“No need for the trouble. A taxi will do.”
Jiang Tian’s tone was indifferent as he walked to the curb to hail a cab.
“So low-key… He must be a scion of one of those elite Beijing families, sent out to gain experience!”
Li Rui watched his retreating figure, her heart sinking. The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became—she’d just missed a golden opportunity. How could I have been so blind?
Just then, Li Danni rushed out, clutching Shen Le’s arm with a pitiful expression. “Shen Le, forgive me! I realized… I still love you!”
“Love me? Or my money?” Shen Le shoved her away, sneering. “You only came crawling back after finding out I landed the Xinghui deal. Think I’m an idiot? Get lost!”
As Shen Le left, Li Danni stood frozen, regret twisting her stomach. Who knew he had such powerful friends? But it was too late.
Only after Jiang Tian was long gone did Long Gaitian finally wipe the sweat from his brow and stagger to his feet. “Thank god he spared my life…”
Lu Biyao stared blankly. “Long Shao, is Jiang Tian really that terrifying?”
“Let’s just say he’s someone I can’t afford to cross.” Long Gaitian’s face was uncharacteristically grim. He’d never explain Jiang Tian’s true power to these ordinary fools.
Fu Lanjun hurried to share her intel: “Long Shao, you’re overestimating the Jiang family. My sources say they’re on the verge of collapse—debts, enemies circling. And Jiang Tian himself? Rumor has it he fried his brain with alcohol—”
“Enough.” Long Gaitian cut her off with a sharp glance. “Not a word of this leaves here. Understood?”
Idiots, he thought. His father and Third Uncle had long dissected the Jiang family’s decline. But Jiang Tian? He was a force of nature—a man who could topple dynasties alone. He didn’t need his family’s name.
Lu Biyao, oblivious, hissed, “Long Shao, if you’re still angry, we’ll get revenge! That arrogant prick deserves—”
“Drop it.” Long Gaitian waved her off, disgust flickering in his eyes. This woman’s stupidity is a liability. Best to cut ties.
Two Weeks Later
Tang Wannian, Long Wu, and the others had scoured the underworld for rare treasures to fuel Jiang Tian’s spiritual array—but the results were lacking.
“This ‘Abyssal Black Iron’ cost me eight million on the black market,” Long Wu presented a dark metallic chunk.
Jiang Tian sighed. “It’s decent for forging weapons, but for a Five-Elements Spirit Gathering Array? Useless. We need celestial-grade metals like Genggold or Violet Immortal Ore.”
The men bowed their heads. “Our apologies, Master Jiang.”
“Not your fault. Some things require fate’s hand.” Jiang Tian shrugged.
Then Long Wu brightened. “Master Jiang, the East Sea Grand Tournament is coming up—hosted by Ye Gufeng. Past prizes included rare cultivation resources!”
He showed a photo: “Last year’s winner got a ‘Dragonbone Vine’—cured his son’s terminal illness overnight!”
Jiang Tian’s eyes sharpened. “A Dragonbone Vine… wasted on mere healing.” He shook his head. “That herb could’ve brewed Qi-Conversion Pills, boosting a warrior’s realm instantly. Using it as medicine is like cracking a walnut with a sledgehammer—reckless.”
“Ye Gufeng’s ambition is to unify the three northern cities under his banner,” Tang Wannian explained. “This tournament is his way to flex power and recruit talent. He’s already absorbed Jiangzhou. Linzhou is next.”
Zhou Zhenghao smirked. “Master Jiang, why not join? Imagine Ye Gufeng’s face when you crush his champions!”
“Hah! Why not?” Jiang Tian grinned. The men nearly cheered—finally, a chance to strike back.
…
The next morning, Zhao Xueqing tugged Jiang Tian’s sleeve excitedly. “You need rare herbs for cultivation, right? My friend Zhou Xianya’s family owns a pharmacy chain. She might have what you need!”
Jiang Tian almost laughed. What could a mundane pharmacy offer? But he indulged her. “Alright, let’s go.”
Guoyao Pharmacy, Headquarters
Zhou Xianya—a stunning beauty dubbed one of Linzhou’s Five Golden Flowers—leaned back in her office, phone pressed to her ear.
“Get this: Zhao Xueqing actually believes her husband ‘cultivates’ and needs ‘spiritual herbs’!” She snorted. “Next she’ll say he’s immortal!”
Fu Lanjun cackled. “Well, her husband is Jiang Tian—the lunatic heir of the failing Jiang family. Guess she humors him to avoid getting beaten!”
Zhou Xianya’s lips curled. “Wait, that Jiang Tian? I went on a blind date with him once! A brainless playboy. How’d Xueqing end up married to him?”
“Family politics. She was sold off.” Fu Lanjun sighed faux-sympathetically. “Though he did buy her a Rolls-Royce Phantom—proof that idiots burn money fastest.”
Zhou Xianya’s eyes glinted. “Perfect. When they show up, I’ll scam that fool for every penny he’s got.”
