The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

The atmosphere inside Huichun Hall was tense.

Doctor Mo stood behind the counter, his withered face expressionless, but his sharp eyes were fixed on Han Mu, his aura fluctuating. He was judging whether this seemingly Foundation Establishment cultivator was truly confident or just bluffing.

"A formula for prolonging life?" Doctor Mo spoke slowly, his voice hoarse. "Fellow Daoist, do you know that the lowest grade of longevity-prolonging pills in this world is a high-grade second-tier pill, which can only be refined by a Nascent Soul alchemist? So what if you have the formula? Where will the ingredients come from? And who can refine it?"

The three questions in a row hit the nail on the head.

Han Mu smiled slightly, and instead of answering, asked, "Did Doctor Mo suffer a qi deviation during his attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage thirty years ago, resulting in damage to his heart meridians and a significant reduction in his lifespan?"

Dr. Mo's pupils suddenly contracted.

This was his biggest secret, one he had never told anyone. How did this person know?

"Don't be surprised." Han Mu walked to a chair and sat down, pouring himself a cup of tea. "Since I've come to you, I naturally know something about you. I can solve your problem. Whether you believe me or not is up to you."

Doctor Mo remained silent for a long time before slowly sitting down: "What do you want from me?"

"It's very simple." Han Mu put down his teacup. "Join my Han family as a guest elder, in charge of the family's elixir affairs. In return, I can not only heal your injuries, but also give you a 'Longevity Pill,' which will extend your life by at least twenty years. If you perform well, it's not impossible for you to reach the Foundation Establishment stage in the future."

A glint flashed in Doctor Mo's eyes, but he immediately sneered, "Such arrogance. The Han family? I've lived in Jiayuan City for decades and have never heard of any Han family with such a background."

"The Han family of Yanling Fortress," Han Mu said calmly, "may not be well-known now, but in three years, they will surely be famous throughout the Yue Kingdom."

"Yanling Fortress..." Doctor Mo mused, "I've heard of it. I heard that a few days ago, the three families of Yanling Fortress fought a great battle against the demonic path, ultimately forcing the Ghost Spirit Sect and the Joyful Union Sect to retreat. Could it be..."

"It was indeed done by my Han family." Han Mu nodded.

Doctor Mo re-examined Han Mu. The fact that he could force back the demonic cultivators showed that the Han family indeed possessed some strength. However, this man's cultivation was not high, yet his words were full of confidence; either he truly had the confidence, or he was a madman.

"How can you prove that you can heal my injuries, fellow Daoist?" Doctor Mo asked in a deep voice.

Han Mu took out a jade slip from his storage bag and tossed it to Doctor Mo: "This is an improved version of the 'Eternal Spring Technique,' which I call the 'Eternal Spring Life-Extending Manual.' It contains a method for nourishing the heart meridian, which can alleviate your injuries. Take a look first, then we can discuss it further."

Doctor Mo took the jade slip and probed it with his divine sense with some skepticism. After a moment, his expression changed, sometimes showing surprise and doubt, sometimes realization, and finally turning into shock.

The cultivation method recorded in this jade slip is indeed an improvement on the "Eternal Spring Technique," but its sophistication far surpasses the original. Especially the method for nourishing the heart meridian—it's practically tailor-made for his specific situation!

"Where did you get this technique?" Doctor Mo's voice trembled.

"That's none of your concern," Han Mu said calmly. "Now, can we talk?"

Doctor Mo took a deep breath, put down the jade slip, and looked at Han Mu with a completely different gaze: "If you can really heal my injuries and extend my life by twenty years, why should I hesitate to sell my life to you? However... I have a few conditions."

"explain."

"First, I will only be responsible for alchemy and healing, and will not participate in family struggles. Second, I need an independent alchemy room and a sufficient supply of medicinal herbs. Third..." Doctor Mo paused, "If there is an opportunity in the future, the Han family needs to find me a 'Foundation Building Pill'."

Han Mu could understand the first two conditions, but the third...

"You want to establish your foundation?" Han Mu raised an eyebrow. "Given your current age and the condition of your meridians, even with a Foundation Establishment Pill, the success rate is less than 10%."

"We have to try!" Doctor Mo's eyes flashed with unwillingness. "I've cultivated diligently my whole life, stuck at the tenth level of Qi Refining for a full thirty years! If I don't give it my all, I won't die in peace!"

Looking at the white-haired old man before him, Han Mu could sense his intense resentment. The path of cultivation is defying the heavens; who wouldn't want to advance further?

"Alright, I promise you." Han Mu nodded. "However, Foundation Establishment Pills are precious and will take time. I will find one for you within three years."

"Three years..." Doctor Mo murmured, hope igniting in his eyes. "Alright! Deal!"

"Then, Elder Mo, welcome to the Han family." Han Mu stood up and extended his hand.

Doctor Mo also stood up and made a vow with Han Mu: "I am Mo Juren, and I pay my respects to the head of the family."

"No need for formalities." Han Mu waved his hand. "Pack your things and come back to Yanling Fort with me in three days. Before that, I'll give you some initial treatment for your injuries."

He took out several medicinal herbs from his storage bag: a century-old ginseng king, three pieces of jade lingzhi, and seven vermilion fruits. These were all plundered from the Blood Refining Sect's treasury and had miraculous effects on nourishing the meridians.

"I'll refine a batch of 'Pulse-Regenerating Pills' first, which will temporarily stabilize your injuries," Han Mu said. "Once we return to Yanling Fortress, we'll refine the complete Longevity Pills."

Doctor Mo's eyes lit up when he saw the medicinal herbs. These were all high-quality items, quite valuable. It seemed this new head of the family indeed had some wealth.

"Does the patriarch also know how to refine pills?" Doctor Mo asked.

"I know a little bit," Han Mu said modestly, but a hint of confidence flashed in his eyes.

He instructed Doctor Mo to prepare the alchemy furnace, and they began refining elixirs in the backyard of Huichun Hall. Doctor Mo assisted him, while also observing and learning.

Han Mu's alchemy skills broadened Doctor Mo's horizons. His "Five Elements Fire Control Technique" was exquisite, and his control over the fire was superb. Moreover, Han Mu's handling of medicinal materials was extremely skillful, completely unlike that of an amateur alchemist.

"The patriarch's alchemy skills have probably reached the second level," Doctor Mo exclaimed.

"She's still far from it," Han Mu said while controlling the flames. "Once Yun Ge grows up, she'll be a true genius in alchemy."

"Yun Ge?"

"My granddaughter has dual spiritual roots of wood and fire, and has just become a disciple of Chen Song in Yellow Maple Valley," Han Mu said. "In the future, the family's affairs related to pills will mainly rely on her. Please give her some guidance."

"With dual spiritual roots of wood and fire... he is indeed a promising candidate for alchemy." Doctor Mo nodded. "Rest assured, Patriarch, I will impart all my knowledge to him."

As the two spoke, the aroma of medicine filled the furnace. The Meridian Continuation Pill was only a low-grade second-tier pill, which was not difficult for Han Mu to make. Half an hour later, the pills were completed, nine in total, each plump and round, all of superior quality.

"What a fine pill!" Doctor Mo exclaimed.

Han Mu took out a pill and handed it to Doctor Mo: "Try taking this."

Doctor Mo took the pill and swallowed it without hesitation. The pill entered his stomach, transforming into a warm medicinal force that slowly flowed towards his heart. He could feel the lingering pain that had tormented him for thirty years gradually easing.

"It works! It really works!" Dr. Mo was so excited that he trembled all over.

For thirty years, he had sought out renowned doctors and tried countless folk remedies, all to no avail. Unexpectedly, today he finally saw hope.

"This is only the initial treatment." Han Mu put away the remaining pills. "Once we return to Yanling Fortress, I will refine a 'Longevity Pill' for you. Combined with the 'Eternal Life Technique,' you will definitely recover within three years."

"Thank you very much, Patriarch!" Doctor Mo bowed deeply, this time with genuine gratitude.

"No need for formalities." Han Mu helped him up. "Take these three days to consolidate the effects of the medicine, and we'll set off after that. Also, about your clinic..."

"I will handle it well," Doctor Mo said. "Keep the clinic open and send an apprentice to look after it. If you come to Jiayuan City in the future, you'll have a place to stay."

"Okay." Han Mu nodded.

For the next three days, Han Mu stayed at Huichun Hall, instructing Doctor Mo on the improved cultivation method while also refining some commonly used pills. Doctor Mo, as expected of a veteran alchemist, grasped the concepts quickly and made rapid progress.

On the evening of the third day, just as the two were preparing to depart the next day, there was a sudden, urgent knocking at the door of Huichun Hall.

"Dr. Mo! Dr. Mo, help me!"

It was a young woman's voice, trembling with sobs.

Doctor Mo frowned and opened the door. Outside was a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl in green, supporting a middle-aged man covered in blood. The man had a deep, bone-revealing wound on his chest, bleeding profusely, and his breathing was weak.

"This is..." Doctor Mo examined the injury and his expression changed. "It was caused by sword energy. The person who attacked must be at least at the ninth level of Qi Refining."

"Please, Doctor Mo, save my father!" the girl pleaded, kneeling on the ground.

Doctor Mo looked at Han Mu. Han Mu glanced at the man, then his eyes suddenly narrowed.

"System, scan this person's identity."

[Scanning in progress...]

[Target: Li Tieshan]

[Cultivation Level: Qi Refining Level 8]

[Identity: Captain of the Li Family Guard in Jiayuan City]

[Injury: Wounded by sword energy containing Yin energy, possibly a Ghost Spirit Sect technique]

Ghost Spirit Gate?

A cold glint flashed in Han Mu's eyes. Jiayuan City was eight hundred miles away from Yanling Fortress. How could the Ghost Spirit Sect members be here? And why had they injured members of the Li family?

"Save the person first," Han Mu said to Doctor Mo.

Doctor Mo nodded and quickly treated Li Tieshan's wounds. His medical skills were indeed superb; in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he stopped the bleeding and stabilized the injury.

"Thank you, Dr. Mo! Thank you, senior!" The girl kowtowed repeatedly.

"No need for formalities," Han Mu asked. "Who injured your father?"

The girl choked back tears, saying, "It was...it was a few black-clad cultivators. They stormed into the Li family home, saying they were looking for something. My father led his men to stop them, and they were injured..."

"The black-clad cultivators..." Han Mu pondered, "Are they still at the Li family's residence?"

"It should still be there," the girl said. "I heard them say they're going to search the entire mansion..."

Han Mu and Doctor Mo exchanged a glance.

"Take care of your father first," Han Mu said to the girl, then turned to Doctor Mo, "Let's go check on the Li family."

"Yes, Master."

The two left Huichuntang and headed towards the Li family's residence.

On the way, Han Mu's mind was filled with doubts. The appearance of the Ghost Spirit Sect in Jiayuan City and their forced entry into the Li family were no coincidence. Had they discovered something?

"System, retrieve the information on the Li family of Jiayuan City."

Searching...

[The Li Family of Jiayuan City: A local cultivation family, headed by Li Yuanhong, who is at the second level of Foundation Establishment. The family is renowned for its weapon crafting skills.]

[Recent Developments: Three days ago, the Li family discovered a piece of "Yin Sha Iron" in a mine outside the city, which is suspected to be related to the Ghost Spirit Sect.]

Yin Sha Iron...

Han Mu suddenly realized. This was a rare material for refining Yin-attribute magical artifacts, extremely useful to cultivators of the Ghost Spirit Sect. No wonder they had come looking for him.

It seems that the waters of Jiayuan City are deeper than he thought.