The Longevity Family: Starting from the Foundation Establishment Ancestor

Cuiping Mountain, Changsheng Palace.

Han Mu sat cross-legged in the quiet room, toying with a jade slip in his hand. This was intelligence sent back by Han Bai, detailing the battle situation on the Yue Kingdom's border.

"The six sects of the Demonic Path have breached the defenses of Tianque Fortress, and the seven factions of Yue Kingdom are suffering repeated defeats. The Spirit Beast Mountain has turned against them, inflicting heavy losses on the seven factions," Han Mu muttered to himself. "At this rate, Yue Kingdom will fall completely in three months at most."

He closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, then took out a communication talisman and infused it with his divine sense.

"Han Bai, the time is right. We can make our move on that medium-sized spirit stone mine in Jinxia Mountain."

"Yes, Your Excellency," Han Bai's voice came.

Jinxia Mountain is located in the eastern part of Yue Kingdom and was originally the property of Qingxu Sect. Qingxu Sect is one of the seven sects of Yue Kingdom, specializing in talismans and formations. After the invasion of the demonic path, the main force of Qingxu Sect withdrew to Yuanwu Kingdom, leaving only a small number of disciples to guard the mines.

This medium-sized spirit stone mine was a target that Han Mu had long coveted. The spirit stone mine was crucial to the family's development; with it, the Han family could gain a foothold in the chaotic world.

Upon receiving the order, Han Bai immediately took action. He transformed into a streak of white light and flew towards Jinxia Mountain.

Half a day later, Jinxia Mountain came into view.

This mountain is about a thousand feet high, its body a reddish-gold color that gleams in the sunlight. Within the mountain lies a medium-sized spiritual vein, rich in spirit stones, producing several thousand mid-grade spirit stones and over one hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones annually.

At this moment, dozens of cultivators were guarding the mine. The one with the highest cultivation level was an old man in the late Foundation Establishment stage, and there were three others in the mid Foundation Establishment stage, while the rest were in the Qi Refining stage.

"Qingxu Sect is indeed cautious, leaving four Foundation Establishment cultivators to guard it." Han Bai sneered as he landed in front of the mine.

"Who goes there?!" The mine guards immediately became alert.

"Let the person in charge come out and speak," Han Bai said calmly.

An elderly man in the late Foundation Establishment stage stepped forward, glanced at Han Bai, and clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "Fellow Daoist, this is the Qingxu Sect's spirit stone mine. May I ask what brings you here?"

"Qingxu Sect?" Han Bai shook his head. "The main force of Qingxu Sect has already retreated to Yuanwu Kingdom. You've been abandoned. I want this mine."

"How dare you!" the old man roared. "Even if the main force of the Qingxu Sect has withdrawn, it's not something a Core Formation cultivator like you can covet! I've sent True Person Jinxia to oversee things here. If you know what's good for you, leave at once!"

"Master Jinxia?" Han Bai asked with a half-smile. "You mean that old man in the early stage of Core Formation? If he's here, why doesn't he dare come out to see me?"

The old man's expression changed, and just as he was about to speak, a golden light flew out of the mine and landed in the field. It was a middle-aged man in a golden robe, with the cultivation level of the early stage of Core Formation, none other than the Golden Cloud True Person of the Qingxu Sect.

"Who are you, fellow Daoist? Why have you invaded my Qingxu Sect's mine?" Jinxia Zhenren asked in a deep voice. He was on guard; the other party was also a Core Formation cultivator, and his aura seemed to be slightly stronger than his own.

"My name is Han Bai, a guest elder of the Han family," Han Bai said. "Fellow Daoist Jinxia, ​​the demonic invasion is imminent, and Qingxu Sect is too busy to defend itself. You cannot protect this mine. Rather than let the demonic path take it, it is better to give it to the Han family. My Han family can protect you and provide you with a place to stay."

"What a joke!" Master Jinxia roared. "Even if my Qingxu Sect is in decline, it's not something a Foundation Establishment family like yours can threaten. If you know what's good for you, leave now, or don't blame me for being impolite!"

"Oh?" Han Bai smiled. "It seems you're about to make your move, fellow Daoist."

Without further ado, he attacked. Five-colored divine light flew out from his sleeve, transforming into five light swords that slashed towards Golden Cloud Immortal.

"Five Elements magic?" Jinxia Zhenren was startled and hurriedly summoned a golden shield. The shield expanded in the wind and blocked in front of him.

"boom!"

The five-colored light sword struck the shield with a deafening roar. Cracks appeared on the shield's surface, and Golden Cloud Immortal was forced back several steps, his blood churning.

"Mid-stage Core Formation?!" His expression changed drastically. That attack from the opponent just now was definitely from someone at the mid-stage Core Formation level.

"It's too late to leave now." Han Bai flashed and appeared in front of Jinxia Zhenren, striking out with a palm.

Master Jinxia was terrified and hurriedly used the Qingxu Sect's secret technique, "Golden Cloud Escape Technique," transforming into a golden light to try and escape. However, Han Bai was faster, and his five-colored divine light formed a cage, trapping him inside.

"Fellow Daoist, spare my life!" Jinxia Zhenren hurriedly begged for mercy, "I'm willing to give up the mine!"

"Too late." Han Bai said expressionlessly, clenching his fist. The five-colored cage contracted, crushing Golden Cloud True Man into a bloody mist.

Upon seeing this, the mine guards were terrified and immediately knelt down, begging for mercy.

Han Bai glanced at them: "Foundation Establishment cultivators may become guest elders of the Han family, and Qi Refining cultivators may become disciples of the Han family. Those who do not wish to do so may leave on their own, but they may not take away a single blade of grass or tree from the mine."

"We are willing!" The Foundation Establishment elder was the first to speak. He was a rogue cultivator, hired by the Qingxu Sect to guard the mine, and had little loyalty. The other cultivators echoed his sentiments.

"Very good." Han Bai nodded. "Take me to the depths of the mine."

Led by the old man, Han Bai entered the mine. The mine was deep and secluded, and the spiritual energy became denser the deeper one went. Upon reaching the deepest part, a vein of spirit stones appeared before him, shimmering with spiritual light and exuding an overwhelming spiritual energy.

"System, assess the value of this mine."

[Medium-sized spirit stone vein, reserves: approximately 50,000 mid-grade spirit stones and approximately 1.2 million low-grade spirit stones]

[Sufficient to meet the family's needs for a hundred years]

[Side Quest 3: Obtain a Medium-Sized Spirit Stone Mine (1/1) Completed]

[Reward: 5000 Contribution Points, one random Tier 3 Magic Item]

"Claim your reward."

[Obtained: Tier 3 High-Grade Magic Weapon "Five Elements Pagoda"]

[Five Elements Tower: It can gather the spiritual energy of the five elements to aid cultivation, and can also be used to trap and kill enemies]

Han Bai nodded in satisfaction. With this mine, the Han family wouldn't have to worry about resources for the next hundred years.

"What's your name?" he asked the old man.

"This junior is invaluable," the old man said respectfully.

"Jin Buhuan, from today onwards, you will be in charge of this mine. Seventy percent of the monthly spirit stones produced will be transported to Cuiping Mountain, and thirty percent will be kept for mine expenses and your salary. If you do well, the Han family will not treat you unfairly."

"Thank you, Senior!" Jin Buhuan was overjoyed. Thirty percent of the profits was several times higher than the reward offered by Qingxu Sect.

Han Bai checked the mine's defenses again, set up several restrictions, and then left.

Upon returning to Cuiping Mountain, he reported to Han Mu.

"Well done," Han Mu praised. "Jinxia Mountain is 800 li away from Cuiping Mountain, not too far. I will send Changqing with people to establish a stronghold there, forming a defensive alliance with the mine."

"Furthermore, the deal with Elder Linghu should be made now."

Three days later, in the forbidden area of ​​the back mountain of Yellow Maple Valley.

Linghu Laozu sat in the stone pavilion, a pot of spiritual tea in front of him. Han Mu sat opposite him, his expression calm.

"Fellow Daoist Han, here is what you requested." Ancestor Linghu handed over a storage bag.

Han Mu scanned the contents with his divine sense and found dozens of cultivation manuals, a large amount of alchemy and weapon-refining materials, as well as three third-tier magic weapons and a complete land deed for a spiritual mountain.

"From now on, Cuiping Mountain belongs to the Han family, and Huangfeng Valley will never be taken back," Elder Linghu added.

"Fellow Daoist Linghu is very generous." Han Mu took out a jade box and pushed it over.

Linghu Patriarch opened the jade box, inside were three golden pills, emitting a rich medicinal fragrance—these were indeed the Golden Condensation Pills. After carefully examining them and confirming their authenticity, he smiled.

"Fellow Daoist Han is indeed true to his word. With these three Golden Core Pills, my Yellow Maple Valley will have two more Core Formation cultivators, giving us more confidence when we retreat."

"It's just a matter of each getting what they need." Han Mu picked up his teacup and took a small sip.

Linghu Patriarch looked at him and suddenly said, "Fellow Daoist Han, the demonic path is too powerful, and Yue Kingdom is no longer defensible. Although your Han family has occupied Cuiping Mountain, you are ultimately outnumbered and weak. Why don't you retreat to Yuanwu Kingdom with my Huangfeng Valley?"

"Thank you for your kind offer, fellow Daoist." Han Mu shook his head. "The Han family's roots are in Yue Kingdom, and we are unwilling to leave our homeland. Moreover, although the demonic path is powerful, my Han family is not a pushover."

Linghu Patriarch gave him a deep look: "Fellow Daoist Han seems quite confident. Well then, everyone has their own ambitions, I won't force you. I'll just remind you, among the six sects of the demonic path, the Ghost Spirit Sect, the Joyful Union Sect, and the Demon Flame Sect are not benevolent. If you encounter them, you'll need to be careful."

"I've got it." Han Mu nodded.

The two chatted for a while longer before Han Mu took his leave.

Watching his departing figure, Ancestor Linghu's expression was complicated. He always felt that this Fellow Daoist Han was unfathomable. Although he was only at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage (Han Mu's apparent cultivation level), he gave him the feeling of facing a cultivator of the same level.

"Enough, everyone has their own destiny." Ancestor Linghu put away the Golden Condensation Pill and turned to leave.

Upon returning to Cuiping Mountain, Han Mu immediately summoned the core members of his family.

"From this day forward, Cuiping Mountain will officially become the Han family's mountain gate. Changqing, you will lead fifty clansmen to Jinxia Mountain to establish a stronghold, forming a strategic alliance with the mine."

"yes!"

"Elder Mo, you are responsible for relocating the spirit herb garden from Qingxia Peak here, and at the same time, cultivating new spirit fields."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Furthermore, issue the order that, effective immediately, the Han family will open its gates to recruit independent cultivators. The conditions are as follows: Foundation Establishment cultivators can become guest elders, late-stage Qi Refining cultivators can become inner disciples, and mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators can become outer disciples. The treatment will be excellent, but they must swear an oath against their inner demons, promising never to betray the Han family."

The group accepted the order and left.

Han Mu stood alone atop the peak, gazing into the distance. The demonic invasion was imminent, plunging the Yue Kingdom into chaos, but for the Han family, this was both a crisis and an opportunity.

"System, check the current status."

Name: Han Mu

[Actual Cultivation Level: Early Nascent Soul Stage (Appears to be Mid-Core Formation Stage)]

[Cultivation Techniques: Primordial Longevity Technique (Fourth Level), Heaven-Gathering Divine Technique (Great Completion)]

[Magic Items: Qiankun Fan (Natal Magic Item Embryo), Five Elements Flag (Tier 3, High Grade), Soul-Suppressing Bell (Tier 3, Mid Grade), Five Elements Pagoda (Tier 3, High Grade)]

[Family Status: 684 members, 1 Core Formation cultivator (on the protagonist's surface), 18 Foundation Establishment cultivators, 215 Qi Refining cultivators]

[Family Territory: Cuiping Mountain (Second-Tier Spirit Vein), Jinxia Mountain (Medium-Sized Spirit Stone Mine)]

[Family fortune: Steadily rising]

Main Quest: Rise of the Clan (65% Progress)

Side Quest 3: Obtain a Medium-Sized Spirit Stone Mine (Completed)

[Contribution Points: -4650]

[Special Reward: None]

"I still have over four thousand contribution points, but with the spirit stone mine, I'll be able to make up for it soon," Han Mu muttered to himself.

At that moment, he sensed something and looked eastward. There, a dense demonic aura was rapidly approaching.

"They've arrived?" Han Mu's eyes turned cold. "Perfect, let me see just how much this demonic cultivator is worth."

He vanished in a flash.

Three hundred miles east of Cuiping Mountain, a group of black-clad cultivators were flying on their magical artifacts. Leading them were a man and a woman; the man was pale-faced with a sinister gaze, while the woman was alluring and scantily clad. Both were at the early stage of Core Formation, followed by more than ten Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"Senior brother, Cuiping Mountain is just ahead. I heard it's been occupied by a Foundation Establishment family called the Han family," the woman said with a charming smile.

"A Foundation Establishment family dares to occupy Mount Ling?" the man sneered. "Perfect, let's wipe them out, seize Mount Ling, and offer it to the young master as a palace."

"Senior brother is wise." The woman's eyes were alluring.

The two men, along with their henchmen, flew menacingly towards Cuiping Mountain. Little did they know, a nightmare awaited them.