Dawn stood dominantly over the battlefield.
Golden Eagle's wide eyes shook; he could not hide his shock.
Neither could the audience. The surrounding Cultivators watched in awe and bewilderment, even Sun was slightly surprised.
Silver Extreme applauded while the Warrior of Spring's brows were slightly raised.
Dawn's performance belied her rank as a Second Foundation Cultivator.
Her spear fell to her side, bluntly asking.
"Do you wish to continue, Senior?"
Golden Eagle raised himself from the ground. Humiliation bore deep into his heart, but it was overwhelmed by his astonishment, demanding an answer.
'Her physical strength increased drastically. Is this what she meant by True Human Physique? Then what about the intense heat of the blade?'
"Junior, just what is this Dao Art? Its power is incredible and profound! It can not be so simple!"
"Could it be a Dao Art which blends fire and physical strength?"
Dawn shook her head in response.
"True Human Physique allows me to express physical strength far above my innate strength. The more desperate my situation, the stronger the amplification."
As Golden Eagle utilised his Dao Art to pressure Dawn while also boasting an incredible defence, her situation was truly perilous. She was stuck defending and unable to retaliate.
The surrounding Cultivators now understood how Dawn managed to grab the advantage, she continued to speak.
"The Dao Art recognises physical hardship and mental hardship alike, and amplifies my strength accordingly. At his moment, my physical strength has increased twofold."
"Twice as strong!? That is absurd!"
Golden Eagle couldn't hold back his surprise, but quickly calmed himself down. He thought for a while before confusion laced his tone, he questioned.
"Junior Dawn, if this Dao Art amplifies your strength, then what about the heat emanating from your blade? It cannot be something simple, that heat is intense enough to burn through Qi constructs!"
Dawn raised her hand and channelled Qi into a ball.
"My Qi has an innate trait. It burns hot and is supposed to set anything aflame. The longer I channel the Qi into something, the hotter it becomes."
As an example, her spear was now glowing brighter than it previously was; consequently, it was hotter than it previously was.
But that wasn't the most surprising thing.
"A Qi Trait!? That can't be!"
"Does she truly have an innate Qi Trait!?"
"Can someone verify this? How do we know she isn't using another Dao Art?"
Disbelief erupted amongst the Cultivators.
Amidst the chattering, some of the Cultivators looked at Sun; they knew he had a connection with Dawn and hoped he could validate or disprove their query. Sun replied bluntly.
"Yeah, it's true. Dawn's Qi has always been like this."
Silver Extreme stepped towards Dawn.
"Junior, hold out the Qi in your hand."
Dawn stretched out her hand, and the sphere of Qi she conjured. It shone dimly, subtly brightening after each breath's time.
Silver Extreme raised his hand over the Qi ball and analysed its temperature, its nature, and its state.
Undoubtedly, it was warm and gradually warming further. The Qi didn't seem to be manipulated so intricately nor tied to a Dao Art. Thus, the Qi was raw, unchannelled Human Qi.
There was no use of Dao Arts, specifically those that relate to fire or heat.
"I can confirm that Junior Dawn is a wielder of a Qi Trait."
Silver Extreme gazed at Dawn with a questioning gaze.
"Why have you not told us of this? To hold such an advantage from being disclosed, such a wonderous talent holds great implications..."
"I did not intend to boast about my abilities; holding my ego so high does not bode well."
"Qi Traits are seldom seen amidst the Cultivator world. This is enough to be recognised as a potential Immortal Seed!"
There was a slight unrest in his voice. Silver Extreme's calm composure faltered at the idea of receiving an Immortal's benefit.
He caught himself with a cough before explaining his confusion.
"If you revealed this to Lord Immortal Union, he would have gladly taken you in as an Immortal Seed, and you would not need to go on this expedition."
"I have already declined becoming an Immortal Seed."
"What!?"
Dawn met Silver Extreme's bewildered gaze. She didn't need to look around to know that everyone else was in shock, even Sun was a little surprised.
He had also suspected that Immortal Union would want to accept Dawn as an Immortal Seed.
Even the talented Warrior of Spring and Shade of Autumn felt amused by Dawn's declaration.
She continued to meet Silver Extreme's questioning gaze.
'To refuse an Immortal, outright! How absurd, she can't be serious!'
'Even if she is talented, she must be insane to turn down the status of Immortal Seed!'
'What is going on in this girl's mind!?'
"Junior Dawn, you... Did you really deny such a status?"
The other Cultivators also wanted to understand her intentions.
"Yes, I did," Dawn replied calmly. She recited her reasoning with an unwavering voice. "Should I become an Immortal Seed, I would embrace the easy road of smooth marble."
"Should I deny an easy life, I would walk over roots and thorns. The road of unending hardships only fuels my Way. An easy life is not aligned with my Way!"
"I embrace the road that I think is right. I embrace life and defy hardships, refusing to deviate from my Way."
"So what of beasts and Spirits? So what of Demons? So what of Night?"
"I embrace my Way, and I will continue to walk, unhindered and defiant!"
Her voice was a declaration against the world itself, undoubtedly shaking the hearts of the surrounding Cultivators.
Silver Extreme and Warrior of Spring's hearts were moved by her ambitions.
The former could only calm himself and sigh.
"I understand. I was not aware that such a Cultivator existed."
However, the latter decided to speak up.
Warrior of Spring stepped forward towards Dawn, not only intrigued by her ambition.
He laughed proudly.
"Junior Dawn, your courage and ambition are truly commendable! Truly inspirational!"
"As I watched you fight, your strength was beyond my expectations. Your skills and offensive abilities are clearly high among your peers."
Warrior of Spring glared at Silver Extreme for a moment before addressing Dawn.
"I will forward with you. Why don't you become a member of our expedition group instead?"
"You would dare!? Right in front of me!?"
Silver Extreme rebuked, sizing up to Warrior of Spring.
"Are Junior Dawn's capabilities not better suited toward my expedition group's prospects? We focus primarily on offence while you choose to embrace defence."
"Junior Dawn and Junior Sun were assigned to me by Lord Immortal Union. Are you wishing to go against his order!?"
"I am sure we can appeal to Lord Immortal Union. We can offer you Cultivators to compensate for this 'relocation'."
"Should we even decide to relocate Cultivators, this choice is not ours to make! We decided on our groups through discussion. To allow everyone a fair choice."
"Then, should we give our Juniors the choice to decide? Junior Dawn and Junior Sun were assigned to you without choice, no?"
Silver Extreme went silent, and the slight furrowing of his brow creased his calm composure. Eventually, he called Sun up forth to question them both.
"Juniors, Lord Immortal Union assigned the two of you to me, undoubtedly wishing to keep you in close relations to our Union Settlement, but... You will be given the choice to decide where you wish to go."
"To Corpse Mountain Settlement, with 'friend' Warrior of Spring, or remain with me."
"Please, choose."
Dawn didn't need to think about it too deeply.
The act of defence seemed to resonate with her Way, she would naturally appeal to her Way.
Her choice brought subtle distress to Warrior of Spring, who hurriedly reasoned.
"Junior Dawn, should you not wish to express your skills vividly? Would prioritising defence over offence not hinder your skills?"
"It would be most beneficial, most efficient to unleash your combatative skills unrestrained! Would you restrain the beasts rather than slaughtering them?!"
"What about the people? Being able to achieve your objective better would allow you to better protect the people!"
Warrior of Spring made strong points, but Dawn shook her head, unmoved.
"I understand your reasoning, but I am confident in my capabilities of repelling attacks, and the point of defence is not wholly concrete."
"Repelling is only of secondary priority; defending the Settlement is of priority. Should repelling not be possible, then we have no choice but to retaliate."
"In the case of a party strongly attuned to defence, would my offensive capabilities not be needed here? More so than in a party which focuses on offence."
Warrior of Spring could not rebuke her arguments. Balancing their parties was wise, and their responsibility of defending the Settlement, above all else, was also irrefutable.
He tiredly grabbed his forehead as if defeated.
Silver Extreme sighed inwardly, he was worried about Dawn being swept over to the other side.
He suddenly remembered Sun and turned to face him.
"Junior, your choice."
"..."
Sun paused for a moment.
"I would like to join the expedition to Corpse Mountain Settlement..."