Wolf King Lan, Sun and Liming Zi would remember the oddly amiable presence that this man held.
He continued to explain the odd nature of this mountain.
"Due to the loose soil, most land-based creatures can't live in the middle to upper regions of this mountain.
"This Earth Overturning Centipede is one such beast that can move through the soil. You will find more insects of this kind, and some birds that dwell in the trees of the lower regions.
"Although if you are traversing the lower regions of this mountain, the trees and their abundant roots keep the soil stable enough to be stepped on without falling through."
Sun listened intently; he was curious about this place ever since he saw the brown protrusion rising over the horizon.
"What is with this odd mountain? Do you know the reason behind this 'loose soil'?"
"No. Not even the denizens know the cause behind the soil's odd properties. Some believe it is related to the periodical winds, others believe that it is due to this foundation upon which Qing Mao Dao Settlement is built."
Wolf King Lan looked down at the ground, the column beneath them.
The material was emanating a soft glow; it could be reflecting the starlight of the Starlit Sky, or it could be an innate quality of the material.
Somewhere off to the side, Silver Extreme called over the Cultivators of the Retaliatory Division.
"Gather your belongings and head towards the eastern area of the Settlement. You will be met with the guards in this Settlement, who will guide you thereafter."
His call was full of authority, and the people did not hesitate to move.
"Expect another assembly in half an hour. At that time, another guide will receive you all, and you will be expected to meet at the Army Hall."
With that, Silver Extreme let his gaze linger over his people before turning away and leaving with Feng Jiangjun.
"I must also take my leave. I hope we can have another lax conversation again."
Sun took note of Heart Tethering Maiden and the other two Cultivators from Bian Mu Sen Settlement.
Sun had asked Liming Zi about them as they travelled here.
Warrior of Spring and Shade of Autumn, two of the 'Four Season's Cultivators', a renowned group of Cultivators belonging to the Western Mountains and Valleys.
They are a long lineage of Cultivators who practice the Way of the four seasons of change.
However, it is mostly their titles that are known across the region, not their identities, and the location of their Settlement is similarly unknown.
Other than their secrecy, their strength is also remarked to be quite high, but Sun wanted to witness that through his own eyes.
"Shall we go to find our accommodation?"
Liming Zi reminded Sun, who turned to face her with a nod.
"Yes, let's go."
...
Qing Mao Dao Settlement appeared to surround only the great hole in the centre of the column.
These buildings formed a handful of districts, serving as distribution centres, warehouses for grains and tools, and for other purposes.
Of course, there was the area meant for the Retaliatory Division's accommodation, located in the eastern region of the Settlement.
Sun and Liming Zi would share their accommodation, as they have before. They had few belongings, too, so unpacking was no ordeal.
With time to spare, Sun stepped out of the accommodation, looking up at the Starlit Sky, before looking down at the ground, towards the great hole in the column's centre.
Curiosity sparkled in his eyes.
'Clearly, this 'column' isn't ordinary. Besides the glow, it is also protruding out of this mountain... or could it have been plunged into it...?'
He walked over. Their accommodation was only one hundred meters from the edge of the hole, which was surrounded by a tall, segmented wall.
Peering through the gaps, Sun peered down into the hole with slight astonishment on his face.
Sun initially considered this Qind Mao Dao Settlement on the smaller side, but looking down revealed that there was more of the Settlement held within the hollow area of the column.
There were platforms built into the inner walls, houses lining their surface in abundance. Sun could make out the roads between the houses and the bridges between platforms.
But the most astonishing sight was the floating islands. Numerous floating islands were crowded in the centre of the hole.
The gentle light of the column's material dispelled any dark that might have nestled in this area of the Settlement, allowing Sun to see almost everything within.
"What an incredible sight is this?" Sun peered through the segmented wall and tried looking deeper into the hole.
He could not see too far due to the angle of his perception, but he could count three layers of platforms and floating islands overlaying each other.
'How is this possible? I figured that this area of Qing Mao Dao Settlement was already very unique, but this?!
'This is just ridiculous!'
There was awe in Sun's eyes, which mixed with his child-like curiosity.
'I should ask Wolf King Lan about this later on.'
He wanted to know how far down this Settlement reached, or how far down the hollow area extended.
Sun wanted to see the bottom of this hole, curious to see if it extended beyond the bedrock.
But, for now, he enjoyed the sight of the hollow area within, unaware of the time passing by quickly, and after the burning of one and a half sticks of incense...
"Rally arms, comrades of Union Settlement. The first assembly between the Retaliatory Division and the Cultivators of Qing Mao Dao Settlement draws near."
The call of a warrior rang through the otherwise silent air.
"Time already, huh..."
"Should we get going?"
"...?"
Startled, Sun took a step back, almost slipping in the process.
"Li Zi? When did you get here?"
"Not too soon after you did. You looked enamoured in the sight of everything down there."
"Really? Why didn't you say anything?"
"You looked at peace. I believed that I shouldn't have bothered you."
"..."
He stifled his racing heart and straightened himself, straightening his posture.
"You scared me."
"I can see that."
"Don't do that."
"...We'll see. For now, let us join the rest of the Retaliatory Division."
"'We'll see?'. Well... okay then. Let us go then."
...