Back to the 3K Era

Climbing out of the box, Chen Xi shook his head, dispelling the discomfort caused by crossing between two worlds.

"Successfully completed the Planetary Governor succession ceremony. Novice mission complete."

"Novice mission rewards obtained: 500 experience points, 200 mission points."

"Current clearance: Level I (500/1000)"

"The Emperor is very satisfied with your performance and has bestowed a gift upon you: Artificer Power Sword (Duelist Pattern)"

The Servo-skull promptly announced the rewards Chen Xi had gained from his first crossing.

After greeting the Ecclesiarchy priest, he had originally planned to stay and properly enjoy the "luxurious life" of a Planetary Governor in the 40K Era.

However, when he saw such heavy and bizarre dishes as Winterscale Crawlers, Thornmaw Beasts, and Ant-oxen being served at the table, Chen Xi chose to make a quick exit after only a few cautious bites.

There was normal food as well, but apparently to demonstrate their warm hospitality toward the new governor, those bizarre ingredients that showcased "noble valor" were the main dishes of the banquet.

Bread and pastries made from natural grains were simply not fit to be served, while fruit—especially precious on an Imperial frontier world—was scarce to begin with. Even as governor, he could not gorge himself on it.

Don't find that strange. In the Warhammer world, a single piece of alien fruit could sometimes buy an entire Hive City palace.

This was a world whose territory spanned the entire galaxy, where the flow of goods was terrible and prices wildly unbalanced. Things commonplace in the 3K Era might buy an entire planet in the 40K Era.

This was precisely the method Chen Xi intended to use to make money next.

In the 40K Era, even ordinary Hive City nobles could not get their hands on a bottle of wine made from natural grapes. Fine vintage wines were worth a fortune. If he developed the relevant industries and turned his planet into a Paradise World renowned for wine production, would he still have to worry about money?

Of course, all of that depended on whether Magos Ovilia could truly complete her research and terraform the planet.

But even if she could not complete the environmental transformation and turn Rostov II from a Desert World into a Paradise World, Chen Xi would not care too much.

After all, the Warhammer world was even more deranged than "I don't eat beef." If the environment could be improved enough that toxic exhaust fumes did not fill the sky, Chen Xi would already be thanking the heavens.

Besides, in his view, as long as Ovilia, a Bio-Sage, could figure out how to grow grapes on Rostov II and guarantee their quality, everything else would be easy.

A Warhammer 40K Planetary Governor? No, he was going to be an interstellar wine tycoon!

With the funds brought in by the wine business, buying weapons and equipment or building up the planet would no longer be a problem.

In the Warhammer world, population and resources had never been what restricted development.

As long as one had money, countless planets were willing to sell off their surplus population. Penal worlds, in particular, had endless prisoners available for use.

Even technological problems that severely constrained planetary development could be resolved by hiring the Adeptus Mechanicus, provided there was enough profit to offer in exchange.

"Looks like my next priority is buying some wine grape seedlings, then having Magos Ovilia cultivate them on Rostov II." Having made up his mind, Chen Xi finally turned toward the box. Inside, a curved Power Sword lay atop the golden sand.

"So this is Big E's gift? Let me take a good look!" Chen Xi said as he reached in and took the Power Sword from the box.

Somewhat to Chen Xi's surprise, the sword was not heavy in his hand. On the contrary, it felt exceptionally light and nimble even when held one-handed. Once he drew it from its sheath and gripped it, it felt as smooth and natural as though it had been custom-made for him.

"As expected of an artificer weapon. This craftsmanship is absolutely insane!" Chen Xi clicked his tongue in admiration as he examined the Power Sword.

It was a one-handed weapon shaped like a saber, with a long, slightly curved blade that was highly suited for slashing. It bore not only exquisite carvings and patterns, but also Imperial Creed inscriptions in High Gothic.

The hilt was made of metal, wrapped in gold, and set with gemstones. It looked incomparably luxurious, and its craftsmanship was equally exquisite.

At the junction between the blade and the hilt was a golden square structure with a Purity Seal affixed to it.

Chen Xi, who was fairly familiar with Power Weapons, knew that this was the Power Field Generator.

Once activated, the device would spread a blue disintegration field across the blade, capable of tearing matter apart at the atomic level. Cutting through anything would be as smooth as a hot knife through butter.

Even the end of the hilt had a small Imperial Icon attached by a ring.

It had to be said that, judging purely by its exquisite craftsmanship and appearance, it was practically a work of art.

"I'll take some pictures and post them in the group. Those guys definitely haven't seen Warhammer merch this exquisite!" Saying so, Chen Xi pulled out his phone, took several photos of the Power Sword, and uploaded them to his Warhammer group chat.

"[Image][Image][Image] Artificer Power Sword! For the Emperor!"

Though it was only a simple set of pictures and a short caption, it instantly drew an intense reaction from the group.

"Holy shit! You bastard are loaded! This thing must've cost at least dozens of sheets, right?"

"This craftsmanship! This material! It's obviously the work of an Adeptus Mechanicus High Sage! Bro, send me your contact info!"

"Your sword has a flaw. It's hard to explain in the group—send it to me, and I'll point it out for you."

"Omnissiah fucking damn it! Where did you get that? Don't tell me it's a real Power Sword? And it's a Duelist Pattern, too! Tell me, did you secretly become one of the High Lords of Terra?"

Watching the group chat flood with messages, Chen Xi smiled in satisfaction. He had risked exposing himself by posting those pictures for exactly this reason.

Looking at the eager comments in the group, Chen Xi suddenly recalled the Servo-skull saying that he seemed to be able to recruit others to travel to the Warhammer world with him. He could not help considering whether to bring the group members along.

They were all Warhammer fans. If they had the chance to go to the Warhammer world, they certainly would not let such a precious opportunity slip away.

The only question was whether these people were trustworthy, and whether he could tell them this secret.

Chen Xi still trusted his group members quite a bit. Although they were not the sort of friends who knew each other inside and out in real life, his goofy chat buddies were still fairly reliable.

Especially since they were all Warhammer fans. For Big E's sake, Chen Xi felt that bringing them to the Warhammer world should not be much of a problem.

"This isn't urgent. I'm still doing novice missions myself, so bringing in the group members now would be too hasty." Chen Xi placed the Power Sword on his model display shelf, already having made his decision. I need to sort out my own safety first. At the very least, I need to get myself a Psychic Talent or Astartes enhancements.