Silver Extreme's Stomach was his most grievous wound.
The detonation of a Qi Core usually doesn't harm one physically, but the consequence is more severe the higher one's Cultivation.
The difference between Foundation Cultivators and State Cultivators can be seen here.
Revealed by the parting of his robe, Silver Extreme's toned upper body was scarred with various wounds barely hidden behind his bandages.
These resembled claw marks, likely from those bird-related Spirits.
The skin on his forearms was similarly cut, but seemed to be healed, only leaving faint scars.
"You... would make such a move, Silver...?"
Sighing lightly, he nods. Silver Extreme puts his robes back on and tries to lighten the mood.
"It was for a greater cause... and... it is only a minor setback. It will not be long until I recover."
Looking at the open window, Silver Extreme feels solemn.
"I am worried for the Settlement, however. With the threat of Demonic Cultivators, we can not rest too easily."
The Settlement Lord agreed with a firm nod.
"Yes. As you already know, a defensive Dao Art has been established to dispel Immersion or any similar investigative Dao Arts."
"What about our manpower?"
"Currently, only half a dozen Cultivators remain active of the original fifteen. Including you, we only have seven Cultivators available. The rest are heavily injured, while two have fallen in battle."
Even with Silver Extreme's intervention, there were still casualties among their people.
"My mortal army has suffered dearly, too. With twenty-five casualties and seventy-two injured."
"Of the seven Cultivators, there are only three Second Foundation Cultivators. The other four include the four Third Foundation Cultivators."
"Heart Teathering Maiden is patrolling the Eastern and Southern border of the Settlement.
Wolf King Lan has left to explore the Southern edge of Iron Mountain's divot.
I maintain watch over the Western border of the Settlement and the Northern Iron Wall border."
"Naturally, with your return, you are the fourth and final Third Foundation Cultivator of the group."
Dawn was relieved to hear that their strongest Cultivators -- behind Silver Extreme, that is -- had remained active.
"What does the current situation look like?"
"Wolf King Lan pursued the Life Taming Monarch after Silver Extreme's detonation. The Demonic Cultivator was heavily injured, thus retreating from the battlefield."
"Is it okay to send him alone? If there are other Demonic Cultivators, would that not be trouble?"
"It is fine... I have surveyed the area thoroughly during my battle."
Silver Extreme pitched in with his hoarse tone.
"So... the Demonic Cultivator, this Life Taming Monarch, was responsible for controlling the entirety of the second tide, yes? What can we expect by the third tide?"
"..."
With Silver Extreme out of commission, he is unable to fight at his full strength. Currently, he would have Pseudo-Third Foundation battle strength.
Even if he were to detonate a second Qi Core, they could prove fatal.
Wounding his abdomen left him bedridden and severely injured.
Detonating the Qi Core in either his heart or mind would be fatal.
"There is likely too little time for the Life Taming Monarch to recover from his wounds."
"With Wolf King Lan pursuing that Demonic Cultivator, there will be too little time for him to prepare."
"However, with our lack of manpower, assuming the third time arrives and acts as planned, it would be too difficult to withhold their advance."
The Settlement Lord paused, looking outwards, his gaze fell to the far divot's edge.
"Not only the third tide, but the existence of Demonic Cultivators appearing and attacking would complicate our situation."
"With that in mind, I have sent a request for aid to nearby Mortal Settlements and Union Settlement."
"If I could contact you in time, I would have requested the aid of that Edifice, whom you aided with their departure."
Dawn sensed a subtle regret in the Settlement Lord's voice.
Despite being very suspicious of Edifice and her caravan at first, she still played a vital role in the relocation of the sane beasts of the first tide.
But with the sudden changes of the second tide, how could the Settlement Lord anticipate their new situation suffering such a terrible change?
"Even if I wanted them to stay, they had important business to tend to."
"It is fine. We just need to hope that we can receive reinforcements from any nearby Settlements."
"Looking at our current prospects, we should be able to at least hold off the third tide. Considering that this tide is solely comprised of insane beasts, the battle can be held without holding back."
"Indeed. With the second tide's early finish, we have at most eight nights to prepare."
Life Taming Monarch gathered and sent the entire second tide in a single night, yet they were annihilated in an instant.
While the initial timeline indicated the second tide would last three nights, it was quell in a single night.
Leaving them an ample amount of time between now and the next tide.
"The third tide will be the final. It should be entirely comprised of insane beasts, meaning that only ordinary beasts will be present."
"The lack of Beast Kings is fortunate for us, but the presence of Spirits is still expected..."
"...!"
While Dawn and the Settlement Lord conversed, Silver Extreme looked through the window, towards the sky.
The clouds parted as something shone faintly against Night's sky.
Although it was small, it was very noticeable.
"What is...!"
Its speed was incredible. Falling from the sky, there were ripples as it pierced through the air.
In a moment, the jade-green coloured light appeared at the window.
It emitted a gentle glow and a soft presence.
"Is this... a message?"
"A Dao Art Medium... This is a Jade Slip, but this is usually a method of the Immortals?"
Dawn revealed the identity of this floating object, although Silver Extreme and the Settlement Lord were familiar with it, too.
"Lord, could this be a response from Union Settlement? You did not send a message to any other Immortal Settlement, have you?"
"Of course not! I have only contacted Union Settlement. If this is an Immortal's communicative method, then Lord Immortal Union has sent his reply."
Looking at the Jade Slip, Dawn stepped out of the way and allowed the Settlement Lord to take hold of it.
Pouring in his Qi, the Settlement Lord activated the Dao Art within and received a small flood of information.
...