After Immortal Union left, Selene was in deep contemplation about her situation. Being favoured by an Immortal and receiving their aid--becoming an Immortal Seed.
This was not something every Cultivator was offered, especially someone of her stature.
Weak. Frail body. Short.
She was only at the First Foundation of Cultivation, too.
Similarly, her friends were Immortal Seeds in the past. Dawn was naturally guided by her father, Immortal Defiance, while Sun was also favoured by Immortal Defiance.
Both were strong, even among their peers; if they stood at the extreme of strength, Selene stood on the other extreme of fragility.
Selene reflected on Immortal Union's final lecture before he left.
"The First Breakthrough denotes one's steps into Cultivation. The manipulation of Qi to focus it into your Three Vital Areas, and refining said Qi into Human Qi, thus creating the self-sustaining Qi Cores."
"The First Foundation relies on these Qi Cores. A Cultivator can control their Qi for mundane applications, such as strengthening one's physical body, innate healing ability, or mental ability."
"However, to take the next steps towards the Second Foundation, one must learn and express their Qi through Dao Arts."
This milestone was especially pointed towards Sun and Selene. They're both First Foundation Cultivators.
The three Qi Cores of the First Foundation of Cultivation amplified one's bloodflow and physical abilities, one's innate healing abilities, and one's mind.
For example, Selene's Qi Cores were able to alleviate some of her body's weakness.
Sun, on the other hand, applied his Qi to healing.
Sun's method of healing was mundane. By pouring his Qi into the target's brain, heart, and stomach, he allows their recovery to be amplified. Of course, this merely improves the rate of recovery; it can not fix severe injuries.
Should Sun look for a more efficient method of healing, he would have to practice Dao Arts, thus beginning his steps into the Second Foundation of cultivation.
So, focusing on progressing to the Second State was most important, but it was also difficult.
Selene sat upon a cushioned seat in the cagin's living room, a bunch of Dao Art scripts splayed around her.
Offensive Dao Arts, defensive Dao Arts, supportive Dao Arts, all sorts of Dao Arts were depicted within them.
She was browsing for potential Dao Arts to focus on, but she could not decide on one single one.
Selene kept a list of the Dao Arts she wanted to practice when she got the time.
"If I can't choose a Dao Art, I won't be able to cultivate to the Second Foundation. Does the Dao Art I choose truly matter? I should have questioned this Immortal Union more..."
"Cultivators usually practice numerous Dao Arts; self-healing arts are most common, so that would be best. Offensive Dao Arts... most of these seem physically intensive, the few seem mentally burdensome."
"I guess I should find Dawn for help."
With a sigh, Selene stood from the seat and sorted the scriptures back where they belonged, and left through the door of the cabin.
...
In the bright but gentle starlight of Early Hour, Dawn was sitting in front of the White Tiger Statue, in a meditative position.
Crossing her legs and resting her open palms faced up on her knees, eyes closed as she hummed rhythmically.
A gentle breeze tugged at her sleeves as it played with her long black hair.
Pale golden light flickered around her figure, like a candle flame caught in the wind.
Dawn picks up on faint tapping sounds echoing out of the cave.
The light fades, and her rhythmic humming stops. Dawn stands and walks around the tiger, and watches as Selene emerges from the cave.
"You noticed me coming?"
"Yes, it is very quiet, and your footsteps gave you away."
"Huh."
"Do you need any help?"
Selene joined Dawn in front of the White Tiger Statue. They sat side by side as Selene relayed her troubles to Dawn.
"Dao Arts are not only important to the Second Foundation, they are also important to one's Way. Specifically, Cultivators might have an affinity towards certain Dao Arts, that is wholly because of their Way."
"Naturally, you should also try and find the Dao Art you feel most compatible with. If you are confused, you would have to trial and error with various Dao Arts to find the most befitting one."
"You will realise what fits you best when you get a certain 'feeling'. I had a similar moment like that, but my conditions were different."
Immortal Defiance guided Dawn as an Immortal Seed, but he also left his 'Way' for Dawn to inherit.
What is a Way?
It is the central beliefs of a person, a core piece of their identity that defines their self.
Normal people have a Way, but it is mere and often not too significant.
Cultivators express their way through their cultivation.
Immortals express their Way through the world.
Ultimately, it is an important part of one's life, especially for Cultivators.
Naturally, this meant that Selene wasn't able to choose a random Dao Art to cultivate; this might cause conflict against her Way, or may simply be the least efficient option, hindering prospects.
"Would I have enough time to experiment with each Dao Art I come across? The scriptures in our living quarters alone offer close to fifty different Dao Arts. Even if I only focus on the list I recorded...?"
"No... no, you would not. But, at that point, it would be best to find the ones you feel closely affined to."
"However, it is important to develop a sufficient understanding of Dao Art. Initially, they might seem very compatible, but as you search every intricacy, you might find flaws that don't truly suit your Way."
Selene sighed. The First Foundation was comparatively easy to achieve, but the Second Foundation sounded meticulous and excessively difficult to progress through.
"So trial and error is the only way, huh?"
"Unfortunately. I recommend practising supplementary Dao Arts that suit you first. Later on, you can experiment with which Dao Art to cultivate as your primary."
Selene continued to sit by Dawn and discuss specific Dao Arts that Selene could look into.
Due to Selene's weak physical stature, defensive Dao Arts should be her priority, then supportive Dao Arts, with offensive Dao Arts as the least concern.
Additionally, Selene could also try to practice mundane methods in the meantime, such as releasing Qi as her initial offensive method.
"I don't think you should worry too much, Selene. It took me three weeks to find truly suitable Dao Arts, and another three weeks to establish my primary Dao Art."
"There is a difference though..."
Selene wanted to voice her defence, but held off due to the touchy subject. Dawn noticed and sighed in response.
"I know what you mean. My Father guided me throughout those times. Immortal Union has offered to guide us, and you... You have Lord Immortal Adamant interested in you, too."
"Adamant..."
She never forgot the proposition offered to her by Immortal Adamant. If the support of Immortal Union wasn't enough, would Immortal Adamant offer any advice?
"To not only receive the support of Immortal Union, but also the possibility of becoming an Immortal Seed. It is up to you, but please don't hold yourself back on our account."
"I understand..."
...