Dawn broke as Liu Yun stood alone in the imperial training grounds. The knowledge of the fifth sword technique burned in his mind, demanding to be released. He took a deep breath and centered himself.
"The Fifth Technique: Heaven Splitting Sword," he whispered, drawing his blade.
Unlike the previous techniques, this one felt different. It wasn't just a combat method but a key to unlocking something within himself. As he moved through the first stance, energy surged through his meridians in unfamiliar patterns.
"Careful," warned the Imperial Jade Seal, hovering nearby. "This technique directly challenges Protocol restrictions on upper realm energy manipulation."
Liu Yun nodded but didn't stop. His sword traced a pattern in the air that seemed to tear at reality itself. With each movement, he felt resistance—not from his body, but from the world around him. It was as if the very laws of cultivation were fighting against his technique.
"This is what the ancestor meant," he realized. "The Protocol isn't just a system of rules—it's woven into reality itself."
He pushed harder, forcing his sword to complete the pattern. Pain shot through his arms as invisible barriers fought against his movements. Sweat beaded on his forehead, but he refused to yield.
"Protocol violation detected," the Seal announced suddenly. "Administrator response imminent. Estimated arrival: ten minutes."
Liu Yun gritted his teeth. "Then I have ten minutes to master this."
He threw himself into the technique with renewed determination. Each movement became a battle against invisible chains. His cultivation core pulsed erratically as it struggled to channel the forbidden energy patterns.
Meanwhile, in the imperial palace, Emperor Yun Tian was meeting with his most trusted advisors.
"We must prepare for conflict," he told them. "The Administrator Council has overstepped its authority for too long."
"Your Majesty," cautioned an elderly minister, "open defiance of the Protocol could mean civil war."
The Emperor's eyes hardened. "Perhaps that's exactly what's needed to break their stranglehold on cultivation."
Commissioner Zhao Lin burst into the chamber, bowing hastily. "Your Majesty, we have a situation. Administrators are converging on the training grounds. Liu Yun's practice has triggered Protocol alarms."
The Emperor rose immediately. "Assemble the Imperial Guards. Not to interfere—yet—but to observe. We need to understand exactly how the Administrators respond to these violations."
Back at the training grounds, Liu Yun had reached the final movement of the technique. The air around him distorted as his sword cut through what appeared to be the fabric of reality itself.
"Protocol breach expanding," warned the Seal. "Administrator intervention now unavoidable."
Liu Yun smiled grimly. "Good. Let them come."
As if in response to his challenge, the sky darkened. Three figures materialized at the edge of the training ground, each wearing the distinctive silver robes of Protocol Administrators.
"Cease this violation immediately," commanded the lead Administrator, a stern-faced woman with eyes that glowed with unnatural light. "You tamper with forces beyond your understanding."
Liu Yun lowered his sword but didn't sheathe it. "I understand more than you think, Administrator. Including the true purpose of the Protocol."
The woman's eyes narrowed. "Impossible. Those records were erased generations ago."
"Not erased," Liu Yun countered. "Hidden. Just like the truth about your Council's manipulation of cultivation laws."
The second Administrator, a tall man with a mechanical arm, stepped forward. "This one has been corrupted by ancient knowledge. He must be contained."
Liu Yun felt the air charge with restrictive energy as the Administrators prepared to capture him. But before they could act, a flash of fire erupted between them.
A young woman with fiery red hair landed gracefully at Liu Yun's side. The Phoenix Maiden.
"Right on time," Liu Yun remarked, surprised but grateful.
She smirked. "Couldn't let you have all the fun. Besides, the covenant called."
The Administrators hesitated, clearly not expecting a second covenant bloodline to appear.
"Two bloodlines awakening simultaneously," the third Administrator murmured. "The probability calculations didn't predict this."
The Phoenix Maiden raised her hand, flames dancing between her fingers. "Your calculations are flawed because your founders built deliberate errors into the system."
The lead Administrator's face contorted with anger. "Enough! By Protocol authority, you are both sentenced to memory cleansing and cultivation restriction."
A crushing pressure descended on the training ground as the Administrators activated their authority. Liu Yun felt his cultivation being suppressed, his connection to his core weakening.
But the ancestral knowledge within him pulsed in response. Without thinking, he executed the final movement of the Fifth Technique.
His sword flashed with golden light as it completed the pattern, and suddenly the pressure vanished. The Administrators staggered backward, their connection to the Protocol temporarily severed.
"Impossible," gasped the lead Administrator.
Liu Yun stood tall, his sword glowing with power that hadn't been seen in the empire for centuries. "The Tyrannical Sword Path was created to counter your restrictions. Each technique breaks one of your artificial laws."
The Phoenix Maiden grinned and stepped forward. "And when all seven bloodlines unite, your entire system will be reset to its original purpose."
The Administrators exchanged worried glances before the leader spoke again. "This violation will be reported to the Council. The full might of the Protocol will descend on this empire."
With that threat, they vanished as quickly as they had appeared.
Liu Yun sheathed his sword as Imperial Guards rushed into the training ground, led by Commissioner Zhao Lin.
"I saw everything," the Commissioner said, eyes wide. "They retreated. Administrators never retreat."
The Phoenix Maiden turned to Liu Yun. "We've shown them we can fight back, but this is just the beginning. They'll return with greater force."
Liu Yun nodded grimly. "Then we need to find the other bloodlines quickly. The Ancient Trials await, and time is running short."
The Fifth Technique had opened a door—but the path ahead would only grow more dangerous.