Small shelters were erected around the area, and campfires lit the dim surroundings.
The beasts that were pulling the carriages were held in stables.
Secluded within her carriage, Selene tended to her own matters.
The carriage was spacious, but not so large; just big enough to sit comfortably within.
It was walled off from the outside world, meant to grant privacy within.
Selene was resting against one of the walls.
Dawn had already left, and the night was getting old.
It was the third hour into Late Hour.
Only a few people outside were awake.
The crackling of fire. The whispering winds. The slight creaking of wood.
They were the only sound present in the otherwise silent world.
The thin walls of her carriage did little to withhold the sounds, but she did not mind.
Should it have been the chattering of people around a campfire, then it might bother her.
Regardless, Selene enjoyed her solace.
In her solitude, she was able to reminisce about the prior events just a few moments ago.
Meeting her beloved friend brought great joy.
Although she did think about Sun with worry.
With that on her mind, she couldn't possibly sleep.
Selene also thought about Edifice, a recent but pleasant addition to her life.
They might not be considered really close, but she had a high opinion of Edifice.
Higher than her opinion of the majority of people in general.
She was awfully secluded from people.
Selene did not feel sorrow at that, having only three people to call close friends.
There were others in her life, like her mother, or Immortal Defiance.
Although... they were gone.
Only memories remained of them.
She is left with what little she has, but she was fine with that.
Holding no attachment to anything else, but her friends and herself, she couldn't care about anyone else.
If not in their presence, Selene was content with her solitude.
Whether it be dissociation or social ineptitude, she did not enjoy such foreign company.
Instead, Selene sat comfortably within the walls of her own 'self'.
As she rests her drowsy head on a makeshift pillow, Selene slowly drifts to sleep.
...
The next night was nothing eventful.
Some of the 'merchants' were able to trade for some common materials.
The few beast fur coats they could get their hands on were in good condition.
They were even offered a Beast King's hide in exchange for their resources.
Edifice's trade caravan did bring along various wares.
Medicines. Qi pills to replenish and revitalise overworked Cores. Dao Art mediums to boost physical properties.
Selene watched from afar, from the entrance of her carriage.
She had no intentions to step out.
Instead, Selene isolated herself and focused on her cultivation.
Over the past nights, she had dedicated her time to reading Dao Art scriptures and practising them.
Although Selene had not found one to assimilate, this did not stop her from practising supplementary Dao Arts.
There were two that she had picked up during her time at Union Settlement.
There was another one that she learned during her stay with Edifice.
White Qi was spilt from her finger, like ink from a pen.
Selene was drawing on her chest, above her heart.
A symbol of strength and vitality was drawn, and she channelled her Qi into the Dao Art image.
Pervading into her heart was a rush of energy.
Soon, her blood felt warmer and spread to the rest of her body.
Despite having never left her carriage, her muscles felt active and powerful.
As if she had fought a hundred battles against a powerful opponent.
This Dao Art increased one's endurance and activity, giving the person a rush of power.
Somewhat similar to adrenaline.
It was one of the Dao Art's Selene learned to support her frail physique.
She had another that increased her physical strength in proportion to the Qi she infuses into herself.
The last one was newly learnt.
It focused on making oneself incredibly resilient.
Dao Art -- Four-Layered Protection.
As the name suggests, there are four layers of defence.
The outermost layer defends the mind.
The second layer defends the senses.
The third layer defends the memories.
The fourth layer defends the 'self'.
This Dao Art was given to her by Edifice, which was also given to her by Immortal Adamant.
It was one of the only Dao Arts given to her by Immortal Adamant.
Their political situation forbade Immortal support; this was the most Immortal Adamant could do.
Naturally, as a Sister Immortal Seed, Edifice passed this Dao Art down to Selene.
Selene has practised this Dao Art ever since.
She could understand the defence of the 'mind' and 'senses'.
However... Memories? Self?
What was the purpose of these two layers?
The layer which defends the mind is obvious.
The layer which defends her senses protects her body.
The layer which defends the memories was too vague.
She assumed it would be similar to defending her mind, but she considered otherwise; it wouldn't make sense to have a second similar layer.
Selene was unable to figure out how this was beneficial to her.
Self could refer to one's Way, so the layer which defends the Self protects Selene's Way.
Regardless, Selene practised them all.
She never had a chance to really test their abilities, but she could feel a profound strength within each layer.
While she liked this Dao Art, and it was suitable for her Way, Selene did not choose to assimilate this.
Stepping into the Second Foundation is a meticulous process.
Choosing the Dao Art to assimilate into your Cores should always be decided carefully.
It was a choice one had to stick to, unless they utilised extreme methods to change their choice.
Choosing this Dao Art to assimilate would boost its incredible defensive abilities.
However, Selene did not want that.
Selene did not want to just defend herself. She wanted to retaliate.
She did not want to be stepped on as she had been before.
The Dao Art she wishes to assimilate needs to be an offensive Dao Art.
Or so she considered.
Selene joined this expedition for a State Cultivator's inheritance to get such a Dao Art.
Judging based on Edifice's information, there were two potential Dao Art scriptures that Selene had her eyes on:
Dao Art -- Tiger's Ferocity.
Or the one she anticipated the most:
Dao Art -- Fallen Sovereign's Tenacity.