I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield Chapter 621 - 476: Breaking the Seal, Entering the Ruins

Within the conference chamber, tea fragrance permeated the air, vapor rising into a subtle white haze amid the chilly atmosphere.

Dongfang Haoyue grasped a celadon teacup, his fingertips lightly caressing its edge, before speaking unhurriedly: "In fact, the seal of the Ice Gate was already breakable half a month ago. The reason we haven’t acted yet is mainly due to finalizing the list of those entering the ruins."

He halted for a moment, his eyes turning grave: "Behind the ruins is a completely unknown world, potentially harboring deadly dangers or perhaps a treasure trove. Hence, the selection this time emphasizes quality over quantity—the chosen ones are primarily direct descendants of the Holy Blood Clan and the Golden Clan, along with key cultivated talents from the Military Department, the Tribunal, and the Elder Council. Everyone’s strength is above Tier Six, and many are Tier Seven Spiritualists. Even if unexpected dangers arise, at least they have the ability to protect themselves."

"But the Empire’s quota is only five hundred, yet the number of applicants has multiplied several times," Zhuge Yu chimed in, a trace of feeling in his voice. "In the past month, major forces have been covertly vying, either lobbying top officials or trading resources, just to secure spots for their own on the list. It was only yesterday afternoon that the list got finalized, and the opening schedule officially set."

Dongfang Haoyue set aside his teacup, eyeing Qin Tian with a playful look: "This time, even the Golden Clan, with their thousand-year legacy, only got one spot, while your small Ice Extreme Pass got two. Many are inquiring about the background of this ’Guardian Envoy Qin’."

Qin Tian shrugged his hands upon hearing this: "Maybe those above think I deserve credit for discovering the Cold Tree, so they granted an extra spot."

At these words, Dongfang Haoyue merely smiled without further comment.

Credit for uncovering the Cold Tree is certainly earned, but suggesting it justifies two spots stretches the truth. A single Golden Clan member delivers and accomplishes far more for the Empire each year, yet secures only one slot.

He knew the true cause all too well.

For one thing, it rewards Qin Tian’s initial detection of the Ice Gate, without which the Empire would remain ignorant of this ancient relic on Mingwang Planet.

For another, Marshal Lin has tirelessly lobbied within the Military Department and the Senate, covertly advocating for the quota’s approval.

Dongfang Haoyue subtly eyed Taishi Feng and Huo Yuansheng at his side; escorting them to Ice Extreme Pass this time appeared as mere introduction, yet carried twofold purposes.

The primary aim was genuinely entrusting Qin Tian to safeguard the pair within the ruins.

Qin Tian had previously guided Mingyue through the deadly subspace storm, relying solely on his power to shatter the subspace barrier alongside her, reentering the stars.

His command of space could be deemed a "life-saving Divine Artifact." Qin Tian’s presence boosts their odds of fleeing even amid fatal perils inside the ruins.

The secondary aim concerned the other Ice Extreme Pass slot—held by an outsider called Lan.

He recalled that upon the quartet’s first approach to the Ice Gate, a spark of recognition had unmistakably appeared in Lan’s gaze at the bizarre inscriptions on the ice pillar.

Yet back then, Lan had linked soul-to-soul with Qin Tian, leaving the exchange’s details beyond his grasp.

A month on, even the Empire’s elite specialist squad remains unable to crack the ice pillar inscriptions, while Lan identified them instantly. This strongly suggests Lan harbors some hidden tie to this ancient relic, though Qin Tian refuses to share openly, and he naturally won’t press the matter.

Once Qin Tian and Lan venture into the ruins, they’re poised to dominate rivals and claim vast fortunes; with Taishi Feng, Huo Yuansheng, and Zhuge Yu in tow, the rest stand to reap spillover gains and unforeseen boons.

This assessment stems not from idle guesswork but from his sister Mingyue’s prophetic vision.

Beyond that event, the visions Mingyue foresaw beforehand have all materialized into fact.

Whether this "foresight" shapes the future or the dream steers its course matters little to Dongfang Haoyue—he simply recognizes that if the unfolding path favors him and his allies, he welcomes this "destiny’s nudge."

Over the ensuing three days, Dongfang Haoyue’s group lodged briefly at Ice Extreme Pass, patiently awaiting the ruins’ unveiling.

Over this period, Qin Tian enjoyed captivating exchanges with Taishi Feng and Huo Yuansheng, meeting up in the lounge nearly every day for discussions that strengthened their bond.

After graduating from the Military Academy, Taishi Feng joined the armed forces, advancing from a junior officer by means of hard-fought victories in combat, ultimately earning promotion to Major General as Deputy Commander of the Seventh Fleet.

Although the Taishi family offered considerable backing, his present rank stems mostly from his own impressive capabilities.

His command of military affairs remains exceptionally firm, featuring distinctive and deep understandings of force building and routine oversight; he's battled through endless terrestrial clashes amid blazing gunfire and cosmic engagements spanning the void. While recounting his warfare tales, he details events and dissects tactics, referencing even the famed confrontations from imperial annals.

Through only a handful of days conversing, Qin Tian gained a treasure trove of real-world military insights from him, particularly on organizing armed structures and enhancing battle effectiveness, which broadened his perspective and surpassed his wildest hopes for benefits.