After experiencing a momentary loss of brain function, Davis blinked as he finally felt his horizons widen. He grew to a point where someone actually asked permission to become his adoptive daughter. It was unbelievable to him.
"What's your age?" He couldn't help but ask.
His question caused Evelynn and the others to turn and glare at him, which made him feel that he was on a block of ice.
"Twenty-six..." Replied Vereina with a proud curl of her lips.
It made Davis's eyes go slightly wider.
'What the hell? She is actually younger than me? Perhaps having a powerful sect in one's early days really does make a difference...'
Clara was also younger than him by four years, but she also caught up to him in terms of cultivation base as he provided her with resources. The importance of backing could never be underestimated. Moreover, there were immortal babies who turned immortal as soon as they were sixteen.
He imagined that there were lots of teenagers as disciples in the Aurora Cloud Gate. After all, the Aurora Cloud Gate encouraged disciples to become completely part of the sect and start a family. Even a quarter of the space of his residence is enough to host thousands of people with extra ample space for each of them.
Nonetheless, this woman also had something like the Violent Punitive Soul Physique, allowing her to actually devour soul essence like he could if he wasn't wrong. Although he guessed that it wasn't as powerful as Fallen Heaven's refinement method, he did think that it caused her to quickly climb through the ladder of cultivation.
After all, a better soul was like a bigger vase, and the body and essence were like the liquid in it. The more the vase's capacity, the more it would allow one to control and improve the other two cultivations.
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"Husband, you're not serious, are you?" Isabella's voice was grave.
"Of course not."
Davis smilingly shook his head.
Taking an adoptive daughter when that daughter was a grown woman? He didn't believe that he could keep his hands to himself. He wasn't a saint, especially when he had read so many fantasies back in his days as a captive and man of culture.
He believed that he wasn't as disciplined as Tina's adoptive father.
Hearing Davis's answer, Evelynn and the others visibly sighed. In fact, it was Isabella who was relieved the most. Seeing Vereina as the same level as her daughter Celestia or one of her sister's daughters like Eterna... how can that be?
She felt that it would be a nightmare if it came true.
"Really? That's a pity..."
Vereina slowly nodded as her tone became disappointed, "I thought I could further deepen our allied relationship in this way so that it doesn't lead to conflict."
"You're right but also wrong. If you become my ally openly, you're only going to suffer."
"You have a point. The stronger the Divergent, the harder the heavens would smite them."
"That's why I suggest you stay hidden in the Aurora Cloud Gate's umbrella and live the peaceful life you want. As long as you don't mess up during mission expeditions or worsen your sect and personal standings, you should be able to become extremely strong without encountering much trouble."
"You make it sound easy..." Vereina wryly smiled, causing Davis to smilingly shake his head.
"I wish it was any easier for myself. Fortunately, I have my beauties to accompany me in happiness and sorrow. The struggle only makes it worth seeing their innocent smiles waiting for me at the end of the day."
"Sweet talker..."
Natalya lightly patted his arm with a satisfied smile while Evelynn and the others were also blushing a bit. They felt he sometimes says the most embarrassing thing a man could say, but that just ends up warming their hearts.
"..." Vereina also looked slightly taken aback by their relationship. However, she shook her head.
"According to my master, you're just a thin line away from hating the world and slaughtering everyone. Such is the fate of a Divergent who lost their mind to sorrow over their loved ones..."
"I'm aware." Davis sighed, "And I don't plan to follow this fate. If it is possible, I'd also choose seclusion over adventuring, but my fate is a bit more... skewed, you see. I simply cannot stay in one place and hope to survive or succeed."
Vereina shrugged. She was of the opinion that every Divergents' fate was skewed in the worst way possible. The heavens simply didn't allow them to live, so for them to live, staying in a hidden place was the best option to choose from.
Going out without enough prowess only meant seeking death as people would be out of their lives, afraid that they would cause calamities when it isn't their intent in the first place.
"Alright. I'll accept the compensation and forget the matters that happened between us due to circumstances. Although I've not heard why you kidnapped me, I think I'll eventually know, and I think that it has something to do with your identities, as it's common for us Divergents to pose as someone else."
Davis couldn't help but smile. She was right on point.
"There's no need to worry. I understand and keep your secrets. Now, where should I go, Mister...?"
"You can call me Davis, but outside, I go by Feng Chu. Also, this place has an increased temporal effect. Here, ten days is only a day outside, so get the most out of it before I let you out. Natalya, lead her to her quarters."
Natalya nodded towards Davis as she stood up while Iesha also shot into her soul sea. Natalya raised her hand and formed an ephemeral icy screen with her as the center.
"Follow me." She gestured towards the exit as she called upon Vereina, but the latter appeared dumbfounded.
"Wait- What did you say!? One day outside is ten days here...? That's a ten times increase..."
"Yes, I did say that."
Davis nodded, causing Vereina to heave a breath before her lips moved hesitantly.
"Can I... stay here more if I want...?"
"No, you will be out as you wished."
"..." Vereina's expression sank.
"Davis, you're tempting me with good things and taking them away. I thought you could be a father figure, but it turns out that you're such a tease. Hmph~"
She put her red veil back on and walked away in a sassy manner like a little girl.
"..."
Davis watched Vereina leave with Natalya. His women were all giggling as they felt that he was a teaser, too, while he could only shake his head. However, they all understood that Vereina did this to make the atmosphere less tense and less guarded.
They could see that she knew how to handle herself in most situations. Once she knew that they were not harmful, she didn't display her aggressiveness either.
After Natalya escorted Vereina out without revealing the ongoings within the Nurturing Life Formation, Davis turned to look in an empty location.
There, a white-robed figure with golden sleeves and intricate patterns on various locations suddenly manifested. On their shoulder was a tiny, adorable dark-winged wolf lazily sleeping.
"Brother, are you really going to let that woman stay here?"
Davis saw Clara and Nadia as he smiled while Evelynn and Isabella were shocked.
Were they actually here the whole time?