Returning after 10000 Years Cultivation - Chapter 168

Deep within the Fuhu Mountains on the northern outskirts of Yangcheng, hidden amongst dense jungle, lay a newly built complex of barracks and training grounds.

The camp, located in this northern suburb, was still very new. Though not vast in area, it was encircled by a high-voltage wire fence, dotted with radar installations, surveillance cameras everywhere, and satellite signal jamming equipment.

The parking lot held over a dozen of the latest model armored off-road vehicles, while the helipad hosted several JF-17 attack helicopters and transport planes.

The mountain path leading in was blocked by cheval de frise barriers and tangled wire. Sentries stood guard every few meters along the road, soldiers armed with live ammunition, alert and ramrod straight, creating a heavily fortified atmosphere.

Inside the base, on the concrete training ground, every kind of training facility was available. The personnel, however, were clearly divided into two distinct groups.

One group, consisting of over fifty members of the War Dragon special operations team, stood around casually. Their expressions were flippant and dismissive; some were even smoking.

The other group, over eighty strong, wore the uniforms of the Southern Theater Command’s “Fierce Tiger” special forces. Their military bearing was impeccable, each one standing perfectly straight.

Among them stood Tie Mingfei. The wounds on his face hadn’t fully healed, leaving his complexion somewhat pale and sickly, a sheen of nervous sweat on his forehead. Yet, he clenched his teeth, forcing himself to endure and stand firm.

“Mingfei, the atmosphere in War Dragon has always been pretty relaxed,” one of the War Dragon members said to him. “I know you want to impress the instructors and join War Dragon, but you don’t need to be this tense! Besides, you’re injured, you could go rest for a bit!”

“No! I need to perform well!” Tie Mingfei shook his head, a fanatical determination flashing in his eyes.

Last night, he had been inexplicably beaten up by Tang Linglong and then severely lectured by his cousin, who insisted the other party was incredibly powerful and not to be provoked.

Tie Mingfei couldn’t wrap his head around it. What was so great about the Tang family? Was his cousin really that afraid of Tang Linglong and that guy named Jiang?

He secretly vowed to pass the selection and join War Dragon this time. Once he was a military “King of Soldiers,” even the Tang family would be beneath his notice. He swore he would make Tang Linglong kneel before him and beg for mercy.

As for that Jiang guy, whom his cousin called “Master Jiang” – probably some kind of feng shui master or something – he’d just… cripple him directly when the time came!

“This so-called ‘Master Jiang’ has some nerve, doesn’t he? Unwilling to go to the headquarters in Yanjing, forcing us to come to this godforsaken place instead!” a War Dragon member suddenly barked impatiently.

He stood a full 2.1 meters tall, a mountainous figure with an overwhelming, fierce aura, his head shaved in a buzz cut.

Even in the early winter chill, he wore only a camouflage tank top, revealing bulging, bronze muscles coiled like pythons, full of explosive power and a savage presence. His tiger-like eyes, large as bronze bells, blazed with anger.

His codename was “Rex.” Formerly the captain of the Northwest Military Region’s “Blade” team, he had been selected for War Dragon after rigorous trials – a veritable King of Soldiers.

His record was illustrious, his military merits impressive. He had once taken down over a dozen terrorists single-handedly with just a knife. His combat prowess was formidable, his cultivation at the peak of the Iron Body stage.

“Rex, when he gets here, give him a proper ‘welcome’,” several War Dragon members urged, laughing.

“Rex, don’t be impulsive. You know a soldier’s duty is to obey orders,” said a fair-skinned young man calmly.

His codename was “Fox,” the intelligence officer for War Dragon. Though technically a support role, his cultivation had also reached the mastered Iron Body stage.

“Of course we should obey orders!” Rex shrugged, a disdainful sneer on his face. “But normal sparring isn’t forbidden by command either!”

“Exactly! I heard the General Staff Department invited him several times, but he couldn’t be bothered to come. Thinks pretty highly of himself. He must have some real skill…”

“I heard he’s only in his twenties, the youngest martial arts master in China today. He must have something up his sleeve!”

“Yeah, Rex, spar with him. It’s a rare opportunity, you’re sure to learn a lot!”

Many War Dragon members burst into loud laughter, enthusiastically egging him on.

Superficially, they seemed to be praising the incoming Advisor Jiang, but anyone could tell they didn’t believe in Jiang Tian’s abilities at all. They were all urging Rex to put him in his place.

Just then, a military armored vehicle came up the mountain road. Inside, Shu Wei was briefing Jiang Tian.

“No need. I’m only here to instruct them on martial arts. I don’t need to know more than that,” Jiang Tian waved his hand dismissively.

Shu Wei had to stop, hesitating for a moment before saying softly, “Master Jiang, the War Dragon members are all elite soldiers. Their temperaments can be… unruly. When the time comes, please…”

“I know!” Jiang Tian nodded. He finished his video call with Zhao Xueqing with a few affectionate words, then closed it, looking completely at ease. “Don’t worry. This time, I’ll make them submit completely.”

Seeing this, Feng Xiguang’s face revealed a trace of contempt as he shook his head slightly.

Just a fame-seeking fraud. This time, you’re in for a rough ride.

“He’s sure full of himself, making us wait so long. When he gets here, I’m gonna beat the crap out of him!”

“Dammit, what kind of guy is this? Usually, we’d be heading to the mess hall for lunch by now!”

It was almost noon, and the War Dragons were growing increasingly impatient. Some had even started cursing under their breath.

Right at that moment, the armored vehicle stopped, and Jiang Tian stepped out lazily.

“Is this guy our martial arts advisor?” Everyone was stunned at the sight.

This young man had delicate, scholarly features. How could he possibly be a martial arts master?

“It’s you!” In the crowd, Tie Mingfei started, staring in disbelief as Jiang Tian and Tang Linglong walked up side-by-side.

“You know him?” Rex asked, glancing at Tie Mingfei in surprise.

“I know him!” Tie Mingfei gritted his teeth silently, then said coldly, “He’s just a pretty boy, riding on the coattails of the Tang family’s Tang Guozhu!”

“Tang Guozhu? What’s he? Just an old man whose cultivation barely reaches the peak of the Iron Body stage!”

“This guy is coasting on the Tang family’s name? What real skill could he have? Probably can’t take a single hit!”

“Maybe he’s some young master from a powerful family here for a resume boost? Being War Dragon’s martial arts advisor carries significant weight. Go back after this, and he’ll probably get promoted to Captain or Major immediately!”

Immediately, many War Dragons shook their heads disdainfully, offering various conjectures, their eyes filled with scorn.

As a special forces unit directly under the General Staff Department, War Dragon far outstripped the Fierce Tigers. As War Dragon elites, they didn’t even think much of Tang Guozhu, so Jiang Tian naturally warranted even less regard.

“Are you our martial arts advisor?” Rex stepped forward from the crowd. He cracked his neck, the joints popping like firecrackers. His large, imposing frame radiated an aggressive aura. He grinned, a mix of seeming honest and menace. “I’m Rex. I heard you’re very strong. Can I ask for a lesson or two?”

“I won’t fight you,” Jiang Tian shook his head.

“Haha, he’s chickening out!”

“Instantly scared!”

“Too scared to even accept a challenge! How can a coward like this be qualified to be our martial arts advisor!”

Seeing this, everyone was momentarily stunned, then began pointing at Jiang Tian and discussing him with open mockery.

“Hey, isn’t that Tang Linglong? She couldn’t even cut it in our Fierce Tigers back in the day. Is he, as her pretty boy, trying to become War Dragon’s martial arts advisor based on that connection?”

“Get out of here! A pretty boy like this isn’t even qualified to be a member of our Fierce Tigers, let alone War Dragon’s advisor! What gives him the right!”

“All he knows is deception and chasing fame. A worthless piece of trash. Someone like him has no right to teach us!”

“Martial arts advisor? Pah! Worthless!”

Not only the War Dragons, but even the Fierce Tiger soldiers present couldn’t stand it anymore. Some wore expressions of ridicule, others shouted criticisms.

“Get out!” Tie Mingfei was the first to shout, his eyes sinister, his face flushed with excitement.

“Get out!”

“Get out!”

Once someone took the lead, all the soldiers immediately erupted, raising their arms and shouting in unison.

Soon, the chant of “Get out!” merged into a roaring torrent, a deafening uproar that shot straight into the sky.

In the crowd, Tie Mingfei secretly gloated: Hmph, with so many people opposing you, let’s see how you, a mere pretty boy, can command respect! How will you last here?

By now, Shu Wei was extremely disappointed in Jiang Tian and starting to get anxious. “Chief Instructor Feng, how do we handle this situation? You have to do something!”

Feng Xiguang’s face was full of scorn. He shook his head and raised an eyebrow. “How can I possibly intervene? If he lacks real skill, what can I do to make the soldiers respect him? I’m afraid I can’t help.”

“You didn’t even let me finish! What’s the rush?” Facing the overwhelming mockery, Jiang Tian remained perfectly calm and composed. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, a faint smile on his lips. “Rex, the reason I won’t fight you is that I’m afraid if I slap you down, I’ll end up killing a piece of trash like you!”

“What did you say? I’m a King of Soldiers! How dare you talk to me like that?” Rex roared in anger, a vein throbbing on his forehead, his fists clenched so tight they cracked, emitting a terrifying killing intent!

“Didn’t hear me clearly?” Jiang Tian looked at them with an amused smile. “I said, every single one of you present is trash, utterly unable to withstand a single blow! Kings of Soldiers? You have the nerve to flatter yourselves like that?”

“Holy shit!”

“He’s insane!”

“This is way too arrogant! Beat him to a pulp!”

In an instant, everyone present went crazy.

They were the nation’s elites, Kings of Soldiers. To be evaluated like this by Jiang Tian was simply unbearable.

Immediately, everyone surged towards Jiang Tian as one, emitting a fearsome, bloodthirsty aura, rolling up their sleeves, ready to give him a severe beating.

“What are you all doing? If you have complaints, you can file a report with your superiors!” Shu Wei was genuinely worried now and spoke up to stop them.

If they ended up beating Jiang Tian to death, it would be very difficult to explain. She stepped forward, intending to block the furious crowd.

“Scram!”

At that moment, Jiang Tian simply gave a faint smile and casually waved his sleeve.

Crack! A sharp report, like a firecracker exploding, echoed as an overwhelming, irresistible force surged forth wildly.

Everyone felt a gale-force wind howl around them, as if caught in a hurricane. They were sent stumbling and falling, tumbling over each other onto the ground.

In their swaying vision, the crowd saw, to their utter astonishment, that where Jiang Tian’s energy reached, the armored vehicle over ten meters away – weighing more than five tons – was sent spinning into the air like a top whipped by a giant’s lash, soaring over ten meters high.

“Holy hell, what is this…?” The crowd was instantly terrified out of their wits, their eyes wide as saucers, as if they’d seen a ghost in broad daylight, their faces full of disbelief.

A casual wave of the sleeve, sending a military armored vehicle flying? This… this was like something a demon god would do!

“Severing the Star River!” Jiang Tian’s expression remained leisurely as he pointed a finger and swept it horizontally.

The Demonic Flame Qi Blade erupted. A fiery blade over ten meters long swept out like quicksilver pouring across the ground.

Shoom! With a sharp sound, the armored “Warrior” vehicle, capable of withstanding artillery shells, split in two as if made of paper.

The cross-section of the metal gleamed, smooth as a mirror, reflecting the stunned, utterly horrified expressions on everyone’s faces.