Returning after 10000 Years Cultivation - Chapter 65

At noon, Jiang Tian attended a banquet with Old Master Tang, sharing drinks and casually accepting congratulatory gifts. By the afternoon, he set off for the gambling ship in international waters.

“Grandmaster Jiang, it’s truly a shame I won’t be able to witness your divine prowess in person this time!”

Old Master Tang, having once been part of the political system, had a sensitive status and couldn’t attend personally. His voice was thick with regret.

“Grandpa, I want to go!” Tang Linglong pleaded, her eyes shining with admiration for Jiang Tian.

“It’s inappropriate for you. Your status is too sensitive.”

Old Master Tang’s refusal left Tang Linglong frustrated and helpless.

Later, Old Master Tang personally escorted Jiang Tian to the gate, clasping his hands in salute. “Grandmaster Jiang, may you achieve a swift victory and claim the prize!”

“Thank you, Old Master Tang.” Jiang Tian smiled before leading his group away from the Wulong Mountain Villa.

They boarded a speedboat at the pier and sailed twelve nautical miles out. Soon, a majestic cruise ship appeared on the horizon in international waters.

After presenting their invitations and boarding, Zhao Xueqing was immediately stunned by the breathtaking view.

The endless azure sea stretched under a cloudless sky, seagulls chirping cheerfully as they flew past. The cool sea breeze lifted her flowing dress, filling her with exhilaration.

“Husband, it’s so beautiful here!” she exclaimed.

Jiang Tian nodded, glancing around before saying with a smile, “I’m here for two reasons—first, to spar, and second, to accompany Xueqing on a vacation. Understood?”

The group exchanged glances and quickly agreed. “Rest assured, Grandmaster Jiang. We won’t disturb you!”

“Zheng Li, you stay with Grandmaster Jiang…”

The wealthy and influential figures from Linzhou dispersed, leaving only Zheng Li to accompany Jiang Tian and his wife.

With so many Linzhou elites on board, someone like Tang Wannian—a prominent figure—would draw too much attention. Zheng Li, a mid-level executive at Guangsha Group and Jiang Tian’s college classmate, was a more discreet choice.

Strolling hand-in-hand with Zhao Xueqing on the deck, admiring the mesmerizing seascape, Jiang Tian felt deeply content.

After ten thousand years of existence, wasn’t this what he had longed for? To spend his remaining years with Zhao Xueqing, sharing a lifetime of love and companionship?

Since his rebirth, nothing had been more important to him than her. Power, wealth, status—these things were trivial compared to seeing Zhao Xueqing smile.

“This gambling ship belongs to Ye Gufeng, the wealthiest man in the East Sea. It’s controlled through an offshore company,” Zheng Li explained like a diligent tour guide.

“The ‘Blue Whale Princess’ is a 100,000-ton luxury cruise ship with a capacity for 3,000 passengers. It has 101 deluxe cabins, 12 gourmet restaurants offering global cuisines, three lavish casinos, and a grand banquet hall spanning over 2,000 square meters—the largest in Southeast Asia. Even the British Queen once sailed on it. Many major events in Jiangbei are held here.”

“Not a bad place,” Jiang Tian remarked with a nod.

The deck featured an open-air pool, a giant digital screen, a small golf course, and various free barbecue stalls for guests to enjoy.

“This martial arts tournament isn’t just for resolving disputes among the elite—it’s also a grand event for the martial and cultivation communities of Lingnan,” Zheng Li added with awe.

“That’s why so many extraordinary individuals seeking fame participate. The cheapest entry ticket costs hundreds of thousands!”

“Indeed, there are many skilled fighters here.”

Jiang Tian’s sharp eyes swept across the deck. Among the hundreds of warriors present, he spotted at least five or six at the early Iron Body stage.

“Xiao Tian? What are you doing here? And Xueqing too?”

A surprised voice called out.

“Sister Weiwei, you’re here too!” Jiang Tian turned, his eyes warming at the sight.

A woman in her late twenties, dressed in a professional suit and black high heels, hurried toward them. She had an elegant oval face, lips like ripe strawberries, and wore her hair in a high bun secured with a jade hairpin. A pair of frameless glasses rested on her delicate nose, accentuating her intelligent, refined beauty.

“Jiang Tian, it’s been three years…” Ye Ziwei threw her arms around him, tears streaming down her face.

“Sis, why cry? I’m perfectly fine,” Jiang Tian chuckled, patting her shoulder.

Ye Ziwei was an orphan. Her mother had been college roommates with Jiang Tian’s birth mother, Zhang Wanqing. After her parents divorced, Ye Ziwei’s mother raised her alone until her untimely death. Zhang Wanqing then took her in, nurtured her, and ensured she graduated from a prestigious university. Now, Ye Ziwei was a mid-level executive at the Jiang family’s Medicine King Group.

Since childhood, she had treated Jiang Tian like her own brother.

When Jiang Tian was expelled from the family during college, Ye Ziwei spent every penny of her salary to support him.

In their past life, when the Jiang family faced disaster, she had stood alongside Jiang Tian’s mother until the very end—until they were both killed in a car crash on the highway.

“You’ve matured. And you look stronger now!” Ye Ziwei wiped her tears and warmly took Zhao Xueqing’s hand.

“Xueqing, has Jiang Tian been causing trouble? If he misbehaves, tell me—I’ll spank him for you!”

“Sis, I’m an adult now. Don’t say things like that…” Jiang Tian rubbed his temples in exasperation.

The mighty Grandmaster of the Primordial Chaos, reborn after millennia of cultivation, was still being threatened with spankings. How tragic.

“No way. Jiang Tian is my husband. Only I can spank him!” Zhao Xueqing declared seriously.

Ye Ziwei blinked, then burst into laughter.

“Right, right! Xueqing has the final say. If he acts up, I’m on your side!”

“Sister Weiwei, why are you here?” Jiang Tian frowned, sensing something unusual.

Ye Ziwei hesitated before answering reluctantly, “I’m meeting some business associates.”

“It’s Lord Feng!”

“Who? The East Sea’s richest man, Lord Feng?”

“Lord Feng! And Scarface Kun!”

Suddenly, excited shouts erupted across the deck. The crowd parted as dignitaries stepped forward to greet the newcomers.

A group of imposing men in black suits and sunglasses strode in, earpieces in place, their waistbands bulging with concealed weapons.

At the center was the East Sea’s most powerful magnate—Ye Gufeng.

Around fifty years old, he wore a white shirt, black slacks, and gold-rimmed glasses, exuding the refined air of a university professor. Behind him stood Scarface Kun—Liu Zikun, the East Sea’s most notorious enforcer—tall, menacing, with long hair and a vicious glare.

Ye Gufeng’s authoritative gaze swept the crowd as he nodded and exchanged greetings.

“Lord Feng has arrived!”

“Greetings, Lord Feng!”

Even Tang Wannian, Long Wu, and Zheng Guangsha emerged from their cabins to pay their respects.

High society was like this—even mortal enemies maintained surface-level courtesy.

“Heh. Third Master, Fifth Master, Elder Zheng… I’m impressed you dared to join this year’s tournament. Very brave of you.”

Ye Gufeng shook hands with them, his commanding presence effortlessly overshadowing the trio.

After the formalities, his eyes suddenly landed on Ye Ziwei, Jiang Tian, and Zhao Xueqing. His expression darkened.

“Ziwei, come with me.”

He walked over, smiling gently at Ye Ziwei while completely ignoring Jiang Tian, as if he were nothing but air.

“Mm.”

Ye Ziwei nodded, then turned to Jiang Tian. “Don’t wander off or cause trouble. I’ll find you tonight.”

“How does Sister Weiwei know Ye Gufeng?” Zhao Xueqing asked in disbelief.

“I see…” Jiang Tian sighed deeply.

According to his mother, Ye Ziwei’s father was from the East Sea. After having Ziwei, he divorced her mother and married the daughter of a high-ranking official in Lingnan.

In their past life, Ye Ziwei’s father had later achieved great success and tried to reconnect with her, begging for forgiveness. But Ziwei, resentful of his abandonment, refused.

Now, it seemed Ye Gufeng was that father.

And with the Jiang family in crisis, Ye Ziwei—despite her grievances—had no choice but to swallow her pride and seek his help.

Inside a Luxurious Cabin

Ye Gufeng sat on a plush leather sofa, smiling kindly.

“Ziwei, I’ve wronged you and your mother all these years. I’ve always regretted it and wanted to make amends. Whatever you need, just ask. If it’s within my power, I’ll do it.”

“Mr. Ye, I’m here representing the Jiang family and Medicine King Group.”

Ye Ziwei clutched a cup of fragrant tea but had no appetite. She lowered her head.

“Medicine King Group is in crisis. Our key products are under siege, operations are struggling, and we’re at risk of a capital chain rupture. We hope HNA Group can provide a bond financing of 500 million yuan at market interest rates.”

“500 million isn’t a huge sum.”

Ye Gufeng nodded calmly. “But if you want my help, you must agree to one condition.”

“What?”

“Cut all ties with the Jiang family immediately.” His voice turned stern.

“Mr. Ye, no!”

Ye Ziwei refused firmly. “Jiang Zhixing and Zhang Wanqing raised me. I won’t abandon them in their darkest hour!”

“Ziwei, if you think the Jiang family’s crisis is just a business struggle, you’re gravely mistaken.”

Ye Gufeng’s eyes darkened. “Behind the three great families of Jinling lies a force even I can’t afford to offend.”

“Who?”

“I haven’t uncovered them yet. But even if I did, it wouldn’t matter.”

Ye Gufeng’s voice was heavy. “Even if I lent the Jiangs 20 billion, it wouldn’t save them from destruction.”

He leaned forward earnestly. “A wise man doesn’t stand under a crumbling wall. If you stay, you’ll sink with the Jiangs—maybe even lose your life.”

Ye Ziwei paled.

What kind of power could annihilate the mighty Jiang family and command the three great clans of Jinling?

“Isn’t living better than dying for nothing? I’m nearly fifty—ready to retire. If you return, the HNA Group’s 80 billion in assets will be yours. Isn’t that better?”

“Mr. Ye, I’m sorry. I can’t abandon the family that raised me. I owe them everything.”

“Repaying kindness? Don’t lie to yourself!”

Ye Gufeng’s hands trembled with anger. “I know the truth—you’re doing this for that good-for-nothing Jiang Tian!”