I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield Chapter 709 - 514: Breaking Barriers, the Final Battle

Beneath the ancient, ice-blue tree, the gathering crowd slowly found their composure as no more figures arrived.

"Were the casualties this immense?" Dongfang Qi's brow furrowed involuntarily as he surveyed the thinned out group. More than 400 imperial talents had entered the treasure vault, yet barely over 200 remained. He had learned from clan leaders earlier that an inexplicable, powerful pull emanated from the icy abyss, drawing everyone, even the most cautious, to investigate. This implied that those not present were likely lost within the treasure vault, aside from any engaged in ongoing battles or delayed by minor issues. Such a loss was deeply felt by the Nine Great Holy Bloods and the entire Empire.

Dongfang Qi turned his attention to Zhuge Yu. "A Yu, were there many magical creatures on your path here?"

"Quite a number, and their strength was formidable," Zhuge Yu replied with a sigh of relief. "Fortunately, Qin Tian found us at the right moment. By chance, he, Huo Yuansheng, and Taishi Feng all successfully advanced to Tier Seven. Otherwise, surviving until now would have been a significant challenge."

Immediately, all eyes nearby shifted to Qin Tian and the other two. Achieving Tier Seven within the treacherous treasure vault was an incredible feat; the fact that all three advanced simultaneously was almost unbelievable to those present. Had they truly been so reckless? To face the perilous Celestial Human Three Tribulations in such a location?

Dongfang Qi's gaze also settled upon the trio. He had noticed something unusual about them when they first regrouped. The gulf between Tier Six and Tier Seven was vast, something his cultivation level allowed him to perceive instantly. Taishi Feng and Huo Yuansheng, in particular, exhibited an unstable aura, clearly indicating a recent breakthrough.

Qin Tian, however, was different. Dongfang Qi observed him discreetly. He gave the impression of a peerless sword sheathed, its sharpness concealed yet potent, capable of rending the very heavens and earth once drawn. This latent power even made Dongfang Qi feel somewhat outmatched. "Is this merely my imagination?" he mused to himself.

Meanwhile, within the Shengongsi Clan's encampment, Shengongsi Youyi's expression was grave. "Where is Yuzuo? Why has he not arrived yet?" he asked urgently. Shengongsi Yuzuo was the most formidable leader of their clan's contingent, and his absence jeopardized their chances in the subsequent treasure battle against other Holy Blood Clans.

"Yuzuo is missing, and Shinobu as well. Could something have befallen them?" Shengongsi Qiandai expressed her concern.

"Impossible!" Shengongsi Youyi declared firmly, attempting to dispel his own creeping unease. "We all arrived safely, and Yuzuo's power far exceeds ours. How could anything happen to him?" Yet, a seed of doubt took root in his mind. Few among the talents in the treasure vault could overpower Shengongsi Yuzuo. Those who might have had no reason for conflict, or lacked the ability to kill him even if they did.

The greatest danger within the vault, however, wasn't from their peers, but from the bizarre magical creatures. A single creature posed no threat to Yuzuo's might. But he had witnessed their fusion capabilities. When several creatures combined, their power could rival Yuzuo's. If a dozen or even scores fused simultaneously, the ramifications would be unimaginable. In such a scenario, not only Yuzuo but potentially everyone present might struggle to survive.

"Your Highness, most have gathered. Shall we proceed to the next phase?" The Chen Family's representative, Chen Feng, approached Ji Taiyan and inquired quietly.

Ji Taiyan gazed intensely towards the icy abyss before nodding. "Very well." He then addressed the assembled crowd. "Holy Blood Clans, dispatch a representative from each."

As he finished, the Eight Great Holy Blood Clans began sending their envoys to gather. With Shengongsi Yuzuo absent, Shengongsi Youyi had to attend. Dongfang Qi naturally represented the Dongfang Family.

"Everyone, time is of the essence, so I shall be brief," Ji Taiyan stated.

Ji Taiyan surveyed the other eight Holy Blood prodigies, his expression grave. "I sense that you all can feel the allure radiating from this ancient tree. Do any of you possess knowledge regarding it?"

Following his inquiry, all eyes shifted toward Dongfang Qi.

It was common knowledge that within the entire Empire, the Dongfang Clan held unparalleled expertise in the field of botany.

"To speak truthfully, I too have never encountered a tree of this antiquity before," Dongfang Qi admitted. "However, based on its characteristics, it bears a striking resemblance to the recently discovered Cold Tree on Mingwang Planet."

"A Cold Tree?"

The name was not foreign to any of them.

Having entered this relic from Mingwang Planet, they were all privy to the latest developments concerning that world.

The most significant revelation had been the discovery of the Cold Tree. This remarkable plant possessed the ability to draw in ambient cold, transforming it into energy crystals while simultaneously generating a protective, cold-resistant shield for settlements. The Cold Tree had single-handedly elevated Mingwang Planet, once an inhospitable world, into a potentially boundless and immensely valuable planetary haven.

It represented a novel energy source, poised to revolutionize the economic sphere surrounding the Royal star.

Upon closer examination, the ancient tree present did indeed share features with the Cold Tree. However, the Cold Tree merely produced crystals, whereas this venerable specimen not only yielded crystals of superior quality but also bore fruits akin to ginseng fruits. These fruits, and perhaps the tree itself, could very well represent the ultimate fortune and most significant discovery within this entire treasure trove.