Shade of Autumn traced her finger along a Dao Art Medium and handed it to Sun.
"This is the image I use. If you look at these symbols here, 'Health', 'Longevity', 'Gourd', and here, the one I have drawn as 'Yin'—though in your case, it should be drawn as 'Yang'—these are the four core symbols of the Dao Art—Height of Blossom. There are a myriad of supporting symbols, 'Heart', 'Bloodflow', 'Balanced Count', 'Satiation', and suchlike."
"I see..."
"However, this Dao Art Image is of a high level of Clarity. You can simplify it, reducing the hundred or so symbols to just five: the four core symbols, and any symbol of your choice."
"I assume that this is an example of the Height of Blossom's initial start, an iteration of low-level Clarity."
"That is correct. As you know, the more symbols you add on, the more all-encompassing it becomes; the main problem is keeping it effective."
"That means...?"
"You? Nevermind. The more symbols you add to your Dao Art Image, the more the power of the Dao Art is broken between variables. For example, the symbols of Heart and Bloodflow would divide the power of the Dao Art between the two, making it less effective."
"Ah. I see. But those hundred or so symbols would greatly reduce the effect of the Dao Art to an extreme... but then... You supplement it with an equally extreme amount of Qi."
"That is correct."
There was a subtle hint of surprise in Autumn's voice at Sun's quick learning.
"But... that will not be a problem for you, Sun. You will start with recreating Dao Art Images of low-level Clarity."
Nodding, Sun took the Dao Art Medium and began to practice drawing the image over and over again, working it into his muscle memory.
...
This went on for a few dozen minutes.
Sun practised repeatedly, but felt a question gnawing at his mind.
'Looking at the nature of the season Autumn, or Fall, it is characterised by decay of life, the gradual change to winter... Where did this healing Dao Art come from?'
Looking at the image, he recalled the name of the Dao Art as Height of Blossom.
'Such a name is not befitting the season's characteristics... I figured that it may have been a necessity of learning a healing Dao Art, but the name of it does not seem fitting...'
Unable to answer himself, Sun turns to Shade of Autumn to share his curiosity.
"Autumn... about this healing Dao Art, why exactly do you have it?"
"What do you mean?"
"It seems... unbefitting for the season of Autumn..."
"..."
"That Dao Art is one of Herald of Summer's, the previous Herald. It was taught to me when I was stepping into the Second Foundation of Cultivation."
"Herald of Summer taught it to you? Would you not be the Heir of the Spirit of Autumn...?"
"I was, but that was later in my life. Originally, I wanted to take up the mantle of Summer, to become Summer's Heir."
"You wanted to be the next Herald of Summer."
Nodding solemnly, Shade of Autumn sighed as she reminisced.
"I was a viable candidate, too, for a while. I had the recognition of Summer, too; I was a candidate, and was led under Herald of Summer's guidance to become his inheritor."
"What happened for you to take the position of Shade of Autumn...?"
"Hmm... Don't worry about that... But what I will tell you, should you be accepted, when you are going through the process of the inheritance, do not let your will falter. Should your Way suffer any sort of deviation, you may be rejected by the Spirit of Summer."
"I understand... I won't pry any longer."
Sun turned back to the Dao Art Medium in his hands.
Height of Blossom, it sounded to be one of verdant nature, more befitting that of spring, but the nuance of 'height' indicated summer.
'To stand at the peak. Blooming as bright as the starlight itself, filled with as much life as the world. Vitality is important; this must be the meaning behind the name.'
'I feel as if I can understand my role more as I look at this Dao Art Image. Herald of Summer, bringing forth a tide of blossoming flowers and fresh fruits. Rather, it is not bringing them forth, for that is what spring is, but highlighting the pinnacle of oneself.'
'The more I understand this role, the better I can fulfil it.'
Sun felt as though the qualities of what Herald of Summer was supposed to be were gradually becoming more familiar.
'But it also carries a hint of danger beneath it... Autumn... or the season of Fall...'
Unknowingly, he left his gaze toward Shade of Autumn, who stood by his side.
In this slowly paced walk, he felt something stir deep within his heart.
Anxiety? Fear? Trepidation?
Like cold beads of sweat, droplets of water began to slide down his brow.
"Rain...?"
He did not let it bother him much, but he raised his gaze to the sky, letting the droplets pelt his face with their cool touch.
Like the droplets, the once lofty clouds that laze across the heights of the world will soon fall back to earth's embrace.
Intrusive thoughts seemed to poke into his mind. Memories of Star Gazing Settlement's fall, Union Settlement's fall, and Corpse Mountain Settlement's pseudo fall...
All these places, these Settlements, founded on immense history and strength, all standing on such high positions, they, too, had fallen.
It was the fall that embraced them.
The very same season that comes after Summer.
Of course, Shade of Autumn is not Sun's enemy, but it was an intrusive thought that he could not seem to abate.
There, too, lay the fact that Shade of Autumn was originally Summer's Heir, but what exactly had swept her into Autumn's embrace?
To have your Way defiled?
It was yet another question Sun could not answer, nor was he willing to try and peer into someone's personal memories.
He continued walking on, with these intrusive thoughts lingering on the edge of his mind.