Realm-Hopping Martial Master

She was extremely familiar with this routine.

Only when she straightened up did she notice an unfamiliar, somewhat dark-complexioned man sitting with her eldest cousin in the already small living room.

"Ah, so my little sister's family is here!" Uncle Xu Dayong exclaimed. "Just coming is enough, why bring gifts?"

"Jiang Shu is now a Wuqu Star! He went straight to Jiangnan Academy! You two [referring to Jiang Shu's parents] will enjoy a comfortable life in the future."

"Yanyue is getting more beautiful. Come, this is a red envelope from your Uncle for you and your brother. Quick, take it. Have you had breakfast? Should your Uncle make you some noodles?"

In the living room, Uncle Xu Dayong quickly got up, his face beaming with joy.

The New Year was already a joyous occasion. His daughter bringing home a boyfriend was happiness upon happiness. Now, with his younger sister's family visiting, it was truly a triple celebration!

"Come, let me introduce you. This is Yunyun's boyfriend, Weixing. They met in university and have been secretly together for over a year. This little rascal only told us at the end of last year."

"Hello, Aunt, Uncle," Jiang Weixing said, hastily getting up. Only with a prompt from his girlfriend, Yunyun, did he know the correct terms of address.

"We were just talking. Weixing told us that although his family isn't from Ji City, their ancestral home is in Ning City, so the customs are quite similar. Plus, his family already plans to settle in Ji City and has even bought a house in the urban area! He even asked me how much the bride price should be. Seeing that he and Yunyun are genuinely in love, I told him to discuss the amount with her and just deposit it into a bank account for their own use. We don't need it. Young people these days have it so hard," Uncle Xu Dayong said, chuckling.

He quickly brewed two cups of tea and then bustled about, offering Jiang Shu and Jiang Yanyue soft drinks.

"Uncle, my brother and I are practicing Martial Arts now. We don't drink soft drinks anymore," Jiang Yanyue said quickly. She had just changed her shoes and smoothly pocketed Jiang Shu's red envelope as well.

"Oh, right, I forgot. Bright Force Martial Artists, it seems, abstain from alcohol, cigarettes, and the like. So, no soft drinks either, huh?"

"Weixing, let me introduce you. This is Jiang Shu, a Wuqu Star! He was directly admitted to Jiangnan Academy and later even won the championship at the university Martial Arts genius tournament!" Uncle Xu Dayong said, pulling Jiang Shu to the center of the living room with immense pride.

They had watched the entire live television broadcast at the time! As for what Jiang Shu did afterward, they weren't quite clear. Xu Lizhi also rarely discussed such matters in the family's WeChat group. After all, becoming a professor at Jiangnan Academy or founding a company—such things were too astounding. If they were to be discussed, it had to be in person.

"Brother-in-law, welcome. It's good to have you. Grandpa and Grandma are getting healthier by the day. From what I see, living past a hundred won't be a problem," Jiang Shu said with a smile, looking at his maternal grandparents who were seated in the places of honor on the sofa.

During the New Year, he had specifically sent the elixir recipe for the Inner Strength Pill to Zhang Rui. He wanted to use an alchemy AI to deduce an elixir recipe more suitable for the elderly, one that could strengthen their vital organs and improve their body's defenses. Results should be available within a few days, he reckoned.

"We're old now. We'll be very happy to see you and Yanyue settle down and start families," one of the grandparents said.

Settle down... Right, I'm out of this conversation.

Jiang Shu's smile froze on his face.

With his current strength, he feared nothing. In terms of status, as number one on the Grandmaster rankings, even a city mayor would have to treat him with respect. In terms of wealth, a single trip to the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm could net him at least several hundred million—even a province's richest man might not earn money as quickly as he did. Only when it came to settling down... focused as he was on Martial Arts, he truly had no inclination whatsoever.

Especially now that he knew of even more profound Cultivation Realms beyond Martial Arts! Reaching Body Refinement Perfection and entering the Blood Exchange Realm granted a lifespan of 180 years. What about Qi Refinement? What about Spirit Refinement? And what lay beyond even Spirit Refinement? How long would his lifespan be then? A thousand years? Or true immortality, a life without end? If he truly had a chance to reach such realms, settling down early would only be a hindrance.

"Oh, Mom, Dad, what are you worrying about? Jiang Shu is only nineteen, it's far too early," Xu Lizhi interjected. A mother knows her son best; perceptive as she was, she peeled an orange and skillfully placed segments into her parents' hands.

Taking the cue from an exchange of glances, Jiang Shu made a flustered escape, joining his cousins on the living room balcony.

In the living room, the Xu family chatted harmoniously. Everyone was usually busy; only during the New Year could they all gather. Naturally, they talked about their lives and caught up on family news.

Meanwhile, Uncle Xu Dayong was getting to know his prospective son-in-law, Jiang Weixing, better. Their conversation drifted from his current job to future family plans, such as when they intended to have children and how many.

"So, Weixing, you're currently a Martial Artist who has achieved the complete circulation of qi and blood?"

"Ah, I can't compare to Cousin Jiang Shu. I've practiced for so long and only reached this level. I reckon it'll be difficult for me to reach the Bright Force stage in this lifetime. Cousin Jiang Shu is truly amazing, achieving fame at such a young age. He might even have reached the Dark Force stage by now!" Jiang Weixing said, scratching his head sheepishly.

His family situation was quite unique, so he understood Jiang Shu's prowess even better than the Xu family did! He's a true chosen one! I just don't know how close Yunyun and her cousin Jiang Shu are. If their relationship is excellent, then for Jiang Shu's sake, Dad should agree to my decision this time, right? After all, Yunyun is so wonderful. If I bring her home, they'll surely grow to like her eventually.

"Well, we wouldn't know about that; we don't understand these things..." Uncle Xu Dayong chuckled. Just as he was about to call out to Jiang Shu on the balcony to ask, Jiang Weixing's phone, which was on the sofa, suddenly rang. His expression changed abruptly when he saw the caller ID. He hastily excused himself, grabbed his phone, and stepped outside.

"Dad, it's not what you think! Yunyun isn't that kind of person!" "She doesn't even know about my family's situation!" "I won't go on a blind date!" "Dad, please, just trust me this once."

From the stairwell, Jiang Weixing was clearly trying his best to keep his voice down.

But Jiang Shu, at the Peak of the Refining Internal Realm, had astonishing hearing. He glanced at his cousin Xu Yunyun, his expression unreadable.

A short while later, Jiang Weixing pushed the door open and walked back in. He was dejected, his lip bitten tightly, his face etched with distress. He looked up at Uncle Xu Dayong, then at his cousin Xu Yunyun.

"Weixing, what's wrong? Did something happen?" Xu Yunyun asked with concern, getting up anxiously and walking over to him, taking his arm.

"Yunyun, Uncle, I'm sorry." Jiang Weixing didn't finish his sentences, but everyone instantly understood. "My dad is... a Dark Force Martial Artist... He runs a martial arts school in Ji City. He... he wants me to go on a blind date..."

In most families, it's difficult to defy a father's wishes. How much more so when Jiang Weixing's father was a Dark Force expert!

The entire living room fell silent. The second uncle's family exchanged glances. A Dark Force Martial Artist. Runs a martial arts school. Their family assets alone could easily exceed a hundred million! A family like that... No one had expected that a matter seemingly settled would suddenly hit such a snag.

Uncle Xu Dayong, who was standing, swayed, and Xu Lizhi quickly rose to support him. Utter shock filled Xu Yunyun's eyes. She looked at her boyfriend as if seeing him for the very first time. The arm that had been linked with his fell limply to her side.

"Yunyun... I truly..." Jiang Weixing began, his heart clenching as he looked at Xu Yunyun. Her face was blank with shock, her eyes were red and swollen, and a stream of tears trickled down her cheeks.

Just as he was at a loss for what to do, Jiang Shu rose from the balcony. He walked over and said, "Brother-in-law, can I borrow your phone for a moment?"

Jiang Shu knew better than anyone else present what Jiang Weixing was hiding. If it had merely been an ordinary scolding, Jiang Weixing would naturally have tried to argue further; it was clear he deeply loved his cousin Xu Yunyun. However, among the final, harsh rebukes on the phone, one sentence stood out: "If you don't come back immediately, that family you're visiting will never know another day of peace! Think it over carefully!"

At this point, Jiang Weixing had lost all resolve. Seeing Jiang Shu approach, he subconsciously handed over his phone.

Jiang Shu opened the call log and redialed the first number.

"How many times do I have to tell you? Get back here!"

Even without speakerphone, the furious roar echoed throughout the living room, striking everyone's heart like a giant hammer. Jiang Weixing flinched reflexively.

This time, however, it was Jiang Shu who spoke into the phone: "My uncle's family lives in Changxin County, on Yonghua Road, Shunhua Residential Complex, Building 7, 17th Floor, Apartment 1701. If you have time, please come for a visit. Whether they're suitable or not, it's best discussed after meeting. I think Weixing and my cousin Yunyun are a good match." He paused, then added, "By the way, my name is Jiang Shu. Jiang Shu of Ji City."