I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield Chapter 669 - 496: Heroes Battle the Demon Tide, the Voice Within the Ice Mountain

Like an ancient, colossal peak, a towering azure ice mountain dominated the center of the desolate ruins. Celestial light illuminated the ancient runes etched across its surface, causing them to flow, and a radiant beam of light that pierced the heavens ripped a massive tear in the swirling wind and snow.

Encircling the ice mountain, the previously barren ice field was now a seething mass of demonic creatures.

They poured in from every corner of the ruins, their endless black forms surging like a dark tide irresistibly drawn towards the ice mountain.

In this moment, the ice mountain stood as a solitary island amidst a sea of black waves, appearing on the verge of being utterly consumed.

Among the charging demons, many were grotesquely disfigured, their limbs torn away, wings shattered, or foreclaws missing. Yet, with black-purple scabs crusting their gaping wounds, they pressed onward, their roars echoing with a raw, primal instinct.

Even more arresting were the gargantuan demons mingled within their ranks. Their colossal forms resembled moving hills, encased in thick, rocky armor. Each of their thunderous steps fractured the ice beneath them, and they emanated a formidable Tier Seven pressure that palpably weighed down the surrounding atmosphere.

Ji Taiyan remained suspended in mid-air, his hands clasped behind his back. His resplendent yellow battle suit billowed in the biting wind, the golden dragon motif emblazoned upon it appearing lifelike, shimmering with a faint luminescence.

He surveyed the approaching demonic horde, his voice resonating with a steady tone that carried clearly to every soul present:

"Everyone, if we cannot conquer this obstacle before us, none of us shall gain entry into the Ice God Treasure Vault."

"His Highness speaks the truth! It is imperative that we set aside our internal disputes for now and confront this demonic onslaught first," declared a voice.

From the forefront of the assembly, a young man clad in white robes strode forth. His handsome features radiated a battle aura as fierce as the midday sun—this was Chen Feng, a prominent figure among the younger generation of the Chen Family.

The leaders of other prominent families offered nods of agreement. Even the perpetually grim Shengongsi Yuzuo offered no dissent; the imminent threat posed by the demons rendered internal conflict nothing short of suicidal.

"Your Highness, please issue your commands."

"Very well."

Ji Taiyan’s gaze swept towards the assembled members of the Nine Great Holy Blood Clans, his tone imbued with an undeniable air of authority. "According to the long-standing protocols of the Empire’s Nine Great Star Realms, you shall divide the defensive sectors. Lead your forces to their designated positions and commence the operation!"

The moment his words concluded, the previously dispersed individuals moved with remarkable alacrity, converging towards their respective sectors as if guided by unseen threads.

The gathered geniuses seamlessly integrated, swiftly aligning themselves within their respective Holy Blood factions based on their ancestral territories within the Star Realms—this represented the Empire's ingrained legacy of cooperation, a modus operandi deeply embedded within the very essence of each bloodline family.

"Dongfang Family, secure the due east sector!"

Dongfang Qi proclaimed, channeling the verdant Power of Life from his palm. It coalesced into a resplendent Azure Wood battle standard, which he then planted firmly upon the ice. "All families affiliated with the Dongfang Star Realm, rally behind me!"

"Chen Family, due north!" Chen Feng boomed, his battle aura erupting outwards, pushing back the oppressive chill that permeated the air.

"Vladimir Clan, due west!"

Emerging from the contingent clad in crimson robes, Karen Vladimir licked his lips, the potent blood qi of the Cain bloodline surging around him.

"Odinson Family, due south!"

A formidable man with a distinctly western countenance, draped in purple robes, raised his hand. Electricity crackled at his fingertips, converging to form the majestic phantom of a lightning net. The raw, volatile aura of the Thunder God bloodline instilled such apprehension in the foremost demons that their advance faltered.

"Xiao Family, northeast!"

The assembled geniuses, garbed in red, ignited with a pale golden flame, the intense heat of the Heaven Burning bloodline melting the ice beneath their feet. The young man leading them sported a look of proud confidence.

"Shengongsi Family, southeast!"

Shengongsi Yuzuo issued his command with a grim expression, calamity qi swirling around him. His gaze fixed upon Qin Tian, radiating an intense murderous intent—he had already resolved to settle his score with Qin Tian once the demons were vanquished.

"Luoho Clan, southwest!"

Asaki flourished his battle sword, a spectral Asura emerging from a shroud of blood mist behind him, exuding a ferociously aggressive aura.

"Leng Family, northwest!"

Leng Qingqiu spoke in a soft tone, and an intense wave of frigid qi instantly encased the area before her in ice. Her white hair, interwoven with the icy mist carried by the wind and snow, became a part of the panorama. The Leng family members behind her unleashed their ice elemental abilities, meticulously constructing the framework of an ice wall.

"Royal Family Ji, secure the central position!"

With his final words, Ji Taiyan unleashed the aura of the golden sacred dragon, a colossal dragon phantom manifesting behind him. Its solemn draconic majesty commanded a hushed reverence across the battlefield. He assumed the central role, directing the combat and bolstering any faltering fronts.

Qin Tian’s eyes surveyed the arrangement of the various encampments. The nine designated positions precisely mirrored the Empire’s Nine Great Star Realms. Without a moment’s delay, he followed Zhuge Yu toward the Dongfang Family’s pavilion in the eastern sector.

"Qin Tian, remain vigilant. Keep a close watch for any treachery from the Shengongsi Family and the Luoho Clan," Zhuge Yu’s voice cautioned him.

Qin Tian offered a nod in understanding, his gaze drifting once more toward the horizon. The demon horde was already within a few hundred meters, their vanguard clashing violently with the Odinson Family’s troops. The din of exploding lightning mingled with the shrieks of vanquished demons as the blood-soaked struggle, the unified defense of the nine Holy Bloods against the demonic onslaught, officially commenced.

"The Thunder God descends!"

A gruff roar echoed across the frozen plains as a hulking, bearded giant, standing well over two meters tall, emerged from the Odinson Family’s fort. His bare arms, adorned with lightning-shaped tattoos on sun-bronzed skin, tightly grasped a Thunder God Hammer that dwarfed his own frame. At its core, a deep blue crystal pulsed, encircled by arcing purple lightning.

The instant his declaration ceased, the giant slammed his foot down with immense force, shattering the icy surface. He rocketed skyward like a projectile, channeling the full might of his Thunder God bloodline’s spiritual power. The unleashed lightning ripped through the wind and snow-laden heavens.