The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

At dawn, Li Huayuan led his team to retreat from Black Wind Ridge. Thirteen men came, and thirteen men left, but the atmosphere was different. They had come to scout, but were leaving to evacuate; each face bore a solemn expression.

Three days, only three days left.

"The communication talisman has been sent back to the sect. The sect leader will immediately convene the other six sects for discussions." Li Huayuan said to Han Mu while flying on his sword. "Guest Elder Han, you should return to Yanling Fortress first and organize the family's evacuation. Huangfeng Valley will send people to set up a temporary camp in Qingfeng Valley, a hundred miles away from Yanling Fortress, to receive the refugees."

"Thank you, Elder Li." Han Mu nodded. He knew this was the most Huangfeng Valley could do. Although the seven major sects had an agreement to support each other, the 100,000 Blood Fiend Array involved too many areas, and the seven major sects needed time to coordinate, so it was impossible for them to intervene fully immediately.

"Also," Li Huayuan took out a storage bag, "inside are thirty 'Swiftness Talismans' and fifty 'Protective Talismans.' Take them back and distribute them to your clansmen. Run as fast as you can, and try to stay within three hundred miles of Black Wind Ridge."

"Yes."

The group parted ways fifty miles from Yanling Fortress. Li Huayuan led the others back to Huangfeng Valley, while Han Mu turned towards Yanling Fortress. He flew at full speed, calculating his escape plan.

Yanling Fortress has nearly a thousand clansmen, but only one hundred and one cultivators. Mortals are slow to evacuate; even with the aid of speed-traveling talismans, they would be lucky to evacuate a hundred miles in three days. The Blood Fiend Array covers three hundred miles, and Yanling Fortress is right on its edge.

"We must find a way to delay the activation of the formation, or... destroy its core." Han Mu's eyes were resolute. He could not stand by and watch his family be destroyed, or watch 100,000 lives be sacrificed.

An hour later, Green Bamboo Peak came into view. The mountain-protecting formation was fully activated, and a pale blue light curtain enveloped the entire peak, making it appear unharmed. However, Han Mu could sense that the Yin energy in the air was slightly denser than when he left, and although it was still very weak, it was indeed spreading.

"Father!" Sensing Han Mu's return, Han Changqing personally opened a gap in the formation. "You're back! How is the situation?"

"Let's go into the council chamber and talk," Han Mu said solemnly.

Inside the council hall, core members including Doctor Mo, Li Yuanming, and Zhang Xuanfeng had gathered. Doctor Mo had successfully established his foundation, and his aura was much more stable, but he couldn't hide the worry on his face. Li Yuanming had also successfully established his foundation and sat with Zhang Xuanfeng; both of them still had somewhat unstable auras, clearly indicating that they had only recently broken through.

"With three Foundation Establishment cultivators, the family's strength has greatly increased." Han Mu first affirmed the achievements, then changed the subject, "But we are now facing the danger of annihilation."

He recounted the situation at Black Wind Ridge in detail, including the 100,000 Blood Fiend Array, its activation on the night of the full moon three days later, and the array's coverage of 300 li. With each sentence he spoke, the crowd's faces paled further.

"A blood sacrifice of 100,000 people...this...this..." Doctor Mo's voice trembled. "That's 100,000 lives!"

"Therefore, we must evacuate within three days," Han Mu said in a deep voice. "Changqing, you immediately organize the clansmen to evacuate in batches. Cultivators will escort mortals to Qingfeng Valley, where Huangfeng Valley will set up a temporary camp. Remember, only bring essential items and travel light."

"Yes!" Han Changqing replied, but there was a troubled look on his face. "Father, there are nearly a thousand people in our clan. I'm afraid we won't be able to evacuate them all in three days."

"We'll evacuate as many as we can," Han Mu said. "I'll try to buy some time. Also, how's the construction of the Heart Refining Tower going?"

"The foundation is complete, and the first floor is almost finished," Han Changqing said. "But given the current situation, we're afraid we'll have to stop construction."

"No, continue building." A resolute glint flashed in Han Mu's eyes. "The Heart Refining Tower has the effect of tempering one's character and helps resist Yin Sha Qi. Even if only one level can be built, it can still protect some of our clansmen. Li Yuanming, Zhang Xuanfeng, you two lead people to assist in the construction. Make sure the first level is completed within two days."

"Yes!" the two replied.

"Elder Mo, hurry up and refine the 'Heart-Clearing Pill' and 'Evil-Repelling Talisman'. Refine as many as you can and distribute them to the clansmen."

"I understand."

After making these arrangements, Han Mu returned to his cave. He needed to refine the Hundred Ghosts Soul Control Banner as soon as possible; it was a powerful weapon that might prove useful in a crucial moment.

Inside the cave, Han Mu took out the Soul Control Banner. The banner was pitch black and icy to the touch, with tiny ghost faces writhing on it, emitting silent howls. This was a ghost-path artifact, requiring living souls as a catalyst for its creation; it was cruel and evil, but its power was indeed extraordinary.

"System, deduce the method for refining the Hundred Ghosts Soul Control Banner."

[Driving simulation in progress...]

[Method 1: Refine with the Pure Yang True Fire Technique, requires three days, has a 70% success rate, retains the ability to control ghosts, but will weaken its power by 30%]

[Method Two: Forcibly refine with the power of the Five Elements, requires one day, success rate 50%, may damage the magical artifact]

[Method 3: Refine using the "Primordial Longevity Technique" in conjunction with the system's assistance. This requires six hours, has a 90% success rate, and allows for complete control, but consumes a large amount of spiritual energy.]

The third method is the best, but it requires a large amount of spiritual energy. Han Mu is currently at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment, with abundant spiritual energy, so he should be able to support it.

"Choose method three."

[Refining begins...]

Step 1: Erase the original owner's mark

Han Mu placed his hands on the Soul Control Banner and activated the Primordial Longevity Technique, channeling pure Five Elements spiritual energy into the banner. The Soul Control Banner vibrated violently, emitting resisting fluctuations. However, Han Mu's spiritual energy was abundant, and with the system's assistance, he quickly located the spiritual imprint left by the original owner.

It was a cold, sinister soul imprint hidden deep within the banner pole. Han Mu channeled his pure Yang true fire, transforming it into fine threads that slowly burned away at the imprint. The imprint resisted fiercely, but the pure Yang true fire was specifically designed to counteract evil and yin energy. An hour later, the imprint was completely erased.

Step Two: Establishing a New Imprint

Han Mu bit his fingertip, forcing out a drop of blood essence, which he dripped onto the banner. The blood essence quickly seeped in, establishing a connection with the Soul Control Banner. At the same time, he separated a wisp of his divine consciousness, infusing it into the banner, and began to inscribe his spiritual imprint.

This process was slow and required extremely precise control. Han Mu was completely focused, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Three hours later, the spiritual imprint was completed, and the Soul Control Banner no longer resisted, establishing a preliminary connection with him.

[Step 3: Refining the Core]

The core of the Soul Control Banner is a "Soul Control Pearl" at the center of the banner. It is completely black and contains the souls of thirty Foundation Establishment stage ghosts. These souls have had their minds erased, leaving only their instincts, and can be manipulated to fight enemies.

Han Mu formed hand seals, creating a series of magic hand gestures, and began refining the Soul Control Bead. With each soul refined, he gained more control. Six hours later, all thirty souls had been refined.

hum-

The Soul Control Banner emitted a soft hum, flew from Han Mu's hand, and hovered in mid-air. The banner unfolded, revealing thirty faint ghostly figures. Although blurry, their outlines could be discerned as Foundation Establishment stage ghosts.

"It's done!" Han Mu's eyes flashed with joy. With a thought, the Soul Control Banner appeared in his hand, as easy to use as an extension of his own arm. He could clearly sense the existence of the thirty ghosts within the banner, and as long as he infused them with spiritual power, he could summon them to fight.

"System, view detailed information about the Soul Control Banner."

[Item: Hundred Ghosts Soul Control Banner (Tier 3, High Grade)]

[Status: Refined (Host: Han Mu)]

[Function: Can summon thirty Foundation Establishment stage ghosts to fight, each ghost possessing 80% of its former strength.]

[Current number of ghosts: 1 at Foundation Establishment Level 3, 3 at Foundation Establishment Level 2, and 26 at Foundation Establishment Level 1]

[Consumption: Each ghost consumes 1% of the host's spiritual power per minute to maintain combat]

[Note: Ghosts can absorb Yin energy to recover, and their combat power increases when in a Yin environment.]

"A good thing!" Han Mu thought with certainty. With this Soul Control Banner, he would have the confidence to fight against late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators and even Pseudo-Core Formation cultivators. Although it consumed a lot of spiritual energy, it could save his life in a critical moment.

After refining the Soul Control Banner, Han Mu emerged from his cave. It was late at night, but Green Bamboo Peak was brightly lit. Under Han Changqing's organization, the clansmen were evacuating in batches. The elderly, weak, women, and children went first, while the able-bodied stayed behind to assist in building the Heart Refining Tower.

At the foundation of the Heart Refining Tower, Li Yuanming and Zhang Xuanfeng, along with dozens of cultivators, were busy at work. The tower was already ten feet tall, constructed using "Soul-Suppressing Stones" and "Heart-Cleansing Wood," effectively resisting the erosion of Yin energy. At this pace, completing the first level within two days should not be a problem.

Han Mu arrived at the tower and examined it carefully. The blueprints for the Heart Refining Tower were the complete version rewarded by the system, consisting of nine levels, each corresponding to a different level of mental cultivation. The first level was the simplest, suitable for Qi Refining cultivators to hone their character, but it also had a calming and concentration effect on mortals.

"Master," Doctor Mo approached and handed over a storage bag, "These are the Mind-Clearing Pills and Evil-Repelling Talismans that were refined today. There aren't many, but they'll be enough."

Han Mu took it; inside were one hundred Mind-Clearing Pills and two hundred Evil-Repelling Talismans. Doctor Mo had only recently established his foundation; he had already done his best to refine so many in such a short time.

"You've worked hard," Han Mu said. "You should also prepare to leave, taking with you the important pill formulas and materials."

"Isn't the head of the family leaving?" Doctor Mo asked.

"I'll stay." Han Mu looked towards Black Wind Ridge. "There are some things that someone has to do."

Doctor Mo remained silent for a moment, then bowed deeply: "Take care, Master."

Just then, a crimson beam of light suddenly shot into the sky in the distance, soaring straight into the heavens. The beam of light came from the direction of Black Wind Ridge, and although it was far away, it was exceptionally conspicuous in the night sky.

"What is that?" a member of the tribe exclaimed.

Han Mu's expression changed. A pillar of blood-red light... this was a sign that the formation was about to activate! Could it be that the Yin Sha Ghost King had acted ahead of schedule?

"System, analyze the blood-red light pillar."

[Analysis in progress...]

[Energy Fluctuation: Yin Sha Attribute, Peak Foundation Establishment Level]

[Source: Core Area of ​​Heifengling]

[Speculation: The 100,000 Blood Fiend Array test has begun, or some nodes may be activated]

[Warning: The formation may activate faster than expected]

Faster? Han Mu's heart tightened. It seemed that time was even more pressing than he had thought.

"Everyone, speed up!" Han Mu shouted sternly. "We must complete the first level of the Heart Refining Tower by noon tomorrow! Evacuate the ranks and set off tonight without stopping!"

Under the cover of night, Green Bamboo Peak was bustling with activity. Meanwhile, a hundred miles away at Black Wind Ridge, a crimson pillar of light grew ever brighter, like an eye gazing upon this land in the darkness.