The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Han Mu left the Bone Forest and sped towards the direction marked by the system. His early-stage Core Formation cultivation, temporarily unsealed, only lasted for half an incense stick's time. He had to find Han Yunge before recovering to the early-stage Pseudo-Core Formation stage, otherwise, encountering danger again would be troublesome.

"System, monitor Han Yunge's surroundings in real time."

[Monitoring in progress...]

[Han Yunge's location: 280 li northeast, upstream of the Blood River, in the Stone Forest]

[Status: Injuries stable, spiritual power restored to 52%]

[Situation around them: Han Li, Wang Lin, Chen Feng, and the other six are in good condition and have already set up three nodes of the Minor Five Elements Evil-Breaking Array]

[Threat: Three second-tier Blood Fiend Beasts are approaching, within five miles.]

Three second-tier demonic beasts, equivalent to the early Foundation Establishment stage. Han Mu frowned. Although Han Yunge and the others were prepared, facing three second-tier demonic beasts was still too dangerous. He increased his speed, his spiritual power surging, transforming into a streak of azure light in the blood-red forbidden area.

While Han Mu was on his way, Han Yunge also sensed danger.

"Something's approaching." Han Li suddenly opened his eyes; the warning talismans he had placed outside the stone forest had been activated. Although the warning talismans were just the simplest kind of alert talismans, in this environment, any slight movement was worth being vigilant about.

Han Yunge, Wang Lin, and the others immediately ended their meditation and took out their magical artifacts. After the previous battle, this temporary team had initially established a tacit understanding. Han Yunge was in charge of the formation, Han Li was in charge of the talismans and battle command, Wang Lin was still somewhat dazed, but his fighting instincts were still there, and Chen Feng and the others were responsible for providing support.

"Three heads, very strong aura, at least second tier." Han Li sensed the fluctuations emanating from the warning talisman, his expression grave. Second-tier demonic beasts posed a significant threat to them, Qi Refining stage disciples.

"Prepare for battle." Han Yunge didn't hesitate, forming hand seals to activate the three small Five Elements Evil-Breaking Array nodes she had previously set up. The three nodes lit up simultaneously, forming a triangular purification zone that protected the center of the stone forest. Within this area, the concentration of blood evil decreased by 70%, which had a certain suppressive effect on the demonic beasts.

Soon, three bloodthirsty demonic beasts appeared at the edge of the stone forest. One was a blood wolf, about ten feet tall, with exposed fangs; another was a blood eagle, with a wingspan of three feet and sharp claws like hooks; and the last one was a blood python, as thick as a water bucket and ten feet long.

"I'll deal with the Blood Wolf," Wang Lin volunteered. He was a genius disciple of the Qingxu Sect, with the twelfth level of Qi Refining. Although dealing with a second-tier demonic beast would be challenging, he was not without the ability to fight back.

"Leave the Blood Eagle to me and Chen Feng," Han Li said. He had a flying talisman that allowed him to stay airborne for short periods, and with Chen Feng's ranged spells, controlling the Blood Eagle shouldn't be a problem.

"I'll deal with the Blood Python with the others," Han Yunge said through gritted teeth. The Blood Python was the strongest of the three demonic beasts, almost reaching the mid-stage of the second tier, but she had the Xuan Turtle Pendant, which could at least withstand several waves of attacks.

The battle erupted instantly. Wang Lin slashed at the Blood Wolf with his sword, the sword light flashing like a rainbow, forcing the Blood Wolf back three steps. Han Li and Chen Feng coordinated perfectly; Han Li used talismans to distract the Blood Eagle, while Chen Feng used spells for ranged attacks. Han Yunge was under the most pressure; each of the Blood Python's pounces was powerful and heavy, causing the light shield of the Xuan Turtle Pendant to tremble violently.

"This won't do." Han Li observed the overall situation while fighting. Although they had temporarily blocked the three demonic beasts, their spiritual energy was being consumed too quickly. The demonic beasts could continuously regenerate in the blood-fiend environment, while they had to be distracted by resisting the blood-fiend erosion. With the balance shifting, they would eventually be defeated.

Just then, something unexpected happened.

The blood python suddenly opened its mouth and spewed out a cloud of blood mist, which was extremely foul-smelling and highly corrosive. When Han Yunge's Xuan Turtle Pendant's protective shield came into contact with the blood mist, it emitted a hissing, corrosive sound, and its light quickly dimmed.

"Not good!" Han Yunge's expression changed. The Xuan Turtle Pendant could only withstand two more blows at most.

The blood python clearly sensed the weakening of the light barrier, its eyes flashing with ferocity as its massive tail swept out. This attack was more ferocious than any before, causing the air to explode.

Han Yunge gritted her teeth, preparing to take the hit. But just then, a figure in cyan suddenly appeared in front of her.

"You beast, you're asking for death!"

The newcomer was none other than Han Mu. He arrived just in time to witness the blood python attacking Han Yunge, and rushed over without a second thought. Although the time left before the temporary seal was lifted was running out, his early Core Formation stage cultivation was sufficient to deal with a second-tier demon beast.

He raised his hand and threw a punch, seemingly ordinary, yet it carried the terrifying power of a Core Formation cultivator. The wind from the punch distorted the air as it struck the giant tail of the blood python.

boom!

The blood python let out a shrill roar, its ten-zhang-long body blasted away by the punch, crashing heavily outside the stone forest and creating a large crater. Its tail was a bloody mess, with bones exposed.

"Grandpa!" Han Yunge exclaimed in surprise.

Han Li, Wang Lin, and the others stared in shock at the suddenly appearing Han Mu. They could sense that Han Mu exuded the aura of a Core Formation cultivator, and this aura was righteous and peaceful, completely different from the bloodthirsty aura.

Han Mu said nothing more and turned to look at the other two demonic beasts. The Blood Wolf and Blood Eagle sensed the pressure of the Core Formation cultivator and instinctively wanted to escape. But since Han Mu had made his move, he wouldn't let them get away.

"Five Elements Sword Formation, trap!"

He raised his hands, and twenty-five flying swords reappeared, but this time only ten split off, shooting towards the Blood Wolf and the Blood Eagle respectively. The ten flying swords transformed into two small sword formations, trapping the two demonic beasts.

"It's up to you," Han Mu said to Han Li. He could tell that this young man had rich combat experience, but his cultivation was insufficient. Now that the sword formation had trapped the demonic beast, it was a good opportunity for him to practice.

Han Li was taken aback, but then he realized what was happening, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes. Without hesitation, he threw out several talismans, and together with Chen Feng and Wang Lin, they quickly killed the two demonic beasts.

The severely wounded blood python was finished off by Han Yunge's final sword strike.

The battle ended, and Han Mu's aura began to recede. The time for the temporary seal to be lifted had come, and his cultivation level had dropped from the early stage of Core Formation back to the early stage of Pseudo-Core Formation. Moreover, due to the depletion from the previous battle, he now only possessed 70% of the strength of the early stage of Pseudo-Core Formation.

"Senior..." Wang Lin stepped forward, intending to bow and express his gratitude, but he was stunned when he saw the change in Han Mu's cultivation level. Just now he was clearly a Core Formation cultivator, how did he suddenly become a Pseudo-Core Formation cultivator?

Han Mu knew he couldn't hide it any longer, so he said calmly, "I used a secret technique to temporarily boost my cultivation level, and now the backlash is starting."

This explanation made perfect sense, and Wang Lin and the others suddenly understood. Such secret techniques did indeed exist in the cultivation world, capable of rapidly increasing cultivation levels, but at a tremendous cost. Han Mu's use of this technique to save them deeply moved them.

"Thank you for saving our lives, senior." Chen Feng and the others bowed respectfully.

Han Li clasped his hands in thanks, but a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes. He felt that this "Senior Han" looked familiar, and the fighting style just now seemed familiar.

"No need for formalities." Han Mu waved his hand and looked at Han Yunge, "Yunge, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Grandpa." Han Yunge shook her head, her eyes filled with worry. "Your secret technique just now..."

"It's alright, he'll recover in a few days," Han Mu said, then became serious. "Now is not the time to talk about this. Wang Chan has already fled, and one of the core nodes of the Blood Fiend Sealing Demon Formation has been destroyed, but the formation is still operating. We must find the other survivors as soon as possible and leave the forbidden area."

"Senior, the entrance to the forbidden area is blocked, we can't get out," Chen Feng said with a wry smile.

"With the array's core destroyed, the blockade will weaken," Han Mu said. "Moreover, when I came in just now, Sect Leader Qingyun and Fellow Daoist Qingxu also came in, and they should be looking for other disciples. What we need to do now is to reunite as much as possible and then break through together."

"Grandpa, what should we do next?" Han Yunge asked.

Han Mu pondered for a moment: "The Lesser Five Elements Demon-Slaying Array you set up earlier was very useful. Continue setting up more arrays, the more the better. The purification effect of the arrays can weaken the Blood Fiend Array, buying us time. I will protect you from the side while searching for other disciples."

"yes!"

The group agreed and began setting up the formation again. With Han Mu, a pseudo-Core Formation cultivator, in charge, they felt much more at ease.

While setting up the formation, Han Li secretly observed Han Mu. He discovered that although this senior Han's cultivation was only at the False Core stage, his understanding of formations was extremely profound, and he could often point out the flaws in their formations. Moreover, senior Han seemed to have a natural resistance to bloodlust energy; wherever he went, the bloodlust dissipated.

"Senior Han, if I may ask, do you cultivate the Pure Yang Technique?" Han Li finally couldn't help but ask.

Han Mu glanced at him and nodded: "Not bad."

Han Li suddenly understood. No wonder it could suppress the Blood Fiend; it was a Pure Yang cultivation technique. This technique was extremely difficult to cultivate, but once mastered, its power was astonishing. This Senior Han was able to defeat Wang Chan, a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, with only a pseudo-Core Formation cultivation level (although he used a secret method), which was probably largely due to this Pure Yang cultivation technique.

"Alright, focus on setting up the formation," Han Mu said calmly. "Although the Blood Moon Demon Lord's divided soul has been temporarily interrupted from awakening, it has not been completely destroyed. We must leave here before he fully awakens."

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines and stopped talking, focusing all their efforts on setting up the formation.

Meanwhile, in another part of the forbidden area, Master Qingyun, Liu Yueru, and others also encountered trouble.

Before them stood three cultivators completely controlled by the Blood Fiend, each possessing the strength of the early Core Formation stage. Behind them, a blood-red phantom slowly materialized.

"The Blood Moon Demon Lord's divided soul..." Master Qingyun's face was grim. "He can actually divide his soul and control others!"

The blood-red phantom emitted a hoarse laugh.

"Blood food...fresh blood food..."

Battle is imminent.

The real crisis in the Crimson Forbidden Land has only just begun.