Sun was sitting in a cabin, resting on a bed of white blankets.
His body felt heavy like lead, and his thoughts felt slow.
There was a large wound on his bare upper body, stretching from his left shoulder to his right chest.
Fortunately, it wasn't too deep, but very painful.
Sun had never suffered such a grievous wound.
The bleeding had stopped, and another medical expert had treated him lightly.
Now, he was just resting, circulating Qi through his body.
'Finally, it's finished... now, let's begin.'
A Dao Art image was drawn in the air above him.
Light green Qi flowed abundantly into the image.
Sun maintained this flow as the first few pills were generated from the Dao Art image.
They had 'Flesh' and 'Blood' written on them.
Dao art -- Hundred Pill Healing.
A supplementary Dao Art he learned when he was preparing for the tides of beasts and Spirits.
Due to his neglect, he never really improved, but he was grateful for what little results he attained.
Sun's current condition also hindered the Dao Art's efficiency.
Twenty-five pills were made; sixteen of Flesh, nine of Blood.
Sun was content with this result, swallowing the pills without hesitation.
They were solid in his hands, but melted in his body.
Spreading quickly, he felt his blood rush.
The wound on his body was gradually beginning to close.
If Sun could see, he would be met with the horrifying sight of his muscles stitching together.
Blood vessels connected, and his skin began to heal.
The effect persisted for half an hour; the healing wasn't a total success, but it greatly improved Sun's situation.
Initially, the scar only revealed a layer of his muscles, not revealing the white of his bones.
Now the wound resembled a darker, redder patch of skin, like a bruise.
This would heal over soon, only retaining some semblance of scarring.
Despite healing his wounds, Sun did not want to get up.
Fighting waves of beasts after waves of beasts was too tiring.
He had his own medical capabilities, so he could tend to himself during these nights.
Still, the sheer number of beasts he had to fight was too much.
By the second night, he was feeling overwhelmed, but he carried on through sheer resolve.
Unwilling to let this tide truly overwhelm him, Sun persevered against wolves, foxes, hawks, apes, elephants, and even tigers.
He had slaughtered countless beasts since the beginning of the first tide.
Sun was busy burning tiger corpses with a Dao Art medium given by Warrior of Spring when something approached him.
It was a Tiger King of the group he had finished slaying. Catching him off guard, it left a wound on his chest.
Sun managed to fight it off and request backup, eventually getting replaced entirely as he retreated.
He was received by one of the Medical Outposts and treated, but he decided to help himself, not wanting to steal attention from other patients.
There were a few here with him, three others in this cabin, and more in adjacent cabins.
Dao Art mediums allow the air inside to be clean and keep the cabin warmly lit.
The others were asleep, resting after suffering from the constant flow of beasts.
...
Stepping outside, Sun watched the lazy clouds drift across the sky.
The stars above were at their dimmest, the surrounding forest was similarly dull.
"Sir, are you alright...? What are you doing out of bed?"
One of the Medical Experts ran up to Sun, whose injured chest was still exposed.
Quickly draping a robe over himself, he reassured the frantic Medical Expert.
"At ease, I have healed my wound already. There is no problem to fear."
"But, Sir, what are you doing out of bed? You can't be thinking of rejoining the retaliative forces, right?"
"What is the current status of the situation?"
"There is only one last group to hold off. Senior Warrior of Spring had just received them."
Sun did not hesitate to take his leave.
"Sir?"
"I will rejoin the retaliative forces, please look after the people here."
"The first tide is almost over, there is no need to take action. Please rest!"
Despite this Medical Expert's pleas, Sun simply ignored them.
He refused to lie down any longer.
He had ample rest, and his wound was mostly healed.
Sun could fight, Sun could help.
Thinking back to his conversation with the Head Smith of Union Settlement, Sun reminisced about circumstances.
Circumstances could change people, their situations, or even their Way.
Sun had seen it at the Commerce District of Union Settlement.
Sun had seen it in the myriad beasts of the first tide.
From how one expresses themselves, to how one acts and lives.
Everything around him was caused by circumstance.
Now he was being subjected to it too.
From the injuries that wear down his body, to the fatigue that slows his mind.
Sun refuses to become another victim of circumstance.
'As long as I can fight, I will not become a victim.'
'As long as I can fight, I will not be overwhelmed by circumstances.'
'As long as I can fight, I will retain who I am!'
'I will not lose my Way!'
'I will continue to help people!'
'I will fight!'
...
At the barren land of the site of confrontation, the retaliative forces with fighting with a group of Boars.
At the forefront were a number of Boar Kings.
"Seniors must have gotten too tired; the number of Beast Kings slipping past has been increasing!"
"Five, there are five Boar Kings!"
"Do not let them overwhelm us."
As the Boar Kings charged to the frontlines, the few Second Foundation Cultivators met with violent retaliation.
The constant fighting has left them all fatigued, their overall battle strength has dropped tremendously.
Even the mortal army was beginning to falter.
"Brothers! Do not relent now!"
Running through the ramparts, Sun charged towards the frontlines.
He raised his halberd and slashed at a Boar King.
Whining in pain, it stumbled and was pushed away.
It was only fazed for a moment, before charging again and meeting with Sun's weapon.
Supported by two other Cultivators, they managed to hold it back.
"We will not fall here! We will return in body, not in name!"
The surrounding Cultivators tuned to his shouting.
Although his presence was hardly enough to turn the battle in their favour, it was an assurance.
Persevering through the hardships, Sun fights on.
Inspired, they also begin to reignite their vigour.
Tonight, they would fight valiantly, and return alive.
...