Chapter 92: Replication Failed, the Competitive Spirit Ignited in Horus

"Father," Mikel held a data slate and began to report a series of cold numbers, "Currently, a total of 342 Candidates have undergone the Gaizao Shouhu."

"Among them, the number of Candidates who failed the First Transformation Surgery is 58, with a failure rate of 24.39%."

"Of those who failed, 5 survived and were converted into servitors for the Legion, while the other 53 died."

The Chief Apothecary paused and began to explain to Ninglu.

"Ascending from a mortal to an Astartes is a massive challenge; many cannot adapt to this process, and they fall before the first hurdle."

"Once one steps into the Gate to Heaven, the probability of surgical failure drops significantly."

To prove his point, Mikel immediately said.

"The number of Candidates who failed the Second Transformation Surgery was 6, all of whom died. The failure rate dropped to 4.52%."

"The number of Candidates who failed the Third Transformation Surgery was 9; this is because the difficulty of the modification increased, raising the failure rate to 7.94%."

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of surprise.

"The eight people who previously failed to pass the third modification all died; the one just saved by that 'Physician' was the first to survive."

Ninglu was silent; he calculated in an instant that the cumulative failure rate of the first three transformation surgeries was 33.54%.

Even in the most optimistic estimate, four out of ten people would fail.

If not for Malena, most of them would have died.

Ninglu realized that this was the perfect opportunity to express the purpose of his visit.

"Malena Skala is not just a 'Physician'; she is also a biochemical psyker who can save the lives of those who fail the surgery whenever possible."

"Father, do you wish for her to join the modification process?"

The Chief Apothecary understood and asked.

"That is correct."

Mikel only thought for a second before deciding to follow the Gene-Father's instructions; he was also somewhat interested in the methods of that mortal "Physician."

【Is this a unique medical technique native to Vostonia? Or is it a special effect produced by combining medicine with psychic powers?】

"As you wish."

The Chief Apothecary looked at the data slate and continued to report the progress of the modifications to the Primarch.

"Currently, 103 Candidates are undergoing the First Transformation Surgery, while the number of Candidates undergoing the second and third transformation surgeries are 51 and 36, respectively."

"A total of 79 have passed the first three transformation surgeries; it is worth noting that among the 23 Leaders, only Luoersiliefu has died."

"Among them, those with the fastest modification progress are Howard Fender, Bukayo Arshavin, and Thierry Vieira; they have already completed the Fourth Transformation Surgery and are adapting well, with no signs of rejection."

Ninglu nodded with satisfaction and analyzed the three in his mind.

【Hmm, "Fighter" Howard has the strongest will, "Midnight Poet" Bukayo is young, and "Fighter" Thierry has the strongest physical constitution.】

While deep in thought, he said approvingly.

"Your work is admirable, and I am satisfied with it."

"But I need more Apothecaries; I want you to train more Apothecaries, apprentice Apothecaries, and even attendants."

"This is crucial for the future of the Legion."

Ninglu's minimum expectation for the number of "Order Shadow" before the "Horus Heresy" was two hundred thousand; currently, twenty-three official Apothecaries and ten Apothecaries were far from meeting his needs.

More Apothecaries and attendants would mean more people could undergo surgery.

Ninglu further adjusted the Legion's plan, needing these warriors he trusted to enter every company and squad to influence their surrounding battle-brothers in every battle and in daily life.

On the way back to the Strategy Room, he sent a communication message to another dual-discipline psyker—Arsena Dunn—summoning them to the Bridge.

A moment later, Ninglu sat on the Command Throne, looking down at the silver-haired psyker.

The time the two spent communicating was limited to the Crystal Illusion; afterward, he had been wary of Huang Laohan's attitude toward psykers and had been studying with Horus, so they had little contact.

Ninglu simply handed him the Fulao Data Crystal containing Flame and Psychokinetic disciplines for him to study.

"Arsena, how is your research on the Data Crystal I gave you?"

"My Lord, I have read and mastered all the Data Crystals you gave me, and I have gained much inspiration from the Ether Arts of the Fulao."

Arsena replied in Vostonian, his tone standard.

"I have a deeper understanding of Ether power and have also learned and mastered over a dozen new Ether Spells."

Ninglu nodded, slightly surprised; each psychic spell required a period of practice to master, to be able to skillfully draw energy from the Warp and apply it efficiently in a fixed form.

By the standards of human psykers, being able to master over a dozen spells in such a short time meant Arsena's talent was excellent.

If one also considered that he had to decipher and master the Fulao language while simultaneously learning knowledge including Vostonian and Gothic, Arsena's learning ability was excellent.

The Primarch keenly discovered Arsena's learning ability, and he tapped his fingers on the back of the chair.

"Have you been reading books?"

A flash of surprise crossed Arsena's eyes, and then he said.

"My Lord, the library area on the officer's deck is where I spend most of my time; it houses a large number of ancient books."

Ninglu knew that this Relic-class Warship housed a large number of books; his private study contained tens of thousands of books that could be traced back to the Golden Age or even older eras.

The Primarch also keenly captured the excitement that flickered when Arsena mentioned the library area; he clearly loved to read.

【Arsena is well-suited to become a "Reader" and serve as a scholar-attendant by my side, but his loyalty still needs to be tested.】

After gaining a further understanding of Arsena, Ninglu spoke.

"My private study has a large collection of books; I grant you permission to read them."

At the same moment, on the Vengeful Spirit.

Horus was not wearing his armor; he was dressed in a tight-fitting outfit with a fur cloak draped over it.

He stood in a private training cage, lunged forward violently, arrived instantly in front of a training servitor, and slammed a fist into it.

The servitor was blown apart by the Primarch's violent strength, but Horus frowned and muttered to himself.

"There seems to be something different; in his strike, there was some kind of peculiar power, or rather..."

"It contains a certain rule; it cannot be resisted, it cannot be dodged."

As Horus pondered, he signaled the servitor to replace the training servitor.

After trying more than a dozen times in a row, he destroyed the training servitor with a single punch each time, yet he never managed to find that feeling Ninglu had when throwing a punch.

The Primarch shook his head; he walked out of the training cage and looked through the viewing window toward the Void Hunter.

"Let me see how many more surprises you can bring me, my brother."

Ninglu, who was busy handling official business, received a communication message from Horus forwarded by the Sound Array Master.

"My brother, there are two more Planets; we shall take one each and see who completes the conquest first."

Ninglu sensed the fighting spirit hidden within the voice message, and he replied: "Very well."

"One is an ocean world, and the other is a world composed of mountain ranges; which one do you choose?"

Horus generously gave Ninglu the opportunity to choose, as the Luna Wolves were stronger than the Order Shadow in both numbers and combat power.

If Ninglu wanted to achieve victory, he should wisely choose the ocean world.

For an Astartes Legion possessing landing craft, the ocean was no obstacle, whereas mountain ranges consumed more time.

Just as Horus was thinking this, Ninglu spoke.

"I choose the world composed of mountain ranges."

Ninglu had already realized that different environments would have different Potion Materials, and having already conquered the Cradle of the Sea, he was more interested in the mountainous world.

(End of chapter)