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

"What nonsense!"

A cold, jealous, and malicious voice rang out from the shadows of the hall. First Priest Eribas had silently appeared there sometime earlier.

He strode out, his face bearing an expression of deep sorrow, as if defending his faith, and said to Loka, “My Lord! Please do not be deceived by the sweet words of this mortal! To compare the mundane body to a sacred temple is itself a desecration! True truth must transcend us and be higher than us! It requires us to pursue it, to dedicate ourselves, and to sacrifice ourselves in order to receive even a fraction of its blessings! This self-serving ‘minor path’ is nothing but a pathetic self-comfort used by the weak to escape reality!”

Having said that, he abruptly turned to Hector, his eyes flashing with undisguised hostility. A cold, viscous, deceptive, and twisted psionic energy, like an invisible venomous snake, instantly lunged at Hector's soul!

Iribas, he wanted to tear apart this "heretic's" disguise in front of Loka, and prove how vulnerable his "way" was in the face of true "power"!

This psionic attack was insidious and vicious. It wasn't a direct assault, but rather an attempt to stir up Hector's deepest fears, desires, and anxieties, causing him to lose his composure and embarrass himself on the spot.

However, it faced a heart that had long been tempered and refined by the Tao Te Ching, achieving emptiness and tranquility, remaining steadfast and unmoved.

Hector stood still, without even blinking.

At this moment, his body seemed to have completely merged with the earth beneath his feet, the entire warship, and this cold universe.

The true energy within his body, flowing along the already opened Du meridian, sank into his dantian, and then permeated his limbs and bones. He didn't build any defenses, nor did he retaliate. He simply... entered a state of being.

Supernatural power—"Immovable as a mountain!"

The insidious psionic energy of Eribus surged towards Hector, only to be met with a force as solid and intangible as an ancient, indestructible mountain. The power was neither deflected nor annihilated; rather, it was utterly ignored. Like a gentle breeze sweeping across a hillside, it did nothing but stir up a few specks of dust.

Irebas's face instantly turned incredibly ugly. He felt as if his punch, delivered with all his might, had struck empty air; the frustration and disbelief nearly drove him mad.

But he didn't stop. One plan failed, so he devised another. At the tip of the serpentine scepter in his hand, the burning flame suddenly blazed, and a deep purple energy, filled with a corrupting aura, silently shot towards the ground at Hector's feet.

He wanted to pollute this "holy land," to make Hector unsteady on his feet and shake his mind!

However, just as the purple energy was about to touch the ground, Heck moved.

He didn't back down, nor did he dodge. He simply extended a single finger.

It was an ordinary, slightly pale finger. But at this moment, at the tip of that finger, a point of light gathered... more dazzling than the stars, purer than diamonds, a milky white light.

Supernatural power—"The Finger of Spiritual Rhinoceros"!

He lightly touched the path that the purple energy was bound to take when it landed with his fingertips.

There was no earth-shattering explosion, only a soft sound like ice melting.

That malevolent energy, filled with the corrupting aura of chaos and capable of instantly contaminating a Space Marine through adamantine armor, was completely purified and erased from the conceptual level the moment it came into contact with that point of pure light, just like a shadow illuminated by sunlight.

The entire hall fell into deathly silence.

Eribus's actions, seemingly reckless, were in fact full of the cunning calculations of a schemer. He knew that Hector was just a mortal, physically fragile, and currently without the protection of the Imperial Guard. If he chose to use the slingshot or the chainsaw, no matter how mysterious Hector was, he was still just a lump of flesh and blood.

Because his goal was never simply to kill Hector, but to utterly destroy the "Way" that Hector represented in front of Loka, proving that it was nothing but powerless philosophical rhetoric. Therefore, he chose the attack method he was most proficient in and considered to be the most superior—psychic energy originating from the warp, directly targeting the spiritual pollution of the soul.

He bet Hector was just a smooth-talking fraudster, and that his theory of "silence" was no match for the true whispers of chaos.

All we can say is that, with the Primarch above, Erebas made what he believed to be the most correct choice, which was also precisely the only wrong one. He used his strongest "technique" to collide with Hector's most solid "way," playing right into Hector's hands.

In the months that he spent writing that foundational work for Macardo, Hector was not merely constructing theories.

That mentally and physically exhausting "translation" was itself a supreme form of spiritual practice.

Forcibly merging the underlying logic of two universes is no less difficult than creating something from nothing in the spiritual world. This process allowed his understanding of "Tao" to leap from mere "knowledge" to the level of "practice," repeatedly refining and polishing his "Body Refinement Realm" cultivation, pushing it to its current ultimate perfection.

It was during this process that he combined his vast theoretical knowledge with the increasingly refined true essence within his body, and vaguely explored the two most basic and core methods of using true essence.

"Immovable as a mountain" is based on the Tao Te Ching's saying, "Attain utmost emptiness and hold fast to stillness."

It doesn't construct an energy shield to withstand the attack head-on, but rather minimizes its own presence, merging its self-awareness into the "great stillness" of the universe. Eribus's mental attack, filled with entropy and chaos, targets Hector's "self." When this "self" temporarily "disappears" and merges with the world, the attack, like a headless fly, loses its target and naturally vanishes.

The core of "Lingxi Yizhi" comes from the Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic: "When righteous qi is stored within, evil cannot invade."

It doesn't use one type of energy to counteract another; instead, it highly condenses the purest essence within the body, representing "order" and "vitality," and like a surgical scalpel, precisely severs the chaotic and disordered "foundation" of the chaotic energy, causing it to fundamentally disintegrate and return to harmless cosmic background radiation. This is the ultimate manifestation of his "reduction" strategy—not fighting against it, but cutting off its root.

These two supernatural abilities, one defensive and one offensive, one internal and one external, are the perfect answer for the "Way of Silence" when facing the invasion of the warp.

Irebas's expression froze. From shock to anger, it finally transformed into a deep, undisguised...fear.

And on the throne, in the empty eyes of Loka Aurelion, for the first time, a raging fire called "Shock" ignited!

He stared intently at Hector's ordinary finger as it slowly retracted, then glanced at his own copy of the Book of Words, stained crimson with blood.

For the first time, he felt a genuine, profound connection to his path of "seeking truth externally"...

Chapter 15 The Gap Between Extremes and the Seed of the Dao Heart

A deathly stillness, deeper than a tomb and purer than a vacuum, enveloped the entire obsidian palace.

Eribus's malevolent and twisted psionic attack, like a venomous snake crashing into the invisible heavens, vanished without a trace under Hector Kane's nonchalant touch. It wasn't a clash of power, but rather... an absolute "erasure" of a lower dimension by a higher one.

At this moment, time seemed to be stretched into viscous amber.

The First Priest, Erebasis, a schemer who wielded immense power within the Legion and manipulated hearts and minds with unparalleled skill, displayed an expression on his face that was a brilliant and unprecedented shift in his long life.

That mask of heartbroken "loyalty" had long since shattered, replaced by a raw, indescribable shock. Then, the shock transformed into furious embarrassment, and as he realized he was facing a completely incomprehensible force, an uncontrollable glimmer of fear, originating from the deepest recesses of his soul, sprouted from within that embarrassment—a fear he himself was unaware of.

For the first time, he felt out of control.

On the throne, Loka Aurelion's massive body remained leaning forward. In his empty, lifeless eyes, the flame of "Shock," ignited by Hector's divine power, was burning wildly with the force of a wildfire.

This flame burned away his last bit of numbness and illuminated the darkest ruins in his heart that he had deliberately avoided.

He looked down at the blood-stained "Book of the Word" in his hands. This book was the ultimate symbol of his "external seeking." He had once believed that as long as he used the most devout words to describe an external, great God, he could achieve salvation. But in the end, he was met with the Emperor's merciless orbital bombardment and the ridicule of the entire galaxy.

Then, he looked up at the tiny mortal boy standing in the center of the hall.

This boy displayed no world-destroying power, nor did he chant any earth-shattering incantations. He simply stood there, like an unchanging mountain. He merely extended a finger, like a master painter, and with a gentle touch, completely erased the filthy and malicious "colors" of Eribas from the canvas of reality.

A force that is demanding, exploding, and attempting to distort the world with its own will.

Another kind of power is to protect, to purify, and to restore the world to its natural "order".

At this moment, it is self-evident which is superior.

Luo Jia's heart, which had long been filled with sorrow and despair, was torn open by this unprecedented sight, leaving a tiny crack.

A slit... that might let in some light.

"No...impossible..."

Breaking the deathly silence was Eribus's low growl, filled with disbelief and a hollow bluster. He couldn't accept this fact; it was worse than death for him. He pointed at Hector, his voice sharp with the intensity of his emotions: "My lord! This...this must be some kind of more sophisticated deception! A kind of witchcraft from Terra that we've never seen before! He wants to corrupt your will and shake our pursuit of the 'Primordial Truth'! He..."

"Shut up, Irebas."

A cold, emotionless voice came from the throne.

Luo Jia didn't even glance at him.

But those two simple words struck Irebas like a hammer forged from the coldest ice, slamming into his chest. All his explanations, all his schemes, all his incitement, were frozen in that instant. His mouth gaped open, his face turning from red to white, then from white to green, and finally, he could only lower his head deeply in resentment and humiliation.

He knew he had lost. In this round of confrontation, he had suffered a crushing defeat.

Loka ignored his most capable "first priest," his eyes burning with fierce fire fixed on Hector, as if trying to imprint every detail of this mortal into his soul.

“You… that power within you…” Luo Jia’s voice was still hoarse, but it was no longer the numbness of a walking corpse. Instead, it had an added… intense longing, a trembling like a desert traveler seeing an oasis. “It… is the ‘divine fire’ you spoke of, ignited from your own ‘temple’?”

Hector could sense that Logar's entire "Field of Sorrow" was fluctuating violently. He knew that the Primarch before him was at the most critical juncture of the collapse and reconstruction of his faith. Every word and action he took could push the Primarch towards a completely different future.

He could no longer display any "supernatural powers," because that would only allow Loka to see him as a new, worshipable "external god." He had to draw the other's attention away from himself and back to Loka... to himself.

“No, my Primarch.” Hector slowly shook his head, his voice regaining its calm and distant quality, full of the essence of “Tao.” “What I possess is not ‘divine fire,’ it is not even… a ‘flame’.”

"It is just a 'spark'."

"A...the most primal, faintest spark that exists deep within the soul of every life. It is born of nature, inherently complete. It needs no external gift, nor does it need to pray to anyone. It is ourselves."

Hector, meeting Loga's burning gaze, continued calmly, "What I did was not 'create' it. I merely learned through the 'Way of Silence' how to sweep away the dust of 'desire' and 'fear' that covered it, allowing it to once again radiate... its original, faint light."

“And you, esteemed Primarch,” Hector’s voice carried an unprecedented, almost enlightening guiding power, “the ‘temple’ within you is a billion times more magnificent than mine. The ‘spark’ deep within your soul shines as brightly as a star. But now, it is obscured by too much sorrow, too much pain, too much… the ashes of ‘unfulfilled pursuit’.”

“You…don’t need my ‘divine fire’.” Hector said each word slowly and deliberately, “You only need to turn around and look inward. Use your own hands to brush away the dust…that doesn’t belong to you.”

These words struck like a thunderbolt, resounding deep within Luo Jia's soul!

Why am I always looking outward?

Why do I always need an external "god" to define my existence?

I sought my father, but he discarded me like trash. I then turned to the so-called "original truth," only to be led by Erebas into a deeper and more dangerous fog.

Why can't I be myself?

I, Lorgar Aurelion, son of the Emperor, Primarch of the Seventeenth Legion, am I not more trustworthy than any mortal, any false god?

This thought, like a seed buried for millions of years, suddenly broke through the soil and took root the moment it came into contact with Hector's sweet rain of "Tao"!

“Look inward…” Loka murmured to himself. His burning eyes gradually shifted away from Hector and began to examine his own heart.

He no longer viewed his heart as a dark place filled with sin and punishment, needing to be illuminated by external light. He began to try to feel whether, within that darkness, there truly existed... a "spark" that belonged to him.

Seeing this scene, the uncontrollable fear in Irebas's heart finally turned into a monstrous killing intent!

He knew he absolutely could not let Luo Jia embark on this path of "seeking within"!

A Loka who seeks outward divinity is a perfect puppet that he can guide and control. But a Loka who begins to seek himself inward will become his most terrifying enemy, and the most powerful beings behind him!

This mortal... must die!

Just as Eribus's eyes revealed murderous intent, preparing to disregard everything and use the true forbidden power he obtained from his "master" to annihilate Hector on the spot.

"Erebus."

Luo Jia's voice rang out again.

This time, although his voice still carried a hint of weariness, the unsettling emptiness was gone. In its place was an undeniable majesty, a primordial authority that came from rediscovering oneself.

"You, step back."

Irebas froze, and he looked up in disbelief at the master on the throne.

"My lord..."

“I told you to step back.” Luo Jia repeated, his gaze finally landing on Eribas. That gaze was cold, sharp, and scrutinizing. “Your understanding of ‘truth’ seems to be even more fanatical than mine. Go before the ‘Fire of Truth,’ kneel down, and repent. Do not rise without my order.”

These words were like a resounding slap across Irebas's face. This wasn't just expulsion; it was a... public and merciless punishment!

The color drained from Eribus's face instantly. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but when he met Lorgar's unwavering gaze, all his words stuck in his throat. He knew that if he uttered another word, he would completely lose the Primarch's trust.

He could only cast a deep, deep glance at Hector with his eyes, filled with resentment and murderous intent, as if trying to etch the mortal's appearance into his very bones. Then, reluctantly and humiliatingly, he bowed deeply to Loka, turned, and like a stray dog, withdrew from the obsidian palace.

As the gates slowly closed behind Arebas, the entire tomb-like sanctuary was left with only Hector and the Primarch on the throne, who was undergoing a violent inner struggle.

“Hector Kane.” Loka slowly rose from his throne. His massive body no longer radiated that suffocating sorrow, but instead possessed a tenacious vitality… rising again from the ruins.

“Your ‘path’ is very interesting. It has opened a door for me that I never imagined…” He descended the steps of the throne and walked step by step to Hector.

His godlike face still bore the marks of pain, but within that pain lay a glimmer of... hope.

“I won’t believe you right away. My faith died once in the ashes of Monaco.” He gazed at Hector and said in an extremely solemn tone, “But I’m willing to… try. To try and find that ‘spark’ that belongs to me.”

"From this day forward, you will become my 'metaphysical advisor.' Your status will be equal to that of the First Priest. You have the right to see me at any time, and the freedom to 'discuss' your philosophy with any member of my legion."

Loka stretched out his enormous hand, not to attack, but... placed it on Hector's shoulder.

“Stay here, Hector Kane. Prove to me that your ‘Way of Silence’ can truly make a collapsed mountain…grow back up.”

Hector could sense that what came from Loka's palm was no longer the "deathly aura" that stripped everything away, but a kind of... burning "vitality" filled with confusion, yet desperately wanting to grasp the last straw.

He knew that the hexagram "Mountain Stripping" signified an inevitable collapse, and that had not changed.

But in the end, he found a crack on the precipice that was about to crumble completely, and successfully planted a seed called "Dao Heart" with his own hands.

He didn't know if the seed would sprout.

But he knew that from this moment on, the fate of the Word Bearers, and even the future of the entire Horus Rebellion, would be entirely changed by his arrival, into a new and unpredictable future…

Chapter 16 The First Lesson of a Metaphysical Consultant (Part 1)

The news of Hector Kane's appointment as "Metaphysical Advisor" was like a boulder thrown into a deep pool, stirring up a silent yet turbulent undercurrent in the oppressive and fervent atmosphere of the "Words of Loyalty".

This warship is no longer a mere war machine. Since the ashes of Monakia, it has become a mobile monastery filled with self-destructive piety. Every corner of the legion is permeated with the exploration and yearning for "primordial truth."

First Priest Eribas was at the center of this fervor, the undisputed spiritual mentor of all Word Bearers, second only to the Primarch.

Now, a mere mortal, an unknown young man from Terra, has been personally elevated by the Primarch to a position equal to that of the First Priest. In the rigidly hierarchical Seventeenth Legion, founded on faith, this is nothing short of a violent earthquake.

Questioning, scrutiny, disdain, curiosity… countless complex gazes began to focus on Hector’s simple, quiet room, located in the ship’s central area, adjacent to the Roga Sanctuary. This had once been the former captain’s strategic office. Now, all the eagle and lightning bolt emblems symbolizing imperial military honors on the walls had been removed, leaving only four smooth, dark gray alloy walls, like mirrors reflecting the inner thoughts of each visitor.

Hector paid no attention to this. He sat cross-legged every day, regulating the true energy within his body and consolidating his perfect "Body Refinement Realm" cultivation.