Huh?!
After a brief wave of dizziness, Xiao Heng regained his bearings. Yet the moment he took in his surroundings, he froze in shock.
The Bone Vanguard Realm was in complete disarray, littered with signs of battle.
The once magnificent scenery now lay in ruins.
Senior Skull...
A knot of anxiety tightened in Xiao Heng's chest, and he hurried toward the elder's resting place.
Yet, the closer he got, the more pronounced the signs of conflict became.
The once smooth, polished bones were now pitted and scarred.
His sense of foreboding grew stronger. When he finally arrived, he froze, utterly stunned.
It looked as if a violent explosion had occurred. There was no trace of Senior Skull.
Only a pitch-black crater remained, silently testifying to the fierce struggle that must have taken place here not long ago.
What in the world happened?
Xiao Heng's expression darkened.
Could the Myriad Immortals Alliance have tracked us here?
Remembering Senior Skull's instructions before entering slumber, the thought instinctively surfaced.
Having spent over a decade navigating Shilin Province, Xiao Heng was no longer the ignorant youth who knew nothing of the cultivation world.
It was precisely because of this knowledge that his heart grew colder.
Back in his Qi Refinement days, he had dared to proclaim bold vows like "Overturning the Myriad Immortals Alliance and reviving the glory of the Immortal Avengers is our unshirkable duty."
But now, at the Golden Core realm, he no longer dared to make such grandiose claims.
Senior instructed that if he could not be contacted, it meant this place had been exposed. For safety's sake, I must destroy the left-hand bone and sever all connections to this place as soon as possible. Though reluctant, Xiao Heng was not one to hesitate.
Before leaving, he conducted one final search of the vanguard realm.
To his surprise, he discovered that the bone altar within the secret realm did not seem completely destroyed.
Faint, familiar fluctuations still emanated from it.
His heart stirred. Following the previous method of prayer, he called out.
"Senior Skull!"
A moment later, Senior Skull’s figure indeed materialized above the altar's ruins.
Xiao Heng was overjoyed, but in an instant, he cooled down.
The figure before him was nothing more than an illusion.
"Xiao Heng, there's no time for a proper farewell.
"I never imagined that even after hiding here for so long, they still haven't given up on pursuing me.
"If you are seeing this recording, it means I have already met with misfortune.”
Even with mental preparation, hearing Senior Skull personally confirm it made Xiao Heng's eyes sting.
"...Although I led them away, preventing your exposure, this place is no longer safe.
"After you return, sever the connection. Never come back.
"I have left four Mini Medicine King Cauldrons for you within the altar.
"They are the keys to entering the true Medicine King Cauldron.
"Several millennia ago, Liu Ruchen, the Sect Leader of the Medicine King Sect, broke through the boundaries of the world and departed with his entire sect. But over a decade ago, I sensed their return to the Xuanhuang World. It was that fiery meteor that lit up the sky and ultimately fell into the Cangwu Abyss.
"If my predictions are correct, some calamity must have befallen the Medicine King Sect.
"However, I have a vague feeling that a tremendous opportunity lies within the true Medicine King Cauldron.
"If the chance arises, you should go and investigate.
"Remember, there should be other Mini Medicine King Cauldrons scattered out there. Others might be able to sense their locations through secret arts.
"Be extremely careful and stay safe. If the situation truly becomes impossible to handle, selling a Mini Medicine King Cauldrons for a good price isn't a bad alternative.
"Oh, right. The Mini Medicine King Cauldrons also contain some supplies I gathered back in the day. Remember to retrieve them.
"Consider it my final gift...
"Remember. Endure, lie low, pass on the legacy!"
Senior Skull's earnest words concluded, and the image vanished completely.
Four small, ancient-looking cauldrons appeared before Xiao Heng.
Suppressing the grief in his heart, Xiao Heng collected the Mini Medicine King Cauldrons. Then, with a resolute expression, he left the vanguard realm.
"Xiao Heng, what's wrong?" Su Xiaomei and the others asked, their expressions changing when they saw his red-rimmed eyes.
In front of everyone, he destroyed the small left-hand bone that served as the entry token.
He then led the Immortal Avengers to a secret chamber in their hideout and demanded they do the same with their own left-hand bones.
Only after all connection to the Bone Vanguard Realm was completely severed did Xiao Heng explain everything.
"Senior Skull has fallen?!"
Though somewhat shocked, the others weren't as grief-stricken as Xiao Heng. After all, Xiao Heng was the only one who had direct contact with Senior Skull.
However, their successful embarkation on the cultivation path was inseparable from Senior Skull's care.
The people of Li World were not ungrateful. So, they all felt a pang of sadness at this moment.
But that was all.
"What do we do next?"
After the silence, a question lay before them all.
Should they continue to maintain their identities as members of the Immortal Avengers and resist the Myriad Immortals Alliance? Or...
After all, an arm can't twist a thigh.[1]
With the strongest among them being a mere Nascent Soul cultivator, the thought of overthrowing the Myriad Immortals Alliance, which had Eternal Heavenly Venerables in their ranks and dominated half of the Xuanhuang World for millennia, was frankly a bit laughable.
"The Myriad Immortals Alliance is no good," Su Xiaomei was the first to voice her opinion.
"Those who join the Myriad Immortals Alliance become cattle for life. We must not join it," Zhang Haobo chimed in.
Su Changyu, eyes closed, said calmly, "I support Xiaomei."
Xiao Heng, looking at the decisions his companions were making, felt a surge of emotion.
He knew all too well how vast the disparity in power was between the Immortal Avengers and the Myriad Immortals Alliance.
Originally, he had planned to shoulder the mission of the Immortal Avengers alone. Fortunately, his companions did not disappoint him.
Just as he was about to speak, a timid voice said, "The Myriad Immortals Alliance is no good!"
Xiao Heng was momentarily speechless.
Following the voice, he saw a youthful boy. His face was flushed red, and he was shyly scratching the back of his head.
Xiao Heng laughed and praised, "Wuyou, That’s the spirit!"
The boy's face grew even hotter.
This youth was Han Wuyou, the descendant of the two ordinary mortals who had left the Congyun Sea with Xiao Heng all those years ago to seek refuge.
His parents had both passed away from illness years before, and he himself had been raised by Xiao Heng, Su Changyu, and the others.
Han Wuyou had decent cultivation aptitude and, under Xiao Heng's guidance, had stepped onto the path of cultivation.
In his teens, he was already at the late-stage Qi Refinement realm.
After praising Han Wuyou, Xiao Heng turned to the others.
"I understand everyone's sentiments. However, one point cannot be denied: the Myriad Immortals Alliance is simply too powerful. With our current strength, trying to confront them head-on would be like an egg striking a rock.
"Senior Skull is right. Our primary tasks are to endure in secret and to pass on the legacy."
Xiao Heng's face was resolute, his gaze firm.
"That which is long divided must unite; that which is long united must divide. This is a immutable principle of heaven and earth.[2]
"Mortal dynasties often last only five centuries at most.
"Though the Myriad Immortals Alliance is mighty, it has already been established for thousands of years.
"As long as we pass down the legacy of the Immortal Avengers from generation to generation, and wait patiently for the right moment... sooner or later, a time will come when the Myriad Immortals Alliance faces a great upheaval and fractures.
"That will be our opportunity."
Xiao Heng spoke slowly.
Su Xiaomei let out a nonchalant laugh.
The others nodded perfunctorily.
Only Han Wuyou's eyes were wide, shining with a light of hope.
"Xiao Heng, didn't you say Senior Skull left you four small cauldrons too?
"Hurry up and show me. What kind of treasures are they?"
As the atmosphere grew awkward, it was Su Xiaomei who broke the silence.
Hearing this, Xiao Heng let out a long breath and retrieved the four Mini Medicine King Cauldrons, placing them before the group.
Su Xiaomei snatched one up, examining it closely.
"This? It's all broken and shabby. Doesn't look like anything good.
"Eh? There seems to be a grotto-heaven inside."
A moment later, Su Xiaomei began exclaiming loudly.
"Wow! So many spirit stones! We're rich!"
"And so many medicinal herbs!"
"Haha, this is good stuff!"
Su Xiaomei tossed the Mini Medicine King Cauldron aside and happily fastened a silver necklace around her neck.
Then she showed several identical ones to the others.
"Come on, come on, there's enough for everyone."
Seeing this, Zhang Haobo's eyes also lit up.
"Are those necklaces engraved with a teleportation array?"
Su Xiaomei nodded. "That's the one. Back in the Chaoyuan Sect, I escaped death several times thanks to these."
The moment Su Xiaomei and the others put on the silver necklaces... Far away in Lanlin Province, an imperceptible light flashed in Li Fan's eyes.
Using the modified array, I can finally perceive visuals again. He thought to himself.
Under the surveillance of Formless Killing Mechanism, the scene of the Li World members gathering and discussing instantly appeared before Li Fan's eyes.
Su Changyu retrieved the small cauldron Su Xiaomei had thrown to the ground and placed it back neatly. Then, he spoke in a grave voice, "Xiao Heng, what do you think about the opportunity regarding the true Medicine King Cauldron that Senior Skull mentioned?"
Hearing this, Xiao Heng hesitated for a moment.
Su Xiaomei, however, loved stirring up trouble.
"What's there to think about? Who would give up an opportunity right in front of them?
"If it weren't for the chance encounter at the Chaoyuan Sect, Haobo and I would still be at the Golden Core realm!"
Zhang Haobo narrowed his eyes slightly and nodded in agreement.
Xiao Heng pondered for a moment before speaking slowly. "Senior Skull accurately predicted the great upheaval in the Congyun Sea before his death.
"I believe the opportunity of the Medicine King Cauldron in Cangwu Abyss must also be genuine. But..."
As if thinking of something, Xiao Heng became hesitant again.
Seeing this, Su Xiaomei immediately flew into a rage.
"Xiao Heng, you're not about to back out again, are you?" Su Xiaomei's temper flared. "Last time, when Zhang Haobo and I wanted to go to the Chaoyuan Sect, you were against it. If you pull this again now, I'm seriously going to get angry!"
"Xiaomei, I..." Xiao Heng began with a bitter smile, ready to explain.
But Su Changyu spoke up, his tone calm and measured. "If what Senior Skull said is correct, these Mini Medicine King Cauldrons are the keys to entering the true Medicine King Cauldron. The best course of action would be for the four of us to go together."
Su Xiaomei nodded vigorously in agreement.
At that moment, Su Changyu’s tone shifted. "But... it's impossible for all of us to go. Wuyou is still young and needs someone to look after him. Zhao Erbao and the Yin sisters are out treasure hunting, and they send useful items back from time to time. With so many matters, someone needs to stay and manage things here."
1. 胳膊拧不过大腿, basically meaning that the weak is no match for the strong. ☜
2. 分久必合，合久必分: The classic cyclical principle of historical change (from the opening of Romance of the Three Kingdoms). ☜