Although beings at the Fourth Level can foresee the future, what they perceive are merely future trends, not certainties. Thus, a Level Four being can steer the future according to their own desires. However, when two Level Four entities engage in conflict, their calculations influence each other, leading to a chaotic and blurred vision of what is to come. Except for extremely dire consequences, such as impending personal death, which are felt with relative clarity, foresight regarding the opponent’s specific maneuvers becomes severely restricted.

It is like two master chess players assessing the flow of a game; they must factor in the opponent's strength. What can truly be gleaned from the board depends entirely on the capabilities of both players.

Since Yang Ying advanced to the Fourth Level Extreme, only Sandwo has been his equal in terms of mental power. In the past, he could outmaneuver any enemy and always secure the initiative. But against Sandwo, who is also at the Fourth Level Extreme, they stand as equals.

Though Yang Ying possesses more Fourth Level Extreme avatars, numerical superiority offers no advantage when it comes to foreseeing the future; the physical body and each avatar perceive the exact same things.

Landun’s query gave Yang Ying pause, but he eventually offered several of his own conjectures.

“They are quite similar to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager’s own guesses,” Little Landun remarked after listening, before relaying the Empress Dowager’s own predictions. Having contended with Sandwo for many years, the Empress Dowager’s insights held considerable value.

“Furthermore, their Majesties asked me to convey their gratitude,” Landun stated earnestly. “For what? The medicinal herbs? That’s hardly necessary,” Yang Ying chuckled. “I have plenty of that sort of thing.”

“Ah…” Landun momentarily struggled for words. Could the Elixir of Resurrection truly be associated with something one has “plenty of”?

“Enough,” Yang Ying cut in before she could say more. “You may return now. Also, tell Baibai I will visit her tomorrow.”

“Yes.” Landun suppressed the shock swirling within her. After a moment’s thought, she decided against voicing her confusion and took her leave of Yang Ying.

The next morning, Yang Ying arrived at the Imperial Palace. Just as he reached the main gate, a sudden sensation stirred his heart. He looked up to see a vortex forming in the sky. A tall figure stepped out from within.

Ripples of spatial distortion emanated from the newcomer. He wore a towering crown, possessed an imposing bearing, and exuded the aura of one long accustomed to supreme authority. It was none other than the Imperial Regent, Sandwo, who had been on hiatus for a long time!

“Lord Yang Ying.” Upon seeing Yang Ying, Sandwo displayed none of the hostility expected between two individuals on opposing sides. He descended with an enigmatic smile, as if greeting an old friend.

Anyone observing them would never guess that these two had recently engaged in a fierce battle that cost Sandwo dearly.

“Regent Sandwo,” Yang Ying offered a brief, cool greeting.

This was the Imperial Palace, steeped in history; any object chosen at random would fetch an astronomical price elsewhere. Contention was strictly forbidden here, especially engagements involving Level Four beings, whose clashes could level the entire grounds. Anyone who dared to fight would instantly become an enemy of the Empire.

Though the conflict between the Royal Family and the Regent had intensified, both sides maintained outward restraint. So long as Sandwo retained his title as Regent, he remained one of the most honored figures within the Imperial system, and even the Empress could not deny him an audience.

However, both parties understood that the day they abandoned pretense and resorted to force would signal the moment for a final, deadly strike.

After landing, Sandwo approached Yang Ying, first scrutinizing his expression. Finding nothing discernible, he merely nodded, saying, “It is the Empire’s fortune to possess an Extreme expert such as yourself, Lord Yang Ying. I have been too occupied these past few days and failed to offer congratulations; that was remiss of me.”

Feeling a sense of strangeness, Yang Ying replied casually, “No need for formalities. I presume the Regent has pressing matters to attend to, so I won’t take up your time.” Having said this, he added nothing more and turned toward the palace entrance.

Seeing Yang Ying walk away, Sandwo’s expression remained unchanged. He took a couple of steps to catch up, remarking, “No rush, no rush. To exchange a few words with Lord Yang Ying, delaying official duties by a little is nothing.” Without waiting for a response, he continued, “Actually, the Fourth Level Extreme has always been considered the pinnacle of Galactic life. I assume you share that belief, perhaps?”

“Isn’t that generally accepted?” Yang Ying responded dismissively, continuing his walk.

“Indeed, it is generally accepted,” Sandwo agreed, falling into step beside him. “But what is generally accepted may not be the truth.”

“What do you mean?” Yang Ying’s interest was slightly piqued. If the accepted notion was false, it meant the Fourth Level Extreme was not the highest tier of Galactic life. If true, this implied the existence of a Fifth Level among Galactic beings!

Although Yang Ying had confirmed from the unlit lamp in the Nine-Horned Pagoda at the heart of the Floating Continent that Level Four was not the absolute end, suggesting a Level Five existence, looking across all recorded Galactic history, no Level Five entity had ever appeared. Thus, both within the True Human Empire and in the legends of the various races in the Orion Arm, the Fourth Level Extreme stood as the absolute limit of biological evolution.

“Heh heh, I imagine their Majesties never told you about the First Emperor of this Empire.” Sandwo offered.

Yang Ying remained silent. Sandwo didn't seem to care what Yang Ying was thinking and pressed on: “The First Imperial Emperor, also known as the Progenitor Emperor, was a figure of unparalleled brilliance. He reached the Fourth Level Extreme quite early, yet he was not satisfied; he yearned to ascend higher and further.”

“But clearly he failed, didn't he?” Yang Ying had some knowledge of Imperial history. This Progenitor Emperor indeed possessed unparalleled talent, a glory that none of his descendants had managed to replicate. Yet, he was clearly gone. If he had succeeded in breaking through to the Fifth Level, how could he have perished?

“True, judging by the result—he failed and vanished. But that is not the whole story. While his push for the Fifth Level was unsuccessful, it was not a total failure. He left behind a precious legacy…”

Yang Ying mused for a moment. “The Sea of Origin Energy?”

“Precisely, the Sea of Origin Energy!” Sandwo’s eyes gleamed with brilliant light.

At these words, Yang Ying recalled hearing that Sandwo had long coveted the Sea of Origin Energy, hoping to discover the secrets of the Fifth Level there. He had once asked the Empress Dowager, whose reply was that no such secret existed within the Sea.

Clearly, whether the secret existed or not, Sandwo bringing it up now was a deliberate act of sowing discord. With numerous attendants and female officials nearby, this conversation would swiftly reach the ears of the two Sovereigns; with their Fourth Level capabilities, even overhearing them would be a matter of merely tilting their heads.

However, Yang Ying felt no concern. If the two Sovereigns lacked even this basic trust in him, then he would not be worth assisting.

“Lord Yang Ying, I shall stop here, lest you suspect me of having ulterior motives. If you are curious about the rest, you may ask their Majesties. Haha, that is all for now; I must take my leave.” With that, Sandwo did not wait for Yang Ying’s reaction, turned on his heel, and departed.

In truth, Yang Ying showed little reaction. He proceeded calmly through several palace gates. Then, the voice of the Empress Dowager suddenly sounded in his ear: “Lord Yang Ying, please ascend to the Upper Garden. There are matters we need to discuss.” Yang Ying acknowledged her, and with a flash of movement, he materialized in the Upper Garden.

The so-called Upper Garden, as its name suggested, was the uppermost of the Palace’s ninety-nine tiered gardens. Standing nearly a thousand meters high, it resembled the peak of a garden-mountain, offering a panoramic view of the entire Imperial Palace—one of its most beautiful locales.

Especially the topmost tier, accessible only to the Empress, the Empress Dowager, and those they permitted. It housed the most exquisite and rarest flora in the galaxy. The garden perimeter was inscribed with runes carved by Level Four beings, creating an environment perfectly suited for these flowers to thrive.

When the flowers bloomed, a riot of color contended for attention. Small sprites, no bigger than a palm and sporting butterfly wings, flitted among them. These were another form of intelligent life in the galaxy, skilled at tending flora and brewing nectar, and remarkably beautiful. Many Imperial nobles employed them to care for their gardens. Watching them busy themselves among the blossoms was like stepping into a fairy tale—truly captivating.

When Yang Ying appeared, he saw that besides the Empress Dowager and the Empress, Baibai was also present. She was playing hide-and-seek with the little sprites, thoroughly enjoying herself as they hid and she sought.

Seeing Yang Ying arrive, she immediately abandoned the sprites and ran toward him, beaming, “Brother Yang Ying! It’s been so long, I missed you so much!”

“You little imp; you have no shame,” the Empress said, gently flicking her cheek. She glanced at Yang Ying, then took Baibai’s hand and walked toward the distance. “Mother has things to discuss with Lord Yang Ying. We will go play elsewhere for a bit, and I’ll bring you back later.”

“Ah?” Baibai was led away by her sister, looking back longingly at Yang Ying. “Brother Yang Ying, I’ll be right back, okay!”

Once they were gone, the Empress Dowager set down the delicate cup in her hand and raised it to summon a sound-dampening barrier, ensuring their conversation remained private. Then she sighed, “As soon as Sandwo arrived, he caused us trouble. Lord Yang Ying, we both trust you won't be swayed into harming us by a few words from Sandwo. There are indeed some secrets within the Sea of Origin Energy. We kept them hidden before because they truly had nothing to do with the Fifth Level. But since Sandwo insists on pinning that nebulous mystery of the Fifth Level onto the Sea of Origin Energy, I suppose I must elaborate on the detailed situation of the Sea of Origin Energy for you.”