"They must have tracking formations on their artifacts," Liu Yun observed, calculating escape routes. "The volcanic disruption should have occupied them longer."
Wei Ling's golden eyes narrowed as she assessed the approaching threats. "Verdant Flame elders rarely leave sect grounds during ceremonies. You've provoked unusual response."
"Not just response to theft," the emperor noted within Liu Yun's mind. "The jade transformation of their eternal flame represents fundamental spiritual contamination to their sect."
The safehouse shuddered again as the first offensive formations struck its outer defenses. Protective arrays flared with golden light, temporarily absorbing the attacks. Wei Ling moved with practiced efficiency, activating secondary defense layers while gathering essential equipment.
"We have perhaps three minutes before they breach the primary barriers," she stated calmly. "The eastern escape tunnel leads to a ravine where spatial transfer becomes possible."
Liu Yun nodded, but made no move toward the indicated escape route. Instead, he closed his eyes briefly, communing with the emperor's consciousness.
"This presents opportunity," he thought. "The Court values my survival, while the Verdant Flame Sect seeks elimination. Perfect conditions to test both relationships."
"Risky," the emperor cautioned. "But potentially revealing. Proceed with caution—Core Formation cultivators are not to be underestimated despite our advancements."
"I will delay them," Liu Yun announced, surprising Wei Ling. "You secure our extraction route."
Without waiting for her response, he strode toward the cottage entrance, jade energy swirling visibly around his form as he embraced the transformation that had been progressively altering his physical structure. Scales erupted along his forearms and neck, the vertical pupils of his eyes expanding until only thin rings of jade surrounded them.
"This is unnecessary!" Wei Ling called after him. "Court protocol prioritizes preservation over confrontation!"
Liu Yun turned slightly, offering a predatory smile that revealed elongated canines. "Consider it my contribution to our budding alliance."
He stepped outside as the safehouse's outer defensive formations collapsed under concentrated assault. Three cultivators in the distinctive crimson robes of the Verdant Flame Sect hovered twenty paces away, flames circling their bodies in protective arrays. At their center stood the white-bearded elder Liu Yun had observed at the Phoenix Pavilion—clearly the leader of this pursuit party.
"Thief and defiler," the elder's voice boomed with spiritual reinforcement. "You have committed dual sacrilege against our sect. Surrender the stolen artifact and submit to spiritual cleansing, or face annihilation."
Liu Yun assumed a casual stance, deliberately projecting confidence rather than combat readiness. "Elder, your artifact integrated with others in my possession before I could prevent it. The reaction was... unexpected."
"Lies will not preserve you," the elder snarled, his beard sparking with intensifying flames. "Our eternal flame has burned untainted for six thousand years, yet you corrupted it with heterodox energy in mere moments. Such contamination reveals your true nature—a chaos cultivator serving dark powers."
"Predictable accusation," the emperor commented. "Major sects always categorize unknown threats as 'chaos cultivators' to justify immediate execution without investigation."
Liu Yun let jade energy flow visibly across his skin, deliberately displaying his unusual condition. "Judge what stands before you, Elder. Do I appear as common thief or chaos cultist? The artifact responded to my bloodline—a reaction neither of us anticipated."
The elder's eyes narrowed as he properly observed Liu Yun's transformation. "Dragon essence integration... imperial meridian structure... impossible combinations." His expression hardened. "More evidence of forbidden practices. Your existence violates natural order!"
Without further warning, the elder launched his attack—not a direct strike but a complex formation that materialized as a cage of interlocking fire patterns around Liu Yun. The formation's design showed mastery beyond Core Formation, confirming the elder's near-Tribulation status.
"Five Directions Immortal Immolation," the emperor identified. "Ancient imprisonment technique designed to separate spirit from flesh."
Liu Yun immediately recognized his disadvantage in direct confrontation with a cultivator nearly three major realms above his own. Instead of opposing the formation directly, he channeled energy into the merged fragments embedded in his palm, activating knowledge contained within the third fragment.
"Imperial Dominion: Subjugation," he intoned, executing a technique that had originated with the emperor himself.
Jade light erupted from his palm, forming counter-formation glyphs that directly targeted the conceptual underpinnings of the elder's technique rather than its physical manifestation. Where the fire patterns attempted to establish dominance through elemental superiority, Liu Yun's counter-formation asserted fundamental authority over the concept of binding itself.
The elder's expression transformed from confidence to shock as his formation collapsed inward, the flames turning briefly jade-colored before extinguishing entirely. "Imperial techniques," he gasped, recognition dawning. "You're connected to—"
Liu Yun didn't allow him to complete the realization. Using the momentary disruption, he executed a high-speed movement technique, closing distance to the elder while the two accompanying Core Formation cultivators were still processing their leader's failed attack.
"Elder Feng," one shouted in warning, launching auxiliary fire techniques to protect their leader.
Too late. Liu Yun reached the elder with blade-hand positioned at the vital meridian junction beneath his chin—not striking, but demonstrating capability to do so.
"I could end your six-thousand-year cultivation journey," Liu Yun stated quietly, ensuring only the elder could hear his words. "Instead, I offer understanding. The artifact carries knowledge your sect has safeguarded unwittingly. Its purpose transcends our immediate conflict."
The elder's eyes widened, flames diminishing as he recognized his vulnerability. "You speak of the Divine Punishment Era artifact? What could a junior cultivator possibly understand of such ancient matters?"
"More than you might imagine," Liu Yun replied cryptically, allowing the emperor's consciousness to briefly surface in his gaze. "Return to your sect, Elder Feng. The eternal flame will restore itself within one lunar cycle. Consider today's events a celestial adjustment rather than profanation."
Before the elder could respond, a brilliant golden light enveloped Liu Yun from behind—Wei Ling had activated an emergency extraction formation. The elder and his companions blurred as spatial transfer initiated, their figures replaced by swirling emptiness as Liu Yun felt himself pulled across vast distance.
The transfer concluded with jarring abruptness, depositing him upon cold stone flooring in a dimly lit chamber. Wei Ling stood nearby, her expression unreadable as she studied him.
"That display was... informative," she finally stated. "Court intelligence indicated your cultivation at mid-Foundation Establishment with unusual bloodline manifestations. Your actual capabilities significantly exceed those assessments."
Liu Yun rose smoothly, noting that the transfer had depleted nearly a third of his spiritual reserves. "The fragments provide more than mere power. They contain operational knowledge that expands tactical options."
"Clearly." Wei Ling gestured toward their surroundings—a circular chamber with multiple formation arrays inscribed upon the walls and floor. "Welcome to Outpost Seventeen. We've transferred approximately eight hundred miles northeast of our previous location."
Liu Yun examined the chamber with interest. Unlike the rustic safehouse, this facility displayed sophisticated formation work approaching sect headquarters quality. "Court resources extend further than publicly acknowledged."
"Necessity shaped our development," Wei Ling responded. "Without a central mountain or public disciples, we evolved different organizational structures from traditional sects."
She approached a wall panel, pressing her palm against a recognition formation that caused a section to slide aside, revealing an inner chamber with modest accommodations—sleeping pallets, meditation cushions, and basic provisions.
"We'll remain here until tomorrow's dawn," she explained. "The spatial transfer network requires recovery time between activations. It provides opportunity to prepare for your journey to the Northern Territories."
Liu Yun nodded, accepting the practical constraints while using the opportunity to assess his condition. The confrontation with the Verdant Flame elder had provided valuable combat data—his techniques drawn from the emperor's knowledge had proven devastatingly effective against conventional cultivation methods, even when facing superior cultivation bases.
"The elder recognized imperial techniques," he noted internally. "Knowledge of your specific combat methods persists even five millennia after your era."
"Not surprising," the emperor replied. "My reign saw cultivation standardization across nine realms. Many 'sect-specific' techniques today derive from imperial codification efforts."
Wei Ling interrupted their internal dialogue by producing a jade box from her storage ring. "Before you depart for the Northern waystation, Court protocol requires blood verification."
Liu Yun raised an eyebrow. "Explain."
"The Court maintains bloodline purity records spanning five thousand years," she replied, opening the box to reveal a formation array inscribed on silk. "This verification confirms your connection to the imperial lineage and establishes your position in the succession hierarchy."
"Standard practice," the emperor confirmed. "Though with additional implications. Blood verification would also reveal the degree of our consciousness integration—information that might concern them."
Liu Yun considered refusing but recognized the potential value in establishing legitimate bloodline credentials within the Court's internal systems. If executed properly, this verification could strengthen his negotiating position with Patriarch Zhan while revealing little about his unique circumstances.
"Proceed," he decided, extending his palm toward the silk array.
Wei Ling produced a silver needle and pricked his finger without ceremony, allowing three drops of blood to fall upon the central node of the formation. The silk immediately absorbed the liquid, glowing patterns spreading outward as the blood triggered analysis procedures.
Liu Yun watched with clinical interest as the formation processed his spiritual signature. Ancient characters began materializing along the edges of the silk, recording bloodline data in a script he recognized from the emperor's memories—a specialized variant of celestial calligraphy used exclusively for imperial record-keeping.
Wei Ling's expression transformed gradually as the results manifested—first surprise, then confusion, and finally something approaching reverence. When the process completed, she carefully refolded the silk and returned it to its jade container with ceremonial precision.
"This changes everything," she stated quietly, looking at Liu Yun with new perspective. "You are not merely bloodline-adjacent as we assumed. According to verification, you carry primary descent from the emperor's direct line—specifically his fourth son's bloodline."
Liu Yun maintained neutral expression despite internal surprise. This revelation extended beyond his knowledge of the merged consciousness—the emperor had never shared details of his mortal lineage during their exchanges.
"Fourth son?" he queried internally. "You never mentioned direct descendants."
"A deliberate omission," the emperor acknowledged. "My children's fates after my defeat remained unknown to me. I assumed the Six Immortal Sects would have eliminated all direct bloodlines to prevent future succession claims."
Wei Ling continued, unaware of their internal conversation. "This verification explains your exceptional compatibility with the fragments. Court records indicate only direct imperial descendants can safely integrate with the emperor's legacy artifacts."
She bowed formally—the first display of true deference she'd shown. "I must report these findings immediately. Patriarch Zhan will likely accelerate meeting arrangements."
As she moved to activate another communication talisman, Liu Yun processed the implications of this revelation. Direct imperial bloodline connection suggested his "selection" as vessel was less coincidental than previously understood. Had the emperor's consciousness somehow sought compatible genetics when the first fragment emerged from its long hibernation?
"Not consciously," the emperor responded to his unspoken question. "Though the sword fragments were designed with affinity restrictions. Only those carrying my blood essence could activate their full potential."
"Convenient safeguard," Liu Yun observed with mild skepticism.
"Practical precaution," the emperor corrected. "The fragments contain knowledge that could destabilize cultivation society if improperly utilized. Bloodline restrictions ensure certain minimum compatibility."
Their internal dialogue paused as Wei Ling returned from her communication. Her demeanor had shifted noticeably—the professional handler replaced by something closer to respectful attendant.
"Patriarch Zhan has issued new directives," she announced. "I am to escort you directly to Court headquarters immediately upon transfer network restoration. Your bloodline verification has been classified as highest priority."
Liu Yun nodded, recognizing the opportunity this accelerated timeline presented. "The Northern waystation is no longer our destination?"
"No. We proceed directly to ancestral headquarters beneath Mount Ancestral Sword." Wei Ling hesitated briefly before adding, "The Patriarch has also authorized preliminary information sharing regarding the fourth fragment's location."
This represented significant concession—information offered before complete compliance with their demands. Liu Yun maintained neutral expression despite satisfaction at this negotiation victory.
"I appreciate the Patriarch's gesture of goodwill," he responded formally. "Such cooperation benefits our mutual interests."
Wei Ling produced a scroll sealed with wax bearing an unfamiliar crest. "This contains surveillance reports regarding the fourth fragment. Court intelligence traced it to the possession of the Azure Tide Pavilion approximately eighty years ago, but lost confirmation during subsequent internal conflicts."
Liu Yun accepted the scroll without immediate examination. The Azure Tide Pavilion was a mid-tier sect specializing in water-attribute cultivation—a plausible hiding place for a fragment concealed from imperial pursuers.
"This information proves valuable regardless of future arrangements," he acknowledged. "Please convey my appreciation to Patriarch Zhan."
The remainder of their stay at Outpost Seventeen passed in preparation for the journey ahead. Wei Ling proved surprisingly forthcoming with background information about the Ancestral Sword Court—their organizational structure, factional dynamics, and general objectives. Whether authorized information sharing or calculated transparency to build trust, Liu Yun absorbed everything while sharing minimal details about his own circumstances.
By morning, the transfer formation had recharged sufficiently for long-distance travel. Wei Ling conducted elaborate activation sequences, demonstrating the multiple security layers protecting Court transportation networks.
"Mount Ancestral Sword lies deep within unclaimed territories between the Eastern and Northern cultivation regions," she explained while configuring destination parameters. "Its physical location remains absent from all sect maps due to comprehensive isolation formations."
Liu Yun stepped onto the transfer platform as indicated, noting the formation's unusual complexity. Unlike standard spatial transfer arrays that simply connected fixed points, this system incorporated scrambling functions that would prevent calculation of true destination coordinates even by those experiencing transfer.
"Paranoid but effective," the emperor assessed. "The Court has maintained security through extreme compartmentalization."
The transfer activated with golden light enveloping both travelers. Unlike previous spatial movements Liu Yun had experienced, this transition progressed through multiple stages—each shift disorienting in different ways as protective measures obscured their true path.
When reality finally stabilized around them, Liu Yun found himself standing in a vast underground cavern illuminated by countless formation crystals embedded in distant ceiling. Before them rose an impossible sight—a mountain inside a mountain, its slopes covered not with vegetation but with thousands of swords planted point-down in precise formations.
"Mount Ancestral Sword," Wei Ling announced formally. "The Court's true headquarters for five millennia and final resting place of the Imperial Guard who followed the emperor into defeat rather than surrender."
The mountain radiated ancient power—not merely accumulated spiritual energy but a focused purpose maintained across countless generations. Each sword marked a fallen imperial guard, their weapons transformed into formation anchors that collectively maintained the isolated pocket dimension containing this hidden realm.
At the mountain's base stood an imposing structure combining palatial grandeur with fortress functionality. Constructed from black stone traced with gold and silver formation lines, the building's architecture matched no known cultivation sect style—its aesthetic directly from the emperor's era, preserved unchanged while the outside world evolved.
"The Court awaits," Wei Ling stated, leading Liu Yun toward the structure. "Patriarch Zhan has assembled the Elder Council to receive you."
As they approached, Liu Yun observed details revealing the Court's true nature. Cultivators moved with military precision throughout the grounds, their training clearly prioritizing combat effectiveness over enlightenment pursuits. Unlike traditional sects where disciples sought personal advancement through meditation and insight, these cultivators operated as cohesive units executing coordinated training exercises.
"They've maintained imperial military cultivation standards," the emperor noted with complex emotions. "My guard's original purpose distorted into religious preservation cult across millennia."
The entrance hall they entered extended Liu Yun's understanding further. Massive pillars supported a ceiling adorned with intricate murals depicting the emperor's historical campaigns—victories, defeats, and significant battles all preserved in painstaking detail. The artistic style matched ancient records, suggesting continuous renewal by generations of Court cultivators dedicated to historical preservation.
Wei Ling led him through a succession of increasingly restricted chambers, each transition marked by more elaborate security formations. The deeper they progressed, the more prevalent ancestral worship elements became—shrines to fallen guards, display cases containing preserved artifacts, and wall inscriptions recording lineage connections.
Finally, they reached a massive circular chamber dominated by a round table carved from single massive jade block. Seated around it were nine figures in formal robes bearing insignia that hadn't been seen in the wider cultivation world for thousands of years—the rank markings of Imperial Guard commanders.
At the table's head sat an imposing figure whose age defied easy estimation. His features suggested advanced years, yet his bearing communicated vitality that contradicted apparent age. Most striking were his eyes—the same horizontal-pupil golden eyes that marked Wei Ling's bloodline, but with intensity that suggested profound cultivation achievements.
"Welcome, descendant," the figure spoke, his voice carrying natural authority without spiritual reinforcement. "I am Zhan Wei, seventeenth Patriarch of the Ancestral Sword Court and custodian of the emperor's legacy."
Liu Yun bowed with precise formality, calibrated to show respect without submission. "Patriarch Zhan, your hospitality honors the bloodline we share."
The patriarch gestured toward an empty seat at the table. "Join us, Liu Yun. The Council has many questions regarding your... unique circumstances."
As Liu Yun took the indicated position, he noted the careful positioning—the seat placed him directly opposite the Patriarch rather than at a subordinate angle. A subtle acknowledgment of his bloodline status rather than junior cultivation rank.
"Before questions begin," Liu Yun stated, establishing active rather than passive participation, "I acknowledge the Court's five millennia of dedicated service. Few organizations maintain purpose across such timespan."
The patriarch inclined his head slightly, accepting the recognition. "Loyalty transcends mortal limitations when purpose proves worthy. The emperor's legacy deserves no less."
An elder to the patriarch's right—a severe woman with silver hair bound in elaborate warrior's knot—leaned forward. "Let us address immediate concerns. Our blood verification confirms direct lineage, yet your cultivation displays anomalies inconsistent with pure bloodline manifestation."
"Elder Ming refers to your dragon essence integration," another council member clarified. "Court records contain no precedent for compatible merger between imperial bloodline and beast lineages."
Liu Yun had anticipated this line of questioning. "Unprecedented combinations often yield unexpected benefits. The dragon essence enhances rather than contaminates bloodline expression."
"A convenient interpretation," Elder Ming responded skeptically. "More concerning is your spiritual signature's dual-resonance pattern. Explain how you commune directly with the emperor's consciousness when only assembled fragments should permit such connection."
The directness of the question confirmed the emperor's suspicion—the blood verification had indeed revealed their unusual integration. Liu Yun decided transparency offered better strategic advantage than evasion on this critical point.
"The first fragment established connection beyond standard bloodline resonance," he explained. "Each subsequent fragment deepened integration rather than maintaining separation. The emperor's consciousness and mine exist in cooperative arrangement rather than dominant-subordinate hierarchy."
This statement caused visible consternation among several council members. One particularly ancient elder with milky eyes slammed his palm against the jade table.
"Blasphemy!" he declared. "The Great Emperor's consciousness cannot be subject to cooperative arrangement with mere descendant vessel. The fragments must be extracted and properly consecrated according to ancient protocols!"
Patriarch Zhan raised his hand, silencing the outburst. "Elder Tong's devotion occasionally exceeds his analytical judgment." His golden eyes studied Liu Yun with penetrating intensity. "However, his concern highlights fundamental question. What exactly is your relationship with the emperor's consciousness?"
Liu Yun felt the emperor's presence stirring within his mind, requesting direct communication. After brief internal consultation, he decided to allow it—maintaining control over the exchange while demonstrating their unique arrangement.
His posture shifted subtly as the emperor's consciousness moved forward, his eyes glowing with increased jade luminescence. When he spoke, his voice carried dual-tonal quality that raised immediate recognition among the elders.
"My faithful guardians," the emperor's voice emerged from Liu Yun's mouth, though Liu Yun maintained awareness and control. "Your dedication honors the oaths sworn in another age. However, circumstances necessitate adaptation rather than rigid adherence to anticipated restoration protocols."
The effect on the Council was immediate and profound. Several elders dropped instinctively to kneeling positions while others remained frozen in shock. Patriarch Zhan alone maintained composure, though his golden eyes widened noticeably.
"This vessel represents optimal compatibility—direct bloodline descent combined with exceptional adaptability. Our consciousness integration progresses through mutual reinforcement rather than dominance."
Elder Ming found her voice first. "Great Emperor, we prepared resurrection chambers according to your sealed instructions. The vessel's mortal consciousness should step aside to allow your complete restoration."
"Those instructions assumed different circumstances," the emperor replied. "This vessel offers advantages unforeseen five millennia ago. Complete consciousness transfer would waste potential symbiosis benefits."
Liu Yun reasserted primary control, his voice returning to normal. "The emperor and I share purpose if not identical motivations. Cooperation advances both our interests more effectively than subordination."
Patriarch Zhan stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Fascinating development. Court preparations always assumed vessel personality suppression during fragment integration. Your arrangement suggests alternative restoration path."
"A dangerous deviation," Elder Tong insisted, though with less certainty than his previous outburst. "How can we verify the emperor's consciousness remains uncorrupted by mortal influence?"
"A reasonable concern," Liu Yun acknowledged. "Though consider alternate perspective—five millennia have transformed cultivation world significantly. The emperor's direct rule methods would require substantial adaptation to current political landscape."
This pragmatic observation appeared to resonate with several council members, particularly younger elders who had exchanged glances during the conversation.
Patriarch Zhan raised his hand again, redirecting discussion. "Theoretical debates aside, practical matters require attention. Liu Yun possesses three fragments, with fourth located somewhere within Azure Tide Pavilion territories. Our shared objective remains complete restoration of the emperor's sword."
Liu Yun nodded agreement. "The sword's completion transcends organizational differences. Each fragment integration strengthens bloodline expression and expands accessible knowledge."
"Then cooperation serves all interests," the patriarch concluded. "The Court offers resources and protection during your quest for remaining fragments. In exchange, you acknowledge the Court's historical authority regarding imperial legacy matters."
"A carefully constructed compromise," the emperor noted internally. "He offers assistance without demanding control, while establishing precedent for Court involvement in future decisions."
Liu Yun formulated his response with equal care. "The Court's historical dedication earns consultation rights on imperial legacy matters. Operational decisions regarding fragment acquisition remain at my discretion as active vessel."
Elder Ming narrowed her eyes at this qualification. "You accept Court resources while maintaining independence? Presumptuous for one so recently connected to imperial legacy."
"Practical for one directly executing acquisition missions," Liu Yun countered smoothly. "Field decisions require immediate action without committee consultation."
Before debate could intensify, Patriarch Zhan made a decisive gesture. "Reasonable division of responsibility. The Court provides intelligence and support infrastructure while Liu Yun executes direct recovery operations with appropriate tactical autonomy."
He rose from his seat, signaling formal conclusion to initial negotiations. "We shall prepare comprehensive briefing on Azure Tide Pavilion's defenses and political situation. Liu Yun requires rest and orientation to Court facilities before mission planning begins."
As other council members began dispersing, the patriarch approached Liu Yun directly. When they stood face-to-face, Liu Yun noted the patriarch's impressive height and spiritual presence—clearly a cultivator who had reached advanced Tribulation realm despite cultivation world's inherent limitations.
"Walk with me," Patriarch Zhan requested, though his tone carried unmistakable command quality. "There are matters best discussed without Council observation."
He led Liu Yun through a concealed doorway behind his seat, entering a private corridor illuminated by ancient formation lights. Neither spoke until they reached an isolated garden containing cultivated specimens of plants Liu Yun recognized from the emperor's memories—species extinct in the outside world for thousands of years.
"Your negotiation skills exceed typical Foundation Establishment cultivators," the patriarch observed, stopping beside a flowering tree bearing luminous blossoms. "The emperor's influence manifests in unexpected ways."
Liu Yun inclined his head slightly. "As does the Court's intelligence gathering. Your preparations suggest foreknowledge of my circumstances before Wei Ling's mission."
A small smile cracked the patriarch's severe expression. "The Azure Cloud Sect's Frost Pinnacle has maintained Court surveillance for three centuries. Peak Master Su's unusual interest in an outer disciple naturally attracted attention."
"Then you know of her plans for me."
"The Frost Heart Transformation would have eliminated your independence while preserving cultivation potential," the patriarch confirmed. "A calculated risk on her part, given your accelerated bloodline awakening."
He plucked one of the luminous blossoms, examining it with apparent nostalgia. "What remains unclear is whether you fled the Azure Cloud Sect deliberately or opportunistically."
Liu Yun considered how much to reveal about his planned departure. "Circumstances accelerated inevitable separation. Peak Master Su's control methods proved incompatible with my development requirements."
"And you believe the Court offers greater freedom?" the patriarch asked with subtle amusement.
"The Court offers different advantages with different constraints," Liu Yun replied diplomatically. "Perfect alignment of interests remains unlikely in any arrangement."
This frank assessment earned genuine laughter from the patriarch—a surprisingly warm sound from such an austere figure. "Refreshingly direct. Perhaps the emperor's consciousness benefits equally from your perspective as you from his knowledge."
His expression became serious again as he turned fully toward Liu Yun. "There is another matter Council protocol prevented discussing publicly. The fifth fragment's location."
Liu Yun maintained neutral expression despite intense interest. "I was informed only four fragments existed."
"A deliberate information limitation," Patriarch Zhan explained. "The sword comprised five fragments total—four blade sections and the hilt core which contained the emperor's primary consciousness imprint."
"Accurate," the emperor confirmed internally. "Though I had not reached that explanation stage yet."
"And this fifth fragment's location?" Liu Yun prompted.
"That remains our greatest failure across five millennia," the patriarch admitted with visible frustration. "The hilt core disappeared completely following the emperor's defeat. No Court intelligence has ever located credible trace of its existence."
He studied Liu Yun's reaction carefully as he continued, "Until your emergence. The unprecedented consciousness integration you experience suggests direct connection to the core fragment despite its physical absence."
Liu Yun processed this revelation with the emperor's assistance. "Is this possible? Could the core fragment exist in non-physical state?"
"Theoretically," the emperor responded internally. "The hilt core contained my primary consciousness imprint linked to my divine sense rather than merely physical form. Its manifestation principles transcended conventional artifact limitations."
"An intriguing theory," Liu Yun finally responded to the patriarch. "Though unconfirmable without complete sword reassembly."
"Precisely our conclusion," Patriarch Zhan agreed. "Which elevates fourth fragment acquisition from merely strategic to absolutely critical. If consciousness integration occurs without physical core presence, complete sword assembly might manifest unprecedented outcomes."
The implication was clear—the Court had shifted from merely supporting Liu Yun's fragment collection to viewing it as potential culmination of their five-millennium mission. This perspective change would significantly alter resource allocation and operational support.
"A compelling reason for cooperation," Liu Yun acknowledged. "When can we begin Azure Tide Pavilion infiltration planning?"
"Tomorrow," the patriarch replied. "Today, you shall tour Court facilities and receive formal introduction to key operational personnel. Ancestral rituals must also be observed given your bloodline verification."
As they proceeded with these ceremonial obligations, Liu Yun maintained outward respect while internally consulting with the emperor regarding this new information. The fifth fragment revelation added complexity to their planning, particularly regarding eventual independence from Court oversight.
"The patriarch withholds something," the emperor observed during a particularly elaborate ancestral offering ceremony. "His explanation of the fifth fragment contains partial truth but deliberate omissions."
"Regarding its capabilities or location?" Liu Yun queried as he followed ceremonial protocols with appropriate solemnity.
"Both, potentially. The hilt core contained more than consciousness imprint—it held cultivation insights I intended as legacy for worthy descendants. The Court's five-millennium search would have been motivated by these secrets as much as restoration objectives."
This insight reinforced Liu Yun's cautious approach to Court alliance. While their resources provided immediate advantages, their underlying motivations clearly extended beyond simple service to imperial legacy. The complex political maneuvering that had begun with his discovery of the first fragment continued expanding in scope and implications.
That evening, installed in luxurious quarters befitting his newly acknowledged bloodline status, Liu Yun reviewed the intelligence scrolls provided regarding the Azure Tide Pavilion. The mission ahead would require all his growing capabilities—and perhaps reveal which of his supposed allies truly served his interests rather than their own.