The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Yellow Maple Valley, Foreign Affairs Hall.

Li Huayuan looked at the guest elder's token that Han Mu handed him, which contained detailed survey data of Black Wind Ridge and a jade slip recording the Yin Gathering Array diagram. His expression gradually changed from solemn to ashen, and finally he slammed his hand heavily on the table.

"A blood sacrifice of 100,000 people! This Yin Sha Ghost King has quite the audacity!" Li Huayuan's voice was filled with suppressed anger. "The entire area surrounding Yanling Fortress has a population of only 500,000. If it can truly gather 100,000 lives, let alone the late-stage Core Formation realm, even breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm wouldn't be impossible!"

"Elder Li, this matter must be reported to the Sect Leader immediately," Han Mu said in a deep voice. "The Yin Sha Ghost King has already begun to set up a Yin-gathering formation to control the cultivators. If we wait until it is fully prepared, it will be difficult to stop it."

"I understand." Li Huayuan took a deep breath to calm himself. "Guest Han, you have made a great contribution this time. This intelligence is of immeasurable value. The sect leader is currently in seclusion, but this matter is of great importance, so I will go to request an audience with him immediately. Please wait here, and I will recommend you for commendation."

Thank you for your trouble.

Li Huayuan left in a hurry. Han Mu sat in the hall, recuperating while waiting. Half an hour later, Li Huayuan returned, his expression still solemn.

"The sect leader has emerged from seclusion and summoned all the elders for an urgent meeting," Li Huayuan said. "Guest Elder Han, the sect leader wishes to see you. Please come with me."

The two arrived at the summit of "Tianzhu Peak," the deepest part of Huangfeng Valley, where the sect leader, Qingyun Zhenren, resided. More than ten Core Formation elders had already gathered in the small square in front of the cave, their auras powerful, the weakest being at the early Core Formation stage.

Master Qingyun stood in the main seat, his white beard flowing, his expression solemn. Seeing Han Mu arrive, he nodded slightly: "Guest Han, please sit. Tell me in detail what you saw and heard at Black Wind Ridge."

Han Mu bowed and recounted everything from discovering the Yin Sha node to encountering the Foundation Establishment stage ghost, then fighting the Ghost Spirit Sect cultivators, and finally learning about the plan for a blood sacrifice of 100,000 people from the one-eyed old man. He neither concealed anything nor exaggerated, but simply narrated calmly.

But the calmer the scene, the more unsettling it became for everyone present.

"The Yin Gathering Formation has already set up seventeen nodes..." An elder in blue robes frowned. "This is a simplified version of the 'Nine Yin Gathering Fiend Formation,' but on a larger scale. If it is truly set up, it can cover an area of ​​three hundred miles, encompassing one hundred thousand living beings."

"The Ghost Spirit Sect's involvement suggests they're colluding with the Yin Sha Ghost King," another red-faced elder sneered. "These demonic scoundrels are indeed up to no good!"

Master Qingyun raised his hand, and everyone quieted down.

"Fellow disciples, this matter is no longer just a matter for Huangfeng Valley alone," Master Qingyun said slowly. "If the Yin Sha Ghost King succeeds, the area around Yanling Fortress will be the first to be affected, but then the entire Yue Kingdom will face a catastrophe. The blood sacrifice of 100,000 lives is just the beginning. Once it breaks through the seal and its strength increases greatly, it will inevitably continue to expand, and then the death toll will be much higher than 100,000."

"What does Senior Brother Sect Leader mean...?" Li Huayuan asked.

"Immediately send a message to the other six sects, and convene a 'Seven Sects Conference' at Tianzhu Peak in three days to discuss countermeasures," said Master Qingyun. "At the same time, order all disciples above the Foundation Establishment stage to enter a state of combat readiness. Send an elite team, led by Junior Brother Li, to the outskirts of Black Wind Ridge to monitor the spread of Yin Sha Qi, but do not alert the enemy."

"Yes!" Li Huayuan replied.

Master Qingyun then looked at Han Mu: "Guest Han, you have rendered meritorious service in providing intelligence. I hereby grant you a special reward of five thousand contribution points, which can be exchanged for any cultivation technique or resource in the Scripture Pavilion. In addition, would you be willing to join Junior Brother Li's team and participate in this operation?"

"I am willing to go." Han Mu replied without hesitation. He had to go; only by participating personally could he obtain firsthand information and secure the greatest possible living space for the Han family.

"Alright." Master Qingyun nodded. "Go and make preparations. Tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), you will depart with Junior Brother Li. Remember, the main purpose of this mission is surveillance; do not act rashly. If anything unexpected happens, evacuate immediately to preserve your strength."

"clear."

Leaving Tianzhu Peak, Li Huayuan handed Han Mu a token: "This is a voucher for 5,000 contribution points. Keep it safe. Before you set off tomorrow, you can exchange it for the necessary supplies at Wanbaolou. In addition, I suggest you exchange it for some 'evil-repelling talismans' and 'soul-suppressing incense,' which will help resist the evil energy."

"Thank you for your guidance, Elder Li."

Han Mu didn't go to Wanbaolou immediately; instead, he returned to his residence first. He needed to organize his thoughts and plan his next move.

"System, retrieve the current status."

[Host: Han Mu]

[Realm: Foundation Establishment Level 7 (True) / Foundation Establishment Level 1 (Surface)]

[Family cultivators: 97]

[Family Development Task: Number of cultivators 97/100, Foundation Establishment cultivators 2/3]

[Current Mission: Responding to the Crisis of the Yin Sha Ghost King (Countdown: 2 years and 9 months)]

New Reward: 5000 Contribution Points (Redeemable)

Three more are needed to reach a hundred cultivators in the family. As for the Foundation Establishment cultivators, Li Yuanming and Zhang Xuanfeng are currently in seclusion, hoping one of them will succeed.

Five thousand contribution points—that's a huge sum. Han Mu pondered for a moment and decided to exchange for the complete "Pure Yang True Fire Technique" first. He had only exchanged for a portion of the chapters before, but now with contribution points, he could exchange for the whole book.

He arrived at the Scripture Pavilion, where the elder guarding it was still the same white-haired old woman. When she saw Han Mu take out a certificate for 5,000 contribution points, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she didn't ask any questions and directly took out the complete jade slip of the "Pure Yang True Fire Technique".

"This cultivation technique has nine levels. The first three levels correspond to the Qi Refining stage, the middle three levels correspond to the Foundation Establishment stage, and the last three levels correspond to the Core Formation stage. You can only cultivate the first six levels at present. The last three levels can only be unlocked after you have formed your Core," the old woman reminded you.

"This junior understands." Han Mu took the jade slip and made a copy. His five thousand contribution points were instantly wiped out, but he felt it was worth it. The Pure Yang True Fire Technique was a cultivation method specifically designed to suppress Yin and evil, and it was extremely useful in dealing with the Yin Fiend Ghost King.

Next, he used the contribution points he had earned from completing previous tasks to exchange for ten "Exorcism Talismans" and five "Soul-Suppressing Incense Sticks". The Exorcism Talismans can form a protective shield to resist the erosion of Yin energy; the Soul-Suppressing Incense Sticks can calm the mind and soul, preventing being bewitched by ghosts.

Back at his residence, Han Mu began to study the entire "Pure Yang True Fire Technique." He had already mastered the first three levels, and now he focused on comprehending the fourth to sixth levels, which were the content for the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Pure Yang True Fire, with the heart as the furnace and the spirit as the fire, refines Yin and evil, purifies all things..." The incantation of the cultivation method flowed in his mind. Han Mu circulated his spiritual power according to the method and tried to condense the first wisp of Pure Yang True Fire.

This process is slow. Pure Yang True Fire is the most Yang and strongest fire, requiring extremely high levels of mental fortitude and purity of spiritual energy from the cultivator. Han Mu cultivates the "Primordial Longevity Technique," and his spiritual energy is already pure and abundant. With the system's assistance, his progress is not slow.

Three hours later, a wisp of pale golden flame appeared in his palm. It was only as thick as a hair, but the intense yang energy it emitted swept away the yin chill in the room.

"It's done!" Han Mu's eyes flashed with joy. Although it was only a nascent form, having made a start made the rest much easier. Once the Pure Yang True Fire grew stronger, its power would increase several times over when dealing with Yin Fiends.

He continued cultivating until late at night. Suddenly, the communication talisman in his storage bag vibrated.

It's Han Changqing.

"Father, good news! Senior Li Yuanming has successfully established his foundation! Just now, spiritual energy poured into his cave, stabilizing his realm! In addition, the family has recruited four more disciples with spiritual roots today, bringing the total number of cultivators to one hundred and one!"

It's done! Li Yuanming has successfully established his foundation, and the number of cultivators has exceeded one hundred!

Han Mu was overjoyed. With this, both conditions for the family's development mission had been met!

"System, submit family development task."

[Task detection in progress...]

[Number of Clan Cultivators: 101/100 (Completed)]

[Number of Foundation Establishment cultivators in the family: 3/3 (Completed)]

[Quest "Family Development" Completed]

[Rewards: Five Elements Elixir Condensation Formula (Complete), Heart Refining Tower Construction Blueprint (Complete), Ten Years of Cultivation Initiation]

[Claim your reward now?]

"receive."

As soon as he finished speaking, a surge of pure spiritual energy flowed into Han Mu's body. Ten years of cultivation wasn't much for someone at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment, but it brought him close to the threshold of the eighth level. More importantly, the complete versions of the Five Elements Core Formation and Dispersal Formula and the blueprints for the Heart Refining Tower were far more valuable than the previous parts.

The complete formula for the Five Elements Condensing Elixir Powder records all the refining methods and techniques from the first to the third tier, even including the secret method of substituting lower-tier materials for higher-tier materials. This is a priceless treasure for the Han family.

The complete blueprints for the Heart Refining Tower detail how to construct the nine-tiered tower, each level corresponding to a different mental challenge, ranging from Qi Refining to Nascent Soul. If successfully completed, it will significantly enhance the training effect on the family's members.

"Changqing, well done." Han Mu sent a message back, "Continue to recruit disciples, but be selective and not accept inferior ones. Speed ​​up the construction of the Refining Heart Tower. I want to see its basic structure when I return. Also, have Elder Mo and Senior Li Yuanming familiarize themselves with the realms and consolidate their cultivation."

"I understand, Father. What about Yellow Maple Valley..."

"It's a bit troublesome, but it can be resolved. You guard the family and wait for me to return."

After ending the message, Han Mu looked out the window. The night was deep, but the summit of Tianzhu Peak was brightly lit, indicating that the elders were still holding a meeting.

Tomorrow, he will travel with the team to Black Wind Ridge. There, a Ghost King at the mid-stage of Core Formation resides, a blood sacrifice plan involving 100,000 people is underway, and unknown dangers lurk.

But there was no fear in Han Mu's eyes, only determination.

For the sake of his family and for the sake of immortality, he had to continue down this path.