Immortal Adamant's Arrival

The seventh night.

Selene was awake earlier than usual.

It was obvious that she was restless; it was the night of her meeting with Immortal Adamant.

There were a few worries on her mind regarding this. 

This was no simple meeting, but a discussion regarding Selene's potential as an Immortal Seed. When she first heard of this offer, she was perplexed, unable to figure out why she was scouted as an Immortal Seed.

Not only that, she questioned whether she really has the prospects of becoming an Immortal seed.

Even after the prior six nights of cultivation, studying, and practising Dao Arts, Selene was far from equal to Dawn or Sun.

Selene and Sun made ample progress regarding their respective Dao Arts. Sun hasn't decided on his primary Dao Art, and neither has Selene. Technically, Selene and Sun aren't Second Foundation Cultivators yet.

Of course, Sun is beyond the average First Foundation Cultivator.

Selene has a few mundane methods of Qi manipulation, but that only means that she can barely stand on her own.

Of course, becoming an Immortal Seed would have massive benefits towards her cultivation. Whether there were precise details, she didn't know, but what she observed from Dawn and Sun, Selene knew that abundant resources would be provided to help her cultivate.

Dawn received a mystical weapon, her own personal Spirit Spring, albeit artificial, and the generous support of her father--Immortal Defiance.

The way she is cultivating now is like a hint of what being an Immortal Seed is like.

There was a bright outlook on the future, but it would also be lonely.

Another worry would be her life from then on.

She has no memories outside of Star Gazing Settlement; fleeing the Settlement was her first time outside her home Settlement.

Although she didn't have a lot of memories to be fond of. 

Some of the people were kind, such as Dawn and Sun, Immortal Defiance, her mother, and a boy whose face she barely remembers.

Everyone else...?

Unpleasant. Rude. Annoying.

Careless. Childish. Immature.

Reckless. Savage. Crude.

There were no other faces worth remembering.

Accepting Immortal Adamant's offer and becoming an Immortal seed would provide immense benefits, but it undoubtedly means moving to Great River Bank Settlement.

She had just moved to Union Settlement, while there is almost nothing chaining her to this place, her last friends are still here.

Should she leave Union Settlement, she would be leaving her friends.

'How ironic...'

'My cultivation would soar, compared to now, of course.'

Dawn was an Immortal seed because of her father, Lord Immortal. Union will probably offer her the title again.'

'I believe Sun was favoured by Lord Immortal Defiance, too. Dawn and Sun will likely become Immortal Seeds under Lord Immord Union's guidance.'

'Now, I'm receiving that treatment from Lord Immortal Adamant.'

'I will have to move to Great River Bank Settlement, while Dawn and Sun will have to stay here, at Union Settlement.

Selene sat up in her bed. Dawn's was the next room over, and Sun's room was at the very end.

Even with the walls separating them, she couldn't help but look in their direction at the thought of their names.

'To leave or to stay...'

'Become an Immortal seed and leave my friends?'

'This isn't the last time we'll be meeting each other, I hope, but when will the next time be?'

'What if either of us perishes before we meet again?'

'...'

It wasn't that she had a problem with loneliness; Selene often enjoyed her solace, but she felt a connection to the only people she thought highly of.

Selene shifted out of bed and stood on the cold wooden floor. She tidied her appearance before exiting her room.

The starlight was still dim around this time, there were two hours before Rising Hour would commence, which is when the three of them would awaken. 

It was foggy around this time.

Selene sat in front of the White Tiger statue. She looked at the cold, jaded figure; its beauty and strength were admirable. 

'I want to be strong, to stand on my own, to resist the feet that trample me.'

'I do not want to be stepped on, I will not let myself be trampled.'

'I have to take this opportunity... even if I must cast some things away.'

'...'

'But, I will not let them go completely, someday, we will meet again...'

'When that time comes, I will proudly stand by your side, Dawn, Sun.'

Selene watched as the mist cleared. She embraced the quiet night and sat in front of the statue, gazing at the sky as she breathed in the cold air.

She enjoyed the gentle wind, soft sounds of rustling leaves, and the pale starlight shining dimly.

She felt immersed in the world as she reminisced, then blocked out all those sensations.

Yet faintly, something painfully tugged at her heart.

Selene stood, looking at her rippling visage shimmering on the surface of the silver pool.

There, meeting her calm gaze, was a sight she wasn't familiar with.

'Tears...?'

...

Hours passed before the other two awoke. Dawn and Sun meet Selene in the main hall and discuss.

This was the night when Immortal Adamant would arrive, and depending on how their discussion went, this might be their last night with Selene.

They enjoyed this early night together, sharing a meal, light-hearted conversations, and reflecting on their prior six nights.

Selene tidied her appearance the best she could and received the wholehearted support of her friends.

It was not long after the third hour of Early Hour that Immortal Union arrived. Dawn, Sun, and Selene greeted with a bow.

"We greet Lord Immortal Union."

Immortal Union waved as he greeted back.

"It is good to see you all in good health. I am sorry to interrupt your cultivation, but the time has come for Junior Selene's meeting with Immortal Adamant."

"I have already prepared a place for you, Junior Selene, and Immortal Adamant to discuss privately."

"When you are ready, I will take you up to Union Settlement's peak, where my monastery resides, and we will await Immortal Adamant's arrival."

Selene nodded gently at his words.

"I hope it goes well, Selene! Being an Immortal Seed is nothing less than incredible!"

"We wish you luck on your way forward, Selene. When we meet again, I expect you to at least be at the Third Foundation! Hahaha!"

"You two..."

Dawn encouraged while Sun teased, even if she hadn't told them her choice, how could they not know?

They've known each other for years, they were closest to each other.

Selene spared them a smile and her gratitude, turning back to Immortal Union, who was lightly chuckling to himself.

"I'm ready, Lord Immortal Union."

"I see you have made up your mind already, Junior Selene."

Immortal Union conjured wisps of white wind, collating into a solid mass. Selene could see that it was Qi that was being manipulated.

A white fluffy cloud formed at their feet. Even though the cloud rose, Selene's sense of balance was not affected, like she were not moving at all.

"I will meet you two Juniors after Immortal Adamant arrives; we must discuss the expedition to Union Settlement's subsidiary Mortal Settlements."

Dawn and Sun bowed to Immortal Union as he flew away with Selene. They waved at the rising figures, disappearing up the mountain's slope, and to its sky-scraping peak.

...

Selene watches as the world below falls further below her. She rises on the cloud with Immortal Union, witnessing the world beyond her once lowly horizon.

The dozens of mountains that stretch into the east, a dozen more scattered to the north, south, and west.

It was an enlightening experience, standing so high above the world, and it represented the heights that would be available to her on this new path.

A few moments passed until they settled in front of Immortal Union's monastery upon the mountain's peak.

Yet another majestic sight filled her vision. 

Immortal Union's monastery shared the blue and white architecture with the rest of Union Settlement. The wooden elements--the ridges of the roofs and support beams of the walls--complement the pale colours with an earthy tone.

Immortal Union waved his sleeve and opened the gate, revealing the spacious and lavishly decorated courtyard.

"We will wait here to receive Immortal Adamant. Please, do not worry too much about your appearance or attitude."

"I presume you have made up your mind?"

Selene nodded, her gaze distant as she turned to the horizon.

"I will gladly accept Lord Immortal Adamant's offer to become an Immortal Seed."

"That is good to hear, she will also be glad to hear this." Immortal Adamant chuckled, "You do not need to stand on ceremony anymore. As an Immortal Seed, you will stand just below an Immortal in authority, a figure well-admired by the Immortals themselves."

"But...! I wouldn't dare act so casual to you, Lord Immortal Union, or to Lord Immortal Adamant."

Union nodded in understanding, respecting Selene's manners. 

Settleing into her new role would take time, he could only wish that things go well for this rising star.

They conversed lightly for a few moments until they felt a heavy presence make itself known from the Eastern horizon.

A figure clad in black and silver flew through the air.

Immortal Adamant had arrived.