Isolated within his accommodation, Sun is tiredly resting.
The first tide has finally come to an end.
Upon its conclusion, the battlefield was stained permanently in a crimson hue.
Corpses could be piled dozens, if not hundreds, of meters high.
Two dozen beast groups were encroaching upon Corpse Mountain Settlement.
The retaliative group and Warrior of Spring's ambush group, as well as the Settlement's mortal army, managed to hold back the tides.
Unfortunately, the price of doing so was gruesomely high.
There were three casualties among the total party.
Two Cultivators and one mortal warrior.
Half of the Cultivators were seriously injured, and over one hundred mortal warriors were similarly injured.
While the casualties were not high at all, it was a significant blow to the morale of the retaliative group.
Sun especially mourned the losses.
Physical injuries aside, mental fatigue was also heavy.
The only one who wasn't so mired was Warrior of Spring himself.
Sun, on top of being injured, was exhausted.
As a part of Warrior of Spring's ambush party, he was given the least time to rest.
Besides suffering his first serious injury, this was the only moment of respite he was given.
Even though he was covered in bandages and wounds, Sun was still restless.
Pushing himself up, he dressed himself properly, wearing the simple green robes that came with his accommodation.
Stepping outside, he was welcomed with the brightening starlight.
Basking in its gentle radiance, he breathed deeply, wishing to confront the duties he had in mind.
...
An artificial market was set up.
This area was dividing the spoils of war.
Piles of bones and hides were piled about ten meters high.
There were bundles of miscellaneous items too, such as claws, feathers, suchlike.
There was another area where the meat was being treated and cured.
Another area handled the beast corpses.
There were various kinds of corpses: bears, hawks, foxes and wolves, so on.
Some were larger than others.
The Beast Kings were kept elsewhere.
While the Mystical Beast Kings were handled by Warrior of Spring.
Sun arrived at the market.
There were already a few Cultivators and mortals around.
They browsed through the articles of resources.
Despite the ordeals that are the tides of beasts and Spirits, there were benefits.
These resources could be used in various applications.
Smithing. Clothing. Food.
Humans were able to siphon what little benefits they could.
Sun was not interested in these 'minor benefits'.
Moving further through the markets, he passed by the aforementioned facilities.
He arrived at a walled-off area.
There was a subtle presence that could be felt as he approached.
At the entrance, he was stopped by two mortal guards.
Sun beckoned.
"Is Warrior of Spring here? I wish to talk with him."
One guard looked at the other, then looked back at Sun.
"Wait here, I will bring him over."
Nodding, Sun waited. Only a moment after, Warrior of Spring came around and welcomed Sun in.
As they walked, Sun couldn't help but feel the air grow heavier as they moved further within.
"Senior... What is this pressure that I am feeling...?"
"You are here about the Mystical Beast Kings, right?"
"Yes, but..."
As they walked up to a massive structure, Sun felt the pressure intensify.
"What is...!"
"This is one of their corpses."
Stunned, Sun looked inside to see the gruesome appearance of a gigantic wolf.
Its pale fur was dyed a sickly red, and the stench of iron permeates the air.
Bones could be seen protruding from within.
"Is the pressure releasing from that...?"
"Indeed. Although this beast is one of the more significant creatures."
"What do you mean, Senior?"
Watching Sun struggling to resist the pressure, Warrior of Spring took action.
A comforting warmth washed over Sun's body, and the verdant scent of flowers filled the air.
Gesturing at the Mystical Beast King's corpse, Warrior of Spring spoke.
"This was a king on the verge of becoming a True Monarch."
"It is no ordinary Mystical Beast King, with battle strength equivalent to a Third Foundation Cultivator."
"Its presence is far heavier than most; that is why you felt heavier as you approached."
Shaken, Sun nodded as he listened to Warrior of Spring.
Looking at the Mystical Beast King's corpse, Sun felt solemn
If not for its body mired in wounds and blood, it would've been a majestic creature.
"A king on the verge of becoming a True Monarch..."
"Yes. That is to say, it was only one step away from reaching State Cultivation-equivalent battle strength."
"So that explains this pressure?"
"It leaves a significant impression on the world. Without my protection, you would suffer the pressure."
Naturally, this great beast was slain by Warrior of Spring.
It ascended relentlessly, on the verge of a breakthrough.
This kind of drive was rarely seen in a beast.
Unfortunately, its ambitions were stepped on by something greater than itself.
The mist of the Demon of Confusion, and Warrior of Spring.
He who slayed the beast before its potential could be realised.
Undoubtedly, it was an impressive figure among the first tide.
A fallen kind, whose presence was still evident in its death.
"Junior Sun, you must have found me for a reason?"
Taken out of his thoughts, Sun nodded as he requested.
"Senior, I will not hide it from you, I am looking to purchase a Qi conglomerate."
"Oh? Are you looking to create a Mystical Weapon, Junior?"
"Yes. I wanted to commission a Mystical Weapon, but I lacked the resources required."
Pausing, Warrior of Spring grabbed his chin and contemplated.
"Hmm... Unfortunately, there are not many, but you are lucky, Junior."
"As a symbol of my gratitude, I will gift you one to reward your efforts in the ambush party."
"Consider it a testament to your contribution. I will have it delivered to you soon."
Pleasantly surprised, Sun thanked Warrior of Spring gratefully.
Without much else to discuss, Warrior of Spring allowed Sun to take his leave.
'It seems that I will need to maintain an amiable relationship with that boy for a little longer.'
'If I wish to seek that Dawn's aid, then I will be through him.'
'I can only hope that she survives the tides.'
Turning around, Warrior of Spring left the scene.
He still had other duties to attend to.