Chapter 1013: A Single Spark

Xiuluo Holy Star, "Tianqiong" Command Center, Emperor's private office.

Yingzhou sat behind a desk carved from a single block of obsidian and spoke.

"Selina."

A ripple of energy spread through the office, and a soft, synthesized female voice responded.

"Listening to your instructions, Emperor."

"Call up the file 'Spark'."

"Instruction confirmed. Retrieving encrypted file: 'Spark'."

As soon as Selina's voice fell, a pale blue holographic projection unfolded in front of the desk, listing dense data, genetic sequence analyses, psychological assessment models, and a complete draft framework for the formation of a legion.

This file recorded a plan that Yingzhou had been preparing for some time.

To form a brand-new Space Marine legion.

Named "Sons of the People".

Yingzhou's gaze swept over the core summary on the projection:

【Founding Purpose】: To create a cutting-edge force that is absolutely loyal, omnipotent and efficient, disciplined as steel, and fully internalizes and practices the core values and strategic guidelines of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance.

【Troop Composition】: Screen individuals from existing major Space Marine legions (Luna Wolves, Dusk Raiders, Ultramarines, War Hounds, etc.).

Screening criteria.

Extraordinary Combat Power: Outstanding among peers, possessing excellent capabilities to handle various battlefield environments.

Profound Identification: Possessing a deep understanding and firm Faith in the Emperor's philosophy and the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance's guidelines that transcends blind obedience.

Absolute Rationality: Extremely strong emotional control, capable of maintaining absolute calm under extreme pressure, and never violating discipline or strategic goals due to anger, fanaticism, or personal emotions.

Adaptability: Possessing strong learning ability and plasticity, capable of detaching from original legion cultures and integrating into a brand-new collective.

【Organizational Structure】: Independent of the existing legion system, reporting directly to Yingzhou.

Adopting flexible squad formations, emphasizing multi-branch coordination and independent combat capabilities.

Internally diluting original legion identifiers, strengthening the unified identity of "Sons of the People".

【Training and Mission】: *In addition to regular military training, they will receive more in-depth education in political philosophy, cross-cultural management, crisis negotiation, etc.

Their mission includes not only the most dangerous decapitation and assault tasks, but also demonstrating the image of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance in newly occupied areas, supervising the implementation of important policies, and executing special stability and indoctrination tasks in complex environments.

Looking at this draft, a glimmer of light flashed in Yingzhou's eyes.

He had already communicated with the various Primarchs, informing them of the preliminary concept and screening standards.

The reactions were mostly within his expectations.

Horus expressed cautious support, believing that such an elite force could handle many thorny tasks that regular legions found inconvenient to handle.

Mortarion had little interest in this, but as long as his core Dusk Raiders were not drafted, he would not object.

Guilliman, from the perspective of administrative management, offered many detailed suggestions, believing this could bridge certain disconnects between the bureaucratic system and military units.

Overall, the Primarchs understood and approved of this draft by Yingzhou.

They all understood that as the territory of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance continued to expand, a "benchmark" force that could both fight well and perfectly represent the will of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, unaffected by any single legion culture or the personal style of a Primarch, had its strategic value.

Yingzhou instructed Selina.

"The screening work can begin its preliminary groundwork; send the standards down to the Primarchs of each legion, and let them begin internal primary screening to scout for suitable candidates.

Wait for my word for the formal transfers and formation."

Just as Yingzhou was reviewing the details of the political education module in the draft, the system notification sound rang out.

【Ding, key decision node meeting conditions detected, Task System triggered.】

【Task 1: Star Sea Scavenger】

【Task Description: The remnants of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance and their potential allies still pose a threat. Within 60 Standard Days, completely purge or force the surrender of all organized military forces of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance within the host's territory, and stabilize the security order of the newly occupied areas.】

【Task Reward: Random Draw x3, Warhound Class Titan Foundry core module deployment authorization x3.】

【Note: Victory requires a Sharp Sword, but also giant feet capable of shaking the stars.】

【Task 2: Cornerstone Ever-Solid】

【Task Description: People's livelihood is the foundation of the Imperium. Within 180 Standard Days, increase the overall livelihood development index of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance (covering comprehensive indicators such as food security, basic medical coverage, basic education penetration, and habitability of Core Worlds) by 2 percentage points.】

【Task Reward: Random Draw x3.】

【Note: A stable rear is the most solid reliance for the expeditionary forces.】

Yingzhou was taken aback.

System tasks, one focusing on external affairs, one on internal stability.

"'Star Sea Scavenger'..."

Although the Feng Qi Xing Alliance had suffered repeated heavy losses in the Southern Theater and its main force was nearly wiped out, a centipede dies but never falls; there were still some remaining fleets and planets putting up desperate resistance, and the possibility of other forces taking the opportunity to intervene and stir up trouble could not be ruled out.

This task required a complete purge, not just a military defeat, but complete control over politics and order.

And the three deployment authorizations for the Warhound Class Titan Foundry core modules were a shortcut to directly enhance the strategic strike power of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance!

Titans, the walking machines of gods, had an irreplaceable role whether for breaking through strongholds or for deterrence.

"It seems that on Horus and Mortarion's side, I need to add more fire."

Yingzhou looked at the livelihood task again.

"'Cornerstone Ever-Solid'... increase the overall livelihood index by 2 percentage points..."

The difficulty of this task was harder than the war task.

The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance had many newly occupied areas, and the development levels in various places differed greatly; to increase the overall index by 2 points within 180 days meant needing to exert effort in multiple fields simultaneously, investing massive resources, and ensuring that policies could be efficiently implemented at the grassroots level.

"Selina."

Yingzhou spoke again.

"Please instruct, Your Majesty."

"Integrate all critical livelihood data for every planet within the current Star Alliance, prioritize resource allocation, and ensure the advancement efficiency of food production, medical, and educational infrastructure projects."

"Issue the key performance indicators to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Primarch Roboute Guilliman."

"Command recorded and executed. Data model under construction, resource allocation priority updated, and Task objectives communicated."

After issuing the commands, Yingzhou leaned back into his chair and slowly closed his eyes.

War and livelihood, conquest and construction—neither can be dispensed with.

"Advancing on two fronts... using war to clear obstacles and livelihood to consolidate the foundation. Once the interior is stable and the 'Sons of the People' have taken shape, the edge of Human Civilization will point toward the more distant darkness, until the Light of Humanity shines across the sea of stars."