The mausoleum was incredibly grand, constructed from basalt and ceramite, exuding a chilly silence.
A bronze ossuary was placed in the center of the tomb chamber.
Behind the ossuary, a stasis field platform radiating light was embedded in the wall.
Inside the field was a cubic metal cube engraved with Adeptus Mechanicus prayers and Xenos script.
"This is the tomb of my ancestor," Feng said with great reverence.
Alex placed his hand on Feng's shoulder.
"I once again apologize for disturbing the long slumber of the Valanxius Family ancestors,"
"But the Star God Shard is of utmost importance, and even if it means offense, I must proceed."
Feng sincerely said, "Guide, there is no need for such words. If they knew that the Holy One of the God-Emperor had visited, they would surely be overjoyed."
Alex smiled, "The God-Emperor is pleased by the Valanxius Family's loyalty."
After speaking, Alex looked at Sage Kaska beside him.
"Please, Sage, examine the stasis field."
Sage Kaska bowed to Alex,
"Praise the omnissiah, your will be done."
Then, he led several Tech-Priests forward to inspect the stasis field.
"Although it has been running for a long time, the Machine Spirit is pleased, and the gears have not been damaged."
"This device is still operating normally, assessed to have no issues. This is a manifestation of the omnissiah's great power."
"Deactivate the stasis field and retrieve the item," Alex commanded.
"Is that metal cube the Star God Shard?"
Warmaster watched without blinking as Sage Kaska and the others deactivated the stasis field.
They retrieved the metal cube and presented it to Alex with both hands.
Tenjiro shook his head, "It shouldn't be the shard. The metal cube is a hyper-dimensional prison for a captured Star God."
"Those Xenos characters on the surface of the cube, I guess they are Necrons script."
Zhuge, who was accompanying them, looked at Warmaster and asked.
"Do you know how this thing ended up in the hands of the Valanxius Family?"
Warmaster shared the information he had learned.
"It was found during an exploration expedition. For this item, the exploration fleet even battled a Necrons fleet, resulting in their complete annihilation."
At this moment, a mechanical hum suddenly echoed in the tomb chamber.
Static-like beams of light appeared out of thin air, leaping around the room, outlining the figure of a man.
"Ancestor?" Feng's eyes widened, a look of surprise on his face.
The man in the projection did not respond to Feng.
After all, this was just a piece of information left by the deceased for his descendants.
"Direct descendants of the Valanxius Family, when you come here and activate this recording, it means that the secret of the Star God Shard has been revealed to you."
"I apologize for the disaster brought about by my actions in the past. If not for my stubbornness, the Valanxius Family would never have fallen into such a predicament."
"I don't know what your current situation is, but no matter what, you must protect the Star God Shard and never let it fall into the hands of the Human Empire's enemies."
"You must be wary of the Colin Family. Those vampires are willing to do anything for money."
"Even selling the Human Empire to those damned Xenos, they wouldn't hesitate."
"The destruction of the exploration fleet, the Colin Family 'contributed greatly'—those damned vampires tried to sell the Star God Shard to the Necronss, disregarding the disaster this might bring to the Human Empire."
.
The appearance of the projection filled in the details that Warmaster had not investigated.
Back then, the exploration fleet's expedition to the Koronus Expanse started smoothly.
Until they unexpectedly discovered the Star God Shard on a desolate world.
They had intended to contain it and let Terra decide its fate.
But a Necrons fleet suddenly appeared, attempting to seize the Star God Shard from the exploration fleet.
A fierce void battle erupted between the two sides.
Due to the overwhelming power of the Necrons warships, the exploration fleet suffered continuous defeats and heavy losses.
Seeing the unfavorable situation, the Colin Family representatives secretly contacted the Necrons commander.
They wanted to sell the exploration fleet and the Star God Shard as a package deal for a good price.
They betrayed a large amount of information.
This led to the complete annihilation of the already disadvantaged exploration fleet.
Most of the warships and barges were destroyed.
The accompanying Inquisitor Lord El Wick prevented this shameful betrayal.
He also used the released Star God power to kill the Necrons commander.
However, this noble Inquisitor also perished in the process.
He was unable to send news of the Colin Family's betrayal back to the Inquisition.
Only the Valanxius Family ancestor managed to escape.
He was entrusted by the dying Inquisitor to take away the cube imprisoning the Star God.
Upon his return, he was slandered by the Colin Family as the culprit responsible for the total destruction of the exploration fleet.
The heavily damaged factions collectively pressured the Valanxius Family to compensate them.
He had intended to explain the entire situation, but considering the mixed nature of the Calixis Sector, where heretical forces were rampant and there were also rogue Eldar, he hesitated.
Even more critically, the Colin Family, who played the villain in this story, was already the most powerful family in the Calixis Sector at that time.
Facing accusations of betrayal, they would certainly not admit it.
Instead, they would use the opportunity to start a war, seize the Star God Shard, and plunge the entire sector into conflict.
After weighing his options, the Valanxius Family ancestor ultimately chose not to disclose the truth for now.
He paid out all of the family's wealth in compensation and secretly contacted Terra,
Hoping they could send someone to take over the cube and transport it to a safe world.
However, he never received a reply from Terra until his death.
Fearing that his descendants might cause a major disaster, leading to the loss of the Star God Shard,
He did not directly reveal the truth but instead left a projection.
If one day, Terra sent someone to take away the Star God Shard,
The projection would also be activated, bringing the truth to light and ensuring the Colin Family faced punishment.
The great deeds of Inquisitor El Wick would also be known to the world.
Allowing this noble hero to receive the glory and respect he deserved.
"The vile sit in high halls, enjoying flowers and applause. The loyal are met with doubt and slander, bearing everything in solitude."
"This game developer truly has a conscience; such plot details are perfectly executed."
Warmaster couldn't help but exclaim after learning the full truth of the matter.
Zhuge, Tenjiro, and other players also silently praised the Valanxius Family in their hearts.
As expected of a family honored by the Emperor, their loyalty was indeed beyond words.
Even at the cost of generations of family wealth, they were unwilling to let the Human Empire bear the risk.
They could have chosen to reveal the truth, causing the various factions in the Calixis Sector to descend into chaos.
Even in the worst outcome, it would be a centuries-long war, and the Star God Shard would be seized by Xenos or Heretics.
But the Valanxius Family would certainly maintain their original status and even advance further.
Yet, the Valanxius Family ancestor chose to conceal it.
Only to maintain the stability of the Calixis Sector, ensure Terra could smoothly retrieve the Star God Shard, and maximize the Human Empire's interests.
The cost of doing so was heavy. The once prosperous Valanxius Family declined overnight, now reduced to only one planet.
They were also ostracized by other forces in every possible way.
Even when on the verge of destruction by traitors, no one was willing to save them.
If Alex had not, by chance, arrived here,
It is feared that the Valanxius Family would have been completely erased with the fall of Planet Atoma.
This is also why Feng was willing to pledge allegiance to Alex.
The Valanxius Family had no other path.
Serving others and becoming a vassal was better than being completely eradicated.
Alex looked at Feng and made a promise to him.
"The Valanxius Family will soon reclaim all that it lost, and even more. This is the reward for the loyal."
"Thank you, Guide. It is a great honor to serve you. No matter what the future holds, the Valanxius Family will not betray its oath," Feng reiterated his vow.
Alex took the metal cube and led everyone out of the mausoleum.
After leaving, he boarded the Valkyrie and returned to the Imperial Glory, heading straight for the Praying Sanctuary.
He placed the Star God Seed before the Emperor's statue.
A radiance appeared out of thin air, engulfing the metal cube.
[Quest: Obtain the Star God Shard from Planet Atoma. Completed]
[Reward will be received shortly]
A moment later, a glowing hole appeared out of thin air.
A Cherubim, flapping its wings, flew out and handed Alex a sphere radiating a milky white glow.
"Chosen one, my Lord is very pleased with your performance. Keep up the good work."
After leaving this message, the Cherubim flew back through the glowing hole.
During this process, Alex noticed that the Cherubim's appearance had become slightly more normal than before.
He wondered if it was due to the Emperor's power being strengthened or his sanity gradually returning!
He looked down at the glowing orb in his hand.
A light screen appeared, displaying information about the glowing orb.
[Item: Star God Seed
Star Gods are ancient life forms with unparalleled wisdom and power.
Before you is a newly born Star God infant, yet to develop a self-personality but possessing infinite wisdom.
What it becomes depends on how you nurture it.
"First, find it a host. This Imperial Glory is quite suitable."
"Work hard, young man, work hard to be the master of a god."
]
"Young man? Become the master of a god!!"
Alex frowned slightly. He felt that the Emperor's words were a bit improper.
Could it be that he was corrupted by Slaanesh!!
Could the proverb "Slaanesh above, God-Emperor below" be coming true!!
Too blasphemous!
Unthinkable, truly unthinkable!
Alex put away his inappropriate thoughts.
He picked up the glowing orb and, following the prompt, placed it into the Imperial Glory's control panel.
The glowing orb merged into the control panel.
The entire moon-class battleship underwent a peculiar transformation, giving the impression that it had come alive.
Then, a projection appeared before Alex.
[Please set the appearance of the Machine Spirit and confirm its name]
"Good heavens, I can even customize its face!!"
After thinking for a long time, Alex created a cute loli angel and named her Cortana.
After confirming the appearance and name, a small angel projection appeared before Alex.
"Master, Cortana greets you. Are there any tasks you need to assign?"