I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield

Chapter 256: Chapter 252: Dongfang Ancestral Mansion, Bone Marrow Cleansing Fruit (Double-Length)

"Haha."

Dongfang Mingyu laughed and said, "You wouldn’t believe it, at first, the internet was full of condemnations against you, wishing they could dig up your ancestors from the past eighteen generations. But as time went on, your popularity and support grew higher, and many viewers became your fans. Your fame is even greater than Fu Ning’s, leading by a wide margin."

"Do you believe that if you shouted outside right now, ’I’m Black Crow,’ and put on that Black Crow mask, I guarantee you would have even more fans going even crazier than the ones outside."

"Forget it, more fans just mean more haters. I don’t want to become a target. It’s enough to quietly make a fortune." Qin Tian waved his hand.

"Alright then."

Dongfang Mingyu chuckled and said, "Your residence is arranged here, the room is ready, and tonight, an elder wants to meet you."

"This elder holds a very special position. He is the former Clan Leader of the Dongfang Clan, Dongfang Ke, Elder Ke."

Former Clan Leader!

Qin Tian was taken aback, as the Clan Leader of the Dongfang Clan is one of the most powerful figures in the entire Empire. Though he has already passed on the position, he is still a terrifying figure whose slightest move could cause an uproar across the Whole Star Realm.

"No need to be nervous."

Dongfang Mingyu said with a smile, "This meeting is partly because Elder Ke wants to meet you, the meritorious person, and partly to present you with a great gift."

A great gift~

Qin Tian’s eyes lit up, eagerly anticipating the meeting tonight.

......

The night was as dark as ink.

Dongfang Mingyu led Qin Tian through layers of barriers to the Dongfang Ancestral Mansion.

When the rustic wooden door slowly opened, even someone as knowledgeable as Qin Tian couldn’t help but hold his breath—

Before him lay a sprawling complex of buildings stretching beyond vision, all constructed from ten-thousand-year Spirit Wood, glowing softly under the moonlight. Ancient Array patterns flowed around the eaves and brackets, and every beam and pillar exuded a heartbeat-like pulse of Spiritual Power.

"Truly magnificent," Qin Tian murmured to himself.

Dongfang Mingyu smiled silently, leading him along a path paved with Azure Jade. On both sides, Spirit Plants thrived, emitting a refreshing fragrance:

There was the Nine Core Jadeflower with emerald-like translucent leaves, each petal autonomously inhaling Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi;

The Seven Treasures Wondrous Tree with twisted, dragon-like branches, its crown adorned with multicolored glow;

And the legendary Spirit Linked Vermilion Fruit with features faintly visible on its surface, curiously "glancing" at Qin Tian as he passed by...

Qin Tian’s pupils narrowed—every single one of these Spirit Plants’ auras was no weaker than Jie La’s.

This meant that along this single path alone, there were no fewer than a hundred top-grade Spirit Plants of Tier Six or above, and frighteningly, they all seemed to possess intelligence, murmuring in whispers.

"Watch your step," Dongfang Mingyu suddenly cautioned.

Qin Tian looked down to see a pitch-black vine wrapping quietly around his ankle. Upon being discovered, it cleverly "retracted," its leaves making a rustling sound akin to children giggling.

In the distance, the crown of a towering ancient tree began to sway without wind, a vibrant green branch slowly descending, with two crystalline Spirit Fruits dangling from its tip, glistening under the moonlight with an enticing glow.

"Qin Tian, this time, I’m benefiting because of you," Dongfang Mingyu said with a delighted expression. "These are Bone Marrow Cleansing Spirit Fruits from the Immortal Platform Spirit Tree, maturing only once every three hundred years; they are a gift to us."

With that, Dongfang Mingyu bowed respectfully, then with both hands, presented one of the Spirit Fruits into his palm.

Qin Tian also received one of the Spirit Fruits with both hands.

The fruit felt warm and smooth to the touch, like top-quality jade, its surface interwoven with mysterious patterns.

He took a gentle bite—

"Crunch."

With the crisp sound, sweet juice instantly filled his mouth. The taste was indescribable, as if it concentrated the purest Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth, mixed with the aged rich aroma of millennia. The fruit’s flesh dissolved in his mouth, becoming a warm stream that coursed through all his limbs.

Qin Tian’s eyes sparkled with energy, and in just a few bites, he consumed the entire fruit. Immediately, he clearly felt the astounding changes occurring inside his body—his meridians, with torrents of Spiritual Power, seemed to grow denser, more refined, as if tempered over from numerous rigors; all three hundred sixty acupuncture points gleamed like polished Spirit Jade, projecting a lustrous glow. Every pore greedily absorbed the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, doubling his absorption efficiency over before!

He knew full well what these changes signified—this wasn’t merely a temporary boost in Cultivation but a fundamental optimization of his cultivation physique.

From now on, every cycle, his cultivation effects would surpass those of the past.

"Thank you."

Qin Tian clasped his fists in gratitude.

The ancient tree’s branches and leaves gently swayed, producing a rustling sound, as if responding to his gratitude.

Even before meeting the elder, a gift had already been received.

To this, Qin Tian could only say—

The Dongfang Clan, how generous!

Dongfang Mingyu did not immediately consume the fruit but put it in his pocket and continued leading Qin Tian deeper into the ancestral mansion.

Soon, the two stopped in front of a wooden house.

"Elder Ke, I’ve brought Qin Tian here."

Dongfang Mingyu said respectfully in front of the house.

"Alright, come in."

A slightly aged voice came from inside.

"Yes!"

Dongfang Mingyu gently pushed open the door and led Qin Tian inside.

The wooden door creaked softly as Qin Tian followed Dongfang Mingyu into the house.

Inside, the light was soft, with the faint fragrance of grass and wood filling the air. By the window, an elder dressed in a simple long robe was attentively watering a pot of spirit plant on the table with a jade pot.

The spirit plant was wholly verdant, its leaves sparkling like emeralds. As water droplets fell, it gently swayed, as if enjoying the elder’s care.

Hearing the sound, the elder looked up, and only then did Qin Tian see his appearance—a head of jet-black long hair casually tied at the back, not a trace of gray, yet his face bore the marks of time, with wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and forehead etched deeply like carvings.

However, the most striking were his eyes.

Aged, profound, yet clear as an ancient well, as if they had endured millennia of storms, seen through the rise and fall of worldly affairs, yet distilled the purest wisdom.

When his gaze fell on Qin Tian, Qin Tian felt completely seen through, as if all secrets were laid bare before those eyes.

"Qin Tian, sit." Dongfang Ke put down the jade pot, his voice gentle.

Dongfang Mingyu respectfully exited the room, and Qin Tian quietly saluted before sitting cross-legged on the cushion opposite the elder.

The room fell silent, save for the spirit plant gently swaying in the breeze, its leaves rustling as if whispering.

Dongfang Ke looked at Qin Tian, a slight smile on his face:

"Indeed, heroes emerge from the young. I reckon your age is about the same as that group of children."

"Yes... not too different."

Qin Tian silently added in his heart, only a twenty-year difference or so.

After all, I’m not even a year old yet.

Dongfang Ke chuckled and then his gaze fell on the green vine on Qin Tian’s wrist, saying:

"If I’m not mistaken, your symbiotic spirit plant should be the long-lost Soul-Devouring Demon Vine."

Qin Tian nodded. With the Dongfang Clan’s research on spirit plants, recognizing the Soul-Devouring Demon Vine was no surprise to him.

He also wasn’t worried that the Dongfang Clan would covet the Soul-Devouring Demon Vine, as its most glorious feat was resisting ten Tier Eight Beastmen single-handedly, whereas in the Dongfang Clan, Tier Nine spirit plants definitely existed and possibly were not uncommon.

Dongfang Ke slowly said, "In the past, the Dongfang Clan tried to trade with Dugu Feng for a segment of the Soul-Devouring Demon Vine, but unfortunately, the trade hadn’t been finalized when Dugu Feng died in battle, and the Soul-Devouring Demon Vine disappeared. Who would have thought it would reappear after a millennium?"

"Qin Tian, I’d like to trade three Silver Level Cultivation Techniques or Martial Techniques for a segment of the Soul-Devouring Demon Vine. Would you be interested in this deal?"

"I am willing!"

Qin Tian agreed without hesitation. Jie La’s segments were plentiful, and trading a mere segment for three Silver Level Cultivation Techniques or Martial Techniques was like a gift from the heavens for him.

Who would refuse such an offer?

Of course, three Silver Level Cultivation Techniques or Martial Techniques meant nothing to the Dongfang Clan, and they had the ability to cultivate Jie La’s offshoot into a complete Spirit-Devouring Demon Vine, making the deal entirely worthwhile.

Seeing Qin Tian’s decisive agreement, a smile appeared on Dongfang Ke’s face. After chatting casually with Qin Tian for a few minutes, he pushed two boxes toward Qin Tian.

"Qin Tian, this time you’ve turned the tide, helped those children escape danger, and preserved the Dongfang Clan’s reputation. As a reward, the clan has prepared two gifts for you. Open them and see."

Upon hearing this, a hint of anticipation appeared in Qin Tian’s eyes as he opened the first box.