I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield-Chapter 534 - 433: Establishing Authority

Snowflakes danced furiously.

Duan Guangtai looked at Qin Tian, a disdainful sneer curling at the corner of his lips.

He had calculated that Qin Tian wouldn’t dare make a move—unlike those four Tier Five captains who were easy to manipulate, if a fight broke out, the Spiritual Energy aftermath could destroy Ice Extreme Pass, and Qin Tian, the newly appointed Guardian Envoy, would bear the brunt of the responsibility.

Starting an internal conflict and destroying the base on the first day, his capabilities would undoubtedly be questioned by the Military Department, and his career would end right here.

From Duan Guangtai’s expression, Qin Tian saw his reckless arrogance; however, Duan Guangtai had overestimated himself.

A Tier Six One Star Golden Bloodline Spiritualist was not someone he considered significant.

"Hmph, you’re just bluffing."

Seeing Qin Tian hesitating, Duan Guangtai sneered; what if he’s a Royal Major General, just a dog raised by Lin Xuanqing.

Even Lin Xuanqing was merely a lowly clone who took the seat among the top ten marshals by sheer luck, compared to the Holy Blood Clan that has ruled the Empire for thousands of years, what does Lin Xuanqing count for?

Starting today, he would formally challenge Qin Tian, with his abilities, tactics, and the support of his backing forces, he could completely marginalize Qin Tian within a week.

Guardian Envoy?

Ha, I am the real master of Ice Extreme Pass.

Thinking of this, the smile on his lips was about to widen, but the next second, his pupils suddenly contracted as a deadly crisis instantly enveloped him, his hair standing on end!

Before he could mobilize his Spiritual Energy defense, a terrifying Power of Space descended abruptly, like an invisible giant hand, grabbing his limbs and bones fiercely!

"Crack!"

The crisp sound of bones being compressed echoed clearly, Duan Guangtai’s face turned purplish-red instantly, even breathing became difficult.

This was just the beginning.

The next second, dozens of vines with a ghostly green tint unexpectedly burst from the snow-covered ground like agile poisonous snakes, instantly wrapping around his body, binding him into a bundle, leaving only his face exposed, even his mouth was sealed tightly by the thick vines, unable to make a sound of distress.

"Mmm!"

Duan Guangtai struggled frantically, the Tier Six Spiritual Energy exploded violently, and the faint golden bloodline halo flickered on the surface, trying to break the vines.

But the small protrusions on the surface of the vines suddenly transformed into suckers, firmly attaching to his skin, a terrifying suction erupted like a hungry wolf seizing its prey, frantically extracting the Spiritual Energy from his body!

His Spiritual Energy surged like a tsunami, yet it was completely devoured by the vines, his Golden Bloodline boiled desperately, but couldn’t stop the rapid loss of power.

The vines rooted in the icy ground, the main vine continued to grow upward, suspending him in mid-air, like a fruit hanging on the vine, able only to futilely sway.

All the soldiers around were frozen in place, heads raised, eyes full of disbelief and shock.

Duan Guangtai’s background and strength had long been known throughout Ice Extreme Pass: A direct descendant of the Golden Clan, a Tier Six One Star Spiritualist, in terms of individual combat power, he ranked within the Tier Six.

Yet who could have thought that such a powerhouse would be taken down in such a humiliating manner by the newly appointed Guardian Envoy in just a few breaths!

From the vine breaking through the soil to being suspended in mid-air, he couldn’t even put up a decent resistance, like a puppet being manipulated.

This scene was simply terrifying and horrifying!

Swoosh swoosh

The vines swayed, resembling tentacles stretching from Hell, cold and eerie.

The soldiers watching this scene felt a chill ascending their spines to their heads, especially those confidants who usually followed Duan Guangtai around, their faces were as pale as paper—they had assumed that Duan Guangtai, backed by the Luoho Clan, could at least stand against Qin Tian, but now it is evident that the gap between them is as wide as heaven and earth!

Everyone knew Duan Guangtai was a "power usurper" sent by the Luoho Clan, aiming to marginalize the new Military Lord and seize real control of Ice Extreme Pass.

But some had overlooked one problem: this is a world where strength reigns supreme, and the prerequisite for power struggle is that both parties’ strengths are on the same level.

When fists aren’t hard enough, so-called "background" and "tactics" are all just jokes.

Just like Duan Guangtai at this moment, the more arrogant he was before, the more pathetic he appears now.

The halo of the Golden Clan and the pride of a Tier Six Spiritualist crumble into worthlessness in the face of absolute power.

He is suspended mid-air by vines, his spiritual energy being fiercely extracted, even his mouth is sealed, leaving him to futilely wriggle his body, subjected to the "gaze" of all the soldiers.

Qin Tian stands in place, watching Duan Guangtai struggle in mid-air, his tone indifferent as if speaking of something trivial: "Ice Extreme Pass is a military base where military management is enforced. Challenging a superior and disobeying orders here will have consequences. Since you refuse to clear the snow, you can ’hang’ here until you figure things out, and then we’ll discuss how to fulfill the responsibilities of an administrative officer."

Hearing this, the soldiers looked at each other in disbelief. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

In the current state of the administrative officer, even if he truly gives in and figures it out, how is he supposed to tell anyone?

After all, his mouth is already sealed.

Everyone can see that this is a deliberate move by the new Army Commander, meant to humiliate the administrative officer in front of everyone. As for when to let him down, that’s entirely up to the new Army Commander.

The wind and snow continue to fall relentlessly. Duan Guangtai is suspended in mid-air by vines, desperately twisting his body, his eyes glaring red as if about to spew fire. Such humiliation is even more unbearable than death.

"Disperse and return to your duties." Qin Tian withdraws his gaze, his voice carrying through the wind and snow to every ear.

Most of the soldiers seemed to have received a pardon and quickly bowed in response, turning to leave in haste, their steps betraying an urgency they couldn’t conceal—none wanted to remain at this tense scene, and even less to get caught up in this power struggle.

Yet among the crowd, a dozen or so remained unmoving.

They were Duan Guangtai’s confidants, usually indulging in excesses alongside him, but now stood pale and helpless in the snow.

They dared not leave. If they left now and Duan Guangtai freed himself, they would undoubtedly face his wrath and a reckoning; but if they stayed, Qin Tian’s calm yet oppressive gaze unnerved them to the core.

Qin Tian glanced at these few people, his tone calm yet laced with a hint of coldness: "What? Do you wish to experience hanging in the air alongside Officer Duan?"

With those words, the dozen or so shivered, their throats bobbing nervously.

Instinctively, they glanced up at Duan Guangtai bound like a mummy by vines—his face purple with anger and humiliation, the fire in his eyes, and his increasingly weak struggles as his spiritual energy was drained. All of these reminded them: defying the new Army Commander would lead to an even worse fate.

After a moment of hesitation, one among them finally gritted his teeth and spoke in a barely audible whisper: "Subordinates... comply."

He slowly backed away, and the others dared not linger either, quickly blending into the wind and snow, not daring to look back.

Duan Guangtai watched as each of his confidants abandoned him, his body trembling more intensely, his face turning from purple to an ash-like color, then to pale white—his confidants proved so fragile in the face of just one sentence from Qin Tian!

Qin Tian lifted his eyes towards him, showing no expression on his face, yet his gaze seemed to regard Duan Guangtai as nothing more than an irrelevant object.

And it was precisely this indifference that was more wounding than any sharp criticism.

Duan Guangtai glared at Qin Tian, clearly capturing a distinct and undisguised contempt from that calm gaze—a contempt of the strong for the weak like ants, of the one in power for a ridiculous clown, as if Duan Guangtai’s earlier arrogance and struggling had all been nothing but a laughable farce in Qin Tian’s eyes.

Despair from his confidants’ betrayal, the humiliation of public disgrace, and the powerlessness against overwhelming force... these emotions surged in Duan Guangtai’s chest like a blazing fire, burning his reason and dignity. Already overwhelmed by the extraction of spiritual energy and physical injury, the contempt now pierced the last psychological barrier, causing a hot rush to surge from within straight to his throat.

"Puh—"

A mist of bright red blood spilled from the corner of Duan Guangtai’s mouth, sealed by vines, dripping through the gaps and staining the white snow with deep red marks, particularly glaring.

His body convulsed violently, his once-bright eyes losing their luster, and the fluctuation of his spiritual energy grew weaker, clearly a result of enraged desperation and compounded injuries.

Qin Tian watched his pathetic state, a faint curve appearing at the corner of his mouth, and without saying another word, turned and made his way to the main fortress of Ice Extreme Pass.

His black military uniform stood tall and firm against the wind and snow, each step steady and unyielding, as if he had merely dealt with an insignificant triviality instead of suppressing a Tier Six powerhouse and intimidating the entire scene.

The soldiers who hadn’t completely dispersed watched Qin Tian walking away, then glanced at Duan Guangtai, barely clinging to life in mid-air, and their reverence for the new Guardian Envoy surged to the zenith.

The wind and snow persisted, but the atmosphere at Ice Extreme Pass quietly shifted. Qin Tian, with this thunderous tactic, not only crushed Duan Guangtai’s arrogance but also firmly established the awe for the "new master" in the hearts of all the soldiers.