I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield Chapter 708 - 513: Invincible Stance, The End of the Ice Abyss (Part 2)
Previously on I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield...
For the overwhelming majority of Spiritualists, reaching Tier Six signifies the absolute peak of their potential. Even within the distinguished Holy Blood Clan, those who achieve cultivation below Tier Six represent the vast majority of their members.
The true, formidable barrier lies between Tier Six and Tier Seven, known as the Celestial Human Three Tribulations. This critical juncture serves as the initial 'Fallen Genius's Land' on the Spiritual Energy path. Throughout history, countless exceptionally talented individuals have met their end here; however, for those who manage to overcome it, the subsequent transformation yields rewards beyond ordinary comprehension.
Qin Tian could distinctly perceive the internal shifts occurring within him. The flow of Spiritual Qi through his meridians was now exceptionally smooth, with each strand possessing a solidity several times greater than at Tier Six. His physical body, having undergone a triple tempering and transformation through heavenly thunder, tribulation fire, and heart demons, now resembled an Immortal Golden Body. Even his bones emitted a faint golden luminescence, and his soul felt immensely vaster, akin to an expansive sea.
At this very moment, he felt confident enough to assert that a single, casual strike from him could effortlessly vanquish his former peak Tier Six self.
This nearly tenfold surge in power is the most direct and potent gift bestowed by the heavenly tribulation.
Naturally, this immense enhancement was contingent upon his profound foundation, which far surpassed that of his peers.
The immutable law governing the Celestial Human Three Tribulations states: the greater an individual's power and inherent talent, the more intense the heavenly tribulation becomes, and consequently, the more astonishing the benefits derived from the breakthrough.
Bearing the Four Great Holy Blood Talents and the Five Great Golden Talents, alongside dozens of Silver Level Talents, Qin Tian's encounter with the Celestial Human Three Tribulations was of an unprecedented 'Purgatory Level' severity.
Shengongsi Yuzuo, merely being exposed to the tribulation's ambient aura, was obliterated, leaving nothing behind. This starkly illustrates the perilous nature of the trial Qin Tian faced alone.
Especially the final heart demon tribulation—a realm of illusions constructed from deep-seated fears and obsessions—nearly consumed him entirely.
Had it not been for the Ice Heart Lotus Seed acting as a stabilizer for his soul, allowing him to faintly perceive the illusory nature of his surroundings, and the timely awakening facilitated by the Heaven-Burning Purgatory Gun Soul Blaze, he would have surely perished.
After enduring the most brutal storm, he was also blessed with the most dazzling 'rainbow' of reward.
"Qin Tian."
"Qin Tian."
Taishi Feng and Hou Yuansheng approached, clapping Qin Tian heartily on the shoulder.
"Congratulations on successfully breaking through to Tier Seven."
Taishi Feng laughed boisterously, "I have no doubt that from this point forward, we can stride with impunity through this treasure vault."
Upon hearing this, Zhuge Yu and Hou Yuansheng also chuckled.
Considering the formidable strength Qin Tian had just demonstrated, aside from a scarce few individuals like Ji Taiyan and Dongfang Qi capable of engaging him in combat, anyone else who dared to face Qin Tian would be instantly overcome.
"Thank you for your assistance earlier, brothers."
Qin Tian smiled, expressing his gratitude, "If you hadn't bought me that crucial time, I might not have awakened this time around."
"Oh, come now. Without you, let alone achieving this breakthrough, we would have lost our lives long ago."
Taishi Feng spoke with sincerity. The group exchanged knowing glances and shared another laugh—ever since they had entered this relic, they had been each other's strongest pillars of support, and without each other, they wouldn't have survived to reach this day.
"Speaking of which, you dealt with such menacing monsters; what about our rewards for this endeavor?"
Taishi Feng surveyed their surroundings, particularly the ice platform they were standing on, but found no discernible mechanism for rewards.
Previously, they had all received rewards after slaying monsters, including the prized Ice Heart Lotus Seed for overcoming the Tier Seven heart demon tribulation. However, after they vanquished two more terrifying fusion monsters, the rewards ceased to appear.
What was the meaning of this?
Were they being baited?
"The rewards likely materialize at the conclusion."
Qin Tian's gaze was directed towards the far reaches of the glacier. Ever since entering this treasure vault, he had sensed an underlying orchestrator, utilizing the combined might of hundreds of the Empire's geniuses to cleanse the vault of its monstrous inhabitants.
While rewards served as a significant impetus for these geniuses to declare war on the monsters, once the conflict escalated, the pursuit of rewards often became secondary.
This was because the monsters within the vault would relentlessly assault these 'intruders,' forcing them into a desperate fight for survival, even in the absence of any promised gains.
However, he could sense a distinct pull towards something situated at the glacier's far end.
There lay the grandest arena for the inevitable contest between the geniuses and the monsters.
Perhaps, in that place, he might even encounter his long-lost comrades—
Lan
......
The wind at the glacier's terminus was no longer biting cold but carried a palpable, heavy weight, fraught with an oppressive aura.
A magnificent ice mountain slumbered like an ancient, colossal beast, its entire surface bone-white, coated in a thin, glazed layer of ice, as delicate as a cicada’s wing. Under the sun's refracted rays, it shimmered with a rainbow aura, appearing as if sculpted from countless minute diamonds. Before this icy peak stood an ancient, ice-blue tree, soaring hundreds of meters high and piercing the heavens. Its branches, like coiled dragons, stretched outwards, each limb radiating a warm, jade-like luminescence. Clustered on the ancient tree's boughs were fist-sized cold crystals, transparent as diamonds. Within them, pale blue Spiritual Energy circulated, scattering fine points of light beneath the sunlight. Peeking from the spaces between these crystals were fruits resembling ginseng. They possessed a faint silver hue and a full form, akin to frozen moonlight. Only through occasional leakage of Spiritual Energy waves could they be detected by the naked eye. Curiously, the entire tree was encased in a semi-transparent black Energy, pulsing rhythmically like a living entity, synchronized with a heartbeat. Shallow, dark patterns crept along its branches, like residual traces from the Energy's permeation. At that precise moment, the sound of rapid aerial movement echoed successively, as figures materialized in the open space before the ancient tree. At the forefront walked a man adorned in golden robes and a jade belt. He stood imposingly; none other than the Empire's Fifth Prince, Ji Taiyan. An innate majesty resided in his eyes, and as he surveyed the ancient tree, cold glints flickered within them. Behind Ji Taiyan stood four steadfast masters, each exuding the formidable aura of a Tier Seven Spiritualist. One of these masters advanced, placing his palm against the black Energy. It recoiled instantly, forming a thin layer of ice on his hand. "Your Highness," he reported, "This Energy is highly corrosive and saturated with potent Demonic Qi." Ji Taiyan offered a slight nod, maintaining his silence, yet his gaze remained fixed on the silver fruits nestled amongst the tree's branches. The jade pendant at his waist glowed faintly warm; it was a unique treasure-seeking artifact of the royal family, its unusual activity signifying a hidden treasure within the ancient tree. "Your Highness, although the black Energy is peculiar, if the five of us combine our strength, we might be able to break through it by force," the master who had tested the Energy stepped forward to inquire. Ji Taiyan slowly raised a hand. "No need. This seal involves Demonic Qi; forcing it open could incite unpredictable changes. We shall await the others." The guard understood and respectfully retreated. Before long, the dense atmosphere resonated with the piercing sounds of movement from the distant ice passage. Spiritual Energy surged like smoke, and the initial procession of figures came into view. Leading them was an individual clad in attire embroidered with the Azure Wood emblem, standing tall and straight like a pine tree. It was none other than Dongfang Qi, of the Dongfang Clan's direct lineage, accompanied by other clan members and dozens of Golden Bloodline geniuses. "Your Highness." The group offered a slight bow towards Ji Taiyan in greeting. Ji Taiyan nodded, his voice calm. "We are waiting for the others." "Understood!" Soon after, the Leng Family, Chen Family, Xiao Family, Luoho Clan... waves of geniuses from the Holy Blood Clans and Golden Clans arrived sequentially. Some stood tall, their smiles suggesting they had profited abundantly, while others appeared wounded and unsteady, visibly relieved to see the larger assembly and sighing with ease. Within a mere two hours, all Nine Great Holy Blood Clans had convened before the ancient tree, augmented by numerous members of the Golden Clans. The once-vacant icy terrain was now thronged with people. The air thrummed with clashing Spiritual Energy amidst the distinctly separated family factions, suffusing the atmosphere with a palpable tension. As Ji Taiyan scanned the assembled individuals, his brow furrowed unconsciously. Compared to the number of people who had initially entered the treasure vault, the current count was noticeably lower, with nearly half missing. Some might still be in transit, unable to reach the location in time, but it was certain that others would never arrive. This realization dawned upon almost everyone present, and for a fleeting moment, a somber atmosphere quietly descended.