The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Li Feng's death caused a huge uproar in Tiannan.

The young master of Tianque Fortress was assassinated outside his own mine, along with all four Foundation Establishment guards. The Core Formation cultivator stationed there didn't even catch a glimpse of the killer. This was a blatant provocation against Tianque Fortress and an insult to the entire Three Sect Alliance.

On the day the news broke, Li Tianxing, the lord of Tianque Fortress, flew into a rage and smashed the disciple who sent the message into a pulp on the spot. He then issued a "Blood Kill Order": offering a reward of one million spirit stones to hunt down the murderer; at the same time, he mobilized three hundred cultivators, dividing them into three groups, to rush towards three resource points on the border of Huangfeng Valley.

"Elder Han, this is the battle report we just received." Master Qingyun solemnly handed a jade slip to Han Mu. "Tianque Fortress has gone mad this time. Li Tianxing is personally leading an attack on our 'Purple Copper Mine.' The other two groups are led by two Core Formation Elders, attacking the 'Azure Jade Mine' and the 'Red Iron Mine.' All three mines have sent requests for reinforcements."

Han Mu scanned the jade slip with his divine sense; its contents were more detailed than what Qingyun Zhenren had described. Li Tianxing not only personally intervened but also brought the Heavenly Palace Fortress's treasured artifact, the "Heavenly Palace Seal," a fourth-tier magic weapon whose power was comparable to a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator's strike. Although all three mines had Core Formation elders overseeing them, they were utterly powerless against a Nascent Soul cultivator.

"Sect Leader, where are our reinforcements?" Han Mu asked.

"Our ancestor has already sent messages to Qingxu Sect and Giant Sword Sect, but they are too far away and it will take them at least a day to arrive," Master Qingyun said with a wry smile. "And the attack from Tianque Fortress will begin in three hours at most. I'm afraid we won't be able to hold onto our three mines."

"Not necessarily." A cold glint flashed in Han Mu's eyes. "With Li Tianxing personally leading the charge, Tianque Fortress must be vulnerable. Moreover, he has divided his forces into three routes, which seems aggressive but is actually a dispersed force. This is our opportunity."

"Elder Han means..."

"We should attack Wei to relieve the siege of Zhao," Han Mu said. "Isn't he attacking our mines? Let's attack his stronghold! Tianque Fortress headquarters currently only has one Nascent Soul stage elder in charge, and no more than five Core Formation cultivators. If we concentrate our forces for a surprise attack, we have a high chance of breaking through."

"This is too risky!" Master Qingyun shook his head. "Tianque Fortress has been built up for a thousand years, and its protective array is the fourth-order 'Tianque Nine Palaces Array,' which is extremely strong. Even if the Ancestor were to take action, he wouldn't be able to break through it in less than half a day. And half a day is enough time for Li Tianxing to return and provide reinforcements."

"So we won't attack the mountain gate, but rather his 'Medicine King Valley'." Han Mu pointed to a mark on the map. "Medicine King Valley is the largest spiritual herb cultivation area in Tianque Fortress, with 300 thousand-year-old spiritual herbs and tens of thousands of hundred-year-old spiritual herbs. There is also a 'Earth Fire Pill Room' that stores 30% of Tianque Fortress's pill reserves. There is only one mid-stage Core Formation elder guarding it, so its defenses are far inferior to those of the mountain gate."

"If we capture Medicine King Valley, Tianque Fort will lose at least 30% of its resources, and Li Tianxing will surely come to its aid. At that time, the siege of our three mines will be lifted. Moreover, we can use the terrain to ambush Li Tianxing on his way back. If we can severely injure or even kill him, Tianque Fort will fall without a fight."

Master Qingyun gasped. Han Mu's plan was insane, but upon closer examination, it was highly feasible. Medicine King Valley was indeed poorly defended, and its location was right between Tianque Fortress and the three mines, making it a crucial route for Li Tianxing's return reinforcements.

"This matter must be reported to the Ancestor," Master Qingyun said in a deep voice.

"It's too late." Han Mu shook his head. "Opportunities are fleeting. Sect Leader, give me a hundred elite troops. I'll lead a surprise attack on Medicine King Valley. You lead the main force to patrol the perimeter of the three mines, creating a false impression so that Li Tianxing thinks we're going to have a decisive battle with him. When news of the attack on Medicine King Valley arrives, Li Tianxing will definitely send troops to reinforce it. At that time, you concentrate your forces and wipe out the troops he sends out."

"But Elder Han, you..."

"I know what I'm doing," Han Mu said. "When I assassinated Li Feng, I seized his identity token and several other items. I can disguise myself as Li Feng's personal bodyguard and enter Medicine King Valley under the pretext of 'escorting the young master's remains back to the mountain.' Once inside the valley, we can attack from both inside and outside and take him down in half an hour."

Master Qingyun looked at Han Mu, deeply shocked. This young man was not only exceptionally strong, but also incredibly cunning. Assassination, disguise, surprise attack, ambush—each step was meticulously planned, perfectly anticipating every move Tianque Fortress made.

"Alright!" Master Qingyun finally made up his mind. "I will give you one hundred Shadow Guards and send Li Huayuan with twenty Foundation Establishment disciples to cooperate. But you must promise me that if things become unbearable, you must retreat immediately. I can give up Medicine King Valley, but you cannot get hurt."

"I understand."

Half an hour later, 120 elite soldiers had assembled. Han Mu changed into Tianque Fortress attire, wore Li Feng's token, and carried a coffin (containing a disguised "Li Feng's remains"), heading towards Medicine King Valley. Li Huayuan led 20 men disguised as rogue cultivators to meet them outside the valley. The Shadow Guards lay in ambush nearby, awaiting the signal.

Medicine King Valley is 800 li from the gate of Tianque Fortress, which can be reached in two hours at the speed of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Along the way, Han Mu kept receiving messages from True Person Qingyun.

"Li Tianxing has breached the outer defenses of the Zitong Mine, and the elder guarding the mine is seriously injured."

"The jade and hematite mines are also in grave danger."

"The reinforcements from Qingxu Sect and Giant Sword Sect have set off and are expected to arrive in eight hours."

Time was of the essence. Han Mu quickened his pace and finally arrived at Medicine King Valley at dusk. The valley entrance was protected by an array, guarded by four Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"Who goes there?" the guard shouted.

"The personal guard of Young Master Li Feng of Tianque Fortress, escorting the Young Master's remains back to the mountain." Han Mu revealed the token, his voice filled with grief, "The Young Master was killed in the Crimson Gold Mine. The Fortress Master ordered us to escort the remains back to the mountain, but we were ambushed on the way and suffered heavy losses. We have come to Medicine King Valley to ask for help."

The guard checked the token, confirmed it was genuine, and then looked at the coffin. The coffin did indeed bear the insignia of Tianque Fortress, and there were traces of Li Feng's aura (which Han Mu had faked using Li Feng's blood).

"Open the coffin and inspect it," the guard leader said cautiously.

Han Mu's heart tightened, but his expression remained unchanged: "The young master's body was severely damaged. The fortress lord has ordered that no outsiders be allowed to see it. If you don't believe me, you can ask the elders in the valley to come out and identify it."

The guard leader hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "You wait here, I will go and report to Elder Mo."

A moment later, an old man in black robes flew out of the valley. It was Mo Chen, the mid-stage Core Formation elder who was in charge of Medicine King Valley. He checked the token and the coffin, and then used his divine sense to investigate Han Mu and the others. He confirmed that they were all Foundation Establishment cultivators and that they were practicing the Heavenly Palace Fortress Technique (Shadow Guard disguise). Only then did he lower his guard.

"Let's go into the valley." Mo Chen sighed. "Feng'er was exceptionally talented, yet he suffered such a cruel fate. It's truly a case of heaven being jealous of talent. You all go and settle in first, I'll send a message to the fortress lord right away."

The group entered Medicine King Valley. The valley was rich in spiritual energy, filled with medicinal herbs, their fragrance filling the air. While arranging the "placement of the remains," Han Mu secretly observed the situation. There were about two hundred cultivators in the valley: over thirty at Foundation Establishment, over one hundred at Qi Refining, and only Mo Chen at Core Formation. The defensive formation was a third-tier "Yi Wood Azure Spirit Formation," which, with his mastery of formations, he could break in a quarter of an hour.

"System, scan Medicine King Valley and mark the array nodes, alchemy room locations, and distribution of spiritual herbs."

[Scanning in progress...]

[The nodes of the Yi Wood Azure Spirit Array are located in five places: east, south, west, north, and center, with the central node in the array tower at the center of the valley.]

[Earthfire Pill Room: Located at the bottom of the valley, it houses three Foundation Establishment Pill Masters and stores approximately three thousand bottles of pills]

[Millennial Herb Zone: Northeast corner herb garden, protected by an array]

[Guard distribution: Four at the valley entrance, eight in the herb garden, six in the alchemy room, and the rest scattered throughout the area]

"Very good." Han Mu sneered inwardly and transmitted his voice to the leader of the Shadow Guard: "In a quarter of an hour, I will destroy the central core of the formation. You lead your men in three groups: one to control the valley entrance, one to seize the alchemy room, and one to capture the herb garden. Remember, focus on control and minimize killing. Our goal is resources, not murder."

"clear."

A quarter of an hour later, Han Mu arrived near the array tower under the pretext of "paying respects to the young master." The guarding disciples did not suspect anything, after all, he was the guard "escorting the young master's remains."

Just as he passed the array tower, Han Mu suddenly made his move. The Five Elements Sword Formation instantly unfolded, and five sword lights pierced into the five nodes of the array tower. The array tower trembled violently, and cracks appeared in the Wood Azure Spirit Array.

"Enemy attack—!" Mo Chen reacted immediately, but it was too late.

Han Mu moved with lightning speed, rushing straight at Mo Chen. At the same time, the Shadow Guards attacked from all directions, and battles broke out simultaneously at the valley entrance, the alchemy room, and the herb garden.

"Who are you people?!" Mo Chen was both shocked and furious, and summoned a black flying sword.

"The one who will take your life!" Han Mu sneered, no longer concealing his cultivation level, and unleashed the full power of the ninth level of Foundation Establishment. The Great Five Elements Sword Formation unfolded, and twenty-five flying swords transformed into a sword net, enveloping Mo Chen.

Although Mo Chen was only in the mid-stage of Core Formation, Han Mu's true combat strength was no less than that of an early-stage Core Formation cultivator, and he also possessed numerous techniques including formations, sword formations, and pure Yang true fire. After exchanging ten blows, Mo Chen was pierced through the shoulder by a sword and collapsed to the ground severely injured.

"Listen up, everyone! Surrender and you may save your lives!" Han Mu's voice boomed like thunder. "Those who resist will be killed without mercy!"

Seeing their elder captured and their formation broken, the cultivators in the valley lost all will to fight and surrendered, laying down their magical artifacts.

Half an hour later, Medicine King Valley was completely under control. Han Mu didn't delay and immediately ordered the Shadow Guards to move the resources. Thousand-year-old spiritual herbs, pills, and spiritual materials were all packed into storage bags. As for those hundred-year-old spiritual herbs, those that couldn't be taken were destroyed; they absolutely could not be left to Tianque Fortress.

"Elder Han, we just intercepted a message. Li Tianxing has received news of the attack on Medicine King Valley and is leading a hundred elite troops back at full speed to provide reinforcements. They are expected to arrive in an hour," the Shadow Guard leader reported.

"Perfect timing." Han Mu looked out of the valley, his eyes cold.

Li Tianxing, this time you won't be leaving alive.