Dawn was leading the trade caravan from the front, occupying the carriage that Edifice was in.
She whipped the beast into motion, pulling her carriage forward.
Neither Edifice nor the thousands of beasts were in sight.
This was their agreement; they had settled.
...
"Show me the Dao Art you are utilising to control these beasts; I will learn it and take control of the beasts here."
"I am using a Dao Art medium. You can take it, I will retrieve another when I return to the Settlement."
"Good. That settles it. I will lead the beasts to the locations you marked, and return to this other area thereafter."
New markings were drawn on Edifice's map.
This was part of an agreement Dawn made with Edifice.
Dawn gave Edifice her planned route, also leaving her the Dao Art medium -- Celestial Beast's Command, and the three beast groups.
To efficiently transfer the beasts, Edifice offered to help.
She was powerful enough to impose her will on the beasts and capable of handling them all.
Dawn will retrieve another batch of beasts from Iron Mountain's habitats, meeting halfway to pass them off to Edifice.
Edifice will deliver Dawn's beasts to their new habitats near the Great River's bank.
Both of them will work together in order to transport all the beasts.
This process would originally have taken nine hours total each trip.
Thanks to this new idea, it would effectively be reduced by half.
Dawn was grateful to make this process easier.
At this rate, she would be able to move out eighteen beast groups before the night of the second tide.
There was no worry about rushing her task or falling into a complicated situation when the second tide arrives.
In exchange for Edifice's help, Dawn will take this trade caravan back to Iron Mountain Quarry Settlement.
This caravan wasn't wholly intended to trade, but the few Cultivators within were still interested in the potential resources of the first tide.
Bones, beast skin, possibly even mystical items.
Edifice wished to fulfil her companions' desires, so her aid was also a means to show goodwill to the other party.
Silver Extreme or the Settlement Lord would not overlook such magnanimity.
They would certainly reward her, or at least her party, for their help.
As for Dawn helping Edifice and Selene with their search for that State Cultivators' inheritance...
It was a small matter of helping a friend; she wished to see her friend prosper.
Both of them, in fact.
However, circumstance forbids that.
...
As Dawn led the trade caravan party out of the forest, they were welcomed with the sight of the Iron Mountain's divot.
They descended the gradual decline, seeing the iron mountain far in the distance.
Selene could not hide the surprise on her face.
The landscape was barren, mostly even ground with some parts uplifted.
"I wonder what caused this...? Edifice would probably know."
"Didn't you call her sister before? Glad to see you made a new friend~."
"Well..."
Looking away, Selene did not play into Dawn's teasing.
Talking about friends, however, she couldn't help but ask.
"How is Sun?"
"Doing fine? I haven't seen him in a while, but I trust that he is alright."
"What? Haven't you been with him the whole time, or have your duties been holding you back?"
"Well..."
Dawn quickly explained their situation.
What Sun and Dawn did after Selene left, their separation on their night of departure.
Sun's decision to join Warrior of Spring, to Corpse Mountain Settlement, to search for redemption.
"I see... well, I hope I get to see him soon."
"It hasn't been that long, has it?"
"No. Maybe two weeks since I've seen you guys, or you, at least."
This moment of respite was pleasant.
Although it would be short-lived, it made the moment all the more worthwhile.
...
It was only a few moments into Late Hour when Dawn returned to the Settlement.
Arriving at the boundaries of Iron Mountain Quarry Settlement, the trade caravan attracted a lot of attention.
Interestingly enough, the Settlement Lord was awaiting their arrival.
"Lord, you are already here? Were you expecting this trade caravan?"
"No, there was no prior notice of a trade caravan. I could sense you approaching with a group, that is all."
"So, Immersion is how you found out. Do you mind hearing me out?"
"Go on."
During such vulnerable times, the tides of beasts and Spirits would not be the only threat.
There was always a chance for third parties to interfere with a Settlement's affairs.
Whether it be political interference or violent interference.
The Settlement was cautious about this caravan's sudden appearance.
The Settlement's Lord was even more cautious.
However, with Dawn as a mediator, she was able to smooth things over quite nicely.
"You are friends with this girl, and this Edifice is helping with the beast's relocation..."
"Yes, all they ask for in return is trade. With friend Edifice's aid, she wished to trade for the mystical beast corpses."
"Hmm. We did not have any major gains during the first tide, merely a few Beast King corpses and a few Mystical Beast King corpses."
Thinking for a moment, the Settlement Lord analysed the other 'merchants' of the caravan.
With Immersion, he could sense the presence of Qi Cores and assimilated Dao Arts.
'The majority of these 'merchants' are Cultivators, but none of them are substantial.'
'It is safe to assume that there is little they can do. They might really be here for trade.'
'However, I will not leave them freely.'
"I will assign some guards to tend to them. There is an area towards the northeastern boundary of the Settlement."
"I will have another Dao Art medium prepared for you."
"When you finish relocating the beast groups, I will assign you to them during the second tide."
"I hope that you can return with friend Edifice as well."
Dawn nodded; she understood the caution behind the Lord's words.
He guided the trade caravan to that area, and five guards would keep watch over them.
After the Settlement Lord left, Dawn breathed out turbid air.
"This is the most I can do. Forgive me for not being able to do anything more, Selene."
"It's fine. As long as everything works out, it will be fine."
Dawn left behind a few words before leaving.
"I will be handling the beast groups for almost every hour of the following nights."
"When I return, I'll check up on you; let me know if you need anything."
"I'll see you soon, Selene."
...