I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield Chapter 652 - 488: Amaterasu Bloodline and Onmyoji

Amidst the roaring thunder that shook the firmament over the frozen plains, swords and sabers clashed in a deadly ballet.

Qin Tian, wreathed in crackling purple lightning, suspended in mid-air as if a thunder deity gracing the mortal realm. Columns of pure lightning descended, reducing vast swaths of formidable magical beasts to mere ashes.

His amplified senses, already encompassing the entire battlefield, detected the subtle emergence of a few unknown auras lurking in the distance, pinpointed by his sharp intuition.

"Be cautious, we have company nearby," Qin Tian's voice, amplified by his Spiritual Energy, resonated clearly within the minds of Zhuge Yu and the other two.

Though their eyes immediately sharpened, their assault did not falter. The Heaven-piercing Halberd continued its relentless sweep, the longsword remained a blur of fierce strikes, defensive arrays persisted in their constricting embrace, and the demonic creatures underfoot continued to fall. Yet, they subtly amplified their vigilance.

Within mere moments, the once teeming magical beasts were annihilated by the quartet. The icy ground became a grim tableau of mangled remains, coated in blood that instantly froze, and the air grew thick with the acrid stench of carnage.

With the battle concluded, Zhuge Yu produced a Jade Bottle, giving it a slight flick. The stopper popped open as if by its own will, and three luminous green Elixirs, imbued with a faint spirituality, arced through the air, landing precisely in the waiting hands of Qin Tian, Taishi Feng, and Huo Yuansheng.

Qin Tian accepted his Elixir and consumed it without hesitation. Though the intense conflict had barely taxed him, he adopted a practiced pose of deep breathing to outwardly signify recuperation.

As the four regrouped, six figures appeared on the distant horizon, streaking towards them like phantoms. In mere breaths, they arrived above the ice plains, coming to a steady halt directly opposite the group of four.

The four subtly adjusted their postures, their gazes immediately drawn to the figure at the forefront of the approaching party.

Zhuge Yu's pupils contracted slightly, his eyes narrowing with intense focus as he spoke in a low, resonant tone, "Shengongsi Hao Er."

Upon hearing the name, the expressions of Taishi Feng and Huo Yuansheng simultaneously grew somber.

The Shengongsi family, recognized as one of the Empire's Nine Great Holy Blood Clans, was known for its prestigious inheritance of the Tenkai bloodline.

This particular clan maintained close ties with the Luoho Clan, while they stood in direct opposition to the Dongfang Family lineage. Consequently, their alliance with the Dongfang Family automatically positioned the Shengongsi family as their adversaries.

Shengongsi Hao Er, a direct descendant of the Shengongsi family's venerable Holy Blood, a practitioner of Tier Seven expertise, his sudden appearance could only herald ill intentions.

Qin Tian's gaze settled upon Shengongsi Hao Er. He was the fourth Holy Blood Clan bearer Qin Tian had encountered. Unlike the refined gentleness of the Dongfang family, the chilling malevolence of the Vladimir Clan, or the palpable bloodlust of the Luoho Clan, this Shengongsi family scion emanated a distinct aura of pride and fierce determination.

He was adorned in a meticulously tailored black robe, its fabric intricately embroidered with complex Japanese cloud patterns and the sacred Tenkai totems, bestowing an air of nobility that set him apart from ordinary black garments.

The five individuals accompanying him were similarly clad in flowing robes or tactical outfits, some resembling kimonos, all bearing the finely embroidered crests of their respective families, clearly identifying them as Shengongsi Hao Er's loyal retainers.

A faint, cold smile played on the lips of the six, their eyes, resembling those of deadly vipers, glinted with undisguised avarice and open hostility. They fixed their intense gazes upon Qin Tian and his three companions, scrutinizing them as if appraising future acquisitions.

"You must be Zhuge Yu," Shengongsi Hao Er initiated the conversation, his tone dripping with unparalleled arrogance. "I believe you recognize me. Let us dispense with the pleasantries; surrender all the treasures obtained from the Ice God Treasure Vault, and perhaps I shall permit you to depart from this place today."

Hearing this pronouncement, Zhuge Yu maintained an unruffled demeanor. He was acutely aware that Shengongsi Hao Er, a Tier Seven Three Stars Holy Blood expert, was on paper more than capable of crushing the four of them with effortless ease.

However, the recent boon from the Ice God Treasure Vault had significantly amplified their combined strength. Furthermore, Qin Tian possessed an endless arsenal of trump cards, capable even of subduing the formidable high-tier seven Ice Qilin, thus hinting at the potential to contend against a Holy Blood expert.

Additionally, Qin Tian commanded the awe-inspiring Power of Space, ensuring a swift and complete retreat was entirely feasible, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

"My apologies, but the Ice God Treasure Vault you refer to is entirely unknown to us," Zhuge Yu replied, slowly shaking his head, his voice devoid of any inflection.

"Heh." Shengongsi Hao Er let out a derisive scoff, his eyes alight with mockery. "I never expected the Zhuge Family, celebrated for their profound wisdom, to resort to such self-deceiving falsehoods. Do you genuinely believe such words will sway my conviction?"

He took a deliberate step forward, unleashing an oppressive aura befitting a Tier Seven Holy Blood expert. The air above the frigid plains grew heavy and stagnant, as if crushed beneath the weight of mountains.

"Zhuge Yu, I shall grant you one final opportunity. Wisely relinquish the treasures, and I shall permit you to depart unharmed. Should you cling to this obstinate refusal, all four of you shall forfeit your lives on this very spot today."

To his perception, Zhuge Yu and his assembled group were merely a disorganized mob, devoid of the Holy Blood’s divine favor. Their highest cultivation levels failed to exceed Tier Seven, rendering them insignificant in his eyes.

Were it not for his apprehension regarding the Zhuge family’s complex defensive formations, and the potential for them to destroy valuable artifacts in a moment of desperation, he would have already initiated a direct assault rather than engaging in mere conversation.

Despite the escalating tension, Zhuge Yu’s composure remained unwavering. He calmly reiterated, "We genuinely possess no knowledge of the Ice God Treasure Vault's whereabouts."

Shengongsi Hao Er let out a cold chuckle, his smile fading completely as lethal intent flared in his eyes. "You persist in denial even when facing oblivion. If it is death you seek, do not fault me for my merciless actions."

As his declaration concluded, his gaze sharpened with ruthlessness. With a sweeping gesture of his hand, he commanded with a frosty tone, "Attack!"

The moment his command echoed, the five individuals flanking him surged forward with the speed of unleashed arrows. Each unleashed a distinct wave of energy, sweeping across the frozen expanse in an assault against Zhuge Yu and his companions.

To the left, two figures clad in flowing kimonos simultaneously began forming hand seals, their lips moving in a hushed incantation.

One of the duo swiftly flicked his fingers, releasing several yellow talismans. Upon impact, these talismans ignited into fiercely burning spectral flames, from which emerged dozens of Ghost Spirits, their faces pallid and teeth sharp. With chilling howls, they charged towards the trio.