The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

The gate to Huangfeng Valley is majestic.

In the past, this place was one of the seven major sects of Yue Kingdom, and a mainstay of the Righteous Alliance. But today, the atmosphere in front of the mountain gate is exceptionally solemn.

Over a thousand disciples of Huangfeng Valley gathered in the plaza, standing in two rows on either side. The original Huangfeng Valley disciples were on the left, while the newly initiated Han family disciples were on the right. All of them looked at the stone steps in front of the main hall with complex expressions.

On the stone steps, Elder Linghu, dressed in a yellow robe, stood calmly. Behind him were the ten Foundation Establishment elders of Yellow Maple Valley. Below the steps, Han Mu, dressed in a blue robe, stood with his hands behind his back, accompanied only by Doctor Mo, Han Changqing, and Han Yunge.

"Disciples of Yellow Maple Valley, heed my command!"

Linghu Patriarch's voice resounded throughout the entire square, carrying the unique pressure of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

"From this day forward, Yellow Maple Valley is merged into the Han Family and renamed 'Han Family Yellow Maple Hall'! I, Linghu Chong, as the 327th generation leader of Yellow Maple Valley, hereby declare my allegiance to the Han Family and respect for Patriarch Han Mu!"

After he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent.

The disciples of Huangfeng Valley looked at each other, some with resentment, some with gloomy expressions, and some with resentment in their eyes.

"What, any objections?" Ancestor Linghu's gaze swept across the area below, his Nascent Soul aura being released without any concealment.

"Disciple... obeys." A Foundation Establishment elder was the first to kneel down.

"Disciple obeys." The second, the third... disciples knelt down one after another.

However, nearly a hundred people remained standing, led by an elderly man with white hair who was in the early stage of Core Formation. He was the law enforcement elder of Yellow Maple Valley, and his surname was Chen.

"Elder Chen, do you have something to say?" Elder Linghu asked calmly.

"Sect Leader, I..." Elder Chen's face flushed red, "How can Huangfeng Valley, with its thousand-year heritage, be merged into another's sect? We would rather die in battle than become Han family's lackeys!"

"Yes! We will never be lackeys!"

"Disciples of Yellow Maple Valley would rather die than surrender!"

The nearly one hundred people shouted in unison, their momentum was not weak.

Linghu Patriarch's face darkened, and he was about to speak when Han Mu spoke first.

"Elder Chen, is it?" Han Mu looked at the white-haired old man, his tone calm. "You say you'd rather die than submit, and I admire your integrity. But have you asked these disciples behind you whether they're willing to die with you?"

Elder Chen was taken aback and turned around to look, only to see that nearly half of the hundred or so people looked hesitant.

"Among you, some are disciples of Huangfeng Valley, some are relatives of Huangfeng Valley elders, and some are just ordinary servants," Han Mu said slowly. "Are you really willing to give up your lives and the path to immortality for a mere title?"

Everyone fell silent.

"I know you are unwilling," Han Mu continued, "but the cultivation world is a dog-eat-dog world. Huangfeng Valley is weak, and merging with the Han family is the way to protect itself. I can promise you three things."

"First, after Huangfeng Valley is merged into the Han family, its original traditions will not be interrupted, and all disciples can still practice Huangfeng Valley techniques."

"Secondly, Huangfeng Valley disciples and Han family disciples are treated equally, and resources are allocated according to their contributions, without any bias."

"Third, those who wish to stay are welcome by the Han family. Those who do not wish to stay may take one hundred spirit stones and leave on their own; the Han family will not stop them."

After these three promises were made, more than half of the nearly one hundred people wavered.

"Elder Chen, you heard it too," Elder Linghu sighed. "Patriarch Han has already done more than enough; why are you still so insistent?"

Elder Chen's expression shifted, and finally he sighed and slowly knelt down: "So be it...so be it...Chen Tianhe greets the patriarch."

After he knelt down, the rest of the people did not hesitate and knelt down as well.

"Greetings, Master!"

"Greetings, Master!"

Thousands of people shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.

Han Mu nodded slightly and said to Elder Linghu, "Elder Linghu, lead the way. I want to see the treasures of Huangfeng Valley."

"Yes, Master, please."

The two walked towards the main hall, one after the other.

Doctor Mo, Han Changqing, and Han Yunge followed behind. Doctor Mo whispered, "Master, although Chen Tianhe has submitted, there is still resentment in his eyes. I'm afraid..."

"I know," Han Mu said calmly. "Send someone to keep an eye on him. If he makes any unusual moves, kill him without mercy."

"Yes."

……

Behind the main hall of Yellow Maple Valley, there is a secret passage leading deep underground. This is the treasure vault of Yellow Maple Valley, and also the most core secret of the entire sect.

Linghu Patriarch opened the layers of restrictions and led Han Mu inside.

The treasure vault is divided into three levels. The first level contains spirit stones, piled up like mountains, with a rough estimate of no less than a million mid-grade spirit stones, and countless low-grade spirit stones.

The second layer contains materials, including various spiritual herbs, ores, and monster materials, all neatly categorized and arranged.

The third layer contains cultivation techniques and magical artifacts. The cultivation techniques are stored in the form of jade slips, ranging from Qi Refining to Nascent Soul, and there are dozens of them. The magical artifacts are mostly magical tools and spiritual artifacts, but there are also three magical artifacts that shine brightly.

"This is the accumulation of Huangfeng Valley over a thousand years," Elder Linghu said with a wry smile. "Now, it all belongs to the Han family."

Han Mu scanned the area with his divine sense and nodded. Although Huangfeng Valley had declined, its foundation was indeed profound, more than ten times stronger than that of the Han family.

"System, check the results."

[Scanning the treasure vault of Yellow Maple Valley...]

[Statistics Completed]

[Gains: 128 million mid-grade spirit stones, 3700 million low-grade spirit stones]

[Obtained: 743 Tier 3 Spirit Herbs, 92 Tier 4 Spirit Herbs, and 7 Tier 5 Spirit Herbs]

[Received: Several refining materials, worth approximately 500 million spirit stones]

[Obtained: 47 cultivation technique jade slips (including 1 Nascent Soul cultivation technique, 3 Core Formation cultivation techniques, and 12 Foundation Establishment cultivation techniques)]

[Obtained: 3 magic items (1 low-grade fourth-tier item, 2 high-grade third-tier items)]

[Received: Several other miscellaneous items]

"Not bad." Han Mu nodded in satisfaction. With these resources, the Han family's strength could increase several times over in a short period of time.

"Elder Linghu, my Han family is new here and not yet familiar with the situation in Huangfeng Valley," Han Mu said. "You can allocate a portion of the resources in this treasure vault to stabilize morale. I will send someone to take over the rest."

"Yes," Elder Linghu replied.

"In addition, the protective array of Yellow Maple Valley needs to be strengthened," Han Mu added. "I will send Doctor Mo to assist you in setting up a new fourth-order array, which will be sufficient to withstand attacks from mid-Nascent Soul cultivators."

"A fourth-tier grand formation?" Elder Linghu exclaimed in surprise. "The Han family has a fourth-tier formation master?"

"Yes." Han Mu didn't say anything more.

In fact, he himself is a fourth-tier array master. However, there's no need for Elder Linghu to know this.

"Alright, go and comfort the disciples first," Han Mu said. "I still need to check on other places."

"Yes."

After leaving the treasure vault, Han Mu led Doctor Mo and the other two on a tour of Yellow Maple Valley.

Yellow Maple Valley covers a vast area with three main peaks and seven secondary peaks. Its spiritual energy is abundant, far surpassing that of Emerald Screen Mountain. More importantly, it contains a medium-sized spirit stone mine. Although it has been mined for many years, its reserves are still plentiful, enough to support a large sect for a hundred years.

"Changqing, take your men and take over the spirit mine. Be careful," Han Mu instructed.

"Yes, Father." Han Changqing accepted the order and left.

"Yun Ge, go to the herb garden and see which medicinal herbs can be transplanted to Cui Ping Mountain."

"Okay, Grandpa." Han Yunge also went.

Only Doctor Mo remained by his side.

"Old Mo, what do you think?" Han Mu asked.

"Yellow Maple Valley's foundation is indeed profound, but its people are not united," Doctor Mo said in a low voice. "I saw the looks in the eyes of those people in the square just now. Chen Tianhe is only the visible one; there are definitely still people who are dissatisfied in secret. Especially those Foundation Establishment elders, they have been tyrannical in Yellow Maple Valley for many years. Now that they have been merged into the Han family, their power will inevitably be limited, and they will not be willing to accept it."

"I know," Han Mu said calmly, "so I need you to do something for me."

"Please give your orders, Master."

"Three days from now, I will host a banquet in Huangfeng Valley to invite all the major powers of Yue Kingdom. At that time, the Righteous Alliance, the Five Demonic Sects, and other sects and families will all send representatives." A cold glint flashed in Han Mu's eyes. "I want to use this opportunity to establish my authority."

Doctor Mo's heart skipped a beat: "Does Master mean...?"

"Make an example of them," Han Mu said. "There will definitely be people inside Huangfeng Valley who will take this opportunity to cause trouble, and they might even collude with outsiders. We'll deal with them all at once then."

"Understood, Your Excellency." Doctor Mo nodded. "I'll make the arrangements immediately."

"Go."

After Doctor Mo left, Han Mu stood alone on the highest peak of Yellow Maple Valley, overlooking the entire sect.

"System, check the main quest progress."

Main Quest: The Rise of the Clan

Progress: 96%

[The family's influence has expanded, and they now have complete control over Yellow Maple Valley.]

[Family members have increased to 4358]

[Family Resources: 6 Spirit Mountains, 1 medium-sized Spirit Stone Mine, 11 Herb Gardens, 15 Market Towns]

[Task reward to be claimed]

"Still 4% short..." Han Mu murmured.

He knew that this final 4% meant complete control of the Yue Kingdom, making the Han family the seventh largest sect in Yue. And to achieve this, a decisive battle to establish their authority was needed.

The banquet three days later will be the best opportunity.

"System, exchange for the 'Four Symbols Spirit Locking Array' diagram."

[Exchanged for the Tier 4 Mid-Grade Formation "Four Symbols Spirit Locking Formation", consuming 8000 contribution points, remaining contribution points: 7550]

A piece of information flooded his mind: the method for setting up the Four Symbols Spirit Locking Array. This array combines offense and defense; it can trap or kill. Even a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator trapped within it would find it difficult to escape death.

"Exchange for ten more 'Heavenly Thunder Talismans'."

[Exchange for 10 Tier 3 Superior Talismans "Heavenly Thunder Talisman" , costing 5000 Contribution Points, remaining Contribution Points: 2550]

The Heavenly Thunder Talisman is incredibly powerful, comparable to a full-force strike from a peak Core Formation cultivator. Even an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator would have to retreat if ten of them were unleashed simultaneously.

"That's about enough." A cold glint flashed in Han Mu's eyes. "Three days from now, I'll see who dares to jump out."

……

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The main peak of Huangfeng Valley, the banquet hall.

Dozens of tables were set up in the hall, all filled with people. On the left were representatives of the Righteous Path Alliance, led by Fu Yunzi of the Qingxu Sect, along with elders from sects such as Tianque Fortress, Huadaowu, and Lingshou Mountain. On the right were the five sects of the Demonic Path, including the Flame Demon Ancestor, the Yin Sha Old Monster, Lady Hehuan, the Spirit Beast True Man, and the Blood Hand Butcher.

At the head of the table sat Han Mu, dressed in a blue robe, his expression serene. Beside him sat Linghu Patriarch, Doctor Mo, Han Changqing, and Han Yunge in that order.

"Patriarch Han, congratulations!" Fu Yunzi raised his cup first. "The Han family's annexation of Huangfeng Valley has propelled them to become the seventh largest sect in Yue Kingdom. This is truly a cause for celebration."

"Fellow Daoist Fuyunzi, you're too kind," Han Mu said, raising his cup in return.

"Hmph, they just got a bargain." The Yin Sha Old Monster sneered, "The Ghost Spirit Sect was just destroyed, and they're already in a hurry to swallow up Yellow Maple Valley. The Han family master has a good plan."

The atmosphere in the hall froze instantly upon hearing this.

"Fellow Daoist Yin Sha, you're mistaken," Madam Hehuan said with a charming laugh. "The cultivation world is a dog-eat-dog world. The merger of Yellow Maple Valley into the Han family was Elder Linghu's own choice. What, does your Heavenly Fiend Sect also want to interfere?"

"I just can't stand how some people behave so rudely," the Yin Sha Old Monster sneered.

Han Mu put down his wine cup and looked at the Yin Sha Elder: "Fellow Daoist Yin Sha seems to have a grudge against my Han family?"

"I wouldn't dare offer an opinion," said the Yin Sha Old Monster. "I'm just reminding Patriarch Han that some things are easy to swallow but difficult to digest. Don't end up choking to death; that wouldn't look good."

This is a blatant threat.

Han Mu smiled: "Fellow Daoist Yin Sha is right. However, I have always had a good appetite. Not to mention Yellow Maple Valley, I could eat my fill of the entire Yue Kingdom."

"Arrogant!" The Yin Sha Old Monster slammed his fist on the table and stood up, unleashing the oppressive aura of a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

"Yin Sha Old Monster, you want to make a move?" Yan Mo Ancestor also stood up, his aura exploding as well.

Although the five sects of the demonic path are closely connected, there are internal conflicts. The Flame Demon Ancestor and the Yin Fiend Old Monster have always been at odds, and now that he sees the Yin Fiend Old Monster about to make a move, he is actually happy to see it happen.

"Gentlemen, let's talk this out," the Spirit Beast Master said, trying to smooth things over.

But the Yin Sha Old Monster was already truly enraged. He had originally wanted to test Han Mu's strength and weakness, and now that Han Mu was so arrogant, it gave him a perfect excuse.

"Han Mu, today I'll teach you what it means to be outmatched and to be truly capable!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Yin Sha Old Monster struck out with a palm, a gust of cold wind howling as it aimed straight for Han Mu's face.

He used seventy percent of his strength in this palm strike, enough to severely injure a Nascent Soul stage cultivator. He wanted to see whether Han Mu was a true master or just bluffing.

However, faced with this terrifying palm strike, Han Mu simply smiled faintly and gently fanned the opponent away.

"Smack."

With a soft sound, the eerie wind dissipated.

Yin Sha Laoguai's expression changed drastically, because he felt that all the power of his palm strike vanished without a trace the moment it touched Han Mu's fan.

"How...how is this possible?"

"Fellow Daoist Yin Sha, since you're here, why not stay and have a drink?"

Han Mu's voice rang in the ears of the Yin Sha Old Monster. The next moment, he felt an irresistible force surging from all directions, pressing him down firmly.

"Four Symbols Spirit Locking Array, activate."

As soon as Han Mu finished speaking, four-colored lights lit up around the hall, and four illusory figures of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise appeared, sealing off the entire hall.

"Han Mu, what do you want to do?!" The Yin Sha Old Monster was both shocked and furious.

"It's nothing, just inviting Fellow Daoist Yin Sha to stay as guests," Han Mu said calmly. "Oh, and your companions too, please stay as well."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Tianhe suddenly stood up in the corner of the hall, his face deathly pale.

"Master, I..."

"Elder Chen, do you really think I didn't know that you conspired with the Yin Sha Old Monster to assassinate me at today's banquet?" Han Mu said coldly.

"I..." Chen Tianhe wanted to explain, but Han Mu had already made his move.

A flash of sword light, and Chen Tianhe's head fell to the ground.

A cultivator in the early stage of Core Formation had no chance to resist Han Mu.

"Now, it's your turn, Fellow Daoist Yin Sha." Han Mu looked at the old monster Yin Sha, his eyes filled with murderous intent.