Chapter 57: The Data Crystal of the Fulao

Howard pondered for a dozen seconds, especially recalling the moment he had previously arbitrated the death of the heretic.

"My Lord, I have fully mastered the ability you bestowed upon me."

"Very good."

Ninglu nodded approvingly. Howard was the first subordinate Extraordinary to complete the digestion of the Sequence 9 Potion. He decided to formulate the "Arbiter" Potion next, then asked in turn.

"Within your regiment, has anyone discovered any talent?"

"My Lord, I have currently only discovered one talent, Yaxin. He took over for his severely ill father at the age of eleven, entered a factory belonging to the Finde Family, and rose all the way from a foreman to factory management."

"He is not only skilled at organization and coordination, but also remains calm in the face of danger and dares to take responsibility. He currently serves as a First Captain; when I am busy with other matters, I entrust the Fifth Regiment to his leadership."

Upon hearing this, Ninglu spoke up.

"In the upcoming siege, his company shall follow by my side."

One work cycle later, inside the palace at Shwidnica, Ninglu said to Howard, who had been promoted to "Arbiter."

"If you wish to become a true 'Arbiter,' you must govern your 'jurisdiction' well."

"I will hand the Songqisangdeqijia Hive City over to you. You must find those hidden rats in that place where heresy brews."

Howard felt the pressure upon him; he had to promote a brand-new system throughout the entire Vostonia Lower Hive, command the Fifth Regiment, and now, he had to find hidden heretical cultists at the source of the heresy.

"You must make good use of this time to cultivate your subordinates and think ahead about the strategy to be adopted in Songqisangdeqijia."

Sensing Howard's pressure, Ninglu spoke to encourage the subordinate he valued most.

"I entrust all these tasks to you because of my trust in your abilities. Do not let me down."

"As you command, my Lord."

Hearing this, Howard understood how much Ninglu valued him. The trust made him feel filled with strength, and he replied with full confidence.

"Order Yaxin to stay behind and form the Ninth Regiment."

Just as Howard left, Ninglu received a communication message from Wojciech Belik.

"My King, I wish to report the research progress on the Data Crystal you gave me."

"I am at the palace; come here immediately."

A moment later, the "Knower" arrived before Ninglu holding the Data Crystal, and after saluting.

"My King, I cracked this Data Crystal and discovered that patterns and symbols occupy 96.69% of the total data text volume, so I adopted symbolic and contextual analysis methods to interpret it."

"After this period of research, I have completed the deciphering of 19% of the content, confirming that this Data Crystal explores the mysteries of utilizing Ether Energy."

"I attempted to conduct further analysis, but because I lack talent in this area, the progress has remained stuck at 29.19%. I believe continuing the research will not improve the progress."

Ninglu knew that the "Knower" and the entire path were more inclined toward reality-side knowledge, with only a rough understanding of mysticism; letting Wojciech continue the research would only yield half the result with twice the effort.

"Hand all your research results over to me."

After the data was transmitted to Ninglu's private Data Slate via a data cable, he took out another Data Crystal.

"This crystal contains some knowledge regarding Ether cannons; I have already cracked 36.25% of the data within it."

"You shall continue the cracking on this basis."

"Once the Adeptus Mechanicus tows the Fulao Battlecruiser to Sopot, I will dispatch you to the shipyard to conduct joint research according to the agreement."

Sopot is a planet within the Vostonia system; although it is not a habitable planet, it contains mineral deposits, especially Carborundum, which is suitable for shipbuilding, and its reserves are abundant.

The Adeptus Mechanicus adapted to local conditions and built a shipyard on Sopot to manufacture, repair, and upgrade Void Ships.

"You must carefully observe every detail of the shipyard. After you return, you will be responsible for the duty of building our own shipyard."

Void Ships are essential for star-sea navigation for a considerable time, and Ninglu naturally would not rely entirely on the Adeptus Mechanicus.

If there is no suitable mining planet, one can be searched for; if there is no experience in shipbuilding, then start with Assault Boats.

"As you command, my King, I will certainly not let you down."

After Wojciech left, Ninglu picked up the communicator and sent a message to Malena Skala.

"Come to the palace to see me."

After a dozen seconds, Malena's magnetic voice came through.

"This is my first time using a communicator; I fiddled with it for a while before I figured it out," the Nü-Shaman explained, then continued, "I will come immediately."

Three standard minutes later, the tall and curvaceous Malena walked into the palace holding a staff. She saw a dozen staves placed beside Ninglu.

"Your staff is for psionic..."

Ninglu paused, not recalling what term the Sicilians used to refer to it.

"I think you are referring to this kind of energy."

As Malena spoke, she extended her fair arm, and a fist-sized ball of electricity condensed in her palm.

"That's right. These ten staves on the table all come from the Fulao; they are relatively skilled in this aspect."

"Thank you for your reward."

After Malena finished speaking, she flicked her hand slightly, and the electric ball vanished. She then walked to the long table and reached out to choose.

Ninglu nodded inwardly. Malena was just as he had thought; she did not reject the opportunity to strengthen herself due to hatred for the invading Xenos.

He watched the Nü-Shaman quietly as she infused psionic energy into the staves one by one, feeling the resonance produced by the staves with her heart to determine the one most suitable for her.

After testing them all, Malena chose a staff with a ruby embedded at the top and a silver staff body.

"I will take this one; thank you for your bestowal."

Malena bowed and saluted, thanking him again.

Ninglu nodded slightly, "If I am not mistaken, in terms of psionics, you are most skilled at foreseeing the future and manipulating biological energy."

He knew that psionicists not only have different talents, but most of them also have different areas of expertise.

Even the Thousand Sons, who possess superhuman bodies, have five major cults.

Malena uses Biochemical Psionic spells, so she is clearly skilled in this aspect.

Her performance previously at the Cradle of the Sea, as well as the discovery of the Tzeentch Cultist not long ago, should not have relied solely on an understanding of flesh and blood bodies.

"Your eyes are indeed as bright as torches; I do occasionally foresee fragments of the future, but it is difficult to control."

Ninglu nodded; he knew that precognitive psykers relied more on talent and were more passive than other types of psykers.

Dreams, flickering visions, whispers of the Warp...

Malena lived on an island, and that Mother of the Sea was merely a divine creature born of worship, lacking the ability to teach her to master the mysteries of precognition.

Ninglu spread his palms, "The Fulao call psychic power Ether Energy, and their Aether Master is most skilled at precognition."

"This Data Crystal contains their knowledge and understanding in this field; it should be able to provide you with some help."

Malena took the Data Crystal, and she said with a beaming smile.

"Thank you for your gift."

After resting for one work cycle, Ninglu led the Fifth Regiment to successively conquer the Hive Cities where the eighth and ninth Altars were located.

Inside the Songqisangdeqijia palace, Ninglu listened to the plan reported by Howard, and after nodding his approval, the "Magistrate" took his leave to begin governing the "jurisdiction."

Subsequently, he turned his gaze toward the Priest Luoxiji, who had requested an audience.

(End of this chapter)