With Qingmu and Ling Meng, two Nascent Soul Eminences backing them up, everyone was noticeably more relaxed during the journey.
They chatted and laughed along the way, sharing anecdotes and tales.
Li Fan listened with a faint smile, never joining in.
During their travels, they occasionally encountered cultivators from other provinces.
While exchanging news and experiences, Li Fan happened to learn that the prophecy about the imminent return of the Medicine King Sect's Medicine King Cauldron had already begun circulating in various regions.
However, at this time, most people still treated it as a joke, not taking it seriously.
It seemed Jiao Xiuyuan had already begun exerting his influence and setting plans in motion, though it would still take considerable time for public opinion to take shape.
Time passed swiftly. After spending over half a year traveling, the group finally returned to the Congyun Sea. By now, it was already Anchor Year 13.
Most members exchanged contact methods with one another. And after bidding farewells, they each departed to rest.
Li Fan's avatar entered the Tianxuan Mirror, performed a ritual, and arrived within the Bone Vanguard Realm.
***
On a nameless, desolate island.
Xiao Heng, now in the late-stage Qi Refinement realm, suddenly stirred from meditation.
Activating the pendant on his chest, his consciousness instantly arrived within the Bone Vanguard Realm as well.
"Senior? You're awake?" he exclaimed with pleasant surprise, gazing at the skull that seemed to have regained some of its vitality.
"Cough... I've only recovered slightly, barely escaping the fate of complete dissipation. I awoke this time to entrust you with a task. I must return to slumber to continue healing my injuries," the skull spoke in a weak tone.
"While I was dormant, I sensed another individual with considerable talent near you..."
Xiao Heng quickly replied, "That's Ye Feipeng, a companion who left my hometown with me. His cultivation speed is remarkably fast, and he's very reliable."
The skull fell silent for a moment, as if sensing something. "Hmm, this little fatty's talent is indeed not much inferior to yours.
"Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to be the one I sensed during my slumber."
Xiao Heng was taken aback, then immediately responded, "Could it be my little sister? Though she's still very young, she can already run and jump, and her strength is astonishing!"
"Hm... This little girl's natural aptitude is terrifying indeed. Why hasn't she begun cultivating yet? How has such a prodigy not been recruited into our Immortal Avengers already? Xiao boy, how could you be so negligent?
"How can I feel assured entrusting the foundation of the Immortal Avengers entirely to you if you act this way?" the skull scolded reproachfully.
"Ah?" Xiao Heng's face flushed red as he flusteredly explained, "Senior, please don't misunderstand! I simply thought my little sister was too young and didn't want to rush her into cultivation—"
The skull cut him off. "A peerless genius cannot be measured by ordinary standards. By doing this, you're only holding her back.
"Hmm, you are still too young after all. It seems my decision to immediately burden you with such heavy responsibilities was somewhat rash..." the skull murmured to itself.
"Senior..." Xiao Heng was momentarily at a loss.
After a long silence, the skull seemed to reach a decision.
"A single pillar cannot support an entire structure. This burden is indeed too heavy for you to bear by yourself.
"Very well. I shall lend you a helping hand once more."
As it spoke, the skull soared into the air. From its hollow eye sockets, a beam of ghostly light shot forth.
Within the radiance, countless images flickered and alternated rapidly. Xiao Heng could vaguely make out visions of many islands, each with distinct and varied landscapes.
After a moment, the flashing images abruptly ceased. The skull fell to the ground, as if having expended too much energy.
Xiao Heng rushed forward but was called to a halt.
As the light emitted by the skull struck him, information about several individuals instantly surfaced in Xiao Heng's mind.
"Liuli Island, Zhang Haobo...
"Yelan Island, Yin Yueting, Yin Yuzhen...
"Senior, who are these people?"
Xiao Heng felt bewildered.
"These are children of providence within the region of the Congyun Sea. I found them with a secret art that allows me to detect such beings in heaven and earth.
"These individuals either possess remarkable cultivation talent or harbor unique abilities. They will be of great help to you in revitalizing the Immortal Avengers.
"It's a pity my injuries are too severe, and the secret art was interrupted. I only managed to find these few..."
The skull sighed.
"Kid, my power is depleted again. From here on, it's up to you.
"Remember, focus on developing and improving your own strength. The Myriad Immortals Alliance is too powerful; even a Nascent Soul cultivator can hardly make waves. So, your primary task is cultivation.
"As for these new recruits, do not directly reveal the true nature of the Immortal Avengers to them. Just refer to it as a rogue cultivator organization, so as not to frighten them. As for the specifics, you can decide on them yourself..."
The skull's voice grew fainter and fainter, eventually vanishing into silence.
"Senior..."
Seeing this, Xiao Heng clenched his fists tightly.
After a long while, his eyes slowly regained their determination.