I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield Chapter 622 - 476: Breaking the Seal, Entering the Ruins (2)

Meanwhile, Huo Yuansheng showcased the expertise of an elite business mastermind.

Unfamiliar with business affairs, Qin Tian rarely fretted over Lingfeng Trading's detailed workings, merely giving Huo Yuansheng a concise rundown of the firm's foundational status, operational range, and pressing challenges.

To his astonishment, armed only with these details, Huo Yuansheng merged them with Mingwang Planet's growth outlook, formulating a thorough expansion strategy for Lingfeng Trading—packed with precise, actionable steps from refining everyday processes to charting long-term market positioning.

Furthermore, he eagerly linked them with key contacts in the Interstellar Commerce Association, allowing Lingfeng Trading to forge several vital supply networks.

This support arrived like a lifeline for Qin Tian, thrusting the nascent company arm onto a rapid growth trajectory and deepening his realization of business realm's critical value.

Still, in this timeframe, he spotted a certain issue.

Namely, Taishi Feng and Huo Yuansheng's demeanor toward Dongfang Haoyue mirrored Zhuge Yu's—friends on the surface, but truly loyal subordinates quick to heed Dongfang Haoyue's direction.

Even today, he puzzled over how Dongfang Haoyue commanded such elite direct descendants of the Golden Clan.

Keep in mind, Dongfang Haoyue came from just a collateral line of the Dongfang Family; by rank and familial backing or resources, these figures actually exceeded him.

Each time he gently inquired about it, Dongfang Haoyue and Zhuge Yu offered elusive replies, leading him to set it aside eventually, simply harboring the mystery within for later clarification.

...

At long last, the Ice Gate's activation day dawned.

Within the subterranean ice cavern, the colossal Ice Gate towered in silence, its archaic runes undulating like vital beings, radiating a subtle luminescence and an eternal enigmatic vibe from bygone eras.

Fronting the gate, twin ice pillars rose steadfastly, bearing inscriptions sharp and pristine across ages, though their secrets baffled every scholar.

In front of the gate, five hundred approved entrants arrayed themselves in disciplined lines.

Holy Blood Clan heirs claimed the leading positions. From the Nine Great Holy Blood Clans, all but the Luoho Clan secured five spots apiece, whereas the Luoho Clan earned only three as Empire retribution for abducting sealing specialist Gao Shiniang earlier and withholding relic data.

The Luoho Clan lineup featured two Asuras alongside a Rakshasa female. The Asuras' grotesque traits clashed amid the striking Holy Blood progeny. Yet, all had grown used to Asura looks, shunning deliberate gawking, even as stray glances betrayed hidden caution and alertness.

Qin Tian positioned with Lan, flanked by Zhuge Yu, Taishi Feng, and Huo Yuansheng. They yearned to advance as a unit post-entry into the relic.

Once the stragglers settled in, 29th Battalion leader Shen Qingyue advanced to the line's head.

Outfitted in a pristine uniform, he pierced the gathering with a keen gaze and proclaimed resoundingly, "All personnel are present, the relic will be opened!"

His words barely faded when the impatiently waiting expert group surged ahead, headed by Gao Shiniang no less.

Clutching a golden array disk inscribed with elaborate spiritual energy motifs, he neared the Ice Gate's fore, inhaled deeply to steady his nerves, and methodically infused his spiritual energy into the disk.

The golden array disk blazed alive instantly, its spiritual energy motifs stirring like creeping vines, ascending languidly from the disk amid a mild sheen, soaring to the Ice Gate.

Touching the gate's sealing array, the motifs sparked a domino effect, resembling sardines merging into a teeming shoal.

Sealing array motifs convulsed wildly, prior neatness crumbling into disorder, but harnessed by Gao Shiniang, they steadily progressed to unraveling.

Gao Shiniang stared intently, fingers tirelessly reorienting the array disk, steering the motifs to weave and detach from the sealing array's. Every shift dulled the seal's shine incrementally, its fused motifs loosening progressively like a cord slipping free.

Qin Tian shot a look at nearby Zhuge Yu and soul-linked, "Do you understand these operations?"

Zhuge Yu cast a sidelong glance his way, her soul voice retorting, "Do you think I’m an ancestor of the Zhuge Family who can decipher all arrays at a glance? Without in-depth research on such ancient arrays, how could I possibly see through the decoding method directly?"

Qin Tian shrugged upon hearing this and kept observing the sealing array.

The array patterns entwined ever more tightly with the sealing array’s designs, akin to two clashing powers that sparked faint lights sporadically before blending together.

The sealing array’s radiance started to fade gradually, runes circulated at a reduced pace, and the gate’s patterns looked drained of power, blurring slowly.

Sweat beaded on Gao Shiniang’s forehead, his spiritual energy flowing steadily as before, while the array plate’s glow brightened. In the end, a golden ray lanced from the array plate, slamming right into the Ice Gate.

"Boom——"

Dazzling light abruptly exploded from the Ice Gate’s array patterns, the whole gate resembling a massive beast stirring from prolonged dormancy, issuing a profound growl that sent faint tremors through the underground ice cave.

Then, the massive Ice Gate creaked open inward, exposing a jet-black fissure from which an archaic aura of desolation, thick with dust and rot, billowed out, instantly blanketing the ice cave and compelling everyone to hold their breath, their eyes brimming with anticipation and strain.

Finally, the relic’s secrets stood poised to be revealed.

None among the five hundred there dared act hastily at that instant, all fixing their eyes on Shen Qingyue at the queue’s head—as the leader of this relic expedition, the group awaited his decisive order.

Shen Qingyue stepped ahead, his military uniform highlighting his erect stance in the frigid air. His eyes sharp as blades scanned every face, his voice firm and commanding with irrefutable weight, "Gentlemen, behind the relic lies an unknown domain that may hold millennial opportunities or be fraught with lethal dangers. Before you enter the relic, there are two disciplines I need to emphasize to everyone, remember them by heart."

He paused briefly, his tone sharpening further, "First, you are the talents selected by the Empire, entering the relic this time is not only a personal opportunity for breakthrough but also to uncover the ancient relic’s mysteries for the Empire. From this moment, you belong to the Empire’s exploration team, strictly prohibiting any form of infighting. Should anyone attack their compatriots for resources or opportunities, regardless of their family background or allegiance, they will be severely punished by the Empire’s laws afterward, with no leniency."

At these words, many nodded instinctively, yet some eyes glinted while lips curled in subtle scorn—to them, amid true life-and-death battles over treasures, the "strictly prohibiting infighting" rule amounted to empty words, for deep in the relic, real-time oversight was impossible, survival and gains taking precedence.

Shen Qingyue appeared to pierce their minds but refrained from calling it out, proceeding with, "Second, in all actions, personal safety is the foremost principle. If faced with an unbeatable threat within the relic or discover vital intelligence that could impact the Empire’s safety, do not forcefully explore further, prioritize self-preservation, and after withdrawing from the relic, report the encountered situations and acquired intelligence truthfully. The Empire possesses sufficient power to address any unknown risks, there is no need for you to risk your lives forcefully."

These instructions struck home with the crowd, many exhaling inwardly in relief—should they face fabled ancient demonic beasts or traps that annihilate all, no need to battle desperately; surviving to report would bring Empire elites to resolve it, avoiding needless sacrifice.

"Alright, with the rules clarified, now——" Shen Qingyue lifted his hand in a sharp motion, his voice rising sharply, "Enter the relic sequentially according to the planned order!"

His order rang out, prompting the leading Holy Blood Clan descendants to stride first into the Ice Gate’s fissure in sequence, tailed by Golden Clan folk, Military Department members, Tribunal agents, and other groups, the line coiling like a serpentine dragon into the gloom.

As Asaki Luoho trailed the crowd nearing the relic entry, a bone-chilling voice abruptly resounded in his mind, "Remember, help me kill him."

Asaki kept his expression steady, his pace unbroken, as though the words had fallen on deaf ears. Still, a distinct figure emerged vividly in his thoughts.

It was the very individual his cousin, Inzaghi Luoho, had ordered him to take out—the Guardian Envoy of Ice Extreme Pass, Qin Tian.

A quick shadow gleamed in his gaze. Inside this treacherous relic, arranging for someone's "accidental" death proved no great challenge.

This guy is finished.