At the Dragon Division base on Wending Peak, Yanshan, northern outskirts of Beijing.
An elderly man in a blue cloth robe, exuding an extraordinary aura, around sixty years old, was sitting cross-legged under an old tree.
Circles of energy surrounded him, his face as calm as a meditating monk, yet his sword-like eyebrows swept dramatically towards his temples, giving him a heroic air.
If any Chinese martial artists were present, they would surely gasp in surprise and show utmost respect. He was the supreme existence in contemporary Chinese martial arts.
War God!
Ye Zhan Tian!
Suddenly, an officer hurried in and whispered in his ear.
Ye Zhan Tian opened his profound eyes, gazing southward, silent for a long time, lost in thought.
“Elder Ye, what should we do?” the officer inquired.
“This person walks the line between good and evil, difficult to discern friend from foe. One step further, a warlord; one step back, a fine commander. Try to win him over, keep a close watch!”
Ye Zhan Tian’s gaze was deep, his expression extremely grave. After a pause, he added, “Pay closer attention to him than we did to Qiao Bin, closer than we previously did to Lin Zhenyu. List him as a Special-Class Alert target. Understood?”
“Yes!”
The officer shuddered, his mind roiling with shockwaves. What on earth was Elder Ye thinking…
Ye Zhan Tian narrowed his eyes, looking up at the sky as if trying to peer into the depths of the universe, remaining silent for a long while.
“Elder Ye, any further instructions regarding Jiang Taichu?” the officer asked solemnly.
Ye Zhan Tian waved his hand and closed his eyes again. Yellow leaves drifted down slowly, and the ancient courtyard returned to tranquility.
After a long time, a voice full of confusion and inquiry sounded:
“Is he… even human?”
…
Yunzhou, Five Tiger Stronghold, ancestral home of the Five Tiger Severing Gate Saber.
In recent days, Zhang Qitian had been carefully recuperating, taking potent medicines to strengthen his body. He was recovering well.
After practicing a set of saber techniques, he was drenched in sweat but felt his comprehension of martial arts had become more refined. His heart was satisfied and peaceful.
“A gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years. In ten years, I will surely fight Jiang Taichu again to wash away my shame!”
Zhang Qitian sheathed his saber, a look of determination flashing across his resolute face, battle intent surging.
“Elder Brother, Father has summoned us for a meeting. It’s about news of Jiang Taichu…” Zhang Mingli hurried over.
“He participated in the Martial Alliance Conference? He wasn’t killed, was he? That would be such a pity…” Zhang Qitian gritted his teeth, secretly fuming, and quickly walked into the conference hall.
“It seems we severely underestimated Jiang Taichu’s strength. He is probably only a step away from the Divine Realm!”
After Zhang Wendao finished recounting everything that happened at the Martial Alliance Conference, many senior members of the Zhang family were dumbfounded, their faces ashen.
Only the master with the highest seniority in the Five Tiger Severing Gate Saber, a lean old man sitting at the head, spoke up.
That great battle was too astonishing. Lin Zhenyu killed Li Tuofeng, suppressed Huo Qingtian, and was then killed by Jiang Tian’s Azure Dragon Devouring the Sun and Moon within three moves!
They stirred up monstrous waves, summoned scorching flames to coalesce into an azure dragon, displaying power that completely transcended the Grandmaster level!
“With this level of cultivation, even Ye Zhan Tian would likely treat him cautiously… I’m afraid I’ll never catch up to him in my lifetime!”
Zhang Qitian’s expression was a mix of a smile and a grimace, a cry held back. He let out a long sigh, his eyes filled with despair.
When Jiang Tian condensed that azure dragon capable of devouring the sun, moon, and fiery poison, it clearly possessed sentience. That should be the pinnacle of martial arts, “Condensing Qi into Form,” possibly even glimpsing the truth of the Divine Realm.
With this level of cultivation, even if he cultivated diligently for three lifetimes, he would likely never reach it. How could he still harbor thoughts of revenge?
“Especially you… Qitian, you must understand there is always someone better. From now on, rein in your arrogant and irritable temper!”
Seeing his son’s unsettled expression, Zhang Wendao couldn’t help but frown and emphasize.
“I… understand…”
Zhang Qitian seemed as if his soul had been drained, his body weak, his increasingly pale face filled with dejection.
When an enemy can still be caught up to, one might think of revenge.
But when the enemy becomes so powerful that they can only be looked up to, that fervent bloodlust for revenge cools faster than a pile of cow dung in winter.
The Master’s eyes flickered, his expression uncertain for a long time. Suddenly, he slapped the table, stood up, and said solemnly, “Enough, enough. The hardest things break first. Jiang Taichu is too strong; we can only avoid his sharpness. From now on, whenever members of our Zhang family encounter Jiang Taichu, we shall retreat and yield, showing our respect!”
“Yes, Master!”
Many Zhang family members bowed in unison, their hearts a mix of complex emotions, replying solemnly.
The Zhang family could only swallow their teeth along with the blood, suppressing all their emotions in the deepest part of their hearts.
Jiang Tian swept through all opposition invincibly, even killing Lin Zhenyu in two moves. Right now, even if it was a pile of dung, they had no choice but to pinch their noses and eat it.
“He became the number one under Ye Zhan Tian that quickly?”
Below, seated in the meeting, Mad Saber Zhang Lang stared blankly, unable to believe it, feeling as if he were in a dream.
A few months ago, in his eyes, Jiang Tian was just an ordinary grandmaster among many.
Now, he could already be called the number one grandmaster below the Divine Realm, even qualified to sit as an equal with Ye Zhan Tian and compete with him.
…
At the same time, many martial arts families—the Huo family of Central Plains, the Hong family of Hubei, the Zhao family of Jiangxi, the Tang Sect of Shu, the Jin Saber Wang family of Luoyang—were all relaying this news, discussing countermeasures.
But their final decisions converged on the same path—
“It’s best if we can become friends with Jiang Taichu. Even if we can’t, we absolutely must not become his enemy!”
Thus, the name Jiang Taichu resounded throughout the Chinese martial arts world. With one battle, he ascended to the top of the Divine Ranking as the number one grandmaster!
His fame spread across the world!
…
Meanwhile, Jiang Tian had already driven back to Linzhou and arrived at Villa No. 1 in the King’s Residence.
Home was, after all, the warmest place.
It was like a small boat that had weathered fierce storms finally docking in a warm, peaceful harbor.
As soon as Jiang Tian entered the courtyard, he was surprised to find that Elder Tang, leading the three Tang brothers, Ye Gufeng, Zheng Jiuxuan, Long Wu, Zhou Zhenghao, and a group of other Jiangbei magnates, were already waiting for him.
Even Hong Ye and Xu Wenjie from the Lingnan arts community were present.
Truly, distinguished guests filled the hall, a grand gathering.
“Grandmaster Jiang!”
“Congratulations to Grandmaster Jiang on returning in glory!”
Seeing Jiang Tian return, everyone came forward together, bowing in unison with expressions full of reverence, excitement, and fervor.
“How did you all get here?” Jiang Tian was very surprised.
When he left, he had been very low-key, with only a few like Elder Tang in the know. He hadn’t expected so many people to be waiting for him.
“We are here to congratulate you, Grandmaster Jiang!”
Elder Tang trembled uncontrollably with excitement, ecstatic. “Congratulations to Grandmaster Jiang for taking the top spot at the Martial Alliance Conference, shaking the world with your might! This is a momentous event!”
He had already received news that various military regions and branches were trying every which way to win Jiang Tian over.
Because Jiang Tian’s fame skyrocketed after one battle, his previous role as a martial arts consultant for the War Dragons received even more attention from higher-ups. Tang Hongtu, who had recommended him, had gotten his wish and donned the shoulder insignia of a Major General.
Even the official higher-ups now valued the Tang family more. Tang Weimin had been transferred to Guangzhou to serve as Municipal Party Committee Secretary, entering the provincial standing committee.
Not to mention Tang Linglong’s strength had skyrocketed; she could now easily join the War Dragons or even the Dragon Division.
Everyone looked very excited.
With Jiang Tian’s fame established in one battle, it was likely no one would dare to covet Lingnan or provoke them anymore.
Regarding this, Jiang Tian shook his head, too lazy to say anything.
He took Zhao Xueqing’s small hand, let out a bitter, long sigh, and said apologetically, “Qing’er, I didn’t find the Empress Flower.”
“Your safe return is all that matters!”
Zhao Xueqing quickly wiped the tears from the corner of her eye, smiling brightly. “We can search for the Empress Flower slowly. There’s no rush!”
After everyone was seated, Tang Wannian excitedly slapped his thigh. “Grandmaster Jiang, this truly is ‘when one man achieves the Dao, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.’ As your followers, we feel immensely honored!”
“You useless fool, with no culture at all, so vulgar and crude, embarrassing!”
Elder Tang slapped the table, feigning anger, but the smile at the corners of his eyes and brows was impossible to hide.
Everyone burst into laughter.
“Dad, this is where you don’t understand the situation!”
Tang Wannian said proudly, “Ever since Grandmaster Jiang defeated Wei Shuofeng, who knows how many people have wanted to become his followers? That Tang Zhenye begged me countless times, and I never paid him any mind!”
