The tomb was magnificent beyond measure, built of basalt and plasteel, cold and silent.
A bronze ossuary stood in the center of the burial chamber.
Behind the ossuary, a radiant Stasis Field platform had been embedded into the wall.
Within the field rested a cube-shaped metal puzzle box, its surface engraved with Adeptus Mechanicus prayers and xenos script.
"This is the tomb chamber of my ancestor," Von said reverently.
Qin Yun placed a hand on Von's shoulder.
"Once again, I apologize for disturbing the eternal rest of the Valancius Family's ancestors,"
"But the C'tan Shard is of vital importance. Even if this is an offense, we have no choice but to proceed."
Von said sincerely, "Guide, there is no need to say such things. If they knew that the God-Emperor's Living Saint had come, they would surely be overjoyed."
Qin Yun smiled. "The God-Emperor is pleased by the Valancius Family's loyalty."
With that, Qin Yun looked toward Magos Casca beside him.
"Please inspect the Stasis Field, Magos."
Magos Casca bowed to Qin Yun.
"Praise the Omnissiah. Your will shall be obeyed."
He then led several Tech-Priests forward to inspect the Stasis Field.
"Though it has operated for a very long time, the Machine Spirit is delighted, and the gears have sustained no damage."
"This device is still functioning normally. The assessment reveals no issues. This is a manifestation of the Omnissiah's great power."
"Deactivate the Stasis Field and take the item out," Qin Yun ordered.
"Is that metal puzzle box the C'tan Shard?"
Without blinking, the Warmaster watched Magos Casca and the others deactivate the Stasis Field.
They removed the metal puzzle box and presented it to Qin Yun in both hands.
Ten-Timer shook his head. "It probably isn't the shard. The metal puzzle box is a higher-dimensional prison used to confine a C'tan."
"I'd guess the xenos script on its surface belongs to the Necrons."
The Strategist traveling with them looked at the Warmaster and asked.
"Do you know how this thing ended up in the Valancius Family's possession?"
The Warmaster shared the information he had uncovered.
"They found it during an exploratory expedition. The expedition fleet fought a Necron fleet over it and was completely wiped out."
At that moment, a mechanical hum suddenly echoed through the tomb chamber.
Beams of static-like light appeared from nowhere, dancing through the room and outlining the figure of a man.
"Ancestor?" Von widened his eyes in shock.
The man in the projection gave Von no response.
After all, it was merely a recorded message left behind by the dead for their descendants.
"Direct descendants of the Valancius Family, if you have come here and activated this recording, then you must have learned the secret of the C'tan Shard."
"I apologize for the disaster caused by my actions in the past. Had I not acted so stubbornly, the Valancius Family would never have fallen into such dire circumstances."
"I do not know what situation you face now, but no matter what, you must protect the C'tan Shard. It must never fall into the hands of the Imperium's enemies."
"You must be wary of the Colin Family. Those vampires will do anything as long as it turns a profit."
"Even if it means selling the Imperium of Man to those damned xenos, they would not hesitate."
"The destruction of the expedition fleet was greatly 'assisted' by the Colin Family—the damned vampires attempted to sell the C'tan Shard to the Necrons, ignoring the disaster this could bring upon the Imperium."
"..."
The appearance of the projection filled in the details the Warmaster had failed to investigate.
Back then, the expedition fleet had traveled to explore the Koronus Expanse, and everything had gone smoothly at first.
Until they accidentally discovered a C'tan Shard on some lifeless world.
They had intended to contain it and leave Terra to decide its fate.
But a Necron fleet suddenly appeared, intending to seize the C'tan Shard from the expedition fleet.
A fierce Void battle erupted between the two sides.
Because the Necron warships were too powerful, the expedition fleet suffered one defeat after another and took devastating losses.
Seeing that the situation had turned dire, the Colin Family's representative secretly contacted the Necron commander.
They wanted to sell both the expedition fleet and the C'tan Shard for a good price.
They betrayed a vast amount of information.
This brought utter ruin upon the already disadvantaged expedition fleet.
The overwhelming majority of its warships and barges were destroyed.
Inquisitor Lord Alaric stopped this shameful betrayal.
He even used the released power of the C'tan to kill the Necron commander.
But the noble Inquisitor perished as a result.
He was unable to send word of the Colin Family's betrayal back to the Inquisition.
Only the ancestor of the Valancius Family escaped alive.
The dying Inquisitor entrusted him with the puzzle box that imprisoned the C'tan.
After returning, he was slandered by the Colin Family as the chief culprit behind the expedition fleet's complete destruction.
The factions that had suffered severe losses joined forces to apply pressure, forcing the Valancius Family to pay compensation.
He had intended to explain the entire matter, but the Calixis Sector was a chaotic place where heretical forces ran rampant, and Craftworld Aeldari roamed freely.
Worse still, the Colin Family, which played the villain in this story, had already been the most powerful family in the Calixis Sector at the time.
Faced with accusations of betrayal, they would certainly never admit the truth.
Instead, they would use the opportunity to start a war, seize the C'tan Shard, and plunge the entire sector into flames.
After weighing the matter, the Valancius Family's ancestor ultimately chose not to reveal it for the time being.
He gave up the entire family fortune as compensation and secretly contacted Terra.
He hoped they would send someone to take control of the puzzle box and transport it to a safe world.
Yet until his death, he never received a reply from Terra.
Fearing that his descendants might cause some great disaster and lose the C'tan Shard.
He did not directly reveal the truth, instead leaving behind this projection.
If Terra ever sent someone to take away the C'tan Shard.
The projection would activate as well, revealing the truth to the public and ensuring that the Colin Family was punished.
Inquisitor Alaric's great achievements would also become known to the world.
This noble hero would receive the glory and respect he deserved.
"The despicable sit high in grand halls, enjoying flowers and applause. The loyal endure suspicion and slander, bearing everything alone."
"This game developer is seriously conscientious. Details like this are executed perfectly."
After learning the truth of the entire affair, the Warmaster could not help but sigh.
The Strategist, Ten-Timer, and the other players silently praised the Valancius Family in their hearts.
As expected of a family that could receive a writ from the Emperor. Their loyalty truly knew no bounds.
Even if they had to sacrifice the wealth accumulated by their family over generations, they were unwilling to let the Imperium bear the risk.
They could have chosen to reveal the truth and let every faction in the Calixis Sector fight one another into a chaotic mess.
At worst, there would have been a war lasting several centuries, and the C'tan Shard would have been taken by xenos or heretics.
But the Valancius Family would certainly have retained its original status and position, perhaps even risen higher.
Yet the Valancius Family's ancestor chose to conceal it.
All to preserve the stability of the Calixis Sector, ensure that Terra could safely take the C'tan Shard away, and maximize the Imperium's interests.
The cost of doing so was immense. The flourishing Valancius Family fell into decline overnight, and now only a single planet remained.
Even then, it was relentlessly sidelined by other factions.
The traitors had beaten them to the brink of extinction, yet no one had been willing to save them.
Had Qin Yun not arrived here by chance.
The Valancius Family would likely have been erased completely with the fall of Planet Automata.
That was why Von had been willing to pledge loyalty to Qin Yun.
The Valancius Family had nowhere left to go.
Serving another and becoming a vassal was still better than being erased entirely.
Qin Yun looked at Von and made him a promise.
"The Valancius Family will soon reclaim everything it has lost, and even more. This is the reward for the loyal."
"Thank you, Guide. Being able to serve you is already the greatest honor. No matter what the future holds, the Valancius Family will never betray its oath," Von reaffirmed his vow.
Qin Yun took the metal puzzle box and led everyone out of the tomb.
After leaving, he boarded a Valkyrie back to the Imperial Glory and headed straight for the Chapel of Prayers.
He placed the C'tan Seed before the Emperor's statue.
A radiance appeared from nowhere and swallowed the metal puzzle box.
Mission: Obtain the C'tan Shard on Planet Automata. Completed Reward available shortly
A moment later, a hole of light appeared from nowhere.
A wing-flapping Cherub flew out and handed Qin Yun a sphere emitting a milky white glow.
"Chosen one, my master is very satisfied with your performance. Keep up the good work."
After leaving those words behind, the Cherub flew back through the hole of light.
During this process, Qin Yun noticed that the Cherub's appearance had become somewhat more normal than before.
He wondered whether the Emperor's power had grown stronger, or whether sanity was gradually returning.
He lowered his head and examined the sphere of light in his hand.
A light screen appeared, introducing the sphere's information.
Item: C'tan Seed
C'tan are ancient lifeforms possessing unparalleled wisdom and power.
Before you is a newly born C'tan infant, one that has not yet developed an individual personality but possesses boundless wisdom.
What it becomes will depend on how you choose to cultivate it.
"First, find it a vessel. This Imperial Glory seems pretty suitable.
"Work hard, young man. Work hard at being the master of a god."
"Young man? Become the master of a god!!"
Qin Yun frowned slightly. He felt that the Emperor's words were somewhat improper.
Could he have been corrupted by Slaanesh?
Could the saying 'Slaanesh above, the God-Emperor below' actually come true?
That was far too blasphemous!
He dared not think about it. He absolutely dared not!
Qin Yun put away his improper thoughts.
He picked up the sphere of light and placed it into the Imperial Glory's control console according to the prompt.
The sphere of light sank into the console.
The entire Lunar-class Cruiser underwent some special change, giving it the feeling that it had come alive.
Then, a projection appeared before Qin Yun.
Please configure the Machine Spirit's appearance and confirm its name
"Damn, it even has character customization!!"
After thinking for a long while, Qin Yun created an adorable little angel girl and named her Xi Ling.
Once he confirmed her appearance and name, a little angel projection appeared before Qin Yun.
"Master, Xi Ling greets you. Please tell me if there are any tasks you need assigned?"
PS: Necrons: Are you treating my old nest like a supermarket or something??
Thank you all for following along. This chapter is three thousand words, which should be plenty for the new-book period. Could I ask for some votes??
Before you continue