The training grounds of Lykard Space Station.
The Warmaster was dueling a Star Realm Knight.
During this time, whenever he came online, the Warmaster trained frantically, striving to improve himself.
He not only adapted to the extraordinary physique and strength gained from his promotion to Astartes,
but also leveled up various skills.
His most frequently used skill, "Two-Handed Sword," had even reached the Grandmaster level.
He had currently become the strongest PVP player among the Players.
According to other Players, this fellow already possessed some of the Sword Saint Sigismund's demeanor.
Clang!
Clang!
Swords and axes clashed, producing clear, ringing sounds.
The Warmaster and his opponent fought fiercely in the dueling cage.
Swords and axes flew back and forth, neither giving way, both seeking the other's weakness to win the victory.
After another collision, the Star Realm Knight he was fighting stumbled backward.
The Warmaster seized the opportunity, using his sword to parry his opponent's battle-axe.
The cold, gleaming tip of his sword pointed at his opponent's throat.
"I lose," the Star Realm Knight bowed his head in defeat.
Thunderous applause and cheers erupted outside the dueling cage.
"So cool."
"Awesome."
"It's only been a few days, and this guy, the Warmaster, has already leveled up the 'Two-Handed Sword' skill to Grandmaster!!"
"He truly lives up to the name of Warmaster. The only pity is that he wasn't implanted with the Luna Wolves' gene-seed."
"What's wrong? Do you have to hold a grand birthday celebration or something??"
...
Losa also looked at this young junior with some surprise.
A few days ago, his opponent was still a complete rookie.
Now, he could already defeat the veterans in the Warband.
He truly was a warrior chosen by the Emperor; his growth rate was truly astonishing.
Given him more time, Losa himself would also become his defeated opponent.
Losa felt no jealousy about these God Chosen surpassing him; in fact, he was quite happy.
The stronger the God Chosen were, the more hope the Empire had, and humanity would have a chance to rise to glory again.
More importantly, the Guide had made a promise to him:
As long as the Star Realm Knight Corps could train the God Chosen well,
he would find a way to help the Star Realm Knight Corps replenish its ranks and provide weapons and equipment.
Currently, the Star Realm Knights' biggest problem was their inability to cultivate new warriors.
The blank gene-seed located in the throat was removed after the recruit completed the implantation surgery and handed over as a tithe.
The one in the chest cavity could only be extracted after death in battle.
Because of this, they had no gene-seeds at all.
Additionally, the Knight's Sword was merely a battle barge,
without the resources to cultivate gene-seeds, nor many suitable age-appropriate children for enhancement.
Obtaining help from the Guide was the only hope for the Star Realm Knight Corps' reconstruction.
"The God Chosen possess amazing potential, but they aren't diligent enough; they need more stimulation."
Losa mused inwardly.
For the Emperor, for the Warband, he had to figure out how to spur these God Chosen on.
The dueling cage opened, and his defeated subordinate walked out dejectedly.
Losa patted his shoulder, encouraging him, then looked at the Warmaster, who was excitedly receiving cheers from his companions.
"Do you have the confidence to accept a challenge? If you win, you can go to the Knight's Sword and choose a piece of equipment you like."
The Players surrounding the dueling cage showed envious expressions.
They guessed it was another hidden gameplay feature that appeared because his favorability was high enough, or he met other conditions.
This guy, the Warmaster, was really lucky.
He always managed to discover hidden gameplay.
One must know that the Star Realm Knights possessed a large number of ancient relics,
some of which could even be traced back to the Dark Age.
For example, their former flagship, the 'Storm,' was said to be equipped with artificial intelligence.
If he got any good item, he would make a huge profit.
The Warmaster looked at Losa, a look of eagerness on his face. "What kind of challenge?"
"As long as you can defeat five Star Realm Knights consecutively, you can go to the Knight's Sword and choose a piece of equipment you like."
After observing for this period, Losa discovered that these God Chosen had an unimaginable obsession with quests and rewards.
If a quest was given along with a reward, they would actively complete it.
Even if the old antique armor in the warehouse was disassembled,
and a part was given for completing a quest,
the God Chosen would still do it tirelessly, determined to acquire all the parts.
If rewards like Warband holy relics were offered,
they would get so excited they'd howl, shouting slogans about flattening several Necrons dynasties and avenging the Star Realm Knights.
However, if they were forced to do something with strict orders, they would become rebellious instead.
The more they were forbidden, the more they would want to do it.
"Do you dare to accept the challenge?"
Losa cunningly provoked the Warmaster.
"Why wouldn't I dare? Forget five, I'd dare ten."
The Warmaster was in his prime, full of youthful vigor.
Provoked, his blood surged, and he immediately accepted.
Losa's lips curved upward, revealing a sly, triumphant smile.
He selected five Star Realm Knights to enter the arena.
Initially, the Star Realm Knight Corps was wiped out in an attempt to destroy the World Engine,
leaving only 30 recruits and Chapter Master Sard.
After this period of tempering, these 30 recruits had slowly grown into veterans.
Although their skills were not as superb as the Emperor-blessed Warmaster's, they had rich combat experience.
Under the circumstances of a gauntlet, the first three Star Realm Knights, after a tangled fight, eventually lost.
When the fourth Star Realm Knight entered, the Warmaster clearly felt somewhat overwhelmed. After a bitter struggle, he barely defeated his opponent.
By the time the fifth challenger entered, even with skills like Resilience and Endurance, the Warmaster felt his stamina was exhausted and he could barely keep up with his opponent's movements.
Finally, he was punched in the face by his opponent, and with a thud, he fell onto the training ground.
The Players outside the arena sighed.
He was just one away from getting the reward.
"It seems you've failed," Losa said with a smile. "But you still have a reward."
The originally dejected Warmaster's expression turned excited.
"Really?"
The Players outside the dueling cage started shouting.
"Didn't you say you had to defeat five challengers to get a reward?"
"It's rigged, it must be rigged."
...
Losa looked at the Players, reassuring them.
"Being able to consecutively defeat four veterans is already rare for an elite. If placed in a normal Warband, one would already have the opportunity to challenge for the Company Champion position."
"It's normal to give a reward for such a record; there's no rigging involved."
"If you also wish to challenge, it is possible, you just need to perform exceptionally well in the dueling arena."
"How about this, I'll announce here that the first God Chosen who can continuously defeat five veterans will receive the title of Company Champion. Not only will he receive an exclusive medal, but he will also receive a holy relic from this Warband."
"Successfully challenging three or four veterans will also earn a consolation prize."
To make the Players believe in this challenge, Losa even specifically issued a challenge quest.
When Alex reviewed the submitted quests, he also launched a dueling leaderboard.
He also stipulated that only the top ten Players on the leaderboard could accept the challenge quest.
For a time, many Players aspiring to follow the combat path flocked to the dueling arena.
The Warmaster received his reward from Losa.
A Gauss Rifle confiscated from the Necrons.
After all, he hadn't completed the challenge, so he only received a consolation prize.
The Warmaster left the dueling arena with his reward,
planning to eat something to replenish his stamina, then return to training.
As he walked down a corridor, Cortana's projection suddenly appeared beside him.
"God Chosen, Second Empire Warmaster, could you lend Cortana the item you're holding?"
"You want this?" The Warmaster was somewhat surprised why Cortana wanted his reward.
"Yes," Cortana nodded. "I'll give you a quest."
Subsequently, the data slate in the Warmaster's arms chimed. He took it out and looked.
[Quest: Reverse Engineering Technology
Description: The Imperial Glory's Machine Spirit Cortana seems to be troubled. Go talk to her.
Machine Spirit Cortana: The reverse engineering project has stalled. More technological artifacts are needed to reverse engineer the technology.
Reward: 15,000 Contribution Points, 500 Honor Points]
Looking at the newly refreshed quest in his quest log,
the Warmaster's eyes widened.
Just by lending his reward to Cortana, he could get 15,000 Contribution Points and 500 Honor Points. This was a blood-soaked profit!
"How do I turn in the quest?" the Warmaster asked.
"You can take it to the data scanning library."
Cortana had no physical form, so she could only have the Warmaster deliver it to the designated location.
The Warmaster followed her guidance to the scanning room,
and placed the Gauss Rifle into the scanning device.
The scanning device activated with a humming sound.
The Gauss Rifle was lifted by a force field, slowly rotating in the light.
The screen next to it scrolled with data and code, and a holographic projection displayed the time.
[Estimated time to complete analysis: 25 hours 50 minutes]
"Alright, thank you, God Chosen, Second Empire Warmaster. May the Emperor bless you."
"Is there anything else to do?"
"No need. You can attend to your own matters. Once the analysis is complete, I will notify you to come and retrieve the Gauss Rifle."
After the Warmaster left, Cortana found the busy Alex.
"Master, Cortana has a new discovery."