43: Don't get me wrong, we're just undertaking "industrial upgrading".

[Holy Terra - Inside Base - Sector 04]

This place was once an abandoned warehouse for storing moldy rations and radioactive wastewater.

Now, it has become a temple.

Or more accurately, a precise biological assembly workshop, exuding a mixed odor of disinfectant, the scent of blood, and machine oil.

"Hum—click—"

Dozens of Anti-Gravity Servo-Skulls hovered in the air, casting a green laser scanning net, monitoring the sterile index of every corner.

On the ground, those red-robed Tech-Priests from Mars were directing a group of half-human, half-treaded heavy Servitors, installing massive black stasis pods engraved with binary prayers onto their bases.

There was no unnecessary chatter, no rest.

For the Adeptus Mechanicus, efficiency is piety, and downtime is heresy.

C-19 stood outside the observation window, watching all of this.

His body was wrapped in bandages, wounds left from the desperate defense of the communication tower earlier.

But he felt no pain.

Because at this moment, a tremor more intense than pain was coursing through his nerves.

It was a premonition of imminent metamorphosis, the instinctive trembling of a Mortal gazing upon the divine throne.

He watched as the core component named [T2 Military Fusion Reactor] was slowly pushed into the energy well.

As Archmagos Ul-02 finished reciting the final activation prayer and pulled down the heavy black iron gate.

BOOM!!!

A low, deep, pulsating sound, like the heartbeat of a great beast awakening, instantly reverberated throughout the entire base.

The previously dim and flickering emergency lights instantly became bright white and stable.

All the precision instruments that had been dormant due to insufficient power awoke at this moment, their indicator lights forming a sea of green, like stars lighting up the night sky.

"Energy output... stable."

"Power... 120%."

C-19 clenched his fist.

His old Bolter, which frequently jammed and had a severely worn barrel, was now lying on a nearby weapons bench.

A Tech-Priest was using some kind of precise laser calibration device to repair the rifling of the barrel at the molecular level.

And on the side of the weapon, a new component was being installed.

It was a "Machine Spirit Pacifier (Electronic Fire Control System)" bearing the Mars gear insignia.

The red laser aiming point solidified in the air, as stable as the gaze of death.

This was no longer scavenged junk from the wasteland. This was an industrial marvel, a work of art dedicated to killing... [Holographic Operations Cabin - Genetic Engineering Interface]

Li Cang looked at the data stream frantically jumping on the screen, his bloodshot eyes burning with a fanatical light.

Energy System: Connected (Adeptus Mechanicus power supply)

Biology Theory Database: Updated to M30 Standard (Mars Database)

Genetic Raw Materials: Sufficient (Ur-Khasis Primordial Solution)

Funding Shortfall: Offset by Adeptus Mechanicus "Technology Investment"

"All preparations are complete."

Li Cang's finger hovered over the golden icon named [Astartes Project (Legiones Astartes)].

The glaring red warning lock from before had disappeared.

In its place was a start button in a "Pending Activation" state, emitting an alluring glow.

"This is no ordinary upgrade," Li Cang muttered to himself, his voice hoarse.

"Thunder Warriors are 'beasts,' strong in burst, ruined by uncontrollability. But the Astartes... are 'knights.'"

"I don't want a bunch of roaring madmen. I want an army capable of executing complex tactics, adapting to any environment, and... one that can be recycled and reused."

He pressed the start button.

Command Confirmed: Activate "First Legion"

Surgery Recipient Targets: Dark Ravens Assault Team (All surviving members)

Surgical Plan: Full set of nineteen implantation procedures

...[Primarch Gene Laboratory - Surgical Area]

The surgery began.

This was not healing the sick or saving lives; this was reforging.

It was shattering the Mortal shell and reassembling it with divine materials.

C-19 lay on the cold operating table, his limbs tightly secured by adamantine shackles.

He was given no anesthetic.

Because according to the theoretical data provided by Mars, the recipient must undergo neural system remodeling while conscious; otherwise, irreversible rejection reactions might occur.

"Surgical Phase 1: Secondary Heart."

A mechanical arm descended, and a laser scalpel easily cut open his chest. Not much blood flowed out, as the incision was instantly cauterized by the high heat.

A fully matured, powerful heart twice the size of a human heart was inserted.

Stimulated by electric current, it began to beat powerfully, resonating with the original heart, providing double the blood supply to the body.

"Surgical Phase 5: Ossmodula."

Countless needles pierced his limbs and body, injecting ceramic-based growth hormones.

His bones began to thicken and harden, eventually even capable of withstanding direct hits from small-caliber bullets.

C-19 could hear the sound of his own bones growing, a teeth-grating, brittle sound like rocks grinding together.

Time passed.

The screams from the operating table never ceased, but they were the sounds of metamorphosis... [One Week Later - Base Parade Ground]

The heavy blast doors slowly slid open to both sides, the sound of gears turning echoing across the empty square.

Sixty-eight new warriors walked out.

They were taller than the previous "Dark Ravens," standing nearly 2.5 meters tall, like moving towers.

Their power armor was no longer tattered, cobbled-together scrap, but uniform, industrially manufactured suits with a blued-steel sheen—mass-produced versions of the Mk II "Crusade" pattern power armor.

On the chest of each suit of armor was engraved a red serial number and a Winged Sword Insignia symbolizing the "First Legion."

They made no sound.

Even as sixty-eight half-ton giants walked simultaneously, only a heavy, rhythmic vibration, like the ticking of a precise clock, came from the ground.

Silent.

Efficient.

Lethal.

C-19 walked to the front of the formation.

He removed his helmet, revealing a cold, pale face, yet one full of rationality and authority.

The previous scars had vanished, replaced by more resilient skin. Though his eyes seemed normal, a glint of reflected light occasionally flashed deep within his pupils—proof that his optic nerves had been enhanced to capture infrared and low-light.

He looked at the holographic projection floating in mid-air and performed a perfect "Aquila Salute."

Crossing his arms over his chest, like a spreading eagle.

"First Legion, in position."

His voice was no longer hoarse, but a deep baritone after vocal cord modification, clearly piercing through the wind and sand, carrying a convincing sense of power.

"Awaiting orders."

Li Cang looked at this army.

This was what he wanted. Not the kind of expendable troops that suffered eight hundred losses for every thousand enemies killed.

But a surgical knife that could be used repeatedly, forever sharp, and with controllable costs.

"Good."

Li Cang glanced at the resource panel. This round of upgrades had almost exhausted all his material reserves, but that didn't matter.

Because once you have a hammer in your hand, everything in the world becomes an anvil waiting to be struck.

System Notification: Your Civilization Level Rating Has Increased!

Current Level: LV. 0.5 (Semi-Pedestrian Star Level)

Unlocked New Strategic Options: Orbital Drop / Heavy Vehicle Research & Development

Li Cang's gaze turned to the far reaches of the map.

Although the Pan-Pacific Empire had retreated, that "Sunken Hive City" was still there.

The geothermal core was still there. Most importantly, those enemies who dared to fire upon him were still there.

"C-19."

Li Cang's voice sounded over the comms channel, carrying a hint of bloody intent.

"The test is over."

"Now, go and tell those water-playing natives."

"What it means... to have a version update."