Chapter 729: Chapter 523: Ice Core, Everyone’s Advancement (Part 2)

Not only that, he also used the Power of Void to transform the spatial entrance of the treasure vault, making it more concealed. Even if others obtain the "key" to the vault, they cannot open the space channel without him.

This way, Li Qi and others have plenty of time to cultivate.

...

The biting cold wind swept across the wasteland with icy shards, as more than two hundred Empire geniuses stood solemnly on the icefields. In front of them was a silver-gray spaceship with a streamlined hull glistening in a cold metallic sheen, ready to take them back to the Imperial Capital.

"Phew, finally going back!"

Taishi Feng let out a big stretch. Although this trip to the ruins lasted less than half a month, the life-and-death battles and secret realm adventures they experienced were thrilling and exhilarating, more tumultuous than all his previous years combined.

With the great battle concluded, his tense nerves finally relaxed. He planned to return to his family for some recuperation before returning to his post.

After stretching, Taishi Feng turned to Qin Tian, who came especially to see them off, and shouted with a smile, "Qin Tian, when do you plan on coming to the Imperial Capital?"

As soon as he spoke, the other geniuses gathered around with smiles on their faces: "Exactly, Qin Tian, we all planned to treat you to drinks in the Imperial Capital; it’s a shame you can’t come with us, or we’ll miss that toast!"

Qin Tian stepped forward, cupped his fists and said openly with a smile, "I appreciate everyone’s kind intentions. However, as the Guardian Envoy of the Ice Extreme Pass, I can’t leave my post without permission. When I return to the Imperial Capital to report, I’ll contact everyone first thing and make up for that drink."

"Haha, you said it!"

Someone chuckled and patted his shoulder, "We’ve exchanged contacts, stay in touch!"

"Oh, I’ll probably follow my family to Mingwang Planet in a few days, let’s meet up then!"

"I’ll be there too! Qin Tian, when the time comes, you, the local host, must give us a good introduction to your Ice Extreme Pass!"

Everyone exchanged words with familiar and expectant tones.

Upon leaving the ruins, everyone immediately reported the various encounters of the trip to their families—the mysterious extinct Ice God Race, the ferocious extraterrestrial demons, the Frozen Throne suppressing the Demon Heart—each event enough to shock the family elders.

And the name "Qin Tian" began to make waves among the top families of the Empire through these reports.

Only then did many realize that the recent buzz about the "Mingwang Planet grand development" plan’s core leader was this man who heroically saved the day in the ruins.

The Cold Tree discovered by Qin Tian can absorb cold air, condense high-purity energy crystals, and construct temperature-regulated barriers, transforming the desolate icefields into warm habitable districts.

This discovery completely redefined the value of Mingwang Planet, once an ecologically harsh and neglected ninth satellite of the Empire, now a hotly-contested planet with immense economic potential and commercial prospects that any powerful family would go crazy for.

Having seen the value of Mingwang Planet and Qin Tian’s pivotal role, these families naturally weren’t going to miss the chance to ride this wave of rapid development, instructing their members to forge good relations with Qin Tian and secure a slice of the development pie.

Qin Tian understood everyone’s intentions clearly yet didn’t expose it, merely smiling and responding, "You’re always welcome at the Ice Extreme Pass, I’ll surely be a gracious host."

To him, this was not a bad thing—the core of political maneuvering is to gain allies and isolate enemies.

The longer the chain of interests, the more forces involved, the more solid his foundation within the Empire becomes.

Buzz—buzz—

Just then, the spaceship emitted two long humming sounds, its body glowing brightly, the hatch slowly opening to reveal a bright passage inside.

Realizing it was time to depart, everyone stopped talking, turned to bid farewell to Qin Tian.

"Qin Tian, we’re off. Let’s meet again!"

"Till next time!"

"Don’t forget the drinks!"

Qin Tian stood there, waving as he bid farewell to each of them, pausing briefly on Zhuge Yu, Taishi Feng, and Huo Yuan Sheng.

Several life-and-death companions exchanged tacit smiles, understanding everything without words.

The hatch slowly closed, disconnecting inside and outside views.

In the next second, a light blue energy flame was ejected from the bottom of the spaceship, lifting the hull slowly. It then streaked across the sky in a stream of light, disappearing beyond Mingwang Planet’s atmosphere. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Qin Tian withdrew his gaze, gently exhaled a white breath. With a slight flicker, he reappeared at the Ice Extreme Pass.

Instead of heading straight to his residence, Qin Tian turned his steps into a simple room—the place Lan previously stayed.

Lan had specifically instructed that no one should enter this room ordinarily, so it was only now that Qin Tian set foot here for the first time.

The room’s decor was minimalist. Qin Tian’s gaze quickly landed on a transparent ice box on the bedside table, carved with intricate Ice God Race patterns, glowing softly blue in the dim light.

He walked forward and opened the ice box, finding a pigeon egg-sized, completely white crystal lying quietly. It was a rare ice seed.

Just touching the ice seed with his fingertips, a surge of extremely pure ice energy flowed into his body, sharing the same aura as Lan—an aura of the ultimate mastery of frost.

Beside the ice box was a thin ice crystal piece. Qin Tian picked it up, and a stream of information flowed into his mind. After digesting the content, a smile unconsciously appeared on his face.

The ice seed was crucial to him with just one purpose—to awaken the Cold Trees.

Previously, the cultivation of Cold Trees could be completed with his and the Dongfang Clan’s efforts, but awakening them to autonomously absorb cold air and condense crystals required Lan’s guiding power.

This was a matter of grave concern for Qin Tian after Lan’s departure.

He knew that if the Cold Trees couldn’t awaken, the Empire’s grand development plan for Mingwang Planet would collapse, and he, the core leader, would be considered a "fraud" in the eyes of those vying for Mingwang Planet’s benefits.

Such a consequence was something he couldn’t bear.

Looking at the ice seed in his hand, a smile unconsciously played on Qin Tian’s lips.

Lan was indeed a thoughtful and charming man, leaving behind this crucial backup in advance.

With this ice seed, he could fully control the nurturing and awakening of all Cold Trees. The foundation for the development plan of Mingwang Planet was completely solidified, and his significance and influence in this game of interests would greatly increase.

...

One week later

"Boss!"

"Boss!"

Li Qi, Terreda, Old Ghost, Poisonous Widow, and Xiong stood in front of Qin Tian, all smiles on their faces.

Qin Tian sensed the changes in their aura, showing a satisfied expression.

Over this period of cultivation, everyone’s strength had rapidly improved.

Li Qi had just broken through Tier Six, but this time, relying on the domineering golden-level Night Demon King blood, he absorbed the most energy from the Spirit Pool and directly advanced to Tier Six, Five Stars.

Old Ghost, already a seasoned Tier Six Soul Master with Silver Level bloodline and outstanding talent, broke through to Tier Six, Eight Stars, becoming the highest-level Spiritualist among them.

Xiong and Terreda both broke through Tier Six on Silver Gray Star. Afterwards, with massive resources invested, their strength also improved greatly. This time, Xiong broke through to Tier Six, Six Stars, while Terreda’s body and Barbarian Race bloodline also significantly strengthened, making his combat power not inferior to Xiong.

As for Poisonous Widow, she finally broke through to the long-awaited Tier Six and directly advanced to Tier Six, Two Stars.

For her current non-combat role, this strength was already sufficient.

Thus, all five of Qin Tian’s generals advanced to Tier Six.

And with his return, the Ice Extreme Pass was about to start a new Chapter of development.