Six nights prior...
Silver Extreme was conversing with Heart Tethering Maiden alone, having sent Dawn out to aid the evacuation plan.
"I will send a message through the Jade Slip to the Settlement Lord of Jaded Monkey Valley, who will then proceed to send that same message to the Three Summits' Alliance, and from there, to the rest of the subsidiary Mortal Settlements of Union Settlement."
"Will it be possible for you to withdraw everyone from their Settlement? During these difficult times, will this not be a dangerous move to make?"
"I will only request that they send an envoy to represent their Settlement, whether that be the Settlement Lord themself or another individual of high standing."
"That is good to hear then. However, what will become of the political states of this great alliance and the other Settlements?"
"The only problem regards whether the Four Seasons' Cultivators will attempt to control the other Subsidiary Mortal Settlements forcefully. But such a thing is not so likely to happen..."
Without an Immortal backer, these Mortal Settlements stand frail in the vastness of the world.
The only hope they had was to convene with one another, but internal threats are still a thing to keep in mind.
"Regardless, uniting various leaders is not an easy thing. Without a sole leader, such as an Immortal, the power over the Settlement is divided, wills and ambitions clash, and unity may never be truly established."
"That would mean that conflicts would arise between the Settlement Lords and even the Settlements."
"However, don't forget that I am here. Although my state is precarious, as a Disciple of Union Settlement, my authority was the closest to Lord Immortal Union himself."
"There is also my fellow Disciples... who may still be alive..."
Silver Extreme spoke with a hopeful tone.
There were five Disciples of Union Settlement, each alike Silver Extreme.
They were people who served Union Settlement with great loyalty, those who could get in touch with Immortal Union, wield authority second only to the Settlement Lord, and each of high cultivation.
These Disciples were similar to Immortal Seeds in terms of authority and power.
Although the term for these individuals is 'Secondary Arbiter'.
Other Immortal Settlements had Cultivators in similar positions. Such as Wine Valley Settlement's Province Ministers, or Sky and Earth Chasm Settlement's Exalted Lords.
However, Secondary Arbiters were usually only present in the absence of an Immortal Seed.
"My words alone should be enough to waver the favours of the other Settlement Lords. But, should my fellow Disciples be alive, our united strength and authority will be enough to regain proper control over the other parties."
"I see, then you would be able to contest against Veiled Forest Settlement and the Four Seasons' Cultivators for authority."
"That is right. While there may not be a sole ruler, having total rulership in the hands of someone familiar is comforting. But that does not mean we can truly expect true unity."
Of course, there were still problems with this situation.
Unlike typical Immortal Settlements that have only one Immortal as their ruler and backer, this new alliance between Settlements would wield multiple rulers.
Iron Mountain Quarry, Corpse Mountain, Jaded Monkey Valley, Three Summits' Alliance, Wind and Rain Valley, Winding Dragon Mountain; these were the six subsidiary Mortal Settlements of Union Settlement.
Each of them with one Settlement Lord, excluding Iron Mountain Quarr; that would leave five other rulers.
Then, including Veil Forest Settlement's Four Seasons' Cultivators would add four additional 'rulers'.
There is also the other Disciples of Union Settlement, but they could be dead, leaving Silver Extreme as the sole disciple and an additional ruler.
This alliance would essentially consist of eleven rulers, each with their own wills and ambitions.
Foreign rules total to four, but they also happen to be the second strongest party, if not for the Disciples.
"Warrior of Spring, Call of Winter, and Herald of Summer, these three are State Cultivators. While Shade of Autumn is only a Foundation Cultivator."
"We Disciples were most of Third Foundation Cultivation, excluding me and my senior Disciple, Jaded Fighting Monarch."
"The other subsidiary Mortal Settlements only have Foundation Cultivators..."
"Looking at our situation, I find it hard to believe that we will overcome Veiled Forest Settlement..."
Sighing tiredly, Silver Extreme rested his back against his chair.
Heart Tethering Maiden could only suggest that he rest.
"These matters can be considered along our journey to Union Settlement."
"It would be best for you to regain your full strength first, lest you wish to fight with your life on the line."
"Yes... You are right..." Silver Extreme sighed again as he patted his bandaged stomach. "While I hope that such conflicts don't happen, I cannot disregard that potential issue."
Standing from her seat, Heart Tethering Maiden bowed lightly before leaving.
"I will ensure that the people are properly prepared before evacuation. Please, rest easy."
"Very well... You have my gratitude for stepping up, Maiden."
"Of course."
Left in the dimly lit warmth of this tent, Silver Extreme moved himself back to this bed.
'If only I did not have to worry so much about my people...'
'Lord Immortal Union... where have you gone?'
Immortal Union's status was described as 'missing'. But whether or not he is simply missing is unknown.
Regarding that status, Silver Extreme chose to believe in it, hoping that it was the truth.
'I do not wish for conflict to arise... While I am not a strong believer in 'union', I do not wish to defile your beliefs...'
...
With the Night's final hours coming to their end, the denizens of Iron Mountain Quarry Settlement had all settled at the northwesterns edge of Iron Mountain.
Dawn had allocated the people is their respective groups.
That is, separating them between injured and capable.
The blazing flame which was burning the Settlement, as well as all sorts of chaos, had claimed a few lives.
They fortunate enough to escape untouched were still capable to move.
Others were not so fortunate.
Dawn had witnessed some burn to ash.
She managed to save some with her own Dao Art—Hallowed Shine—but these people still suffered injuries.
Without many capable Medical Experts, this left them in a precarious situation.