The moonlight filtered through the trees as Liu Yun, Lin Fei, and Wei Chen prepared for the verification ritual. The Imperial Jade Seal hovered at the center of their small clearing, pulsing with golden light.
"The ritual requires blood from both parties," the Seal instructed. "Place three drops each upon my surface."
Liu Yun drew his sword and made a small cut across his palm. Deep red blood welled up, and he let three drops fall onto the Seal. Wei Chen produced a small silver knife and did the same, his expression calm but his eyes revealing inner tension.
"If you're deceiving us," Liu Yun warned, "this ritual will reveal it."
Wei Chen met his gaze steadily. "I have nothing to hide. The dreams that led me here were too powerful to ignore."
The Seal absorbed their blood and began to glow with increasing intensity. The droplets spread across its surface, forming intricate patterns that resembled ancient script.
"Blood resonance confirmed," the Seal announced. "Covenant compatibility verification in progress."
Lin Fei watched from the edge of the clearing, her hands ready to form Phoenix Sect defensive techniques if needed. "How did you find us?" she asked Wei Chen. "The wards should have hidden our presence."
"They did," Wei Chen acknowledged. "But the covenant connection grows stronger as bloodlines draw near. I've been following a feeling, like a pull toward something important."
The Seal suddenly flared with brilliant light. The blood on its surface transformed into two distinct symbols—a sword for Liu Yun and what appeared to be a swirling cloud for Wei Chen.
"Wind Whisper bloodline confirmed," the Seal declared. "Covenant recognition complete. Blood purity: seventy-nine percent."
Liu Yun felt the tension leave his body. "So you really are one of us."
Wei Chen nodded, looking relieved himself. "I've been having these dreams for months—visions of seven figures standing against a storm. I didn't understand until I overheard senior Administrators discussing 'covenant disturbances' after your confrontation at the imperial palace."
"And you just decided to desert the Protocol?" Lin Fei asked, still suspicious despite the Seal's confirmation.
"My loyalty to the Protocol was never absolute," Wei Chen explained. "I was raised to believe in its necessity, but always felt something was wrong with the system. When I learned about the covenant through my dreams, I knew I had to follow this path."
Liu Yun studied the young Administrator. "What information can you share about the Council's plans?"
"They're in disarray," Wei Chen revealed. "Your demonstration of the Fifth Technique shocked them. The Protocol restrictions haven't been challenged so directly in centuries."
"What about the Emperor?" Liu Yun asked urgently. "Is he safe?"
"For now. The Administrators can't openly attack the imperial family without causing widespread rebellion. But they've dispatched hunter teams to track you two specifically."
Lin Fei stepped forward. "How many teams? What ranks?"
"Three teams. Each comprised of two Senior Administrators and support units. They're searching the main roads west."
Liu Yun nodded. "That's why we've been traveling through the forest."
The Imperial Jade Seal floated between them. "Covenant member accepted. Strategic information exchange recommended."
They spent the next hour sharing information. Wei Chen revealed details about Protocol enforcement methodology that neither Liu Yun nor Lin Fei had known. In turn, they explained their mission to find the Earth Vein descendant in the Western Mountains.
"The Western Mountains are under surveillance," Wei Chen warned. "The Council suspected covenant activity there even before recent events."
"We need a diversion," Lin Fei suggested.
Wei Chen nodded. "I can provide that. My Administrator identification remains valid. I can report sightings of you heading south instead of west."
"Can we trust you to return?" Liu Yun asked directly.
"The covenant won't allow me to betray you even if I wanted to," Wei Chen replied. "Once activated, the bloodline connection compels cooperation."
The Seal pulsed in confirmation. "Covenant binding verified. All members share fate alignment until completion or death."
Dawn was approaching when they finalized their plan. Wei Chen would travel south, creating false leads for the hunter teams. Liu Yun and Lin Fei would continue west, but more cautiously now that they knew of the surveillance.
"We'll meet again at Broken Peak in ten days," Wei Chen said, adjusting his Administrator robes. "By then, I should have gathered more intelligence from within the Protocol."
As he prepared to leave, Liu Yun stopped him. "You're risking everything to help us. Why?"
Wei Chen looked thoughtful. "The same reason you're mastering the sword techniques despite knowing the potential cost. Some things are worth sacrificing for."
Lin Fei's eyes widened slightly. "What cost? What sacrifice?"
Liu Yun avoided her gaze. "It's nothing."
"The Sword Sovereign bears the ultimate burden," Wei Chen said quietly. "The covenant requires a vessel to contain the restrictions once they're broken. That's you, isn't it?"
Lin Fei turned to Liu Yun, understanding dawning on her face. "You knew this? And still you continue?"
"Would you abandon your bloodline duty?" Liu Yun countered.
She fell silent, then shook her head slowly.
"We all have our parts to play," Wei Chen said. "Mine is to provide information. Yours is to master the techniques. Together with the others, we'll restore balance to cultivation."
With that, he bowed formally and disappeared into the forest, heading south to create their diversion.
Lin Fei waited until he was gone before confronting Liu Yun. "You should have told me about the sacrifice."
"Would it have changed anything?" Liu Yun asked.
She sighed. "No. But allies shouldn't keep secrets from each other."
The Imperial Jade Seal pulsed gently. "Western Mountains energy disturbance detected. Earth Vein activation signs present."
Liu Yun nodded. "We should move. Our next ally awaits."
As they continued their journey west, Liu Yun felt both heavier and lighter—heavier with the knowledge that others now understood his potential fate, but lighter knowing that he truly wasn't alone in this fight.