Rick closed the Holographic Projection and instead took out a Statue from the inside of his Breastplate.
"You absolutely don't need to worry about your family's Livelihood. As long as you faithfully believe in the God-Emperor, he will grant you rewards far beyond your imagination."
Rick placed the Statue on the Table and softly chanted a few syllables that Ryan had never heard before (Chinese).
The Statue emitted a gentle Golden Light, which gradually formed an interface glowing with White Light in the air.
Rick signaled his family to gather around and taught them one by one how to interact with the Interface. Ryan followed his older Brother's instructions, silently reciting a short Prayer in his Heart, then gently touched the Interface.
Instantly, a warm Energy flowed through his Body, and immediately afterward, an Interface also appeared before his Eyes, an Interface he could understand.
Ryan was extremely surprised; the content displayed on the Interface was completely beyond his imagination.
Various precious Items, Skills, and Knowledge were categorized, ranging from ordinary Farm Tools to peculiar Technological Products, from simple Medical Tips to profound knowledge of Warship manufacturing.
"The content seen by everyone will be different," Rick's voice seemed to come from far away. "The Light Screen will automatically suggest content based on your Comprehension Ability and Needs."
Ryan's Fingers trembled as he continued to scroll down the options.
There were also various Life Supplies, as well as large Wooden Huts that could be built with a single click. Ryan had long wanted to replace his Hut with a bigger one, and the appearance of this Hut was exactly what he had in mind.
"This... is this all Free?" Ryan struggled to swallow.
"It's not Free, it's exchanged with Faith," Rick corrected. "Pious Faith and the Attitude of living a Diligent Life will be converted into Faith Value, which can be exchanged for these things."
Ryan looked at the number displayed in the corner of his Interface; it was a value far exceeding his imagination.
"Our family's Piety to the Emperor over several generations has accumulated a considerable Faith Value," Rick explained.
The others in the room were also immersed in their own Light Screens. His little Daughter had even started selecting colorful Candy and Toys.
Ryan's wife was surprised to find the brand-new Loom she had dreamed of right on the list.
"The God-Emperor can know the deepest Desire in each of our Hearts through the Link of Faith," Rick's voice was filled with Awe.
A few minutes later, when everyone recovered from the initial Shock, Rick cleared his throat to interrupt their exploration.
"This is just the Beginning. The deeper your Faith, the more you can exchange for."
Ryan looked down at his Rough Hands. He finally had a chance to be modified into an Astartes one day—something he had never dared to imagine.
"If we choose to join the Ultramarines... will these Faith Exchanges still exist?" Ryan asked.
"Of course," Rick nodded. "And there will be more. As Warriors of the Emperor, you will have direct access to higher-level Faith Rewards."
Ryan looked around at his family and saw the same Yearning and Determination flickering in everyone's Eyes.
So, under Rick's guidance, the whole family sat in a circle, clasped their Hands together, and began to pray sincerely. Golden Light rose from their chests, interweaving into a net, which finally converged into the blurry image of the God-Emperor.
"The God-Emperor protect us," Rick whispered.
"The God-Emperor protect us," the rest of the family repeated devoutly, their voices full of Gratitude and Reverence.
After Rick finished explaining everything to everyone, he walked out of the Farm. "The Will of the God-Emperor has descended. The choice is before you. Those willing to follow us, gather here in one Hour."
The Sun gradually set, and Ryan's family gathered around the Dinner Table for the final discussion.
"My Father, my younger Brother, and I will go for the Modification first," Ryan held his wife Tina's Hand tightly, his tone firm. "You take the Children to the newly constructed School. It can cultivate more Knowledge and Skills for you."
His wife Tina nodded, a complex mix of Reluctance and Anticipation flickering in her Eyes.
Ryan promised softly, "Once the Children are a little older, our whole Family will join the ranks of the Astartes together."
His little Daughter, Emily, rushed into her Father's Arms, her voice carrying a childlike sob.
"Daddy, will you become as tall as Uncle?"
Ryan cupped his Daughter's Face and said gently, "It's not about being scary, Emily, it's about being Strong and Brave, to protect our Home."
As the Sun set, dozens of Villagers had gathered on the open ground in the center of the Village, including Elders, Women, and even young Children.
Ryan and his family stood on one side of the crowd. He could feel the tense yet excited Emotions of the surrounding People filling the air.
"Here it comes," Rick suddenly looked up at the Sky. The moment he spoke, a deep Roaring Sound came from above.
A Warship that covered the sky slowly descended, obscuring half the Sky. Its Metal Surface glittered with Sacred Radiance under the reflection of the setting Sun.
"Wow! What a big Ship!" Emily looked up, her small Eyes wide and round.
The Hatch at the bottom of the Warship opened, releasing a Beam of Light that enveloped the assembled crowd in the center.
Ryan only felt his Body lighten; his Feet left the ground, and the surrounding Scenery quickly became smaller. They were pulled up by the Beam of Light, floating toward the massive Hatch.
The interior of the Hatch was very Spacious. Exquisite Murals were carved onto the towering Metal Walls. A team of fully armed Ultramarines guarded the internal Passage.
Rick raised his Hand to signal everyone to follow, his voice echoing in the Metal Hall. "This Warship will be your new Home in the future. Follow me to understand the Basic Situation, and then I will take you to the Training Area."
He walked quickly ahead, occasionally pointing to the Cabins and Equipment on both sides, briefly introducing their Functions and Importance.
Ryan tried hard to remember the Information, but his Attention was more drawn to the precise Mechanical Devices and Ancient Runes inside the Cabin.
Ten minutes later, a giant Alloy Door slowly opened before them.
"Welcome to the Modification Center," Rick turned to face the crowd. "The Gene Modification Process has been greatly simplified now, but first, you need to undergo Knowledge Infusion and Consciousness Assessment."
Ryan was led into a Circular Room and put on a Helmet. A cold, mechanical voice sounded in his Ear: "[Initializing Knowledge Infusion Program. Please relax your mind and prepare to receive information.]"
The next second, thousands of Images, Sounds, and Texts flooded into Ryan's Brain like a torrent. The History of the Imperium, the Glory of the Astartes, Combat Tactics, Weapon Knowledge, Mecha Maintenance Skills, etc... Ten thousand years of Wisdom were compressed and injected into his mind within a few Hours.
Ryan gritted his Teeth, cold Sweat streaming down his Forehead, but he held on, refusing to faint. The machine suddenly stopped. He gasped heavily, finding that he could now understand much Knowledge he had never heard of before.
"[Knowledge Infusion complete. Consciousness Assessment commencing shortly.]" The mechanical voice sounded again.
A Virtual Battlefield unfolded before Ryan, and then his Consciousness entered a Phantom Realm. He couldn't remember anything that happened afterward.
He only knew that Rick stood before him and said, "Congratulations on passing the Test. Next is the actual Modification Process."
Ryan was guided to a huge Chamber, where transparent Nutrient Pods were neatly arranged. Technicians signaled him to lie flat on a Metal Bed.
"Do not fear," a Technician from the Mechanicus wearing a pure White Uniform said. "We will first extract and seal your Soul, then implant the Gene-Seed and begin the Physical Modification."
After a sharp Sting, Ryan felt his Consciousness being pulled out of his Body, suspended in mid-air, looking down at his own Body.
Then Ryan saw the Technicians implant a faintly glowing Seed into his Chest. Following this, his Body was immersed in a Medicinal Liquid that emitted a faint Blue Fluorescent Light.
"[Entering Time Acceleration Field. Modification initiated.]"
Within this miraculous Time Field, Ryan's Body began to change at an astonishing Speed.
Bones grew and stretched, Muscle Density sharply increased, Visceral Functions were strengthened, and Sensory Capabilities multiplied.
Then, numerous Mechanical Arms implanted new Organs into his Body—a Second Heart, Multi-functional Lungs, a Reinforced Liver, etc.—these were the characteristic Bio-Enhancements of the Astartes.
The Medicinal Liquid continuously permeated every Cell, optimizing his Genes, granting him Power and Durability beyond that of ordinary Mortals.
Inside the Field, Ryan experienced a Modification Process that felt like many Months, yet only half an Hour had passed in the Outside World.
When his Soul was re-injected into his modified Body, he could feel the continuously surging Power within.
He stood up, feeling his new Body. His Height now reached two and a half Meters. His Muscles were as solid as Steel, and with every Breath, he could feel the Power surging within him.
"[Modification complete. Proceeding to Equipment Zone.]" The guiding voice sounded.
Ryan was led to another Passage. High-tech 3D Printing Equipment began to scan his Body, and then directly constructed an entire set of customized Exclusive Power Armor onto him.
Metal Plates perfectly fused with Bio-Interfaces. Energy Conduits connected every Joint. Each piece of Armor conformed to his newly born Body.
This Armor was not only his Battle Shell but also his Second Skin as an Ultramarine.
After the Equipment was complete, Ryan was sent into another Time Acceleration Field. There, an advanced Artificial Intelligence simulated thousands of Battlefield Environments and Enemy Types. He underwent ten Years of Combat Training within it.
During this time, he learned how to use various Weapons, how to Survive in harsh Environments, how to Coordinate Operations with his Chapter Brothers, and how to face the Characteristics of various Hostile Races.
Finally, the System matched the most suitable Weapons based on his Fighting Style: an Energy Warhammer and a Bolter Machine Gun.
Only one Day had passed in the Outside World, but Ryan had lived through several Years of experience. When he carried the giant Energy Warhammer toward the waiting Rick, he was no longer the ordinary Farmer.
The two Brothers looked at each other and smiled, simultaneously punching the Imperial Aquila on their chests.
"Long Live the God-Emperor!" Rick shouted.
"Long Live Humanity!" Ryan replied, his voice deep and strong.