The Great River Bank Settlement occupies the central area of the Great River.
It is the Western Region's largest river, several dozen kilometres wide, and stretches beyond the western region's southernmost point to the northernmost point.
The Settlement itself is built on the bank of the Great River, but also extends into the waters.
Great pillars of dark stone were cast into the pale waters. They have resisted the violent crashing waves and intense weathering, standing adamant for hundreds of years.
Of course, the original Settlement is on the bank.
This area, isolated in the centre of the Great River, is the residence of the Immortals who rule over the Settlement and their Immortal Seeds.
...
It was only a few nights ago when Selene and Immortal Adamant reached the bank of the Great River, their soaring cloud hovered far above the buildings.
Selene was welcomed with the grand sight of the Great River Bank Settlement.
Stone was prominent in the architecture, flora was sparse as well; a stark contrast to Union Settlement's natural taste.
In fact, the entirety of Great River Bank Settlement was built upon a massive stone foundation. It would be difficult to support plant life in such barren conditions.
All the present flora are nourished through unorthodox means, such as Dao Art mediums.
Selene's awe would not stop there when she took in the sight of the Great River itself.
Like a serpent cutting through the lands, it could swallow dozens of mountains whole. The size of the Great River was unimaginably big.
It was a long stream of pale grey, and amid the crashing waves stood five great pillars of dark lustre.
Three of the pillars had monasteries on them. One only had smooth surfaces, like a cleanly carved rod. The last was still rough in shape, not as if it had been weathered, more like an unfinished design.
"There. The three Plateaus of the Great River are where the Immortal Settlement Lords reside."
"The leftmost pillar is my own, the one closest to mine is Immortal Monolith's, while the next one over is Immortal Blade's"
"The pillar you see, cleanly carved, is due for another Immortal. That will become the Plateau of the next Immortal Settlement Lord, the title that you Immortal Seeds will fight over."
...
Selene spent the next few nights within Immortal Adamant's monastery.
When they first descended, a young woman had been waiting to receive them.
Dressed in black robes embroidered in crimson, her auburn hair fell short of her shoulders.
"Welcome back, Master."
She bowed as Immortal Adamant and Selene stepped off the cloud.
"Is this... Sister Selene?"
"Yes. As you know, she will be raised, along your side, as an Immortal Seed." Turning to Selene, Immortal Adamant gestured to the other young woman. "Junior Selene, this is my other Junior, Junior Edifice, your senior sister."
Selene greeted. She had already heard about Edifice from Immortal Adamant.
This senior sister was inheriting Immortal Adamant's legacy, similar to how Dawn inherited her father's legacy.
Unlike the domineering stoic that is immortal Adamant, Edifice had a welcoming presence. Yet behind this warm facade was a Third Foundation Cultivator, an incredible figure among the Cultivator world.
"It is my honour to meet you, Sister Edifice."
"The pleasure is mine, Sister. It has been awfully lonely these past months, I was looking forward to having some company.'
Selene tried hard to requite this warmth, but she was never open with many people. This 'awkwardness' didn't slip Immortal Adamant's notice; she intervened a moment later.
"Juniors, it is getting late. I am pleased that you awaited our arrival, Junior Edifice. Let us rest now and settle our matters the next night."
The two juniors were brought into the monastery. It was ornate and shared the familiar dark and crimson lustre of Immortal Adamant; there were also light shades of grey and brown, as well.
Inside was modestly decorated with plant life, lined along the myriad windows. It brought a shade of life to this otherwise barren place.
Selene was brought to a room, fitted with a bed, a desk, a bookshelf, and a wardrobe.
Edifice was roomed further down the corridor.
As Immortal Adamant bid them goodnight, Selene was left alone in her room.
Late night's dim starlight filtered through the window, casting a gentle but solemn hue over the room.
Taking a step into a new life, Selene had decided to embrace the best path for her.
She desired the strength to stand alone, to support herself.
Standing alone in this quiet room, the faint winds and crashing waves echo her solitude.
She is reminded of what she left behind.
Stepping towards the desk, she is not overwhelmed by her loneliness.
Retrieving the hairpin from her robe's pocket, she places it on the desk. It is a keepsake from one of her dearest friends.
From her other friend, she has dear memories of him.
That alone is enough closure for her to keep moving through these sullen emotions.
Lying on the bed, its soft embrace reminds her of Immortal Adamant's soaring cloud.
A symbol of departure and new beginnings, she would wake up the next night and begin a new life.
Selene soft drifts to sleep.
...
Selene had spent the next few nights within the monastery.
She explored the myriad books of her room's bookshelf, which were categorised between Dao Arts, general skills, and fictitious and historical books.
It surprised her that such storybooks were left to her; she didn't pay them much attention. She could understand the relevance behind the historical books, which carry information about the land surrounding Great River Bank Settlement.
Besides indulging in the myriad books, Selene explored the monastery to try and get familiar with the layout.
Selene and Edifice's bedrooms were located on the left side of the monastery's central building's second floor.
Immortal Adamant resided on the top floor of the central building.
There was a wide pavilion in the back area, centred in a modest garden.
During her perusal, Edifice approached Selene and tried to start a conversation.
"Sister, what brings you out back here?"
"Oh. I'm just trying to get familiar with the monastery's layout, is all."
"Do you want me to show you around?"
Selene paused for a while, reluctantly agreeing.
"Mmhm"
A glint of joy flashed in Edifice's eyes as she pointed at the pavilion.
"This pavilion is actually where I spend my time cultivating my third Foundation, to immerse myself in the world and Night's sky."
"It is best to do so in open places to experience more intricacies of the world, this helps with your cultivation and strengthening your Way."
"The plants I added around also help with my cultivation, even though they are mundane. Also, I just enjoy having some around in this desolate place..."
The young woman rambled on for a moment longer than needed, but Selene still listened attentively.
As Edifice led Selene around the place, she first pointed out all the areas for Selene's necessities.
They spent an hour running around the monastery before Edifice brought Selene to a pedestal near the rim of the plateau.
"This is the way we leave the Plateaus of the Great River. Instil your Qi into the pedestal, and a bridge will manifest."
As she placed her hand, a large, translucent bridge manifested and connected the pillar to the bank of the river.
Edifice retrieved her hand and waited a few moments, watching as the bridge faded and disappeared.
"As long as someone is standing on the bridge, it will retain its shape. A spirit was used as the medium, so the bridge can retain its shape for three hours."
"On the other side of the bridge, on the riverbank, there is another pedestal which serves the same function. Although only Immortal Seeds can utilise these."
"There will be a time when we reconfigure the Dao Art medium to recognise your Qi, Master Adamant should be tending to this matter soon."
Selene silently listened as Edifice continued to explain. Although the conversation was mostly one-sided, it didn't seem to bother Edifice as much as it bothered Selene.
Edifice seemed content with just having someone to talk to. Selene was happy enough that she could just nod and mumble in response.
She looked away at the other Plateaus and figured they must also have bridges.
The thought of the other Immortal Seeds did not escape her.
Dawn was the only other Immortal Seed Selene had met, and her personality was calmer and collected, not as outgoing as Edifice's.
She seemed to take after her father's mannerisms. Selene knew Immortal Defiance to be a reclusive figure.
Edifice, however, didn't resemble their master at all.
Selene wondered about the other Immortal Seeds and the other Immortals.
It would not be too long before she had to meet them.
This was her biggest worry that came with her status as an Immortal Seed.
Her title meant that she would become an Immortal, but she was not the only candidate.
While Sister Edifice might not be an opponent right now, there are still five other Immortal Seeds to watch out for.