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

He understood the empire's administrative efficiency better than anyone else.

A routine request for the allocation of military supplies can take months to navigate through the vast sea of ​​documents in the administration department.

A plan like the "Baal Purification Protocol," which could be classified as "heretical witchcraft," would inevitably be embroiled in endless debates, investigations, and hearings once it was reported. Ten years? Twenty years? Or even longer.

But his legion can't wait that long.

Although his talent for foreseeing the future prevented him from seeing the specific scenes, he could clearly sense that the shadow of "destruction" hanging over the Ninth Legion was growing thicker and heavier.

“I understand.” Saint Gilles closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his expression was resolute. “I will act first and inform you later. I will bear all the consequences.”

“But,” he then raised a second, more crucial question, “my sons, they are not servants. I cannot, and will never, force them to accept a fate they cannot comprehend, especially such a mad plan.”

Hector wholeheartedly agreed: "You are right. The essence of the 'Great Blood Spring Formation' is the will of the masses as its flame. If the morale of the army is not united and their will is not firm, then even the most magnificent formation is just an empty shell, and will eventually only burn itself."

"Then, in the Dean's opinion, what should we do?" Saint Gilles asked.

Hector looked at the noble Primarch and slowly stated his thoughts: "Before we begin full-scale operations, we need an irrefutable 'verification' to solidify everyone's confidence."

“Verification…” A glint of wisdom flashed in Saint Gilles’ eyes. He instantly understood Hector’s intention and thought about it even more deeply.

"Master, your idea is good. But having us take the initiative to 'verify' might not be the best approach," he said in a deep voice. "I know my sons. They are proud, they are traditional, and they have the deepest wariness of the unknown. To them, 'proof' from the top down is still just a form of 'preaching'."

"The best way is for the most loyal, brave, and stubborn among them to step forward and issue a challenge in front of everyone."

"Then, we will use overwhelming force and irrefutable facts to shatter all his doubts."

"By then, it won't just be him who will be convinced, but the entire legion's 'tradition' and 'pride'. At that time, the most steadfast doubters will transform into the most fervent supporters!"

After hearing these words, for the first time, Hector's eyes revealed genuine admiration for this Primarch.

He was more than just a great warrior.

He was also a king who deeply understood people's hearts.

“Your Highness,” Hector bowed slightly.

"I admire your wisdom."

Chapter 224 Verification Test

My thoughts drifted back from my memories.

Saint Gilles' gaze fell on Cassius once more, becoming both gentler and more resolute.

Everything before their eyes was proceeding perfectly according to their planned script.

"Cassius."

He spoke slowly.

His voice, still so gentle and magnetic, instantly calmed the tense atmosphere in the meeting room, which was almost about to explode.

"Lift your head and look at me."

Cassius did as he was told and slowly raised his head.

“I have heard your concerns. And I admit that every one of your concerns is reasonable.”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the room was shocked!

To everyone's surprise, their legion commander would publicly admit that Cassius's questioning was "reasonable"!

“You are one of my finest sons, Cassius,” Saint Gilles continued. “In your heart burns the purest flame of honor, and in your soul is etched the absolutest loyalty to the Empire. It is precisely because of this that you are most vigilant against anything unknown that might threaten what you protect.”

"This is not recklessness."

"But rather, it is a quality that a qualified soldier must possess."

He paused, his gaze slowly sweeping over each of the commanders present.

“Many of you may have the same doubts as Cassius, but you don’t have the courage to say them to my face like he did.”

These words caused many company commanders to lower their heads instinctively.

"But my sons, I need you to understand."

Saint Gilles' voice suddenly rose, filled with unquestionable majesty and wisdom.

"The Ninth Legion's faith can be built on loyalty, it can be built on honor, but it must never be built on...blind obedience!"

"If we cannot even understand what kind of war we are about to wage, then even if we win, it will only be a foolish victory."

"And I, the Holy Blood Angel, never fight a war I don't understand!"

He slowly rose from his throne.

His imposing figure instantly became the absolute center of the entire conference room.

He looked at Cassius, and at all the commanders who still harbored doubts.

He made his promise.

I accept your concerns.

I understand your concerns.

"Therefore, I, together with His Excellency the Dao Lord, will present an irrefutable answer before all of you..."

"……prove!"

He reached out and pointed to the red land outside the window, which was being transformed by towering towers.

"Three days later."

"Under the first completed 'Qian-001' energy guiding rune tower."

"We will hold a special 'verification ceremony'."

"At that time, I require all combat cultivators who have doubts about the 'Baal Purification Protocol' to be present!"

“You will witness with your own eyes the laws of the ‘Tao’.”

"You will personally understand the principles of 'refining'."

"Your faith must be based on the truth that you have seen with your own eyes!"

The meeting concluded in an atmosphere that was tense, solemn, yet filled with boundless anticipation.

A storm aimed at "proving" is quietly brewing.

The outcome will determine whether the entire Ninth Legion will be united in this high-stakes gamble.

Or... it will fall apart.

On the edge of the Great Wasteland, beneath the "Qian-001" energy-conducting rune tower.

The news had already spread throughout the entire legion.

A special "verification ceremony" that will determine the future of the entire Ninth Legion is about to be held here.

Tens of thousands of Holy Blood Angels gathered from all directions.

Beneath the giant tower, they formed a silent yet solemn great circular formation.

The innermost circle of the formation consisted of thousands of "traditionalist" warriors, led by Cassius, who harbored doubts about the "purification protocol." Their faces were etched with solemnity and scrutiny.

The outer circle of the circular formation consisted of more combat cultivators who had participated in the construction and were full of hope for the future. Their eyes were filled with determination and anticipation.

And at the very center of the circular formation.

Saint Gilles personally came to visit.

He was still wearing that pure white robe, his enormous wings quietly folded behind him.

Standing beside him were Hector Kane and all his core commanders.

All eyes were focused on the very center of the venue.

That place is the core of this "verification".

A "patient" who was firmly bound in specially made shackles by four thick, fine gold chains.

It was Sergeant Kafir, the warrior in the early stages of Bloodthirst who was used as a "sample" in the Gene Sanctuary.

At this moment, his condition is much worse than before.

His eyes had turned completely into an ominous blood red. Beneath his skin, one could see bulging blood vessels, like black worms.

From his throat, suppressed, beastly roars filled with endless pain and a bloodlust kept emanating.

The chaotic, violent, and destructive psionic energy fluctuations, like tangible ripples, spread out from his body in concentric circles, making the surrounding air restless and distorted.

He is the embodiment of the "curse".

It is the deepest fear in the hearts of all the Holy Blood Angels.

Saint Gilles looked at his struggling offspring, a flicker of pity crossing his eyes. He turned to Hector, "Shall we begin?"

Hector nodded slightly.

He stepped forward, walked to the center of the arena, and stood between the berserk warrior and the silent giant tower.

He didn't start immediately, but instead addressed Cassius and the others in the innermost circle of the formation, speaking loudly.

"I know the doubts in your hearts."

“You are worried that what I have brought is another form of witchcraft.”

“You are worried that this giant tower will become a signpost that invites wolves into the house.”

"Today, I will demonstrate to you the principles of the Tao before all of you."

"Let me show you with your own eyes what exactly this 'fighting poison with poison' I'm talking about is."

"Let you personally understand what the 'harmony between water and fire' I'm talking about truly means."

Having said that, he ignored everyone's reactions, turned around, and gently raised his hand towards the direction of the giant tower.

"Tectus".

"Yes, Dao Master."

The technical director, standing in the crowd, immediately responded. Countless lines of code flashed across the data panel in his hand.

"Activate the 'Qian-001' energy tower. Maintain power at 0.1%. Initiate the 'True Solar Fire' induction program."

"Instruction confirmed."

Chapter 225 Unified Thoughts

"Buzz!!!!"

That silent, towering structure, hundreds of meters tall, was instantly awakened!

The enormous crystal rune at the top of the tower suddenly lit up!

Immediately afterwards, a beam of dark red energy, only as thick as an arm and visible to the naked eye, was precisely guided out from the top of the tower!

That beam of light was filled with terrifying, scorching, and explosive radiation energy capable of instantly melting steel!

It is the purified form of "Baal's Poison"!

The beam of light was guided into the air and did not fall. But the terrifying pressure it emitted caused all the Astartes present to tremble instinctively!

This powerful external energy stimulus instantly ignited the only "patient" in the room!

"Roar--!!!!!"

Sergeant Kafel suddenly let out a frenzied roar that resounded through the sky!

The "blood thirst" curse within him was fully activated!

A black-red psionic storm, more than ten times stronger than before and filled with chaotic and killing laws, erupted from his body!

He struggled frantically, and the four chains made of refined gold rattled as he pulled them, as if they were about to break at any moment!

On one side, there is the "Yang Sha" from the planet!

On one side, there is the "insidious poison" originating from the Blood God!

Two equally violent and equally deadly destructive energies appeared simultaneously on this small area at this moment!

All the Holy Blood Angels present involuntarily took a step back!