The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Han Changqing was very efficient. In just one day, he spread the news that "the main ingredient of the Nascent Soul Pill is found in the Tianque Fort ruins" through several secret channels. To ensure that the news reached the ears of the Ghost Spirit Sect, he also specially arranged for two clever Qi Refining disciples to disguise themselves as rogue cultivators and "accidentally" let the news slip in the market near Yanling Fort.

The effect is immediate.

Three days later, the Ghost Spirit Sect suddenly withdrew most of its personnel from its stronghold in Yanling Fortress. Two days later, some rogue cultivators spotted black-robed Ghost Spirit Sect members active outside the Tianque Fortress ruins.

"Father, the news has arrived." Han Changqing reported to Han Mu, "The Ghost Spirit Sect has sent at least twenty cultivators to Tianque Fortress, including two Core Formation stage cultivators. The Qingxu Sect has also sent more people, and now the two forces are in a standoff outside the ruins."

"Very good." Han Mu nodded. "Continue to monitor, but don't get too close. A Core Formation cultivator's spiritual sense range is quite large; don't get detected."

"Yes." Han Changqing hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Father, are we really not going to take a look? If we could obtain the main ingredient of the Nascent Soul Pill..."

"Don't bite off more than you can chew." Han Mu shook his head. "The Nascent Soul Pill is a fourth-tier pill, and its main ingredient, the 'Heavenly Flower,' is indeed precious, but it's useless to our Han family right now. Besides, even if we got it, we couldn't keep it. Let the Qingxu Sect and the Ghost Spirit Sect fight over it, while we sit back and watch them fight, and complete the system mission along the way. That's the most cost-effective approach."

"A system task?" Han Changqing was taken aback. Although he knew his father had some mysterious methods, he didn't know the specific details.

"You don't need to worry about that." Han Mu waved his hand. "Go prepare for the Blood Forbidden Land trial. There are still four months left, so let those kids make the most of their time to cultivate. Also, prepare yourself; a month from now, I will give you the 'Five Elements Core Formation Powder' to help you break through to the Core Formation stage."

Han Changqing trembled, his eyes filled with excitement: "Father, you mean...?"

"Your Foundation Establishment stage has been stable for many years, and your foundation is solid. With the assistance of the Five Elements Spirit Pool, you should be able to reach the late Foundation Establishment stage in a month. At that time, if you take the Core Formation Powder, you will have a 50% chance of successfully forming your Core," Han Mu said. "If you form your Core, then the Han family will truly have a firm foothold in the Yue Kingdom."

"Thank you, Father!" Han Changqing bowed deeply. Reaching the Core Formation stage is the dream of every Foundation Establishment cultivator. There are tens of thousands of cultivators in the Yue Kingdom, but fewer than a hundred have reached the Core Formation stage, and each one of them is capable of founding a sect.

"Go ahead and prepare well."

After Han Changqing left, Han Mu brought up the system interface.

"System, check the progress of the mission 'Disrupt the Qingxu Sect's Nascent Soul Pill Project'."

[Mission: Sabotage the Qingxu Sect's Nascent Soul Pill Plan]

[Content: Prevent Qingxu Sect from obtaining the Heavenly Flower]

Current progress: 45%

[Note: The Ghost Spirit Sect has intervened, creating a standoff with the Pure Void Sect.]

Estimated completion time: 7-15 days

[Task Reward: 3000 Contribution Points, Core Formation Stage Divine Power "Five Elements Divine Light"]

The progress is 45%, indicating that the Ghost Spirit Sect's intervention has already had a substantial impact on the Qingxu Sect. However, it's still far from being completely destroyed. Han Mu estimates that the mission progress will only increase significantly when the two sides actually start fighting and suffer heavy casualties.

"System, scan the current situation of the Tianque Fortress ruins," Han Mu thought to himself.

[Scanning in progress...]

[Tianque Fort Ruins: Located 300 li northwest of Yanling Fort]

[Current Faction: Qingxu Sect (Mid-stage Core Formation x1, Early-stage Core Formation x2, Foundation Establishment x15)]

[Ghost Spirit Sect (Mid-Core Formation stage x1, Early-Core Formation stage x1, Foundation Establishment stage x12)]

[Location of Tianque Flower: Underground secret chamber of the core site 'Danxia Hall']

[Secret Chamber Restriction: Fourth-Order 'Nine Palaces Spirit Locking Array', requires three Core Formation cultivators to work together to break it]

[Prediction: Both sides will attempt to break through the formation within three days, at which point conflict is inevitable]

As expected, the Heavenly Flower was in the Danxia Palace. Han Mu remembered that Heavenly Fortress had been famous for alchemy for a thousand years, and the Danxia Palace was where the fortress lord practiced alchemy, so it was only natural that it contained valuable treasures.

"It takes three Core Formation cultivators to break the formation..." Han Mu pondered. "The Qingxu Sect has three Core Formation cultivators, while the Guiling Sect only has two. If I were from the Qingxu Sect, I would try to break the formation alone first. If I were from the Guiling Sect, I would wait until the Qingxu Sect has exhausted their resources after breaking the formation before making my move to seize it."

But the Ghost Spirit Sect wouldn't be so foolish as to just watch the Pure Void Sect break the formation. The most likely scenario is that the two sides will temporarily join forces to break the formation, and then turn against each other to fight for control.

"System, simulate the outcome of the conflict between the two parties."

[Simulation in progress...]

[Scene 1: The two sides join forces to break the formation. Qingxu Sect obtains the Heavenly Flower, while Guiling Sect suffers serious injuries to one member. Mission completion rate: 70%]

[Scene 2: The two sides are locked in a fierce battle, and the Heavenly Flower is destroyed in the struggle. Mission completion rate: 100%]

[Scenario 3: Third-party intervention leads to a lose-lose situation; the Heavenly Flower is obtained by the third party; mission completion rate 90%]

Han Mu narrowed his eyes slightly. Third-party intervention? That was indeed a variable. The commotion at the Tianque Fortress ruins couldn't have been known only to the Qingxu Sect and the Guiling Sect. Other forces in the Yue Kingdom, even independent cultivators, might have been drawn to the news.

"Looks like we need to add fuel to the fire." Han Mu had a plan in mind.

He took out a communication talisman and infused it with his divine sense: "Ancestor Linghu, the Tianque Fortress ruins contain the 'Tianque Flower,' the main ingredient for the Nascent Soul Pill, which is currently being contested by the Qingxu Sect and the Guiling Sect. Is Huangfeng Valley interested in getting a share?"

A moment later, Elder Linghu replied: "The main ingredient of the Nascent Soul Pill? Is the information reliable?"

"It's absolutely true. I had informants at the ruins and witnessed the confrontation between the two sides. The Qingxu Sect leader, Xuan Qingzi, arrived in person, while the Guiling Sect sent 'Blood-Handed Scholar' Li Wuyai."

"The Blood-Handed Scholar?" Elder Linghu's voice was grave. "This man is in the mid-stage of Core Formation, ruthless, and difficult to deal with. However, the main ingredient of the Nascent Soul Pill is indeed tempting... What are Fellow Daoist Han's plans?"

"The Han family is not strong enough to get involved. However, if the patriarch is interested, I can provide detailed information about the ruins and assist Huangfeng Valley in obtaining them. The condition is that if we obtain the Heavenly Flower, the Han family will receive a single petal."

The main ingredient of the Nascent Soul Pill, the Heavenly Palace Flower, has nine petals per plant, each containing immense medicinal power, enough to be the main ingredient of a third-tier pill. Han Mu's request for one petal is not unreasonable.

Linghu Patriarch remained silent for a moment before replying, "Alright. I will send Qingyun with a group, who will arrive within three days. Fellow Daoist Han only needs to provide the information; there's no need for you to risk your life personally."

"it is good."

After ending the message, Han Mu smiled slightly. With Huangfeng Valley involved, the situation had become even more murky. Qingyun Zhenren was at the mid-stage of Core Formation; together with Xuanqingzi of Qingxu Sect and Li Wuyai of Guiling Sect, that made three mid-stage Core Formation cultivators. Add to that the other early-stage Core Formation cultivators, and it was enough to put on a good show.

"System, re-simulate the conflict outcome after joining Yellow Maple Valley."

[Resimulate...]

[Probability of Huangfeng Valley's involvement: 98%]

[Prediction: A three-way battle will ensue. There is a 73% chance that the Heavenly Flower will be destroyed, a 22% chance that it will be obtained by Yellow Maple Valley, and a 5% chance that it will be obtained by either Qingxu Sect or Ghost Spirit Sect.]

[Task completion rate prediction: 95% or higher]

"Very good." Han Mu nodded in satisfaction. It would be best if the Heavenly Flower were destroyed. Even if it fell into the hands of Yellow Maple Valley, he would still get a petal, so it wouldn't be a loss. Moreover, the mission completion rate would most likely reach over 95%, so the reward would be substantial.

Over the next few days, Han Mu kept a close eye on the developments at the Tianque Fort ruins while urging his family members to cultivate.

The effects of the Five Elements Spirit Pool are indeed astonishing. In just half a month, two more disciples of the Han family who were at the ninth level of Qi Refining broke through to the tenth level, and four disciples who were at the eighth level of Qi Refining broke through to the ninth level. At this rate, the Han family will be able to send at least eight disciples at the tenth level or above to the Blood Forbidden Land trial four months from now.

After consolidating his pseudo-core cultivation, Doctor Mo also began attempting to refine third-tier pills. Although the success rate was low, he occasionally succeeded once or twice. With each successful batch, the Han family's pill reserves increased.

The Zhao and Sun families were deeply grateful to hear that the Han family had allowed them to send their disciples to participate in the Blood Forbidden Land trial and even provided cultivation resources. The heads of the two families personally led the four selected disciples to Qingxia Peak to express their gratitude to Han Mu in person.

"We, the Zhao family, will never forget the great kindness of Ancestor Han!" Zhao Yuanlong bowed and said, "From this day forward, the Zhao family will follow the lead of the Han family!"

"The Sun family is the same!" Sun Wenshan followed closely behind.

Han Mu accepted the greeting with composure and said calmly, "Now that you've joined the Han family, you're one with them. Cultivate diligently and don't waste this opportunity."

"yes!"

The two family heads, along with their scions, left with profuse thanks. Han Mu watched their retreating figures, pondering in his heart. These two families were now truly loyal; with a few more benefits, they would become staunch vassals of the Han family in the future.

On the tenth day, news came from the Tianque Fort ruins.

"Father, a battle has broken out!" Han Changqing rushed into the quiet room. "The Qingxu Sect, the Guiling Sect, and the Huangfeng Valley are engaged in a fierce battle at the Tianque Fortress ruins! According to our informants, the fighting is intense; at least five Foundation Establishment cultivators have died, and all the Core Formation cultivators are wounded!"

"Where are the Heavenly Flowers?" Han Mu asked.

"It was destroyed," Han Changqing said. "During the three-way struggle, someone accidentally unleashed a divine power that struck the Heavenly Flower. The herb withered instantly, and most of its medicinal power dissipated. In the end, the three parties only managed to grab some fragments. Qingxu Sect got three petals, Huangfeng Valley got two, and Guiling Sect got one. However, I heard that Guiling Sect's petal was destroyed in the melee, so they didn't actually get any."

Han Mu's eyes lit up: "System, check the mission progress!"

[Mission: Sabotage the Qingxu Sect's Nascent Soul Pill Plan]

Current progress: 100%

[Mission Complete!]

[Task Evaluation: Perfect]

[Rewards: 3000 Contribution Points, Core Formation Stage Divine Power "Five Elements Divine Light"]

The Five Elements Divine Light has been transmitted to the host's consciousness.

A surge of profound information flooded Han Mu's mind; it was the cultivation method of the "Five Elements Divine Light." This was a divine power that combined offense and defense, capable of dispelling five-elemental magical treasures and suppressing five-elemental spells. At a high level, it could even destroy a person's cultivation level, making it extremely powerful.

"Not bad." Han Mu nodded in satisfaction. With three thousand contribution points and a Core Formation Divine Ability, this plan had been a huge success.

"Father, there is one more thing," Han Changqing said. "Qingyun Zhenren from Huangfeng Valley sent word that he is grateful to the Han family for providing the intelligence. He will give one of the two Heavenly Palace petals he obtained to the Han family, and it will be delivered within three days."

"Okay, I understand." Han Mu wasn't surprised. Linghu Patriarch was a man of his word; once he made a promise, he wouldn't go back on it.

"Furthermore, Master Qingyun reminded us that Qingxu Sect suffered heavy losses this time. Sect Leader Xuanqingzi sustained minor injuries, while one of the sect's early-stage Core Formation elders was seriously injured. They may hold a grudge against the Han family, so we should be careful."

"As expected," Han Mu said calmly. "However, after this battle, the Qingxu Sect won't dare to make any rash moves in the short term. They're currently focused on guarding against the Ghost Spirit Sect and the Yellow Maple Valley, and don't have the energy to deal with us. As for holding a grudge... the cultivation world is a dog-eat-dog world. If they dare to come, I, Han, will take them on."

Looking at his father's calm expression, Han Changqing felt much more at ease. With his father around, the Han family would not fall.

"Go and prepare to form your core," Han Mu said. "I want to see you successfully form your core in a month."

"yes!"

Han Changqing took his leave. Han Mu sat alone in the quiet room and summoned the system interface.

[Host: Han Mu]

Cultivation Level: Mid-stage True Core Formation (Early-stage False Core Formation)

[Cultivation Technique: Primordial Longevity Technique (Fourth Level, 85%)]

[Supernatural Powers: Added "Five Elements Divine Light" (Beginner Level)]

[Family Contribution Points: 6150]

Main quest progress: 32%

[Recent Events: Tianque Fortress Conflict, Qingxu Sect's Nascent Soul Pill Plan Destroyed]

With 6150 contribution points, Han Mu could exchange them for some good items. He opened the system shop and began browsing.

"The third-tier formation, the 'Five Elements Reversal Formation,' requires 5000 contribution points and can trap a cultivator in the early stage of Core Formation for the duration of an incense stick burning..."

"The Tier 3 alchemy furnace, 'Five-Fire Furnace,' requires 4500 contribution points and can increase the success rate of Tier 3 pills by 20%..."

"The Tier 3 talisman 'Five Elements Earth Escape Talisman' requires 800 contribution points and can be used three times..."

After a moment's thought, Han Mu exchanged for the "Five Elements Reversal Array" and two Five Elements Earth Escape Talismans. The array could be used to strengthen the defenses of Qingxia Peak, while the Earth Escape Talismans would be used by Han Changqing and the others to save their lives. As for the alchemy furnace, Doctor Mo's current one was still passable; they would deal with it once Han Yunge was able to refine third-tier pills.

Exchange complete. 350 contribution points remaining.

"System, learn 'Five Elements Divine Light'," Han Mu thought to himself.

[Studying "The Five Elements Divine Light"...]

Estimated time to master: 7 days

Seven days isn't a long time. Han Mu closed his eyes and began to comprehend this new supernatural power.

While he was in seclusion to comprehend the truth, the cultivation world of Yue Kingdom was in turmoil due to the Battle of Tianque Fortress.

The Qingxu Sect suffered a great loss and was naturally unwilling to accept it. The Guiling Sect gained nothing and even suffered heavy losses, so they were even more furious. Although Huangfeng Valley gained some benefits, they also made two enemies.

The relationship between the three major sects has reached a freezing point.

Some smaller factions keenly sensed the impending storm and began quietly choosing sides or preparing for their escape routes. Meanwhile, many more independent cultivators sensed the coming chaos and either hid in the deep mountains, sought refuge with sects, or prepared to profit from the turmoil.

The state of Yue is about to descend into chaos.

This chaotic situation presents the perfect opportunity for the Han family to rise to power.