I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield Chapter 988 - 638: Soul of the Artifact Domain (Part 2)

At the same time, his gaze slowly swept across the belts on the waists of the generals at Ice Extreme Pass, with a hint of deep meaning in his eyes.

"The next round of challenges officially begins, please have both parties send their participants to get ready!"

Clap clap clap—

Zhuang Sheng dragged his still somewhat weak body step by step to Zhuang Xian’s side. When he met Zhuang Xian’s complicated expression, he was at a loss for words, unable to utter a single sentence, leaving only deep bitterness and guilt on his face.

He had given his all, exerting the full strength of a Tier Seven Spiritualist, activating the Wind King’s bloodline to its fullest, yet ultimately, he returned defeated in such a disgraceful manner, breaking the high expectations placed upon him.

He felt he had betrayed Zhuang Xian’s trust, let down the family’s expectations, and disappointed those brothers and sisters who silently supported him.

"It’s not your fault, Xiao Sheng."

Zhuang Xian gently patted Zhuang Sheng’s shoulder, sighed, and comforted, "The opponent won by the advantage of equipment, it’s not the fault of the battle itself. You have done very well, there’s no need to feel apologetic."

Zhuang Sheng silently lowered his head. Indeed, no one could have foreseen that Li Qi would possess such terrifying armed armor. That short sword was also fearfully sharp, accompanied by multiple powerful enchantment powers, leaving no flaws in offense and defense.

In a certain sense, he didn’t lose to Li Qi the person, but lost to the equipment he wore.

But he knew that equipment is also a part of one’s strength.

Just like how he could crush other opponents with the Golden Bloodline, others also have the right to use the advantage of equipment to crush him. This is the rule of the battlefield.

"Sorry, Uncle, for letting you down and disappointing everyone."

Zhuang Sheng softly sighed, then walked back to the Zhuang Family’s camp without lifting his head again.

Zhuang Xian watched Zhuang Sheng’s lonely figure and then looked at the family members behind him, their eyes blank, their spirits dim, as if they’d lost their souls, and a sharp pain hit his heart.

He knew that these two consecutive miserable defeats had completely shattered the Zhuang Family’s morale and spirit, replacing the initial confidence with despair and helplessness.

Ah—

Zhuang Xian sighed heavily in his heart, aware that in this struggle for the family’s continuity shares, the Zhuang Family had already completely lost. Those five hundred slots for Nine Stars martial arts assembly were about to be handed over.

Even so, he couldn’t give up—as the Golden Family, they could lose, but they could never retreat from battle, lacking even the courage to step onto the field.

That would be the true disgrace.

After a moment of silence, Zhuang Xian looked at a young man beside him and said solemnly, "Zhuang Ting, you’re up for the next match."

Zhuang Ting, like Zhuang Sheng, was one of the most outstanding young talents within the Zhuang Family, gifted and having successfully broken through Tier Seven before the age of forty. Although he couldn’t compare with the top talents, he was considered outstanding among his peers, with strong abilities, a calm temperament, and rich combat experience.

Zhuang Xian knew well that having Zhuang Ting fight might result in a similar outcome as Zhuang Sheng.

But he had no choice; even if defeat seemed inevitable, they must have the courage to step into the battlefield and fight. This is the dignity of the Golden Family, absolutely untouchable.

"Yes, Uncle!"

Zhuang Ting shivered, meeting Zhuang Xian’s gaze, and the confusion in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by determination and resolution.

He nodded heavily, gripped the longsword in his hand tightly, and stepped towards the center of the battlefield.

"Round two, who will fight?"

Qin Tian turned and looked at the eager generals beside him.

Following Li Qi’s initial victory, the generals’ fighting spirit grew stronger, each eager to step onto the stage and display their skills.

"I will!"

"I will!"

Xiong and Terreda spoke up simultaneously, their voices loud and clear.

Immediately after, the brothers exchanged glances, each with a wide, cheerful smile on their lips.

"Xiong, you go."

Terreda voluntarily backed down with a smile, "Next round, I will. Let’s see which of us wins faster, which of us is more impressive!"

"Alright!" Xiong replied in a deep voice.

"Xiong, this match is up to you."

Qin Tian stepped forward and patted Xiong’s strong, mountain-like back.

Xiong was a half beastman, with strong Beastman blood flowing through his veins. Over the years, with the continuous improvement of his strength and the consumption of a large amount of Dragon Blood Potion, Xiong’s figure became more burly, standing close to four meters tall, almost double the height of a normal person, resembling a towering mountain of flesh, immensely oppressive within the crowd.

His strength was exaggerated to the extreme, overwhelmingly powerful, even Terreda, who was equally strong, wouldn’t easily take Xiong’s full-force strike with his axe.

Now, Xiong had already stepped into Peak Tier Six, coupled with the custom armor and weapons forged by Robert, Qin Tian believed this upcoming battle would also be a predictable grand victory.

"Hmm!"

Xiong nodded heavily, a bright fighting spirit flashing in his eyes.

Swoosh

An exaggerated, blood-red giant axe appeared out of nowhere, securely grasped in his hand.

The giant axe was entirely crimson, the axe blade carved with grotesque beast patterns, radiating a strong scent of blood, which was enough to send shivers down one’s spine just by looking at it.

Xiong, holding the blood-red giant axe under the deafening shouts of the soldiers at Ice Extreme Pass, walked step by step toward the battlefield’s center.

As he moved, a heavy glow lit up on his brown belt, countless metallic fragments swiftly spread out, covering his towering figure, rapidly forming a set of heavy armor.

The armor, dark brown in color, heavy and sturdy, tightly enveloped his entire body. His already burly figure at this moment appeared like a moving steel machine, with each step causing the snow on the ground to slightly dent, emitting a dull sound, intimidatingly impressive.