I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield Chapter 731 - 524: Baihu Corps and Zuiyu (Part 2)

The elder of Shengongsi slowly shut his eyes, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned bone white. A deep, venomous voice reverberated within his mind: "Hao Er, just you wait... Grandfather will personally ensure Qin Tian is buried alongside you!"

......

Military Department Building

"Marshal Lin, this young Qin Tian continues to astonish me with each passing moment."

Yang Zheng stood before Marshal Lin, a smile betraying the sternness of his features.

Qin Tian’s performance within the ruins had been nothing short of spectacular, a dazzling display of prowess.

He had, single-handedly, rescued over two hundred elite talents of the Empire. Among them were numerous descendants from the direct bloodlines of the Nine Great Holy Bloods, as well as the Fifth Prince himself.

Previously, some had openly questioned Marshal Lin's alleged abuse of power. They wondered why the seemingly insignificant Ice Extreme Pass had been allocated two coveted spots, reserved for individuals nobody had ever heard of.

During that period, voices of criticism against Marshal Lin were not scarce, and the pressure they exerted was considerable.

And now?

Witnessing the outcome, who could possibly claim Marshal Lin lacks a discerning eye for talent? Who could deny he effectively utilized his personnel, thereby safeguarding the very foundation of the Empire?

He was rightfully hailed as the God of the Royal Army.

Yet, to be perfectly honest, even Yang Zheng could not have predicted Qin Tian would evolve into such a formidable force.

Based on the intelligence meticulously compiled by the Military Department, as a superior officer, Yang Zheng himself was far from being Qin Tian’s match.

"Indeed, Qin Tian has performed exceptionally well, but his brilliance can no longer remain concealed."

Marshal Lin offered a subtle smile. "This is also for the best; one cannot perpetually hide their own strength, and now he is deemed worthy to step onto a grander stage."

"Has the proposal for the Baihu Corps received approval?"

Yang Zheng gave a nod. "It has been approved. This time, several influential families, including the Chen and Xiao families, have given their unequivocal consent. This is undoubtedly in reciprocation for Qin Tian’s heroic rescue of their family members."

"Very well, then proceed to notify the Baihu Corps to make preparations for their imminent departure."

Marshal Lin declared with a light chuckle, "Furthermore, that contingent of Zuiyu troops you had prepared for Qin Tian can also be arranged to join them."

"Understood!"

...

Outside the formidable Ice Extreme Pass, a biting wind whipped across the training grounds, carrying with it a flurry of miniature ice shards. Despite the harshness of the elements, it could not diminish the palpable aura of murderous intent permeating the field.

Upon the training platform stood Qin Tian, his hands clasped behind his back. His gaze swept solemnly over the densely packed rows of soldiers assembled below.

"Boss, all 5,845 Barbarian Warriors have successfully assembled!" Terreda's voice boomed, deep and resonant. He stood at the very vanguard of the formation, his dark armor accentuating his already robust physique. Behind him, over five thousand Barbarian Warriors formed an unyielding phalanx, their formation impeccably neat and uniform. The rhythmic cadence of their marching feet merged into a dull, powerful thrumming, exuding an undeniable aura of unyielding bravery.

This new cadre of Barbarian Warriors had arrived at Ice Extreme Pass concurrently with Qin Tian’s initial entry into the Ice God Ruins.

Upon assuming command, Terreda had immediately initiated a rigorous program of systematic education, training, and management.

After a period of adaptation, these warriors, hailing from the untamed wilderness, had not only fully acclimatized to the challenging environment of Ice Extreme Pass but many had even developed an affinity for life within its confines.

Residing in communal hubs alongside their fellow tribesmen, they were liberated from the perennial suffering of extreme cold and gnawing hunger. Their dwellings were consistently warm, and sustenance was never scarce. Even their weaponry and equipment far surpassed the quality of spiritual artifacts they had once only dared to dream of possessing.

For those Barbarians who had previously grappled daily for survival on the precipice of death, risking their very lives for a mere morsel of food, their current existence felt akin to paradise.

Their sole daily occupation was rigorous training, with no lingering anxieties about enemy incursions or the debilitating effects of cold and starvation.

This existence of stability and abundance had ignited a fervent enthusiasm for training within every single Barbarian Warrior.

"Hmm, commendable work."

Qin Tian nodded slowly, a subtle glint of satisfaction briefly illuminating his eyes.

Every one of these Barbarian Warriors had partaken in the Superman Potion. Consequently, their lowest combat power was now firmly established above Tier Three. Nearly a third of them exhibited Tier Four Combat Power, with a significant number reaching Tier Five. Furthermore, many who had originally been considered aces within their respective tribes, now transformed by the potion, possessed combat power approaching the formidable Tier Six.

Considering both their sheer numbers and the individual combat prowess of each warrior, these 5,845 Barbarian Warriors undeniably constituted a formidable force upon Mingwang Planet.

However, Qin Tian did not allow himself to descend into complacency. He harbored a clear understanding that a substantial, perhaps insurmountable, chasm still existed between this formidable Barbarian Battle Group and a truly elite ground force.

Their discipline remained somewhat lax, their tactical coordination was still developing, and their military bearing was notably weak… These deficiencies were quite apparent.

Should they be pitted against an Empire elite corps of equal numbers and comparable combat power, it was conceivable they might falter within a few engagements, devolving into a chaotic, disorganized rabble.

Nevertheless, these perceived shortcomings did little to temper Qin Tian’s burgeoning expectations.

With the fundamental structure of the Barbarian Legion now in place, continuous training, sharpened discipline, refined tactics, and improved character would, in time, forge these inherently bold Barbarian Warriors into the unyielding force for his territorial ambitions.

Beyond the Barbarian Legion's establishment, Li Qi also saw the efficient expansion of The Shadow Division, its ranks swelling to nearly a thousand. More than half of these operatives were elites personally refined by Li Qi, possessing the Silver Level Night Demon Bloodline. Their prowess in stealth, assassination, and reconnaissance far surpassed that of ordinary individuals, forming the backbone of Qin Tian’s clandestine operations.

Yet, despite the parallel expansion of The Shadow Division and the Barbarian Legion, Qin Tian’s urgency persisted; the number of individuals he could truly depend upon remained critically low.

The Empire had finalized the roster for the initial phase of key economic development zones on Mingwang Planet. Ice Extreme Pass was not only included but also designated as a central hub, slated to receive the most substantial financial investment and policy backing.

A tidal wave of urban expansion and industrial growth loomed on the horizon, yet the pool of talent under his command lagged significantly behind the accelerating pace of development.

He faced a severe shortage of personnel: individuals were needed for city defense, maintaining public order, and combating Desert Snow Beasts. Furthermore, talents were required for urban planning, coordinating infrastructure, and overseeing daily administration, alongside indispensable skilled craftsmen from various fields.

However, the reality was that Mingwang Planet's large-scale development plan had yet to officially commence. With most external parties adopting a wait-and-see approach, few talents were willing to step forward proactively.

Qin Tian had already extended offers of substantial salaries, compensation packages that significantly surpassed the standards of the Empire's core planets. Nevertheless, many individuals, daunted by Mingwang Planet’s extremely harsh and frigid natural environment, chose to forgo lucrative pay rather than accept the positions.

Contemplating the imminent urban development and the frequent setbacks in preparatory work due to the scarcity of talent, Qin Tian couldn't help but furrow his brow, a deep sense of anxiety churning within him.

This critical talent shortage gnawed at his resolve.

滴滴

Just as Qin Tian grappled with his concerns, his smart wristwatch suddenly emitted a clear notification chime. He raised his hand, swiped the screen, and upon seeing the caller ID, immediately composed himself before accepting the call:

"Officer!"

On the other end of the communication, Yang Zheng’s voice was calm and precise, cutting directly to the matter at hand:

"Qin Tian, I bring you welcome tidings. Ice Extreme Pass is on the cusp of entering a phase of rapid development. Considering the disparities in your region’s security and defense requirements, the high command has officially resolved, following joint deliberation, to dispatch the Baihu Corps to support Ice Extreme Pass, placing them entirely under your command!"

"What?!"

Qin Tian straightened his posture abruptly, a surge of uncontrollable elation flashing in his eyes, his voice involuntarily rising several octaves.

While he had never directly interacted with the Baihu Corps, he was intimately familiar with the Empire’s military nomenclature. Any corps bearing a name like 'White Tiger' instead of a numerical designation was undoubtedly not a standard unit but a veteran elite fighting force!

Such elite corps typically operated with a structure and scale exceeding fifty thousand personnel.

Fifty thousand elite troops, integrated into his command without any expenditure on training – arriving fully prepared!

It was a sheer windfall, instantly bridging the most critical gap in combat capability he faced.

With this new contingent, the defense of the town, the maintenance of security, and the elimination of Desert Snow Beasts in Ice Extreme Pass could be comprehensively addressed, thereby solidifying the foundational security for the city’s development.

Qin Tian managed to rein in his excitement, replying with earnest sincerity: "Thank you, Officer! I am deeply grateful for the Military Department’s trust and support! I pledge to efficiently integrate and manage the Baihu Corps, fully meeting the Military Department’s expectations!"

"Good, knowing this puts my mind at ease," Yang Zheng’s voice conveyed a note of satisfaction. "The Baihu Corps is already en route and is expected to reach Ice Extreme Pass within three days. Relevant deployment authorizations and lists for material provisions will be forwarded to you shortly. Please prepare for the handover in advance."

"Yes! The mission is assured of success!" Qin Tian affirmed emphatically.

"In addition to the Baihu Corps, I have further good news for you," Yang Zheng continued with a smile.

More good news?

Qin Tian’s anticipation soared.

"Have you ever heard of… Zuiyu?"