I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield - Chapter 411 - 356: The Blood Demon Cult Reveals Itself

Chapter 411: Chapter 356: The Blood Demon Cult Reveals Itself

At the peak of the mountain guarded by the Chijin Battlegroup, the fierce wind swept against Li Qi’s combat suit. He sat cross-legged on a dark boulder, his spiritual sense spreading like a dense web, making any movement within tens of kilometers utterly transparent.

“The demons have indeed become too few lately.” Li Qi tapped his knee lightly with his fingertips, sensing only dozens of low-tier demons wandering in the distance, their weak auras not even worth the battlegroup’s effort to eliminate.

Even so, the vigilance in his eyes did not wane, and the short blade in his hand remained half-sheathed at all times — the longer one stays in the Demon Suppression Abyss, the more they understand that “lowering one’s guard” equates to courting death.

Just then, an unexpected surge of warmth rose from his dantian, rushing to his limbs.

Li Qi’s face changed dramatically, his eyes snapping open, a wave of incredulous ecstasy swirling in his pupils.

He had experienced this familiar tremor several times before, a precursor to the evolution of his Night Demon Bloodline. The blood in his veins seemed to ignite, each inch of his vascular network throbbing, the dormant power awakening like a volcano, surging wildly along his meridians.

“Has the master’s bloodline evolved again?” As this thought flashed by, Li Qi had no time to ponder further.

Bang!

A terrifying dark aura exploded from within him, like ink spilled into clear water, instantly staining the surrounding air black. The bones in his back emitted a clear “crack” sound as the previously folded Night Demon wings suddenly unfurled, nearly doubling in wingspan, the membrane wings bearing dense dark lines meandering like solidified lightning; flowing black demon patterns appeared on his skin, crawling up his neck to his cheeks, adding a menacing ferocity to his gaze; the nails at his fingertips sharpened like blades, gleaming with a cold, eerie luster.

This sudden burst of formidable aura immediately alerted the patrolling team nearby the mountain top.

“It’s Captain Li Qi!”

“What happened? This aura… it’s so powerful!”

The patrolling warriors gathered toward the boulder, and upon seeing Li Qi with his wings spread, surrounded by dark aura, couldn’t help but inhale sharply.

This was no longer the familiar Captain Li Qi, but an awakened nocturnal beast, even the wind carrying a stifling sense of oppression.

“Captain Li, are you alright?” The patrol leader stepped forward cautiously, his voice tinged with caution — he could feel that though Li Qi’s aura was fierce, it wasn’t out of control, just… exceptionally powerful, almost beyond imagination.

Li Qi did not respond immediately, being too immersed in the shock of his bloodline’s transformation.

He could distinctly feel the density of his bones and muscles climbing at a breathtaking pace, the power that once required deliberate operation now moved as easily as an arm and a finger. He attempted to extend his spiritual sense outward, and it expanded several times more than before, clearly picking up even the faint sounds of a Flame Demon gnawing on a corpse over a hundred kilometers away.

Even more shocking was his control over the Power of Darkness, an affinity with darkness that felt almost symbiotic, an experience never felt before, as if he was part of the darkness itself.

Just then, several strong auras rapidly approached from the foot of the mountain, landing on the summit with a rapid swish.

“What’s happening?” Lu Sheng’s loud voice rang out first, and upon seeing Li Qi’s appearance, his tiger eyes widened, the flesh on his face freezing in place.

“Li Qi, you are…”

Poisonous Widow, Xiong, Terreda, Old Ghost, all of Qin Tian’s right-hand men were arriving, looking at Li Qi with eyes full of wonder and suspicion.

The other battalion commanders soon assembled as well, and upon seeing Li Qi’s condition, couldn’t help but gasp.

“It’s a bloodline evolution!” one bloodline-bearing battalion commander exclaimed in disbelief.

At these words, the surroundings fell silent. The shock on everyone’s faces deepened — how could a bloodline evolution be so easy?

It usually required an extraordinary opportunity or surviving life-and-death battles, but Li Qi had remained stationed at the mountain top for days, not leaving or experiencing substantial combat, so how did he suddenly evolve?

What shocked the battalion commanders with Silver Bloodlines even more was the oppressive feeling, rooted in instinct, evoked by the bloodline power radiating from Li Qi.

“This… this aura…” Feng Xiaotian’s face subtly shifted, even as someone with a Silver Bloodline, he felt slightly breathless facing Li Qi’s current aura.

The other commanders felt similarly, a terrifying thought surging into their minds suddenly.

Could Li Qi be a Golden Bloodline?

Indeed, some people had ancestors with Golden Bloodlines, but possibly due to family decline or other reasons, they were unaware of the bloodline power flowing within them, only for it to possibly awaken unexpectedly in the future.

Just like Li Qi before them.

Moments later, the surging dark aura around Li Qi receded like a tide, and the Night Demon wings he’d unfurled behind him slowly folded back, the gentle sound of bone joints colliding echoing in the wind.

He raised his eyes to the gathering crowd, stood up from the boulder, a faint smile at the corner of his lips: “Sorry for the disturbance, I just made a small breakthrough.”

“Captain Li is joking, such a joyous event is no disturbance, congratulations!” Feng Xiaotian was the first to clasp his hands, the astonishment on his face replaced with solemnity, a tone harboring unprecedented respect.

Previously in his eyes, this plain-looking man was just Qin Tian’s attendant, rarely showing himself in the battleground, low-key to the point of being easily overlooked.

But now, it was different.

Li Qi, having awakened the Golden Bloodline, had a status entirely transformed.

Throughout the entire Chijin Battlegroup, barring Commander Qin and the Tier Six Old Ghost, in terms of combat power, none likely matched Li Qi.

“Thank you.” Li Qi nodded slightly. On the surface, he appeared calm and collected, but internally, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion—if his own bloodline could undergo such a transformation, then just how formidable must the boss’s bloodline be? It must be the pinnacle of the Golden Bloodline within the Empire.

As for the Holy Blood… he didn’t even dare to imagine it.

After all, for thousands of years, the Empire had produced countless heroes, with bloodline families shining like the stars, but no new Holy Blood had ever emerged.

The Nine Great Holy Bloods stood like insurmountable monuments, proudly throughout the river of history, never shaken.

The boss reaching the apex of the Golden Bloodline was already something astonishing.

While everyone was congratulating Li Qi, his expression suddenly changed, and his eyes shot up to the sky. In the next moment, Old Ghost’s gaze sharpened, and he looked up toward the horizon.

Swish, swish, swish, swish—

Four figures, like arrows loosed from the bowstring, darted swiftly from the distance. Their black robes flapped in the fierce wind, and their faces were concealed with pitch-black iron masks, even their eyes were covered with thick metal, leaving no gap. They exuded an eerie and cold aura.

“Be careful!”

Old Ghost shouted in a low voice, his soul power surged like a tide, transforming into a powerful soul explosion aimed directly at the four figures. Their disguised appearance suggested ill intentions, and it was better to act first and stabilize them before figuring out any misunderstandings!

However, the lead masked man simply raised his hand, and a light blue soul shield spread open like a bubble, enveloping the group of four within.

Old Ghost’s soul explosion struck the shield, only to create a ripple before dissipating without a trace.

Everyone felt a sinking feeling in their hearts, and they gripped their weapons tightly. The battalion members instantly formed a defensive formation, watching the uninvited guests in the sky with vigilance. These four could casually deflect Old Ghost’s attack, clearly making them no ordinary opponents.

“Tier Six…” Feng Xiaotian’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he clearly sensed the terrifying aura emanating from the four individuals, all of whom were Tier Six powerhouses!

Before anyone could think further, the four masked individuals were already on the move.

The lead masked man flickered, turning into a light blue soul shadow, and charged straight towards Old Ghost, his fingers flicking out several soul chains, hissing sharply through the air, and entangling around Old Ghost’s body—this was also a soul-type magic.

Old Ghost’s eyes narrowed, and layers of soul walls appeared before him, engaging in a clash with the opponent. The muffled collisions of soul magic echoed high in the sky, proving difficult to determine the victor.

Meanwhile, the other three dived down like Black Eagles swooping on their prey, their target unmistakable—Li Qi, who had just completed his Bloodline Evolution!

“Not good!”

Li Qi’s expression slightly changed as the Night Demon Wings unfurled again. With a powerful flap, his form turned into a dark shadow, sliding away just in time to avoid the trio’s encirclement.

But just as he turned to prepare for a counterattack, the masked man engaged with Old Ghost switched tactics!

Spiritual Detonation!

An unseen soul wave abruptly spread out, accurately targeting Li Qi’s spiritual sea.

Li Qi felt as if his brain was struck by a heavy hammer, excruciating pain rushing in like a tide, causing his vision to blacken momentarily and his movements to freeze for a split second.

It was in this moment of vulnerability!

The three masked individuals moved as swiftly as lightning, simultaneously whisking out black chains embossed with runic glows. The chains, like live snakes, zipped out and instantly coiled around Li Qi’s limbs and wings. The runes on the chains lit up, emanating an aura that suppressed Bloodline Power, causing the dark energy Li Qi had just gathered to disperse like a retreating tide.

“Ugh!” Li Qi groaned, attempting to struggle, only to find the chains tightening further, causing even his bones to emit the sound of unbearable strain.

High above, the masked man battling Old Ghost seized the opportunity and unleashed a powerful palm strike, turning his light blue soul power into a giant hand, aiming at Old Ghost’s face.

Old Ghost was forced to defend himself, withdrawing a few steps from the impact, helplessly watching the three masked individuals gather the bound Li Qi and swiftly converge.

The four masked individuals didn’t linger in battle. Their spiritual energy surged around them as they transformed into four black shadows fleeing into the distance, vanishing into the dark horizon in a few quick flashes.

Old Ghost watched with a furious expression as they disappeared, while other battalion leaders also caught up, staring at the empty sky with faces full of shock and anger—in the heart of the Chijin Battlegroup’s base, right before their eyes, Li Qi had been abducted so easily.

“Blood Demon Cult, they’re from the Blood Demon Cult.”

Old Ghost’s voice was filled with rage. Previously, a report had been issued by the division stating that the Blood Demon Cult had surfaced within the Demon Suppression Abyss, abducting dozens of bloodline individuals, with orders for all battlegroups to remain vigilant. No bloodline individuals were to venture out alone, and any trace of the Blood Demon Cult must be reported immediately.

There were a few bloodline disciples within the Chijin Battlegroup who, upon seeing the report, became extremely cautious, rarely leaving the base.

But no one expected the Blood Demon Cult to target the Chijin Battlegroup, and they didn’t abduct any of the battalion leaders, but rather Li Qi, who had just undergone Bloodline Evolution.

“Quick, inform the commander!”

Shen Juan called out anxiously. The division was located on the second level of the Demon Abyss, and by the time rescue forces arrived, Li Qi might have already perished to the Blood Demon Cult’s extraction of his bloodline.

Now, there was only one person who could save Li Qi.

Qin Tian, Commander Qin.