"So I need the approval of the Spirit of Summer?"
"That is correct, only then can you truly inherit the position of Summer."
"Then what do I need to do? Is there some sort of test...?"
"Ah. Do not worry about it. When we bring you before the Summer's Spirit, he will evaluate you then, maybe with a few questions, but nothing laborious. In fact, you may be his type."
"His type?"
Call of Winter chuckled as she joked. Warrior of Spring sighed and explained the meaning behind her jest.
Sun listened attentively to Spring's explanation about Summer's Spirit's picky nature, and the twenty or so conditions that the Spirit may consider, as well as the four conditions that Sun must fulfil.
A dumbfounded expression soon found itself on Sun's face as he listened to the former half of the list.
"Eating plenty of fruits and having a hearty laugh...? Senior... you are not messing with me, are you?"
"No. Not at all, unfortunately. This is part of the reason we could not find a suitable candidate, either..."
Leaning back in his seat with a sigh, Sun helplessly left his gaze to the ceiling, and began to reiterate the latter half of the requirements that Warrior of Spring mentioned.
"One must be well hydrated and well fed at all times, one must have the ambition to surmount the insurmountable, one must have an affinity and resistance to burning aflame, and one must live a long life... Those are the necessary requirements, yes?"
"That is correct. Even if you don't fulfil the previous twenty or so considerations, Summer's Spirits may be able to overlook his picky nature and choose you."
"But... those four necessary requirements are not so difficult to comply with, are they not?"
"Ah. To be specific, to be well hydrated and well fed denotes one's vitality, which must be exceptionally high. To have affinity and resistance to burning relates to your Way, and how you choose to express and accept it."
"Accept it?"
"It means to constantly prove yourself while being absolutely sure of yourself, without conflict, and the capability to remain sure indefinitely. Think of it similarly to the process of tempering, a weapon is forged through an intense process, to refine its lustre and become sharper, but all the while resisting the threat of being shattered."
"Is that so...?"
There was subtle unease in Sun's eyes as he heard this, which was not unseen. Call of Winter interjected with a reassuring tone.
"Do not worry about that for now. It simply means that you will have to reassure yourself of what you want."
"Okay... I understand..."
"Brother Spring, if you will?"
Nodding, Warrior of Spring continued to explain the other two necessary requirements.
"To live a long life and to have the ambition to surmount the insurmountable are quite vague, but they also work hand in hand, as well."
"Surmount the insurmountable... like overcoming an impossible task?"
"Indeed. Say, one must overcome a deadly enemy that they otherwise can not overcome. To back down means a lack of ambition, but pushing forward could very well indicate one's lack of concern for their life, which would conflict with the requirement of living a long life."
Another awkward expression splayed across Sun's face, Warrior of Spring very well knew why, and chose to ignore it.
"Of course, to fulfil the requirement of living a long life means that you will surmount the insurmountable without the consequence of losing your life."
"That is true... I must say, these requirements are very vague at first appearance, but how does the Spirit of Summer figure out whether a Cultivator meets these requirements?"
"The Spirit will read your mind and memories to evaluate you. Everything you've experienced will be exposed. To Summer's Spirit, that is, so don't worry about having something private exposed to us."
"I see... Then, after evaluation, I will be judged as to whether I am a suitable Heir of Summer?"
"Indeed. We hope that you are a suitable candidate to become the Heir of Summer."
Warrior of Spring leaned forward, his tone dropping to a quiet low.
"Of course, should you not be accepted, we would need you to uphold this secret. Not only for our sake, but for the sake of Veiled Forest Settlement, and the future of the convening of the other Settlements we wish to unite underneath us."
"Keep in mind, during such difficult and threatening times, morale is a key factor in whether our Settlements will not only prosper, but also live without the turmoil of Demonic Cultivators."
Call of Winter added onto Warrior of Spring's statement.
Sun, albeit slightly uneasy, understood their sentiment and responded with a nod.
"I understand, Seniors. I would not want to trouble the Settlements in such dire times. I do not want to bring trouble to anyone who was unrightfully implicated, I wish for the people to prosper... I wish to help the people."
"And how will you do this?"
"..."
What will he do?
Posed with this question, Sun reminisced back to his time at Union Settlement.
When Immortal Union offered to be the foundation of Dawn, Sun, and Selene's cultivation, Sun declared his ambitions resolutely.
What did he say?
Thinking back to this past time seems to be difficult for Sun.
"How will you walk the path of your Way?"
"I will be strong... I will be strong; that is how the people can prosper."
"If I am strong, then the people will be protected."
"That is how I will help them."
Stating this with a resolute tone, Warrior of Spring and Call of Winter analysed Sun silently.
Entertaining a sudden thought in her mind, Call of Winter questioned Sun, once again.
"How will you prove this?"
"How will I prove myself?"
Posed with yet another question, Sun did not need to think in order to answer, with only a breath's time of hesitation, Sun spoke.
"I will prove myself by reaching the skies, becoming an Immortal, and shattering Night's Sky."
Sun said this while looking at the ceiling, or rather, through the ceiling, as if he could truly see Night's Sky through the roof.
Call of Winter heard this, and a satisfied smile twisted her lips.
'I was not wrong after all, you will make for a wonderful Heir.'
"We have high hopes for you."
"I can only hope that you truly become the Four Seasons' Cultivators' Herald of Summer."