As he spoke, Xiao Heng felt a storage ring appear on his finger. Simultaneously, a flood of information instantly filled his mind.
Most of it consisted of essential knowledge required for cultivation, and it even included a technique called the Sea-Calming Sword Art.
The skull withdrew the ghostly light and spoke slowly, "I have imparted all the fundamental knowledge needed for your early cultivation years. It will be sufficient for you to reach the Golden Core realm safely."
"However, remember this—you must conceal yourself carefully. Do not reveal your presence. That Eternal Heavenly Venerable of the Myriad Immortals Alliance possesses unfathomable power. After thousands of years, his strength likely rivals that of the True Immortal from ancient times."
Xiao Heng's expression turned grave. Then, somewhat awkwardly, he asked, "Senior, I'm still so young, and all by myself. Asking me to oppose the Myriad Immortals Alliance... isn't that somewhat..."
"Are you foolish?" the skull snapped. "You can recruit others! If you encounter companions with promising talent, bring them into the Immortal Avengers. After thousands of years of silence, our order desperately needs new blood.
"But you must ensure they're trustworthy. We cannot allow spies from the Myriad Immortals Alliance to infiltrate our ranks."
Xiao Heng's face brightened with hope. "That's wonderful!"
The skull continued, its voice growing weaker, "Transmitting the technique to you has drained my energy. I will soon fall asleep.
"For the foreseeable future, the affairs of Immortal Avengers rest in your hands.
"When new members join, bring them to the middle finger bone. The altar there is an esoteric treasure of our order. By praying to it, one may obtain techniques and artifacts.
"However, the altar possesses sentience and will only respond to reasonable requests. You'll understand the specifics once you use it.”
The skull's voice faded steadily, yet it continued listing instructions.
"Senior, how long will you sleep for?" Xiao Heng asked with concern.
"Heh, that's uncertain. I am already dead, sustained only by a fragment of lingering will.
"I might awaken in a year or two, or perhaps... never again.
"But if you still remember this old skull when you gain power, you can help me by collecting the Foundation Establishment Curios that manifest when cultivators die. These objects have lost their status as Curios of heaven and earth and are useless to others, yet they can aid my recovery."
Xiao Heng nodded repeatedly, committing every word to memory.
"One more thing. If you sense my presence vanish completely, it means this place has likely been discovered. Destroy the skeletal hand immediately and never return here," the skull instructed.
"Alright, that is all." With that, the skull seemed to have reached its limit, unable to remain conscious any longer.
"Senior!" Just before the skull fell completely silent, Xiao Heng hesitated briefly, then voiced the question burning in his heart.
"You never told me your name."
"...You are not yet worthy of knowing my name. When you truly shoulder the burden of the Immortal Avengers, you will learn it naturally."
With these final words, the skull turned illusory and vanished into the darkness.
"Senior? Senior?" Xiao Heng called out several times, but no answer came.
He sighed regretfully, gazing at the empty space around him. From his storage ring, he retrieved a silver necklace.
Following the method the senior had taught him, he focused his mind.
The silver necklace glowed with soft light, then darkness swallowed Xiao Heng's vision.
Moments later, he found himself back inside the flying boat on the deserted island.
Seeing that his companions still slept soundly around him, the previous events felt like nothing more than a dream. Yet the new ring in his hand and the necklace hanging against his chest reminded Xiao Heng that this was no dream. The young boy now bore burdens no child should ever have to carry.
Mentally and physically exhausted, he soon fell into a deep slumber.
Early the next morning, he woke before anyone else.
Making his way alone to the seaside, he recalled the technique that Senior Skull had taught him.
Closing his eyes, he began sensing the surrounding spiritual qi, quietly commencing cultivation.
Several hours later, Ye Feipeng, who had been searching for the missing Xiao Heng, detected the spiritual qi fluctuations near the shore and approached.
At first, Ye Feipeng noticed nothing unusual about the meditating Xiao Heng. But as he drew closer, Xiao Heng's eyes snapped open.
A pale blue, semi-formed water sword materialized abruptly, positioning itself defensively before Xiao Heng with its tip aimed directly at Ye Feipeng, poised to unleash a lethal strike.
Ye Feipeng staggered backward as if he'd seen a ghost, collapsing to the ground.
Trembling, he pointed a shaking finger at Xiao Heng, unable to form words for a long moment.