The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

The atmosphere inside the Tianzhu Hall was solemn.

Gui Li took out a blood-red jade slip from his robes and placed it on the table. The jade slip had strange patterns on its surface and emitted a faint aura of bloodlust.

"This is a secret letter between Wang Chan's faction and the Blood Fiend Sect. I risked my life to make a copy." Gui Li's voice was hoarse. "The Blood Moon Incident is scheduled for the night of the full moon three months from now. At that time, the Blood Fiend Sect will simultaneously attack the three cities of 'Falling Goose,' 'Flowing Cloud,' and 'Red Rock' on the border of Yue Kingdom, sacrificing the blood of millions of lives in the three cities to awaken the ancient demon 'Blood Moon Demon Lord' sealed in 'Valley of Burial Souls.'"

"The Blood Moon Demon Lord?" Master Qingyun's pupils contracted. "Wasn't that demon sealed away a thousand years ago by the combined efforts of the seven sects' founders?"

"The seal is weakening," Gui Li said bitterly. "Over the years, Wang Chan's faction has been secretly sabotaging the seal, and with the Blood Fiend Sect providing the 'Blood Fiend Seal-Breaking Array,' the Blood Moon Demon Lord has already awakened a sliver of consciousness. If it receives another million lives as a blood sacrifice, it will surely break free. At that time, the entire Yue Kingdom will be devastated."

The white-browed Taoist priest's face turned pale: "If the Blood Moon Demon Lord were to emerge, he would be at least in the late Nascent Soul stage, possibly even the Deity Transformation stage... Even the seven major sects combined couldn't stop him!"

"That's why I risked coming to deliver this message." Gui Li looked at Han Mu. "Young friend Han, this matter arose because of you, and it also changed because of you. If you hadn't destroyed the Black Wind Ridge formation, causing heavy losses to the Blood Fiend Sect, they wouldn't have launched the Blood Moon Incident ahead of schedule. But it was also you who gave me hope—you, with only early Foundation Establishment cultivation, were able to repeatedly thwart the demonic path's plans; perhaps it was fate."

Han Mu was silent for a moment, then asked, "Elder Gui Li, how many people does the Ghost Spirit Sect Master and his faction have? Can they stop Wang Chan?"

"The peace faction accounts for about 30%, but Wang Chan has the support of the Blood Fiend Sect and controls its elite forces. We are no match for him." Gui Li shook his head. "My trip has been exposed, and I will surely die if I return. I only hope that the seven major sects can stop this catastrophe and protect the people of Yue Kingdom."

Master Qingyun took a deep breath: "Elder Guili, rest assured, the seven major sects will do their utmost to deal with this. However, this matter requires evidence, and a single jade slip may not be enough to convince the sects."

"I have a witness," Gui Li said. "My disciple 'Ghost Soul' has secretly gathered more evidence of Wang Chan's dealings with the Blood Fiend Sect and is on his way to Yellow Maple Valley. But he is being hunted down and needs to be met by someone."

"Where?"

"The 'Ghost Cry Forest,' three hundred miles southeast of Luoyan City," Gui Li said. "If we don't meet him within three days, he will surely die."

Master Qingyun looked at Han Mu: "Elder Han, you are the most suitable for this matter. You understand the Blood Fiend Sect and have experience in dealing with such situations. I will send Li Huayuan to accompany you, along with ten Foundation Establishment disciples, to ensure the safe return of Youhun."

"This junior obeys," Han Mu said without hesitation. This matter was of great importance, and he had to go.

"There's no time to lose, you should set off immediately," said Master Qingyun. "Junior Brother Bai Mei, you should quickly contact the other five sects and convene an 'Emergency Meeting of the Seven Sects' at Tianzhu Peak in three days. Elder Gui Li will stay in this valley temporarily, and I will personally protect him."

The group split up. Han Mu left the Heavenly Pillar Hall and immediately found Li Huayuan, explaining the situation. Li Huayuan also knew the seriousness of the matter and quickly selected ten early and mid-Foundation Establishment disciples, all elites from the External Affairs Hall.

An hour later, the twelve streaks of light left Huangfeng Valley and flew towards Luoyan City.

On the way, Li Huayuan told everyone about Youhun's portrait and characteristics. Youhun was the master and disciple of the Ghost Spirit Sect, with a cultivation level of the fourth level of Foundation Establishment. He was skilled in concealment and escape techniques, had a pale face, and a blue ghost mark on his left cheek.

"Ghost Cry Forest is a dangerous place, often haunted by ghosts, and its complex terrain makes it easy to set traps," Li Huayuan said gravely. "We must proceed with caution. Elder Han, what are your plans?"

Han Mu pondered for a moment and said, "Divide into three teams, advancing in a triangular formation. Elder Li will lead four people on the left flank, I will lead four people on the right flank, and the remaining three will provide support in the center. Maintain a distance of fifty feet and communicate with each other using communication talismans. If you spot any ghosts or enemies, immediately issue a warning."

"Okay." Li Huayuan nodded. This arrangement was sound, allowing for both offense and defense.

The group accelerated their flight. Luoyan City was 800 li from Huangfeng Valley, a journey that would take two hours at full speed for Foundation Establishment cultivators. However, to conserve their spiritual energy for unforeseen circumstances, they controlled their speed, anticipating a three-hour arrival.

After flying for an hour, a dark forest appeared ahead—the Ghost Weeping Forest. Faint, mournful wails echoed from within, sending chills down one's spine.

"Slow down and land," Han Mu ordered.

The twelve people landed on the ground and concealed their presence. Han Mu took out the Guest Elder Token, infused it with spiritual power, and a simple map appeared on the token, marking the terrain of Ghost Cry Forest and possible hiding places.

"System, scan Ghost Cry Forest for life fluctuations and unusual energy."

[Scanning in progress...]

[Area: Ghost Cry Forest (within a radius of fifty li)]

[Life Fluctuation: Foundation Establishment Stage x7, Qi Refining Stage x23, Location: 15 li northeast]

[Abnormal Energy: Bloodthirsty Qi (Concentration 1.5%), Location: Ten miles due east]

[Hidden formation discovered: Tier 3 'Concealment Formation' x1, Location: 8 li northwest]

Fifteen miles to the northeast, there are seven Foundation Establishment cultivators and twenty-three Qi Refining cultivators, most likely the ones hunting down the Wraith. Ten miles to the east, there is a bloodthirsty aura, indicating that members of the Blood Fiend Sect are also nearby. And the concealment array eight miles to the northwest is very likely the Wraith's hiding place.

"Elder Li, you take the left wing to the northeast to keep those people occupied. I'll take the right wing to the northwest to find the ghosts. The middle wing will provide support five miles away and act according to the situation." Han Mu quickly assigned tasks.

"Elder Han, there are seven Foundation Establishment cultivators to the northeast, and we only have five..." Li Huayuan frowned.

"No need for a direct confrontation. Just create chaos and distract them," Han Mu said. "If things become unfavorable, retreat immediately for safety."

"clear."

The group split up. Han Mu led four Foundation Establishment disciples, stealthily heading northwest. These four were all in the early stages of Foundation Establishment, but they were experienced and quickly adapted to the jungle environment.

Eight li is not a long distance for Foundation Establishment cultivators. However, the Ghost Cry Forest has a complex terrain, dense vines, and hidden swamps and poisonous miasma, which greatly reduces their speed. Half an hour later, they approached the location of the Concealment Array.

It was a pile of random rocks, seemingly ordinary, but Han Mu could clearly see the spiritual energy fluctuations of the formation when he scanned it with his system. He gestured for everyone to stop, and quietly approached.

"System, analyze the structure of the stealth array and find a way to enter."

[Analysis in progress...]

[Formation: Tier 3 Concealment Formation (Simplified Version)]

[How to enter: There is a magic array switch under the third bluestone in the southeast corner]

[Warning: There are three layers of warning restrictions within the formation]

Han Mu arrived at the southeast corner and, sure enough, saw a hidden groove under the third bluestone. Following the system prompts, he inputted a stream of pure Yang spiritual energy. The bluestone glowed faintly, and the formation opened an entrance.

He slipped inside, while his four disciples stood guard outside.

The space within the formation was small, only about three zhang square. A young man in black sat cross-legged in the center, his face as pale as paper, with a striking blue ghost mark on his left cheek—it was You Hun. His aura was weak, and there was a deep wound on his chest, bone exposed, from which blood was gushing. Black energy swirled around the wound, indicating that he had been poisoned.

"Who?" The ghost opened its eyes alertly, already holding a black short blade in its hand.

"Han Mu of Huangfeng Valley, on the orders of Elder Gui Li, has come to provide assistance." Han Mu revealed the token given to him by Gui Li—a black domino.

The ghost breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the dominoes, but then coughed violently, spitting out black blood: "You...you've finally come. The people chasing me...are Wang Chan's 'Seven Kill Guards,' seven of them are at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, and there are twenty-three more at the late-Qi Refinement stage...they're nearby..."

"I know." Han Mu took out an antidote pill. "Heal your wounds first, then I'll take you away."

The ghost took the medicine, and his complexion improved slightly, but his injuries were too severe to move. Han Mu was about to carry him on his back when his expression suddenly changed—he sensed seven powerful auras rapidly approaching!

"We've been discovered!" Han Mu's heart sank. The other party had clearly placed a tracking mark on the ghost.

"Elder Han, what should we do?" a disciple outside the formation asked anxiously.

Han Mu's eyes turned cold: "Prepare for battle. Send the signal to Elder Li and the Central Wing to come and provide support. We... are surrounded."

He looked outside the formation and saw seven dark figures appear in his field of vision. The leader was a one-eyed strong man with a Foundation Establishment level six cultivation. He held a blood-red giant axe and grinned as he looked towards the formation.

"Ghosts, you think you're safe hiding here?" The one-eyed burly man's voice boomed like thunder. "Today, you will all die!"