Returning after 10000 Years Cultivation - Chapter 96

“Feel free to look around!”

Jiang Tian handed her the pills with an air of calm indifference as he introduced them: “This is the Minor Restoration Pill—it can cure poisoning, internal and external injuries. For ordinary people, it strengthens the body and cures all ailments!”

“This is the Dragon Ascension Meridian Pill—it can reshape one’s bone structure and fortify meridians, granting ordinary people the potential to become martial artists!”

“This is the Nourishing Essence Pill—it replenishes vital energy and can help Iron Body martial artists break through to the Inner Strength realm!”

“And this bottle contains Fire Spirit Pills—they can neutralize cold toxins, even curing diseases like ALS…”

Jiang Tian spoke casually, as if listing off household treasures, his expression unreadable, like still water without a ripple.

“What? The Nourishing Essence Pill is that powerful?”

“Minor Restoration Pills, Fire Spirit Pills, Dragon Ascension Meridian Pills… These pills are downright miraculous!”

The crowd was stunned, exclaiming in awe, their eyes burning with fervor as they stared at Jiang Tian.

After examining a few of the pills, Lady Mange also gasped in admiration. “Master Jiang, you truly are extraordinary! These pills are of such pure and potent quality—almost all are high-grade, with some even reaching supreme-grade!”

Hearing this, the crowd’s excitement grew even more intense.

After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Yanghao suddenly spoke up. “Grandmaster Jiang, would you be willing to sell these pill formulas to us?”

“And by ‘us,’ you mean…?” Jiang Tian asked.

“Either the Red Wall Imperial Medical Hall or the Shennong Sect—both should be able to afford your price,” Zhang Yanghao replied with restrained pride.

“This guy’s about to strike it rich!” The crowd nodded in agreement, looking at Jiang Tian with envy.

The Red Wall Imperial Medical Hall was backed by the central government—money was no object.

As for the Shennong Sect, its secular assets were vast, with a net worth in the tens of billions, if not hundreds. Paying up wouldn’t be an issue.

To everyone’s surprise, Jiang Tian shook his head and sighed. “Even if I gave you the formulas, you wouldn’t be able to refine them.”

These pills had been tempered with his true essence—ordinary furnace fires couldn’t replicate them.

Lady Mange’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she asked softly, “Master Jiang, could it be that you’re an alchemist yourself?”

The moment these words left her lips, the crowd’s gazes turned even more reverent, as if they were staring at a deity.

Alchemists were the most coveted figures in the cultivation world—even a grandmaster of martial arts couldn’t compare.

Any sect or family that secured an alchemist could produce an endless supply of pills, enabling them to nurture countless experts. Such a force would thrive beyond measure.

However, alchemy was an esoteric and profound art, demanding exceptional talent and insight. Thus, true alchemists were far rarer than martial artists. As the saying went, “Martial grandmasters are common, but alchemists are once in a lifetime.”

“Correct.” Jiang Tian nodded with detached serenity.

An alchemist? What of it?

In his past life, his alchemy had shaken the cosmos, with hundreds of Pill Ancestors, Pill Sovereigns, and Pill Saints under his tutelage.

Zhang Yanghao inwardly marveled before cupping his hands respectfully. “Master Jiang, if you’re willing, why not join our Shennong Sect? I’ll personally recommend you to Left Sect Leader. At the very least, you’d be appointed as the head of the Alchemy Hall or an inner elder!”

“Indeed! If Master Jiang were to join under Left Sect Leader, I’d gladly yield my position as chief disciple!” Lady Mange chimed in.

The crowd watched Jiang Tian with undisguised envy, their faces alight with excitement.

The illustrious Shennong Sect was extending an olive branch to Jiang Tian!

And not just any offer—he’d immediately be granted elder status or the role of chief disciple, placing him just below the sect leader in authority!

“Holy crap! My grandpa had to bribe Left Sect Leader with ten million just to get me in as a menial disciple! And Jiang Tian’s about to become an inner elder?! There’s no comparison!”

From a distance, Chen Bo’s face turned ashen with shock, his heart a mess of envy, jealousy, and resentment—like he’d swallowed a fly.

“No way! I can’t let this happen! If he succeeds, he’ll crush me for sure!”

Chen Bo trembled with a mix of fear, hatred, and dread, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles cracked, his mind screaming in silent fury.

“Ah, I appreciate Elder Zhang’s kindness…”

To everyone’s astonishment, Jiang Tian’s lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smirk, though his tone remained polite. “But I’ve always been a free spirit—I’m not cut out for the rigid structure of a sect. I’ll have to decline.”

“He refused! That was an invitation from the Shennong Sect!” The crowd stood frozen in disbelief.

“I heard there’s a Master Jiang here, skilled in pill refinement. I’ve come to pay my respects!”

Just then, a hearty laugh rang out as a tall, broad-shouldered man strode in with vigorous steps.

The man appeared to be in his early fifties, his imposing frame radiating an aura of power. His square jaw, framed by a thick beard, and his piercing tiger-like eyes exuded an air of majesty and unrestrained confidence that commanded the room.

“Patriarch Hong!”

“Patriarch Hong is here!”

“Patriarch Hong, it’s been too long!”

The martial artists and wealthy elites present immediately straightened with respect, parting like a tide to clear a path, bowing deeply with clasped fists.

“Forgive us for not greeting you properly, Patriarch Hong! We hope you’ll overlook our oversight!”

Even Lady Mange and Zhang Yanghao didn’t dare slight him, treating him with utmost courtesy.

The Hong family was the top martial clan in Hubei, with a century-long legacy.

As its leader, Hong Tianzhao had reached the peak of the Transformation Realm, ranking among the top twenty grandmasters in China—a formidable force in his own right.

Moreover, he was known for his magnanimity, righteousness, and vast network of connections in the martial world, earning him immense prestige.

In China’s martial arts circles, only a handful of seasoned grandmasters like Huo Qingtian of the Central Plains, Wu Yingxiong of the Southwest, and Wooden Camel Peak of the Northwest could rival him.

In Hubei, if the Shennong Sect were the celestial immortals dwelling above the clouds, then Hong Tianzhao was the fierce dragon reigning supreme over the mortal realm.

“Don’t mention it! We’re all warriors here—no need for formalities!”

Hong Tianzhao laughed heartily, his voice booming as he clasped his fists in greeting. Then, with genuine curiosity, he asked, “Now, where’s this Grandmaster Jiang? Take me to meet him!”

Guided by the crowd, he quickly made his way to Jiang Tian.

“Ah, my apologies for the slip of the tongue—calling you ‘grandmaster’ makes you sound ancient!”

The moment he laid eyes on Jiang Tian, he playfully smacked his own lips and grinned. “You’re clearly a young man! And a handsome one at that—downright dashing, I’d say!”

His lighthearted remark drew warm laughter from the crowd.

Beside Jiang Tian, Elder Qiu quietly briefed him on the man’s background.

In terms of secular influence, even figures like Ye Gufeng paled in comparison to a titan like Hong Tianzhao, who dominated an entire province.

Martially speaking, the likes of Li Zhenwei—top-tier experts in Lingnan—were nowhere near his level.

Hong Tianzhao wasn’t just a bona fide Transformation Realm grandmaster—he was also a master strategist, with political, commercial, and martial connections spanning the nation. In Hubei, he was the undisputed king, capable of summoning storms with a wave of his hand.

Jiang Tian remained unfazed, simply cupping his hands. “Jiang Tian of Jinling greets Patriarch Hong.”

“Master Jiang, since Elder Qiu accompanies you, I assume you’re part of the martial world!”

Hong Tianzhao studied Jiang Tian intently before declaring grandly, “If you’re willing, join our Hong family! I’ll appoint you as our chief guest elder—we’ll address each other as brothers, sharing late-night talks and sparring sessions, discussing the martial path together. How exhilarating would that be?”

The room erupted.

The Hong family’s power was immense—a century-old legacy! And yet, they were inviting this young man to become their chief guest elder, even offering to treat him as a sworn brother? What an honor!

Then, Hong Tianzhao dropped another bombshell: “Moreover, I’ll grant you 3% of the Hong family’s shares. And you’ll only need to act once a year—no interference with your martial or alchemical pursuits!”

The crowd was dumbstruck by Hong Tianzhao’s lavish offer.

To recruit Jiang Tian, he was willing to part with nearly a billion yuan worth of assets!

Even Zhang Yanghao and Lady Mange stepped back at this point.

While the Shennong Sect’s resources were on par with the Hong family’s, they couldn’t match such extravagance on the spot.

Besides, without the sect leader’s approval, they lacked the authority to make such decisions.

“So, Master Jiang, what do you say?” Hong Tianzhao asked, brimming with confidence.

The Hong family’s martial heritage spanned a century, and as a grandmaster himself, the protection he could offer Jiang Tian was worth far more than money.

Let’s not forget—alchemists weren’t typically strong in combat. Without backing, they were easy prey, forced to serve others.

Thus, eight out of ten alchemists sought refuge with martial sects or families.

Yet, to everyone’s shock, Jiang Tian shook his head with serene indifference. “Patriarch Hong, I must decline. I’m only interested in Five Elements materials or spiritual herbs. Any other terms are non-negotiable.”

The crowd was stunned.

Jiang Tian’s audacity was beyond belief—he’d just spurned offers from the Imperial Medical Hall, the Shennong Sect, and now the Hong family!

This was the Hong family—the dominant force in Hubei!

“Oh? You reject me so easily?”

Though Hong Tianzhao’s smile remained, a flicker of murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

You dare refuse such generous terms? Do you have a death wish?

Elder Qiu’s expression tightened, sensing the danger.

However, Hong Tianzhao quickly masked his killing intent, laughing heartily. “Master Jiang’s demeanor truly encompasses the heavens and swallows the sun and moon! A transcendent sage indeed!”

He clasped his fists solemnly. “Very well. Since Grandmaster Jiang is unwilling, I won’t press further.”

“But mark my words—the Hong family’s doors will always be open to you. You’re welcome anytime!”

“Master Jiang, you’ve missed a golden opportunity!”

Even Zhang Yanghao and Lady Mange shook their heads in regret, sighing softly.

After that, hardly anyone approached Jiang Tian for deals—they knew his terms were non-negotiable.

Finding nothing of interest after a full circuit, Jiang Tian left Hundred Herbs Manor with Tang Linglong and Elder Qiu, returning to the Medicinal Capital Hotel.

As they exited, Jiang Tian smirked at Chen Bo, who stood guard by the door. “Young Master Chen, playing doorman suits you well!”

Chen Bo’s face twisted with rage, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked, his entire body trembling.