"You need rest," Jiang Tao said as he led Liu Yun and Lin Fei deeper into the mountain complex. "The Trial of Endurance takes a heavy toll, even after it ends."
Liu Yun nodded gratefully. His body felt strangely hollow, as if the trial had temporarily emptied him of energy. The new sword—the physical manifestation of the Sixth Technique—hung at his side, its weight both reassuring and demanding.
They entered a large chamber carved from the living rock. Unlike the stark trial room, this space held signs of long habitation. Comfortable sleeping areas, shelves of scrolls, and a central hearth gave it a feeling of home despite being deep underground.
"The Earth Vein sanctuary," Jiang Tao explained. "Hidden from the Protocol for three generations."
Lin Fei helped Liu Yun to a cushioned mat near the hearth. "How long have you been here alone?" she asked Jiang Tao.
"Twelve years," he replied, his voice carrying no self-pity. "Since my father passed. He maintained our bloodline's knowledge through the worst of the Protocol restrictions."
The Imperial Jade Seal floated to the center of the room. "Earth Vein sanctuary recognized. Tactical information exchange recommended."
Jiang Tao prepared a simple meal as they shared information. Liu Yun explained their journey, the ancestral manifestation, and their mission to find all seven bloodlines. In turn, Jiang Tao revealed what he knew of the Protocol's history from the Earth Vein perspective.
"The mountains remember what humans forget," he said, his eyes taking on the green glow of his crystals. "They witnessed the original calamity that led to the Protocol's creation."
"What exactly was this calamity?" Liu Yun asked, the question that had been bothering him since the ancestral revelation.
Jiang Tao's expression darkened. "A war between cultivation sects that grew so destructive it threatened to shatter reality itself. Cultivation energy, unbound and weaponized, tore holes between dimensions."
"The ancestors never specified what happened," Lin Fei noted.
"Because they were ashamed," Jiang Tao replied. "The seven founding bloodlines were originally sect leaders who realized too late the damage they had caused. The Protocol was their solution—a system to regulate cultivation and prevent such catastrophic power from ever being unleashed again."
Liu Yun frowned. "But if they created it, why did they also create the covenant to eventually break it?"
"Because the Protocol was meant to be temporary," Jiang Tao explained. "A healing measure for a wounded world. Once balance returned, cultivation was supposed to be freed again, but under wiser guidance."
"But the Administrators changed that plan," Lin Fei surmised.
Jiang Tao nodded. "Over generations, those tasked with maintaining the Protocol began to love their power. They transitioned from guardians to rulers, tightening restrictions instead of gradually lifting them."
The Seal pulsed with light. "Historical assessment confirmed. Protocol parameter analysis indicates ninety-three percent deviation from original configuration."
Liu Yun thought of the vision he had seen during the trial—the Protocol Council offering compromise. "Could the Protocol be reformed rather than reset completely?"
"No," Jiang Tao said firmly. "The corruption runs too deep. The current Administrators have modified the Protocol's core principles. Only a full reset will restore proper balance."
As they discussed strategy, Liu Yun felt his strength gradually returning. He removed the new sword from its sheath, studying its simple but elegant design. Unlike his personal sword, this weapon seemed alive somehow, pulsing faintly with the same energy as the mountain around them.
"The Earth Shattering Sword technique is the most physically demanding of the nine," Jiang Tao warned. "It breaks the Protocol's restrictions on physical transformation, allowing the cultivator to briefly transcend mortal limitations."
"What's the price?" Liu Yun asked directly.
Jiang Tao's gaze was knowing. "You understand there's always a price. Good. This technique strains the body to its breaking point. Use it carelessly, and you'll shatter your own bones before you shatter your enemy."
Lin Fei looked concerned. "Maybe you should wait before trying to master it. Your body is still recovering from the trial."
Before Liu Yun could respond, the Seal pulsed urgently. "Protocol alert. Multiple Administrator signatures detected entering the Western Mountains surveillance zone."
Jiang Tao stood immediately. "They've found us sooner than expected."
"Could Wei Chen have betrayed us?" Lin Fei wondered aloud.
Liu Yun shook his head. "The covenant binding prevents betrayal. More likely the Administrators simply expanded their search pattern."
Jiang Tao pressed his palm against the wall, closing his eyes. "Six Administrators, accompanied by support units. They're following our trail through the forest."
"How long do we have?" Liu Yun asked, rising despite his fatigue.
"Hours at most," Jiang Tao replied. "The mountain will slow them, but Protocol Administrators have ways to counter Earth Vein techniques."
Lin Fei looked to Liu Yun. "We're in no condition for a direct confrontation with six Administrators."
The Imperial Jade Seal rose higher. "Strategic assessment: probability of successful combat engagement below acceptable threshold. Alternative objective recommended: secure escape route to Southern Marshlands."
Liu Yun nodded in agreement. "We need to complete the covenant. Fighting here would only delay our mission."
"There is a hidden path through the mountains," Jiang Tao offered. "Known only to Earth Vein guardians. It leads directly to the border of the Southern Marshlands."
"How quickly can we leave?" Lin Fei asked.
"Immediately," Jiang Tao replied, gathering only a small pack of essentials. "I've prepared for this day since I felt the covenant stirring months ago."
The Seal pulsed again. "Warning: Protocol Administrators have deployed tracking formation. Covenant energy signatures will be detectable despite concealment techniques."
Jiang Tao smiled grimly. "Then we won't hide our presence. We'll confuse it instead."
He pressed both hands against different walls, channeling his Earth Vein energy into the mountain itself. The entire sanctuary trembled as Jiang Tao's eyes glowed bright green.
"What are you doing?" Lin Fei asked, steadying herself against the vibrations.
"Creating echoes of our covenant energy throughout the mountain system," he explained, his voice strained with effort. "They'll detect dozens of false signatures, buying us time to escape."
Liu Yun gripped the Earth Shattering Sword, feeling its resonance with the mountain. "I can help."
Despite his weakened state, he began the first movements of the Sixth Technique, synchronizing with Jiang Tao's efforts. The mountain responded, amplifying their work.
"The path is through here," Jiang Tao said when they finished, revealing a hidden doorway. "Let's move quickly. The echoes won't fool them forever."