The Iron Mountain Quarry Settlement.
Unlike conventional quarries, their mining operations dig into the mountain around which the Settlement is built.
Each pillar is made of iron. The outermost layers have deformed due to degradation, while the innermost layers are incredibly resilient.
Due to the sparse natural life, and the forest being pushed several kilometres away from the mountain, the Settlement's aesthetics are stone-like and pale.
The expedition group sent to Iron Mountain Quarry Settlement were accepted with open arms.
A few swarms of beasts have already assaulted the Settlement, so they were especially grateful to have more manpower.
Silver Extreme led as their leader, he left the group to meet with the Mortal Settlement Lord.
Dawn and the other Cultivators were brought to their accommodations.
The architecture was pale with earthy tones.
It was a large complex with several rooms divided between the Cultivators.
Dawn was assigned to her room to settle in, but there was not much time for respite.
Soon after, Silver Extreme returned and ordered the Cultivators to help with preparations.
They had three nights to prepare.
...
The Settlement is built on the southernmost side of this Iron Mountain, which is also the side where the tides will come.
Silver Extreme planned to reflect the beasts rather than violently oppose them.
As Immortal Union suggested, they should put efforts into retaining the natural life, not simply killing in excess.
Of Course, they still needed to prioritise the Settlement's safety.
They were preparing for the first tide, which should mostly include ordinary beasts and a few mystical beasts.
The appearance of Spirits was supposed to be few, but still likely to appear at any time of the tides.
To aid with their preparations, Iron Mountain Quarry Settlement's forces would also lend a hand.
There were already ramparts when they handled the previous tide.
Silver Extreme wish to improve these while also pushing their defensive line outwards.
He wished to operate their plans a few hundred meters from the Settlement, remaining a fair distance from the Settlement.
This provided a safe distance where the tides would not implicate the Settlement, while also providing the defensive line efficient access to resources.
The first tide was due in three days, lasting for another four days; the defensive line would have to maintain itself for a lengthy period of time.
Being able to provide for the Cultivators and the supporting mortal army was important.
A few medical stations and supply halls were constructed.
Silver Extreme marked their defensive line three hundred meters from Iron Mountain Quarry Settlement's ramparts.
Further beyond their defensive line, the Cultivators put effort into uplifting the land.
Tearing deep, long trenches or piling tall, steep mounds.
Because the forest was pushed far from the Iron Mountain, the surrounding land was mostly flat.
There were no natural obstacles, allowing the tides to traverse wildly without much obstruction.
The Cultivators were ordered to change this, creating artificial obstacles from the land itself.
These were meant to impair the tide's advancements; funnelling beast groups or splitting them apart.
Unity is an important part of battle; ruining the formation of the beasts was just one step in ruining their unity.
Of course, this would mostly impair ground beasts, like wolves or bears.
Hawks or Owls could easily overcome this.
They would be a separate matter to deal with.
This line of obstructions surrounded the defensive line from south-southwest to south-southeast.
With the full efforts of the Cultivators and the mortal army, half of this was achieved in the current night.
Exhausted, they concluded the night with a hearty feast and well-deserved rest.
...
First night before the tides.
There was a generous supply of food being supplied by the Settlement.
Although Dawn wasn't much of an eater, she still helped herself to maintain her health.
She enjoyed a hot serving of meaty soup.
Working to uplift the land wasn't too difficult for her, but creating the piles took some dirty effort.
Pushing all the dry soil and rock together, drowning it in water and compressing everything together.
Forming somewhat of a stable mound by the time everything mixes and dries out.
She had changed into some common black robes, which came with her accommodation.
Just last night's work left her clothes dirty.
Even with all this labour, she couldn't help but praise Silver Extreme's efforts in turning the land into an obstacle.
It was a simple method of the 'Art of War'.
One could equate these tides to be akin to a war between man and beasts, and spirits.
Not only is war thought through physical confrontation is war fought, but also through will and schemes.
To impose one's will on the enemy is half the war won.
But will is beyond expression through emotion and morale; it is expressed onto the world itself.
To change the lands to one's favour, using it to receive the enemy and part their forces, without lifting a single finger.
Using the condition of the lands to fight half of your war.
Silver Extreme displayed his knowledge on battle tactics, albeit simple, but still very effective.
Its application here was a gentle approach to receiving the beasts.
He would break their 'will' to charge forward, affecting their overall momentum.
Since these beasts aren't insane, they retain their will to preserve themselves.
If they are met with great opposition, they would have no choice but to relocate.
Then, the Cultivators have to passively redirect them to their prepared habitats.
Dawn couldn't help but praise this tactic again.
Although being lost in her thoughts for too long made her meal lukewarm.
She sat alone at a table in a dining hall.
With a sigh, Dawn continued to eat her meal.
"Friend Dawn, I hope you aren't busy at this time...?"
Approaching from behind was Silver Extreme.
His face remained stoic, he was also changed from his usual luxurious robes.
"No, I am free at the moment. What could I help you with?"
Although she could already guess, she ate another spoonful of soup as he sat down in front of her.
"I will be blunt. Even with decades of experience to my title, and even though I am a State Cultivator, I require your aid regarding Qi Traits."
"How so...?"
"Well. Friend Dawn, you were only a Second Foundation Cultivator when we met, yet you wielded a Qi Trait."
Silver Extreme straightened his posture, his eyes glinting with subtle desire as he asked plainly.
"I want you to teach me how to create a Qi Trait."