Returning after 10000 Years Cultivation - Chapter 61

“Is this for real? It sounds like something out of a myth!” Zhou Xianya couldn’t believe her ears.

“Of course it’s real!” The man speaking to her puffed out his chest. “Tang Wannian, Long Wu, Zhou Zhenghao—all the top tycoons bow to him now. They follow his orders without question!”

“What? Even Third Master Tang, Fifth Master Long, and Brother Hao…?”

Zhou Xianya’s face paled as she repeated those thunderous names in a daze. “They all obey him?”

Her heart fluttered with longing. What kind of dazzling, extraordinary man must he be? If only I could marry him…

But then reality hit. If he’s even more powerful than Uncle Li Zhenwei, he must be some white-bearded old man. The age gap is just too much.

“If only I’d been born decades earlier,” she sighed wistfully, shaking her head. He’d never have escaped my charm.

Zhou Chenghui, her father, smirked triumphantly. “Whether it’s your Uncle Zhenwei or that Senior Jiang making a move, crushing Jiang Tian would be as easy as squashing a bug. No one would even notice!”

…

Inside the car, Zhao Xueqing bit her lip. “Jiang Tian, I’m so sorry. I never expected Zhou Xianya to pull that fake medicine stunt, or for the Zhou family to be so rude to you…”

Her husband was no longer the same man he used to be—even Tang Wannian and the others now bowed their heads to him. Yet today, he’d endured such disrespect.

“It’s not your fault. Don’t worry about it.” Jiang Tian gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

In their past life, Xueqing had suffered countless humiliations for his sake. She’d cared for a madman of a husband, becoming the laughingstock of Linzhou. Compared to that, today’s incident was nothing. Besides, she’d only meant well.

“But…” She hesitated. “Could you maybe… not be so violent next time? You hit him way too hard!”

Jiang Tian chuckled. “You know why I did it?”

“Because he tried to hit you first?”

“If that were the only reason, I wouldn’t have gone that far.” His smile turned icy. “The moment we walked in, his eyes were all over you—down your dress, up your chest. Disgusting.”

“I can’t believe the great Master Jiang is jealous over me!”

Xueqing burst into laughter, but her heart swelled with sweetness, blooming like a flower in spring.

The Pearl River Hotel

The Pearl River Hotel, Linzhou’s most luxurious five-star establishment, stood proudly by the river under the morning sun. Its 38-story structure gleamed like a jeweled sword piercing the sky.

Outside a presidential suite, Zhou Xianya hesitated. “Dad, Uncle Li is staying somewhere this extravagant? I thought martial artists lived simple, austere lives?”

“Simple?” Zhou Chenghui scoffed. “Poor scholars, rich warriors—martial artists are all loaded. Your Uncle Zhenwei might seem modest, but his net worth is at least a billion!”

“A billion?!” Her eyes nearly popped out of her head.

“Long Wu paid him millions just for one favor! Even he calls him ‘Grandmaster’!” Zhou Chenghui sighed enviously. “China’s elite is full of martial families. Even political and business dynasties treat them with reverence!”

“Martial families are that powerful?!” It was as if a whole new world had opened before her.

“I didn’t know either until I met real martial artists.” Her father grew serious. “When you see Uncle Zhenwei later, mind your manners!”

“Don’t worry, Dad!” She nodded eagerly.

“Good. Don’t waste this chance.” Satisfied, he knocked lightly on the door.

…

A Gathering of Titans

The door swung open, revealing a tall, handsome young man. “Uncle Zhou, Xianya! Come in!”

“Brother Bokai! You’re here too!”

Zhou Xianya’s eyes lit up, her cheeks flushing as she greeted him sweetly.

Li Bokai, Li Zhenwei’s son, had been betrothed to her since birth. Three years apart had only made him more dashing—his muscles straining against his shirt, radiating a rugged masculinity that made her pulse race.

But the moment she stepped inside, her jaw dropped.

The spacious living room was packed with Linzhou’s wealthiest elites—men with fortunes starting at billions, all dressed in finery, their auras commanding respect.

And there, at the center of it all, sat Li Zhenwei.

They fawned over him like schoolchildren:

• “Grandmaster Li, congratulations on reaching Inner Strength Perfection! Here’s the keys to an Audi supercar—please accept this humble gift!”
• “Grandmaster Li, I’m a simple man. Just 3 million in cash as a token of respect!”
• “Grandmaster Li, with your skills, you must look out for us!”

Only Long Wu sat with any semblance of equality, yet even he wore a hint of deference.

…

“My breakthrough to Half-Step Transcendence was only possible thanks to Master Jiang’s guidance in White Ape Valley.”

Li Zhenwei’s voice turned solemn. “Since I’m based in Foshan, I can’t serve him directly. You all in Linzhou must show your loyalty in my stead!”

His gaze swept the room. “Befriend Master Jiang, and you befriend me. And I don’t abandon my friends.”

“Master Jiang is that incredible?!” Zhou Xianya gasped. This was the second time she’d heard his name today.

“Of course!” The tycoons thumped their chests. “Even Long Wu and Third Master Tang revere him! If Master Jiang gives an order, we’ll move mountains!”

One CEO sighed. “Grandmaster Li, we’ve tried to pay our respects, but Master Jiang is like a dragon—seen only when he chooses!”

“Exactly! Master Jiang is the sun in the sky, a true phoenix among men. Did you think someone like him would meet just anyone?”

The room erupted in sighs of regret.

Then Li Zhenwei grinned. “But he will appear at the Public Challenge Tournament. This time, he’s going head-to-head with Ye Gufeng!”

“What?! Master Jiang dares to challenge Ye Gufeng?!”

The crowd erupted in shock.

Zhou Xianya shuddered. Ye Gufeng—the East Sea’s undisputed king!

Long Wu smirked. “If Master Jiang steps into the ring, Ye Gufeng’s lackeys are nothing but minnows!”

Li Zhenwei pointed at his son. “Thanks to Master Jiang’s teachings, this useless boy reached Minor Inner Strength in just half a month!”

“That fast?!”

“Two masters in one family! Unbelievable!”

“I’m buying a ticket now! 500,000? Pocket change!”

Amid the uproar, Zhou Xianya clung to Li Bokai’s arm, batting her lashes. “Brother Bokai, you’re amazing now too!”

“Me? I’m nothing compared to a real master like Senior Jiang.”

He flushed as her curves pressed against him. Three years… she’s ripened beautifully.

…

Zhou Chenghui cleared his throat. “Brother Zhenwei, I came today for two reasons. First, I’d like an introduction to Master Jiang—I’ve brought gifts. Second… it’s time Bokai and Xianya married. They’re not kids anymore.”

Li Zhenwei’s smile chilled. “Brother Zhou, let’s not rush the children…”

Zhou Xianya’s hands trembled, scalding tea spilling unnoticed.

Her father’s heart sank. He’d seen that dismissive glint in Li Zhenwei’s eyes.

Xianya is beautiful, graceful, well-mannered—more than enough for Bokai before. But now? With Bokai a martial master? She’s… lacking.

Li Zhenwei’s unspoken thought hung in the air:

Now, only someone like Zheng Guangsha’s daughter would be worthy.