The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

When we returned to Yellow Maple Valley, it was nearly dusk.

Han Mu and his group headed straight for the Heavenly Pillar Hall. Two seriously injured disciples were sent to the Danxin Pavilion for treatment. After taking an antidote, Youhun's condition temporarily stabilized, but he remained weak. Qingyun Zhenren and Bai Mei Laodao were already waiting in the main hall, and Gui Li was also present.

"Sect Leader, I have successfully completed my mission and brought back the ghost." Li Huayuan stepped forward to report, briefly explaining what happened in Ghost Cry Forest, but omitting the details of Han Mu revealing his true strength.

After listening, Master Qingyun's gaze fell on Han Mu, a complex look flashing in his eyes: "Elder Han, you've worked hard. Youhun, produce the evidence you have."

The ghost took out a black storage bag from his robes and poured out more than a dozen blood-red jade slips and several recording stones: "These are all secret letters between Wang Chan and the Blood Fiend Sect, as well as images of them setting up the Blood Fiend Sealing Array on the border. And... the latest situation of the Blood Moon Demon Lord's sealed land."

Master Qingyun picked up a recording stone and infused it with spiritual power. An image appeared on the stone: a deep valley with nine blood-red stone pillars standing in it. Dozens of mortals were bound to each pillar, having their blood extracted and their souls refined. At the bottom of the valley, from a huge crack, faint blood-red demonic energy surged out.

"The Valley of Burial Souls..." The white-browed Taoist priest gasped, "They've actually gone this far!"

"The Blood Moon Incident is scheduled for the night of the full moon three months from now," the ghost said weakly. "But as far as I know, Wang Chan might bring it forward to prevent the news from leaking out. The seven major sects must act as soon as possible."

Master Qingyun's expression was solemn as he put away all the evidence: "Elder Guili, Youhun, you may go and rest. This matter is of great importance, and I must immediately convene the other five sects for discussion."

After Gui Li and You Hun were taken away by their disciples, Qingyun Zhenren looked at Han Mu and said, "Elder Han, Elder Li said you encountered the Seven Kill Guards and annihilated them. With your lineup, to be able to do that is probably..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear. The Seven Kill Guards had seven members at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage and more than twenty at the late-Qi Refinement stage, while Han Mu's side only had five members at the early-Foundation Establishment stage and one wounded soldier. Logically speaking, they had absolutely no chance of winning.

Han Mu knew he couldn't hide it any longer, so he frankly said, "This junior has indeed concealed his cultivation level. My true cultivation level is the eighth level of the Foundation Establishment stage."

"Eighth level of Foundation Establishment?" The white-browed old Taoist's eyes widened. "How old are you? And when you first entered the sect..."

"There are some opportunities that I cannot elaborate on," Han Mu said. "I did not mean to hide them, but the cultivation world is dangerous, and I need to keep some trump cards to protect myself."

Master Qingyun was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "Good, good! You're at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment, yet you can disguise yourself as a first-level Foundation Establishment cultivator. Even I couldn't see through it. Your ability to conceal your presence is truly remarkable. No wonder you've repeatedly achieved great feats in Black Wind Ridge. I've always found it strange, but now I finally understand."

He wasn't angry at all; on the contrary, he admired it. Who in the cultivation world doesn't have secrets? As long as it doesn't harm the sect, the stronger the better.

"Does the sect leader not blame me for concealing this information?" Han Mu asked.

"Why blame me?" Master Qingyun said. "You have rendered great service to Huangfeng Valley and saved your fellow disciples. I am overjoyed. However, this matter can no longer be kept secret. The Seven Kill Guards have been wiped out, and Wang Chan and the Blood Fiend Sect will definitely investigate. Your true strength will soon become known."

"I understand," Han Mu nodded. Exposure was inevitable, and he was already mentally prepared.

"But this is also a good thing." A glint flashed in Qingyun Zhenren's eyes. "Eighth level of Foundation Establishment, enough to serve as an elder with real power. At the Seven Sects Conference, I will officially appoint you as the 'Deputy Hall Master of the Foreign Affairs Hall,' in charge of foreign intelligence and border defense. With the Blood Moon Incident imminent, you need this identity."

Deputy Hall Master of the Foreign Affairs Hall? That's a powerful position, ranking among the top twenty in Huangfeng Valley. Han Mu's heart stirred; he knew that this was Qingyun Zhenren further trying to win him over, binding him to Huangfeng Valley's cause.

"I will certainly do my utmost," Han Mu said solemnly.

"Go back and rest first. You need to attend the Seven Sects Meeting in three days," said Master Qingyun. "Due to the Blood Moon Incident, the seven major sects must unite, but there will inevitably be internal disagreements. Be prepared."

"Yes."

After leaving Tianzhu Hall, Han Mu did not return to Qingxin Garden, but went to Qingzhu Peak. He wanted to check on the construction progress of the Chuangong Pavilion and also make arrangements for the family to deal with possible troubles.

On Green Bamboo Peak, the Transmission Pavilion was beginning to take shape. The three-story pavilion, with its frame made of thousand-year-old ironwood and its base of Soul-Suppressing Stone, and its doors and windows inlaid with Pure Heart Jade, exuded a tranquil aura. Li Yuanming, who was leading his clansmen in inscribing array runes, saw Han Mu and quickly went to greet him.

"Patriarch, the Transmission Pavilion will be completed in three more days," Li Yuanming said. "The three sets of cultivation techniques you brought have been engraved into the 'Inheritance Jade Tablet' as you instructed. After entering, clansmen can comprehend the techniques through the jade tablet, which is much more effective than jade slips."

"You've had a long day." Han Mu nodded. "How has the family been lately?"

"Everything is going smoothly. The effects of the Spirit Eye Spring are becoming more and more apparent. Three clansmen who were in the late stage of Qi Refining have already broken through to the tenth level of Qi Refining, and are not far from Foundation Establishment." Li Yuanming said with a smile, "In addition, Elder Mo successfully refined the 'Qi Condensation Pill' using the pill formula you gave him, with a success rate of 50%."

"Very good." Han Mu was satisfied. The family was developing steadily, which was exactly what he wanted to see.

He arrived at the Spirit Eye Spring, sat cross-legged, and began to regulate his breathing. Today's battle had taken a toll on him, and he needed to recover. At the same time, he also needed to consider his next steps.

Revealing his strength has both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is an elevated status and access to more resources; the disadvantage is becoming the center of attention and attracting scrutiny from all sides. With the Blood Moon upheaval imminent, he must increase his strength as quickly as possible.

"System, display the current status and available tasks."

[Host: Han Mu]

[Realm: Foundation Establishment Level 8 (True) / Foundation Establishment Level 1 (Surface)]

[Spiritual Power: 85% (Recovering)]

[Family cultivators: 137]

【家族任务：修士137/200，筑基4/10，资源1/1】

[Available Quest: Blood Moon Incident (Main Quest)]

[Mission Requirements: Prevent the Blood Moon Demon Lord from breaking the seal and destroy the Blood Fiend Seal-Breaking Array]

[Mission Rewards: Twenty years of cultivation empowerment, fourth-tier cultivation technique "True Understanding of the Five Elements", special building "Trial Tower"]

[Failure Penalty: 80% chance of family annihilation]

The penalty for failure is an 80% chance of family annihilation! Han Mu's heart skipped a beat. This meant that the danger of the Blood Moon Incident far exceeded his imagination; failure would mean not only personal death but also the potential annihilation of his entire family.

"Accept the quest."

[Task accepted successfully]

[Current Progress: Securing the support of the Seven Factions Alliance (0/7)]

The Seven Factions Alliance… Han Mu smiled wryly. The seven factions appear united on the surface, but in reality, each harbors its own agenda. For the seven factions to truly unite is no easy feat. The meeting in three days is sure to be a tough battle.

"Patriarch, someone from Huangfeng Valley has come with a message." A clansman rushed over, saying that the elders from Tianque Fortress, Yuling Sect, and Huadaowu Sect have arrived and wish to see you.

So fast? Han Mu's eyes turned cold. These three factions have always been at odds with Huangfeng Valley, and their arrival now is definitely not for anything good.

"lead the way."

Upon arriving at the Qingzhu Peak reception hall, three elderly men were already waiting. They were Elder Li from Tianque Fortress, the middle-aged man in brocade robes from the Yuling Sect, and the one-armed swordsman from Huadaowu. All three possessed powerful auras and were at the late Foundation Establishment stage.

"Elder Han, how have you been?" Elder Li said with a forced smile.

"We are deeply sorry for not welcoming you properly, three elders," Han Mu said calmly. "What can we do for you?"

"I dare not presume to offer guidance." The middle-aged man in brocade robes toyed with the golden spirit rat on his shoulder. "I only heard that Elder Han displayed great power in the Ghost Cry Forest, single-handedly annihilating the Seven Kill Guards, so I came to verify it. Elder Han has hidden his abilities quite well; he is at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment, yet he pretended to be at the first level, deceiving us all."

"Which cultivator doesn't have some secrets?" Han Mu said calmly.

"Secrets are acceptable, but deception is not," the one-armed swordsman sneered. "Elder Han, you obtained the position of Protector Elder with only a Foundation Establishment stage cultivation level. Now that your true cultivation level has been exposed, shouldn't you reconsider this position?"

So that's what it was all about. Han Mu sneered inwardly, "Are the three of you representing your respective sects, here to demand that I abdicate?"

"I wouldn't dare," Elder Li said. "I just feel that since Elder Han has the cultivation of the eighth level of Foundation Establishment, it's a waste of his talent to be a Dharma Protector Elder. How about... a friendly spar? If Elder Han can win, we'll be completely convinced. If not, then please resign from your position as Dharma Protector Elder. What do you say?"

The three men stood up simultaneously, their auras locking onto Han Mu. Clearly, they had planned this all along, intending to attack Han Mu while he was still recovering from a major battle and in poor condition.

Han Mu glanced at the three of them and suddenly smiled.

"Okay. One at a time, or all at once?"