I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield Chapter 694 - 507: Confident Reliance, Shengongsi Arrives (Part 2)

"Well done! This is the final trial!" Taishi Feng offered a smile and a nod, urging, "Give it your all, don't hold back!"

"Understood." Huo Yuansheng affirmed with a deep nod. He retrieved the luminous white Millennia Ice Heart Lotus Seed from his storage ring and consumed it without a second thought.

He then settled into a cross-legged position, poised for the descent of the Heart Demon Tribulation.

Within moments, a noticeable shift occurred in his gaze; the previously sharp eyes turned vacant, losing all focus.

"The Heart Demon Tribulation has commenced," Qin Tian stated softly. Having successfully navigated the previous two perilous trials and with the protection of the Ice Heart Lotus Seed, Huo Yuansheng's final challenge was virtually assured. Much like Taishi Feng's own prior experience, he would likely awaken on his own in due time.

"Qin Tian, we've been observing for quite a while now. How do you feel about it?" Taishi Feng turned his attention to Qin Tian, a hint of regret coloring his tone. "It's a shame I only prepared one Thundercloud Pill and one Ice Purity Pill. Had I prepared an extra dosage beforehand, you could have seized this opportunity to advance to Tier Seven right now."

"Qin Tian, this is not something to be rushed," Zhuge Yu chimed in, his expression grave. "The Thunder Element Pill and Ice Purity Pill are crucial for overcoming the initial two tribulations. Without them, the mortality rate during the trial increases by at least twenty percent. Reckless attempts without thorough preparation are ill-advised."

"I understand, don't worry," Qin Tian readily agreed, offering little more. His true reliance never rested on pills, but on an innate talent he absolutely could not reveal to others. These hidden strengths were his most dependable foundation.

"Once we are out of this place, I will immediately instruct our clan to prepare the highest-grade Thunder Element Pill and Ice Purity Pill for you!" Taishi Feng declared with a confident pat to his chest, his smile radiant. "With these two items, you can attempt to reach Tier Seven whenever you wish!"

Qin Tian raised an eyebrow, inquiring, "On the house?"

"Naturally!" Taishi Feng responded with hearty laughter.

Without Qin Tian's assistance, he would not have gained access to the first treasury, nor would he have achieved his breakthrough to Peak Tier Six at such a rapid pace. Furthermore, he wouldn't have acquired the Millennia Ice Heart Lotus Seed.

Relative to these significant gains, the minor Thunder Element Pill and Ice Purity Pill seemed rather insignificant.

Just as Qin Tian's lips were about to curve into a smile, his eyes suddenly narrowed, and he declared with urgency, "Be cautious! Someone is approaching."

Before he could finish speaking, a colossal, gray-hued figure descended from the sky. It was a spirit snake, its scales the color of ash, emanating a potent aura of calamity.

Disregarding the trio, the creature made a direct beeline for Huo Yuansheng, who was meditating in the heart of the ice valley, undergoing his tribulation.

"Protect Yuansheng!"

Even as Zhuge Yu's array plate began to glow with intricate spirit patterns and Taishi Feng's Heaven-piercing Halberd remained undrawn, Qin Tian had already transformed into a blur of purple lightning, appearing instantaneously above Huo Yuansheng.

His right fist clenched, unleashing a rapidly expanding arc of purple-gold lightning. With a resounding crackle, his thunderous punch struck the spirit snake's vital point.

"Boom!"

In an instant, the spirit snake was obliterated into a swirling mass of gray mist by the ferocious lightning. Its calamitous aura quickly dissipated under the intense energy.

"It's the Shengongsi Clan," Taishi Feng's eyes sharpened. The lingering rotten aura bore the unmistakable signature technique of the Shengongsi Clan.

Indeed, before the gray mist had even fully dispersed, eight figures were already accelerating towards them from a distance. The leader, Shengongsi Yuzuo, possessed a sinister countenance. Accompanying him was a young disciple from the Shengongsi Clan, while the remaining six represented various Golden Clans, all directing their cold, menacing gazes toward the group within the ice valley.

"Attack!"

Shengongsi Yuzuo barked the order, prompting six prodigies from the Golden Clans to launch their assault simultaneously.

Dragons of fire materialized from Fire Spiritual Energy, jagged rock spikes erupted from Earth Spiritual Energy, and blades formed from Wind Spiritual Energy... A barrage of multicolored spiritual energy attacks descended, nearly engulfing the entire open expanse of the ice valley.

Meanwhile, Shengongsi Yuzuo and his companion unleashed two formidable spiritual pressures, ensnaring Qin Tian like invisible manacles. They were clearly aware of Qin Tian's spatial abilities and intended this to prevent him from teleporting his companions away.

"Protect Yuansheng!"

With a slight push off the ground, Qin Tian positioned himself to shield Huo Yuansheng, drawing the Black Frost Saber in a flash. The blade flared with a violent lightning arc, unleashing a thunderous slash that shattered the majority of the incoming spiritual energy attacks.

Taishi Feng and Zhuge Yu promptly adopted a triangular formation, the former expertly deflecting stray rock spikes with the Heaven-piercing Halberd while the latter activated an array plate, manifesting a pale blue defensive light screen before their companions.

A subtle rustling sound ensued as eight figures descended onto the snow-capped peaks encircling the ice valley, establishing a tight perimeter and gazing down upon Qin Tian and his group.

Shengongsi Yuzuo licked his lips, his gaze sweeping across Taishi Feng and detecting the Tier Seven spiritual Qi fluctuations emanating from him. A fleeting surprise crossed his features, swiftly replaced by an intense mockery. "You possess considerable nerve, attempting the Celestial Human Three Tribulations in a place as desolate as these ruins."

His attention then shifted to Huo Yuansheng, who was meditating with his eyes closed. Observing the steady soul fluctuations of the latter, he scoffed, "Even the direct lineage of the Holy Blood Clan requires elders to stand guard and numerous secret treasures prepared when advancing in cultivation. Yet here you are, in a locale fraught with peril, daring to make a move. I'm uncertain whether to label you arrogant or utterly foolish."

"However, it is precisely the disruptive Qi fluctuations from your rank advancement that allowed me to track you all down."

"Yuzuo, cease your idle chatter with them," Shengongsi Xin Fu, positioned beside him, interjected abruptly. His triangular eyes were locked onto Huo Yuansheng, brimming with animosity. "This youngling is on the verge of awakening; we cannot permit their group to gain another Tier Seven."

"Understood."

Shengongsi Yuzuo nodded, his expression betraying no hint of hesitation.

He was experienced, readily discerning Huo Yuansheng's precarious current condition; the other would indeed awaken soon.

Consequently, a newly advanced Tier Seven cultivator would emerge within the opposing ranks, introducing an element of unpredictability.