The Earth Federation had long been dominated by multiple military conglomerates, yet among all of them, the prototype battleship developed by Hadrow Defense Corporation quickly entered mass production. Unlike the immediate adoption seen with Hadrow's new ship, other defense firms barely managed to produce just two advanced capital ships along with accompanying warships, patrol vessels and assault craft for evaluation trials.

The evaluation results left no doubt - the Nantianmen Heavy Battlecruiser and Beitianmen Battlecruiser outperformed all competitors' new designs by over twenty percent on average. In every critical category from maximum power output to unit power ratios, top speed, acceleration rates, maneuverability, defensive capabilities, firepower intensity, and electronic control systems - these twin ship classes consistently surpassed the competition.

Before Zhua Hua could hurriedly prepare for his ritual fusion ceremony in Paris, military evaluation representatives had already declared the Nantianmen as the Federation's next-generation flagship class, with the Beitianmen set to become a core component of their space fleet. According to the Federation's aggressive procurement plan, at least one thousand vessels would be produced, forming a powerful armada capable of completely annihilating Roman fleets.

"Yet our procurement plan was rejected by the Federation Council," murmured Zhua Hua from his command chamber aboard an inbound warship, his face dark with fury as he pointed to the holographic image of middle-aged man. "This is Christopher Jo-an, eldest son of House Jo-an and head of the Budget Committee. He's the one who blocked our request."

Zhua Hua stomped around in frustration - this procurement contract would solidify Hadrow Defense's position as Earth Federation's premier arms supplier. The rejection felt like someone reaching directly into his own pocket to steal money.

Christopher Jo-an, a pale and delicate-looking man in conservative gray business attire, appeared like an ancient granite slab in the projection. His washed-out linen shirt had frayed edges, his tidy tie showed signs of wear, and his old-fashioned black-rimmed glasses gave him an air of rigid austerity that was almost archaeological.

"Gunter Bell," Gu Xiechen ordered his subordinate stationed at the lunar base, "I need full intelligence on Christopher Jo-an."

Within a minute, Bell Adams delivered comprehensive files. As Gu Xiechen rapidly scanned through them, he and Zhua Hua exchanged stunned glances - one document revealed Christopher's son Ben Jo-an. A handsome yet effeminate playboy lacking any of the family's noble traits, this wastrel was known for his vices.

"This is him!" Gu Xiechen muttered, tapping the projection. His finger pierced through it to leave ripples across Ben's face in the hologram.

Zhua Hua rolled his eyes upward, crossed his arms behind his head and sighed loudly, kicking his leg with force. "Never imagined a casual kick could cripple House Jo-an's sole heir! If only I'd killed him outright - maybe Christopher wouldn't be so determined to find us."

Shaking his head, Gu Xiechen responded calmly, "No need for excuses when you've maimed their only son. Remember how their attitude toward me changed last year? When they forced me to surrender that second bamboo scroll?"

Zhua Hua's eyes burned red as he growled, "Then let's eliminate the entire Jo-an family."

Slapping Zhua Hua's shoulder, Gu Xiechen smirked coldly, "We must follow proper procedures. Master wouldn't approve such actions. Find other means - while Christopher controls budget allocations, military support also matters. Apply pressure through Wolfman on this matter."

Zhua Hua grumbled unhappily, "Just kill them all cleanly..."

Gu Xiechen shook his head again. He studied Zhua Hua intently before saying softly, "Brother, force often solves nothing. Haven't you understood yet by looking at the Gu Corporation?"

A red beam erupted from Zhua Hua's side as Zao Mei emerged with deliberate slowness. Instantly, Zhua Hua's back straightened into a thirty-degree bow, fawning, "Great Ancestor Zao Mei! Why have you appeared? Wait - isn't this my soul puppet? How could you leave without my command?"

Zao Mei ignored him completely, wandering curiously through the command chamber. She examined various high-tech instruments with genuine interest.

Gu Xiechen watched her carefully. Deep caution lingered in his expression - he hadn't forgotten how Zao Mei's three drops of blood during Zhua Hua's Chrystal Fusion had nearly drained all life essence from him. Though some energy was replenished through the Five Elements Transformation Array by Xinjia and others, that day left lasting trauma.

Zao Mei's nine droplets of immortality-essence were evolving within his body, feeding off his cultivated qi and spiritual power. If not for Gu Xiechen's many arcane artifacts, especially the azure pagoda in his Purple Court which suppressed the Chrystal Ball fused with her blood essence - Zhua Hua would already have been possessed by Zao Mei.

As for Zhua Hua himself? Without that azure pagoda's suppression on the Chrystal Ball, he might now be a true undead disciple of Zao Mei. This woman was extremely dangerous to Gu Xiechen, who dared not engage her further before understanding her completely.

Zao Mei differed greatly from Xinjia and others - while those were fully subjugated by Gu Xiechen's will, she remained completely independent.

After wandering the chamber, Zao Mei suddenly approached Gu Xiechen. She smiled seductively before striking his chin with lightning-fast fingers. "Why do you fear me so much? Suspect me? But I mean you no harm... in fact, perhaps I should obey you?"

She shook her head, frowning slightly. "Your aura reminds me of something familiar yet deeply unpleasant. My memories are vague about it - please don't look at me like that."

Holding his chest dramatically like an ailing beauty, Zao Mei sighed. Zhua Hua's saliva dripped loudly as Gu Xiechen's expression darkened into cold warning.

"Speak plainly," he commanded. "Given your reputation and manipulations within me, who would believe such theatrics?"

Sweat broke out on Zhua Hua's forehead as he jumped back, screaming, "That's it! I remember now - you nearly possessed my body!"

Gu Xiechen glanced at him with disdain. "Finally remembering? Took long enough."

Zhua Hua rubbed his hands awkwardly.

Zao Mei sighed grandly before flaring her sleeves dramatically. "You meddled with my plans by taking three droplets of my essence. My 'Attached Yuan Magic Blood' contains a trace of my true self - these were my seeds for rebirth in this world."

Another sigh, she continued solemnly. "Yet I've lost connection to three drops entirely - likely refined through some strange cultivation technique."

Zhua Hua pointed at his nose smugly. "Definitely the Master's! His divine powers could easily refine such things!"

Mockingly Zao Mei replied, "Divine powers? A lowly mortal still stuck in the human realm dares to claim such titles? The 'Three Pure Ones' alone deserve those words within the Three Realms..."

Zhua Hua turned red-faced. Even his thick-skinned bravado couldn't compare a Corpse Emperor to the Three Pure Ancestors.

Fuming, Zhua Hua stared at Zao Mei before suddenly screaming skyward. "Others' soul puppets are obedient! Why am I so cursed?!"

Zao Mei kicked him away lazily. "Don't cry in front of me - you call yourself a disciple of the Corpse God?"

After a few cold chuckles, she studied Gu Xiechen intensely before demanding, "Remove your treasures now!"

Gu Xiechen stepped back cautiously. "What treasures?"

Her gaze flicked to his Qilin Seal at the waist before shaking her head. "Whatever emits that familiar aura - something with innate cosmic power. Give it to me or face my wrath."

She rolled up her wide sleeves, revealing pale arms like fresh snow. "You'll have no choice but to hand it over."