I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield Chapter 5: Xiaolong Rifle, Flame Superpower

"Brother, how should I call you?"

A smile lit up the young man's face as he regarded Qin Tian.

Expression unchanging, Qin Tian pointed toward the number emblazoned on his chest.

"Ahaha, no name yet, huh?"

With an awkward chuckle, the man introduced himself: "I’m Xiao Yunlong, and the lovely woman beside me is Liu Zhaozhao."

Qin Tian gave a nod while observing the pair closely.

Both appeared youthful, barely into their twenties.

Xiao Yunlong had a polished look, his grin revealing neat white teeth that radiated charm.

Liu Zhaozhao boasted pale skin, an innocent and soft vibe, her sleek long hair cascading over her shoulders. Fresh tears seemed to have marked her, with puffy red eyes lending her a fragile allure.

"Oh yeah, that fellow by the entrance is our captain, Qin Dadi," Xiao Yunlong mentioned.

Qin Dadi~

Qin Tian’s eyebrow twitched faintly, something sparking in his thoughts.

"I remember now."

Bam~

From beyond the door came the thud of it shutting, as Qin Dadi entered the space.

"Captain Qin, I’ve shared our three names with him already."

"But don’t we need to name him? It’s odd just using a number," Xiao Yunlong questioned.

"Hmm."

Qin Dadi inclined his head. Huang Xun had fallen mere moments ago, and now this clone soldier stepped in as the Earth Dragon Team’s sharpshooter. Pure chance, or perhaps destiny at work.

In that light, naming him Huang might...

"I already have a name."

Qin Tian interjected abruptly.

"A name? Instructor Raymond assign it?" Xiao Yunlong inquired with curiosity.

Shooting a look at Qin Dadi, Qin Tian replied evenly:

"I’m called Qin Tian."

Qin... Tian?

Xiao Yunlong stole a glance at Qin Dadi, lips clamped to stifle laughter that bubbled up uncontrollably.

Liu Zhaozhao ducked her head, a faint smile flickering in her eyes.

Qin Dadi’s features froze, eyelids spasming wildly.

My name’s Qin Dadi, yours Qin Tian?

Trying to outrank me?

Qin Dadi shot Qin Tian a fierce stare, yet the latter’s face stayed blank—save for that subtle eyebrow lift he spotted.

This brat, is it payback for me dubbing him trash earlier, picking that name?

The notion zipped through Qin Dadi’s head, though even he deemed it absurd.

Could a brand-new clone, untouched by life, harbor real fury or grudge?

"Ahem, Qin Tian—solid choice, great name."

Qin Dadi clapped Qin Tian’s shoulder. "Now we’re family. Relax, big bro’s got your back."

"Haha, welcome aboard the Earth Dragon Team, Qin Tian!"

Xiao Yunlong slung a buddy-like arm over Qin Tian’s shoulder with enthusiasm. "We’re comrades, brothers from here on out."

"Welcome," Liu Zhaozhao murmured curtly, her voice coolish.

Huang Xun’s death still weighed heavy on her. Meeting his replacement—a fresh sharpshooter—she held no outright opposition, yet couldn’t warm to him as swiftly as Qin Dadi or Xiao Yunlong.

Qin Tian nodded, his cool poise unbroken.

"Qin Tian, take a seat."

Xiao Yunlong guided Qin Tian to a chair, fetched a cup of water, and probed eagerly:

"How’d you ace the Spirit Bird trial? I took a shot once and missed the wings entirely."

At those words, Qin Dadi and Liu Zhaozhao turned their eyes to Qin Tian instantly.

They burned to learn how a straight-off-the-line clone nailed that hellish marksmanship challenge.

Qin Tian’s eyes flickered, voice light: "Having hands is all it takes."

As long as you have hands... it’s enough.

Their eyelids jerked hard—that line begged for a punch.

But Qin Tian’s serene, lake-still gaze left them sighing in resignation.

Never mind, clones don’t grasp showing off; he’s just blunt.

"Qin Tian, that rifle on your back yours?"

Shifting gears, Xiao Yunlong eyed the weapon slung on Qin Tian and grinned: "Standard 85-issue, solid punch but sluggish fire rate. Fine for Green-skinned Orcs, nothing more."

"Captain Qin, let’s hand Qin Tian Huang Xun’s rifle."

Qin Dadi agreed without hesitation, nodding:

"Fine, fetch all of Huang Xun’s gear."

"On it."

Xiao Yunlong dashed into the inner room, hauling out a dark case packed with Huang Xun’s effects.

Clack~~

Flipping the clasp, Xiao Yunlong lifted a pitch-black rifle, sandblasted finish gleaming with subdued metallic sheen, exuding toughness and reliability. Its muzzle sported a hefty brake, oddly shaped like savage fangs, taming massive kickback while boosting menace.

"Xiaolong Rifle, pride of Jerald Company."

Xiao Yunlong pulled out a boxy metal case, rapped it lightly, and declared: "Armor-piercing and HE ammo for the Xiaolong inside—power to challenge Tier Two Spiritualists. Here, get a feel."

Qin Tian extended both hands to accept the rifle. The instant his grip closed on the Xiaolong, an old-friend warmth flooded him, like decades of shared battles, every component etched in memory.

Fingers tracing the rifle’s frame, Qin Tian felt the icy, gritty surface ripple through his very spirit.

"Thank you."

Qin Tian’s genuine thanks caught them off guard, his sincerity feeling oddly fresh.

"No thanks needed—these belonged to a fallen teammate."

Qin Dadi spoke gravely: "A top rifle like this deserves a sharpshooter’s hands, not dust."

"Yunlong, let Qin Tian test the other gear too."

"Sure."

From the case, Xiao Yunlong unpacked more: silver battlesuit, laser sidearm, ammo vest, multifunction helmet...

Geared up completely, a tough, determined elite trooper stood there, face chiseled sharp. Beneath the clear faceplate, eyes gleamed with icy composure.

The three stared absently, a ghostly echo of the past merging with Qin Tian’s form.

Whew~

Qin Dadi drew a steadying breath, focus sharpening. Qin Tian wasn’t Huang Xun; he filled no one’s shoes.

"Qin Tian, it’s all yours now. Make good use of it." Qin Dadi slapped his shoulder, tone laced with feeling, as if passing down a treasured heirloom.

Qin Tian dipped his head, eyes burning with unyielding determination.

He sensed the warmth from Qin Dadi and crew stemmed mostly from their lost comrade—probably the prior Absolute Gunmastery wielder.

Reason aside, Qin Tian appreciated the Earth Dragon Team and felt blessed to join them.

Beep Beep Beep

Abruptly, Qin Dadi’s wrist device blared urgent tones.

Lifting his arm to check, he growled deeply:

"Mission time."

"Captain Qin, details?" Xiao Yunlong pressed.

Qin Dadi’s voice chilled: "Wild cats sniffing our base—the command wants them skinned alive."

"Cat-men once more."

Liu Zhaozhao’s forehead creased as vivid red fire erupted fiercely from her hand.

Scorching waves rolled out, jacking up the room’s heat.

Qin Tian’s gaze dropped, a ripple stirring inside him.

Flame Superpower?

What sort of world is this~