“I second the motion! If Master Jiang were to take the position, I would sincerely accept it!”
Zhao Yuankun was the first to stand up.
“I agree! If Master Jiang isn’t qualified to be the Martial Arts Federation President, then who could possibly be?” Wei Feilong also expressed his agreement.
“I agree!”
“Agreed!”
“We are willing to follow Master Jiang, revitalize Chinese martial arts, and uphold justice and order in the martial world!”
“Master Jiang hates evil as if it were a personal enemy and is as powerful as a dragon. If he becomes the Martial Arts Federation President, he will surely usher in a new era!”
With veteran grandmasters leading the way, many martial arts experts immediately rose to their feet, vying to show their support.
Their faces were filled with admiration, their blood boiling with passion. They seemed like a group of eager warriors ready to follow Jiang Tian into battle across the world.
Everyone felt that Jiang Taichu was too formidable—having even killed Lin Zhenyu, the leader of the Big Circle Gang. They believed that if he became the Martial Arts Federation President, peace and order would surely reign, and no evil martial artist would dare cause trouble again.
Moreover, if Jiang Tian controlled the Federation, his deterrence against foreign forces would be extraordinary, ensuring that no one would dare to infringe upon China.
“My goodness, a 25-year-old Martial Arts Federation President, leading all the heroes under heaven!”
Zhang Mingli’s beautiful eyes sparkled as she watched the scene in disbelief. Thinking back to just a few days ago when Jiang Tian seemed to be the target of public criticism, it felt like a dream—utterly unreal.
“Ah, if I could achieve even one-tenth of what he has in this lifetime, it would be worth it!”
Young martial artists like Hong Hetu and Zhao Hao no longer harbored any resentment, disdain, or competitive spirit toward Jiang Tian. Instead, they felt deep admiration, wistful longing, and a sense of their own inadequacy.
Meanwhile, Tang Linglong, Qiugong, and Li Zhenwei wore proud and joyful expressions.
They were Jiang Tian’s people. Now that he was becoming the Martial Arts Federation President, they naturally felt honored.
Facing the fervent gazes of the martial artists, Jiang Tian smiled faintly and said:
“The title of Martial Arts Federation President is merely an empty honor and a burden to me. I truly have no interest in it. Please don’t make things difficult for me!”
These words left everyone stunned and incredulous.
In the eyes of martial artists, the position of Federation President was highly esteemed, second only to Ye Zhantian, the Dragon Group’s leader. It was a position of immense power, standing above all others.
Countless heroes under heaven had tirelessly sought this seat, striving with all their might to attain it.
But now, with so many martial arts masters publicly endorsing him, he had… flatly refused!
“Master Jiang, please don’t be modest or polite. We are all sincere in this!” Huo Qingtian thought Jiang Tian was merely putting on a show of humility.
“No. I’m not being polite; I genuinely have no interest!”
Jiang Tian shook his head, his expression calm and composed. “I came here solely to find the Empress Flower for my beloved wife’s cultivation!”
Beside him, Wei Feilong added with a smile, “Mr. Jiang, War God Ye Zhantian also sent his congratulations. He praised you for eliminating Lin Zhenyu, a scourge of Chinese martial arts. Moreover, he hopes you will take the position of Federation President, joining forces with him to achieve great things!”
“What? Even Ye Zhantian has endorsed him!”
“To stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ye Zhantian—what glory and honor! It’s simply…”
Many martial artists looked at Jiang Tian with awe, admiration, and envy.
They felt he was like an unreachable, solitary peak, as distant and unattainable as the North Star.
“Hah, Ye Zhantian may offer suggestions, but I don’t have to listen. What right does he have to force me?”
Jiang Tian paid no heed. He stood up and said calmly:
“As I said before, if any of you have information about the Empress Flower, please inform me promptly. I will surely reward you generously! Linglong, A Gui, let’s go.”
Seeing him walk out with his hands behind his back, everyone was dumbfounded, unable to believe what they were witnessing.
To casually reject the position of Martial Arts Federation President—such detachment was truly remarkable!
“Jiang Taichu, stop right there!”
Suddenly, a girl in military uniform stood up from the crowd and shouted sharply.
“Is that… Cao Jianjia, leader of the Dragon Group’s First Unit?”
“Yes, the most outstanding disciple of the Cao family and Ye Zhantian’s personal student. She’s at the peak of Inner Strength cultivation!”
Some recognized the girl and exclaimed in surprise.
This Martial Arts Federation gathering was organized by the Federation and hosted by the Jiangxi Zhao family, but the Dragon Group was secretly overseeing it.
However, to maintain the Federation’s image as a civilian martial arts organization, Cao Jianjia had kept a low profile, observing from the shadows without drawing attention.
But now, she had no choice but to step forward!
In her eyes, Jiang Taichu’s refusal of the position, especially after Ye Zhantian’s endorsement, was an insult to the Dragon Group!
It was a disgrace!
And a slap in Ye Zhantian’s face!
As Ye Zhantian’s disciple, she could not allow this to happen!
“What is it?”
Jiang Tian frowned, slightly displeased.
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
Cao Jianjia’s beautiful face was filled with anger as she took a step forward and said coldly, “Do you know the Dragon Group’s motto—’Those who join us are our friends; those who do not are our enemies’? Now that the Dragon Group has shown you goodwill, how dare you refuse? Do you intend to make an enemy of the Dragon Group and all martial artists under heaven?”
She stared straight at Jiang Tian, taking another step forward, and said sternly, “Jiang Taichu, you are indeed powerful, but let me ask you: can you withstand rocket fire? Can you survive a nuclear weapon?”
“Even if you could flee to the ends of the earth, what about your family and friends? Can they escape?”
With each question, she took another step forward. After a few steps, she was in the center of the hall, confronting Jiang Tian directly.
Seemingly confident she had Jiang Tian cornered, she took out a military-grade rugged phone, pulled up a document, and said slowly:
“Your real name is Jiang Tian, of the Jiang family in Jinling. Your grandfather is Jiang Changgeng, your father Jiang Zhixing is the county magistrate of Qixia County, your mother Zhang Wanqing is the general manager of Qixia Pharmaceutical Factory, your beloved wife…”
At this point, her eyes flashed, and she chuckled mockingly:
“It seems your maternal grandfather is quite distinguished, too? He’s from the influential Zhang family…”
Her half-formed smile froze abruptly, replaced by sheer terror on her pretty face.
A jade-white hand had suddenly shot out, gripping her neck like an iron clamp.
Cao Jianjia was startled. Under Jiang Tian’s casual grip, her internal energy and strength seemed to drain away rapidly. She couldn’t muster any force, struggled to breathe, and felt her head spinning.
She gasped out with difficulty, “J-Jiang Taichu, you dare kill me?”
“Kill you? So what! Even if Ye Zhantian dared speak to me like this, he would die!”
Jiang Tian’s face was ice-cold, his eyes devoid of emotion, as if killing her were as simple as slaughtering a chicken.
“Master Jiang, please calm down!”
Seeing this, Wei Feilong was terrified and rushed forward to plead.
“Master Jiang, Cao Jianjia cannot be killed!”
Zhao Yuankun’s face also changed dramatically, trembling all over in fear.
“Master Jiang, please restrain your anger!”
“Master Jiang, don’t act impulsively!”
For a moment, many martial artists urged Jiang Tian to reconsider, fearing he might do something irreversible.
In truth, everyone understood that Cao Jianjia’s words had gone too far. Grandmasters were like dragons, and a peak grandmaster like Jiang Tian, who had the potential to glimpse the truth of the Divine Realm in his lifetime, was an exalted existence. Even Ye Zhantian, if present, should treat him as an equal and show respect.
One could say that if she were killed by Jiang Tian, it would be entirely her own fault.
But her identity was too sensitive. She came from a top military family. Offending her would bring catastrophic consequences.
It might even provoke another nationwide crackdown on the martial arts world, like in the late 1990s!
She could not be killed!
“‘Those who do not join are our enemies’? How arrogant, how domineering! Hmph, let’s see what you can do if I oppose your Dragon Group!”
Jiang Tian’s eyes glinted with a bloodthirsty light. His fingers tightened, and the bones in Cao Jianjia’s neck grated with a piercing sound.
At this moment, he was genuinely angry.
The Dragon Group was too overbearing, too arrogant—even more so than he had been in the outer reaches of the cosmos in his past life!
Refuse to join, and they threaten my loved ones and family!
Little did they know that this was Jiang Taichu’s bottom line. Whoever touched it would die—including the Dragon Group!
Cao Jianjia’s limbs twitched spasmodically. She was truly afraid now, her face filled with shock, terror, and distorted pain.
Jiang Tian’s eyes were cold and merciless, like a lofty deity looking down on an ant.
And an overwhelming aura of bloodlust emanated from him.
He seemed like a demon king emerging from mountains of corpses and seas of blood—cold, murderous, ruthless, carrying an aura of relentless destruction that was utterly terrifying.
All of this told her that Jiang Tian truly dared to kill her. This wasn’t a bluff or an attempt to intimidate her.
“You think your backing is impressive, but in my eyes, it’s something I can shatter with a casual strike!”
Jiang Tian’s icy voice rang out: “In this world, no one who threatens me lives to tell the tale!”
“Remember, in your next life, don’t provoke me. I, Jiang Taichu, am someone you cannot afford to offend!”
Feeling her consciousness fading, Cao Jianjia looked pleadingly at Huo Qingtian and rasped, “Uncle Huo… s-save me…”
“Master Jiang, Jianjia is young and ignorant, but she meant well. Please grant this old man some face and spare her this once!”
Huo Qingtian didn’t dare confront Jiang Tian directly. In desperation, he fell to his knees with a thud, trembling as he begged.
“Master Jiang, a great man doesn’t hold grudges against lesser beings. Why trouble yourself with a mere child?”
“Master Jiang, her offense against your majesty is indeed deserving of death. But in light of our past alliance against a common enemy, please grant me some small face and spare her life!”
“Master Jiang, if you let her go, we will surely report this to War God Ye and Elder Cao, and she will face severe punishment!”
Next, Wei Feilong, Zhao Yuankun, and five or six other Transformation Realm grandmasters all knelt down together, pleading in unison.
This scene stunned everyone.
One wrath from Taichu could dye ten thousand miles with blood, shaking the world. Seven grandmaster experts submitted, kneeling and begging for mercy!
“Since it’s your first offense, I’ll spare you this once!”
Seeing this, Jiang Tian sighed inwardly. He released his grip, throwing Cao Jianjia to the ground, then turned and strode out with his hands behind his back.
Thud!
Cao Jianjia sat on the floor, greedily gasping for air, her face deathly pale, her heart filled with unprecedented fear.
Jiang Tian’s expression remained calm. Despite the pleas of the martial artists, he left Poyang Water Manor without a trace of hesitation.
No one knew what he was thinking at that moment!
Grow stronger!
He must become even stronger!
If he reached a level where a single sword strike could pierce the Earth, who in this world would dare threaten him?
Someone like Cao Jianjia would be scrambling to curry favor with him instead!
Today, Cao Jianjia’s threat had sent him a powerful signal—he was not invincible in this world.
At the very least, his physical body was not yet strong enough to withstand weapons of mass destruction!
