Returning after 10000 Years Cultivation - Chapter 72

“Master Feng, who is Lin Zhenyu? Is he really that powerful? Even Elder Qiu was overwhelmed!” On the stage, Liu Zikun wore an expression of defiance.

“The number one expert of the ‘Big Circle.’ Twenty years ago, he swept through China undefeated, crushing seven martial arts masters in a row!”

Ye Gufeng’s face had already turned ashen. Trembling, he continued, “In the end, Ye Zhantian—the leader of China’s Dragon Group—had to step in to suppress him, forcing him to swear an oath never to set foot in China again!”

“Ye Zhantian? That legendary war god of the military?” Liu Zikun’s defiance instantly deflated, replaced by despair.

Figures like that existed on a celestial level—far beyond the reach of mere underworld figures like them.

“Yes. It was after that battle that Ye Zhantian rose to fame and established the Dragon Group.”

Ye Gufeng sighed deeply, his gaze distant.

“No wonder Yang Kunpeng is so arrogant. He has the backing of the Big Circle!”

As they spoke, the battle on stage reached its conclusion.

Elder Qiu lasted only three moves before Xing Shanhu sent him flying off the stage, coughing up blood.

Fortunately, Xing Shanhu had come to reclaim territory, not to spill blood. Had he wished to kill, Elder Qiu would already be dead.

“Anyone else?”

Xing Shanhu stood with his hands behind his back, his imposing gaze sweeping over Ye Gufeng in the stands.

Ye Gufeng’s hands trembled against the armrests, his jaw clenched tight.

Lowering his proud head, he remained silent for three full minutes before finally forcing out the words through gritted teeth:

“We concede.”

“Tiger Lord is invincible!”

Yang Kunpeng raised his arms in triumph, laughing wildly. “From now on, Jiangbei obeys my command!”

The Jiangbei elites were left in despair, their faces ashen. A sense of shared doom settled over them.

Such was the nature of the martial world—new talents rose, old powers fell.

Ye Gufeng had dominated Jiangbei for years, but today, faced with Yang Kunpeng’s overwhelming force, he had no choice but to surrender.

“I refuse to accept this!”

Zhou Zhenghao suddenly stood, his face twisted in fury. “The fight isn’t over yet! We still have Grandmaster Jiang!”

“Xiao Zhou, don’t push it. It’s hopeless!” Seeing the murderous glint in Xing Shanhu’s eyes, Ye Gufeng hurriedly intervened.

Li Zhenwei had already lost. What other cards did Long Wu and Zhou Zhenghao have left?

Provoking Xing Shanhu now would be suicide.

But Xing Shanhu merely waved a dismissive hand. “What lousy ‘Grandmaster Jiang’? Where is he? Let him come out!”

“Do not disrespect Grandmaster Jiang!” Long Wu roared, his voice thunderous. “He commands the wind and rain, wields thunder itself! You are nothing compared to him!”

“I’ll call him—just you wait!”

Zhou Zhenghao, drenched in sweat, frantically dialed Jiang Tian’s number.

Meanwhile, in the Ship’s Casino

Business was slow today. Most guests had gone to the deck to watch the fights, leaving only a handful of gamblers behind.

“Jiang Tian, winning all the time is boring. The fights sound more exciting,” Zhao Xueqing said, pocketing another few thousand in chips with little enthusiasm.

“Those fights are brutal. You’d be traumatized,” Jiang Tian replied with a faint smile.

“I know you’re a martial artist. Don’t you want to see?”

“What’s there to see? If I go, I’ll have to fight—and you’d panic.”

“You just want to fight, don’t you?”

Zhao Xueqing rolled her eyes. “Are the Jiangbei tycoons asking for your help?”

Just then, Zhou Zhenghao’s call came through.

“Grandmaster Jiang! Please come quickly! Master Li has been defeated! All of Jiangbei is about to fall!”

“Let’s go. Bet on me—I’ll win you a few million.”

Hanging up, Jiang Tian patted Zhao Xueqing’s shoulder and stood with effortless grace.

Back at the Arena

After Zhou Zhenghao’s call, he announced, “Wait a moment! Grandmaster Jiang is on his way!”

One minute passed.

Two.

Five.

The crowd waited in tense silence.

Fifteen minutes later, the legendary Grandmaster Jiang still hadn’t appeared.

“What kind of ‘Grandmaster’ is this? Probably ran away in fear!” Chairman Zhao of Huanhai Real Estate scoffed.

“All reputation, no substance. We’ve been scammed!”

“After all the gifts we gave him, he doesn’t even show up? Pathetic!”

The Linzhou tycoons shook their heads in disappointment.

“Why did I even hope?” Ye Gufeng laughed bitterly. “Xing Shanhu is a peak-stage master. Even Elder Qiu couldn’t stop him. Who in Jiangbei can?”

“Enough nonsense! If this ‘Grandmaster Jiang’ has any guts, let him step up now!”

Xing Shanhu sneered, planting his hands on his hips.

“That trash isn’t fit to lick my boots! He’s probably pissing himself in fear!”

“You called?”

A calm voice cut through the noise.

The crowd turned.

From the casino entrance, a tall, composed figure emerged—Jiang Tian, holding Zhao Xueqing’s hand as he strode into the arena.

“Jiang Tian? The madman? He’s Grandmaster Jiang?” Lu Biyao shot to her feet, stunned.

“Jiang Tian, don’t do this! It’s too dangerous!” Zhao Xueqing clutched his sleeve, her eyes pleading.

“Jiang Tian, what are you doing here? Weren’t you gambling?”

Ye Ziwei rushed to stop him, disbelief written across her face.

“Stay away from him! If Tiger Lord gets angry, we’ll be dragged down too!”

As Jiang Tian walked forward, Xue Feiyang, Liu Jinrong, and other young elites scrambled back in terror.

The crowd parted like the Red Sea, desperate to avoid collateral damage.

“Xueqing, don’t worry.”

Jiang Tian paused, gently meeting her tear-filled eyes.

“I promised to protect you for life. For you, I’ll shake the world.”

“I don’t need you to shake the world! I just need you safe!”

“Jiang Tian, you’ve never trained in martial arts! You can’t win this!” Ye Ziwei grabbed his arm, frantic.

“Jiang Tian! Get down now!” Ye Gufeng barked, his face pale with fury.

This fool was throwing his life away just to prove himself.

If he died, Ye Ziwei would never forgive him.

“Grandmaster Jiang, you’ve arrived!”

“Grandmaster Jiang!”

“Grandmaster Jiang!”

Tang Wannian, Long Wu, Zhou Zhenghao, and other Linzhou magnates rose in unison, bowing with reverence.

The sheer force of their voices shook the arena.

“Sister Ziwei, now do you believe I can fight him?”

Jiang Tian smiled faintly, then stepped onto the stage.

“Jiang Tian, get down! This is madness!” Ye Gufeng slammed the table.

“Didn’t you hear them? They call me Grandmaster Jiang.”

Jiang Tian’s expression was serene as he met Ye Gufeng’s gaze.

“Why would the Linzhou elites respect him? What is this ‘Grandmaster Jiang’ nonsense?”

Ye Gufeng was baffled—but it was too late to stop him now.

“How is this kid the Grandmaster?”

Many in the crowd shared the same thought.

A true martial arts master was supposed to be a white-bearded elder in his sixties.

Not some kid in his twenties.

“That’s the Zhao family’s mad son-in-law! He’s truly lost his mind!”

Those who knew Jiang Tian but not his strength were especially scornful.

Was Linzhou so desperate they’d send a lunatic to die?

“Hah! So this is the mighty ‘Grandmaster Jiang’? A lunatic!”

Yang Kunpeng roared with laughter. “Kill him, Tiger Lord! Then we’ll have our way with his women!”

“A lunatic? Fine. I haven’t killed anyone today. Let’s make an example of him.”

Xing Shanhu studied Jiang Tian with disdain.

No aura of a martial artist. Just an ordinary man.

But Xing Shanhu was a ruthless warrior. If killing this fool would cement his dominance, so be it.

“It’s my fault! He’s doing this to prove himself to me!”

Zhao Xueqing wept bitterly, regret flooding her heart.

She’d only seen Jiang Tian exorcise spirits—she had no idea if he could survive a real fight.

“What do we do? Jiang Tian’s going to die!”

Ye Ziwei was beside herself, pacing like a caged animal.

She’d seen the brutality of tonight’s matches.

Jiang Tian, with no combat skills, stood no chance.

She rushed to Ye Gufeng, tears streaming.

“Dad, stop Tiger Lord! I’ll do as you say—I’ll cut ties with the Jiang family!”

“Ziwei, it’s too late.”

Ye Gufeng sighed, his face grim.

“Xing Shanhu is set on bloodshed to crush Jiangbei. No one here can stop him now.”

“I can’t just watch him die!”

“If he dies… I’ll die with him!” Ye Ziwei sobbed.

On stage, Xing Shanhu eyed Jiang Tian with contempt.

“You have no skill, yet you dare step into this arena. Prepare to die.”

“I don’t need your mercy. Give me your best shot.”

Jiang Tian stood lazily, hands behind his back.

“Even if your master were here, I’d crush him with a flick of my finger.”

The crowd gasped.

Many stared at Jiang Tian as if he were insane.