"The Jade Slip should have reached Iron Mountain Quarry Settlement by now."
"Is that so? We have kept the fact that Corpse Mountain Settlement has already agreed to become a Vassal Force to our Veiled Forest Settlement, so I hope they can interpret the meaning behind our message."
"Indeed, I do not think that it will be accepted if we had outright stated our movements."
Warrior of Spring and Call of Winter were discussing their scheme in a room.
This room was in the Settlement Lord's Complex, a study room given to these two and their matters.
"As long as he moves, the other subsidiary Mortal Settlements will likely move."
"Yes. There is also the possibility that Corpse Mountain was not the only Settlement attacked. If Iron Mountain Quarry Settlement, or any of Union Settlement's other subsidiary Mortal Settlements, were attacked, that would be better for us."
"On the topic of Settlements, how is Veil Forest Settlement?"
"It is prospering as always. With three of the four Guardians behind, and the Dao Art Mediums securing the Settlement, we should not have to worry about the Settlement coming under fire."
"That is good to hear. It is thanks to Winter's Guardian that we could push back those Demonic Cultivators."
At the sound of Warrior of Springs praised, a sheer, pale-blue wisp left Call of Winter's sleeve.
It resembled something like a snow bunny, perched upon the back of Call of Winter's hand.
Call of Winter raised her hand to lift the small bunny before the two Cultivators.
"It is good to see you well, Little Winter."
"To you as well, Warrior of Spring."
"How are the other Guardians doing?"
"Faring well as always. Spring and Autumn retain their amicable attitudes with the other mortals and have been regularly maintaining the climate of the Eastern fields. Summer, however, has been quite lonely without you around, Warrior."
"Is that so? I figured that he would get along well with the Cultivators I left to him..."
"Maybe so, but he doesn't see an Heir in any of them."
Warrior of Spring leaned his cheek on his fist as Call of Winter spoke up.
"We need to find a Cultivator to become Summer's Heir, especially if we plan to bring all of Union Settlement's subsidiary Mortal Settlements under our control."
"That is true... We can not keep up the fake image we have of Summer's Cultivator. If Summer does not choose an heir among the Cultivators I have assigned him, then we must find another suitable candidate to act in the place of Herald of Summer."
"Summer still thinks that you should have inherited him, and not Spring. Will you not appease his wishes?"
That last remark came from the small snow bunny on Call of Winter's hand.
"You know very well I will not change."
"I understand. But I worry for Summer, without a suitable partner, he will grow lonelier and lonelier."
"That is true, but finding a suitable partner for someone so picky is quite difficult."
Warrior of Spring leaned back into his seat.
The Four Seasons' Cultivators.
Cultivators who inherit their battle strength and beliefs from the Seasons, Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
Not the periodical seasons of the world, but Spirits who embody such ideas, and are named as Guardians to such ideas.
Warrior of Spring, inheritor of the Spirit representing Spring, was the most well-known and the most active of the four members.
Call of Winter, inheritor of the Spirit representing Winter, was the one responsible for managing Veil Forest Settlement. Her appearance outside of the Settlement was scarcely seen, but any instance of such is followed by a terrifying display of power, so her name is no less known than Warrior of Spring's name.
Shade of Autumn, inheritor of the Spirit representing Autumn, is among the lesser recognised of the four Cultivators.
As a junior to both Spring and Winter, her battle strength, nor her fame, matches up to her seniors.
Herald of Summer, inheritor of the Spirit representing Summer, was the most enigmatic, believed to be the key protector of Veiled Forest Settlement, alongside Winter.
He has no known appearances; the only information surrounding him is that he is a warrior-like man, but also amicable.
The fame surrounding these four Cultivators has spread to the corners of the Western region, and even further to the other regions.
However, something that is only known to the Four Seasons' Cultivators themselves is the fact that there is no Herald of Summer.
"Our 'Herald of Summer' has never made an appearance, maybe we can just put up a Cultivator to act in as our Herald of Summer?"
"Brother Spring, you know that without Summer's recognition, he would likely refuse to accompany any other Cultivators he isn't partnered with. We would not be able to prove that this Cultivator is the true Heir of Summer."
"Then... Do we really need to introduce Summer's Cultivator?"
"If we wish to establish our authority, then we must reveal the fourth member of the Four Seasons' Cultivators."
"Right... How long do you think we could hold off on revealing Summer's Cultivator?"
"It would be best to do so immediately upon meeting with the other Settlement Lords; otherwise, we could put it off for a few nights, seven at most."
"So a week... Considering the time it would take to travel, and the time to wait for the other Settlement's responses, we would have three weeks in total..."
"Indeed, but that is not a lot of time. The fame surrounding our Herald of Summer befits a Third Foundation Cultivator, at least. The Cultivators you have assigned are only First Foundation Cultivators; they would not have enough time to reach the Third Foundation in only three weeks."
"If not for Summer's picky nature, we would not be in this situation. We may have dug ourselves a deeper hole. If we can not secure an Heir to Summer, our scheme will weaken, and our reputation may drop for upholding such a farce."
"What can we do, Brother Spring? At most, Veiled Forest Settlement may be seen in a lesser light, but we still hold greater power."
"Hah... I guess we have no other choice but to continue upholding this farce until we have the situation under our control."
"Warrior, Call, would you not consider choosing an outside to become an Heir, instead of relying on the Cultivators within your Settlement?"
The little bunny on Call of Winter's hand spoke up, interjecting with her own proposal.
"I am sure that there are plenty of people out in the world that Summer might find interesting."