"Confusion has not left...?"
There was an odd expression on Sun's face.
His brows were furrowed, and his eyes wide; a peculiar light flickered within, one of expectation.
But there was also a flicker of anger and question within them, too.
"Yes. As witnesses to the fall of Star Gazing Settlement, you two should be all the more familiar with the fog which surrounded the mountain, yes?"
"That fog...!" Liming Zi's quiet remark was heard next.
"The fog that flooded our Settlement... it was quite a terrifying thing to fight against..."
"You have experience? Then that would prove useful in what I am to tell you next."
The blue-grey figure stood above the mountain of Star Gazing Settlement and began emanating a cold light.
Rings of fog surged outwards from the mountain, flooding the lands depicted on the map.
"A new development has occurred with Confusion, whose fog has begun to surge outwards in waves, or tides, if you will.
"I myself have encountered the fog, and its disorienting effect is quite terrible. But I assume the two of you are aware of the other dangers within the fog?"
Sun wanted to nod his head, but he had only heard through reports of what happened below.
The thought of his inactivity hurt.
He shook his head before turning to Liming Zi.
"I wasn't on the frontlines... I had stayed back and fulfilled my role as a Medical Expert..."
"But you failed, no?"
Opening her eyes and revealing a cruel black within, the woman before Sun, Heart Tethering Maiden, commented on Sun's remark about himself.
"What did you say...?!"
"As you heard. Should you have fulfilled your purpose, wouldn't your entire Settlement have survived?"
"Absurd! Do you think I could save that many people!?"
The woman was immediately subjected to Sun's ire, but she did not waver. The black of her irises was cold and abyssal, like a testament to her own nature.
And so, she continued,
"You would use your inability to console yourself? A true Cultivator does not grieve his lack thereof and shelter his vulnerability. So, what are you?"
"Please, Maiden, that is enough."
Liming Zi had grabbed Sun's arm to try to quell his anger.
At the same time, Silver Extreme had also commented, quelling the mocking of Heart Tethering Maiden.
"Infighting is not at all acceptable. Although I do not ask for you two to be friends, do restrain yourself."
"Hmph."
Though the cold woman went silent, she leaned into a more relaxed posture, allowing her cheek to rest upon her fist.
"I, Silver Extreme, will offer you an apology on her behalf. However, I, too, have expectations of you."
"...Understood..."
With a sigh, Sun had allowed himself to rest.
Though his brows were still furrowed, his breathing became steady.
"Please, let us get back on topic..." Immortal Union coughed into his fist before continuing.
"Do you have any information to share, Liming Zi?"
"Not anything particularly new, I suppose. The area within the fog feels disorienting; one's Sense of Direction is askew, and perception can be misleading.
"Not only that, but beasts may be manifested within the fog. I had encountered wolves, and the people who fought beside me claimed the same as well."
"Hmm..."
Immortal Union fell into contemplation. Silver Extreme turned a curious eye to Liming Zi and questioned.
"How far is your Cultivation?"
"Two steps into the Second Realm, otherwise, I have completely cultivated four Foundations of the First Realm."
"And what of you, boy?" Silver Extreme nodded in satisfaction at Liming Zi's answer, then turned his curiosity to Sun.
"Only the First Realm... Three Foundations, but I have some experience with Dao Arts."
"Three Foundations, and one Expression..."
Though Silver Extreme did not have the same satisfaction, he was still content.
"Although your Cultivation has not progressed so far, a Medical Expert is still useful in times of conflict."
"That..."
There was a conflicted look in Sun's eyes before he nodded silently.
Leaning back, he watched as Immortal Union waved his hand and changed the map splayed on the table.
"As the tides of fog spread outwards from Confusion, the lands will naturally be implicated. Although we do not know when the tides will cease, and how far they will reach, there are some precautions I wish to take."
The map changed to depict a mountain.
Surrounding the base of the mountain were plenty of trees, but further up the slope, they became sparse, and the summit was completely barren.
It somewhat resembled a normal mountain, but what seemed to be an intricately designed column protruded next to the summit.
"What is this?"
"This is one of the Union Settlement's subsidiary Mortal Settlements, known as Qing Mao Dao Settlement.
"The mountain is known as Wind Shaven Mountain."
Immortal Union introduced the mountain, but he gestured to Silver Extreme to continue the conversation.
"I, Silver Extreme, am designated Leader of the first Retaliatory Division. It is my duty to rally a temporary militia under my banner and defend Qing Mao Dao Settlement during this perilous time.
"I, the Leader, wish to extend an invitation to the two of you, potential comrades-in-arms.
"In five nights' time, we will set out for Qing Mao Dao Settlement.
"You will be expected to fulfil your allocated positions in this dire time. You, Liming Zi, as a Warrior. And you, Sun, as a Medical Expert."
With expectations laid out bare, and an invitation in both hands, Silver Extreme requested of Sun and Liming Zi.
"I understand that it has only been a few nights since the fall of your home, but I know very well that Cultivators are not one to spend their time mourning..."
It was an agreeable fact.
Liming Zi sat silently in contemplation, scrutinising the visage of the mountain before her.
"I wish to join... I want to become a member of this Retaliatory Division. Please, if you will have me."
It was a short but appealing response, one that satisfied both Immortal Union and Silver Extreme.
Sun also did not think too much, either.
He left his emotions bare to the world,
"I also want to join... but I want to fight!"
"What?"
"I have spent my years dawdling as a Medical Expert... But... I wish to return to how I was before.
"A Guard of Star Gazing Settlement, a capable fighter. I wish to reignite that side of me. So...
"I do not want to retaliate against this ordeal as a Medical Expert, but not as a Guard either... But as a Warrior!"
...