Returning after 10000 Years Cultivation - Chapter 114

“Jiang Tian, you’re finally back!”

Zhao Xueqing sprang to her feet and hurried over, gently touching his face with a look of tender concern. “Look at you—you’ve gotten so tanned! Was the journey exhausting?”

Tears rolled down her cheeks, but she didn’t bother wiping them away, her eyes fixed on Jiang Tian’s face—the face she had missed so dearly.

“Haha, it’s nothing. Think of it as a vacation,” Jiang Tian replied with a soft smile, brushing away her tears.

Only then did Zhao Xueqing notice the stunning woman standing behind Jiang Tian—tall, curvaceous, with skin as smooth as polished jade. Her flawless face, free of makeup, glowed like morning light on snow.

“Who… who is she?” Zhao Xueqing’s voice trembled uncontrollably.

Her heart clenched, her breath grew tight, and her face paled.

The old Jiang Tian had been a playboy, frequenting bars and nightclubs, flirting with countless women.

The new Jiang Tian was a martial arts prodigy, a man of extraordinary power, with tycoons and magnates bowing at his feet. If he wanted multiple wives or concubines, who could stop him?

“Oh, this is our maid. Think of her as a servant, bodyguard, or attendant. Her name is Shen Mange,” Jiang Tian explained warmly before shooting Shen Mange a stern look. “Come greet your mistress properly! This is my wife!”

“From now on, you will kneel and kowtow to her every morning. Show even a hint of disrespect, and I won’t spare you!”

“How can there be such a breathtakingly beautiful woman in this world? She’s like a goddess descended from the heavens!”

Shen Mange had always prided herself on her looks, but faced with Zhao Xueqing, she couldn’t help but feel slightly inferior.

Zhao Xueqing’s features were like a painting, her aura ethereal, as if she were an immortal untouched by mortal dust—like a celestial maiden about to ascend to the heavens.

Now Shen Mange understood why Jiang Tian had spoken of her so often during their time in Hankou and Shennong Sect. A mix of envy and admiration churned inside her.

“Your servant, Mange, pays respects to the mistress!”

Snapped back to reality by Jiang Tian’s sharp tone, Shen Mange trembled and hurried forward, dropping to her knees and performing the full ceremonial kowtow.

“She’s… our servant?”

Zhao Xueqing was stunned.

Shen Mange carried an air of noble elegance—something only a prestigious family could cultivate, impossible to fake. Yet here she was, kneeling and calling her mistress!

But this also put Zhao Xueqing at ease. Her worries melted away as she quickly helped Shen Mange up with a warm smile.

“Sister Mange, please, no need for this! Don’t listen to Jiang Tian. From now on, we’ll treat each other as sisters. No need for formalities!”

Shen Mange had been dreading the strict rules, which seemed even harsher than those of her sect.

Hearing Zhao Xueqing’s words, she immediately felt a surge of gratitude. She’s so much easier to deal with than that tyrant of a master.

She glanced at Jiang Tian for confirmation, and he waved a hand dismissively. “In this household, the wife’s word is law. If she says no kneeling, then no kneeling!”

“Understood, Master!” Shen Mange replied, inwardly rolling her eyes. Look at you, acting all high and mighty outside, but at home, you’re just a henpecked husband!

Her thoughts were cut short when Jiang Tian snapped his fingers. “What are you standing around for? Go cook!”

“Y-yes! Right away!” Shen Mange nearly burst into tears but scurried into the kitchen.

“Jiang Tian, be nicer to her! Even servants are human!” Zhao Xueqing chided before following Shen Mange inside. “Let me handle this. I’ve learned a couple of new dishes!”

“Of course! I’ll help with the prep!”

Not daring to overshadow her, Shen Mange obediently took on the role of assistant.

Soon, the two women had prepared a meal. As dishes were laid out, Jiang Tian and Zhao Xueqing chatted over dinner.

“Mange, your cooking is terrible!”

Jiang Tian took a bite of steamed perch and scowled. “It’s practically inedible! With skills like this, you’ll never get married. You should enroll in a culinary school!”

Shen Mange forced an awkward smile, not daring to argue.

But Zhao Xueqing’s face fell. Her lips quivered as she muttered, “Jiang Tian… I made these dishes. Sister Mange only helped with the prep…”

“Oh, really?”

Jiang Tian, who had been distracted pondering array formations, suddenly realized his mistake. His face drained of color.

He plastered on an apologetic grin. “I meant the knife work! Yes, the knife work is sloppy! The cooking itself is excellent—perfectly seasoned, masterful heat control, truly worthy of a five-star Michelin chef!”

Zhao Xueqing pursed her lips, unsure whether to be upset at his critique or her own cooking.

“Delicious! So good!”

Jiang Tian shoveled food into his mouth, proving his point through action. “Don’t be mad, Qing’er. I’ll do the dishes later, okay?”

“Hah! Serves you right, you tyrant!” Shen Mange stifled a laugh, thoroughly enjoying his predicament.

Jiang Tian quickly changed the subject, regaling Zhao Xueqing with exaggerated tales of his travels. Eventually, her curiosity won out, and she began asking questions.

After dinner, Zhao Xueqing started preparing a room for Shen Mange.

Jiang Tian waved a hand. “She’s not staying here. It’ll ruin our alone time. Send her to the King’s No. 1 Villa!”

Once Ghost Kick took Shen Mange away, Zhao Xueqing smirked. “You’re really letting such a beauty leave? Wouldn’t you like a warm-bedding maid?”

“Cough—!”

Jiang Tian, mid-sip of tea, choked and nearly spat it out. His face turned red as he waved his hands frantically. “Xueqing, what are you saying? What beauty? Compared to you, she’s not worth a single strand of hair!”

…..

The Search for Earth-Element Materials

With the White Ape demon core, Frostfire Crystal, Genggold Iron Essence, and Verdant Cauldron, Jiang Tian had gathered four of the five elemental materials—only earth remained.

But he knew better than to put all his efforts into one pursuit. While continuing his search for earth-element materials, he also began collecting auxiliary ingredients for his array formations.

The next day, Jiang Tian summoned Tang Wannian, Ye Gufeng, Long Wu, Xue Mingyi, and other Jiangbei magnates to the Wolong Estate, tasking them with gathering supplementary materials.

Silkthread Vine, Nethervine, Ebonywood, Profound Earth, Five-Colored Buddha Clay, Jade Marrow… Jiang Tian handed them a long list.

Procuring all these would cost at least two to three billion, not to mention the manpower and intelligence required.

“Master Jiang, don’t worry! We’ll turn all of China upside down if we have to! If we fail, we’ll offer our heads in apology!”

Tang Wannian thumped his chest emphatically, recalling Old Master Tang’s evaluation of Jiang Tian.

The day before, Tang Linglong had returned to the Tang family and recounted Jiang Tian’s exploits in the Shennong Sect.

After hearing it, the old master had fallen silent for a long time before declaring:

“Master Jiang cultivates both magic and martial arts, advancing at an unprecedented pace. Even the Shennong Sect couldn’t suppress him. Within ten years, he will rival Ye Zhan Tian of the Chinese Dragon Group!”

The thought sent a thrill through Tang Wannian. If Master Jiang reaches Ye Zhan Tian’s level, won’t I, as his loyal subordinate, rise to unimaginable heights?

The other magnates also pledged their resources, vowing to fulfill Jiang Tian’s requests even if it meant bankrupting themselves.

“This time, your chances are much better,” Jiang Tian said lazily from his armchair, legs crossed. “These materials aren’t as rare as the elemental ones. You should be able to find them.”

He sighed. “But the earth-element material… that’s the real challenge. It must be capable of channeling the energy of vast earth veins. Only Xuanhuang Earthen Soil will suffice.”

At this, Fengshui Master Qi suddenly stiffened, then stood up excitedly. “Master Jiang, I’ve heard of an artifact called the Xuanhuang Earthen Jar!”

“Oh? Where did you see it? What does it look like?” Jiang Tian’s interest was piqued.

Master Qi bowed deeply. “To answer Master Jiang, I am actually a disciple of Hong Kong’s great feng shui master, Xu Mozhai—technically, his grand-disciple.”

“Hmm, I didn’t realize you had such connections,” Jiang Tian mused.

“I dare not boast,” Master Qi said hurriedly.

“Ten years ago, during Hong Kong’s handover, the Wei family of Yangcheng clashed with several Hong Kong tycoons over control of the city’s major ports and shipping routes. The conflict turned bloody.”

“The Hong Kong side enlisted Xu Mozhai to suppress the Wei family. In response, Wei Shuofeng stormed Kowloon Peak and engaged Xu Mozhai in a three-day battle!”

Master Qi’s face filled with awe as he recalled the legendary duel.

“That battle shook Kowloon Peak to its foundations. The roar of their clashes echoed all the way to Central, ten miles away. Hurricanes formed, thunder rained from the sky—all of Hong Kong trembled!”

“After three days, neither had gained the upper hand. Instead, they developed a mutual respect. In the final moments, Xu Mozhai unleashed his strongest technique—the Tenfold Slaughter Array. In response, Wei Shuofeng summoned the Xuanhuang Earthen Jar, channeling miles of earth energy from Kowloon Mountain!”

“The earth itself writhed like a dragon. The Xuanhuang energy coalesced into a ten-meter-long earthen dragon, which shattered Xu Mozhai’s array in one strike!”

“Afterward, Xu Mozhai coughed up blood—his injuries unknown—and retreated into seclusion on Lantau Island. Ten years have passed, and he still hasn’t reemerged.”

“But before he left, Xu Mozhai made one declaration: ‘In the realm of earth-based sorcery, Wei Shuofeng stands unrivaled!’”

Jiang Tian’s eyes gleamed with interest. “Are there any photos or recordings?”

“The Hong Kong police had strict controls—no photography or filming allowed. But one journalist captured a blurry image with a high-powered telephoto lens.”

Master Qi presented the photo.

“Is this… an immortal?”

The onlookers gasped.

The image showed a blurred figure hovering a hundred meters above Kowloon Peak, holding an object. The sky was thick with swirling yellow energy, and behind the figure loomed a massive golden dragon formed from Xuanhuang earth energy.

“Sigh… If it can summon earth energy on this scale, it must be the Xuanhuang Earthen Jar I need,” Jiang Tian murmured, his gaze alight with desire. Then he exhaled deeply. “But obtaining it won’t be easy.”