Shangguan Hong had yet to receive the talisman-bestowed authority; at this moment, his demeanor was proper. "Yes, Elder Lei."

Then he went forward to greet his clan brother, Shangguan Peng.

Shangguan Hong methodically first arranged a temporary place for Shangguan Peng to rest on the mountain, and then he went on to report to his master, Shangguan Ning.

Later that evening, when Shangguan Peng met Shangguan Ning, he first saluted, "Aunt."

"Dispense with the formalities," Shangguan Ning said.

Shangguan Peng took his seat, and Shangguan Hong left with Shangguan Ning's permission.

Although he and Shangguan Peng were of the same generation within the clan, their age difference was considerable—at least two generations apart in secular terms.

Once only Shangguan Ning and her nephew Shangguan Peng remained in the room, Elder Shangguan began to inquire, "Is everything well in the capital?"

Shangguan Peng replied, "On the surface, it is calm, but beneath lies a turbulent undercurrent."

Elder Shangguan was not surprised and nodded slowly.

Shangguan Peng then asked, "Aunt, does the Celestial Master Mansion have any leads on the whereabouts of the Celestial Master Seal and the Celestial Master Robe?"

"Not at the moment, but..." Elder Shangguan said, slightly furrowing her brow, "I have an intuition that something might be amiss with the Celestial Master Seal."

"'Oh?'" Shangguan Peng responded.

Elder Shangguan explained, "Seven years ago, after Qingfeng passed away, external enemies attacked the mountain. The sacred artifact showed its spirit, and the Celestial Master Seal briefly appeared. Unfortunately, it disappeared again. Li Zhengxuan even accidentally lost the Celestial Master's Sword during that time. A year ago, turmoil erupted within Our Sect, leading to a great battle on the mountain. As a result, the Celestial Master's Sword finally reemerged and returned to Dragon Tiger Mountain. However, during that battle, the Celestial Master Seal did not reappear as the Celestial Master's Sword had."

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Peng pondered, "Aunt, do you mean to say the Celestial Master Seal might already have a master, and it's not just drifting on its own? Could it be in the hands of someone on Dragon Tiger Mountain?"

Elder Shangguan shook her head. "There are no clues as of yet."

She looked at Shangguan Peng. "I have two matters to ask you about."

Shangguan Peng felt the solemnity from the middle-aged Female Crown opposite him. "Please ask, Aunt."

"The first matter," Elder Shangguan began, "the last time the Celestial Master Seal appeared seven years ago, the Moon Chamber Master from Suzhou also emerged near Dragon Tiger Mountain to try to subdue the Celestial Master Seal. It seemed in the end that everyone failed, but is it truly so?"

"Based on what your nephew knows," Shangguan Peng replied, "Chu Sheren did not obtain the Celestial Master Seal, but as for the true situation, I dare not presume."

Elder Shangguan nodded and then asked, "The second matter is about that mysterious person who continuously attacked Qingfeng and Hongyu?"

"There's no additional news at the moment," Shangguan Peng said, "but it should not be..."

He looked up, his words trailing off, but Elder Shangguan had already received the answer she wanted. "I see."

"Aunt," Shangguan Peng asked, "the person who plotted against the previous Celestial Master seven years ago, and the one who reappeared a year ago—are we certain it's the same person?"

"According to the shared opinions of Yao, Yuan, and myself," Elder Shangguan stated, "it is undoubtedly the same person."

Shangguan Peng silently nodded.

Elder Shangguan changed the subject. "I heard you also went to the Southwest recently to coordinate with the Moon Chamber Master?"

"Yes," Shangguan Peng replied. "The turmoil in the Southwest is largely quelled for now, but the root cause is not eliminated, and there are fears of resurgence."

"So, it really was the remnants of the former dynasty?" Elder Shangguan asked.

"This time," Shangguan Peng said, "it should be the true remnants of the previous dynasty. There are indications that, in recent years, they have been recuperating in the Southern Wilderness, gradually gaining some traction, yet still acting in secret. We need to investigate further."

"The Southern Wilderness, eh?" Elder Shangguan mused. "Its bloodshed and chaos are not something ordinary people can withstand, but it indeed may afford a slim chance of survival to the few who are desperate."

She turned to look at Shangguan Peng. "But, is there any assistance from the major Confucian families in the background?"

"'It's not impossible!'" Shangguan Peng affirmed.

On another side, at Yuan Mobai's residence, Lei Jun sat opposite his master Yuan Mobai, discussing the current situation in the Great Tang Dynasty.

"Although the Great Tang appears tranquil for the moment, both the Tang Imperial Court and the noble families continue to quietly make their moves."

"That's right," Yuan Mobai said, the warm smile still on his face. "There are some matters for which we too need to be prepared."

"What does Master refer to?" Lei Jun asked.

"The latest news," Yuan Mobai said, "is that Her Majesty the Empress intends to establish a new Scholarly Mansion outside the Imperial College."

Lei Jun's eyes flashed upon hearing this.

The Imperial College was the highest educational institution of the Great Tang Dynasty. It was responsible not only for overseeing educational affairs throughout the nation but also served as the official highest Confucian educational institution of the Great Tang. Especially as the central official school, it was the preparatory educational institution for Great Tang officials.

It had six schools within it: the National School, Grand School, Four Schools, School of Law, School of Letters, and School of Mathematics.

It is worth mentioning that the National School only admitted children of officials of the third rank or higher. The Grand School admitted children of officials of the fifth rank or higher, and the Four Schools admitted children of officials of the seventh rank or higher. The schools of Law, Letters, and Mathematics were open to the children of lower-rank officials and commoner students.

Now, it's time for a question: If only the children of third, fifth, and higher-ranking officials could study in the top educational institutions like the National School and the Grand School, then what kind of people were their parents and ancestors? Moreover, what could be the extent of their relations with those noble Confucian scholarly families who had passed down Scriptures Studies for generations, such as those of the Five Clans and Seven Families?

There is a saying among the people that the Emperor and the noble families share the rule of the world, and this is reflected in every aspect.

"So, Her Majesty the Empress intends to open a new Scholarly Mansion outside the Imperial College," Lei Jun deduced. "The basis for the Confucian classics comes from the Xiao Clan of Longwai?"

In doing so, it truly is not Her Majesty showing favoritism towards the noble families; rather, she is digging into the cornerstones of the Five Clans and Seven Families, and with a single fierce strike, one can already see their foundation. The Xiao Clan of Longwai had entirely given itself over.

Lei Jun was already speculating on the upcoming reactions from the other great families. The Xiao Clan of Longwai had not been wiped out by the demon chaos, but now they need to be wary of threats from fellow members of the Human Race, and even from those who share the Confucian heritage.

Her Majesty's actions are more significant than expected, Lei Jun deduced.

Yuan Mobai slowly added, "The founding of the new Scholarly Mansion is not only about the continuation of Confucian teachings. Her Majesty the Empress intends to call upon the descendants of Sacred Lands from both Buddhist and Daoist sects, as well as scholars from all over, to join in this grand endeavor."

Hearing this, Lei Jun's expression turned complex.

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