At this moment, Luo Ji felt something profound.
He seemed to have established a deeper, indescribable connection with this 'sword'.
His body moved involuntarily, as memories lingering deep within the 'sword' continuously flooded his mind.
Every strike, every movement, was like the most exquisite mathematical formula, dissecting and providing countermeasures with the coldest, most rational calculations. This... was as if another invisible 'person' was controlling his body.
Then, he understood.
Luo Ji took a deep breath and released his control over this body.
Strangely, his body did not fall. Soon, another force surged into it, taking over his actions.
Then, this force, which had taken over Luo Ji, turned its gaze towards Frederick Taylor, stepped back half a pace with its right foot, and stomped down with immense force!
Boom!
Terrifying power infused the ground, making the already shattered platform groan under the strain.
As the several-meter-thick platform collapsed, 'his' figure shot out like an arrow from a bowstring, instantly tearing through the air.
The Daemons blocking Frederick Taylor were directly shredded by this brutal force, not even having time to groan before being engulfed by the layers of air currents created by 'Luo Ji's' charging body, twisting into a mist of blood!
"?"
Dozens of Daemons were pulverized in one breath, leaving Frederick Taylor stunned.
Before he could react, 'Luo Ji' was seen dragging the exaggeratedly sized greatsword, bringing it down towards his head with the force of splitting a mountain!
This terrifying sword strike, with its power and speed, reached an astonishing level. The mere wind pressure generated by the sword itself made Frederick Taylor, as a changer, feel the threat of death!
He hastily manipulated blue flames, forming a circular wall of fire in front of him, attempting to block the strike.
But the next second, 'Luo Ji's' blade slashed out, and the terrifying sword wind, carrying a frightening blast of air, actually split open the wall of fire he had erected!
"This... how is this possible?!" Frederick Taylor was shocked again, uttering a blasphemous chaotic incantation.
"Mind Steal!"
Unlike a psychic scream, 'Mind Steal' could directly act upon the target's mind, extracting all reason and memory, leaving the target in a dazed, idiotic state.
However, this time, 'Luo Ji', who clearly bore the brunt of 'Mind Steal', seemed completely unaffected.
He raised his foot and delivered a flying kick, landing precisely below Frederick Taylor's open beak. The immense force caused his mouth to snap shut, a bloody taste spreading from within, and the spell was forcibly interrupted.
"You"
Frederick Taylor's face was contorted with rage. Just as he was about to speak, the impassive 'Luo Ji' in front of him grabbed his head, simultaneously slamming his knee upwards. That twisted face immediately made intimate contact with his knee.
Bang!
Frederick Taylor saw stars, his entire face smeared with blue blood, mixed with tears and saliva.
'Luo Ji' grabbed his head, yanked with sudden force, and flung him into the distance.
Frederick Taylor crashed into a pillar in the council hall like discarded trash, but 'Luo Ji's' torment seemed far from over. 'He' accelerated again, charging forward, and delivered an extremely fierce whip kick that produced a horrifying sonic boom in mid-air.
Frederick Taylor's abdomen was directly caved in by this whip kick, bones fracturing, as he spat out a mouthful of blood and flew back several meters.
Meanwhile, Luo Ji himself, observing from a 'perspective' view, was utterly stunned.
If he had known this 'sword' was so powerful, why would he have bothered taking a beating? He should have just handed it over to a 'proxy'!
"Enough! You damned 'ghost', get out of my way!" With a roar, Frederick Taylor's composure shattered. An explosive burst of blue flames temporarily blocked the charging 'Luo Ji', finally allowing him a moment to breathe:
His eyes were filled with venom and curses.
"Why... why can't you just die obediently! Why do you still struggle!"
'Luo Ji' remained expressionless, seemingly disdaining any conversation with him.
And that extraordinarily ornate Lion Sword, at the moment his five fingers gripped it, the blade seemed to be infused with a surge of power, suddenly erupting in brilliance!
Field, activated!
The Lion Sword, enveloped in the Annihilation Field, finally revealed its complete form.
'Luo Ji' lightly swung it.
Swish!
The psychic fire wall blocking the way was directly annihilated by a single sword stroke!
Seeing this, Frederick Taylor's heart sank, and he snarled in a low growl.
"I guessed right, it really is you... Emrys!"
The vortex deep within his pupils spun continuously, tiny geometric symbols within it flashing with inhuman light.
"Originally, I didn't want to implement this 'plan' early." Frederick Taylor's voice was laced with a triple, eerie echo, as if countless voices overlapped in his throat. He sneered.
"You forced my hand, Emrys... Do you think a mere residual will can stop me?!"
"I am the messenger of the great Lord of Change, a Saint high above!"
"No one can stop me!"
"Including you—you damned ghost!"
Seeing his frenzied appearance, a premonition of ill omen immediately surged in Luo Ji's heart.
"No good, stop him quickly!" he shouted in his mind.
But 'Luo Ji' remained rooted to the spot, seemingly in a 'crashed' state.
"Too late, no one can stop me now, the great era — descend!"
Frederick Taylor's demeanor was utterly deranged, roaring out terrifying sound waves.
Before Luo Ji's eyes, his right hand, which had long since transformed into a bird's claw, violently plunged into his left chest. But what gushed out was not blood, but dazzling blue flames!
In an instant, the entire floor of the council hall cracked.
However, what erupted from the cracks was not lava, but viscous Warp energy, like a liquid rainbow.
This energy directly broke through the dome and shot into the sky.
But 'Luo Ji' remained rooted to the spot, seemingly in a 'crashed' state.
"Too late, no one can stop me now, the great era — descend!"
Frederick Taylor's demeanor was utterly deranged, roaring out terrifying sound waves.
Before Luo Ji's eyes, his right hand, which had long since transformed into a bird's claw, violently plunged into his left chest. But what gushed out was not blood, but dazzling blue flames!
In an instant, the entire floor of the council hall cracked.
However, what erupted from the cracks was not lava, but viscous Warp energy, like a liquid rainbow.
This energy directly broke through the dome and shot into the sky.
Above the collapsing council hall, Luo Ji stared dumbfounded at the sky, only to see the hazy rain clouds in the sky churned by an invisible force, rotating into a gigantic blue vortex that covered the entire horizon.
And at the center of the blue vortex was a colossal 'eye' phantom, seemingly composed of billions of burning stars and countless unnatural geometric shapes. That 'eye' slowly opened, indifferently looking down upon the entire world.
Tzeentch was gazing upon this world.
The 'eye' quickly changed, like a narrow crescent moon, and Luo Ji, looking up at it from the ground, saw laughter and... mockery within it.
Tzeentch's gaze fell upon the ground.
Surging Warp energy, like a bursting dam, erupted from the depths of the cracked earth, forming gushing springs that shot straight into the sky, shimmering with eerie light.
"Not enough! Still not enough!" Frederick Taylor was utterly deranged; his few remaining human-like features gradually transformed into an even more blasphemous form under the onslaught of the violent Warp energy.
And the eye on his brow fully opened!
His pupil was completely swallowed by blue, and within it were infinitely looping, paradoxical, unnatural geometric structures, like an abyss, madly devouring the gushing Warp energy around him.
"More knowledge! More—change!"
As Frederick Taylor devoured, his body swelled and grew, becoming as tall as a five-story building!
Due to the "earthquake," the council hall collapsed with a roar, which meant that his twisted, blasphemous appearance was seen in the most direct way by a large number of people who had come to celebrate Ascension Day.
The Warp-twisted demonic form had an immense impact on mortals.
Frederick Taylor was like a walking source of infection; any human who glimpsed his demonic form suffered a severe shock on the three levels of spirit, mind, and reason.
Many people bled from their noses and mouths, their eyes vacant.
And this was just the beginning!
Frederick Taylor chanted a spell, and evil Chaos sorcery immediately enveloped an area of dozens of kilometers, igniting tens of thousands of people in blue flames in an instant!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Amidst tens of thousands of blue flames, piercing wails and painful screams erupted, and then, along with flesh and bone, they were disintegrated into the most basic particle streams; even souls could not escape, being extracted and transformed into shrieking blue light streams that flew towards the giant, vortex-like "eye" in the sky.
They were offered by Frederick Taylor as sacrifices to the Chaos God—Tzeentch!
Immediately, dark clouds roared in the sky.
In the center of Tzeentch's giant eye, the six-pointed star diagram symbolizing Chaos gradually expanded and sharpened until it occupied the entire pupil!
The silent Luo Ji, like a leopard, suddenly pounced on Frederick Taylor, who was casting spells, his Lion Sword, covered in an annihilation field, piercing towards his head like a deadly streak of light.
However, this time—the result changed.
Frederick Taylor didn't even turn his head, as if he had "foreseen" his movements; he merely let out a roar, unleashing an unimaginable storm in the veil of reality, and the terrifying air current, carrying blue flames, blasted Luo Ji, who was attempting a sneak attack, away!
Bang!
Luo Ji flew dozens of meters backward, crashing directly into the depths of a ruin.
"Now, I can see everything!"
Frederick Taylor turned around; both of his eyes were tightly closed, with only the third eye on his brow open, where blue interwoven geometric patterns resembled constantly shifting paradoxes and logic.
"I told you, no one can stop me, including you—Emrys!"
Luo Ji, lying in the ruins, suddenly felt control of his body return, but this not only failed to bring him joy but instead brought deeper fear and despair!
"Hahahaha—"
Frederick Taylor also seemed to "See" this series of changes happening within him, sneering mockingly.
"See? Your supposed 'savior' cannot possibly save you all!"
It disappeared—truly, gone!
In his daze and shock, Luo Ji suddenly coughed up blood, and the bones all over his body felt as if they had been run over by a heavy truck; only then did he realize—this power, it seemed, was not without cost.
Power beyond his physical limits, like adrenaline, had overdrawn his entire body; now, he couldn't even move a finger!
"I won't kill you, Luo Ji."
Frederick Taylor saw at a glance that Luo Ji no longer posed any threat.
"I want you to witness the arrival of lord with your own eyes, to witness the future of humanity, until the very last moment!"
Yes, he wanted to give Luo Ji what he considered the most cruel punishment, which was to make him witness firsthand how human civilization would gradually march towards destruction!
Severely injured, Luo Ji lay in the ruins, leaning against a broken wall, his vision blurred, as if his eyes were covered by a crimson hue, his heart dead.
This was a battle with no chance of winning!
His and Li Ye's meticulously planned counterattack was completely seen through by Frederick Taylor.
Perhaps, he was right.
He truly wasn't a qualified Wallfacer; it was true two hundred years ago, and it was still true two hundred years later.
Ultimately, those people should never have placed their hopes of "Salvation" on him!
Why?!
Why should he bear all of this!
Shi Qiang, Zhuang Yan, Li Ye, including Emrys!
Why did they presume to think he could save the world? He was just a Professor of sociology; he was good at chasing girls, but the job of saving the world—that should be left to Superman!
Was he Superman?
No, he wasn't—he was just a normal human!
Luo Ji struggled to lift his face, stained with mud and blood, and looked at the twisted, blasphemous figure; he could no longer see any trace of his former human appearance; he—no, it had completely shed its human shell, fully embraced Chaos, and fallen into a daemon!
With things having developed to this point, there seemed to be no possibility of turning back; hope was—faint.
Suddenly, he forced out a smile.
"You're right, I'm not a qualified Wallfacer, and I never wanted to be a savior. I—just want to be with the person I love, in a place with snow-capped mountains, lakes, and forests, watching the sunrise and sunset every day, having a boy or a girl, until we grow old."
"My wish can't be fulfilled, but—there are many others; I can let them fulfill their wishes!"
"I am not a savior."
"I am just a—human!"
Closing his eyes, Luo Ji seemed to be talking to himself, speaking to a certain snow-capped mountain.
"I agree—to sit there in your place, and in exchange, can you—save them? Once again, as the savior!"
"Are you sure?"
"Once you sit on it, your entire life will be trapped here, unable to leave until death; you will become the Watcher of Civilization, humanity's… Sword-Bearer!"
"I—am willing."
"Grasp 'it,' and then call out—"
"Call out—what?"
"I am just a—human!"
Closing his eyes, Luo Ji seemed to be talking to himself, speaking to a certain snow-capped mountain.
"I agree—to sit there in your place, and in exchange, can you—save them? Once again, as the savior!"
"Are you sure?"
"Once you sit on 'it,' your entire life will be trapped here, unable to leave until death; you will become the Watcher of Civilization, humanity's… Sword-Bearer!"
"I—am willing."
"Grasp 'it,' and then call out—"
"Call out—what?"
"Angel."
"The Emperor's Angel!"
The next moment.
Right in the depths of the ruins, a terrifying psychic beam, like a sharp sword, pierced through the sky, puncturing Tzeentch's giant eye, and the vast psychic fluctuations were like a—lighthouse among the infinite stars!
A bright lighthouse, pointing into the depths of the starry sky!
Deep within the Dreadnought Fortress Monastery, located in the dark side of the Moon, nestled within humanity's largest known meteorite crater.
Outside a meditation room, forged entirely from adamantium and inscribed with exorcism holy words on its inner walls, a psyker wearing a restraint device, clutching a holy oil-anointed parchment, bowed his head and hurried through the door.
As he stepped through the door, a scent infused with a peculiar incense, mixed with the low murmur of prayers, entered the psyker's ears.
The entire room was forged from steel, showing almost no signs of luxury or facilities for enjoyment; the first thing that met the eye was a steel battle standard, upon which the Double Aquila, symbolizing the Imperium, shone brightly.
Before the only brazier, a towering figure was silhouetted.
He sat cross-legged on the cold metal floor, his entire body encased in black hard-shell armor, covered by a grey, coarse linen robe, like an ancient ascetic monk, his brows furrowed, eyes closed, praying softly.
But miraculously, each of his breaths and exhalations seemed to contain a mysterious power.
Like scattered starlight, tiny specks of light bloomed and vanished around him.
Noticing the intruder, the burly giant slowly opened his eyes, and in his icy blue pupils, terrifying lightning seemed to explode.
The astropath's gaze clashed with his, and he immediately felt his entire being shaken, lowering his head in fear.
"Lord, a psyker communication was just received from Holy Terra."
The astropath, wearing a restraint device, dared not look directly at the noble monk before him, and quickly said with his head bowed, "Deciphered by the Astropathic Choir, Battle-Captain Krast has confirmed that this message was issued by the Sun Lord and Seal Holder of Holy Terra, the 666th... Final Purge Protocol."
"Target confirmed: high-concentration Warp reaction detected on Holy Terra, suspected... Daemon!"
"Mission issued: purge Chaos Daemons!"
As the astropath finished speaking, the prayers abruptly ceased, and an extremely towering figure slowly stood up, his massive form almost filling most of the room, an suffocating, oppressive aura making the astropath's breathing extremely difficult.
The burly man beneath the grey robe lowered his head and spoke in a deep voice.
"Received, mission confirmed."
The astropath hurried out of the room, only realizing he was drenched in sweat once he was far away.
Soon, he strode out of the steel room, followed the familiar corridor, and stepped into the end of the darkness, pressing his palm against the wall.
Beep!
Identity authentication successful.
The wall slid open silently and smoothly, revealing a room behind it, filled with cables, robotic arms, and modern technology.
And in the center of the room was a high platform.
On the high platform was a Terminator Power Armor, already prepared for him, glowing with a faint blue light and having a grey metallic texture throughout.
In his eyes, this was not simply donning armor, but more like a sacred ritual!
The Power Armor they wore, including the weapons they used, and even every decoration, holy purity seal, and scripture on the armor, all underwent extremely complex ceremonial blessings, and could be said to be custom-made!
And such a suit of armor would require the Martian Machine cult at least several years of effort to forge!
As for resources, it was an astronomical figure, almost equivalent to several times the cost of a Space Marine's Mark X Power Armor.
From this, it can be seen that they are the elite of the elite, and the events they handle are by no means ordinary, complex, unconventional events handled by regular Space Marines, such as this time... the 666th Final Purge Protocol!
This was an order personally issued by the Sun Lord and Seal Holder, and only the current Battle-Captain Krast could confirm and issue it.
And the executors, only them!
The next moment, winged mechanical creatures resembling infants flew high above, chanting sacred scriptures for him, then the tech-priest who entered lit a peculiar incense, reciting binary blessings.
Then, he unhesitatingly ascended the steps, one by one, onto the high platform, and the several robotic arms scattered around immediately responded.
Soon, individual pieces of armor were precisely and accurately fitted onto the black carapace that enveloped his entire body, and as the servo-skulls screwed in the bolts and the magnetic locks clicked crisply, it symbolized that all the outer armor had been loaded.
The arm guards, shoulder pads, and the embedding of each piece of adamantium-ceramite composite armor made his already massive body even more robust and imposing. As the pipelines connected to the internal muscle fiber bundles and tightened, he exerted slight force, and after confirming everything was correct, a cruciform helmet was firmly clamped by a robotic arm and sealed with the armor around his neck. The built-in cogitator array activated, completely filtering out external noise, leaving only suffocating oppression and dead silence. The holographic projection interface and tactical system lit up before his retina.
The High tech-priest, holding a Bolter anointed with holy oil and with every round inscribed with exorcism spells, ascended the high platform step by step amidst the blessings of the Machine God, reverently presenting it to the fully armored giant.
After magnetically attaching the Bolter to his leg, he raised his hand and clenched his fist.
The joints of the Power Armor emitted a satisfying hydraulic sound.
"Power unit, good condition."
"Weapon link, stable."
"Tactical system, good!"
After checking all this, he stepped down from the high platform.
The heavy footsteps of the Terminator Armor echoed in the room, like the tolling of a bell of destruction for heretics.
He walked towards the weapon rack, where his most loyal companion, the psyker Halberd, was enshrined!
The moment his hand clasped the halberd, surging psyker power poured into it, and faint blue lightning crackled, while the hatch opened before him, revealing his squad members, nine other giants similarly clad in silver armor.
With just a glance, they could understand each other's thoughts.
They needed no communication; through their intertwined gazes, a psyker resonance formed, transcending all forms of communication.
The leader wore long parchment scriptures on his shoulder pad, inscribed with texts capable of making even low-level Daemons collapse at a glance, and on his iconic, sharp, right-angled helmet, cold blue tactical visors exuded a murderous aura.
He was the Librarian of this special unit, Cassius.
He raised his staff, and the psyker field ignited, shining with the glow of psionics power, his voice, amplified through his helmet's vox-caster, echoed with a metallic clang and psyker resonance throughout the entire boarding corridor.
"We are the Warhammer!"
"We are the enemy of the abyss! We are the end of the impure!"
"May the Emperor guide us, wherever our sword points, without fear! Without mercy! Without regret!"
In the pitch-black boarding corridor, nine giants clad in silver armor knelt on one knee, their halberds pointing skyward, their blades illuminated by psyker power, like beacons dispelling Chaos in the night!
They are the Emperor's blades, the most powerful enemies of the Warp, the ultimate product crowned as "Grey Knights"!
"Board!"
Cassius' voice fell, and he was the first to step into the dropship.
Behind him, the nine silver-armored giants silently entered the dropship one by one.
This was their first, and truly meaningful... purge mission!
Accompanied by hymns and blessings, their Stormraven gunship, with a fierce engine roar, flew directly into space, destination... Holy Terra!