Warhammer 40: Saviors Emerging from the Bottom

Compared to the oppressive and dull capital, the grasslands of Bakhta are more alluring.

Countless nomadic tribes have thrived here, leading lives completely different from those of the inhabitants of the city.

The wind sweeps across the boundless green grasslands, carrying the breath of freedom and wildness to every yurt and herd.

A group of young warriors were galloping around the tribe's camp, racing to see who could go the fastest.

At the front of the group, two horses galloped ahead, leaving the others far behind.

The two boys in the lead looked very relaxed; they even had time to chat.

"I heard the selection for the Warrior of God has already started. Aren't you going to participate?"

"This has been going on for three years, and what's the result? To date, those guys living in the tower have never set foot on our tribe's territory."

"This time is different. It is said that the governor personally ordered that all eligible male members of the tribe can participate in the selection."

At this point, the young man, who was lagging behind by a horse's rump, showed a regretful expression.

"After my birthday this year, I'll be 18, and I probably won't have another chance, but you're different."

"Borke, you should give it a try."

"Try it? We'll need a place to try it first." The young man named Bork scoffed, squeezed his legs tightly around the horse's flanks, and charged off.

The young man, who had wanted to persuade them further, was choked by the dust kicked up by the galloping horses.

Watching his younger brother's departing figure, he shook his head helplessly.

Unsurprisingly, Bork won the horse race, and the prize lamb will be his meal tonight.

After galloping for a long time, the horse cannot stop immediately, otherwise it may cause muscle congestion, body stiffness, or even sudden death.

So after the race, the warriors who participated in the horse race began to walk their horses around the camp.

They talked about the interesting things that had happened on the grassland recently, as well as all sorts of strange and unusual rumors, the most frequently mentioned of which was the "Selection Ceremony of the Warriors of God".

The name appeared on the grasslands for only three years.

Legend has it that the eleven monarchs who ruled over this grassland reached an agreement with the ruler of the planet, swearing allegiance to each other in exchange for a grand ceremony to elect seven warriors of the gods.

When Bourke first heard the news, he was only 13 years old.

When he learned that becoming a warrior of the gods would be considered an honor by all members of the tribe, he was immediately tempted.

If he can stand out from the ceremony, he can prove that he does not have the blood of a coward.

To this end, he set almost strict requirements for himself, training, fighting, and studying, which made up almost his entire daily routine.

However, three years have passed, and the rumors remain just rumors.

Bock felt that all his efforts were a waste of time; the so-called selection ceremony for the warriors of God was nothing more than a lie concocted by the guys living in the tower to fool the shepherds.

Now, whenever anyone brings up this matter, he will mock them without mercy, even if it is his own brother.

The so-called selection ceremony for the warriors of God is actually the selection ceremony for Astartes.

Because of the Greenskin invasion, the Astartes selection ceremony, originally scheduled for 120 Terra days later, was delayed for three years.

During this period, the tribal chief of Bakda felt that he had been deceived by Xiao Yi. Unable to explain to his herdsmen, they even prepared to defend their interests and dignity with their swords.

Fortunately, at the critical moment, Matthias moved them with the teachings of the emperor; otherwise, Bakda would have faced an unprecedented rebellion.

To appease them, Matthias even provided a batch of supplies to help the herders who were suffering from the white disaster get through the crisis.

This can't go on forever; we have to find a way to solve the problem head-on.

Just as Matthias was racking his brains about how to deal with the situation, news came from Aurora that the Greenskins' invasion had been successfully resolved.

However, due to some complicated reasons, Governor Xiao Yi is temporarily unable to return to Bakda, so he will have to remain in his position as governor for a while longer.

In order to enable him to better handle the complex issues of Bakda, Xiao Yi granted him many permissions, including how to conduct the selection of Astartes candidates.

There are only two core principles: it cannot be too harsh, nor too simplistic.

Based on these two points, Matthias can do whatever he wants.

After a month of intensive preparations, Matthias sent the news to the 11 tribal chiefs that the Astartes selection ceremony had officially begun.

Accompanying them was a group of mechanical priests responsible for registering the participants' identities.

The tribes on the grasslands are scattered, and without high-tech communication facilities, it would take at least several months to accurately deliver this message to every herder.

The small tribe that Bork belonged to was among the group that received the news relatively late.

When the horse-racing warriors returned to their tribe, they found that the once noisy camp had suddenly become quiet, and the tribe's inhabitants had all disappeared for some unknown reason.

Just as everyone was wondering, an elderly man with white hair and beard hurriedly walked over.

"Come with me quickly, the Khan's messenger has been waiting for a long time. He is going to personally examine the warriors who will participate in the selection ceremony."

"What selection ceremony?"

"It's the selection ceremony for the warriors of the gods that's been circulating on the grasslands lately."

Upon hearing this, Bork frowned, somewhat skeptical, and said, "Isn't this just a rumor?"

"The Khan's envoy is already waiting in the camp. If you don't believe me, just go and see for yourself."

Urged on by the elder, the group arrived at the camp in the center of the tribe.

The thud of horses' hooves on the ground immediately attracted the attention of other herders.

Feeling their admiring gazes, Bock's dormant heart stirred once more.

Participants in the God Warrior selection ceremony must be between 13 and 16 years old.

Bourke is already 16 years old this year, and if he doesn't participate now, he will never have another chance.

Could it be that the God Emperor is favoring me and has given me this opportunity?

Just as he was lost in thought, a man dressed in a magnificent robe, whose appearance was completely different from everyone else, walked out of the tent under the protection of several warriors.

Upon seeing the visitor, the old man immediately knelt on one knee.

"Great Khan's messenger, all the young men in the tribe who are qualified to participate in the ceremony are here. Please conduct the most rigorous tests on them."

Upon hearing this, the envoy nodded, then looked up and scanned Bourke and his entourage.

The menacing gaze made the young people of this small tribe involuntarily lower their heads.

Only the defiant Borke looked at the Khan's envoy with an unruly gaze, their eyes meeting in mid-air and sparking a fierce exchange.

"Haha, interesting. I hope the next test won't disappoint me too much."