According to the fleet's Statistics, the Gene Modification success rate reached an astonishing ninety-nine percent, far exceeding any historical record.
The few individuals who failed the Modification did so only because their Genes had an extremely poor Compatibility with the Ultramarines Gene-Seed, but even so, their Physical Qualities were still improved several times over what they were before the Modification.
These Personnel who "failed" the Modification were not discarded but were arranged to return to the Mother Planet to form Elite Garrison Teams, responsible for defending the Homeworld's Security.
Ryan looked out the Porthole at the vast Universe, as if in a trance, seeing the God-Emperor's Radiance cast upon every Star.
He knew his new Life had just begun, and endless Battle awaited him ahead.
A Month later, the Sun slowly rose, casting Golden Light onto the massive Metal Platform pieced together from War Planets.
Guilliman stood tall at the center of the Podium, looking down at the Blue Ocean before him: two billion five hundred million Ultramarines lined up neatly, their Power Armor shimmering with cold Light in the Morning Sun.
He had waited too long for this moment.
"Warriors!" Guilliman's voice spread across the entire Platform through the Speaker System. "Today, we embark on the greatest Campaign in the History of the Imperium of Man!"
Deafening Cheers echoed throughout the Universe, seeming to make even the distant Stars tremble.
Calgar stood in the first row, gazing at the Primarch on the Stage, his Eyes flashing with Fanatical Light.
His Body trembled slightly, his Emotions difficult to restrain. His Adjutant next to him looked at him worriedly.
"Are you alright, Sir?"
Calgar took a deep breath, barely managing to steady himself.
"I'm fine, it's just... this is too Awe-Inspiring."
The Medical Officer nearby had a serious expression, ready to send Calgar directly to the ICU if things looked bad.
Guilliman raised his Hand to signal for silence, and the Platform instantly fell quiet.
"Two Months ago, I lifted the Ultramarines' personnel limit of two hundred fifty thousand," he scanned the face of every Warrior below the Stage.
"Look at us now! Two billion five hundred million three hundred thousand Ultramarines! One thousand War Planets! Two hundred fifty thousand Capital Warships!"
With every Number he announced, Morale surged higher.
Guilliman held up the Data Pad in his Hand.
"This is just the Beginning! Thanks to the Technology bestowed upon us by the God-Emperor, we have overcome the issue of Astartes Reproductive Isolation."
A surprised murmur ran through the audience.
"Yes, Brothers, in the next few generations, Humanity will be able to directly Conceive Astartes Warriors! The era of Universal Astartes in the Imperium is fast approaching!"
Calgar clenched his Fist. For years, he had longed to expand the Chapter's scale, but due to Resource Shortages, scarce Gene-Seeds, and External Pressure, he was never able to achieve it.
Now, all restrictions were broken, and History was being rewritten before their Eyes.
Guilliman's voice was loud and passionate: "We have divided this colossal Army into two hundred fifty thousand Chapters, with ten thousand Warriors in each Chapter! Furthermore, every Chapter is equipped with one thousand Emperor-class Titans!"
He looked around, his expression becoming serious.
"This unprecedented Fleet will embark on the Great Crusade. Our goal is not only to Recapture Lost Territory, but to utterly Annihilate the Threat of Chaos, allowing Human Civilization to spread to every corner of the Galaxy!"
Calgar felt an indescribable Excitement surging in his Chest, and his two Hearts pounded violently at the same time.
Guilliman drew his Power Sword, the Tip pointing straight at the Sky.
"Brothers, our Great Crusade of Light is not limited to this place! At this moment, across the Galaxy, the other Primarchs are also mobilizing their Armies in their respective Star Sectors, preparing to launch a simultaneous General Offensive against the Forces of Chaos!"
Lion El'Jonson was organizing the Dark Angels in the Northern Star Sector of the Imperium, Vulkan was mobilizing his Salamanders Chapter, and the White Scars Chapter of Jaghatai Khan was poised for action in the East.
This was the prelude to an All-Out War.
Guilliman's voice rose again: "Children! Remember your Responsibility and Honor! Starting today, we no longer defend, but Attack! We no longer retreat, but Conquer!"
Just then, a Golden Beam of Light descended from the Sky, enveloping the entire Podium.
Two majestic Voices simultaneously resonated in everyone's Mind—one was the familiar Voice of the Emperor, and the other was the Voice of the New God-Emperor.
"[The First Great Crusade of Light of the Imperium of Man officially begins today!]"
Calgar controlled his Emotions, but the Light in his Eyes grew brighter. He stood ramrod straight, his Body trembling slightly, but only out of Excitement.
Guilliman noticed Calgar's gaze and nodded slightly at him, indicating he understood his Feelings.
"Heed the Call of the God-Emperor! For the Future of Humanity! For the Glory of the Imperium!"
"For the Glory of the Imperium!" Two billion five hundred million Warriors shouted in unison, the Roar like a tide, shaking the Stars.
Above the Platform, one thousand gigantic Warships slowly lowered their Altitude. Tractor Beams fired, waiting for the Warriors to board.
Guilliman sheathed his Sword and offered a final Salute.
"Ultramarines! My Children! Depart! Let the Galaxy witness the Power of Humanity once again!"
Two billion five hundred million Warriors turned in unison and proceeded in groups to their respective Warships. The Boarding Process was orderly.
Calgar looked up at the departing Fleet.
"History will remember this Day," he murmured. "This is the Beginning of Humanity's Counterattack."
High in the Sky, Ian and the Phantom of the Emperor stood side-by-side, looking down on everything. Ian wore a Smile, while the Emperor was solemn and majestic.
The signal light for Boarding Complete turned on, and Guilliman boarded the Flagship Command Tower.
"All Chapters report Status!"
"First Chapter, ready!" "Second Chapter, ready!" "Third Chapter, ready!"
Two hundred fifty thousand replies came simultaneously. All the Green Lights on the Operating Panel turned on, and Guilliman's Eyes flashed with Firm Light.
"The entire Army departs!"
One thousand War Planets activated their Engines simultaneously, the massive Energy Fluctuation causing a slight Warping of the surrounding Space. Two hundred fifty thousand Capital Warships followed in formation, with countless smaller Warships swarming around them like a Hive.
This unprecedented Fleet slowly dispersed, sailing towards the various Star Systems corrupted by Chaos. The Vanguard had already arrived early to construct the Wormholes.
"Prepare to Jump," Guilliman commanded. One thousand Portals appeared. The Warships automatically combined, following the War Planets into one thousand Teams, accelerating into the Wormholes.
The Great Crusade of Light had officially begun.
At the same moment, across the Galaxy, other Primarchs were also leading their respective Legions into Battle. The Imperium of Man's Counterattack had fully commenced.
Mini-Theater:
Before the start of the Great Crusade of Light, several Loyalist Primarchs gathered through the Power of Faith to communicate.
Jaghatai Khan: Brothers, how many Troops have you expanded? My White Scars Warriors now number nearly ten million! That should be more than the combined Imperial Army before, right!
Leman Russ: My Wolf Cubs already number over twelve million! I cannot imagine any Xenos stopping us.
Vulkan: I only have eight million Subordinates, but I also have tens of millions of Robots, and their Fighting Strength is comparable to the Astartes.
This brought on a round of envious murmuring.
Lion El'Jonson proudly stated: My Astartes forces total twenty million!
Jaghatai Khan: By the way, Guilliman, what about you? Don't just listen to us, tell us about yours! How many Ultramarines do you have under your command?
Guilliman: Twenty-five...
Jaghatai Khan: Brother, be honest, stop playing your games! Who is going to believe you if you still tell us nonsense like you only have two hundred fifty thousand Ultramarines!
Leman Russ: Exactly! Brother, we all told you, why are you still hiding it?
Guilliman: Two billion five hundred million. I have two billion five hundred million Ultramarines under my command.
What?! How much did you say?!