In Duke Zumar's guest chamber, the old Duke and his visitors were gathered around a low table. Upon a small table before them rested a set of teaware, white porcelain bordered with gold filigree. One long-necked kettle hovered in mid-air, its spout pouring a pale, jade-colored, perfectly transparent liquid into several cups.

Yang Ying knew this drink to be simultaneously utterly commonplace and profoundly unique; its name was simple: Dew Blossom Tea. The myths spoke of ancient deities who sustained themselves on wind and dew—and this "drinking of dew" referred precisely to this tea.

Its preparation involved gathering over a hundred varieties of floral dew at the break of dawn, blending them through a specific process. Upon tasting, the flavor profile shifted endlessly, pleasing both refined and common palates, making it universally welcomed throughout the Empire.

Ordinary Dew Blossom Tea required only a simple mixing of floral dews, and the hundred-plus dew sources were easily sourced anywhere within the Empire, allowing for infinite, flexible combinations based on the drinker's preference.

High-grade Dew Blossom Tea, however, was entirely different. Not only were the required flower species exacting—with the most precious tea-blossom strains valued in the tens of millions—but the method of collection was strictly regulated, forbidding any irregular action that might compromise the dew's original essence.

Beyond this, the blending technique was paramount. High-grade Dew Blossom Tea, much like high-level elixirs, demanded spiritual refinement during its creation!

Among apothecaries, there was a specialized branch known as Tea Masters, established solely for the crafting of premium Dew Blossom Tea. How to blend this tea had evolved into a distinct field of study, an art form in itself.

Dew Blossom Tea was more than a mere beverage; it possessed the function of balancing the body's nutritional elements, operating with bidirectional regulation—dispelling excess and supplementing deficiency. A single cup could eliminate sub-optimal health states, conditioning the body to its most perfect, harmonious condition.

And premium Dew Blossom Tea could even transmit an artistic intent—conveying understanding that was better felt than spoken—through the medium of the tea itself.

Should an Awakened Sub-Human regularly consume high-grade Dew Blossom Tea, their chances of breaking through the bottleneck when advancing to the Third Tier would be several times higher than others.

Even for an Awakened One at the Third Tier striving to reach the Fourth, the Way of Tea could serve as a crucial avenue for breakthrough.

The higher the grade of the tea, the more demanding the requirement for spiritual processing; indeed, the difficulty in blending the absolute highest-grade Dew Blossom Tea rivaled that of a Tenth-Level Elixir! Even across the entire Empire, few individuals could master the creation of the supreme varieties.

Duke Zumar, however, was clearly one of them.

The Dew Blossom Tea he served Yang Ying and his companions was made from dews gathered that very morning from the botanical gardens nestled at the foot of the small hill, refined by his masterful hands. Most of the rare flora growing in the gardens below the hill comprised prime strains of tea blossoms.

Yang Ying seemed to conjure the scene before him: dawn breaking, a thin mist shrouding the base of the hill, Duke Zumar standing on a balcony, holding a teapot, beckoning toward the distant gardens. Countless dews flew out from the grounds, converging upon him, undergoing spiritual refinement mid-flight. By the time they reached him, they were already perfectly blended. The old Duke caught them in his pot, the entire process devoid of any earthly fuss.

"The Eldest Princess is twelve this year. While she is still quite young, as a member of the Royal Family, it is time for her to begin engaging with serious matters."

Duke Zumar raised his cup and took a delicate sip, his movements utterly natural, as if this was his destined posture, leaving no room for awkwardness.

"That relies greatly on your guidance, Duke Zumar. My mother and elder sister have always told me that you are the Empire's finest educator, and that Sophie will surely have much to learn from you. They instructed me to seek your counsel often once I enter the Academy."

Bai Bai mimicked the old Duke’s action, taking a sip. Her eyes suddenly brightened, revealing a look of sheer delight, clearly a sensation brought on by the tea.

"Heh-ho..."

Duke Zumar chuckled. Bai Bai's demeanor pleased him. As the Headmaster of the First Royal Academy, he had seen countless talented individuals over the millennia; his discerning eye ranked among the very best in the galaxy. In his memory, there were not only people who performed better than Bai Bai, but far too many.

However, profound knowledge, social graces, and situational adaptability were all external qualities; provided one had the correct method of learning, deficiencies in these areas could be rectified through post-acquisition study.

Duke Zumar had long since ceased focusing on these surface displays. His gaze delved deeper, piercing through subtle nuances to reach the core essence of a person, discerning the true potential a soul possessed.

In his eyes, Bai Bai’s potential was satisfactory; with systematic training, she could certainly bear the status of a minor royal and manage the power and obligations that came with it. The old Duke shifted his gaze to Yang Ying, then suddenly smiled and spoke, "Lord Yang Ying, I have been hearing your name quite frequently these past days."

"Oh?" Yang Ying felt the Duke's gaze contained something deeper, but merely inquired, "Indeed?"

"They say you are of unknown origin and ambiguous intent—a dangerous faction. They claim the Royal Family has barred the tiger at the front gate only to welcome the wolf through the back door, introducing you insidious individuals to the court merely to counterbalance Regent Sandvor."

The Duke’s tone was utterly level, as though discussing the weather, yet the words he spoke were razor-sharp thrusts aimed at the heart.

"While I understand many speak of us behind our backs, Your Grace is the first to be so direct to my face."

Yang Ying smiled without concern, raising his cup to toast the Duke, his own demeanor equally ethereal, as if discussing a pleasant afternoon.

In truth, neither Yang Ying nor Duke Zumar were posturing. When one’s cultivation of the spirit and one’s external status reached their level, these matters were seen with absolute clarity; what was there to fear in speaking them aloud? Their inner composure was like the bright moon reflecting over the vast river, undisturbed by the slightest ripple.

But Bai Bai was unhappy hearing this. She quickly spoke up in Yang Ying’s defense: "Your Grace, Brother Yang Ying would never harbor ill intentions."

"I know, Princess. Don't fret. I haven't finished," the old Duke nodded, then turned back to Yang Ying. "I was observing Lord Yang Ying when you visited the various great houses a while back. At that time, some claimed you had revealed your true colors, attempting to form factions and build your own power base within the Imperial upper echelon. Frankly, I shared that particular concern for a time.

"But based on subsequent events, you visited everyone solely under the Royal Family's banner, showing no intent to establish your own influence. You even presented materials needed to formulate the Resurrection Elixir, yet you didn't leverage this to expand your own standing; instead, you gifted all those materials to the Royal Family to use as leverage to court a large number of nobles.

"Judging by your actions since arriving in the Empire, you are either genuinely planning for the Royal Family's benefit, or you harbor a conspiracy so deeply hidden that you would sacrifice even the Resurrection Elixir as a disguise. If it is the latter, that is a scale of intrigue rarely seen."

"Your Grace, why do you still say that?" Bai Bai grew more agitated. "You are still doubting Brother Yang Ying! I already said Brother Yang Ying is absolutely trustworthy!"

Katerina reached out and gently stroked Bai Bai’s hair, calming the little girl.

"Duke Zumar is actually correct," Yang Ying told Bai Bai as well. "Complete trust in any single individual is a valuable quality. But for the Royal Family, offering absolute trust to anyone is an extremely perilous act. You will need to learn this as well."

Bai Bai nodded, then shook her head, lowering her gaze. She fell silent, lost in thought.

"Of course, from my own perspective, I would prefer to believe in Lord Yang Ying's goodwill toward the Royal Family," Duke Zumar added. "However, I wish to tell you a story."

"What story?" Bai Bai looked up and asked.

"Long, long ago, the Empire had an outstanding general. He was brave and upright; everyone who approached him could feel that intense spirit. He rendered countless distinguished services to the Empire, making immense contributions even during the Great Cataclysm. After the Cataclysm, many Fourth-Tier beings had fallen in battle against the invaders from beyond the river galaxies. The Empire was severely weakened. Your great-grandfather admired that general, granting him immense authority, hoping that under his protection, the Empire's glory might continue unbroken."

Pausing there, Duke Zumar asked Bai Bai, "Do you know this general's name?"

Bai Bai thought for a moment, then shook her head, indicating she did not.

"It was Sandwor," Duke Zumar slowly revealed the answer.

"Impossible?" Bai Bai exclaimed. "That great villain—how could he be... brave and upright? That's too strange."

"It is true. I once met the young Doudewor," Duke Zumar gasped slightly. "He truly was a brave and upright man in those days. He constantly held the Empire's Founding Emperor as his idol. As everyone knows, the Founding Emperor made a grand vow: that humanity would eventually ascend to sainthood. He ultimately sacrificed himself to forge the Sea of Origin Power, fulfilling that vow, ensuring that original humans could evolve into True Humans, removing the bottlenecks on the path toward transcendence."

"The Great Cataclysm changed everything, causing most True Humans to regress into original humans. Sandwor, after that, constantly sought to reverse this, to restore the flourishing state where all True Humans Awakened. Unexpectedly, as time passed, Sandwor gradually strayed onto a twisted path. He became extremist, intent on seizing control of the Sea of Origin Power, breaking through to the Fifth Tier, and using the power of the Fifth Tier to achieve a grand feat even the Founding Emperor never touched."

Duke Zumar looked at Yang Ying, then at Bai Bai, and concluded, "Therefore, as a member of the Royal Family, especially one now, you cannot afford to be willful."