I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield Chapter 613 - 472: Steel Armor Knight Army

On that day, a thunderous rumble reverberated across the frozen expanses of Mingwang Planet.

The 29th Army's fleet arrived precisely on schedule.

Dozens of gleaming silver-white warships loomed like colossal beasts under the clouds. Blasting winds and snow assaulted their hulls relentlessly, yet left no mark and couldn't jostle the vessels even slightly.

Moments later, the undersides of the ships parted slowly, casting beams of icy blue teleportation light down to the surface—like towering pillars linking sky and ground.

Countless silhouettes materialized steadily inside those beams, while rhythmic bootsteps boomed orderly over the ice fields. In mere minutes, the full hundred-thousand-strong force had fully deployed.

This army's formations stood sharp and imposing.

Leading the vanguard was the Spiritual Warrior Army, troops clad in dark golden Spiritual Armor etched with swirling runes, each grasping identical alloy battle sabers whose edges glowed with a subtle chill.

Flanking the Spiritual Warrior Army on either side came the Spiritual Mage Army, robed mages adorned with elemental motifs, clutching staffs studded with gems, enveloped in subtle ripples of ice, fire, thunder, earth... myriad elemental forces weaving into an unseen protective shield.

Bringing up the rear was the Empire's famed "Steel Armor Knight Army"—warriors encased in nearly three-meter-high black powered exosuits that looked like hulking metal fortresses but pulsed with seamless fusion of tech and spiritual power.

Drawing from Stellar Armor concepts, this gear packed heavy machine guns, palm-mounted cannons, and chain-swords, plus an AI-driven battle interface. Helmets featured full 360-degree radar sweeps to track nearby actions instantly, with pinpoint targeting able to lock enemies from a kilometer out.

Even more crucially, the exosuits' exteriors bore intricate spiritual energy runes, enabling them to soak up foe energy blasts and absorb physical blows with formidable resilience.

Though Steel Armor Knight Army troops weren't Spiritualists or Superpower Users, every one was a top pick from the Empire's elite forces. Boosted by genetic serums, their bodies shattered normal human bounds, rivaling a supercharged "Captain America" in power, agility, and stamina.

Paired with the powered armor, each Knight matched a Tier Three Spiritualist's might solo; in coordinated squads, a hundred Knights outfought a hundred lone Tier Threes, even holding off over ten Tier Four Spiritualists.

The last teleportation beam faded, and the 29th Army's command staff materialized in perfect order. Front and center stood a towering man in black uniform, gold star gleaming on his shoulder, his stern features accented by temples flecked with gray that only amplified his battle-forged presence—he was General Shen Qingyue, leader of the 29th Army.

"Seal the perimeter!"

Shen Qingyue's command rang out softly, but it sliced through gale and flurry to hit every trooper's ears crystal clear.

The hundred thousand soldiers sprang into action at once, as six hybrid brigades fanned out per prior plans around the Frozen Gateway, erecting a twenty-mile-wide ringed cordon. Spiritual Warriors held the outer watch, Spirit Mages raised elemental walls along the inner perimeter, while Steel Armor Knights divided into teams to sweep the enclosed zone, blocking any shady intruders cold.

At the same time, ice and earth mages collaborated to carve a five-meter-wide passage straight to the Frozen Gateway's underground ice vault, its sides shored up with spiritual energy against cave-ins.

At the passage mouth, Shen Qingyue scanned the ranks of soldiers arrayed in precision, then declared gravely: "Secure the passage. No one is to set foot in without permission."

"Understood! General!" The troops thundered back as one, their chorus shaking the ice fields and proclaiming the Empire's iron grip on the Frozen Gateway.

Shen Qingyue, flanked by top officers, ventured down the fresh ice conduit.

Spiritual energy braced the tunnel walls, which shimmered with soft blue glows that banished the depths' gloom and chill.

Ten minutes of advance later, the path widened abruptly.

A majestic Frozen Gateway loomed ahead, its face aglow with frosty blue crystal sheen, carved with elaborate arcane motifs resembling a cosmic stream in motion.

In front of the gateway rose two upright ice pillars, carved with bizarre ancient runes radiating a majestic presence that spanned ages, evoking an unavoidable surge of respect.

"What a magnificent relic."

The chief of staff couldn't help murmuring in wonder, as fellow officers nodded solemnly, their faces turning graver with each passing moment.

Mingwang Planet ranks among the eight satellites orbiting the Royal star, positioned perilously close to it. If any peril hid inside the Frozen Gateway, the repercussions would defy imagination.

They fully grasped that the mission extended beyond merely sealing the location—it demanded confirmation that this ancient relic threatened no danger to the Royal star.

Shen Qingyue’s eyes scanned the Frozen Gateway, his voice grave: "Pass down the order, immediately widen the tunnel and establish a temporary command center in the ice chamber. I will personally oversee from here."

"Yes!" A subordinate snapped to attention, acknowledged the command, wheeled about, and dashed off to deploy the teams.

Shortly after, the tunnel resounded with soldiers hauling equipment and chipping away at the ice, all tasks unfolding with crisp efficiency.

Atop a frigid peak amid the icy expanses, Inzaghi Luoho lingered motionless, his stare riveted toward the 29th Army’s base.

Observing the hundred thousand soldiers finalize their containment formation, he clenched his fists uncontrollably, knuckles blanching white, teeth grinding nearly to the breaking point.