Returning after 10000 Years Cultivation - Chapter 164

“I’ve never heard of it…”

Everyone present frowned in thought for a moment, then shook their heads one after another.

“Here are some photos. Take a look, have you seen it before?”

Jiang Tian had Shen Mange distribute copies of a photograph.

Based on his memories of the Princess Flower from beyond the stars, Jiang Tian had drawn a sketch. He was proficient in all arts—lute, chess, calligraphy, and painting—and his drawing was incredibly lifelike. He had also had someone use graphic software to render it, so the flower’s shape and color were about eighty or ninety percent accurate.

After all, China and the world beyond the stars belonged to entirely different civilizations, so it was possible the names differed.

But even after looking at the picture, everyone shook their heads, indicating they had never seen it before.

“No one has seen it…” Seeing this, Jiang Tian could only sigh helplessly.

If one spoke of expertise in medicinal herbs, the Shennong Sect could rank among the top three in China, with vast collections of ancient texts and abundant spiritual herbs. But he had already communicated with Zuo Zimu and the others, and they hadn’t seen it either.

He had anticipated this outcome, but facing it now, he couldn’t help feeling disappointed.

“Could it be that I have to journey beyond the stars myself to find this Princess Flower and set Xueqing on the path of cultivation?”

Zhao Xueqing, sitting next to Jiang Tian, patted the back of his hand and offered a gentle, comforting smile. “Husband, there’s no need to rush.”

Yet, she herself let out a long sigh, unable to shake off her own deep disappointment.

At that moment, Shen Mange suddenly bowed and said, “Master, are you aware that the Martial Arts Alliance Conference is about to be held?”

“The Martial Arts Alliance Conference?” Jiang Tian frowned slightly.

“Yes. Every five years, China holds a Martial Arts Alliance Conference, organized by the Huaxia Dragon Group. Its purpose is to elect an alliance leader for the martial world…”

Shen Mange explained in detail: “The conference gathers experts from all over. Except for reclusive sects like those from Mount Shu or Kunlun, most martial arts schools and families participate. I thought if you attended, Master, you might gain something from it!”

“An alliance leader for the martial world? What era is this now, why would they still have something like that?” Jiang Tian let out a surprised laugh.

“Grandmaster Jiang, you may not be aware,”

Tang Guozhu, who was seated among them, explained: “Huaxia martial arts have a long history, traceable back to the Qi-refining practitioners of the pre-Qin era. In modern times, we’ve entered an age of dwindling spiritual energy. Cultivation resources have become scarce, and martial arts have gradually declined. Especially with the advancement of technology, an ordinary person with a gun can kill even an Iron Body or Internal Energy expert. With this shift, the martial path has declined even further!”

“But the decline of martial arts doesn’t mean it has ceased to exist. In fact, powerful martial artists still play important roles in modern society!”

“Go on,” Jiang Tian nodded at this point.

Although martial arts and mystical arts had declined, martial arts experts were still formidable figures.

Just to name a few, Hong Tianzhao in Hubei province controlled vast wealth; the gang organizations in Zhonghai had shadows of powerful martial artists from the ‘Big Circle’ behind them; and previously, the entire vast Lingnan region was suppressed by Wei Shuofeng alone.

“The ‘Martial Arts Alliance Conference’ and ‘Alliance Leader’ that Lady Mange mentioned are just informal, folk terms!”

Tang Guozhu said respectfully: “Its official name is the ‘Huaxia Martial Arts Federation’. It was established on October 1st, 1997, in the capital, Yanjing. Initially, it was publicly announced as an organization to promote the unity and association of Huaxia martial arts groups domestically and globally, and to advance the development of martial arts… But that was just the public story. The real reason was—’When martial prowess defies the law’!”

“Oh?” Jiang Tian was slightly taken aback.

Old Master Tang continued, “In the 1990s, during the Reform and Opening-up, economic tides surged, society was turbulent, public security was chaotic. From small-time hoodlums committing crimes and running rampant, to masters of mystical arts setting up altars to preach, gathering large numbers of followers, martial arts grandmasters also emerged like dragons and snakes. Relying on their exquisite martial skills, they disregarded national laws and systems, acted recklessly, and brought harm to regions!”

At this point, Old Master Qiu interjected: “Many martial artists rose to prominence back then. For example, Lin Zhenyu of the Big Circle, Master Qiao Bin—Fourth Lord Qiao—from the Northeast, Wan Yanfang from the Bamboo Union Gang in Taiwan… They traveled around challenging dojos and competing, earning formidable reputations and amassing significant influence, becoming powers in their respective territories.”

Tang Guozhu nodded: “The great nation was beset by internal and external troubles, the common people lived in misery, their lives bitterly hard! At that time, the national leaders decided to strike with a heavy fist. They ordered the military, police, and state security departments to jointly act, to rectify the unhealthy trends within the country, and restore a clear and bright world to the people! A nationwide ‘Strike Hard’ campaign was launched, arresting and sentencing criminals severely, swiftly, and strictly. Within a year, the atmosphere within the country improved, and social order noticeably turned for the better, bringing peace across the land!”

“However, while ordinary crime was easier to handle, local police were often outmatched when it came to crimes committed by powerful martial artists!”

“At that time, supported by State Security and the police, the Huaxia Dragon Group, directly under the military, emerged in response to the need! The Huaxia Dragon Group can trace its origins back to the Yan Huang Iron Brigade from before the Yangtze River Crossing Campaign—that was the personal guard of the revered Chairman Mao himself!”

“Originally, after the new nation was established, with peace and order restored, this organization of martial arts experts was almost disbanded. But in the 1990s, with society facing internal and external troubles, the Yan Huang Iron Brigade was renamed the Huaxia Dragon Group out of necessity. Its leader was the ‘God of War’ from the military—Ye Zhan Tian!”

“Ye Zhan Tian’s father, Ye Tian Ren, was the founder of the original Yan Huang Iron Brigade. A highly respected man of great cultivation, he sent out invitations, absorbing martial artists into the Huaxia Dragon Group and providing them with political and ideological education to ensure their loyalty to the nation and its people. A few years later, the Huaxia Dragon Group finally drew its sword courageously against the evil martial artists!”

Tang Guozhu spoke with passion: “In that one year, Ye Zhan Tian injured Northeast Master Qiao Bin at the Heaven’s Pool on Mount Baekdu, defeated Big Circle expert Lin Zhenyu on West Lake, and slew Bamboo Union Gang leader Wan Yanfang with a single sword stroke on Sun Moon Lake! At the time, gangs closely related to the Bamboo Union Gang, like Hong Kong’s 14K and Wo Hop Shing, tucked in their claws like obedient kittens, cooperating with Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and ensuring a peaceful transition!”

At this point, Old Master Qiu curled his lip and interjected resentfully: “Starting from the Huaxia Dragon Group’s ‘Sword Drawing’ operation in ’97, for twenty years, the Huaxia martial arts world entered a nightmare that seemed like it would never end! Ye Zhan Tian killed until heads rolled and rivers of blood flowed. Martial arts families and sects all felt as if a sword of Damocles hung over their heads, trembling with fear, not daring to make the slightest move! Every action was under the surveillance of the Dragon Group!”

Tang Guozhu could be considered a beneficiary of that crackdown. At the time, he followed the trend and joined the military as the head instructor of the ‘Fierce Tiger’ unit. In just twenty years, the Tang family became the leading prominent family in Lin Zhou.

But Old Master Qiu, who loved freedom and was unconstrained all his life, had chosen a path diametrically opposed to Tang Guozhu’s, living like a wild outlaw, constantly challenging dojos and fighting.

He had his moments of glory, but in the end, he was just a bodyguard or assassin under Ye Gufeng. Although he lived comfortably, he never achieved his ideal accomplishments.

His cultivation level was even higher than Tang Guozhu’s, but because of a single different choice back then, their status and influence were now worlds apart.

As they say, where you stand depends on where you sit. Tang Guozhu became animated and enthusiastic talking about the Huaxia Dragon Group, while Old Master Qiu curled his lip, shook his head, looked dismissive, and offered very negative assessments.

“After the Strike Hard campaign, the people cheered that clear skies remained and the world was bright. The Huaxia Dragon Group also separated from the military, becoming an independent, righteous martial arts organization!”

Tang Guozhu didn’t mind Old Master Qiu’s attitude and continued calmly:

“Furthermore, the Huaxia Martial Arts Federation was established as a self-regulating martial arts organization. Together with the Huaxia Dragon Group, one operating openly, the other in the shadows, they jointly supervise and maintain order in the Huaxia martial world, preventing a recurrence of ‘martial prowess defying the law’!”

“Who is the current leader of this Huaxia Martial Arts Federation?” Jiang Tian asked with a faint smile.

“His name is Wei Feilong, also a martial arts master!” Tang Guozhu replied with a complex smile.

“This person… is simply incomparable to Grandmaster Jiang!”

Old Master Qiu said with a disdainful curl of his lip: “He’s probably only at the minor achievement stage of the Transcendent Realm. He used to follow Ye Zhan Tian back in the day. Without Ye Zhan Tian’s support, he could never hold his position securely!”

Jiang Tian nodded and smiled: “It seems this Wei Feilong is rather mediocre. Otherwise, how could powerful figures like Wei Shuofeng, Li Tuofeng from the Northwest, and Ye Wudao from Jiangsu and Zhejiang have risen as they did?”

If anyone else had called the Martial Arts Federation leader mediocre, they would likely be seen as reckless and boastful.

But when Jiang Tian said this, everyone found it perfectly reasonable and nodded in agreement.

At that moment, Shen Mange chuckled and said: “If Master were to attend that Martial Arts Alliance Conference, you would surely take the top spot and become the Federation’s chairman!”

“Lady Mange speaks wisely!”

“If Grandmaster Jiang were to win, wouldn’t we all have a powerful backer?”

“Exactly! At that time, relying on Grandmaster Jiang’s prestige, we could swagger east into Taiwan, Macau, and sweep through Hong Kong, push west and dominate the mainland all the way through—how exhilarating that would be!”

What started as an offhand remark quickly had everyone’s eyes widening, slapping their thighs in excitement.

“Massive profits, massive profits! Haha, I can see piles of cash already!” Tang Wannian jumped around like a monkey, overjoyed.

“Grandmaster Jiang, with your exceptional martial skills, offering them to the service of the nation might not be a bad home!” Ye Gufeng and others also advised.

Everyone knew Jiang Tian acted with natural ease and disliked constraints; he hadn’t accepted the War Dragon’s invitation before. But this time was different.

The Martial Arts Federation was originally a civilian organization, relatively free, yet its status was even higher than War Dragon’s, second only to the Dragon Group—very suitable for Jiang Tian.

Thoughtful individuals like Tang Guozhu and Ye Gufeng also considered a deeper layer.

Since Jiang Tian’s rise, he had been dominant and forceful, leaving a trail of carnage: killing Big Circle’s Xing Shanhu, slaying Hubei martial arts master Hong Tianzhao, crushing the Shennong Sect, overpowering Wei Shuofeng and Mo Haoxiong… his hands were stained with much blood, and he had many lives on his record.

Previously, Jiang Tian’s battle with Wei Shuofeng had already brought him to the attention of the authorities.

In their view, did Jiang Tian’s actions potentially constitute ‘martial prowess defying the law’?

If Jiang Tian didn’t join the Huaxia Dragon Group or the Martial Arts Federation, would they view him with suspicion and seek to eliminate him?

Just thinking about it made cold sweat break out on Tang Guozhu and Ye Gufeng’s backs.

“A mere chairman of the Martial Arts Federation, how could it possibly catch my eye?” Jiang Tian said with a disdainful smile.

In his past life, he had swept across the cosmos, intimidating realms spanning billions of light-years, making even Immortal Emperors and Venerables bow down. What glory and splendor was that?

But after ten thousand years of floating and sinking through the ages, he had long since grown indifferent to such vain fame and simply didn’t care for it.

“Grandmaster Jiang, you really won’t take the position?”

His words left everyone greatly astonished, sighing with regret.

“Let’s not mention this matter again!”

Jiang Tian waved his hand, his expression firm. Then he smiled and asked, “By the way, Mange, where is the Martial Arts Federation conference being held?”

“In one month, in Jiangxi Province, at the foot of Mount Lu, by the shores of Poyang Lake!” Shen Mange bowed as she replied.

“Mm, when the time comes, we’ll make a trip. We might gain something from it. It would be even better if we can find the Princess Flower!”

Jiang Tian gave a faint smile, his gaze distant as he let out a soft sigh.