Clad in black robes that remained still in the wind, crimson embroidery of intricate symbols details the front, back, and sleeves.
Silver armour adorned her arms, chest, and legs, a vivid contrast to the dark fabric.
Her long, lustrous black hair cascaded down her shoulders.
Immortal Adamant descended and stepped before Immortal Union and Selene, bowing as she greeted them.
"We meet again, Immortal Union."
"As we do, Immortal Adamant."
Selene also paid her respects with a bow.
"I am honoured to meet you, Lord Immortal Adamant!"
Immortal Adamant spared her a glance and a smile, pleased with Selene's respect, but waved a hand to dismiss her formalities.
"Please, Junior Selene, there is no need to stand on ceremony."
Selene nods in response, straightening herself as she stands quietly to the side.
"I will not keep you two out here. Please, I will show you to the main hall of the Monastery."
...
Immortal Union led the two women inside. Immortal Adamant was already familiar with the place, as she had visited a week ago.
Selene was looking around at the ornate architecture of the main hall, a tall roof with arches of white jade, the spacious area lit with Dao Art mediums, and a formless force which silences the world outside the main hall.
A long, grand table once sat in the middle of the main hall; it was currently shortened to a more appropriate length for a one-on-one conversation, also due to Selene's inability to wield her voice like an Immortal.
"I will give you, Immortal Adamant and Junior Selene, your privacy while discussing your situation."
"I will take my leave and attend to Junior Dawn and Junior Sun, and discuss our own matters."
With a polite bow, Immortal Union left the scene.
Immortal Adamant sat down in the main seat, gesturing at the other seat.
"Please sit, let us discuss your potential as an Immortal Seed."
Selene nodded and sat opposite Immortal Adamant. She felt uneasy in the presence of someone so powerful and domineering, but also felt slightly comfortable in the presence of Immortal Adamant.
"Immortal Union has told you about my proposal, yes? Do you accept becoming an Immortal Seed under my guidance?"
"Yes, I fully accept becoming an Immortal Seed. I would be glad to be taken in."
"That is good to hear, but there will be difficulties regarding your status."
"Difficulties regarding my Status...? What does this mean?"
Immortal Adamant waved her hand at the table. Three radiant spheres emerged from the table's surface.
From Selene's perspective, the left sphere was dark grey, the middle sphere was white, and the right sphere was silver.
"Great River Bank Settlement is founded on the Western region's Great River. It is my home Settlement, and is where I will be taking you to raise as an Immortal Seed."
"However, I am not the only Immortal Settlement Lord there." Immortal Adamant gestured at the dark grey sphere first, "This represents Immortal Monolith, this silver one represents Immortal Blade."
"They are also the Settlement Lords of Great River Bank Settlement, as I am."
"Naturally, they are also guiding Immortal Seeds."
Waving at the table again, Immortal Adamant conjured a few smaller spheres, each sharing the colour of their respective Immortal.
Three small spheres of dark grey, two of flawless white, and another two of silver lustre.
"Immortal Monolith has the greatest number of Immortal Seeds, currently, two of which are Third Foundation Cultivators, the third is a Second Foundation Cultivator."
"Immortal Blade has two Immortal Seeds, one is a Third Foundation Cultivator, while the other is a Second Foundation."
"I, as well, have two Immortal Seeds. One is a Third Foundation Cultivator, the other one is you."
Selene was surprised at the number of Immortal Seeds, even if they are divided between the three Immortals. Immortal Defiance only had Dawn to guide as an Immortal Seed.
There were seven Immortal Seeds of Great River Bank Settlement, and she was one of them.
What shocked her even more was the incredible difference between her and the other Immortal Seeds.
Selene was still at the first Foundation, two of the other Cultivators were at the Second Foundation, majority of them were at the Third Foundation.
Even though she could wield a few Dao Arts, she still lacked a primary Dao Art and sufficient experience, Selene would not qualify for the Second Foundation's criteria.
"Lord..." Selene raised a question, one which had been bothering her for the past few nights. "Immortal Adamant, why did you choose me as an Immortal Seed? I am still in the First Foundation, and you already have a Third Foundation Cultivator."
"It is simple, I found the alleged premise of your Way very intriguing. While I do not know you very well, and all the information I heard was from Immortal Union, I want to see you develop your Way."
"My Way..."
What exactly did Immortal Adamant think about Selene? What did she know about Selene?
Selene, despite having a frail body and weak stature, embraced cultivation as a means to live. Cultivation was a tiring and difficult achievement, even breaching the First Breakthrough and reaching the First Foundation was exhausting.
The Second Foundation was no less difficult.
Yet through it all, Selene continued. She wanted to be strong, she did not want to be stepped on.
But a deeper emotion was buried within her heart, it was very profound.
One that she did not want to admit.
"My Way was intriguing, so you took me up as an Immortal Seed?"
"Precisely. Furthermore, it is attractive."
"Attractive...?"
Immortal Adamant gestured to the white spheres representing her, Selene, and the other immortal Seed.
"Think of it this way. People of similar interests are more likely to attract each other, no? They mutually agree on feelings of fondness, such as I do with you now, with your Way."
"Initially, I had quite the impression when Immortal Union told me about you, but now that I meet you in person, you actually have this 'attraction', which means that you have some affinity to my Way."
"Most Immortal Seeds are like this, not just talents scouted by Immortals, but those with an affinity to the Immortal themself."
"You, Junior Selene, and your Sister Immortal Seed, whom you will come to know as Sister Edifice, should also share some sort of affinity, but you must at least be a state Cultivator to be able to sense this."
"In other words, I can help you progress with your cultivation by playing a more significant role than just 'guidance'. You should also be able to get along well with Junior Edifice."
Selene takes in this information, pondering over this supposed affinity. She was worried about one thing, so she raised a question.
"I am only at the First Foundation of cultivation. I have two Dao Arts practised, but I still have not chosen a primary Dao Art. If I share an affinity with your Way, will I inherit your legacy?"
Immortal Adamant paused as she thought for a moment, tapping the table and rearranging the white spheres on it while clearing the other spheres.
The two smaller spheres sit before the larger one.
"That is possible. The opportunity to inherit my legacy is open to both you and Junior Edifice, but it will not be forced onto you."
"If you wish to become an Immortal while sticking to your Way, then I will continue to nurture you until then."
"If you did wish to inherit my legacy, you would have to contest against your Sister Immortal Seed." Immortal Adamant quietly chuckled. "Junior Edifice is currently working hard to digest my legacy."
Selene relaxed. She continued to converse with Immortal Adamant about her future and her status as an Immortal Seed of Great River Bank Settlement.
...
Immortal Union flew unhurriedly down the mountain slope, opting to fly with a formless force instead of the cloud.
As he touched down upon the Spirit Spring, where Dawn and Sun were cultivating. They were already anticipating his arrival, standing in front of the White Tiger statue.
The bowed and greeted Immortal Union, who greeted back.
"Tell me, have you taken any steps further in your cultivation? It is best to be well-prepared for the upcoming expedition."
Dawn answered first, followed by Sun.
"I am still at the Second Foundation, but I am nearing the bottom line for the Third Foundation. I can currently immerse myself for twenty hours."
"I have yet to choose my primary Dao Art, but I have practised a suitable offensive Dao Art--the Golden Arc and Ribbon Dao Art. As well as a few supplementary Dao Arts and supportive Dao Arts."
Immortal Union nodded in satisfaction, especially towards Dawn's progression.
"I have heard that you inherited Immortal Defiance's legacy, Dawn. You should have his collection of Dao Arts, correct?"
"Yes, at least, what he has left me. It is composed of two offensive Dao Arts, three supportive Dao Arts, and one defensive Dao Art. It also has what is my primary Dao Art--Starlit Spirit, Principal of Earth."
Immortal Union inwardly praised the legacy left behind by Immortal Defiance, he continued solemnly as he announced.
"I am glad that you two have progressed amply with your cultivation. The time for your expedition draws near."
"I will be addressing the groups that will be deployed to aid Union Settlement's subsidiary Mortal Settlements."
"The third hour of next Early Hour, I request that you find me at the Middle Court of Union Settlement. There, the plans regarding the encroaching beasts will be discussed."
...