This was a luxurious cruise liner named the Freedom. Its passengers hailed from the sole high-level civilization in the A Starfield—they were all the elite, the wealthy, and the powerful. Their destination lay within the H Starfield, at the Red Feather Federation.

Though merely a cruise ship, the Freedom was rated 'Super-Planetary Class,' possessing combat capabilities rivaling a Super-Planetary warship, rendering it unafraid of any pirates.

As a liner exclusively for the use of advanced civilizations, it was recognized and protected by every high-level polity. Thus, barring a cosmic catastrophe, there was virtually no danger involved.

Banquets were crucial social arenas within the upper echelons of society. Here, people forged connections, exchanged intelligence with peers, and discussed current affairs.

For anyone aboard, this was a place brimming with opportunity.

On the Freedom, galas were held every few days, providing a dedicated platform for interaction among the passengers.

Despite the vessel's immense size, the actual number of passengers was relatively small: just over a thousand deeply influential figures, accompanied by tens of thousands of their retinue.

On this particular day, the Freedom hosted another banquet, organized by a certain Duke. A banquet could not, after all, lack a host, and these luminaries had a tacit agreement to take turns organizing such events.

The grand hall was opulently decorated; the pervasive golden hue lent the entire space an air of solemn grandeur, while perfectly modulated, melodious music kept the atmosphere light and pleasant.

People stood in small clusters throughout the hall, engaging in hushed conversations. Occasionally, a burst of laughter would ripple through the air. Gracefully dressed attendants circulated among the guests, carrying trays of wine, offering refills.

In a far corner of the hall, however, stood a figure markedly out of place. He observed the crowd with detached coolness, as if scrutinizing these powerful elites.

He held a wine glass, filled with golden liquor. He gently swirled the liquid, his posture elegant. Though standing alone, he did not appear awkward. A faint, almost imperceptible smile played on his lips—neither appearing entirely unapproachable nor inviting familiarity, maintaining a perfect, measured distance.

After a long while, he withdrew his gaze and sank into contemplation.

A moment later, his expression shifted, and a hand landed squarely on his shoulder. A somewhat flippant voice sounded near his ear: "Well, Xiao Yu? I didn't bring you to the wrong place, did I? This place is truly a sea of beauties. I saw your eyes darting around just now. Find anything to your liking? Just say the word, and I'll sort it out for you."

The young man called Xiao Yu glanced at the speaker, then took a slow sip of his wine without acknowledging him.

The speaker was another young man, roughly the same age as Xiao Yu, handsome, with an unrestrained, jaunty air that seemed utterly at odds with the formal banquet.

"Still so aloof," the speaker remarked, already accustomed to the attitude and unperturbed. His eyes darted around again. "What about what I mentioned last time? Have you given it any thought?"

"Xiao Yu" remained silent, as if he hadn't heard a word.

The young man persisted. "Boss, you are so magnificent and handsome, yet you pilot such a delicate, effeminate mech. It hardly suits your brilliant and martial image, does it? Why not just hand her over to me? I have a 'Blaze' mech; taking that out broadcasts pure masculinity—it would be a perfect match for you."

Xiao Yu gave him an exasperated look, knowing that if he didn't respond, the other man could drone on for a full hour. "You want to give it to that girl, don't you? Her skill level isn't high enough; if you give it to her now, she won't be able to pilot it."

The young man chuckled conspiratorially. "Boss has eyes like a torch! Even if she can't fly it now, she can save it for later. Her birthday is coming up soon. Boss, have mercy, help me out this once."

Xiao Yu shook his head. Just then, an attendant passed by. He placed his wine glass on a passing tray and moved toward the table where the food was laid out.

The young man swiftly followed. "Boss, regarding the price, we can negotiate. How about I add another one hundred Origin Stones to the 'Blaze'?"

Xiao Yu abruptly stopped and spun around to face him, his expression strangely complex.

The young man became uncharacteristically awkward, fidgeting slightly. "I know, one hundred Origin Stones is a bit low, but I'm a little short on funds right now. Look, as long as you agree to the trade, everything else is negotiable."

Xiao Yu continued walking to the table laden with food. A server stationed there respectfully presented him with a small plate and cutlery.

Waving away the server's assistance, he used the knife himself to cut a piece of meat onto his plate, then diced it into fine morsels, spearing one with his fork and bringing it to his mouth.

The young man beside him eagerly offered a glass of wine. Xiao Yu glanced over, seeing the man's face plastered with an ingratiating smile. Amused internally, he remained highly cautious. This young man possessed an illustrious pedigree, yet he fawned over Xiao Yu to such an extent; his hidden depths were truly unfathomable.

Xiao Yu leisurely finished the entire plate of meat cubes before finally speaking. "That girl must have a background that is far from simple if you're putting so much effort into pursuing her."

The young man paused, then nodded. "Naturally." If it weren't for her background, he thought, I would have taken her by force long ago. Why bother with all this effort?

Xiao Yu smiled faintly and suddenly posed a question: "You've never truly pursued a girl, have you?"

The ingratiating smile vanished from the young man's face. He stroked his chin, and a strange glint flashed briefly in his eyes—a momentary flicker that Xiao Yu, however, caught instantly.

The young man nodded. "No."

Xiao Yu continued, "With your status and standing, any woman you show even the slightest hint of interest in will practically throw herself at your feet. Whether willingly or through coercion from those around you."

The young man froze, realizing the truth of the statement as he reflected on it.

"When things come too easily, you lose out on much of the genuine pleasure in male-female interaction," Xiao Yu chuckled softly. "You rely too heavily on your power and influence to obtain what you desire. Of course, there's nothing wrong with that; it's your advantage, and it would be idiotic not to use it. But the consequence of over-reliance is this: when your influence wanes, you're left floundering."

The young man managed a bitter smile. "You're right."

Xiao Yu gave him a look heavy with meaning—the first genuine emotion he had shown.

"The force behind that girl is at least equal to yours, which is why you must pursue her through conventional channels," Xiao Yu said, carefully slicing another piece of meat into small portions.

The young man scrutinized Xiao Yu anew, trying to decipher the true intent behind his words.

"Unfortunately, you're using the wrong method," Xiao Yu added, accepting a bottle of sauce from the server and drizzling it over the meat cubes.

"That girl is indeed stunning—indeed, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." Xiao Yu recalled the breathtaking shock he felt when he first laid eyes on her, still struggling to believe such beauty existed in the world.

The server, overhearing their conversation, experienced a sudden flicker in his placid smile, his gaze becoming slightly vacant.

Xiao Yu glanced at him casually. "A woman like that… trying to impress her with a single gift…" He chuckled, letting the sentence trail off.

The young man sighed deeply. He knew the odds were slim, but he had to try, as he saw no better alternative.

"I know, but even a tiny chance—I won't give up," the young man declared, his eyes blazing with fierce light. "I may be lacking in other areas, but my judgment of quality is sound. Your blue mech is undoubtedly a masterpiece among Seven-Star mechs. What's more rare is…"

Seven-Star? Xiao Yu smiled but offered no explanation. He shook his head. "Regardless of anything else, I will not trade 'Linglong' to you."

The young man's eyes narrowed, and a chilling coldness emanated from his narrow gaze, enough to make one uneasy. This, Xiao Yu thought, must be his true face. The arrogance he usually displays is merely a mask.

Xiao Yu knew that statement had thoroughly offended him. Given the young man's temperament, he would never rest until he achieved his goal. While Xiao Yu wasn't afraid of him, he still needed his assistance for certain matters and couldn't afford an outright confrontation yet.

"However, I can help you."

"Oh? How?" A mocking smirk flashed across the young man’s lips and vanished. He was determined to acquire that mech, by any means necessary. Even after Xiao Yu's concession, the young man knew that subtle persuasion was now failing.

"Gift-giving is highly nuanced; it depends on the existing rapport between the parties, their relationship, and the objective of the gift. Sometimes, an overly generous gift can backfire."

"Oh?" The young man found himself interested. He wanted to see what strategy Xiao Yu could devise. Given his position, he rarely concerned himself with giving gifts; others were always giving to him. He occasionally bought lavish presents for his women, but that was the extent of it.

"Choosing the right gift is a skill. Take romance, for example: for an ordinary girl, throwing money at the problem usually works. But she lacks nothing financially, and she’s seen items more valuable than yours."

"Presumably, she isn't swayed by such things," Xiao Yu murmured, the image of the girl surfacing in his mind again. He paused, then continued, "At this point, you must cater to her specific interests. Only by choosing a gift that touches her heart can you truly move her and make her look at you differently."

He glanced at the young man again, smiling. "Of course, everyone understands this principle. The difficulty lies in selecting the gift that perfectly suits her taste."

Xiao Yu looked at the young man seriously. "Young Master Hong, you have helped me greatly during this time. Even if I were ungrateful, I know how to repay favors. Leave this matter to me."

Young Master Hong’s eyes flickered, then he burst into laughter, his previous flippant demeanor instantly returning. "If I entrust this to you, Boss, I feel assured."

Xiao Yu chuckled, a little impressed by the speed of his emotional transition.

This Xiao Yu was, in fact, Zhong Yun, the newly crowned Emperor of the Galaxy Empire. He had adopted the alias Yun Zhongyu. After leaving the Empire, he coincidentally rescued Young Master Hong from pirates in the Wushi Star System.

Having witnessed Zhong Yun's strength, Young Master Hong sought to cultivate a close relationship. Zhong Yun needed a legitimate public identity, so their alliance was struck immediately.

Young Master Hong had considerable backing and was en route to the Federation to conclude a major business deal for his family when he was ambushed by pirates. He had insisted Zhong Yun accompany him onto the Freedom, and since Zhong Yun needed Hong to cover his true identity, he had complied.

From Young Master Hong, Zhong Yun gleaned the recent state of affairs: the wars initiated by the advanced civilizations across various starfields were nearing an end. Only a handful of intermediate civilizations had managed to escape annihilation.

Zhong Yun suspected that the power of these advanced civilizations had reached its absolute peak, leaving them unable to expand further, forcing a halt to their advance.

Regardless, the civilized universe was entering a temporary period of peace.

However, Zhong Yun knew this was merely the prelude to a much larger storm. When the time was right, a massive conflict would erupt, one that would sweep across the entire cosmos—a war between the high-level civilizations themselves.

Simultaneously, communication between the advanced nations had intensified.

Zhong Yun gathered from Hong’s casual remarks that they intended to form an alliance with the Federation, as the two powers had no direct conflict of interest.

The doctrine of making friends with distant powers while attacking near ones was in effect. Envoys from every advanced civilization were mobilized, beginning complex maneuvers of alliances and unions.

Having grasped the general situation of the civilized universe, one of Zhong Yun’s objectives was complete.

His reason for venturing out, besides keeping abreast of external affairs so as not to be blind, was primarily to acquire Origin Stones.

He possessed many valuable assets, especially "Linglong" and "Lone Goose," but these could not be sold openly. He needed an alternative strategy.

He had inquired about the market: a first-grade Origin Stone fetched a market price of one hundred thousand Galactic Credits. Second-grade stones and above were priceless.

Galactic Credits were the universal currency among advanced civilizations, pegged to the hard currency of Energy Blocks: one Galactic Credit equaled one hundred units of energy. This meant one first-grade Origin Stone was equivalent to ten million units of energy.

Zhong Yun needed to earn a substantial fortune.

Yet, there was a problem: surveillance in high-level civilizations was extremely strict. Those without proper identity papers could not enter these nations.

The standard procedure required candidates to pass rigorous assessments in both intelligence and physical conditioning before being designated as probationary citizens. This probationary period lasted twenty years, during which they faced severe restrictions, such as constant monitoring and bans on residence in core areas.

These harsh prerequisites deterred Zhong Yun from seeking citizenship. But without the status of an advanced civilization citizen, entry was impossible. Since most intermediate civilization nations were wiped out and turned into colonies, Zhong Yun would face the status of a slave, or worse, wherever he went.

Therefore, he needed Young Master Hong. With Hong's connections, securing an identity would not be difficult.

Although he now possessed a high-level identity, without Hong's protection, entering the Federation—the second stage of intermediate civilizations—was out of the question.

He had to help Young Master Hong, and he had to do it brilliantly.

Back in his quarters, Young Master Hong handed over all the data he possessed regarding the girl.

Zhong Yun reviewed the information, growing increasingly certain. He had started with only a five-tenths chance of success, but now he felt an eighty-percent certainty. "Leave this to me."

Young Master Hong was intensely curious about his methods and pressed him repeatedly, but seeing only a calm smile, he relented. While his curiosity was almost unbearable, he held back from disturbing Zhong Yun.

"That girl is truly beautiful," Xiao Yu mused aloud again, looking at the food table. "Tsk, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen." He was still shaken by the memory of the impact she had on him.

"Gift-giving is critical; it depends on the relationship between the two parties, their connection, and the purpose of the offering. Sometimes, an overly valuable gift can be counterproductive," he explained to the young man.

"Oh?" The young man became slightly interested. He wanted to see what kind of logic Xiao Yu would present. Given his standing, he wasn't accustomed to planning how to gift others; people always gifted to him.

"Selecting the gift is a discipline. Take romance between sexes: for ordinary girls, money usually solves it. But she lacks nothing, and she’s seen valuables beyond what you own."

"It seems she isn't someone impressed by these things," Xiao Yu remarked, the girl's image flashing before him again. He paused, then continued, "In a case like this, you must cater to her desires. Only a gift that truly resonates in her heart can make her see you differently."

He looked at the young man again, smiling. "Of course, everyone understands this truth. The hard part is choosing the gift that truly meets her expectations."

Xiao Yu looked seriously at the young man. "Young Master Hong, you've helped me immensely during this period. Even if I were ungrateful, I know how to reciprocate. Let me handle this matter."

Young Master Hong's eyes flickered, then he laughed heartily, his usual buoyant energy instantly returning. "If I entrust this to you, Boss, I feel assured."

Xiao Yu chuckled, slightly admiring the rapidity of the man’s emotional shift.

This Xiao Yu was, in fact, Zhong Yun, the newly ascendant Emperor of the Galaxy Empire. He was traveling under the guise of Yun Zhongyu. After departing the Empire, he happened upon Young Master Hong being held by pirates in the Wushi Star System and rescued him.

Impressed by Zhong Yun's strength, Young Master Hong tried desperately to win him over. Zhong Yun needed a legitimate identity, and the two found themselves a perfect match.

Young Master Hong had deep roots and was en route to the Federation on behalf of his family for a critical business negotiation when he was intercepted by pirates. He had insisted Zhong Yun accompany him onto the Freedom, and since Zhong Yun needed Hong to conceal his true identity, he had agreed.

From Young Master Hong, Zhong Yun learned the recent developments: the wars instigated by the advanced civilizations across the starfields were concluding. Only a small fraction of intermediate states were spared total destruction.

Zhong Yun surmised that the power of these advanced polities had reached its saturation point, making further expansion unfeasible, thus halting their advance.

In any case, the civilized universe was experiencing a temporary lull.

Yet, Zhong Yun knew this was merely the calm before a larger tempest. When the moment arrived, a far greater conflict would erupt, engulfing the entire cosmos—a war between the advanced civilizations themselves.

Meanwhile, diplomatic contact between these high-level powers had become frequent.

Zhong Yun gathered from Hong’s fragmented stories that they were keen on forming an alliance with the Federation, as the two entities lacked direct, overriding conflicts of interest.

Following the strategy of befriending distant allies while countering immediate threats, envoys from every advanced civilization were dispatched, initiating intricate webs of alliances and stratagems.

Having thus grasped the broader cosmological landscape, one of Zhong Yun’s primary tasks was complete.

His reasons for leaving the Empire, besides surveying the external situation so as not to remain ignorant, were primarily focused on acquiring Origin Stones.

He possessed several valuable items, notably "Linglong" and "Lone Goose," but neither could be sold openly. He required another means.

He had researched the market: a first-grade Origin Stone commanded a market price of one hundred thousand Galactic Credits. Second-grade stones and above were effectively unobtainable.

Galactic Credits were the standard currency among advanced civilizations, directly linked to the tangible asset of Energy Blocks: one Galactic Credit equaled one hundred units of energy. Thus, one first-grade Origin Stone was worth ten million units of energy.

Zhong Yun needed to amass considerable wealth.

The obstacle, however, was surveillance in advanced civilizations; those without proper credentials could not gain entry.

The normal route involved undergoing assessments testing not only intelligence but also physical capability to qualify as a probationary citizen. This probation period spanned twenty years, burdened by severe restrictions, such as intense monitoring and prohibitions against residing in core sectors.

These demanding conditions discouraged Zhong Yun from seeking citizenship. But without the status of an advanced civilization citizen, entry was barred. With intermediate states largely eliminated and colonized by the advanced powers, Zhong Yun would find himself in the status of a slave, or worse, everywhere he went.

Hence, he needed Young Master Hong. With Hong's influence, obtaining an identity was feasible.

Even with his current high-level identity, without Hong’s backing, entering the Federation—the second-tier intermediate state—was impossible.

He absolutely had to assist Young Master Hong, and he had to execute it flawlessly.

Upon returning to his room, Young Master Hong furnished him with every piece of data he possessed concerning the girl.

Zhong Yun scanned the profiles, his confidence solidifying. His initial five-tenths probability had jumped to eight-tenths. "Leave this matter to me."

Young Master Hong was intensely curious about his planned methods and questioned him repeatedly, but when Zhong Yun only offered a faint smile, he backed off. Though eager to know, he dared not antagonize someone so powerful, especially a Mech Master of Zhong Yun’s caliber.

The sheer strength Young Master Hong had witnessed during the rescue remained vividly etched in his memory. He secretly speculated that this man might be comparable to Hai Yue, the foremost expert among the younger generation in the Empire, a Seventh-Grade Mech Master. If he could be recruited, it was best to try.

Subsequently, Zhong Yun remained secluded in his room for ten full days. Young Master Hong commanded that no one disturb him. Though tortured by curiosity, he maintained discipline and refrained from seeking him out.

Ten days later, Zhong Yun finally emerged, handing a small box to Young Master Hong. "My assignment is fulfilled."

Young Master Hong moved to open it, but Zhong Yun raised a hand. "This box is specially made; it will be destroyed upon opening."

Young Master Hong hesitated, then decided against opening it, instead turning the box over and over in his hands, looking skeptical. This little thing can move that celestial beauty?

"What exactly is inside? You have to give me some indication," Young Master Hong finally pressed. He was inherently cautious; he had never seen this object and was wary of presenting it to the woman without knowing its nature. If anything went wrong, even his family might not shield him.

Zhong Yun smiled. "Nothing much, just a painting."

"A painting?" Young Master Hong frowned.

"She is quite fascinated by the Kalan civilization, and I happen to possess a painting of that style. It’s perfect for her."

"A Kalan painting?" Young Master Hong’s eyes narrowed. He was not ignorant; if it were genuinely a relic from the Kalan era, its value would be immense. National treasures of that caliber surpassed the worth of his blue mech.

After a moment’s deliberation, Young Master Hong asked, "How much is this painting? Name your price."

Zhong Yun shook his head. "It’s a gift for you."

Young Master Hong bristled. "What do you mean? If you refuse payment, I will not accept this painting," he declared, pushing the box back.

Zhong Yun looked at him, surprised. Indeed, an elite honed by a prominent family—generous, unwilling to take advantage. Zhong Yun had initially pegged him as merely a calculating hedonist, but now he realized he had underestimated him.

Of course, Zhong Yun’s sheer capability was what earned him this respect from Young Master Hong. Otherwise, he would never receive such treatment.

Regardless, Young Master Hong’s conduct earned Zhong Yun's approval. He dropped any pretense of formality and simply said, "You can decide on compensation later."

Young Master Hong considered this and agreed.

After Zhong Yun departed, Young Master Hong stroked the box. Hearing that it was a Kalan painting, he felt a surge of confidence.

Then, his gaze sharpened, and he summoned his attendant, pointing at the box. "Take this out and inspect it. Ensure there are no dangerous components."

As the attendant carefully carried the box away, he added a final instruction. "Remember, do not open it."

P: Ugh, the monthly ticket count looks grim; I'm begging for some monthly tickets. First release