The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Deep within the Qingyun Palace lies a simple and quiet room.

Han Mu pushed open the door and entered, seeing Elder Linghu sitting cross-legged on a futon, a pot of tea in front of him. Unlike three days ago, only the two of them were in the hall at this moment.

"Sit down." Old Ancestor Linghu pointed to the futon opposite him.

Han Mu sat down as instructed, respectfully but not servilely or arrogantly.

"Try this tea. It's made from the leaves of the 'Enlightenment Ancient Tree,' and only three ounces can be obtained every hundred years." Ancestor Linghu poured a cup for Han Mu. The tea was emerald green with a delicate aroma, and just one sip made one feel refreshed.

Han Mu thanked him, took a small sip of the tea, and as it entered his stomach, it transformed into a cool current that rushed straight to his mind. In an instant, he felt that his understanding of the "True Explanation of the Five Elements" had deepened, and the previously obscure formulas suddenly became clear.

"Excellent tea!" Han Mu exclaimed sincerely.

"I'm glad you like it." Linghu Patriarch put down his teacup, his gaze fixed intently on Han Mu. "Han Mu, do you know why I met with you alone?"

"This junior is unaware; please enlighten me, Ancestor."

"Because you are a variable," Elder Linghu said slowly. "I have cultivated for 1,300 years and have seen countless geniuses, but you are the first of your kind. You are only at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, yet you can fight against Nascent Soul cultivators, see through fourth-order formations, and even refine spatial magic treasures. These cannot be explained by ordinary opportunities."

Han Mu's heart tightened, but his expression remained unchanged: "This junior has indeed had some fortuitous encounters, which are inconvenient to discuss in detail. However, this junior has absolutely no ulterior motives towards Huangfeng Valley, and the Blood Moon Incident is clear proof of that."

"I know," Elder Linghu waved his hand. "If I doubted you, I wouldn't have granted you the position of Supreme Guest Elder. I've come to you today to make a deal."

"trade?"

"Indeed," said Ancestor Linghu. "I have less than two hundred years left to live. If nothing unexpected happens, I have no hope of becoming a Nascent Soul in this lifetime. As for the next generation of Huangfeng Valley, Qingyun is at the mid-Nascent Soul stage, but his potential has been exhausted. At most, he can only cultivate to the late-Nascent Soul stage. None of the other elders have any hope of reaching the Nascent Soul stage. If I pass away, Huangfeng Valley will fall to the bottom of the seven major sects."

Han Mu remained silent. What Elder Linghu said was true; a sect without top-tier combat power was destined to decline.

"I have been observing you for three years," Elder Linghu continued. "When you entered Yellow Maple Valley, you were only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. In just three years, you have reached the ninth level of Foundation Establishment. This cultivation speed is top-tier even in the entire Tiannan region. More importantly, you value loyalty, care for your family, and have a bottom line. Such a person is worth investing in."

"What the ancestor means is..."

"I will spare no effort to provide the resources of Huangfeng Valley to help you reach the Core Formation stage, and even the Nascent Soul stage." A glint flashed in the eyes of Patriarch Linghu. "In return, you must become a pillar of Huangfeng Valley within a hundred years. After my passing, you must protect Huangfeng Valley for at least five hundred years."

Han Mu was shaken. This meant that the future of the entire sect was being staked on him.

"Why does the Ancestor trust this junior so much?" Han Mu asked.

"Because you have no other choice." Ancestor Linghu laughed. "I won't pry into your secrets. But you must understand that a genius without a background won't survive long in Tiannan. Why are Tianque Fortress, Yuling Sect, and Huadaowu targeting you? Because they're afraid. Afraid that you'll grow up and change the balance of power among the seven major sects. And Huangfeng Valley is your only backer."

Han Mu remained silent. Linghu Laozu was right; he did indeed need a powerful backer. The Han family was still too weak to withstand any storms.

"Furthermore, I can tell you a secret," Elder Linghu lowered his voice, "The Blood Moon Incident is not the end, but the beginning."

Han Mu's pupils contracted: "Please enlighten me, Ancestor."

"When Wang Chan fled, I left a divine imprint on him," said Ancestor Linghu. "He fled towards the 'Chaotic Star Sea.' That's the territory of the 'Reverse Star Alliance.'"

The Reverse Star Alliance! Han Mu's heart skipped a beat. It was the largest evil alliance in Tiannan, composed of several major demonic sects, its strength comparable to the Seven Great Sects Alliance. If Wang Chan were to join the Reverse Star Alliance, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"The Blood Fiend Sect and the Ghost Spirit Sect were originally subordinate forces of the Reverse Star Alliance," Elder Linghu sneered. "This Blood Moon Incident is probably a pawn used by the Reverse Star Alliance to test the strength of the seven major sects. Their real target is the entire Tiannan."

"Those seven major sects..."

"The Seven Great Sects are not a monolithic entity." Ancestor Linghu shook his head. "Tianque Fortress, Huadao Dock, and the Reverse Star Alliance have secret dealings, while the Hidden Moon Sect and Spirit Beast Mountain have ambiguous attitudes. The only ones we can truly rely on are Yellow Maple Valley, Qingxu Sect, and Giant Sword Sect. However, these three sects have limited strength and cannot support the overall situation on their own."

Han Mu took a deep breath. The situation was so complex; the seven major factions had already split internally.

"Therefore, you need to grow up as quickly as possible," Elder Linghu said solemnly. "I will provide you with all the conveniences, including the complete formula for the 'Five Elements Condensing Elixir Powder' and the main ingredient for the 'Golden Elixir,' the 'Golden Essence Fruit.' But you also have to do one thing for me."

"Please speak, Ancestor."

"Three years from now, Tiannan will open the 'Fallen Demon Valley'," said Ancestor Linghu. "It is an ancient battlefield, full of countless opportunities and endless dangers. I want you to enter it and retrieve something."

"What is it?"

"A 'Heavenly Secret Token'," said Ancestor Linghu. "This token is the key to opening the 'Heavenly Secret Realm,' and within the Heavenly Secret Realm lies a glimmer of hope for me to break through to the Nascent Soul stage. However, the Fallen Demon Valley restricts entry to cultivators above the Nascent Soul stage; only Core Formation cultivators can enter. If you can form your Core within three years, you can go there on my behalf."

Fallen Demon Valley? Han Mu's heart skipped a beat. This was an important plot point in the original story; Han Li obtained a great opportunity in Fallen Demon Valley. He never expected that he would have to go there too.

"If I can form my core within three years, I will certainly live up to your expectations," Han Mu said solemnly.

"Good!" Ancestor Linghu nodded in satisfaction. "From today onwards, you may freely enter and exit the seventh floor of the Scripture Pavilion, where I have collected these treasures for a thousand years. In addition, this is the complete formula for the 'Five Elements Condensing Elixir Powder' and three 'Golden Essence Fruit' seeds. If you can successfully cultivate them, you will increase your chances of forming your elixir by thirty percent."

He took out two jade slips and a jade box and handed them to Han Mu.

Han Mu accepted the pills, scanned them with his divine sense, and was deeply shocked. The formula for the Five Elements Condensing Pill Powder was complete and flawless, and it even had annotations from Ancestor Linghu, making its value immeasurable. The Golden Essence Fruit seed was even more precious. This fruit matures every thousand years and is the main ingredient for refining the Golden Core Pill. A single mature fruit could attract the attention of Nascent Soul cultivators.

"Thank you so much, Ancestor!" Han Mu was genuinely grateful. This investment was enormous.

"No need to thank me, this is a deal." Ancestor Linghu waved his hand. "Go back and prepare. In three days, I will open the 'Five Elements Spirit Pool' to help you temper your body and prepare for Core Formation. Also, I have already searched the soul of Ancestor Blood Fiend and learned many secrets of the Reverse Star Alliance. The Seven Major Sects will soon hold an alliance meeting, and you will need to attend."

"Yes."

Leaving Qingyun Palace, Han Mu's feelings were complex. Linghu Patriarch's frankness both put pressure on him and presented him with opportunities. With the resources of the entire Huangfeng Valley flowing in, his chances of forming his core had greatly increased. But correspondingly, he also bore a tremendous responsibility.

Upon returning to Qingzhu Peak, Han Mu immediately summoned Han Changqing, Doctor Mo, and Li Yuanming.

"Father, what is the purpose of the summons by Ancestor Linghu?" Han Changqing asked.

Han Mu briefly explained the situation, but omitted details about the Reverse Star Alliance and the Fallen Demon Valley. He only said that he had gained the favor of Patriarch Linghu and would receive the sect's full support.

The three were both surprised and delighted upon hearing this. The sect's full support for the Han family meant that their status would rise significantly.

"However, fortune and misfortune are intertwined," Han Mu said in a deep voice. "My rise in status will inevitably attract more jealousy. The clan must develop discreetly and not be ostentatious. In addition, from today onwards, all clan members will double their cultivation efforts, and resource supplies will be increased by 30%. Within three years, I want to see at least ten people successfully establish their foundations."

"Yes!" The three men answered resolutely.

"Elder Mo, this is the complete formula for the Five Elements Condensing Pill Powder. See if you can refine it." Han Mu handed the jade slip containing the formula to Doctor Mo.

Doctor Mo scanned the pill formula with his divine sense and trembled with excitement: "Patriarch, this pill formula... is too complete! If I have enough materials, I am confident that I can refine a superior-grade Five Elements Condensing Pill!"

"I'll figure out the materials," Han Mu said. "Make a list of what you need, and I'll collect it through the sect's channels."

"yes!"

"Changqing, starting today, you will enter the Transmission Pavilion for seclusion. I will give you one year to break through to the late Foundation Establishment stage."

"My son understands."

"Yuanming, you are in charge of the family's defense. Strengthen vigilance. Report any suspicious persons approaching immediately."

"Yes, sir!"

After making the arrangements, Han Mu returned to his cave and took out the Golden Essence Fruit seed. The seed was only the size of a soybean, golden in color, and emitted a faint metallic spiritual energy.

"The system analyzes the seeds of the Golden Fruit and deduces the best cultivation plan."

[Analysis in progress...]

[Golden Essence Fruit Seed: A fourth-tier spiritual plant that requires planting in a place rich in metal-elemental spiritual energy and takes a thousand years to mature]

[Best Cultivation Location: Five Elements Spirit Pool (Metal Attribute Area)]

[Cultivation time required: Normal growth takes a thousand years, which can be shortened to a hundred years using the 'Time Acceleration Array', and to fifty years using 'Spiritual Liquid Irrigation'.]

[Currently available solution: Plant in the Five Elements Spirit Pool, irrigated with 'Geng Metal Spirit Liquid', expected to mature in forty years]

Forty years? That's too long. Han Mu frowned. He couldn't wait that long.

"System, is there a faster way?"

[Consuming Clan Contribution Points can accelerate growth: 1000 points/year]

Current family contribution points: 1250 points

"It can only accelerate it by one year, a drop in the ocean," Han Mu shook his head. It seemed the only option was to plant it first and accelerate it later when he had more contribution points.

He carefully put the seeds away and began to check the system panel.

[Host: Han Mu]

[Realm: Foundation Establishment Level 9 (True) / Foundation Establishment Level 1 (Surface)]

[Family cultivators: 147]

[Family Contribution Points: 1250]

[Pending: Five Elements Spirit Pool Body Tempering (three days later), Cultivating the "True Explanation of the Five Elements", Nurturing the Golden Essence Fruit Seed]

The road ahead is long, but the goal is clear.

Han Mu looked out the window, his eyes resolute.

He must reach the Core Formation stage within three years.