The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

The crooked-necked tree and the Hongmeng Dao Ancestor argued for almost half an hour, finally separated by the Hongmeng Fairy bringing over a pot of tea. The crooked-necked tree took a sip of tea, smacked its lips, and said the tea was good, but a little weak. The Hongmeng Dao Ancestor immediately retorted, saying that it was good enough to have something to drink, and that it was too picky.

Han Mu sat beside them, watching these two old guys, whose combined age was probably countless tens of thousands of years, bicker like children, and felt both amused and warm inside.

Just then, Han Li rushed in from outside, holding a letter in his hand, with an expression on his face that was hard to tell whether he was excited or nervous.

"My lord, something terrible has happened!" Han Li shouted.

Han Mu put down his teacup and asked, "What's the big deal? Tell me slowly."

Han Li handed the letter to Han Mu, panting heavily, and said, "This is a letter from the Ten Thousand Arrays Sect, saying they want to invite me to be their patriarch."

Han Mu took the letter, opened it, and saw that it was indeed true. The letter was written in a very polite manner, saying that the current sect leader of the Wanzhen Sect had heard that Han Li's mastery of formations had reached its peak, and therefore earnestly requested that Han Li assume the position of the sect's founder, with the entire sect willing to serve him as a disciple.

"Wanzhen Sect, what kind of sect is that?" Han Mu asked.

"It's a formation sect that has risen to prominence in the last few thousand years. It's quite famous in the eastern part of the Cosmic Sea, and it has tens of thousands of disciples," Han Li explained.

"That's great news! You're going to be the founder of a sect!" Han Mu said with a smile.

Han Li rubbed his hands together, looking somewhat embarrassed, and said, "But I never wanted to be some kind of patriarch. All I know is how to study formations; I don't know how to manage people."

"Who asked you to manage people? You just need to be a figurehead. Do your job normally, and offer a few pointers when you encounter problems with formations," Han Mu said.

"That works too." Han Li was still somewhat hesitant.

Luo Feng came over, put his arm around Han Li's shoulder, and said with a grin, "Old Han, this is a great thing to bring honor to our ancestors. If you become the founder, I can brag that my brother is the founder of the Ten Thousand Arrays Sect. How prestigious is that?"

"What's your face worth?" Han Li said irritably.

"It's worth a lot of money; it can at least be exchanged for a pot of good wine," Luo Feng chuckled.

Han Li's tense mood was relieved a lot after Luo Feng's interference. He looked at Han Mu and asked, "Master, do you think I should go?"

"Go, why not? This is recognition of your mastery of formations. Besides, if the Myriad Formations Sect can grow and thrive under your guidance, it will be a good thing for the entire universe." Han Mu said.

Han Li gritted his teeth and nodded: "Okay, then I'll go."

The next day, Han Li packed his things and prepared to set off for the Myriad Arrays Sect. Luo Feng insisted on coming along to join the fun, saying he wanted to see what the Myriad Arrays Sect looked like and maybe even get a free meal. Han Li couldn't refuse him, so he had no choice but to take him along.

Han Mu saw them to the door and instructed them, "Don't put on airs when you get there. Teach what needs to be taught and give guidance where needed, but don't let them think you're easy to talk to. When it's time to set rules, you have to set rules."

"I understand, my lord," Han Li nodded.

After the two left, Han Mu returned to the courtyard and continued his unwavering fishing. He had barely sat down when Fairy Hongmeng approached, holding a piece of paper with some drawings on it.

"My lord, while I was tidying up, I found a portrait. It was drawn by us many years ago. Nian'er was still young then, and Zhou Meng and the others were all there, but you were the only one missing." Fairy Hongmeng handed the paper to Han Mu.

Han Mu took it and saw that it was a rough sketch of a family portrait. The drawing wasn't very detailed, but the expressions of each person were captured very well. The drawing included Fairy Hongmeng, Han Nian, Zhou Meng, Luo Feng, Han Li, and a crooked tree. Only the middle space was empty, with a line of small words written next to it: "Wait for Daddy to come back before drawing it in."

Han Mu looked at the empty space, his nose tingling with emotion. He reached out and touched the paper, saying, "Now that I'm back, it's time to finish this painting."

"That's what I was thinking too. Why don't we gather everyone together and draw a new family photo?" Fairy Hongmeng suggested.

"Good idea. Once Han Li and Luo Feng return from the Myriad Array Sect, we'll find a day, gather everyone, and paint a proper picture," Han Mu said.

Fairy Hongmeng nodded happily and took the drawing paper to prepare.

A few days later, Han Li and Luo Feng returned from the Myriad Arrays Sect. Han Li looked to be in good spirits, with a smile on his face, clearly indicating that the trip had gone smoothly. Luo Feng, on the other hand, looked satisfied, carrying several jars of wine, which he said were local specialties given to him by the sect leader of the Myriad Arrays Sect.

"How does it feel to be the founder?" Han Mu asked with a smile.

"It's alright, but those disciples are too polite, calling me 'Grandmaster' all the time. I'm not used to it." Han Li scratched his head.

"You'll get used to it after a few times," Luo Feng interjected, then patted the wine jar. "My lord, let's have a drink tonight to celebrate Old Han's ascension to the ancestral master level."

"Alright, let's have a good drink tonight," Han Mu said with a smile.

That evening, the Temple of Creation was bustling with activity. Han Mu, Fairy Hongmeng, Han Nian, Zhou Meng, Luo Feng, Han Li, Dao Ancestor Hongmeng, and the Crooked-Neck Tree sat around a stone table in the courtyard, which was laden with food and wine. Luo Feng poured wine for everyone, raised his glass, and said, "Come, the first cup of wine, to toast the Lord's resurrection and return."

Everyone raised their glasses and drank them down in one gulp.

The second cup of wine, Luo Feng toasted Han Li's ascension to the ancestral master position. The third cup, a toast to the Hongmeng Dao Ancestor joining the family. The fourth cup, a toast to the awakening of the crooked-necked tree. The fifth cup, a toast to Zhou Meng for managing the guard team so well. After several rounds of drinking, Luo Feng's face was red and his neck was thick, and he was starting to slur his words.

Looking at the lively scene before him, Han Mu was filled with emotion. He recalled his days in the Immortal Realm, when he was just a Foundation Establishment cultivator struggling to survive with his family. Now, after countless trials and tribulations, he had finally reached this point, with a lover, children, friends, and elders by his side. What more could he ask for?

After a few rounds of drinks, Fairy Hongmeng took out the family portrait sketch and said, "Let's finish this painting while everyone's here today."

Han Mu took the pen and carefully drew his own likeness in the empty space.