I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield Chapter 691 - 506: Heaven and Mortal’s Three Tribulations, Confidence

"What is this, precisely?" Taishi Feng crouched down, his fingertips grazing the desiccated, blackened remnants, his brow furrowed in contemplation.

Skeletal fragments and decaying flesh were agglutinated, the vitality long leached from the blood and tissues. They resembled sun-baked mud, with fissures like arachnids webbing across the bones, threatening disintegration at the slightest disturbance.

From a mere fragment of bone and a clump of putrid flesh, one could reconstruct a Tier Seven magical beast. Imagine, then, the power of a complete limb, a brain, or a heart.

How formidable must the original creature have been?

"The perils we face here far exceed our current capabilities," Zhuge Yu declared, retracting his array plate, his voice steady. "Should we fail to achieve Tier Seven, the three of us will inevitably become liabilities to Qin Tian."

Taishi Feng and Huo Yuansheng concurred with nods.

The recent engagement had unequivocally demonstrated that their combined might could merely hold an early-stage Tier Seven magical creature at bay. Against a fused entity, they were utterly powerless.

Without Qin Tian’s intervention, they would have been reduced to mere sustenance for these creatures long ago.

And lurking in the unfathomable depths of this frigid abyss were only greater threats.

"I have reached a decision. I shall attempt my breakthrough to Tier Seven right here," Taishi Feng announced, rising abruptly. The Heaven-piercing Halberd struck the icy floor, sending crystalline shards scattering like blossoms, his resolve palpable.

"I am of the same mind," Huo Yuansheng seconded, his composure unwavering. "Let us ascend together."

Zhuge Yu acknowledged their mutual decision with a nod, as if he had foreseen it. However, Qin Tian voiced a concern, inquiring, "Is this not somewhat precipitous? The Celestial Human Three Tribulations are no trivial matter. Are you truly prepared?"

He could empathize with their sentiments. As prodigies of the Golden Clan, they were accustomed to commanding influence in the outside world. Now, repeatedly requiring aid from their companions surely chafed at their pride.

Yet, he understood profoundly the treacherous nature of the Celestial Human Three Tribulations. Geniuses from bloodline families, when attempting to reach Tier Seven, were invariably attended by clan elders, fortified with elixirs and arcane artifacts. Even with such advantages, the rate of attrition remained alarmingly high.

"With the Ice Heart Lotus Seed, the most perilous Heart Demon Tribulation poses no further obstacle," Taishi Feng stated, retrieving two jade bottles from his spatial ring. The bottles emanated a gentle Spiritual Energy. "As for the Celestial Thunder Tribulation and the Body Burning Tribulation, I have long been equipped. Contained within are Thundercloud Pills and Ice Purity Pills, both supreme elixirs for the initial two tribulations. I have carried these for nearly a year. Old Huo, you have your provisions ready as well, do you not?"

"Naturally," Huo Yuansheng replied, a matching jade bottle appearing in his hand, accompanied by a smile. "Thunder Element Pills to deflect lightning strikes, and Ice Purity Pills to fortify meridians and shield the soul – these are standard requisites for advancing to Tier Seven. It is merely the Heart Demon Tribulation that presents a persistent challenge. The Leng Family’s Holy Heart Pills are reputed to enhance the success rate by ten percent, but their scarcity is profound. Our Huo Family receives only two every triennial cycle, all allocated to my two cousins who attempted Tier Seven prior to me."

"Who instructed you to languish at Six Tier Eight Star, with the breakthrough still distant? Naturally, the Holy Heart Pill would not be allocated to you," Zhuge Yu quipped with a chuckle. "However, such worries are now obsolete. The thousand-year Ice Heart Lotus Seed is a hundredfold more dependable than the Holy Heart Pill, rendering the Heart Demon Tribulation a mere formality."

Both Huo Yuansheng and Taishi Feng exchanged smiles. While the Holy Heart Pill was a coveted treasure, the millennial Ice Heart Lotus Seed was a far more potent countermeasure against the Heart Demon Tribulation, boasting success rates approaching one hundred percent.

"Since your resolve is firm, let us commence," Zhuge Yu’s smile vanished, replaced by a solemn demeanor. "Qin Tian and I shall stand guard. This is an opportune moment for Qin Tian to observe closely and gain invaluable experience – we, hailing from prominent lineages, have witnessed numerous such advancements among our kin. You lack the requisite conditions, but enhanced observation can only prove beneficial."

Witnessing their unshakeable determination, Qin Tian ceased his dissuasions and gave his assent.

"Then let us identify a more secure location," Qin Tian proposed. "The recent conflict may very well attract additional formidable beasts or individuals with nefarious intentions."

Within the confines of the treasure vault, their adversaries were not solely confined to monstrous entities; the scions of rival clans presented an even more significant threat.

Consider, for example, the scions of the Shengongsi Clan and the Luoho Clan.

Should they chance upon Taishi Feng and the others undergoing their breakthroughs, their immediate instinct would be to interfere and sabotage the process.

"Agreed."

The trio nodded in unison.

Qin Tian focused his keen senses; despite the treasure vault’s formidable power greatly limiting his perception, a secluded haven was still discernible.

The Gate of Space materialized before them.

One by one, the group stepped through the spatial portal.

As the Gate of Space’s luminous aura faded, the quartet found themselves within a valley, hemmed in on three sides by formidable, icy peaks.

The glacial walls stood unnervingly smooth, as if meticulously carved. Although a frigid wind still whipped around, the towering peaks offered considerable respite, significantly tempering the abyss’s biting cold to a more manageable level.

"I shall proceed first," Taishi Feng declared, stepping forward. A faint golden radiance pulsed from his palm, fueled by his gold elemental spiritual energy. "As a Gold Element Spiritualist, my physique is exceptionally robust. I'll brave the tribulations initially, allowing me to relay the pertinent details to Old Huo."

The celestial phenomena accompanying the Celestial Human Three Tribulations were undeniably significant. Should the two attempt their breakthroughs concurrently, the tribulation’s might could converge, catastrophically amplifying the inherent dangers. His intention was to clear the path for his sworn brother.

"Very well, exercise caution," Huo Yuansheng acknowledged Taishi Feng's selfless gesture, nodding before retreating to the icy valley's periphery alongside Qin Tian and Zhuge Yu.

Qin Tian’s senses stretched to their absolute limit, vigilantly scanning for any external threats, while Zhuge Yu produced an array plate, skillfully inscribing a layer of stealth formations at the valley’s entrance.

Taishi Feng advanced to the heart of the icy valley and assumed a cross-legged posture.

Drawing a deep, steadying breath, he slowly lowered his eyelids, allowing the gold elemental spiritual energy coursing through his being to gather speed.

What began as a mere trickle rapidly coalesced under the focused cultivation technique, swiftly transforming into a torrent reminiscent of a raging river. Golden light emanated from his pores, coalescing into a semi-translucent barrier enveloping him.

"Breakthrough!"

A resonant cry escaped his lips as his spiritual energy surged with incredible force, slamming against the formidable barrier separating Tier Six from Tier Seven like an unstoppable tidal wave.

"Crack crack—"

A sound akin to fracturing glass reverberated within him. The bottleneck that had long hindered his progress crumbled with astonishing speed under the onslaught of the surging spiritual energy, its resistance proving as fragile as delicate paper.