Marriage

But when he discovered that one of the families had a daughter named Luo Lin as its prospective bride, and then had someone confirm that there was no other noble young lady of his age named Luo Lin, he realized she must be the Luo Lin from the original story.

After thinking it over, he agreed.

But as Lei Lin grew up, he not only displayed an extraordinary talent for cultivation and became a rising star in the alchemy world, but also showed an impressive ability to make money quickly.

Before long, the engagement had been changed. Yes, changed!

The bride had become the daughter of an earl—Windsor, as she was now known.

On top of that, Luo Lin had also been sent to the Zi'ao Family as a concubine. She would be married to him at the same time.

This was the most realistic kind of exchange of interests!

And now, it was just another exchange of interests!

He looked at his father, Jinli'an, and asked, "Father, which family is it this time?"

Jinli'an shook his head. "I'm not sure!"

Lei Lin paused, puzzled. "You're not sure?"

Then he glanced at Windsor, who was hiding beside his mother and secretly watching him. "What do you mean, you're not sure?"

Jinli'an replied helplessly, "When Earl Keli brought Windsor here, he only pointed upward. He wouldn't say anything else. So I don't know whether it was the Royal Family or the Radiant Church!"

"If it was only the Royal Family's idea, Keli wouldn't have been so evasive. So I think there's a good chance it was the Radiant Church."

"Still, you don't need to worry too much. It doesn't really matter whether it's the Royal Family or the Radiant Church. The Fenlai Royal Family works for the Radiant Church anyway!"

"In the end, whether you choose one of the princesses or one of the Saintesses, it's all the same!"

"Alas, you've been put through so much!"

"You're so young, yet you already have to contribute to the family..."

Lei Lin glanced at Windsor, who had grown into a young woman behind his mother, and at the lovely young girl, Luo Lin, attending them on the other side. He shrugged. "It's not really a hardship."

Then he added, "But it's getting tiresome to keep changing the arrangement. Whether it's the Royal Family or the Church, Father, tell them I won't have much interest in women until I reach the Saint Realm."

"All right, let's leave it at that!"

Before revealing a talent that surpassed everyone in history, Lei Lin had been just a genius. The kingdom wasn't exactly overflowing with people like him, but there were still plenty.

Arranged marriages and other such things were unavoidable!

But now that he had revealed his talent and stopped hiding himself, he had no reason to keep playing these games of exchanging favors with other powers.

After all, once he broke through to the Saint Realm, none of this would matter.

That was the essence of a world like Coiling Dragon, where the strong ruled!

Then he looked at Windsor and Luo Lin. "From now on, you two can move straight into my courtyard. When I go out to train, keep my mother company and help her pass the time!"

At his words, both girls blushed. After glancing at Guyue's amused smile, they came to stand behind Lei Lin together.

Looking at them, Lei Lin couldn't help thinking that it was no wonder young men and women in fantasy worlds matured so early!

After all, the nourishment of battle qi and magic meant their bodies developed just fine.

Thinking again of the anxiety he had felt since revealing his talent, he took his leave of his parents and returned to his courtyard with his two fiancées.

And then...

The next day, Lei Lin stepped out of his room feeling refreshed, though for some reason his legs felt a little weak. He sighed, "A soft bed can be a hero's undoing. The ancients were right!"

After instructing the maid waiting outside to look after the two young mistresses in the room, he began planning his approach to meeting Lin Lei in the Magic Beast Mountain Range.

After his recent rise to fame had convinced him that befriending Lin Lei wouldn't bring him any trouble, the cautious Lei Lin immediately changed his attitude and came up with a comprehensive plan to win Lin Lei's favor.

His plan to meet Lin Lei in the Magic Beast Mountain Range was just the beginning!

After all, of the four great bonds between men, they had already missed the chance to be classmates. His early test had shown only average elemental affinity, so he couldn't get into Ernst Magic Academy.

Next, judging by the original story, Lin Lei was about to enter the Magic Beast Mountain Range to gain practical experience.

Early on, Lin Lei had suffered dearly in the Magic Beast Mountain Range because he lacked experience and hadn't fully followed the advice of Doehring, the old man who accompanied him.

If Lei Lin played his cards right, going through life-and-death trials together would be just as good as having fought side by side.

"As for the other two great bonds, I just need to share more Magic Cores with Lin Lei when we finish training in the Magic Beast Mountain Range. We won't have done anything bad beforehand, but it'll be close enough."

"Hmm, at worst, I can take him to Misty Valley. With my current strength, I can handle the magical beasts there. I should at least be able to make sure we get out alive."

"But when it comes to visiting brothels, Lin Lei is too chaste, and I already have little Luo Lin and Windsor. That's a tough one!"

Lei Lin's gaze flickered as he thought of the pretty junior he had spotted in the crowd after demonstrating Flight Technique at his graduation. Should I try something with Alice?

Lin Lei didn't end up with Alice anyway!

Magic Beast Mountain Range

The weather in June and July was scorching. Only adventurers wearing magical devices that regulated temperature could enjoy even the slightest hint of coolness.

After casually taking down a Bloodthirsty Wild Boar, Lei Lin adjusted his magical gear and clothes. He and Lin Lei were about to speak for the first time.

He needed to be fully prepared!

Watching Lin Lei fend off a bowman's attacks, Lei Lin thought, I can't afford to make a bad first impression!

Then he shot out of the woods like a streak of lightning, sneering as he went. "Another piece of trash who only dares to turn his blade on rookies. Die!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it was icy, carrying clearly to Lin Lei as he dodged the arrows.

Then Lei Lin swung his blade. Several bolts of Thunder Snake Battle Qi turned the bowman's hiding place into scorched earth, filling Lin Lei's vision!

Lei Lin casually glanced at Lin Lei, who was stunned by the power of his strike, and tossed out a cold remark. "The most dangerous thing in the Magic Beast Mountain Range has never been the magical beasts. It's the fellow travelers with bad intentions."

Without waiting for Lin Lei to react, lightning flickered across his body, and he vanished from sight.

After standing silently for a moment, Lin Lei turned to Doehring, the old man floating beside him. "Grandpa Doehring, if I'm not mistaken, that guy was Lei Lin, the one who recently became famous throughout the Royal Capital as the greatest genius in history, right?"

"But wasn't he a mage?"

"He didn't even chant a spell before using that move. It looked more like a battle skill!"

Lei Lin's most familiar public labels had always been alchemy genius and business genius. Recently, his reputation as the greatest magical genius in history had completely overshadowed all his other achievements.

As a result, almost everyone had forgotten that he was a warrior, too.