Three days after their uneasy alliance began, Chen Xia led Liu Yun through a hidden mountain pass in the remote Scarlet Cloud Range. Ancient formation arrays, nearly invisible to conventional spiritual sense, shimmered briefly as she activated them with precise hand seals passed down through her bloodline.
"My family has maintained this sanctuary for five thousand years," she explained, pride evident in her voice. "While the 'righteous' sects hunted us like animals, we preserved knowledge they sought to eradicate."
Liu Yun observed the formation patterns with analytical precision. "Seven-layered concealment arrays with blood lineage recognition. Impressive persistence across generations."
The narrow path opened into a sheltered valley where a modest compound stood—its architecture distinctly pre-Heaven's Will Protocol in design. Nine vermilion pillars surrounded the central structure, each carved with phoenix motifs matching the patterns on Chen Xia's robes.
As they approached, three elders emerged—two men and one woman, all bearing the unmistakable amber eyes of Chen Xia's bloodline. Their expressions darkened upon seeing Liu Yun.
"Granddaughter," the eldest male addressed Chen Xia, his tone sharp with disapproval, "you bring an outsider to our sanctuary? An Azure Cloud disciple, no less?"
Chen Xia bowed respectfully. "Grandfather, this cultivator possesses complete knowledge of the Crimson Phoenix Array. He stabilized the ancestral vessel when I... encountered difficulties."
The female elder stepped forward, her spiritual sense probing Liu Yun's aura with unconcealed suspicion. "His energy signature contains corrupted patterns. Explain yourself, Azure Cloud disciple. How does one aligned with Heaven's Will Protocol enforcers possess forbidden knowledge?"
Liu Yun met her probing spiritual sense with carefully controlled resistance—enough to establish boundaries without revealing his true capabilities. "My knowledge comes directly from the Demon Sword Emperor himself."
His statement produced immediate tension. The youngest elder's hand moved to his sword hilt while the others maintained perfect stillness—the practiced response of those accustomed to surviving through vigilance.
"A bold claim," the eldest finally responded. "One typically made by fools or charlatans seeking to impress the gullible."
Without warning, Liu Yun extended his palm, revealing the jade pendant fully merged with his flesh. He channeled a precise measure of the emperor's energy—enough to manifest a small version of the Eight Tyrants formation around his hand.
"The Eight Tyrants Devouring Heaven Array," the female elder whispered, her composure finally broken. "Impossible... unless..."
"Show them the third form transition," the emperor instructed. "It was exclusive to my personal disciples and never recorded in any surviving text."
Liu Yun complied, shifting the formation through a complex sequence that transformed the eight blades into interlocking crescents that rotated in alternating directions.
The three elders immediately knelt, their previous suspicion replaced with reverent shock.
"The Monarch's Crescent Evolution," the eldest murmured. "Known only to the Sovereign himself and his direct lineage disciples."
Chen Xia looked between her kneeling elders and Liu Yun with confusion tinged with growing realization. "You actually carry the Demon Sword Emperor's legacy? Not merely fragments or records, but direct transmission?"
"A fragment of his consciousness resides within me," Liu Yun confirmed, dismissing the formation with a gesture. "We share a mutually beneficial arrangement."
The eldest elder rose slowly. "Then the prophecy approaches fulfillment. Come, both of you. The Ancestral Archives must be opened."
They led Liu Yun deeper into the compound, past courtyards where younger members of the Chen family practiced formation techniques unmistakably derived from the Phoenix Pavilion's methods. Finally, they reached a sealed chamber guarded by blood formations requiring contributions from all three elders to unlock.
The heavy stone door swung open, revealing a modest room containing a single stone pedestal. Upon it rested an ancient text bound in vermilion leather and sealed with wax bearing the impression of a phoenix devouring a sword.
"For five thousand years, our family has guarded this text, awaiting the day when the Emperor's consciousness would return to the cultivation world," the female elder explained. "Each generation was bound by blood oath to preserve it, though none could break the seal to learn its contents."
Chen Xia stared at the text with intensity. "This is why we've endured centuries of persecution? A book we cannot even read?"
"Not merely a book," the youngest elder corrected. "The Phoenix Sovereign Manual—personal cultivation journal of Feng Yuhuan, the Emperor's most gifted disciple and creator of the Crimson Phoenix Array."
Liu Yun's interest sharpened immediately. The emperor's consciousness stirred with unexpected emotion—something almost resembling nostalgia.
"Yuhuan survived," the emperor mused. "My most brilliant Phoenix General... I had assumed she perished during the final siege."
The eldest elder gestured toward the sealed text. "Legend claims only one bearing the Emperor's direct connection may break the seal without destroying the contents. If you truly carry his legacy as you claim..."
Without hesitation, Liu Yun approached the pedestal. The wax seal began to glow as he neared, responding to the emperor's energy signature emanating from the jade pendant.
"Place your marked palm upon the seal," instructed the female elder.
As Liu Yun's jade-embedded palm touched the ancient wax, the seal liquefied instantly, flowing like living crimson mercury around his fingers before absorbing completely into his skin. The bound text fell open, revealing pages covered in precise calligraphy written in vermilion ink.
"Blood script," Chen Xia observed, leaning closer. "But I cannot decipher the characters."
"Sovereign cipher," Liu Yun explained, the emperor's knowledge flowing through their shared consciousness. "Legible only to those specifically attuned to its creator's spiritual frequency."
The three elders exchanged meaningful glances. "Then the prophecy is confirmed," the eldest stated. "The text can now fulfill its purpose."
Liu Yun began scanning the pages, translating the unique cipher through his connection with the emperor. "This contains complete documentation of advanced Phoenix Pavilion techniques, including formation methods lost since the Emperor's defeat."
Chen Xia's amber eyes gleamed with ambition. "Can you teach these methods?"
"More importantly," Liu Yun continued, reaching the final pages, "it contains precise coordinates for nine Phoenix Nexus points—locations where boundary thinning between mortal and immortal realms occurs cyclically."
The emperor's consciousness pulsed with growing excitement as Liu Yun translated the final passage: "When the Sovereign's essence returns to the cultivation world, these nine points must be activated in precise sequence to reverse the Heaven's Will Protocol. The barriers between realms shall dissolve, returning cultivation to its unconstrained state."
Liu Yun closed the text, his decision already made. "Your family has preserved crucial knowledge for my path forward. As agreed, I will provide proper instruction in Crimson Phoenix techniques. In exchange, Chen Xia will accompany me to activate these nine nexus points."
"I volunteer willingly," Chen Xia declared before her elders could respond. "This opportunity aligns perfectly with my cultivation goals."
The eldest elder's expression revealed concern. "Granddaughter, challenging the Heaven's Will Protocol will bring the full might of all major sects against you. Even our centuries of hiding will seem peaceful compared to the hunt that will follow."
Chen Xia's smile contained predatory anticipation rather than fear. "Let them come. With proper techniques finally available, I welcome the opportunity to test my limits against these so-called righteous enforcers."
Liu Yun observed her bloodthirsty enthusiasm with calculated assessment. Her aggressive ambition would make her a valuable asset for the challenges ahead—and a potential liability requiring careful management.
"We depart tomorrow for the first Phoenix Nexus," he announced. "The boundary thinning cycle begins in seventeen days at Dawn Lotus Mountain. Prepare accordingly."
As they left the archive chamber, Chen Xia matched Liu Yun's pace, her expression revealing both ambition and wariness. "I've committed to this path alongside you, but remember our agreement. I am an ally, not a subordinate."
Liu Yun's cold smile contained no warmth. "Titles matter little. Results determine value. Prove your worth at Dawn Lotus Mountain, and our arrangement continues."
Her eyes narrowed at his dismissive tone, but she simply nodded. "I will exceed your expectations, Sword Cultivator. Then we shall reassess who follows whom."
Behind them, the three Chen elders watched with mixed expressions of hope and foreboding. The prophecy was unfolding, but whether it would lead to liberation or destruction remained uncertain.