Starlight shone dimly on buildings and gravel streets. The light of Rising Hour painted the world in a dim hue, slowly brightening with the passage of time.
Few people were up at this time.
Three youths walked across these desolate streets, dressed in modest blue robes that waved in the gentle wind.
Dawn, Sun, and Selene were dressed in the clothing the Central Medical Complex provided; pale blue robes and a dark grey sash to bind the waist.
They walked unhurriedly, enjoying the quiet atmosphere of this early night.
After all the time that passed, it truly felt no different to their life in Star Gazing Settlement--before the disaster.
Union Settlement was built around the base and slope of a mountain. The innermost region, where they are heading, accommodated people of higher political standings.
The innermost regions was also accommodating cultivators, since it was isolated from the bustling nature of the outermost regions.
The Central Medical Complex was in the middlemost regions of the Settlement.
During their journey inwards, the three of them enjoyed the modest blue and white architecture, abundant flora, and the view down upon the lower--outer--regions.
The particular area of the innermost region they arrived in was verdant. Trees were spread but abundant, flora thrived, and there was little artificial structures imposing on this area.
They reached their destination a moment later, it was a large cave's entrance, surrounded by white walls and an ornate wooden gate.
A large spring of silvery water was formed outside of the cave's entrance, flowing into the cave's depths. Bridges of stone connected to dirt mounds and created a path into the cave's entrance.
There was a beautiful, intricate stone statue that stood in the center of the pond.
Powerful muscles hidden under thick fur, its elegance portrayed through it's slim and shapely physique. It's fur pale like alabaster, covered in fiery black stripes like strokes of ink.
The White Tiger, an important figure of the Western Region, and one of the five Celestial Beasts that are told in myth and culture.
Stories of times long ago, spoken when the Star Sea was young, and Night still reigned over the world's lands, seas, and skies:
Five majestic beasts rose to power and ruled other the different regions of the world.
The White Tiger blended elegance and power into one, displaying the pinnacle of bestial power and art.
It stood over the spring, exuding a powerful and protective aura.
"What a majestic sight..."
Sun couldn't help but praise. Although it was just a statue, every detail made it look lifelike, and the environment only helped to accentuate that captivating visage.
Soft tapping sounds echoed out of the cave, a sagely old man appeared and stood beside the White Tiger statue.
"Greetings, junior disciples..." Immortal Union greeted casually, waving his hand and opening the wooden gates. "Please, step forward."
Dawn, Sun, and Selene walked through the gate and felt a formless force wash over them. Undoubtedly, the White Tiger's statue was a medium for a protective power.
Immortal Union closed the gate as the three of them crossed the bridges.
"This spring and cave will serve as the site for your cultivation. It flows abundantly with Qi, and is secluded from any form of disturbance."
As he claimed, Dawn could feel a strong vitality in the air. She closer her eyes and embraced the open air, feeling a surge of energy throughout her body.
"Is this a natural Spirit Sprint?"
Immortal Union chuckled in praise.
"Yes, this is one of the many Spirit Springs that Union Settlement has to offer. I believe you are familiar with the concept, Dawn?"
"Indeed, Lord. Although, my father created an artificial Spirit Spring for my cultivation, our Star Gazing Settlement didn't have any that were naturally formed."
"I see. Can you feel the difference between natural Spirit Spring and artificial Spirit Springs?."
There was a 'verdant' scent in the air, Qi was abundant and life flourished off the silvery water.
As the name alludes, Spirits are normally born from such springs, or equivalent environments; Spirit Springs are most common in the Western region.
Natural Spirit Springs are born when the Qi of Heaven resonates with the Qi of Earth, creating an environment where Qi can take unique forms and attain intelligence.
This is how Spirits are created.
"Spirits will not be born from this Spirit Spring, the White Tiger statue also serves as a medium for a warding 'Art'."
"Unlike artificial Spirit Springs, where numerous Spirits are sacrificed to create an equivalent site, the Qi here is constantly supplied by Heaven and Earth, allowing one to cultivate without worry of depleting or replenishing the Spirit Spring's Qi."
"The highest concentration of Qi is always gathered in the water of the spring. You do not need to drink this water to directly absorb the Qi, simply placing your hand in would be more efficient. Also, I do not recommend tasting the water either!"
Immortal Union chuckled lightly. Evidently, this water not normal water, instead a product of raw Heaven Qi mixing with raw Earth Qi. Its taste is smoky and cold, but the texture would be like mud.
'Formless' mixed with 'Form', these two extremes mix, the product is like the grey area of the two.
The Spirit Spring was like a pool of sliver, a reflective mirror that shimmered in the faint starlight.
Selene gazed behind Immortal Union, into the abyssal dark of the cave behind him.
"I see the silvery water flowing into this cave, is there something important inside?"
"Indeed, your living quarters are inside this cave, and a Dao Art training site is within as well."
Immortal Union led them inside. The cave's entrance was thirty meters wide, but 10 meters of the path was taken by the silvery water flowing inside like a gentle river.
Fortunately, the depths of the cave was well-lit by the silvery river, it was luminescent.
Fifty steps inside, there was a cabin built into the wall.
"This is your living quarters. There are mediums for Dao Arts to improve the quality of life within, as well as a storage room that should provide amply for your needs."
Another fifty steps further, the silvery river flowed into a pool in the center of a massive dome-like chamber. It was one hundred meters in diameter.
Just like the Spirit Spring outside, this pool would provide an ample amount of Qi to aid in cultivation.
"These grounds will be the site for you to practice or develop your skills and Dao Arts. The Qi provided by the pool in the center will be of great use in these times, but I do advise you three to step out into the natural starlight every once in a while."
Immortal Union continued to give out little tips about moderation of Qi intake, and not pouring all your efforts into cultivating too hard.
"We thank Lord Immortal Union for your hospitality."
Dawn bowed first, Sun and Selene also paid their respects.
"We will not forget Lord Immortal Union's help in our desperate times. I wonder, is there anything we can do to repay your generosity?"
Immortal Union smiled gently in response.
"I do have a request for you three."
"As you know, Immortal Adamant battled and chased the two Demons some time ago. Currently, the residual Conjuring of those two Demons left scars on the world, disturbing the surrounding environment."
"Junior Dawn, Junior Sun, I wish for you two to accompany a group of Cultivators that I intend to deploy to one of Union Settlement's subsidiary Mortal Settlements."
Sun shook in response to the word 'Demons', quickly and politely asking Immortal Union for clarification.
"The Immortals of the Western region refer to them as Demon of Confusion and Demon of Calamity, the former is the one responsible for the mist, the latter was the perpetrator behind Star Gazing Settlement's destruction."
"Mist... Confusion... What of their residual Conjuring? Do you want us to handle the mist of that Demon...?"
He asked worriedly, Sun had no pleasant memories about the mist.
"Of course not, no. The residual Conjuring has severely affected the environment, causing the beasts and nearby Spirits to flee their usual habitats. Some are swarming into our Mortal Settlements."
"A tide of beasts are rampaging in our direction, and possibly some Spirits. None of them are of significant concern, yet, so Mortal Cultivators are being dispatched to handle the encroaching swarms."
"I wanted to have you two Juniors join, I think it would be a valuable experience. Not only that, you would be accompanying various Foundation Cultivators, and at least one State Cultivator."
Dawn and Sun were surprised, but bowed in agreement, wishing to join this expedition. Selene was confused, she listened quietly before finally voicing her own concerns.
"Lord Immortal Union... what about me...?"
Immortal Union paused, it wasn't like he planned to separate Selene from her friends. He sighed and spoke plainly.
"Junior Selene, Immortal Adamant of Great River Bank Settlement requested to see you."
"What!?"
"She has taken a peculiar interest in you, and wishes to meet you privately. She will be visiting Union Settlement in a week from tonight."
Dawn and Sun were also shocked.
"What do you mean interest?"
"What does Immortal Adamant want with Selene?"
Immortal Union sighed again, explaining the situation to the three of them.
"Immortal Adamant wants to take Junior Selene under her wing, and raise Junior Selene as an Immortal Seed."
"That the decision is yours to make, Junior Selene. Please know that you are not forced to join Immortal Adamant, to leave or to stay is your choice to make, but I do recommend you listen to her offers."
"In a week from tonight, I will receive you from here so you can privately converse with Immortal Adamant. I hope you will make your decision then."
"..."