The cosmic boundary stabilization required Liu Yun's presence at the Central Formation Nexus for three consecutive months. While his consciousness maintained connections across eleven sequential manifestations, his physical form remained vulnerable to potential disruptions within current universal expression.
"Sovereign progression demands perfect balance between transcendent awareness and material anchoring," he instructed the Formation Council. "We must establish additional protection arrays at critical boundary points."
Upon returning to Frost Pinnacle's outer territories, Liu Yun detected unusual spiritual fluctuations emanating from the Ancient Vermilion Valley—a restricted zone harboring remnant energies from pre-Heaven's Will Protocol era. These energy patterns exhibited characteristics inconsistent with known cultivation methods, suggesting unauthorized experimentation with forbidden techniques.
"Interesting," the emperor's voice resonated through their shared consciousness. "These energy signatures contain fragments of the Crimson Phoenix Array—a formation technique my most talented female disciple developed before the Six Immortal Sects' betrayal."
Liu Yun's eyes narrowed. "Someone has uncovered artifacts from your era and attempts reconstruction without proper foundational knowledge."
Following the distinctive energy trail, Liu Yun entered the mist-shrouded valley where spiritual plants grew in unnatural abundance—their roots feeding on residual energy from ancient battles. As he approached the formation center, he encountered five dismembered corpses of Azure Cloud Sect outer disciples—their meridians forcibly expanded beyond capacity.
At the valley's heart stood a woman in crimson robes embroidered with ancient formation patterns. Her hair, black as the void between stars, was bound with nine golden phoenix pins. She manipulated complex arrays of vermilion light, forcing cultivation resources extracted from the slain disciples into a cracked jade vessel similar to Liu Yun's original pendant.
"Your technique is flawed," Liu Yun stated coldly, materializing behind her without warning. "The Crimson Phoenix Array requires synchronized counter-rotation of five elemental cores, not forced linear alignment."
The woman turned, revealing features of striking intensity—eyes like amber fire, angular cheekbones that caught shadows like blades, and lips pressed into a line of fierce concentration. Not conventionally beautiful, but commanding in presence.
"Another sect dog coming to enforce their petty restrictions?" She maintained the formation with one hand while summoning a vermilion energy blade with the other. "I am Chen Xia, and I acknowledge no authority but my own ambition."
Liu Yun assessed her cultivation—seventh stage Foundation Establishment, impressive for her apparent age but laughably inadequate against his transcendent power. Yet something about her ferocity sparked recognition within the emperor's consciousness.
"She possesses the bloodline of my Phoenix Pavilion disciples," the emperor observed with rare interest. "How her lineage survived the purges remains a mystery worth investigating."
"Your ambition exceeds your knowledge," Liu Yun stated, casually dispelling her energy blade with a gesture. "The techniques you attempt originated with the Demon Sword Emperor's Phoenix Pavilion five thousand years ago. You lack the foundational principles to prevent catastrophic energy rebound."
Chen Xia's eyes widened momentarily before narrowing with suspicion. "What would an Azure Cloud puppet know of the Phoenix Pavilion? Those records were purged during the Great Cleansing."
"I know that your cracked vessel cannot contain the energy you gather," Liu Yun replied, pointing to hairline fractures spreading across the jade surface. "In approximately thirty breaths, it will shatter, releasing uncontrolled spiritual backlash that will incinerate everything within three li."
As if confirming his assessment, the vessel emitted an ominous whine as energy leaked through widening cracks. Chen Xia's expression revealed the first hint of uncertainty.
"If you're so knowledgeable, stabilize it," she challenged, her voice betraying no fear despite the imminent danger.
Liu Yun considered simply departing, allowing the inevitable explosion to eliminate this prideful woman. However, the emperor's interest in her bloodline connection presented potential value.
"Her lineage possesses inherent compatibility with certain forbidden techniques we require for the next sovereign advancement phase," the emperor advised. "Additionally, the Crimson Phoenix Array, if properly reconstructed, could accelerate our boundary stabilization project significantly."
With a resigned sigh, Liu Yun extended his hand, jade energy flowing from his palm toward the unstable vessel. "Observe and learn, if you have the capacity to understand."
He reconfigured the chaotic energy streams, establishing proper elemental counter-rotations while systematically purging incompatible spiritual signatures. Within moments, the vessel's cracks sealed as the contents stabilized into properly harmonized essence.
Chen Xia watched with undisguised fascination, her earlier hostility partially replaced by analytical calculation. "You're not an ordinary Azure Cloud enforcer."
"An astute observation," Liu Yun replied dryly, completing the stabilization. "Now explain your purpose with these forbidden techniques before I decide your knowledge isn't worth the inconvenience of your existence."
Rather than displaying fear at his threat, Chen Xia laughed—a harsh, bitter sound devoid of humor. "Bold words from another cultivator playing with forces beyond his comprehension." She gestured toward the stabilized vessel. "I seek what every true cultivator ultimately desires—freedom from the artificial restrictions imposed by the Six Immortal Sects."
She circled him warily, assessing his capabilities with sharp eyes. "For ten generations, my family has preserved fragments of pre-Cleansing cultivation methods. We've suffered persecution, assassination, and relentless hunting by so-called 'righteous' sects. Yet we persisted, gathering pieces of the true path to immortality."
"Interesting. Her ancestors must have been among my Phoenix Pavilion inner disciples who escaped during the final battle," the emperor commented. "Their survival demonstrates exceptional resourcefulness."
Liu Yun retrieved the stabilized vessel, examining its contents with heightened spiritual perception. "Your family preserved techniques but lost the foundational principles that govern their proper application. You attempt advanced methods while lacking basic understanding."
Chen Xia's pride visibly bristled. "I've achieved seventh stage Foundation Establishment at twenty-two—faster advancement than any 'proper' sect disciple following approved methods."
"And yet you nearly vaporized yourself and this entire valley through fundamental misunderstanding," Liu Yun countered. He weighed potential benefits against risks before making his decision. "I possess the complete Crimson Phoenix Array methodology along with its underlying principles."
Her eyes widened with naked desire for this knowledge. "What price do you demand for such techniques?"
Liu Yun smiled coldly. "Absolute obedience. You will serve my purposes without question, applying your lineage talents precisely as instructed."
"I bow to no one," Chen Xia retorted immediately.
"Then remain forever limited by fragmented knowledge and doomed to eventual self-destruction," Liu Yun turned to leave, taking the stabilized vessel with him.
"Wait." Her voice carried equal parts fury and calculation. "I propose an alliance of mutual benefit rather than servitude. My family possesses additional pre-Cleansing artifacts that may interest someone with your... unusual knowledge."
Liu Yun paused, sharing silent communication with the emperor's consciousness. "Her value outweighs her defiance—for now," the emperor conceded. "The Phoenix bloodline talents become crucial during later sovereign advancement phases."
"Conditional alliance," Liu Yun countered, turning back to face her. "You will receive properly sequenced Crimson Phoenix techniques in exchange for complete access to your family's artifact collection. You follow my instructions regarding technique application without deviation."
Chen Xia considered for several moments before nodding curtly. "Agreed, provided you share the foundational principles behind each technique. I will not be merely a tool wielding power I don't comprehend."
"Ambitious and intelligent," the emperor noted with approval. "Like her ancestors. The Phoenix Pavilion always valued understanding above blind application."
"Very well," Liu Yun agreed. "We begin immediately with proper formation of the Five Elemental Cores. Your current approach inverts the wood-earth relationship, creating inherent instability."
As they departed the valley together, Liu Yun maintained careful awareness of Chen Xia's every movement. Her alliance represented valuable resources and lineage talents essential for advancing his sovereign path—but her fierce independence marked her as a potential threat requiring careful management.
The emperor's consciousness stirred with rare anticipation. "The Phoenix rises again after five thousand years. How appropriate for our path toward Sovereign Infinity."
Liu Yun merely nodded, his expression revealing nothing of the calculations proceeding through his mind. Another piece had joined his cosmic board—one with both significant value and considerable risk. For now, she would serve his greater purpose. And when that purpose was fulfilled...
Chen Xia caught his evaluating gaze and returned a proud, challenging look of her own. "Remember, Sword Cultivator—this is an alliance, not submission. I pursue my own path to immortality."
"As you wish," Liu Yun replied with cold amusement. "Though all paths ultimately lead to the same revelation—true power acknowledges no equals."