The second night before the tides.
Ramparts were constructed one hundred meters from the
Warrior of Spring had ordered the construction of various supply halls and rest sites.
Due to the planned site of their confrontation with the first tide, they would be separated from Corpse Mountain Settlement by seven hundred meters.
This was because of the longevity of the tides; having resources and respite readily available was simply beneficial.
There would also be a routine to cycle through their forces.
Cultivators will alternate between retaliation, rest, and support; those who cannot fight any longer will rest.
Those who have rested will be pushed to supportive roles, until a vacancy in the retaliative line must be filled.
The mortal army would act as a subsidiary force, either responsible for supply transportation, or ranged offence.
Structures were built around the main site of confrontation, they would serve to fortify their position.
Dao Art mediums were used to camouflage their appearances.
While they lay in ambush, Warrior of Spring's group would charge forward and station at their respective ambush points.
They had the environmental advantage.
Another important factor of war was communication, or rather, information.
They also held that advantage.
Not only know when and where the beasts would come from, but also what beasts to expect.
The majority of them will be ground-based beasts, such as bears and wolves.
Beast Kings and Mystical Beasts would also be found among these species.
However, they already had strategies planned to deal with such beasts.
Warrior of Spring's group would be responsible for taking out any kind of Beast King or Mystical Beast.
Such beasts would naturally be the leaders of their group, or the 'authoritative' forces of the tides.
Leadership through sheer strength is what controlled a beast group.
The strongest beast would not only be the 'leader' of the group, but also the linchpin, as a Lord is to their Settlement.
Or a General to their army.
Taking out the leader would destroy the 'order' of the group.
Destroying the order of the group was Warrior of Spring's job.
Left without a leader, the beasts would likely disperse in a frenzy.
The two Third Foundation Cultivators would further cripple the beasts; Shade of Autumn and Sun would help control the momentum of the beasts.
Reducing the overall strength of the beasts to a minimum, allowing the retaliative forces to 'clean up' the mess.
However, the only problem with this strategy is its lack of air-based offence or countermeasures.
Besides mundane tactics and the natural coverage of the forest, nothing was protecting the retaliative forces from airborne attacks.
Eagles and Owls would dominate the sky unchallenged.
On another note, Spirits could also not be overlooked.
Their appearances should be few, but not at all restricted to specific tides.
One could appear during the first tide.
There were only three Cultivators in Warrior of Spring's ambush group that could deal with Spirits.
Besides them, there was also the Mortal Settlement Lord, but his position remained at Corpse Mountain.
The presence of a Spirit could complicate things, not simply for them, but even the tides.
A lone Spirit could easily change the tide's direction, for better or worse.
Regardless, they had already prepared a number of defensive lines in case of sudden changes.
Warrior of Spring was confident in defending against this first tide.
...
Iron Mountain Quarry Settlement was also finishing their preparations.
They had already constructed their ramparts, artificial trenches and hills.
Currently, Silver Extreme has ordered the creation of or the locating of potential habitats for the beasts they plan to relocate.
It needed to be far from the Settlement, so that there would be no disturbances between the people and the beasts.
It also could not face the tides, otherwise, they would only reignite their frenzy and push further north or outwards.
The Settlement was built on the Southernmost face of the mountain.
Silver Extreme simply planned to push these beasts apart and relocate them to the Eastern side or the Western Side of the mountain.
They couldn't move them into the mountain either, due to its unique geography and the innate wildlife there.
Using the allure of safety and resources, Silver Extreme planned to move the preserved beasts to a nearby river.
By granting the area some 'natural security', it would be a desolate place perfect for the beasts to reside.
The only problem was the following tides and foreign beast groups.
Naturally, wolves and bears will not coexist; there is a likely chance of a contest that would harm their numbers.
Beast groups would also not accept other beast groups, this is because of the presence of a Beast King or Mystical Beast.
Of course, there was an easy solution to this problem.
...
On the night before the tides of beasts and Spirit's arrival, Silver Extreme held an assembly to ensure the health of the Cultivators and mortal army.
"We have left the sites of relocation to the Settlement Lord, he has already dispatched forces to handle these preparations."
"Tonight, our preparations will be complete for the arrival of the tide."
"We will set out by the first hour of Early Hour. You must occupy your respective stations and prepare for the oncoming tides."
Silver Extreme had everything planned before him.
"Listen, do not bite off more than you can chew. At the arrival of a Spirit, you must shoot the flare into the sky, your seniors will handle the ordeal."
"We fight not for benefits or honour, but for our people, our brothers and sisters. Night shall witness our endeavours, and the Star Sea shall remember our efforts."
"Standing at the edge of annihilation, we remain strong! But we are not greedy, we will not take more than what we need."
"Brothers, Sisters, prepare for the next night. Rest well and awaken at your prime; do not let fear weather your resolve."
"I will await you in this hall."
Silver Extreme dismissed the crowd. Dawn could feel the heat of the moment lingering in the air.
Such authority was awe-inspiring; immediately, it felt as if all the worries and anticipation were quelled.
However, for Dawn, she felt another emotion blooming within her.
It was like an empty hole, somewhat similar to hunger.
Yearning blossomed in her heart, and she sought redemption.
She could only wait, or at least hope, for the next night to satisfy her.