Warhammer Cultivation: Cultivating the Tao Te Ching in the 40K Universe

"Tectus".

Hector opened his eyes and withdrew his divine sense.

He looked at the technical director beside him.

"I need a data model of the gene seed."

"All is ready, Dao Master."

Tectus-19 immediately stepped forward. From its robotic arm, it released several miniature drones to conduct a full-scale scan of the genetic seed sample, sealed in a special container, presented by Chief Pharmacist Melos.

Soon, a huge and complex three-dimensional diagram of the gene seed structure was projected into the air.

“Based on my ‘Soul Protocol’ hypothesis,” Tectus reported quickly, “I have divided the gene seed into three levels.”

He extended his mechanical finger and pointed to the outermost layer of the structural diagram.

"The first layer is the 'biological template layer.' Here, all biological genetic information is recorded. For example, the implantation plan for Astartes' nineteen superhuman organs, and the unique, blond-haired, blue-eyed physical characteristics of the Holy Blood Angel."

He pointed to the middle floor.

"The second layer is the 'Psionic Matrix Layer.' This layer determines the supernatural properties of the genetic seed. For example, the generation of wings in Saint Gilles and their innate artistic talent. I speculate that the 'Red Fury's' 'memory' virus is lurking in this layer."

Finally, he pointed to the core of the structure diagram, the area that resembled a point of light.

"The third layer, and the most crucial one, is the 'Soul Imprint Layer.' This is the foundation of the entire 'Soul Agreement.' It defines the essence of this gene seed. According to your theory, this should be the place where 'God' and 'Form' are most closely integrated."

"This is what I want to see."

Hector's gaze was fixed on that central point of light.

He took a deep breath.

The power of the Golden Core began to circulate once more.

But this time, what he unleashed was no longer simply "all phenomena".

Rather, it is a higher-level divine power, capable of "deconstructing" the laws of all things, that only cultivators at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage can begin to master.

"Taoist Understanding - Effortless Mastery!"

His divine consciousness transformed into an invisible and formless "knife for dissecting an ox".

He did not barge in rudely.

Instead, following the data model established by Tectus, like the most skilled surgeon, they carefully peeled away the layers of "laws" of the gene seed.

The "biological template layer" was successfully peeled off.

The "Psionic Matrix Layer" was also easily bypassed.

Finally, he arrived at that most primordial realm, which even Tyctus could not define with data.

"The Soul Imprint Layer!"

This is a pure world, composed of the radiance of information.

Countless golden runes, representing positive concepts such as "nobility," "protection," "sacrifice," and "compassion," form a stable, harmonious, and perfect soul imprint here.

This is the source of Saint Gilles' perfect soul...

Hector's "sword of slaughter" moved slowly through this radiant world, probing for any... discord.

At the very depths of that golden radiance, at its very core, lies the rune that represents the “origin of life.”

He discovered something, as if branded by a red-hot iron, an extremely tiny... foreign object!

That's a rune.

A brass-colored rune composed of twisted lines, imbued with a bloody and violent aesthetic!

It is so tiny, so hidden.

So much so that it almost blended into the surrounding golden light!

But Hector sensed from that rune a fundamental law that was completely opposite to the entire soul imprint, filled with endless "anger" and "killing" desires!

The root cause has been found!

Hector suppressed the shock in his heart, transformed his divine sense into the finest probe, and carefully touched the brass-colored rune.

He wanted to analyze the...structure of this rune.

The instant his thoughts touched that rune!

"boom--!!!!!"

A terrifying roar, filled with boundless, primal power capable of shattering stars, exploded without warning throughout his entire sea of ​​consciousness!

That roar was not in any language.

Rather, it is a pure expression of will that represents the very concept of "killing" itself!

But when translated, it only has one meaning—

"For the Blood God!!!"

In that instant, Hector felt as if his entire soul had been plunged into an ocean of endless blood and bones!

The screams and curses of billions of lives lost in the war transformed into the most terrifying mental storm, attempting to completely shatter his sanity!

Outside, Hector's body jolted suddenly, letting out a clearly audible groan!

Barrow and the others were shocked and instantly drew their Yin-Yang Swords to protect Hector! Isabel, meanwhile, instantly vanished into the shadows, waiting for her chance to strike!

Azkaran and Radoron also gripped the hilts of their swords at their waists, their golden eyes filled with vigilance and hostility!

At this tense moment, Hector and Saint Gilles spoke up almost simultaneously to stop their respective subordinates!

Hector lightly stomped his right foot on the ground.

"Unmoving as a mountain!"

An invisible realm filled with stillness and tranquility instantly spread out from him!

The violent will that tried to invade his mind was like a raging wave crashing against an invisible barrier in the face of this absolute stillness. It let out a roar of unwillingness and was forcefully bounced back!

Hector's consciousness was restored to its original state.

But he was already drenched in a cold sweat.

As the Regent had said, this trip was the first time he would truly face the Milky Way directly.

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Just a moment ago, there was no danger for him at the moment; it was just an accident at most.

But it was the first time he had been outside Terra, outside the Emperor's sight, and without the will to remain silent...

A direct, spiritual confrontation with a true "god"!

Chapter 218 The Blood Spring of Ten Thousand Spirits (Bonus Chapter 7)

Hector slowly opened his eyes.

His face remained unchanged, but his eyes became more serious than ever before.

He looked at Saint Gilles, who was standing before him with a concerned and nervous expression, and behind him, the high-ranking members of the Holy Blood Angels who were also holding their breath.

He knew that his next words would drop a thunderbolt within this sacred temple of genes, a thunderbolt powerful enough to overturn everyone's understanding of the world.

He took a deep breath and, in an extremely heavy tone, announced his diagnosis.

"This is not just a genetic defect."

"It's also a kind of..."

“...'divine incantation'.”

"A curse?!"

For the first time, an expression of uncontrollable shock appeared on Saint Gilles's perfect face!

The people behind him, including Radoron, were all speechless!

Hector ignored their reactions and continued to speak the even more brutal truth in that unquestionable tone.

"At the very source of your genes, and at the core of all Holy Blood Angels' genetic seed, in that 'soul imprint'..."

“A trace of it was etched into the body, belonging to the Blood God of the Warp—a chaotic being who could be called 'Khorne,' His…”

"...Original Imprint".

Upon hearing this, the entire Gene Sanctuary fell into a deathly silence!

The air seemed to freeze completely at that moment!

"No...impossible!"

The hot-tempered First Company Commander, Radolon, was the first to roar, "We are the Emperor's most loyal offspring! How could our souls be tainted by the filth of chaos! This is slander!"

"Shut up, Radoron!"

Saint Gilles abruptly turned around, his gaze sterner than ever before, and stopped his offspring.

He turned back to look at Hector, his deep blue eyes bloodshot, his voice hoarse.

"Lord Dao... is what you said true?"

“Absolutely true.” Hector nodded. “Just now, my divine sense had a brief confrontation with that mark. That will filled with endless killing intent and rage is absolutely unmistakable.”

Hector paused, then said frankly:

"When I was undergoing the tribulation to achieve the Golden Core stage... I sensed the same presence."

Upon receiving an affirmative answer, even Saint Gilles' imposing figure couldn't help but sway slightly.

The truth was more terrifying than he had ever imagined, even in the worst-case scenario.

However, Hector's next words escalated the terror once again.

"However, Your Highness, there is an even bigger question here."

Hector's eyes gleamed with wisdom and deduction.

"Khorne, the Blood God, is the embodiment of 'war' and 'slaughter.' His style is direct, violent, and full of glory—a head-on collision. To hide his mark so deeply, so secretly... this is not like his style."

"I suspect there's another entity behind this."

"An existence more adept at manipulating conspiracies, weaving destinies, and planting the most malevolent seeds in the river of time... Tzeentch."

Hector raised his head and slowly said:

"I have a bold guess."

"Back then, the moment you and your brothers were teleported from Terra's laboratory by the warp storm, perhaps it was that 'Changing God' who, using the raging primal power of the Blood God Khorne, fabricated a 'future' of His own making. As an invisible 'carving knife,' He silently etched this into your 'Soul Agreement,' a promise powerful enough to destroy you and your entire legion thousands of years later..."

"...a deadly backdoor."

A deathly silence, like that of a tomb, enveloped the entire Gene Sanctuary.

Hector Kane's calm yet thunderous diagnosis struck the hearts of every Holy Blood Angel present like an invisible hammer.

The original imprint of terrorism.

Tzeentch's deadly backdoor.

Each word was heavier than a million tons of rock, pressing down on these battle-hardened demigods, making it almost impossible for them to breathe.

The face of the First Company Commander, Radolon, which had been flushed with anger, had now turned deathly pale. He opened his mouth, but could no longer utter a word of rebuttal.

Chief Pharmacist Melos, an expert with an encyclopedic knowledge of Legion genes, stared intently at the three-dimensional model of the gene seed floating in mid-air, his eyes filled with unprecedented horror and... realization.

That’s it, that’s it!

Countless days and nights of confusion, countless failed experiments—all found their answers at this moment.

What they've been fighting against isn't some genetic mutation at all, but the curse of an... evil god!

Azkalan, commander of the Holy Blood Guard, remained silent, but his knuckles, gripping his halberd so tightly they were white from the force of his grip. His previous doubts were gone, replaced by an endless chill and…killing intent. It was the purest hatred for those who dared to lay a hand on his father, on his brothers.

Saint Gilles, the great Primarch, simply watched Hector in silence.

In his azure eyes, which seemed to foresee the future, a storm was brewing. Shock, pain, anger, regret... all sorts of emotions surged like a raging tide deep within his soul.

But in the end, he forcibly suppressed all of this.