I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield - Chapter 473 - 394: Dongfang Haoyue

Chapter 473: Chapter 394: Dongfang Haoyue

“Foreseeing the future?”

Qin Tian stealthily hid in the shadows of the Dan Tower corridor, enveloped by a barely perceptible spatial barrier. Only his deep eyes gleamed sharply in the dim light.

Previously, he thought that Marshal Lin assigned him to protect Dongfang Mingyue because of her status as a genius alchemist. But now, upon reflection, perhaps the matter is not so simple.

The real concern for Marshal Lin is likely Dongfang Mingyue’s ability to foresee the future.

The Empire appears peaceful on the surface, but undercurrents surge: Evil God’s revival, Blood Demon Cult’s havoc, rebel armies lying dormant, alien races stirring… The annual losses from sudden calamities are incalculable.

If Dongfang Mingyue’s dreams can truly capture key segments of these disasters in advance—even just a location, a time, or a name—they would be sufficient for the Empire to strategize preventive measures ahead, minimizing losses.

This value is far more precious than that of a genius alchemist capable of crafting high-grade elixirs.

As for Dongfang Mingyue’s claim that “destiny cannot be changed”—a cold glint flashed in Qin Tian’s eyes.

He has never been one to believe in destiny. To him, what is called destiny is never a predetermined trajectory etched in star trails, but the result of one’s own steps.

People can, due to cowardice and negligence, let a situation that originally had a turnaround slip into the abyss; they can also, relying on courage and wisdom, turn a doomed tragic ending into a perfect resolution.

Dongfang Mingyue can foresee the future through her dreams, the Zhuge Family can glimpse the stars through celestial techniques—essentially, there is no great difference.

It’s just that Dongfang Mingyue’s foresight is more random, maybe just an ordinary daily segment, but with extremely detailed specifics; while the Zhuge Family’s celestial technique covers a broader scope, often revealing only vague trends and omens.

Since the Zhuge Family can firmly hold celestial mechanics in their hands, avoiding risks for the family and the Empire, why can’t Dongfang Mingyue?

Of course, Qin Tian also understands that he hasn’t experienced the things Dongfang Mingyue went through, so he cannot casually negate her reverence and helplessness towards destiny.

Yet even so, he can confirm that Dongfang Mingyue’s personal value is far higher than he initially imagined.

No wonder she is surrounded by such tight security.

Just now, while observing in the shadows, Qin Tian had thoroughly assessed the security around Dongfang Mingyue: a total of thirteen guards, five of whom are Tier Six Spiritualists.

These individuals are well-trained, always maintaining a distance that is neither too close to disturb her personal space nor too far to delay in forming a protection circle in case of emergencies.

However, with their perception abilities, they still cannot detect his presence.

Buzz—

Just as Qin Tian was deep in thought, the smart watch on his wrist suddenly vibrated, a secure message popping up on the screen.

He tapped to unlock the content, a barely noticeable unusual look flashing in his eyes: “Dongfang Haoyue… so it’s him.”

…

Spring on the Royal Star always comes with just the right warmth, the willow branches at the Royal Military Academy hang like silk, the tender green leaves gently swaying in the breeze, casting dappled shadows.

On the path, two figures walked side by side. One wore a moon-white brocaded robe, sword brows and starry eyes, charming face, exuding the dignity and composure of a noble family descendant, he was Dongfang Mingyue’s brother, Dongfang Haoyue; the other had fluffy soft hair, bangs covered most of his forehead, eyes always squinted, surrounded by a lazy and relaxed aura, he was Zhuge Yu of the Zhuge Family.

“A Yu, someone has made a move on Mingyue.” Dongfang Haoyue raised his hand to close the chat window on the optic brain, his fingertips turning slightly pale from force, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes, breaking the surrounding tranquility.

Zhuge Yu’s eyes, slightly squinted, moved, eyebrows raised lightly: “Oh? What happened?”

“Mingyue was in the Alchemy Room of the Dan Tower on Shuang Hua Star when the medicine cauldron was tampered with.” Dongfang Haoyue’s voice grew colder, “Luckily, a person claiming to be sent by the Military Department suddenly appeared, repaired the cauldron for her, otherwise she wouldn’t have qualified for the top-eight competition tomorrow.”

Hearing this, the laziness on Zhuge Yu’s face dissipated considerably, eyebrows furrowing completely.

The cauldron being sabotaged might be a trick by other competing alchemists, but the Military Department sending someone to protect Mingyue without any word to their side and the Dongfang Family is the real issue.

“What’s that person’s name? Let me check his background.” Zhuge Yu looked at Dongfang Haoyue, tone certain, with the intelligence network of the Zhuge Family, as long as there’s a name, they can dig out some clues.

“He’s called Qin Tian,” Dongfang Haoyue was just about to describe the appearance mentioned by Dongfang Mingyue—black-clad, stern, possessing spatial abilities, when Zhuge Yu suddenly interrupted him.

“Qin Tian? Are you certain his name is Qin Tian?” Zhuge Yu’s voice suddenly rose a bit, his originally squinted eyes opened slightly, a trace of surprise flickering through, repeatedly confirming.

“Yes, that’s the name.” Dongfang Haoyue nodded, suddenly remembered something, a shift in his gaze, “Could it be the Qin Tian you mentioned before, who saved you during the Azure Wood Star Realm Genius Battle?”

“Indeed, if no surprises, it’s him.” Zhuge Yu’s lips curled into a knowing smile, his tone gaining more certainty.

“So it’s him…” Dongfang Haoyue whispered, his eyes growing deep.

He recalled Zhuge Yu telling him about the Azure Wood Star Realm Genius Battle—at that time, the Blood Demon Cult had set an ambush, sealing dozens of finalists in a Purple Crystal Formation. It was Qin Tian who turned the tides, not only crushing the Blood Demon Cult’s main force but also releasing them from the formation, eventually leading to rescue.

Moreover, he had actually met Qin Tian once.

That was two years ago, at a specialty shop on Alpha 1 Star, at the time he and Zhuge Yu coincidentally encountered Qin Tian, temporarily sharing a table.

During the meal, he discerned Qin Tian’s potential, a rare talent, intending to build rapport and eventually recruit him under his wing, but Qin Tian’s character was too aloof, he left after exchanging only a few words.

At that time, he was about to report to the Royal Military Academy, had no time for further entanglement, so entrusted Zhuge Yu to investigate Qin Tian’s background and find ways to approach.

But later Zhuge Yu reported that Qin Tian’s identity was mysterious, even the Zhuge Family’s intelligence network couldn’t uncover a shred of information, and the matter was left unresolved.

Unexpectedly, a year later, Qin Tian would reunite with Zhuge Yu during the Azure Wood Star Realm Genius Battle.

“If it’s him, a lot of things make sense.” Zhuge Yu’s lips curled into a meaningful smile, looking at Dongfang Haoyue, “Don’t forget, Qin Tian is from the Seventh Bureau. With the Seventh Bureau personally sending people to protect Mingyue, is there even a need to ask who’s behind it?”

“Marshal Lin.” Dongfang Haoyue immediately realized.

Marshal Lin Xuanqing, overseeing the Royal Judgement Court and the Seventh Bureau, with an intelligence network sprawling across the Nine Great Star Realms, unrivaled. He dispatched someone to protect Mingyue, surely having caught some hints, knowing someone intends harm to Mingyue.

Yet puzzlement also arises—he and Mingyue have no prior dealings with Marshal Lin, and the Dongfang Family has never leaked Mingyue’s “future prediction” ability externally. Why would Marshal Lin go out of his way to protect her?

Could it be that Marshal Lin already knows about Mingyue’s special ability?

Dongfang Haoyue’s gaze turned complex. For someone like Marshal Lin to focus on Mingyue, in the long run, whether it’s a fortune or misfortune is uncertain. But for now, having Marshal Lin’s person by her side adds a layer of security to Mingyue’s safety, and that is at least a good thing.

“Marshal Lin sending Qin Tian to protect Mingyue shows the person targeting her must be of considerable influence.” Zhuge Yu’s tone grew somber, fully aware of Qin Tian’s abilities—calm and cautious demeanor, meticulous mind, during the Azure Wood Star Realm Genius Battle, single-handedly kept all the geniuses on their toes; and immensely powerful, with strength far beyond his tier.

Had Qin Tian not turned the tides, he and those geniuses would have long become sacrifices to the Blood Demon Cult.

That Marshal Lin considers it seriously enough to deploy Qin Tian, a competent subordinate, highlights Mingyue’s situation as even more precarious than they imagined.

Upon hearing this, the chill in Dongfang Haoyue’s eyes intensified, and the aura around him fell several degrees: “A Yu, do you think it’s them?”

Both knew whom “them” referred to without saying.

Without a doubt, Zhuge Yu nodded: “Nine times out of ten, it’s them.”

Dongfang Haoyue slowly turned, his gaze seemingly pierced through the layers of academy buildings, staring towards a direction in the Royal Star’s core, eyes cold as frost:

“It seems, some people ultimately could not hold back.”

Zhuge Yu gently shook his feather fan, eyes squinted showing a trace of seriousness—if those people are planning to target Dongfang Mingyue, then they won’t spare Dongfang Haoyue by her side.

Next, their situation will be even more challenging; the time left for them is truly scarce.