The ancient passage engulfed them in perpetual twilight. The living air sacs functioned perfectly, extracting oxygen from the water, but did nothing to improve visibility in the murky depths. Only the Imperial Jade Seal's soft glow provided illumination, casting eerie shadows along the submerged tunnel walls.
Liu Yun led their small party, the Earth Shattering Sword strapped across his back. Though fully submerged, the blade seemed to cut through water without resistance, creating no drag or disturbance—as if the element recognized and respected the covenant weapon.
"The passage bears signs of both bloodlines," Lin Fei observed, her voice strangely clear despite the water. She traced her fingers along carvings that lined the walls—ancient symbols depicting Earth Vein and Water Weaver techniques working in harmony. "Our ancestors truly collaborated before the Protocol divided them."
Jiang Tao nodded, his eyes scanning the tunnel ahead. "According to the old maps, we should reach the transition chamber within two hours. The water gradually recedes there, giving way to dry passages that lead toward the desert periphery."
As they progressed deeper, Liu Yun noticed the tunnel architecture evolving. What began as rough-hewn channels became increasingly sophisticated—perfect archways, deliberate geometric patterns, and flow-regulating mechanisms that still functioned after centuries of disuse.
"Remarkable engineering," he commented. "To create passages that maintain structural integrity between such different elemental domains."
"More than engineering," the Imperial Jade Seal intoned, startling them all. The artifact rarely spoke unless responding to direct queries, yet now it hovered before them, its glow intensifying. "Witness covenant synthesis of pre-Protocol era."
The tunnel around them suddenly illuminated as hidden symbols activated in sequence, responding to the seal's presence. Luminous blue lines traced complex patterns along the ceiling and floor, forming a living map that extended beyond their line of sight.
"The network is far larger than our records indicated," Jiang Tao breathed, eyes wide with wonder. "These passages connect all bloodline territories!"
The Imperial Jade Seal rotated slowly. "Seven-point convergence system. Central nexus established before Protocol enforcement. Seal activation restores dormant pathway markers."
Lin Fei swam closer to examine the glowing map. "This could change everything. If these passages truly connect all bloodline territories, we wouldn't need to cross Protocol checkpoints or controlled regions."
"Convenient," Liu Yun noted, his voice carrying a hint of suspicion. "Almost too convenient that the seal reveals this now, just when we need it most."
The seal pulsed once. "Information access correlates with covenant progression. Three bloodlines united permits partial network restoration. Full activation requires seven-point convergence."
Liu Yun considered this. The Pattern that guided their journey seemed to unfold with precise timing—revealing only what was necessary for each stage of their quest. But was it guiding them toward triumph or tragedy?
Their contemplation was interrupted as the tunnel began to slope upward. The water level gradually lowered until their heads broke the surface. They had reached a large, domed chamber where the passage emerged from the water into a dry cavern supported by massive stone columns.
Removing their air sacs, the three companions climbed onto a broad stone platform. The chamber bore clear signs of its dual heritage—flowing water channels carved through stone foundations, with both elements working in perfect balance.
"The transition chamber," Jiang Tao confirmed, consulting ancient records he carried. "From here, we follow the eastern passage toward the desert lands."
Liu Yun wrung water from his clothes as he surveyed their surroundings. "How much farther to Sand Shaper territory?"
"Two days' journey through increasingly arid tunnels," Jiang Tao replied. "The passages were designed to acclimatize travelers gradually between elemental domains."
Lin Fei moved to the chamber's center, where a circular platform rose slightly above the floor. Seven indentations were arranged in a pattern mirroring the great constellations. "Another covenant marker," she observed. "Similar to those in the Western Mountains academy."
The Imperial Jade Seal drifted toward the platform, settling into the central indentation. Immediately, the chamber resonated with energy as dormant mechanisms awakened. A three-dimensional map materialized above the platform—a perfect representation of all seven bloodline territories.
"Covenant status: partially active," the seal announced. "Three bloodlines synchronized. Four remain dormant. Warning: temporal anomalies detected in Northern Desert region."
"Temporal anomalies?" Liu Yun questioned. "What does that mean?"
"Time distortion associated with Sand Shaper evolution," the seal elaborated. "Protocol suppression circumvented through chronological manipulation."
The implications sent a chill through Liu Yun despite his wet clothes. The Water Weavers had warned that the Sand Shapers had changed dramatically, but manipulating time itself was beyond anything they had anticipated.
"Could this explain the messenger's transformation?" Lin Fei wondered aloud. "If the Sand Shapers exist partially outside normal time flow?"
Jiang Tao's expression darkened. "It would explain why Protocol forces maintain such heavy presence around the Northern Desert but never venture within. Even Administrators might fear confronting beings who have mastered temporal manipulation."
The map above the platform zoomed in on the Northern Desert, revealing swirling anomalies—places where reality itself seemed to fold and distort. At the desert's heart, a massive temporal storm raged around what appeared to be the Sand Shapers' ancestral grounds.
"Covenant progression requires direct contact with Sand Shaper prime," the seal stated. "Caution advised. Temporal exposure may result in physiological alterations."
"Like the messenger who returned as crystal dust," Liu Yun remembered. "We're being warned that meeting the Sand Shapers could physically transform us."
Lin Fei straightened her shoulders. "The covenant demands its price from each bloodline. From each of us. We've come too far to turn back now."
The Imperial Jade Seal rose from the platform, the map disappearing as it returned to hover above them. "Eastern passage activated. Desert transition protocols initiated."
As they gathered their belongings and prepared to continue their journey, Liu Yun felt the Earth Shattering Sword pulse against his back—resonating with something deep within the tunnels ahead. The covenant weapons were awakening further with each bloodline they encountered.
Whatever the Sand Shapers had become in their isolation, whatever transformation awaited in the temporal anomalies of the Northern Desert, they had no choice but to proceed. The covenant's completion demanded all seven bloodlines, no matter how drastically they had evolved.
"Onward," Liu Yun said simply, and led the way into the eastern passage—toward the burning sands and the bloodline that had remade itself through mastery of time itself.