The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

"One at a time, or all at once?"

Han Mu spoke calmly, but all three present sensed the contempt in his words. Elder Li's face darkened, the middle-aged man in brocade narrowed his eyes, and the one-armed swordsman flew into a rage.

"Arrogant! I alone can defeat you!" The one-armed swordsman drew his sword, its blade flashing like snow. "Han Mu, let me see just how much your Foundation Establishment Level 8 is worth!"

He took a step forward, his sword strikes as fierce as a storm, unleashing forty-nine slashes in an instant, each aimed directly at Han Mu's vital points. This was the ultimate technique of the Blade Transformation Pavilion, "Whirlwind Swift Blade," which relied on speed to achieve victory; once unleashed, the sword technique was difficult for cultivators of the same level to parry.

Han Mu neither dodged nor evaded, but instead flicked his right index finger in the air. With each flick, a burst of Five Elements sword energy shot out, accurately striking the weak points of the blade light. Forty-nine blade lights were all neutralized by forty-nine sword energies, without the slightest error.

The one-armed swordsman was horrified. His Gale Blade technique emphasized speed, and cultivators of the same level could usually only see a flash of light. However, Han Mu was able to accurately find the flaws in every strike. This level of eyesight and control was simply unbelievable.

"Is that all you've got?" Han Mu shook his head. "Then it's my turn."

He moved with lightning speed, using the Five Elements Escape Technique to instantly appear to the left of the one-armed swordsman. He didn't use a sword, but instead unleashed a palm strike. This seemingly slow strike sealed off all of the one-armed swordsman's escape routes; the air exploded wherever the palm's force passed.

The one-armed swordsman gritted his teeth and blocked with his sword. But the moment their palms clashed, his expression changed drastically—the spiritual power contained in Han Mu's palm strike was terrifyingly profound, far surpassing that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment Stage 8 cultivator!

"clang!"

The longsword was knocked away, and the one-armed swordsman was sent flying backward, crashing into the wall and causing it to crack. He struggled to stand up, but coughed up a mouthful of blood and his breath became weak.

Defeated the enemy with a single palm strike!

Elder Li and the middle-aged man in brocade robes paled in shock. Although the one-armed swordsman was hot-tempered, his strength was a genuine Foundation Establishment Stage 7, yet he couldn't even withstand a single palm strike from Han Mu!

"Next." Han Mu looked at the two of them.

"Elder Han is indeed exceptionally skilled," the middle-aged man in brocade robes forced a smile. "However, the path of cultivation is not solely about fighting and killing. My 'Golden Spirit Rat' has recently learned a new trick, and I would like to ask Elder Han for some guidance."

The golden spirit rat on his shoulder darted out with a "whoosh," transforming into nine golden afterimages in the air, each spewing out a wisp of golden mist. The mist quickly spread, enveloping the reception hall and disrupting both sight and divine sense.

"This is the 'Phantom Gold Mystery.' If Elder Han can find the true form within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, I will concede defeat." The voice of the middle-aged man in brocade robes came from the mist, elusive and uncertain.

Han Mu closed his eyes. The Golden Spirit Rat's illusion technique was indeed superb, even interfering with his divine sense. But he had a system.

"System, scan the golden mist to locate the true form of the Golden Spirit Rat."

[Scanning in progress...]

[Golden Mist: A metal-attribute illusion technique containing trace amounts of metallic malevolent energy, capable of interfering with divine sense.]

[True location: Third afterimage in the southeast corner, currently moving]

[Countermeasure: Burn the mist with pure Yang fire, or use earth-based magic to counter it]

Pure Yang True Fire! Han Mu's mind stirred, and golden flames condensed in his palm. As soon as the flames appeared, the golden mist melted away rapidly, like ice and snow meeting fire. Within a few breaths, the mist dissipated, revealing the true form of the Golden Spirit Rat.

"Squeak!" The golden spirit rat was startled and tried to escape. But Han Mu was faster; a stream of five elements spiritual power transformed into chains and bound it.

The middle-aged man in brocade robes looked grim and withdrew his golden spirit rat: "Elder Han, you have skillful methods. I concede defeat."

Now only Elder Li remains.

Elder Li took a deep breath; he knew he had met his match. But things had come to this point, and he couldn't back down, or what face would Tianque Fortress have?

"Elder Han, I'd like to spar with you," Elder Li said in a deep voice. "However, this place is too cramped. How about we go to the training ground?"

"No need," Han Mu said calmly. "Right here, we'll decide the victor in three moves. If you can withstand three of my moves, I'll give you the position of Guardian Elder."

"Arrogant!" Elder Li laughed angrily. "Very well, then let this old man experience Elder Han's superior skills!"

He held back no longer, unleashing his full power at the ninth level of the Foundation Establishment stage. He formed hand seals, and nine blood-red flying swords appeared before him, their tips pointing at Han Mu, their sword aura chilling.

"Nine Heavenly Swords, Slash!"

Nine swords were unleashed simultaneously, transforming into nine crimson rainbows that pierced Han Mu from different angles. This was one of the signature sword techniques of Tianque Fortress; a simultaneous attack of all nine swords could slay a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Han Mu's expression finally became serious. He formed hand seals, and the Five Elements Sword Formation was fully activated. Five sword lights transformed into five-colored giant dragons, meeting the nine blood swords head-on.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The sword energies clashed, unleashing a piercing metallic clang. The tables and chairs in the reception room were instantly shredded, and cracks appeared in the walls. Han Mu grunted, staggering back three steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Elder Li, on the other hand, retreated seven steps, his face pale.

First move, a draw.

"Second move." Han Mu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes sharp. He held back no longer, unleashing his full power at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment, pushing the Primordial Longevity Technique to its limit. A faint five-colored halo appeared around him, his aura several times stronger than before.

Elder Li's expression changed drastically. He sensed that Han Mu's spiritual energy was far purer than that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator, and even comparable to that of a Core Formation cultivator in the early stages!

"Five elements unite, slay!"

Han Mu pointed his fingers like a sword, and five sword lights merged in the air, transforming into a giant five-colored sword that slashed down at Elder Li. This sword strike contained the Dao of the Five Elements' mutual generation, and its power was comparable to a full-force attack from a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Elder Li gritted his teeth and spat out a mouthful of blood essence onto the nine swords. The nine swords shone brightly with blood light, merging once more into a ten-zhang-long blood-red giant sword, which met the five-colored giant sword.

Rumbling--

The two swords clashed, unleashing a terrifying energy storm. The roof of the reception hall was ripped off, and the walls collapsed. Amidst the billowing dust, Elder Li was sent flying backward, crashing through several walls before coming to a stop. The nine blood swords shattered into pieces, and he himself was bleeding from all seven orifices, barely clinging to life.

The second move severely injured Elder Li.

Han Mu walked up to Elder Li, looking down at him: "Want to take the third move?"

Fear flashed in Elder Li's eyes, and he shook his head with difficulty: "No... I won't accept... Elder Han's strength... I am completely convinced..."

Han Mu withdrew his hand, his aura subsiding. He looked at the middle-aged man in brocade robes and the one-armed swordsman who was barely able to stand: "Where are you two?"

The two exchanged a glance and shook their heads bitterly. Elder Li had already been defeated; if they went up, they would only be humiliating themselves.

"Since the three of you have no objections, please leave," Han Mu said calmly. "I have already secured the position of Elder Protector. As for the Blood Moon Incident, the Seven Sects Conference in three days will provide the answers. If the three of you still wish to cause trouble, don't blame me for being impolite."

"We dare not..." The three bowed their heads, helped Elder Li up, and left in a sorry state.

No sooner had they left than Master Qingyun arrived with several elders. When they saw the ruined reception hall and then looked at Han Mu, who was unharmed, a look of surprise flashed in their eyes.

"Elder Han, what was that just now...?"

"The three elders from Tianque Fortress, Yuling Sect, and Huadaowu came to 'exchange skills,' and have now left 'completely convinced,'" Han Mu said calmly.

Master Qingyun understood immediately and smiled, "It seems Elder Han's strength has improved again. Perfect timing, the Seven Sects Meeting has been moved to tomorrow, and representatives from each sect have already arrived. Elder Han, please prepare yourself to attend the meeting with me tomorrow."

"Yes."

"Furthermore," Master Qingyun said solemnly, "we have just received news that the Blood Fiend Sect has intensified its activities on the border, seemingly making preparations in advance. The evidence brought by the Ghost has been verified, and the Blood Moon Incident may be brought forward to two months from now. Time is of the essence, and the seven major sects must act immediately."

Two months! Han Mu's heart skipped a beat. The timeframe was tighter than he had anticipated.

"System, display the current status and task progress."

[Host: Han Mu]

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

[Status: Minor Injury (Recovering)]

[Mission: Blood Moon Incident (In Progress)]

[Current Progress: Securing the support of the Seven Factions Alliance (0/7)]

[Warning: The Blood Moon event has been moved forward by two months]

"Sect Leader, I will do my best at tomorrow's meeting," Han Mu said solemnly.

"I believe in you." Master Qingyun patted his shoulder. "Go and heal your wounds first. Tomorrow's battle will be even more dangerous than today's. The seven major sects are not a monolithic entity."

Han Mu nodded. He understood that tomorrow's meeting would be the real battleground.

Leaving the ruins of the reception hall, Han Mu returned to his cave. He took out some pills and began to heal his injuries. He had fought three battles today, and although he had won, he had been quite exhausted, especially from the final battle against Elder Li, which had left him with some internal injuries.

However, this battle was worthwhile. After this battle, his position in Yellow Maple Valley will be completely secured, and his words will carry weight at tomorrow's meeting.

"Strength is fundamental." Han Mu closed his eyes to regulate his breathing. He needed to improve his cultivation as soon as possible; reaching the eighth level of Foundation Establishment was not enough for the upcoming great battle.

Night has fallen. On Green Bamboo Peak, the Transmission Pavilion is nearing completion, and the Spirit Eye Spring flows silently. The family is developing steadily, but a crisis is also approaching.

Han Mu looked out the window, his eyes resolute.

No matter how difficult the road ahead, he will lead his family to fight their way out.