The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.

In the quiet room, Han Mu opened his eyes, a five-colored light flashing in his pupils before disappearing.

"The Five Elements Divine Light is complete." He raised his hand and waved it, and five beams of light of different colors surged from his fingertips, intertwining and flowing in front of him, exuding a mysterious aura.

These Five Elements Divine Lights are divided into five colors: red, yellow, blue, white, and black, corresponding to the five elements of fire, earth, wood, metal, and water. Upon initial entry, one can only reduce the power of magic weapons of the same rank by 30%, but as cultivation level increases, their power will grow stronger. At perfection, one can reduce the full power of magic weapons of the same rank, and even diminish a person's cultivation level.

"System, check the current status," Han Mu thought to himself.

[Host: Han Mu]

Cultivation Level: Mid-stage True Core Formation (Early-stage False Core Formation)

[Cultivation Technique: Primordial Longevity Technique (Fourth Level, 90%)]

[Supernatural Abilities: Five Elements Divine Light (Beginner), Five Elements Sword Formation (Minor Mastery), Five Elements Escape Technique (Advanced), etc.]

[Magic Items: Qiankun Fan (Form Form, Mid-Grade Spiritual Artifact), Five Elements Spiritual Pearl (Low-Grade Spiritual Artifact)]

[Family Contribution Points: 350]

Main quest progress: 35%

[Recent Events: Successful mastery of the Five Elements Divine Light; three new Qi Refining Level 10 cultivators join the clan]

His cultivation level had reached 90% of the mid-stage Core Formation realm, just one step away from the late stage. Han Mu estimated that with another month or two of arduous cultivation, or by completing one or two system tasks, he would be able to break through to the late-stage Core Formation realm.

"Father," Han Changqing's voice rang out from outside the door.

"Come in."

Han Changqing pushed open the door and entered, his face beaming with joy: "Father, Huangfeng Valley has sent over the petals of the Heavenly Palace."

As he spoke, he took out a jade box and carefully opened it. Inside lay a pale golden petal, about the size of a palm, with serrated edges, emitting a rich spiritual energy and a faint fragrance.

Han Mu took the jade box, examined it carefully, and nodded, saying, "It is indeed a Heavenly Palace petal, and its medicinal properties are well preserved. This petal can be used to refine at least three batches of third-tier pills. If given to a Foundation Establishment peak cultivator, there is a 50% chance of them breaking through to the Pseudo-Core stage."

"So, what does Father mean?"

"Keep it for now." Han Mu closed the jade box. "You don't need it now, and Elder Mo has just entered the Pseudo-Core stage, so he doesn't need it either. Keep it until someone in the family needs to break through to the Core Formation stage. Or, it can be used to exchange for other resources in the future."

"Yes." Han Changqing put away the jade box and added, "In addition, Master Qingyun also sent a piece of intelligence, saying that Qingxu Sect seems unwilling to accept defeat and is secretly investigating the truth of the Tianque Fort incident. They may have already suspected us."

"Let them suspect," Han Mu said calmly. "Without evidence, they won't dare to act rashly. Besides, the Qingxu Sect is currently preoccupied with its own problems, and the Guiling Sect won't let them off the hook. By the way, how are your preparations going?"

Han Changqing's expression turned serious: "Father, I have adjusted to my optimal condition and can take the Condensing Pill Powder at any time."

"Alright." Han Mu stood up. "Come with me."

The two arrived at a secret chamber in the back mountain. This secret chamber was a place prepared by Han Mu specifically for Han Changqing to form his core, and it was covered with many arrays, with a spiritual energy concentration more than five times that of the outside world.

"You shall go into seclusion here." Han Mu took out a jade bottle and handed it to Han Changqing. "This is the Five Elements Condensing Pill. After taking it, immediately circulate your cultivation technique. I will protect you here."

"Thank you, Father!" Han Changqing accepted the jade bottle with both hands, took a deep breath, and sat down cross-legged.

He uncorked the bottle, and a unique fragrance wafted out. Inside was a small pinch of five-colored powder, shimmering faintly in the dimly lit room. Without hesitation, Han Changqing tilted his head back and poured the powder into his mouth.

The powder melted instantly upon entering his mouth, transforming into five warm currents that flowed into his limbs and bones. Han Changqing shuddered and immediately activated the "Primordial Longevity Technique," guiding the medicinal power through his meridians.

Han Mu stood aside, his divine sense locked onto Han Changqing, ready to lend a helping hand at any moment.

The Five Elements Condensing Elixir Powder is a system-rewarded elixir formula. It is more effective than ordinary Condensing Gold Elixir and has fewer side effects. Han Changqing has been cultivating his foundation for many years and has a solid foundation. With the assistance of the Five Elements Spirit Pool, his success rate in forming his elixir is at least 60%.

Time passed little by little.

The spiritual energy within the secret chamber began to fluctuate violently, forming a vortex that surged wildly into Han Changqing. His aura rose steadily, from the mid-Foundation Establishment stage all the way to the late-Foundation Establishment stage, and then towards the peak of Foundation Establishment.

"boom!"

A muffled sound came from Han Changqing's body, and his aura suddenly surged, breaking through the bottleneck between Foundation Establishment and Core Formation.

Pseudo-Core Formation Realm!

But this wasn't the end. The medicinal effects of the Five Elements Condensing Elixir Powder continued to take hold, and Han Changqing's aura continued to rise. The liquid spiritual energy within his body began to compress and condense, transforming into a solid golden elixir.

This process lasted for three whole days.

At noon on the third day, the spiritual energy fluctuations within the secret chamber reached their peak. A vortex of spiritual energy appeared above Han Changqing's head, with a faint golden light emanating from its center.

"Freeze!"

Han Changqing let out a low shout, formed a hand seal, and the liquid spiritual energy in his body instantly collapsed and condensed into a golden pill the size of a pigeon egg.

Golden Elixir Completed!

However, at the very moment the golden core was formed, dark clouds suddenly gathered above the secret chamber, and thunder rumbled faintly.

"A Heavenly Tribulation?" Han Mu raised an eyebrow. Ordinary cultivators don't usually attract Heavenly Tribulation when they form their Golden Core. But the Five Elements Core Formation Powder was too effective, and Han Changqing's Golden Core was of extremely high quality, which is why it attracted a minor Heavenly Tribulation.

However, this heavenly tribulation was not very powerful, consisting of only three bolts of lightning.

"Father..." Han Changqing opened his eyes, his face somewhat pale. He had just condensed his golden core, which was not yet stable. If he were to withstand the heavenly tribulation head-on, it would likely damage his foundation.

"It's alright, I'll handle it." Han Mu raised his hand and pointed, and a five-colored light shot into the sky, which was the Five Elements Divine Light.

"Snap!"

The first bolt of tribulation lightning struck, a cyan bolt as thick as a bucket. The Five Elements Divine Light swept over it, reducing the lightning's power by 30%, and the remaining 70% was casually dispersed by Han Mu's palm strike.

"Snap!"

The second lightning bolt was crimson red, carrying intense heat. The Five Elements Divine Light swept again, this time reducing its power by forty percent. The remaining sixty percent was dissipated into green smoke by Han Mu's Qiankun Fan.

"Snap!"

The third lightning bolt was golden and the most powerful. The Five Elements Divine Light swept across the area three times, reducing its power by half, and the remaining half was blasted away by Han Mu's punch.

The storm clouds dispersed, and the sky returned to clear skies.

Han Changqing breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stood up to bow, saying, "Thank you for protecting me, Father!"

"No need for formalities." Han Mu waved his hand, looked Han Changqing over, and nodded with satisfaction. "Your Golden Core is complete, of above-average quality, not bad. Stay here and consolidate your cultivation, then come out again in three days."

"Yes."

Han Mu stepped out of the secret room, where a large crowd had already gathered. Doctor Mo, several family elders, and a group of Han family members were all waiting anxiously outside.

"Ancestor, what was that just now...?" Doctor Mo asked.

"Changqing successfully formed his core, which attracted a minor heavenly tribulation, but it's all over now," Han Mu said calmly.

"Successfully formed the Core Formation?"

"The patriarch has reached the Core Formation stage?"

The crowd was taken aback at first, then burst into cheers.

"Excellent! The patriarch has reached the Core Formation stage! Our Han family now has a Core Formation cultivator!"

"Wait, our ancestor was also a Core Formation cultivator! Now the Han family has two Core Formation cultivators!"

"Haha, the Han family is about to rise!"

Han Mu looked at his excited clansmen and a smile appeared on his face. With Han Changqing's successful Core Formation, the Han family could finally establish itself firmly in the Yue Kingdom. A family with two Core Formation cultivators was already comparable to some small and medium-sized sects.

"Quiet." Han Mu raised his hand, and everyone immediately fell silent.

"The formation of the Core Formation of Changqing is a great event for the Han family. I hereby order that the entire clan celebrate for three days, and every clansman will be rewarded with ten spirit stones and a bottle of pills. In addition, starting today, the family's monthly salary will be increased by 30%."

"Our ancestor was wise!"

The crowd cheered again.

Han Mu then said, "Elder Mo, please make preparations. We will hold a Core Formation Ceremony for Changqing in three days and invite all families and sects around Yanling Fort to attend. Also, send people to inform the Zhao and Sun families."

"Yes!" Doctor Mo replied, a look of joy on his face. With Han Changqing's Core Formation, the Han family's strength had greatly increased, and his status as an honored elder had also risen accordingly.

"Also, send someone to Yellow Maple Valley to deliver a message to Yun Ge, so she can be happy too," Han Mu added.

"clear."

After arranging these things, Han Mu returned to the quiet room and brought up the system interface.

As expected, Han Changqing successfully formed his core, and the system reward arrived in his account.

Family member Han Changqing successfully formed his Golden Core.

[Rewards: 2000 Clan Contribution Points, Blueprint for the Tier 3 Defensive Formation "Five Elements Mountain Protection Formation", Increased Clan Reputation]

Current contribution points: 2350

Main quest progress: 40%

Han Mu's eyes lit up. The Five Elements Mountain Protection Formation—this was a treasure! With this formation, Qingxia Peak's defenses would increase several times over, allowing it to withstand attacks even from late-stage Core Formation cultivators.

"System, learn the Five Elements Mountain Protection Formation," Han Mu thought to himself.

[Learning the Five Elements Mountain Protection Formation...]

Estimated time to master: 5 days

Five days is all it takes to reach Han Changqing's Core Formation Ceremony, at which point the decree can be laid out on the spot to intimidate all sides.

Three days later, Han Changqing emerged from seclusion. His aura was steady, his golden core was completely stable, and his every move carried the unique pressure of a Core Formation cultivator.

"Father, I have lived up to your expectations." Han Changqing bowed deeply to Han Mu.

"Very good." Han Mu nodded. "Now that you have formed your core, I will entrust more of the family affairs to you. I plan to go into seclusion for a while to try and break through to the late stage of the core formation. I will leave the family affairs to you and Elder Mo."

"Father, rest assured, I will certainly live up to your expectations."

"Also, this is a 'Five Elements Mountain Protection Array' plate. Keep it safe. I will set up this array on Qingxia Peak in five days. You can observe from the side and learn how to control it." Han Mu took out a palm-sized five-colored array plate and handed it to Han Changqing.

Han Changqing respectfully accepted it: "Yes."

For the next two days, the entire Han family was busy preparing for the Core Formation Ceremony. Doctor Mo personally took charge of everything, from the guest list to the banquet arrangements, handling every detail perfectly.

Upon receiving the news, the Zhao and Sun families sent their two patriarchs to personally lead reinforcements, their attitude even more respectful than before. The Han family, with two Core Formation cultivators, was already the undisputed leading family around Yanling Fortress; they needed to cling to this powerful ally.

On the fifth day, Han Changqing's Core Formation Ceremony was held as scheduled.

Qingxia Peak was brightly decorated and filled with joy. Families, independent cultivators, and even some small sects from the surrounding areas of Yanling Fortress all sent representatives to attend the ceremony. Huangfeng Valley also sent Qingyun Zhenren to present a congratulatory gift on behalf of Patriarch Linghu.

"Fellow Daoist Han, congratulations!" Master Qingyun cupped his hands and smiled, "Your son is exceptionally talented. To have successfully formed his core at such a young age, his future Nascent Soul stage is truly promising!"

"Fellow Daoist Qingyun, you flatter me." Han Mu smiled and returned the greeting. "Please take a seat."

"Congratulations, Ancestor Han!"

"The fact that Patriarch Han has achieved Core Formation is a blessing for our Yanling Fortress!"

"The rise of the Han family is just around the corner!"

The guests offered their congratulations with great respect. Many of them had met Han Changqing before and knew that he was only in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. They were shocked to see him successfully form his Core in just a few months, and their respect for the Han family grew even stronger.

Halfway through the ceremony, Han Mu rose and addressed the crowd: "Ladies and gentlemen, today is the joyous occasion of my son Changqing's Core Formation. Thank you all for coming to witness this celebration. I hereby announce that from this day forward, the Han family is officially established, and its name is 'The Everlasting Han Family'!"

"The Han family of longevity, a fine name!"

"Congratulations, Ancestor Han!"

Everyone offered their congratulations.

Han Mu continued, "Furthermore, I recently acquired a formation called the 'Five Elements Mountain Protection Formation,' which I will set up here today as the foundation of my Han family. Fellow Daoists, please come and observe."

After saying that, Han Mu took flight and arrived above Qingxia Peak. He formed hand seals, and five streams of light flew out from his sleeves, which were the five base pieces of the Five Elements Mountain Protection Array.

"gold!"

A golden array base fell onto the east side of Qingxia Peak.

"Wood!"

The cyan array base fell to the south side.

"water!"

The black base fell to the west side.

"fire!"

The crimson base fell to the north side.

"earth!"

The yellow array base fell into the center of Qingxia Peak.

"Formation complete!"

With a low shout, Han Mu caused the five array bases to light up simultaneously, and five-colored light soared into the sky, weaving together to form a huge five-colored light shield above Qingxia Peak, enveloping the entire mountain.

Runes flowed across the light shield, emanating a powerful spiritual aura and a chilling pressure.

"This is... a third-tier grand formation?" Master Qingyun's pupils contracted. He sensed that the power of this formation was no weaker than the protective formation of Huangfeng Valley. The Han family actually possessed such a formation; it seemed their foundation was even deeper than he had imagined.

The other guests also paled. A third-tier grand formation—that was a formation capable of withstanding attacks from late-stage Core Formation cultivators. With this formation protecting their mountain, the Han family was already invincible around Yanling Fortress.

Han Mu landed back on the ground and addressed the crowd: "The formation is complete. From this day forward, Qingxia Peak is the gate of the Han family. Anyone who trespasses will be killed without mercy!"

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried a chilling killing intent, making everyone present shudder.

"Rest assured, Elder Han, we would never dare to offend you!"

"We will always remember the majesty of the Han family of Changsheng!"

Everyone expressed their opinions.

Han Mu then smiled and said, "Gentlemen, please take your seats. Let's drink until we drop!"

"We won't leave until we're drunk!"

The banquet began, with toasts flowing and guests enjoying themselves. Members of the Han family moved among the guests, their faces beaming with pride.

Han Mu sat in the main seat, watching this scene with satisfaction. The Changsheng Han family had truly risen to prominence today.

However, just as the banquet was halfway through, a discordant voice suddenly rang out:

"Hmph, what a prestigious family the Han family of Changsheng is! They certainly have a lot of swagger!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw an old man in black robes who had appeared in the room at some point, coldly staring at Han Mu.

Han Mu narrowed his eyes slightly: "And you are?"

"Qingxu Sect, Xuanchengzi," the black-robed elder said calmly, "Fellow Daoist Han, shouldn't you give Qingxu Sect an explanation for what happened at Tianque Fortress?"

The entire room fell silent.

Everyone looked at Han Mu, then at Xuan Chengzi, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Han Mu put down his wine cup and slowly stood up: "An explanation? What explanation do I need to give to the Qingxu Sect?"

"You were the one who leaked the information about the Tianque Fortress ruins to the Ghost Spirit Sect, weren't you?" Xuan Chengzi said coldly, "causing heavy losses to my Qingxu Sect. The Qingxu Sect will remember this debt!"

Han Mu laughed: "Fellow Daoist Xuan Chengzi, you must provide evidence for your words. The news about the Tianque Fortress ruins was leaked by your Qingxu Sect yourself. What does it have to do with me? Besides, even if it really was me who leaked it, so what? Treasures in the cultivation world belong to the capable. Your Qingxu Sect couldn't protect them, so who can you blame?"

"You!" Xuan Chengzi roared in fury, his mid-stage Core Formation aura suddenly erupting.

Han Changqing immediately stood beside Han Mu, releasing the same pressure of an early-stage Core Formation cultivator. Although he was slightly weaker than Xuan Chengzi, he did not back down.

Master Qingyun also stood up and said calmly, "Fellow Daoist Xuanchengzi, today is a joyous occasion for the Han family. Isn't your behavior inappropriate?"

Xuan Chengzi's expression shifted, but he finally let out a cold snort: "Han Mu, Qingxu Sect will remember what happened today. We'll see!"

Having said that, he vanished in a flash.

Han Mu looked in the direction Xuan Chengzi had left, a cold glint in his eyes.

The Qingxu Sect is truly a persistent ghost.

However, the Han family is no longer a pushover that anyone can easily bully.

"Gentlemen, please continue." Han Mu sat down again, as if nothing had happened.

But everyone knew that the Han family and the Qingxu Sect had formed a deep-seated grudge.

The banquet continued, but the atmosphere was not as lively as before.

Han Mu, however, didn't care. If the Qingxu Sect dared to come, then they would fight them back. The path of the Changsheng Han family was destined to be anything but peaceful.

He had already made preparations.