Sparring

Hua Wei lay in a temporary doghouse on Hilling Star, his body relaxed but his mind unusually exhilarated.

He stared at the system interface before him, at the string of numbers—[Available Emotion Points: 243,850]—his heart pounding as though it might leap out of his chest.

"Two... hundred and forty thousand?!"

He sprang up so abruptly that he nearly smashed the crude doghouse, unable to suppress his excitement.

He'd hit the jackpot!

Guilliman alone had contributed over a hundred thousand Emotion Points!

Saint Celestine and Inquisitor Greyfax followed close behind, while Archmagos Cawl had also provided quite a bit.

Not to mention the ordinary Imperial Guardsmen, Space Marines, and even the servitors passing through the corridors, all of whom had contributed dozens of Emotion Points from their shock.

"System! System! Get out here! Now!" Hua Wei frantically called out in his mind, his voice trembling with excitement.

A cold blue screen unfolded before him, and the system's emotionless voice sounded:

[The host's emotional fluctuations are abnormal. Calmness is recommended.]

"Calm down? Calm my ass!" Hua Wei grinned and reached for the system's virtual interface. Though it was only a mass of light, he still made a hugging gesture. "I've got to kiss you twice today! You're fucking amazing! What a massive haul!"

[Warning. The system has no physical form and cannot perform physical contact.]

"I don't care! Virtual kisses count too!" Hua Wei forcefully kissed the air twice, laughing like a madman.

The system fell silent for two seconds, then—

[...System crash.]

Hua Wei froze. "What?"

The screen flickered, freezing like a crashed computer before recovering. The system's voice remained cold, though it seemed to carry a trace of subtle helplessness:

"Reminder to host: the amount of Emotion Points gained depends not only on the target's emotional intensity, but also on their strength, status, and influence. For example, as the Regent of the Imperium of Man, Guilliman's shock, vigilance, and deliberation are worth far more than those of ordinary soldiers."

Hua Wei nodded, finally calming down a little. "Got it. In simple terms, the more badass the person, the more valuable their emotions."

[Correct.]

He rubbed his chin and began calculating. "So how should I spend these two hundred thousand?"

The system immediately brought up the exchange list. Hua Wei's gaze swept over all kinds of powerful equipment, skills, and summoning options. He was practically drooling, but the moment he saw all those zeros after the prices, his heart went cold again.

"I can summon two four-star units? Or twenty three-stars? But four-stars don't seem that impressive either. Should I build an elite squad instead?"

The system did not answer immediately, instead displaying an analysis window:

[It is recommended that the host prioritize personal survival security.]

"What?"

[Scanned current environment: no obvious threats!]

[Host's personal condition: no fixed residence, no stable logistics, no reliable safehouse.]

[Conclusion: the host's mortality rate due to natural factors is 17.6%.]

Hua Wei's smile froze.

"...That high?!"

[Yes.] The system mercilessly added, "The planet where the host is currently located has excessive temperature differences between day and night. The host is highly likely to freeze to death at night. Additionally, based on the host's physical condition, should the host encounter a Beast attack, the survival probability is 6.2%."

Cold sweat instantly broke out on Hua Wei's forehead.

Right! He'd been so busy celebrating that he had nearly forgotten he was still weak as hell! If a Beast came along, he might just die on the spot.

The system calmly added:

[Additionally, the host once promised Guilliman that the "Hilling Empire" would provide aid. If this cannot be fulfilled, trust will collapse, Emotion Point gains will be reduced to zero, and hostility may even arise.]

"Fuck, I got careless!" He slapped himself. "Look at that loose mouth of yours! Why the hell did you pretend to be cool and promise material support? If I can't produce it now, won't I be exposed?!"

Hua Wei covered his face and wailed, "It's over, it's over. I really screwed this up..."

But soon, he raised his head again, his gaze turning resolute.

"No, I can't panic! Since I've already put on the act, I'll see it through to the end!" He gritted his teeth. "These two hundred thousand Emotion Points have to be spent where they matter most!"

He brought up the system store again and quickly filtered through the options. "System, recommend the safest plan for me. It needs to stabilize the Imperium while also keeping me safe!"

The system immediately displayed several choices:

["Hilling Empire" Basic Supply Pack]

Includes: individual combat rations, basic medical kits.

Price: 50 Emotion Points

Effect: temporarily meets the Imperium's expectations and maintains the credibility of the "Hilling Empire."

[Personal Safehouse]

Function: independent room, approximately 200 square meters.

Price: 1,000 Emotion Points

Effect: a cozy little house, insulated against cold and protected from Beast attacks.

[Mjolnir Armor Enhancement (10,000 Emotion Points): improves defense, mobility, and weapon compatibility. Can be adapted to standard Imperial individual equipment.]

[Individual Drone System (10,000 Emotion Points): equipped with four "Swarm" tactical drones capable of reconnaissance, fire support, electronic interference, and other tasks.]

Hua Wei's eyes lit up.

"Drones! This is good! The Spartan Squad is already strong, and with drones, their combat power will double!"

Without hesitation, he chose to make the exchange.

[Exchange successful: Individual Drone System x6 (bound to Spartan Squad members).]

Then he waved his hand grandly. "Spend another 60,000 and upgrade the Mjolnir Armor!"

[Exchange successful: Mjolnir Armor Enhancement Module (loaded).]

"Awesome!" Hua Wei looked at his remaining Emotion Points, feeling delighted.

"There's still half left. I'll save it for now and use it when it really counts."

He stretched. "System, put out my little villa. I'm someone who can afford a big house now."

With a flash of light, the crude doghouse instantly transformed into a modern 200-square-meter residence.

Hua Wei threw himself onto the soft bed, sighed in satisfaction, and continued watching the livestream.

The training ground was broad and solemn, its floor paved with heavy stone slabs. Ancient battle records of the Ultramarines were carved into the towering pillars around it.

The air was thick with the scent of metal and sweat, while the roar of Bolters and the hum of power swords came from afar.

Led by Carter, the Spartan Squad slowly crossed the training ground.

They had removed their Mjolnir Armor and wore only black skintight combat suits, yet their presence remained intense—defined muscles, steady steps, and sharp gazes.

The Smurfs stopped their training one after another, casting curious and appraising looks their way.

"Those are the Hilling Empire's warriors?" a young Space Marine asked quietly.

"They look ordinary," another replied. "But I heard their battlefield performance is outstanding."

Greyfax stood in the distant shadows, arms folded across her chest as she watched the Spartan Squad with icy eyes. She did not believe in these so-called "Hilling warriors," much less the Empire behind them.

On the higher viewing platform, Evelyn leaned against the railing, her silver hair drifting lightly in the breeze. Her eyes were deep, as though they could see through every disguise.

At that moment, an Ultramarine stepped forward.

"You are the warriors of the Hilling Empire?" His voice was low and imposing, the golden eagle emblem on his power armor gleaming beneath the sunlight.

Carter nodded. "Yes."

"I am Cassius of the Third Company." He inclined his head slightly. "I hear your combat techniques are quite unique."

Carter replied calmly, "We are only ordinary soldiers."

Cassius smiled, then suddenly said, "Interested in a spar? No power armor. Pure hand-to-hand combat."

The training ground instantly fell silent.

Everyone looked toward Carter.

A barehanded match between Spartans and Space Marines? This was something no one had ever seen before!

Carter was silent for a second before nodding. "All right."

At the center of the training ground

Cassius removed his power armor, revealing his enormous, gene-enhanced body—corded muscles, thick bones, and a height nearing three meters. Standing there, he was like a small mountain.

Carter stood opposite him, only a little over two meters tall and visibly smaller in build.

"The rules are simple." Cassius rolled his shoulders. "Until one of us falls or concedes."

Carter nodded. "Understood."

At the referee's command, the match began!

Cassius struck first! His fist tore through the air as it smashed toward Carter, moving at a terrifying speed!

Carter's pupils contracted, and he instantly shifted aside, narrowly avoiding the punch.

So fast! he thought in alarm.

Space Marines were huge, yet they were not slow in the slightest!

Cassius did not pause. He followed with a sweeping strike. Carter retreated again, but his opponent's attacks came like a raging storm, leaving him no chance to catch his breath.

The Ultramarines around the arena began to cheer.

"Cassius! Take him down!"

"Show him the strength of the Ultramarines!"

Carter ignored the surrounding noise and focused completely on observing Cassius's movements.

—Dodge!

—Dodge again!

—Keep dodging!

His body moved as nimbly as a cheetah, weaving through Cassius's assault and narrowly avoiding every lethal strike.

The cheers around the arena gradually weakened.

"This guy... why does he keep dodging?"

"Does he not dare fight head-on?"

Greyfax sneered. "Coward."

But Evelyn narrowed her eyes slightly.

"No... he's looking for an opening."

Sure enough, Carter was not simply evading.

Whenever a brief gap appeared in Cassius's attacks, his fists or elbows would precisely strike at the other man's joints, ribs, or even the vulnerable spots on his neck!

Though such attacks were nothing to a Space Marine's formidable physique, if they had been wearing equipment, the outcome would have been quite different...

"Smart." Evelyn saw through Carter's tactics, which were somewhat similar to those of the Eldar. "He's wearing Cassius down."

The fight continued for a long time. Both sides were adapting to the other's combat rhythm, and the Ultramarines around the arena were growing impatient.

"Fight! Stop just dodging!"

"What kind of spar is this?!"

Cassius was the first to find an opening. He suddenly threw a heavy punch. This time, Carter failed to avoid it completely, and his shoulder was grazed, sending him stumbling backward.

"Got you!" Cassius grinned savagely and followed with a powerful straight punch aimed directly at Carter's chest!

Bang!

The punch landed solidly!

Carter only had time to cross his arms in front of his chest before he was sent flying backward and crashed heavily onto the ground!

Cheers instantly erupted from the sidelines!

"He won!"

"Cassius! Cassius!"

Yet the cheers soon stopped abruptly.

Because Carter... slowly rose to his feet.

He shook out his arms, rolled his neck, then looked at Cassius, his expression as calm as ever.

"You're very strong," he said.

The entire arena fell silent.

He had taken a Space Marine's punch head-on... and was completely uninjured?!

Cassius was stunned as well.

"You're all right?..."

Carter rolled his shoulder. "I'm fine. Your physical abilities truly surpass ours."

Inside the command room, surprise flashed through Guilliman's eyes. He had been watching these warriors all along, and this test had been carried out under his orders.

"Their bodies... are tougher than I imagined."

Greyfax's expression was as dark as water.

"Damn heretics," she muttered.