I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield - Chapter 528 - 427: Parting

Chapter 528: Chapter 427: Parting

In the Royal Star’s Donghuang state, the White Jade Dan Tower stands like a pillar reaching the sky.

The several hundred-meters-tall tower is built with a flawless slab of white jade, seasoned by millennia, exuding not age, but rather, a sense of profoundness and sanctity. The faint aroma of herbs lingers around the tower and can be vaguely smelled from a few streets away.

“This is the headquarters of the Alchemy Association.”

Dongfang Mingyue looked up at the majestic Dan Tower, her pupils reflecting its silhouette, gradually overlapping with the “Alchemy Sacred Land” she saw in painting albums as a child.

Years of tireless nights in front of the furnace and fierce competition in alchemy contests have finally brought her here, about to step into the hall of her dreams.

Qin Tian watched the anticipation and hope that couldn’t be concealed in her eyes, with a gentle smile unwittingly curling at the corners of his mouth.

“Qin Tian, I should go and report in now.” Dongfang Mingyue turned to him, her eyes showing some reluctance, and she deliberately emphasized, “Don’t forget our promise, we hooked pinkies on it.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t forget.”

Qin Tian nodded, tilted his chin toward the entrance of the Dan Tower, smiled gently, and said, “Go on in, don’t keep the people waiting for you any longer.”

Dongfang Mingyue’s gaze swept over the bustling crowd in front of the Dan Tower before landing back on Qin Tian. After a moment of hesitation, she gathers all her courage, stepped forward quickly, gently hugged Qin Tian, rested her head on his chest, and softly yet clearly said, “Thank you, Qin Tian.”

Qin Tian was slightly startled, then raised his hand, gently patted her back, and joked with a smile, “Good luck, future Ninth Grade Alchemy Master.”

“Qin Tian, I will definitely become a Ninth Grade Alchemist!” Dongfang Mingyue’s voice had a hint of a nasal tone, but was full of determination.

“Mm, I believe you.”

“Ahem ahem!”

At this moment, a deliberate cough broke the atmosphere between them.

Qin Tian turned his head and saw a familiar face—Zhuge Yu was still wearing that loose plain-colored long robe. Her sleek long hair covered her eyebrows, and her signature squint was half-open, looking as if she’s never fully awake.

And standing beside Zhuge Yu was none other than Dongfang Haoyue, whom he had met once and whom Dongfang Mingyue had frequently mentioned recently.

Dongfang Haoyue, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, had a handsome face and exuded the elegance of a nobleman’s son. But at this moment, his expression didn’t look good—watching Dongfang Mingyue embracing Qin Tian, his brows furrowed deeply, his expression darkened, vividly portraying the frustration of “having one’s treasured cabbage eaten.”

“Brother!”

Seeing Dongfang Haoyue, Dongfang Mingyue’s face broke into a smile of surprise, but the next moment, seeing her brother’s expression and recalling her earlier gesture, her small face turned red instantly, and she quickly backed away from Qin Tian’s embrace.

“Ahem, ahem, Qin Tian, long time no see.” Zhuge Yu was the first to step forward, speaking with a casual familiarity, adeptly dissolving the awkward atmosphere from before.

“Indeed, it’s been a while since we last met. You’re still the same, always…”

Qin Tian didn’t finish his sentence before Zhuge Yu hurriedly interrupted him.

“Stop there!” Zhuge Yu’s mouth twitched, full of helplessness, “Can’t you change the subject? I am talking to you with my eyes open, okay!”

“Pfft—”

Dongfang Mingyue was amused by their interaction, the earlier embarrassment disappearing instantly, while the tight corners of Dongfang Haoyue’s mouth slightly relaxed, a faint smile flashing in his eyes.

Qin Tian spread his hands, feigning regret, “Alright, I thought you’d be immune to that by now.”

Zhuge Yu shook her head helplessly. Qin Tian, this guy, usually seemed calm, stern, and unapproachable, yet once familiar, he could speak with a sharp tongue effortlessly.

She changed her tone, sidestepped to make way, “Qin Tian, let me formally introduce you, this is Mingyue’s brother, Dongfang Haoyue. We’ve met once before.”

“I remember.” Qin Tian extended his hand, speaking calmly, “Hello.”

Dongfang Haoyue raised his hand to shake back, refraining from any “secret rivalry or sudden exertion” cliches, but simply gazed seriously at Qin Tian, his expression fully restored to normal: “Qin Tian, thank you for protecting Mingyue all this way.”

He already knew from Dongfang Mingyue about the dangers along the way—the assassination on Shuang Hua Star, the desperate situation in Subspace, every step was a matter of life and death.

Even if he had personally escorted Mingyue, it would have been hard to ensure both their safety, yet Qin Tian had brought Mingyue safely to the Royal Star.

Although seeing his sister embrace Qin Tian gave rise to some subtle emotions of “having his treasured cabbage eaten,” more than anything, he felt genuine gratitude toward Qin Tian.

From Dongfang Haoyue’s tone, Qin Tian could clearly feel the deep bond between the siblings, and he lightly nodded: “Protecting Mingyue was my duty, and now that it’s complete, I must tend to my own matters.”

“Qin Tian, are you free this evening?” Zhuge Yu suddenly invited, “It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other, let me treat you to dinner and catch up?”

However, Qin Tian shook his head: “I’m afraid not. I need to report to the Military Department to complete my service procedures, and I might have to depart for Mingwang Planet today. Let’s postpone dinner for now and arrange another time.”

He was well aware that he had already delayed too much time—according to his original schedule, he was supposed to have assumed duty on Mingwang Planet months ago, and now with the delay, regardless of cause, the outer world wouldn’t know the reason.

The subordinates awaiting his handover and the departments needing adjustments based on his arrival might have long since fallen into passivity due to his delay.

Whether for his own duties or to avoid disrupting others’ work, he must promptly complete the procedures and head to Mingwang Planet.

“Alright, after all, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.” Zhuge Yu didn’t insist and turned to look at Dongfang Haoyue beside her, adding with a smile, “Since we’re not far from each other, I’ll visit you on Mingwang Planet when I have the time.”

“No problem.” Qin Tian nodded in agreement, then looked at the three of them: “I’ll take my leave now. Goodbye, everyone!”

“Goodbye!”

Boarding the flying device, Qin Tian looked back through the porthole—Dongfang Mingyue, Dongfang Haoyue, and Zhuge Yu gradually became smaller, eventually fading into three indistinct black dots, disappearing among the crowd in front of the Dan Tower.

He withdrew his gaze, the gentleness in his eyes fading, replaced by determination.

The task of escorting Dongfang Mingyue had been successfully completed, and affairs of the heart were temporarily pressed to the bottom of his mind. For him, there was always only one thing that mattered most—growing stronger.

Since the day he acquired his goldfinger, he set a goal: to become the strongest across the cosmos, no longer manipulated by fate, able to truly control his own life.

The Azure Wood Star Realm was his starting point—from an ignorant, weak cloned soldier constantly facing death, to his current Tier Six breakthrough, possessing three Holy Blood talents, he completed his initial flight there.

And Mingwang Planet will be his broader stage.

The planet, perpetually covered in ice and snow, with countless terrifying creatures lurking underground, is an avoided death zone for others. For him, however, it is a natural cradle for growth.