The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

On the third floor of Danxin Pavilion, in Chen Song's alchemy room.

Han Mu entered, led by a waiter. Chen Song was standing in front of a row of medicine shelves, arranging the newly delivered medicinal herbs. Upon seeing Han Mu, he put down the jade box in his hand and gestured for the waiter to leave.

"Fellow Daoist Han, a rare guest." Chen Song smiled and cupped his hands in greeting. "Yun Ge just left not long ago, and you've already arrived. What brings you here? Is there something you need to tell me?"

"Indeed, I have a favor to ask," Han Mu said bluntly. "Would Master Chen please dismiss everyone else so we can speak privately?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Chen Song's eyes, but he quickly nodded and waved his hand to cast a spell, activating the soundproof array in the alchemy room. This array could not only isolate sound but also block divine sense probing, clearly indicating that it was of a high grade.

"Now you can talk about it," Chen Song said.

Han Mu did not directly state his purpose, but instead took out a jade slip from his storage bag and placed it on the table: "This is a fragment of an ancient alchemical formula that I happened to obtain. It records the methods for refining several lost healing pills. I am not very talented, but I have some knowledge of alchemy. This item is useless to me, but it may be of some value to a professional like Master Chen."

Chen Song took the jade slip and probed it with his divine sense. After a moment, a look of shock flashed in his eyes. The three kinds of pills recorded in this jade slip were all ancient holy medicines for healing. Although they were incomplete, if they could be restored, their value would be immeasurable.

"Fellow Daoist Han, this gift is too generous." Chen Song put down the jade slip, his expression becoming solemn. "What is it? Please speak freely. As long as it is within my power, I will not refuse."

"Master Chen is very straightforward." Han Mu nodded. "I would like to inquire about three things: the Pure Yang True Fire Technique, the Yang Flame Pill, and the Demon-Slaying Pill. What are the conditions for obtaining these three items?"

Chen Song's expression changed slightly, and his gaze towards Han Mu became more scrutinizing: "Why is Fellow Daoist Han asking about these things? The Pure Yang True Fire Technique is one of the treasured techniques of my Yellow Maple Valley, and it cannot be taught to anyone other than a core disciple. The Yang Flame Pill and the Demon-Slaying Pill are even more strategic resources, difficult to refine and with scarce materials. Usually, only disciples who have carried out special missions or made significant contributions to the sect can exchange for them."

"To be honest, I've run into some trouble near my family's territory," Han Mu said, half-jokingly. "The seal on an ancient tomb has loosened, releasing yin energy that has already injured several members of my clan. I've heard that these three items are incredibly effective at suppressing yin spirits, so I'd like to request one or two to alleviate this urgent crisis."

"The seal on the ancient tomb has loosened?" Chen Song pondered. "This is no small matter. If the Yin energy spreads, countless lives will be lost within a hundred miles. Fellow Daoist Han, are you sure it's just a loosening of the seal, and not... the emergence of a ghost?"

"Currently, it's just a leak of Yin energy," Han Mu said. "But if left unchecked, it could lead to a major disaster. I've already ordered the surrounding area to be sealed off, but that's only a temporary fix; we need to find a way to control it."

Chen Song paced back and forth in the room, his brow furrowed. After a long while, he stopped and looked at Han Mu: "Fellow Daoist Han, although we have not known each other for long, judging from your actions, you are by no means a wicked person. I also like that child, Yun Ge, very much. As for this matter... I can help you, but I need you to agree to one condition."

"Speaking."

"Join Huangfeng Valley and become a guest elder," Chen Song said solemnly. "In this way, you will be qualified to exchange for a portion of the 'Pure Yang True Fire Technique,' and you can also purchase Yangyan Pills and Posha Pills at internal prices. More importantly, if there are any strange changes in that ancient tomb, Huangfeng Valley can intervene legitimately without being criticized by other sects for interfering in the affairs of other races."

Guest Elder?

Han Mu's heart skipped a beat. This was indeed a good idea. Becoming a guest elder of Huangfeng Valley would not only provide the Han family with a powerful backer but also grant them access to sect resources, greatly benefiting the family's development. Moreover, this status would make dealing with the seven major sects much easier in the future.

"What obligations do guest elders have to fulfill?" Han Mu asked.

"Not much," Chen Song said. "Each year, you'll need to refine a certain number of pills for the sect or complete tasks assigned by the sect. You'll be free to come and go as you please, and the sect won't interfere in your family affairs. As for compensation, you'll receive a fixed supply of spirit stones and pills every month, and you can also exchange sect resources at a discounted price."

That sounds good. But Han Mu didn't agree immediately. Instead, he asked, "Can Master Chen make the decision on this matter?"

"I certainly can't make that decision myself," Chen Song said with a smile, "but I can make an introduction. My sect's Uncle-Master Li Huayuan is in charge of foreign affairs, and I have some connections with him. With Fellow Daoist Han's Foundation Establishment cultivation, coupled with his expertise in formations and alchemy, becoming a guest elder is more than enough. However..."

"Just what?"

"It's just that things have been a bit...unstable within the sect lately." Chen Song lowered his voice. "The sect leader is in seclusion, attempting to break through to the late Nascent Soul stage, and several elders are engaged in open and covert struggles, all trying to recruit people. If Fellow Daoist Han joins now, he will inevitably get caught up in it. This is something I need to explain in advance."

Internal strife within the sect? Han Mu's eyes flashed. This was to be expected; it was perfectly normal for such behemoths as the Seven Great Sects to have numerous internal factions. But this also meant risk; choosing the wrong side could have serious consequences.

"I wonder which school of alchemy Master Chen belongs to?" Han Mu asked tentatively.

"I am merely an alchemist and do not participate in factional disputes," Chen Song shook his head. "But Uncle-Master Li Huayuan is a neutral party, loyal only to the sect and not involved in internal strife. If Fellow Daoist Han seeks peace and stability, Uncle-Master Li is the most suitable choice."

A neutral party… that's exactly what Han Mu expected. What he needs now is stable development, not getting embroiled in internal strife.

"Alright, then I'll trouble Master Chen to make the introduction." Han Mu made his decision.

"Great idea," Chen Song laughed. "In three days, Uncle-Master Li will come to Danxin Pavilion for an inspection, and I will introduce you then. However, before that, Fellow Daoist Han needs to prepare a 'pledge of allegiance'."

"What kind of pledge of allegiance?"

"Refine a batch of third-tier pills to prove your worth," Chen Song said. "A sect's guest elder must at least be a third-tier alchemist or array master. Fellow Daoist Han is proficient in arrays, but what level has your alchemy reached?"

Han Mu pondered. His alchemy skills had indeed reached the third tier, but that was the result of his actual cultivation at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment, plus the system's assistance. On the surface, he was only at the first level of Foundation Establishment. If he were to refine a third-tier pill, it would be far too astonishing.

"My alchemy skills are passable, but I'm not very confident in refining third-tier pills," Han Mu said cautiously. "Would it be possible to use an array instead?"

"Formation?" Chen Song thought for a moment, "That's fine too. But it has to be a formation that can be useful to the sect, such as an improved version of the mountain-protecting formation, or a formation with special functions."

The mountain-protecting formation needs improvement... Han Mu had a plan in mind. Among the inheritance of the Lesser Five Elements Sword Formation he obtained in the Blood Fiend Mountains, there was a variant of the Five Elements Spirit Gathering Formation, which could increase the concentration of spiritual energy within the formation's range. Although the increase was not significant, even a small amount was still valuable to a large sect.

"I have an improved version of the 'Five Elements Gathering Spirit Array,' which can increase the spiritual energy concentration within the array's range by 10% without increasing the consumption of spirit stones," Han Mu said. "I wonder if this array could serve as a token of my loyalty?"

"Increase the spiritual energy concentration by 10%? And without increasing the consumption?" Chen Song's eyes lit up. "If that's true, this formation is incredibly valuable! Fellow Daoist Han, is this really true?"

"Of course it's true," Han Mu said. "If Master Chen doesn't believe me, I can set up a small demonstration formation on the spot."

"Alright!" Chen Song decided. "Set it up right here in the alchemy room. If it really works, I guarantee you'll stay in your guest elder position!"

Han Mu said no more and took out a few basic array-setting materials from his storage bag: five low-grade spirit stones of each of the five elements, five array flags, and one array plate. These were all things he prepared when practicing arrays; they were of ordinary quality, but sufficient.

He first placed the array plate in the center of the alchemy room, then arranged the array flags according to the five elements, placing a spirit stone of the corresponding attribute next to each flag. Next, he formed hand seals, casting various magic seals to activate the array.

hum-

Five-colored light swirled within the alchemy chamber, forming a small array three zhang in diameter. Once the array was complete, the spiritual energy within the chamber noticeably increased, and the five elements were balanced, making it ideal for alchemy.

Chen Song sensed the changes in spiritual energy within the formation, a look of shock flashing in his eyes. As a third-tier alchemist, he was extremely sensitive to changes in spiritual energy and could clearly feel that the concentration of spiritual energy within the formation's range had indeed increased by about 10%, and was extremely stable.

"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!" Chen Song exclaimed. "If this array were set up in the sect's medicine garden, the growth rate of spiritual herbs could increase by at least half a percent! If set up in the cultivation cave, the disciples' cultivation efficiency would also improve! Fellow Daoist Han, the value of this array far exceeds that of a third-grade pill!"

"I'm glad Master Chen is satisfied." Han Mu removed the formation, inscribed the formation method and diagram on a jade slip, and handed it to Chen Song. "This is the complete formation diagram and key points for setting up the formation. Please pass it on to Senior Li, Master Chen."

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Han, leave this matter to me." Chen Song put away the jade slip and said solemnly, "Uncle Li will definitely arrive in three days. At that time, Fellow Daoist Han's position as a guest elder will be a sure thing."

Thank you for your trouble.

After leaving Danxin Pavilion, Han Mu returned to the inn. The moment he entered, the communication talisman in his storage bag vibrated. It was a message from Han Changqing.

"Father, Elder Mo is in seclusion for the third day. There are fluctuations of spiritual energy in his cave, as if he is trying to break through a bottleneck. Also, the family has recruited six new disciples today, bringing the total to ninety-one. The foundation of the Heart Refining Tower is complete, and the main materials such as the Soul Suppressing Stone are ready. Construction can begin as soon as you return."

Is Dr. Mo starting to break through his bottleneck? So fast?

Han Mu's heart tightened. Foundation Establishment is the first major hurdle for cultivators, extremely dangerous, and the slightest carelessness can lead to death and the annihilation of one's cultivation. However, Doctor Mo is well-prepared, with the Five Elements Condensing Pill and Foundation Establishment Pill as aids, so the success rate should not be low.

"Keep a close eye on it, and notify me immediately if there are any unusual movements," Han Mu replied.

"Yes. Father, how are things at Yellow Maple Valley?"

"Successfully. You should be able to become a guest elder in three days. Keep an eye on things with the family. Has anything unusual happened in the Black Wind Ridge area recently?"

"No abnormalities have been found yet. The Yin energy is contained within the Black Wind Ridge area and has not spread outwards. However, the scouts report that they can hear faint ghostly wails at night, which is unsettling."

The sound of ghostly wails... It seems the seal on the Yin Sha Ghost King is beginning to loosen.

Han Mu's expression turned serious. Time was truly running out.

"System, display the current task progress."

[Host: Han Mu]

[Realm: Foundation Establishment Level 7 (True) / Foundation Establishment Level 1 (Surface)]

[Clan cultivators: 91 (6 new members)]

[Family Development Task: Number of cultivators 91/100, Foundation Establishment cultivators 1/3]

[Current Mission: Responding to the Crisis of the Yin Sha Ghost King (Countdown: 2 years and 10 months)]

[Side Quest: Become a Guest Elder of Yellow Maple Valley (In Progress, 60%)]

Nine more cultivators are needed to complete the required number of cultivators. On the Foundation Establishment stage, if Doctor Mo succeeds, there will be two. One more is needed…

Perhaps, after becoming a guest elder of Huangfeng Valley, I can try to obtain a better Foundation Establishment Pill for Han Yunge so that she can establish her foundation as soon as possible.

Just as I was pondering this, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the window.

Han Mu walked to the window and saw a commotion in the street, with people looking up at the sky. He followed their gaze and saw a streak of blood-red light flying rapidly from the horizon, heading straight for the gate of Yellow Maple Valley.

The aura of that escaping light was cold and violent; it was none other than a demonic cultivator in the late Foundation Establishment stage!

"Enemy attack—!"

Within Yellow Maple Valley, the alarm bells toll continuously.