Returning after 10000 Years Cultivation - Chapter 92

“Of course! My son is the best!”

Zhang Wanqing had inexplicable confidence in Jiang Tian and said with a smile, “When you have time, come back to Qixia County to see me and your sister Weiwei!”

“Why are you in Qixia County?” Jiang Tian was puzzled.

His mother was the CEO of the Yaowang Group, whose headquarters were in Jinling. Why would she ask him to return to Qixia County?

“It’s all because of your uncles and aunts…”

Zhang Wanqing muttered resentfully before quickly changing the subject. “It’s nothing. Qixia County is nice. Yaowang Group started here! Your mother isn’t discouraged. I’ll start over and rebuild our success!”

“Mom, don’t worry. I’ll come back to see you soon!”

Jiang Tian forced a smile and hung up, but his eyes sharpened with a cold glint.

His mother hadn’t explained everything, but based on his memories from his past life, Jiang Tian already understood.

His mother was the founder of Yaowang Group and had once been its CEO.

However, after he provoked that powerful family in Yanjing, his uncles and their families used it as an excuse to strip her of authority in the family business.

Now, she was no longer the CEO but had been demoted to the manager of Yaowang Group’s Qixia Pharmaceutical Factory—not even a subsidiary executive.

His mother had sacrificed too much for him—giving up her dreams and career just to protect him.

The thought made Jiang Tian’s heart ache. His gaze hardened as he silently swore:

“Mom, in my past life, I was a failure. I caused you endless trouble and became the family’s disgrace.”

“In this life, I will change fate itself. I will become your pride, help you regain control of Yaowang Group, fulfill your ambitions, and make you the ‘Queen of Medicine’!”

“I’ll set up the Spirit Gathering Array as soon as possible, break through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining, and then return to see my parents and Weiwei!” His resolve grew firmer.

Just then, a knock came at the door. Ye Gufeng, Qiu Gong, and Tang Linglong arrived together.

“Grandmaster Jiang, the Medicinal Pill Exchange is about to begin. Mr. Ye has spent a fortune to secure a few tickets. We can set off now!”

Qiu Gong bowed respectfully, his tone humble.

“You even need tickets? Uncle Ye, how much did you spend?” Jiang Tian asked in surprise.

“Not much. Just a measly million per ticket,” Ye Gufeng replied with a casual smile.

“Tsk, tsk. The Shennong Sect and the Hong family sure know how to make money,” Jiang Tian remarked, shaking his head in disbelief.

“Indeed. Though the Shennong Sect resides deep in the mountains, their influence in the secular world is vast!”

Qiu Gong nodded in agreement. “From what I’ve estimated, their assets likely exceed a hundred billion!”

In the cultivation world, many sects had inner and outer divisions.

The outer sect managed secular businesses to accumulate wealth, while the inner sect focused on cultivation, enhancing strength to protect the outer sect. The two worked hand in hand.

It seemed many sects in the mortal world operated the same way.

Jiang Tian gained some insight and smiled faintly. “Linglong, you’re tagging along too?”

“Master, take me to broaden my horizons! If I go out into the world knowing nothing, wouldn’t that tarnish your reputation?”

Tang Linglong wore a white martial arts uniform, her demeanor ethereal and cool—already exuding the aura of a cultivator.

“Fine, let’s go together then,” Jiang Tian agreed with a faint smile.

“Jiang Tian, how long will you be gone? I’ll miss you…”

Before parting, Zhao Xueqing tugged at his sleeve, her eyes glistening as if she might cry.

“What, are you going to cry now?”

Jiang Tian booped her nose playfully. “I won’t be gone long. I’ll be back within a week!”

“Then be careful and take care of yourself!” Zhao Xueqing clung to him, reluctant to let go.

Leaving Gui Jiaoti behind in Linzhou for protection, Jiang Tian set off for the Medicinal Pill Exchange with Tang Linglong and Qiu Gong, without alerting anyone else.

Three Days Later – Hubei Province, Highway

“Grandmaster Jiang, the Shennong Sect is located deep in the Shennongjia Mountains of northern Hubei. They are extremely low-key and mysterious.”

Qiu Gong, though a formidable expert himself, spoke cautiously in Jiang Tian’s presence.

“The Shennong Sect excels in two areas: First, their alchemy skills rank among the top three in the world. Second, their martial prowess rivals that of Emei and Wudang’s inner sects!”

“But mastering both medicine and martial arts is incredibly difficult. How can the Shennong Sect manage both?” Tang Linglong, who was driving, asked in confusion.

Having lived ten thousand years as a cultivator, Jiang Tian had seen countless sects renowned for medicine and alchemy. He understood this well.

With a faint smile, he explained, “Linglong, no matter how strong you are, can you guarantee you’ll never be defeated?”

“Even if you’re the strongest in the world, battles are unpredictable. Who can say they’ll never be injured or poisoned in their lifetime?”

Tang Linglong nodded. “Master makes a good point.”

“Martial artists live by the sword. Injuries and poisonings are inevitable. That’s why they need healers. If they befriend alchemy experts like those from the Shennong Sect, a simple remedy could save their lives—it’s like having an extra life!”

“Grandmaster Jiang’s insight is truly profound. This old man is in awe!”

Qiu Gong’s expression was full of admiration. “Not only can they heal, but they can also refine pills to enhance one’s constitution and boost cultivation. For martial artists, that’s an irresistible temptation.”

“Thus, the Shennong Sect has friends everywhere and is the hardest sect to provoke. Some major sects are even willing to trade their secret techniques to forge ties with them.”

“Exactly. By absorbing the strengths of others, how could the Shennong Sect not thrive?” Jiang Tian chuckled.

“Grandmaster Jiang, please don’t call me ‘Qiu Gong.’ Just call me Qiuqiu!” Qiu Gong said nervously.

Jiang Tian was now a Grandmaster at the peak of the Transformation Realm, while Qiu Gong was merely at the peak of the Inner Strength Realm. He didn’t dare let Jiang Tian address him so respectfully.

Jiang Tian couldn’t help but laugh. Despite Qiu Gong’s decent cultivation, his real name was rather comical—Yuan Qiuqiu.

“Up ahead is Hankou. The Medicinal Pill Exchange is being held in Jialuo Mountain City, a suburban area. Should we rest there tonight?”

Yuan Qiuqiu suggested with a smile.

Jialuo Mountain City was a county-level city with a population of about 200,000–300,000. It was prosperous and had a pleasant environment.

As they entered the city, Jiang Tian immediately caught the strong, bitter fragrance of medicinal herbs in the air.

Looking around, he saw herbal medicine shops lining the streets, with some vendors even selling their wares on the roadside.

“Jialuo Mountain City borders Shennongjia, so the herbal medicine trade is thriving. It’s known as the ‘Medicine Capital’!” Yuan Qiuqiu explained.

“Hmm.”

Jiang Tian nodded, extending his divine sense to scan the herbs—but he was quickly disappointed.

Most were artificially cultivated, treated with fertilizers and pesticides, devoid of spiritual energy, and even toxic.

Soon, they arrived at the pre-booked Yaodu Hotel, a five-star establishment with excellent amenities.

After settling in and freshening up, Jiang Tian, Yuan Qiuqiu, and Tang Linglong headed to the restaurant for dinner.

“Jiang Tian? What are you doing here?”

A surprised voice called out just as they began eating.

Jiang Tian turned and saw a vaguely familiar face. He smiled. “And you are…?”

The speaker was a tall, elegantly dressed woman in her late twenties. She wore a professional skirt suit, her features delicate and makeup impeccable.

“Have you lost your mind? You don’t recognize your own cousin? Asking for a beating?”

The woman glared at him and punched his arm lightly, feigning annoyance.

“Oh, it’s you! What brings you here?”

Jiang Tian finally recognized her—his cousin Jiang Lin, the daughter of his second uncle.

Jiang Lin was the pride of the Jiang family. A graduate of Tsinghua University’s School of Management, she had joined the family business immediately after graduation, securing several major projects. Now a mid-level executive at Yaowang Group, she earned an annual salary of around 500,000–600,000 yuan.

Doted on by the elders, Jiang Lin carried herself like a princess, always looking down on others.

In his past life, she had despised Jiang Tian for his troublemaking ways, often mocking him mercilessly.

However, Jiang Lin was fiercely loyal to the family, standing by them until the Jiang family’s final collapse.

For that, Jiang Tian didn’t particularly like her, but he didn’t hate her either.

“I’m here for the Medicinal Pill Exchange, to see if I can buy some medicinal formulas.”

A trace of worry flashed across Jiang Lin’s face. “Yaowang Group’s products aren’t doing well lately.”

“I see…” Jiang Tian nodded, his expression darkening slightly.

In his past life, the Chen family’s Bencao Group in Jinling had suddenly acquired many rare formulas, launching a targeted assault against Yaowang Group’s products.

The slump in sales had been the first domino leading to Yaowang Group’s financial collapse.

“And what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be playing the spoiled young master in Linzhou?” Jiang Lin asked curiously.

The Jiang family had been kept in the dark about Jiang Tian’s alcohol poisoning incident. To Jiang Lin, he was still the same troublemaking playboy from Jinling.

“Same as you—here for the Medicinal Pill Exchange,” Jiang Tian replied lightly.

“Representing the Zhao family?”

Jiang Lin smirked dismissively. “Zhao Pharmaceutical’s R&D is weak. With just a few dozen million in assets, you think you can afford formulas here?”

Jiang Tian chuckled but didn’t bother explaining.

As the mighty Tai Chu Immortal Venerable, he had long since mastered alchemy. He wasn’t here to buy formulas—he wanted to see if the Shennong Sect had any wood-attribute cultivation resources.

“Jiang Tian, the Medicinal Pill Exchange is full of powerful figures. Don’t go causing trouble! If you do, I’ll tell Grandpa and have your parents discipline you properly!”

Jiang Lin adopted a lecturing tone, her expression stern.

“Got it. I won’t cause trouble.”

Jiang Tian smiled faintly, not bothering to argue with his self-important cousin.

“Jiang Lin, there you are! Care to join me for a drink at the bar?”

A mocking voice suddenly interrupted.

Jiang Tian turned to see a tall, handsome young man swaggering over, flanked by several other youths. A sinister smirk played on his lips.

“Chen Bo!”

At the sight of him, Jiang Tian’s expression darkened, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Killing intent flickered briefly.