The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

One month later, at Cuiping Mountain.

Han Mu emerged from the cave, his aura concealed, appearing no different from before his seclusion. However, if a Nascent Soul cultivator were present, they would be able to sense the restrained yet immense pressure emanating from him.

"System, view properties."

[Host: Han Mu]

[Cultivation Level: Late Stage of True Nascent Soul / Mid Stage of Superficial Core Formation]

[Cultivation Techniques: Fifth Level of the Primordial Longevity Technique, Fourth Level of the Heavenly Gathering Technique]

[Magic Items: Qiankun Fan (Tier 4, High Grade), Bone Staff (Tier 4, Low Grade), Blood Blade (Tier 4, Low Grade)]

[Family: Han Family]

Family members: 589

Foundation Establishment Cultivators: 51 (Completed the quest "Reach 50 Foundation Establishment Cultivators")

[Core Formation Cultivator: 1 person (Main Character)]

[Contribution Points: 14550]

Main Quest: Rise of the Clan (90% Progress)

Side Quest: Annihilate the Ghost Spirit Sect (In Progress)

"The number of Foundation Establishment cultivators has reached 51?" Han Mu nodded slightly. It seemed that more clansmen had broken through in the past month. However, Foundation Establishment was only the beginning; Core Formation was the key.

"System, redeem 'Qingyuan Danjue' (Core Formation Chapter)."

[Exchange successful, 3000 contribution points consumed, 11550 remaining]

A message flooded into my mind: the complete inheritance of the "Qingyuan Danjue" (Azure Origin Elixir Manual), from Qi Refining to Elixir Formation, containing dozens of elixir formulas, including the method for refining the Golden Elixir.

With this, it will be much easier for the Han family to cultivate Core Formation cultivators.

"Father, you've emerged from seclusion." Han Changqing greeted him with a joyful expression.

"Hmm." Han Mu nodded. "How's the family situation?"

"Thanks to Father, four more people have successfully established their foundations this month. The Refining Heart Tower has been completed, and five peak Foundation Establishment experts, including Lin Feng and Zhao Mingyue, have entered it and are attempting to form their cores. In addition, two Core Formation elders sent by Huangfeng Valley have arrived. One is surnamed Chen and the other is surnamed Li. Both are in the early stage of Core Formation and are currently arranged in the Guest Elders' Courtyard."

"Understood," Han Mu said. "I'll go see them."

The Guest Minister's Residence is located on the east side of Cuiping Mountain and was built specifically for visiting guests. When Han Mu arrived, two elderly men in yellow robes were playing chess in the courtyard.

"Fellow Daoist Han has emerged from seclusion," Elder Chen said with a smile as he stood up. He was slightly plump, with a kind face and appeared ordinary, but his eyes held a sharp glint, clearly indicating that his cultivation was not weak.

The elder surnamed Li was tall and thin with a stern expression; he simply nodded to Han Mu.

"Fellow Daoists, you have come from afar. I am sorry for not being able to greet you properly," Han Mu said, cupping his hands in greeting.

"Fellow Daoist Han, you're too kind," Elder Chen said with a smile. "Ancestor Linghu instructed us to stay here and await orders. However, he also said that we are only responsible for assisting in defense and will not participate in the Han family's internal affairs."

"That's natural," Han Mu said. "You two only need to lend a hand when the Ghost Spirit Sect attacks; otherwise, you are free to move around as you please. Although the spiritual energy of Cuiping Mountain is not as abundant as that of Huangfeng Valley, it is still quite plentiful, and you two can cultivate here."

"Then thank you very much, Fellow Daoist Han," Elder Chen said with a smile.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Han Mu took his leave. Although these two were there to assist, they were also spies for Huangfeng Valley and couldn't be completely trusted. However, as long as they didn't interfere in the Han family's internal affairs, it was fine.

Back in the main hall, Doctor Mo was already waiting for them.

"Master, this is the latest intelligence from the Ghost Spirit Sect." Doctor Mo handed over a jade slip.

Han Mu took the jade slip and scanned it with his divine sense. The jade slip recorded the recent movements of the Ghost Spirit Sect: After Wang Chan escaped back, the Ghost Spirit Sect sealed off the mountain and activated its protective array. Sect Master Wang Tiangu ordered the recall of all disciples outside, clearly to guard against retaliation from the Han family.

"Wang Tiangu is indeed cautious," Han Mu said calmly. "However, does he think sealing off the mountain can protect the Ghost Spirit Sect?"

"What does Master mean?"

"The night of the full moon is the day the Ghost Spirit Sect will be destroyed." A cold glint flashed in Han Mu's eyes. "Old Monster Blood Fiend said that Wang Tiangu's 'Ten Thousand Ghosts Devouring Soul Technique' has a flaw, and he goes into seclusion every month on the night of the full moon to suppress his inner demons. That's when he's at his weakest. We'll choose that day to make our move."

Doctor Mo's expression changed: "Master is going alone? That's too dangerous! Although the Ghost Spirit Sect lost two Nascent Soul cultivators, they still have Wang Tiangu, a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, and the mountain-protecting formation. Perhaps... we could ask the two elders from Yellow Maple Valley to go with us?"

"No need," Han Mu shook his head. "I'm enough on my own. You stay home and guard the place. If anything happens, activate the great formation and wait for me to return."

"Yes." Doctor Mo knew he couldn't persuade him otherwise, so he could only agree.

Han Mu gave a few more instructions, then left the main hall and went to the back mountain.

A tall tower has been newly built on the back mountain; it is the Heart-Refining Tower. The tower has nine levels, each with an illusion array, which can temper one's will and greatly benefit breakthroughs in cultivation. At this moment, the tower is flashing with light, indicating that someone is cultivating inside.

Han Mu watched for a while, then turned and left, arriving at the Spirit Eye Spring.

The Spirit Eye Spring is a system reward that continuously generates pure spiritual energy, making it a treasure trove for cultivation. Beside the spring, Han Yunge is refining pills; flames rise in the furnace, and the aroma of herbs fills the air.

"Grandpa!" Han Yunge's eyes lit up when she saw Han Mu.

"What kind of pill are you refining?" Han Mu asked with a smile.

"Qi Condensation Pill, for clansmen in the Qi Refining stage." Han Yunge wiped the sweat from her forehead. "Grandpa, I'm about to reach Foundation Establishment."

Han Mu scanned with his divine sense and, sure enough, Han Yunge was already at the peak of Qi Refining, only one step away from Foundation Establishment.

"Not bad." Han Mu nodded, taking out a jade slip. "This is the complete inheritance of the 'Azure Origin Pill Manual.' Study it carefully. Also, the Yellow Maple Valley Blood Forbidden Secret Realm will open in three years. I will try to secure a spot for you. The secret realm contains the main ingredients for Foundation Establishment Pills. If you can find them, your chances of achieving Foundation Establishment will greatly increase."

"Really?" Han Yunge exclaimed with delight. "Thank you, Grandpa!"

"Cultivate diligently." Han Mu patted her head and turned to leave.

Back in his cave, Han Mu began preparations. The Ghost Spirit Sect, after all, had a thousand-year history; its protective array wouldn't be weak. Although the Blood Fiend Old Monster had pointed out a few weak points, Wang Tiangu would definitely strengthen the defenses. Therefore, thorough preparations were essential.

"System, exchange for three 'Formation Breaking Talismans'."

[Exchanged for 3 Tier 3 Superior Formation Breaking Talismans, consuming 9000 Contribution Points, remaining 2550]

The Formation-Breaking Talisman can break formations of the third rank and below, and also weakens fourth-rank formations. Using three together is enough to create a breach in the Ghost Spirit Sect's protective formation.

Next, Han Mu took out the Qiankun Fan and began to nurture it. This fan was his natal magic weapon, and its power was constantly increasing as his cultivation level improved. It was now a fourth-grade high-quality item, and the next step would make it a fifth-grade spiritual treasure.

Three days later, on the night of the full moon.

Han Mu left Cuiping Mountain silently and flew towards the Ghost Spirit Gate. He didn't alert anyone, not even the two elders of Huangfeng Valley.

The Ghost Spirit Sect is located in the Yin Sha Mountains, at the border of the Yue Kingdom and the Yuanwu Kingdom. The area is rich in Yin energy, making it suitable for cultivators of the Ghost Path. From afar, the entire mountain range is shrouded in black mist, and the sounds of ghosts wailing and howling can be faintly heard.

Han Mu concealed his aura and approached quietly. He stopped a hundred miles from the mountain gate and hid behind a cliff.

"As expected, they've strengthened their defenses." Han Mu scanned the area with his divine sense and discovered that the Ghost Spirit Sect's protective array was fully activated, with billowing black mist and swirling ghostly spirits. There were more than a dozen teams of cultivators patrolling outside the mountain gate, each team led by a Foundation Establishment cultivator and consisting of five Qi Refining cultivators.

However, this was no problem for Han Mu. He cultivated the "Heavenly Concealing Divine Technique," and his ability to conceal his aura was first-rate. As long as he did not actively expose himself, even Nascent Soul cultivators could not detect him.

At midnight, the moon will be high in the sky.

Deep within the Ghost Spirit Sect, in a gloomy hall, Wang Tiangu sat cross-legged, his face contorted in a ferocious grimace. Within him, countless ghosts howled, and inner demons surged—the very moment when the "Ten Thousand Ghosts Devouring Soul Technique" was backfiring.

"Damn it... why did it have to be at this time..." Wang Tiangu gritted his teeth, channeling all his energy into his cultivation technique to suppress his inner demons.

He knew Han Mu might retaliate, so he strengthened his defenses. However, he believed that even if Han Mu was strong, he was only at the mid-Nascent Soul stage and would never dare to force his way through the Ghost Spirit Gate's formation. As long as he could hold out until tonight and suppress his inner demons, he would personally leave the mountain and unite with other demonic sects to besiege the Han family.

However, he underestimated Han Mu's determination.

Outside the mountain gate, Han Mu looked at the full moon in the sky, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"Now."

With a swift movement, he transformed into a wisp of green smoke, silently passing through the patrol team and arriving at the mountain-protecting formation.

"System, exchange for one 'Invisibility Talisman'."

[Exchange for 1 Tier 3 Superior Concealment Talisman, consuming 1000 Contribution Points, remaining 1550]

With the concealment talisman affixed to his body, Han Mu's aura completely disappeared, and even the array could not sense him. Following the instructions of the Blood Fiend Old Monster, he found a weak point in the great array and took out three array-breaking talismans.

"break!"

The three talismans were activated simultaneously, transforming into three golden beams that struck the nodes of the formation.

"Snap!"

A crack appeared in the mountain-protecting formation. Although it was quickly repaired, it was enough for Han Mu to enter.

"Who goes there!" The patrol team noticed something amiss and shouted sternly.

But it was too late. Han Mu flashed through the crack and entered the Ghost Spirit Gate. At the same time, he raised his hand and waved, sending out more than a dozen sword energies. The patrol team didn't even have time to scream before they all fell to the ground dead.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

The alarm bells rang loudly, and the disciples of the Ghost Spirit Sect rushed out. But Han Mu was extremely fast, moving as if he were in an empty field, heading straight for the main hall.

The Ghost Spirit Sect disciples he encountered on the road, whether they were Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment cultivators, were all killed with a single slap of his fan. For a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, killing low-level cultivators was as easy as cutting melons and vegetables.

"Han Mu! How dare you trespass on my mountain gate!" A furious shout came from the main hall. Wang Tiangu forced his way out of seclusion, blood still dripping from the corner of his mouth.

He ultimately failed to completely suppress his inner demons; at this moment, his aura was unstable, and his strength was reduced to only 70%.

"Sect Leader Wang, how have you been?" Han Mu said calmly.

"You're courting death!" Wang Tiangu roared in fury, summoning a black soul banner that unleashed countless vengeful spirits that rushed toward Han Mu.

These vengeful spirits were all living souls he had refined, each possessing the strength of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. There were tens of thousands of them, enough to overwhelm even a Nascent Soul cultivator in the early stages.

But Han Mu simply fanned him lightly.

As the Five Elements Divine Light swept across, the vengeful spirits, like snowflakes meeting the blazing sun, vanished one by one. The Soul Banner snapped in two with a crack.

"Pfft!" Wang Tiangu spat out a mouthful of blood. His natal magic weapon was destroyed, and he suffered a severe injury.

"Impossible! How can you be so strong!" Wang Tiangu stared at Han Mu in horror. A month ago, Han Mu needed three waves of his sword to kill Ku Gu and Xue Sha, but now he shattered his Myriad Soul Banner with just one wave? This strength is at least at the late Nascent Soul stage!

"There are many things you don't know." Han Mu stopped talking nonsense and fanned himself with the Qiankun Fan again.

The five-colored divine light enveloped Wang Tiangu. He wanted to escape, but he was seriously injured and was also being devoured by his inner demons. How could he escape?

"No! I surrender! I am willing..." Wang Tiangu's voice stopped abruptly, turning into ashes in the divine light.

Wang Tiangu, the sect leader of the Ghost Spirit Sect and a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, has fallen.

Han Mu put away his storage bag and looked around. The Ghost Spirit Sect disciples were already terrified and scattered in all directions.

"The Ghost Spirit Sect is hereby expelled from the register, effective today."

Han Mu's voice was calm, yet it resonated throughout the entire Yin Sha Mountain Range. He raised his hand and grabbed the Ghost Spirit Sect's scripture pavilion, treasure vault, and herb garden, storing them all in his storage bag. Then, he set fire to the Ghost Spirit Sect's mountain gate, reducing it to ashes.

From then on, the Ghost Spirit Gate disappeared from the Yue Kingdom.