The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Three days later, in Huangfeng Valley, at Tianzhu Peak.

Han Mu arrived three days early and was accommodated in the VIP courtyard, "Qingxin Garden." This place was rich in spiritual energy and had a tranquil environment, specifically for receiving important guests. He had barely settled in when a disciple came to deliver a message.

"Guest Han, the sect leader requests your presence. Please follow me."

Han Mu followed the disciple in charge to the Heavenly Pillar Hall once again. Only Master Qingyun was inside, enjoying tea.

"Junior Han Mu greets the Sect Leader." Han Mu bowed.

"No need for formalities, please sit." Master Qingyun put down his teacup, gesturing for Han Mu to sit opposite him. He personally poured a cup of spiritual tea and pushed it towards Han Mu, saying, "This is 'Cleansing the Mind and Enlightening the Dao Tea,' which is beneficial for stabilizing one's cultivation level and calming the mind. Your injuries have just healed, so drinking some will be helpful."

"Thank you, Sect Leader." Han Mu accepted the tea and took a small sip. The tea entered his stomach and transformed into a clear stream, flowing through his meridians, and indeed had a calming effect on his mind.

"I asked you to come early today because there are a few things I need to tell you privately." Master Qingyun put down his teacup, his expression becoming serious. "The celebration ceremony, on the surface, is to celebrate the annihilation of the Yin Sha Ghost King, but in reality, undercurrents are surging. The seven major sects are not a united front. You have made great contributions this time and received a generous reward, which may attract jealousy."

Han Mu nodded; he had expected this. Resources in the cultivation world are limited, and it's natural that some people would be envious of him, an outsider, for receiving so many benefits.

"Especially Tianque Fortress and Yuling Sect, these two factions have always been rivals with Huangfeng Valley. This time, they lost several disciples and are resentful." Master Qingyun continued, "I have received information that they may make things difficult for you at the ceremony, and some have even suggested reassessing the distribution of merits."

"Reassess?" Han Mu's eyes turned cold.

"They just want a piece of the pie," Master Qingyun sneered. "But don't worry, you're a guest elder of Huangfeng Valley, and the sect will support you. Just be prepared; if anyone challenges you, don't hold back. In the cultivation world, strength reigns supreme."

"This junior understands." Han Mu nodded. With Huangfeng Valley as his backing, he was indeed not afraid.

"The second matter concerns the Blood Fiend Sect," Master Qingyun said in a low voice. "I have learned of your annihilation of Black Wind Stronghold and the acquisition of the Blood Fiend Sect's token. The Blood Fiend Sect is indeed operating in secret and is colluding with the remnants of the Ghost Spirit Sect. They are gathering forces on the border of Yue Kingdom, plotting something sinister."

As expected! Han Mu's heart skipped a beat. The Blood Fiend Sect was still up to no good.

"Sect Leader, what is the Blood Fiend Sect's goal?" Han Mu asked.

"It's not clear yet, but it's definitely related to the Yue Kingdom," said Master Qingyun. "The seven major sects have strengthened their border defenses, but they also need to be vigilant internally. Especially you; the Blood Fiend Sect is likely to see you as a thorn in their side and will look for an opportunity to retaliate."

"I will be careful," Han Mu said solemnly. A sect at the Core Formation stage is not something he can withstand in his current state.

"However, you don't need to worry too much," Master Qingyun said with a smile. "Since you are within the territory of Huangfeng Valley, the Blood Fiend Sect won't dare to come openly. Moreover, I have already discussed with Ancestor Linghu and decided to officially bestow upon you the honorary title of 'Guardian Elder' at the victory celebration. Although you have no real power, the title is there, which means that you are one of my Huangfeng Valley people. Outsiders who want to touch you will have to think twice."

Elder Protector? Han Mu was taken aback. Although it was a nominal title, it was of great significance. It meant that he had been officially accepted as a core member of Yellow Maple Valley and would enjoy the sect's protection. Although there might be restrictions, the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.

"Thank you for your kindness, Sect Leader!" Han Mu stood up and bowed.

"This is what you deserve," Master Qingyun waved his hand. "However, this honorary title will also bring trouble. Some people will think you are unworthy and may challenge you during the ceremony. You need to demonstrate your strength and shut everyone up."

"This junior will certainly live up to the sect leader's expectations."

"Alright, go and rest. The ceremony is in three days. In the meantime, you can wander around the sect and familiarize yourself with the environment. If needed, you can find Li Huayuan or Chen Song," said Master Qingyun.

After leaving Tianzhu Hall, Han Mu did not immediately return to Qingxin Garden, but went to Danxin Pavilion instead. He wanted to see Han Yunge and also meet Chen Song.

Danxin Pavilion is located on the east side of Tianzhu Peak. It is a five-story pavilion filled with the fragrance of medicinal herbs. As soon as Han Mu arrived at the entrance, he saw Han Yunge and several young disciples drying medicinal herbs.

"Grandfather!" Han Yunge ran over in surprise.

"Yun Ge, are you settling in well here?" Han Mu asked with a smile.

"I'm used to it. Master is very good to me." Han Yunge nodded, then lowered her voice, "Grandfather, these past few days, quite a few people have been talking about you, saying you don't deserve so many rewards, and some even say they want to challenge you..."

"It's alright." Han Mu patted her head. "He's just a clown. Focus on your cultivation, don't worry about these things."

"But……"

"No buts," Han Mu said solemnly. "Remember, strength is fundamental. As long as you're strong enough, no one will dare to say anything."

"Yun Ge understands." Han Yun Ge nodded emphatically.

At this moment, Chen Song came out of the pavilion, saw Han Mu, and said with a smile, "Guest Han has arrived, please come in quickly."

The three entered Danxin Pavilion and went to Chen Song's alchemy room. Chen Song brewed tea and said, "Guest Elder Han, you've come at the right time. Yun Ge's talent is indeed remarkable. In just a few months, she can already refine first-grade high-quality pills. In another year or two, she'll have a good chance of breaking through to the second-grade alchemist level."

"It's all thanks to my master's excellent teaching," Han Yunge said modestly.

Han Mu nodded with satisfaction. Han Yunge was talented and hardworking; her future was promising.

"Master Chen, I've come to ask you some questions about alchemy," Han Mu said. He had obtained the formula for the Five Elements Condensing Pill Powder, but some of the main ingredients were rare, and he wanted to ask Chen Song if he had any alternatives.

"Please speak, Mr. Han."

Han Mu took out the jade slip containing the pill formula, erased the key parts, and only showed a few main ingredients. After looking at it, Chen Song pondered for a moment: "These ingredients are indeed rare, but they can be replaced with 'Crimson Sun Fruit,' 'Earth Core Milk,' and 'Golden Thread Grass,' but the effect will be reduced, and the success rate of pill formation will also decrease."

"Approximately how much will it decrease?"

"Conservatively speaking, the success rate of pill formation will drop from 50% to 30%, while the efficacy of the pills will remain at 70%," Chen Song said. "However, if we can find 'Millennial Earth Core Milk,' the efficacy can be increased to 90%."

Millennia-old Earth Core Milk? Han Mu noted it down. This was a fourth-tier material, extremely rare, but better than nothing at all.

"Thank you for your guidance, Master Chen." Han Mu put away the jade slip.

"You're too kind," Chen Song said with a smile. "If you need any medicinal herbs, please let me know. Danxin Pavilion has some in stock and can offer you a discount."

"I will definitely bother you if needed."

After chatting for a while longer, Han Mu took his leave. He returned to Qingxin Garden and began to cultivate. His Foundation Establishment Level 8 cultivation needed to be stabilized, and he also had a vague feeling that the victory celebration would not be peaceful.

For the next two days, Han Mu secluded himself in Qingxin Garden, occasionally practicing his sword in the courtyard. During this time, several groups of people came to visit him. Some were disciples from Huangfeng Valley who expressed their admiration, while others were cultivators from other sects who came to test him. He politely dismissed them all.

On the morning of the third day, just as Han Mu finished his cultivation, a commotion arose outside the courtyard.

"Where is Han Mu? Come out and show yourself!"

The voice was rough and provocative. Han Mu frowned and stepped out of the courtyard. There stood three young cultivators, all at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, dressed in different clothes. Judging from their styles, they were disciples of Tianque Fortress, Yuling Sect, and Huadaowu.

"What is it?" Han Mu asked calmly.

"So you're Han Mu?" The leader was a disciple of Tianque Fortress, a tall man with a second-level Foundation Establishment cultivation, and an arrogant gaze. "We heard that you made great contributions with only a first-level Foundation Establishment cultivation and received a generous reward. We've come to ask for your guidance and see if you're truly capable."

"Not interested." Han Mu turned to go back to the hospital.

"Halt!" shouted a disciple of the Yu Ling Sect. "What, you're scared? Are you feeling guilty, knowing you got lucky?"

Han Mu stopped and turned to look at the three of them, his eyes growing cold: "What do you want?"

"Simple, let's have a friendly spar." The Tianque Fort disciple sneered. "If you win, we'll accept it wholeheartedly. If you lose, you should tell the sect leader that you don't deserve those rewards and give them up to everyone."

"Just you guys?" Han Mu laughed.

"Arrogant!" the one-armed swordsman from Huadaowu roared in fury. "I can defeat you all by myself!"

As he spoke, he drew his sword and slashed down. The sword light was sharp and sharp, accompanied by the sound of it cutting through the air; he was clearly a third-level Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Han Mu neither dodged nor evaded, but raised his hand and pointed a finger. A five-element sword energy condensed at his fingertip, striking the blade before it could react.

"clang!"

The longsword trembled violently, the one-armed swordsman's hand split open, and the sword flew out of his grasp. He staggered back three steps, his face filled with horror.

"You..." He had barely opened his mouth when Han Mu lunged forward, delivering a punch to his chest. The one-armed swordsman flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing into a distant artificial hill, coughing up blood.

The whole process took no more than three breaths. The other two were dumbfounded; they hadn't even seen how Han Mu made his move.

"Want to spar again?" Han Mu asked, looking at the remaining two.

The two men turned pale and dared not fight any longer. They helped the one-armed swordsman up and left in a sorry state.

Han Mu shook his head and returned to the courtyard. This was just a minor incident; the real show was yet to come at the victory celebration.

"System, check the current status."

[Host: Han Mu]

[Realm: Foundation Establishment Level 8 (True) / Foundation Establishment Level 1 (Surface)]

[Spiritual Power: 100%]

[Pure Yang True Fire: Flame (Weak)]

[Current Mission: Participate in the victory celebration, demonstrate strength, and solidify your position]

[Potential Threats: Blood Fiend Sect, and rival forces within the Seven Major Sects]

Han Mu looked towards the Tianzhu Hall. There, lanterns and decorations had already begun to be put up, in preparation for tomorrow's grand ceremony.

Tomorrow will be the day he officially makes his debut in the cultivation world of Yue Kingdom.