Marriage Alliance?!

I only just turned eighteen this year, yet my Internal Family Boxing has already reached its limit. Feeling every muscle in his body exerting force, Jie Ning could not help but sigh.

But if I had my body from my previous life, I probably would have reached this limit several years earlier.

The limits of the human body in this world completely surpassed those of Jie Ning's previous life. There was simply no comparison.

By Jie Ning's estimate, the pure strength he had possessed in his previous life was probably only equivalent to that of a Level 3 Warrior in this world. At his peak, he might have reached Level 4, but even then, he would have been a relatively weak Level 4 Warrior.

"Now, though, my physical strength alone should be at the level of a Level 7 Warrior." Jie Ning casually threw a punch, and a fist mark appeared on a tree some distance away as the air surged.

Although this body's differences from my previous one are subtle, thankfully they aren't too significant. Most of my martial arts techniques and training methods can still be used. Jie Ning thought with a hint of regret. Still, it's a pity. Although I've returned to the Grandmaster realm, and my control over my body has reached a whole new level, with an ordinary human bloodline, Level 7 Warrior is already this body's limit in terms of strength. Then again, if I hadn't broken through to become a Grandmaster of Internal Family Boxing, reaching Level 6 Warrior through pure strength would already have been the limit for most people.

And the greatest benefit the realm of an Internal Family Boxing Grandmaster brings me isn't this...

With a thought, Jie Ning's aura seemed to undergo a subtle change.

If someone had been standing beside Jie Ning at that moment, they would have discovered that he seemed to possess a peculiar sense of harmony with the entire world. It was as though he belonged there, as though he were part of that very space.

The Grandmaster realm has always had another name: Unity of Heaven and Man. In this world, calling it Momentum is actually quite fitting. A serene smile appeared on Jie Ning's face.

And if I add this... With a shift in his thoughts, Jie Ning began circulating his Battle Qi. My Level 8 Battle Qi should break through to Level 9 in about a month.

Cultivating Battle Qi posed no difficulty for Jie Ning. Once his physical strength met the requirements, the only thing limiting the growth of his Battle Qi was the speed at which he refined the elements of Heaven and Earth. Once the quantity reached the standard, his realm would naturally break through.

Therefore, the Saint Realm is within reach for me. Immortality is within reach as well.

And once I reach the Saint Realm, it'll be time to study magic. After all, Laws and Profound Mysteries are the most important thing when it comes to becoming a god. The memories from my previous life have helped me as much as they can. As a lower-level counterpart to Laws, magic is the most suitable point of entry. Jie Ning had always had a complete plan for his growth. He would first follow the warrior path he knew best to reach the Saint Realm, gaining immortality and a certain degree of strength. Then he would turn back to study magic. From the very beginning, his goal had been to become a god.

Therefore, even though Jie Ning had learned during testing in his childhood that he possessed exceptional Elemental Affinity for both Fire Element and Earth Element, he had still firmly chosen to take the warrior path first.

Fortunately, Duke Darut's Territory also favored warriors, and Jie Ning had displayed exceptional talent as a warrior in the years that followed. Naturally, he received his family's support.

Just then, hurried breathing approached, and Jie Ning turned toward it.

"Young Master Jie Ning," a maid came running over, panting heavily. "The Baron and Madam are looking for you."

Jie Ning nodded and gave the maid a slight smile. "I understand. Thank you for your trouble, Kanweier."

Although he could not change anything, Jie Ning had always treated the servants in his household with gentleness and courtesy. He could calmly accept their service, but he also respected them as people.

Looking at Jie Ning's smile, Kanweier seemed to be affected by something. Her racing heartbeat from running quickly calmed down, then seemed to skip a beat. A blush crept onto her youthful face. "Young Master Jie Ning, you should hurry over. The Baron and Madam seem to have something urgent this time."

"Haha, I understand. I'll head over right away." Seeing the young girl's shy reaction, Jie Ning could not help but smile. Still, he teased, "But I may need to trouble Miss Kanweier to tell me where Father and Mother are waiting for me first."

Kanweier's face reddened even more. "In the drawing room, Young Master Jie Ning." This time, her blush came from embarrassment.

Jie Ning did not intend to keep bullying the shy maid. With a teasing remark, he headed for the drawing room. "All right, I understand. Though it seems I saw Lia up ahead." He had long noticed another little girl approaching from not far away.

Jie Ning walked away, and the teasing voices of two maids faintly drifted from behind him. "Hehe, Kanweier, you really live up to the name Miss Red Persimmon..."

"Lia, you..."

Not long after, Jie Ning arrived at the drawing room. Aside from his parents in this life, a stern-looking middle-aged man was seated inside. However, this man was not unfamiliar to Jie Ning.

Jie Ning regarded the baron and his wife, who had given him a new life in this world, with an open mind. While he did not feel the deep affection of a child for his parents, he still respected and cared for them greatly. He greeted them respectfully, "Father, Mother."

Then he turned to the dignified man and greeted him, "Uncle Maki, it has been a long time. I hope you have been well."

Baron Chris Darut and Ms. Melinda looked at their eldest son with satisfaction.

Looking at his eldest nephew's sturdy physique, Maki rose to his feet and laughed as he patted Jie Ning's shoulder with his solid palm. "Good lad. When Melinda and Chris told me you were already an outstanding warrior, I thought they were exaggerating a little. Now it seems they were actually being modest."

Hearing Maki praise his son, Chris's smile deepened. "Maki, you're underestimating Jie Ning. Melinda told you in the letter she sent earlier. Your nephew is already a powerful Level 7 Warrior."

Jie Ning did not refute him. The last time his father had asked him had been seven or eight months ago. At that time, he truly had been a Level 7 Warrior, but he had broken through again not long afterward.

Moreover, his Internal Family Boxing training had been nearing its limit at the time. After readjusting his training regimen and adding Battle Qi cultivation, his Battle Qi had indeed improved more quickly these past few months. It was only natural that he had exceeded his father's expectations.

"Hahaha, then that's my mistake." Maki did not mind Chris showing off. He simply looked at Jie Ning with satisfaction.

"Hahaha, Jie Ning is only eighteen, isn't he? Becoming a Level 7 Warrior at that age—I believe you'll definitely become a new generation Saint Realm powerhouse of our Dalut Family in the future."

Chris barely suppressed the corners of his mouth and put on a stern expression. "All right, Maki. That's too exaggerated. In over fifteen hundred years, our Dalut Family has only produced a little more than twenty Saint Realm powerhouses. Jie Ning still has a long road ahead of him."

Then he turned to Jie Ning. "You must continue working hard. Don't become complacent, understand?"

Jie Ning accepted both the praise and admonition without reserve, replying calmly, "Yes, Father."

Melinda smiled as she watched her older brother and husband praise her son. Once they had finished exchanging pleasantries, she reminded them, "All right, we're family. Stop with the formalities. You called Jie Ning here because you have important business."

Hearing his mother's words, Jie Ning curiously looked toward his father and uncle. He too wondered what could have prompted them to summon him so suddenly. His uncle normally only visited around the holidays each year. Why had he come specifically to see him this time?

Maki composed himself. He first looked at Chris and Melinda, then asked Jie Ning seriously, "Although I've already sought your father's and mother's opinions, I still feel that I need to ask you in person..."

Seeing Maki's solemn expression, Jie Ning also grew more serious, straightening his posture.

"Count Lewis Cardin's eldest daughter also turned eighteen this year, and he intends to find her a suitable husband. Duke Kading's Territory and Duke Darut's Territory have been friendly for generations, ever since Duke Kading and Duke Darut. Count Lewis also wishes to find a suitable marriage alliance candidate within our Dalut Family."

"And among the current generation of Duke Darut's Territory, the only suitable candidates are you and Count Huli's second son."

As he spoke, Maki's expression became somewhat strange, but he continued, "However, Count Huli's second son does not seem to be interested in women. So now, it depends on what you think..."

For an instant, Jie Ning lost his composure. You're discussing such a serious matter, yet Uncle Maki is playing matchmaker?

Fortunately, Jie Ning had experience with this sort of thing. In his previous life, he had played the role of the matchmaker.

He first ignored the irrelevant second son of some earl, then asked in surprise, "Why are there so few candidates?"

Maki was not surprised by Jie Ning's question and patiently explained, "There are many reasons. First, an earl's eldest daughter naturally cannot marry an ordinary commoner. Second, she is currently a Level 5 mage."

Jie Ning immediately understood. Their status and strength had to match. Of course, in this world, that could also be said to mean that their strength was not yet overwhelmingly outstanding.

As long as one's strength was sufficient, everything else would merely be a byproduct.

Then Maki smiled proudly. "Of course, the most important thing is that Count Lewis and I once traveled together and forged a deep friendship. And after your mother wrote to me about your strength some time ago, as your uncle, I naturally seized the opportunity to recommend you to Count Lewis."

"So, Uncle, you've actually already settled things with the earl?" Jie Ning suddenly spotted the issue.

Maki's expression froze, and he hurriedly laughed it off. "Not exactly. It's just for the two of you to meet first. If you're suitable for each other, you can get engaged..."

Maki's voice grew softer and softer, while his expression became increasingly awkward.

Ms. Melinda, Jie Ning's mother, seemed to realize what had happened. Her older brother appeared to have made promises to Count Lewis on his own, since he had not said the same thing to her before. Still, she stepped in to smooth things over. She first shot Maki a look that told him to stop talking, then looked at her son. "All right, Jie Ning. What do you think?"

"If you feel it isn't suitable, we'll have your uncle go apologize to Count Lewis by himself." When she said "by himself," Melinda deliberately stressed the words.

Maki smiled sheepishly but did not say anything else.

Jie Ning looked at them. Maki wore an embarrassed yet expectant expression. His mother, Melinda, still looked at him gently. As for his father, Chris—well, never mind him. What was with that proud look on his face?

Jie Ning nodded slightly. "In that case, I'll get to know this lady first." Having lived a second life, Jie Ning did not have any particular pursuit of feelings such as love. However, he did not mind marrying someone suitable. If she could not keep up with his pace, she would merely be a passerby in his life. If she could, then perhaps she might become a suitable cultivation partner.

Hearing Jie Ning's answer, Maki immediately beamed again. "Good, good, good. Since that's the case, then that's good..."

Hearing Jie Ning's calm reply, Melinda also breathed a sigh of relief.

However, it seemed that some people had forgotten that she was a powerful Flame Warrior.

Melinda suddenly said, "In that case, Jie Ning, go attend to your affairs first. Your father, your uncle, and I have some things to discuss..."

Seeing the mysterious smile that had suddenly appeared on Melinda's face, Jie Ning immediately understood. He calmly bowed to the three elders and left the drawing room.

Seeing the smile they had not seen on their wife and sister's face for a long time, Chris and Maki suddenly shuddered in unison.

Just then, Melinda shut the drawing room door with a palm strike of Battle Qi.

Faint screams seemed to drift out from inside the drawing room.

Jie Ning merely looked up at the azure sky. "The weather is quite nice..."