In only a few nights, Iron Mountain Quarry Settlement will face its third and final tide.
However, the greatest threat lies in the obvious attention of Demonic Cultivators.
Only one Demonic Cultivator made their appearance, accompanied by two Spirits and tens of thousands of beasts. Life Taming Monarch was also at the First State of Cultivation.
A State Cultivator, even at the lowest First State, is far more powerful than any Third Foundation Cultivator.
Neither Dawn, Heart Teathering Maiden, the Settlement Lord, nor Wolf King Lan can take out a First State Cultivator alone.
However, due to Silver Extreme's sacrifice, Life Taming Monarch bore significant injuries and his battle strength dropped, prompting him to retreat.
However, Demonic Cultivators never attack alone, regardless of their cultivation rank; a lone Demonic Cultivator would never attack a Settlement alone.
In other words, more Demonic Cultivators likely have their attention on this Settlement.
'Considering the battle strength of the first who attacked this Settlement, Life Taming Monarch, it is wholly possible that a second or even a third might make their appearance.'
'Wolk King Lan is chasing down Life Taming Monarch, but I doubt that Senior Lan will kill that Demonic fiend...'
'As a matter of fact, it was unwise to have sent Wolf King Lan to pursue Life Taming Monarch. There may be an entire Faction behind this attack. Senior Lan may get ambushed.'
Considering the situation, neither Wolf King Lan nor Life Taming Monarch can kill one another, as they lack the necessary strength. The former's return will be the best outcome. Not returning would mean his death.
His death would be an obvious sign of other Demonic Cultivators, too.
'I pray for his safe return...'
"Dawn, have you made your decision?"
"Senior... I may need more time to think this over."
Silver Extreme paused before his sigh was heard in Dawn's mind.
"I will confirm your decision another time, we do not have much time. I implore that you make your decision by the night's end."
"I understand. I will meet with you then."
The tingling sensation in her mind waned.
Dawn resumed her walk, but was walking aimlessly as she lost herself in contemplation.
'Defend Iron Mountain or evacuate the people...'
These were the two options she had to make a decision around.
Should she stay, hope for reinforcements, and defend the Settlement?
To risk her life to defend Iron Mountain, the home of the Settlement's denizens, and defend the Settlement Lord's selfish desire.
On the other hand, she could run away and preserve her own life, the life of those denizens, and leave the Settlement Lord to die alone.
While the Lord's stance may seem selfish or greedy, Dawn did not think of him as a lowly person.
He placed his values in his heritage, the Iron Mountain, and placed his life on the line to preserve it.
It may seem completely selfish, which it was, but it was not founded on greed or lowly ambition.
For a man to stake his life for something is an expression of his resolve.
To refute the world even at the cost of your life, your status, your people; to give up everything for one thing alone, that is the Settlement Lord's resolve.
Of course, Dawn does not believe that his methods are Righteous in the slightest.
'To give up everyone for your desire. I will not hate you for such a selfish goal, for that in of itself is admirable, but because you have implicated me, I will defy your very whim.'
'If I were to overlook your ambitions, the denizens of your Settlement, of Iron Mountain Quarry Settlement, they would lose their agency. Their choices would be decided on your whims.'
'That, I can not overlook. To impose your Way on others, regardless of Righteous or Demonic intent, I will not turn away. For that reason...'
...
The stars above gradually lost their radiance, and the Starlit Sky was dimming.
Falling Hour ensued.
Dawn made her way to the Settlement Lord's Complex, having settled on her decision.
'Senior Silver should still be recovering. He claimed that Heart Teathering Maiden had agreed to aid him, so there should be a plan to evacuate the denizens of this Settlement.'
One of the other two Third Foundation Cultivators that were deployed from Union Settlement.
'I have not heard of Wolf King Lan's return... I hope that this chill of my spine means nothing.'
That familiar, cold foreboding found its way on Dawn's back.
"...!"
Suddenly, a terrible explosion erupted from the Settlement Lord's complex.
Molten slag splashed like a tidal wave of sparks; the building flooded from within, spilling heat outwards.
"What!"
Appearing from the slurry of the ruined building and slag was an injured figure.
His injuries were already present before the slag, but this molten material burned through the layers of his skin, adding to the wounds.
Dawn pushed off the ground with a powerful step, and dust kicked up as she shot forward.
"Silver-!"
"Do not interfere!"
"...!"
Stomping on the ground and twisting, Dawn controlled her momentum to strafe to the right.
She narrowly avoided the pillar of molten slag which struck he prior location.
As Dawn turned to face the location of that voice, her eyes went wide, full of shock, as she stared at the man who had attacked so ruthlessly.
"You-! What are you doing, Lord?!"
Ignoring her shouts, the Settlement Lord pounced upon Silver Extreme, still recovering from his new burn wounds.
"I knew you were a lowly man, but to think that you would go this low!"
In response to the swirling mass of molten slag, bundling violently in the Settlement Lord's hands, Silver Extreme conjures a few sparks in his palm.
Raising his left palm towards the Settlement Lord, he roared.
Dao Art -- Duke's Spear!
Dao Art -- Molten Fireworks!
Brilliant flashes of blue and orange ravaged the area.
Dawn raised her arms and activated her own Dao Art to withstand the collision of lightning and slag.
'What is going on?! Is this because of their disagreement? What has caused this fighting?'
"Dawn!"
"...!"
Resounding in her mind was Silver Extreme's strained voice.
"Senior!"
"I need you to find Heart Teathering Maiden. There is a group of Demonic Cultivators waiting to ambush her!"
"That can't be... What is going on, Senior?! Why are you and Lord fighting?!"
"He has taken it too far! Lord has... Iron Mountain Quarry Settlement's Lord has stepped onto the Demonic side! He wishes to give my head, as well as Teathering Heart Maiden's head, to the enemy!"
"He has betrayed us...?"
"You need to help Teathering Heart Maiden, Dawn. Do not waste time here!"
"What about you, lord...?!"
"I will be fine here. Please, just go, now!"
...