neither the Reverse Time Alliance nor the Time Venerable will be a threat!"

Luo Feng scratched his head, grinned sheepishly, and said, "Master, wouldn't you call this... well, a fence-sitter, no, hedging your bets?"

Han Mu glanced at Luo Feng, a slight smile playing on his lips: "It's about sitting back and watching the tigers fight, waiting for them to both be weakened before going down to scavenge."

"Yes, yes, that's exactly what I mean. I'm not very well-educated, so I can't explain it well."

Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter, and the atmosphere immediately relaxed considerably.

Han Mu looked out the window, his gaze deep and resolute. Three days later, at the Shadow Auction House, it was time to close the net.