Such monumental news reached the Imperial Intelligence Department in the very first moment. Only after confirming it was not a piece of fake news did they immediately dispatch personnel to report it, sending the entire seminar’s visual documentation along to the two Sovereigns.

The two Sovereigns were enjoying afternoon tea together when they first heard the news. Their initial reaction was to question its authenticity. After all, this kind of mass-producible Awakening Potion had been the subject of research for countless Master Apothecaries, yet none had ever succeeded.

Tens of thousands of years ago, following the Great Cataclysm, a massive wave of Awakened True Humans suddenly degenerated into a large population of unawakened Sub-Humans within the Empire. It was then that Apothecaries began researching methods to re-ignite the hidden power within the genes. Thus, they rediscovered a category of potions that had been shelved since the founding of the True Human Empire: Gene Activation Potions.

The top-tier Gene Activation Potions were then considered Level Ten substances. But after millennia of refinement by Master Apothecaries, they were finally simplified into Level Nine potions that held undiminished efficacy. Four hundred years ago, they were further simplified into eight categories of Level Eight substances, easily concocted by any seasoned Apothecary, significantly increasing the number of beneficiaries.

For four centuries, the Apothecary Association strove to simplify this potion further, yielding nothing. There had been almost no progress whatsoever. Yet, this Igor had suddenly simplified it to a Level Five, Category Two formulation! It didn't even require Spiritual Processing anymore.

Though the facts were shocking, the two Sovereigns issued an immediate command: "Summon Igor to the Palace immediately."

From their vantage point at the apex of the Empire’s pyramid, they could easily perceive the value contained within this potion. From this day forward, the Sub-Humans, numbering in the hundreds of times that of the True Humans, would become a significant force. Whoever controlled this potion could bestow favor upon the Sub-Humans in their own name, and even one percent of grateful Sub-Humans would constitute a massive asset.

Of course, there were many tactical nuances to consider, and the two Sovereigns, sitting high above, certainly understood the importance of employing strategy.

They knew this matter could not be kept secret from Sandwor. In fact, Sandwor might already be making moves. This sudden event meant the two factions were about to face an abrupt contest, and the outcome would undoubtedly have profound consequences.

"Elie, contact Duke Durnehau immediately through the Force Sea. He should be on Glacier Star. Once you reach him, instruct him to immediately escort Igor safely to the Capital Star," the Empress Dowager said, rising and pacing a few steps, her brow deeply furrowed. "This old man, whose very veins run with potions, has already reached the venue and met Igor, even evaluating his potion, yet he failed to bring him back to the Capital Star."

"Marquis Durnehau’s political instincts aren't always the sharpest," Empress Mia Ellie offered in defense of Durnehau, pressing her right hand against her temple and closing her eyes. After a moment, she reopened them. "He has been notified. Duke Durnehau replied that he is bringing Igor over right now."

The Empress Dowager nodded. The distance between the Capital Star and Glacier Star was not insignificant; even using a Stargate would take at least ten days to half a month. Many things could transpire in that time. To avoid complications arising from delay, dispatching a Level Four entity to retrieve Igor was necessary, implying the use of a much faster Wormhole for travel.

According to the materials they possessed, Igor was described as a peak Level Three master. This level of strength was no match for the Sandwor Faction, nor did it offer much defense against ordinary Imperial Nobles; a peak Level Three with no backing was far too fragile.

"No, I have a premonition that this potion will inevitably affect the Empire's future. For safety, I must make the journey myself," the Empress Dowager suddenly declared.

"Very well. I will also invite several Dukes, along with the Royal Attendants Yang Ying and Blade, to accompany you, Mother," the Empress stated. She, too, sensed that the Empire's future stood at a critical turning point. Hesitation was not an option; decisive action was required.

"Heaven aids me!" Sandwor laughed three times upon hearing his subordinate's report in his private residence. "If we can control this new Awakening Potion, we will stand invincible! Milleram, Asuwen, Femud, Abili, Dokaris, Lanewi, follow me!"

Sandwor waved his hand in the center of the living room. The four walls shimmered with golden, glittering runes, assembling a three-dimensional runic array with a structured geometric pattern. Such arrays were also present in the palaces within Sandwor’s territory, powered by a potent energy core, capable of greatly amplifying Level Four mental power.

Sandwor waved his hand again, tearing open a wormhole that spanned directly from the Imperial Capital to Glacier Star. He and his retinue stepped through one after another.

At the entrance to a luxurious villa in the dormitory sector of the Glacier Central Academy, Igor opened the door just as a beam of light descended from above. The light dissipated upon landing, revealing Durnehau’s figure standing in the front garden.

"Young man, I didn't expect to meet you so soon. You have indeed returned to the Glacier Central Academy," Durnehau said, immediately taking Igor's hand. "There’s no time for pleasantries; the potion you invented has massive implications, but it also brings immense danger to the Crown. Her Majesty the Empress has already issued an order summoning you to the Palace. Hurry, come with me."

Before finishing his sentence, Durnehau attempted to pull Igor along. But just as they were about to move, Durnehau stiffened. Another wormhole materialized in the sky, and a slender figure draped in a black robe stepped out. A pair of eyes brimming with the aura of death stared at them, sending a chill down the spine.

"Milleram!" Durnehau instantly recognized the newcomer.

However, immediately after, more figures emerged from the wormhole. A tall figure stepped out, ripples of space shimmering around his body.

"Regent Sandwor!" This time, even the nearby students who witnessed the phenomenon recognized him. Sandwor’s image frequently graced the front pages of major media outlets as an idol figure renowned for his military achievements, earning widespread adoration.

Following him, Asuwen, enveloped in glowing runes, Femud with fiery hair, Abili crowned with a halo, Dokaris covered in bone spurs, and Dunleavy, also bearing a halo, emerged sequentially.

On the other side, a large wormhole suddenly opened as well. A woman, appearing to be only in her early thirties, elegant and noble in demeanor yet radiating authority, stepped out first, followed by Yang Ying and Blade, along with nearly ten Imperial Dukes whom the Empress Dowager had hastily gathered, all possessing upper-tier Level Four strength. They were supporters of the Royal Faction.

"Th-th-that’s Her Majesty the Empress Dowager!" The observing students were utterly stunned, staring blankly at the sky, their speech becoming noticeably stammered.

As the two factions appeared in the sky, seventy to eighty figures rushed out from the Academy’s teaching zone and converged upon the dormitory area, arriving near Igor's villa in moments.

Most of the newcomers were clad in scholar robes, their eyes holding a spark of wisdom, yet they were vastly inferior to the Level Four beings hovering overhead. Professor Guldens, whom Yang Ying had met before, was among them. Clearly, this was the Academy's faculty delegation.

"Welcome, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, His Excellency the Regent, and all the Level Four entities to Glacier Central Academy," a tall, thin old man stated, stepping forward with the assembled professors.

This was Professor Pingxigu, the elusive Headmaster of Glacier Central Academy, whom Igor had only met once when confirming his employment, receiving his professorship appointment letter from him.

"This has nothing to do with you today," Sandwor declared, seizing the initiative. "We are here concerning the 'Era Potion' released today." He looked down, his gaze fixed intently on Igor, ignoring Durnehau. "You must be Great Apothecary Igor. I am Regent Sandwor. I am deeply interested in the potion you invented. How about it? Do you wish to cooperate with me to spread this potion to every corner of the Empire, allowing those deserving to benefit?"

Frankly, Sandwor inwardly wished he could strike Igor dead with one blow. He foresaw that the birth of the new Awakening Potion would inevitably diminish the prestige of the Imperial Nobility.

The True Human Nobility today wielded far greater power and authority than their counterparts ten thousand years prior. This was precisely because the mass degeneration of the True Humans had resulted in an Empire now filled with Sub-Humans. Since Sub-Humans were vastly inferior to True Humans in physical strength and intellect, they could only look up to the True Humans, which cemented the increasing power of the Imperial Nobility. But once the Awakening Potion was invented, everyone could become Awakened. If oppression became too severe, the Sub-Humans, should they retaliate, would pose a far greater threat.

This would inevitably force the True Human Nobility to make numerous compromises and yield substantial benefits to the rising Sub-Human masters in the future—a reality that filled Sandwor with deep resentment. Yet, he knew the die was cast; the moment this new Awakening Potion appeared, the general trend was set and could no longer be stopped. Anyone who obstructed it would meet a grim end.

What he could rely on now was securing a voice in the potion's allocation and leading its promotion. If he succeeded, his status would ascend further. If he failed and the Royal Family interfered, the prestige he gained from the Perseus Arm War would be easily overshadowed by the Royals.

After all, victory in war would only excite the populace temporarily, whereas the Awakening Potion was intrinsically linked to the personal interests of trillions of Sub-Humans—they were simply not on the same scale.

"Great Apothecary Igor," the Empress Dowager attempted to keep her tone from sounding overbearing. "On behalf of the Royal Family, I invite you to the Palace. Regarding the new Awakening Potion you invented, I hope we can discuss matters frankly. All terms are negotiable."

Neither the Royal Faction nor the Regent Faction resorted to overt force. At this moment, their lineups were evenly matched, with Sandwor perhaps slightly disadvantaged. However, if a fight broke out, it would be enough to level the entire Academy, and the residual shockwaves alone could easily kill a peak Level Three entity. Therefore, neither side wished to engage. Yet, both feared pushing Igor towards the opposing camp, leading them both to employ appeasing tactics simultaneously.

They waited for Igor’s response.