Awe and admiration fell on everyone's expressions.
Silver Extreme and Spring's Warrior were notable figures in the Western region's State Cultivator world. Their status as First State Cultivators is widely known, yet every mention of it evokes reverence in one's heart.
Especially for all Third Foundation Cultivators, breaching the Second Breakthrough was terribly difficult.
These two First State Cultivators were no less than praiseworthy.
Dawn looked at the two men with respect and anticipation.
Almost everyone here was eager to see State Cultivators in action. It would provide an example of the level of power these high-ranking Cultivators can express and the depths of their cultivation regarding one's Way and Dao Arts.
This gathering of Cultivators was considerably powerful and diverse.
Immortal Union continued with the gathering.
"The presence of Silver Extreme and Spring's Warrior is our assurance in defending these Mortal Settlements. The related beasts and possible appearance Spirits are not of high concern."
Immortal Union lowered the rows of spheres representing the Cultivators and began to conjure images in the air.
They depicted beasts, mundane and mystical, as if captured by strokes of ink, producing flat, detailed images of the respective beast's appearance.
"The first tide of beasts revolve around the sane ordinary beasts, as well as the sane mystical beasts, those who were driven out of their natural habitats due to the 'domino effect' caused by the remnant mist."
"These beasts will be easier to deal with, retaining their sanity means they retain their instincts, such as their will to live. They have been forced to move due to the rampaging beasts, it is possible to redirect them through brute force as well."
"The animal populations in the area aren't too concerning, common bears, wolves, and hunter birds make up the majority. Mystical beast populations are not as abundant, but still prevalent, including Night Graced Owls, Grand Bears, and Streaming Wolves."
Immortal Union displayed a myriad of beasts in the areas surrounding Corpse Mountain Settlement and Iron Mountain Quarry Settlement, both ordinary and mystical.
The beasts of the innermost regions flow outwards and disturb the beasts of the outer regions, disturbing them and causing them to flee.
These sequential tides of beasts refer to a generalised range of beasts based on a spectrum of sanity, concerning their proximity around the remnant mist.
Beasts in the outermost regions are least affected by the mist, if not wholly unaffected; the first tide of beasts is wholly unaffected, thus sane.
The second and third tides of beasts create a gradient starting from sanity towards insanity, usually caused by their proximity to the remnant mist.
Consequently, the most insane of the beasts would represent the final tide, suggesting that beasts from deep within the remnant mist can reach outside.
Regarding Corpse Mountain Settlement and Iron Mountain Quarry Settlements, they are only expecting three tides of beasts: sane, irritated, and manic.
The third tide of beasts is not from the innermost regions, so their insanity is not severe, but still problematic.
Each tide's beasts can be divided between ordinary beasts and mystical beasts. The general population of each tide includes a dozen different species, mostly land-based.
"Currently, the most prevalent beasts in the first tides are ordinary bears and wolves, among which are Beast Kings. None of the ordinary Beast Kings should be difficult to handle for First Foundation Cultivators."
Beast Kings were simply leaders among their respective beast groups, which usually reached a populace equal to or greater than three figures.
"There are a few mystical Beast Kings within the first tide, such as Grand Bear Kings and Streaming Wolf Kings, as well as Bloody Fur Fox Kings and Dire Hawk Kings. These animals should not trouble Second Foundation Cultivators."
Mystical Beast Kings don't need to reign over a populace of mystical beasts, necessarily. Mystical Beast Kings can rule over a populace of ordinary beasts.
The title of Beast King does not bring power or unique status, merely an indicator of strength among the beast group.
Immortal Union lowered the images of beasts and conjured new ink-like portraits.
One was a tiger with a broad body, one depicted a lithe fox, and the final depicted a hawk with an incredibly wide wingspan.
"Three types of Spirits are likely to appear during these tides amongst the myriad beasts."
"The majority of the present Cultivators are under the Third Foundation, It is not recommended to engage these spirits in battle. Spirits are to be handled by Third Foundation Cultivators, Disciple Silver Extreme, or friend Spring's Warrior."
All Cultivators present were interested in the mention of Spirits.
Born from the mixture of Heaven Qi and Earth Qi within natural Spirit Springs, the presence of spirits can indicate the presence of a natural Spirit Spring, valuable for Foundation Cultivators.
During this time, when the domino effect displaces beasts and even Spirits, trying to track down the original location of these Spirits would be difficult. Trying to locate a natural Spirit Spring through the Spirits amongst the tides would not be effective.
However, creating an artificial Spirit Spring with the corpses of Spirits is still a viable option.
A Spirit's value was widely known and was mostly sought after by Foundation Cultivators. They still had value to State Cultivators, but depending on the Spirit, they were overall less valuable.
Immortal Union could see the unrest in people's eyes, and he calmed them down and suggested.
"Do not let your greed take over your rationality. Spirits are beyond what most Second Foundation Cultivators can handle."
"Even if Spirits can bring about immense benefits, you will not only be risking your own life, by the safety of your fellow Cultivators and the people of the Mortal Settlements."
"If Spirits do entice you so, I recommend seeking the aid of Silver Extreme and Spring's Warrior. Bartering and transactions are permitted, but please do focus on the main task at hand."
The surrounding Cultivators caught themselves and calmed down.
Silver Extreme and Spring's Warrior were also intrigued but not wholly captivated. Dawn wasn't wholly swept in the desire for Spirits, but understood the immense value of Spirits, having cultivated previously within an artificial Spirit Spring and recently in a natural Spirit Spring.
The process of creating an artificial Spirit Spring was costly, requiring a suitable environment and numerous spirits of similar affinities.
Immortal Union continued to explain the three types of spirits likely to make an appearance during the chaos of the tides.
Spirits can be categorised based on their existence, these three Spirits are Elemental Spirits.
Earth-based Spirits are most prevalent in the Western region, where mountains and valleys make up the majority of the region's geography.
Wood-based Spirits and Mineral-based Spirits are common within the vast stretches of forests and exposed quarries of the Western region.
Water-based Spirits are common around the rivers of the Western region.
Fire-based Spirits and Wind-based Spirits are not so common.
Naturally, this means that Spirits have natural counters of sorts, especially when fighting a Cultivator.
A Fire-based Spirit is susceptible to Water-based Spirits, and Dao Arts utilising water.
Elemental Spirits are naturally tied to the world as a product of Heaven and Earth. Most of their abilities are similar to Dao Arts, but are a natural form of conjuring.
Unlike Cultivators, who require the skill and a constant intake of Qi to utilise Dao Arts, Spirits who are newly born can utilise their conjuring easily.
Spirits don't need to take in Qi to supplement their conjuring, simply manipulating the surrounding area's Qi to conjure an effect.
Cultivators need to take in and refine Qi, Spirits have virtually limitless supplies of Qi.
That is what makes them so dangerous.
Yet, Elemental Spirits are the weakest amongst Spirits.
...
Immortal Union finished discussing the beasts and Spirits.
He cleared the table of the images and spheres, focusing on the map of Corpse Mountain Settlement and Iron Mountain Quarry Settlement.
"For your journey to these Mortal Settlements, I will provide each group one Soaring Cloud Envoy to transport everyone to their respective destinations."
"I have already contacted the mortal Settlement Lords. Cultivators will be accommodated separately, additional resources will be dispatched for necessities, and cultivation resources."
"Corpse Mountain Settlement and Iron Mountain Quarry Settlement will be dispatching their own mortal armies and Cultivators. You are to work in tandem to prevent beasts and Spirits from reaching the Settlement land."
"These tides are supposed to be lasting for a few weeks. Upon your arrival, the first tide is supposed to arrive after three nights, lasting for another three nights."
"The second tide is set to arrive two nights after the first tide ends, lasting approximately two days as well."
"The third and final tide is set to arrive three nights after the second tide ends, lasting three to four days."
"There will be little moments to properly rest, and the extensive demand of resources will leave most feeling discontent."
"Worry not. During this time, there will be various reward systems and arrangements to ensure that each Cultivator present can benefit from this difficult time."