Almost every entrance and exit of the Merchant Town of Kalur had Dan's disguise visage along with his noble surname Ligma posted on the walls. Despite the huge bounty that the Town Mayor and the Tetsui Clan placed for information about his whereabouts. Ligma was nowhere to be found.
Inside the Tetsui Clan residence, the perpetrator of this commotion casually drunk tea with one of the most beautiful women in the Merchant Town of Kalur. Leona's expression looked tired and exhausted, witnessing her visage, Dan said, "Do you have some kind of a problem, Miss?"
He spoke up and Leona rubbed her aching temples. Ever since that day, she didn't dare to go out of their Region and stayed inside. In hopes that the bastard who killed Mike would be scared off her authority. However, she knew that she would eventually have to come out and knowing that there was someone out there that wants to murder her made her apprehensive and anxious about her future.
"Indeed, there's someone out there that wants to kill me," Her distressed voice echoed out and Dan suffused a concerned expression. When Leona saw his blatant concern towards her safety, she inwardly smiled and thought that it would be a matter of time until she latches on this tasty piece of meat called Dan.
Because Dan used the Token of the Paradyne Academy as proof of his identity. He could not hide his name. Because he knew that her father will definitely research his background.
Ever since he arrived in this world and realized that it looked similar to the wuxia, xianxia and xuanhuan novels that he read. Dan understood that cautiousness and having a distrusting heart would enhance your chance of survival other than the latter.
"Someone actually dares to threaten the safety of the Tetsui Clan's Princess? How bold..." Dan commented and shook his head, his words clearly emphasized his praise towards the Tetsui Clan's power. After Dan stroked Leona's vanity, the latter's mood improved and they started talking to each other in a closer manner.
Leona started to call him Big Brother while Dan called her Elder Sister. The two called each other in an affectionate manner and Leona started her advances, moving closer to his body. She said, "Big bro, is it possible for me to borrow that Token of yours?"
Dan revealed a small smile, "The Token of the Paradyne Academy? It's fine I'll have you borrow it for a moment," He flicked his wrist and a jade token with the insignia of the Paradyne Academy manifested in the air. Dan placed it on Leona's palm and the maiden shyly retreated towards her father's room.
Inside the room. Galleon Tetsui could be seen eating his breakfast. The door burst open, revealing the figure of his daughter which quickly presented the Jade token that came from Dan.
Galleon knitted his eyebrows and rotated his cultivation base. Sending a stream of probing Qi inside the jade token. His expression changed into astonishment when he realized that his Qi became like a stone that fell into the ocean. Completely disappearing without any traces.
"It's real..." He mumbled. His eyes flashing with excitement along with his daughter who almost couldn't contain her excitement. "Leona, you did a good thing this time! You brought us a fortune!" He praised and his daughter sweetly smiled.
If Leona managed to snatch that young man, he could possibly migrate towards the mainland and establish his clan there. With the backing of that young man, why would he stay inside this small town? He would rise up like a fish transforming into a dragon!
"Wait, before you go there, don't be too pushy. I heard that the young men from the mainland like to chase women. So you go there and act like you don't want him so that his instincts will kick in..." Galleon instructed her daughter and the latter nodded her head before returning back towards the dining room with a small smile on her face.
Placing the jade token on the table, she said, "Here's your token, Big Brother," Dan nodded his head and inserted the jade token back inside his Spatial Storage Device. Turning towards Leona, he said, "No matter how much I look at you, you really astonish me with your capabilities, Elder Sis..."
Leona smiled in return, "You're saying that as if you're also not as talented as me, Big Brother. We basically have the same cultivation, but as for age, I wonder, just how old are you, Big Brother?" She stared at him in curiosity as Dan lightly chuckled and said, "I'm just a sixteen-year-old young man."
Leona was astonished about this revelation but she wasn't that shocked. After all, Dan came from the mainland and was even a member of such a prestigious academy. However, when she asked about the reason why Dan was still at the Organ Tempering Realm, Dan replied that he was strengthening his foundation.
Unlike Leona who sought short-term gratification. She understood that Dan forcefully suppressed his cultivation so that he could lay out a firmer foundation than he already has. The stronger the foundation of a cultivator was. The higher their chances of arriving at the next realm.
With Dan's foundation alone, Leona understood that he could jump realms to battle her and she would have a hard time defeating him. That's the reason why she didn't look down on him and instead, even felt admiration.
"Now that I think about it, Elder Sis, why are you here instead of entering the Paradyne Academy? With your talent alone, I'm sure that you will definitely transform into a phoenix..." Dan asked and Leona gave a rueful smile, "It's not like I didn't want to enter the Academy, it's just that we cannot obtain an Entrance Slot..." She shook her head in disappointment.
Dan nodded his head, "If that's the case, I could find you a spare Entrance Slot. It would be a waste to have someone as talented as you staying in here with nothing to do, right?" His eyes flashed in a zealous light, and Leona took this cue as him having desires towards her as she said, "Really?" She embraced his arms and pushed it closer to her chest.
"Will you really do that for me, Big Brother?" She lifted her head and assumed her most gentle state as she spoke in a tender tone. Dan inwardly sighed, 'If it was someone else whom she latches on, that guy will definitely be unable to let go...' Just her mountainous peaks alone could send any guy into the heavens with one touch.
Dan's blank expression made it look like he was stunned by her appeal. A confident smile lifted on her lips as she continued her advances. Stretching her hand forward, she touched his thigh as Dan coughed and mumbled, "I can do that, but I need to show your talent to my clan, is it okay for me to borrow you away for about, a month?"
When Dan spoke these words, traces of reluctance became visible on Leona's face. Her figure froze and she fell into deep contemplation. Seconds later, her eyes flashed with a resolute light as she said, "I'll go ask for father's opinion for a moment,"
She stood up and walked towards her father's residence. Leaving Dan who was sneering in his heart. The fastest possible way of manipulating someone was to have them take an interest in you beforehand. Meaning if they wanted something from you. You could easily make them dance above your palm.
Because he received the mission of finding concrete evidence towards the Tetsui Clan's relation towards the Night Ranger Association. Dan had no other choice but to do this kind of trick. And as for the reason why he chose the Tetsui Clan?
That was because they looked too clean and pristine. For a clan to soar this high in society. It was impossible to be completely free of dirt. And for them to be completely righteous? Not in a billion chance! In this world, the merciful you are, the more ruthless your enemy becomes.
Though it doesn't really mean that everyone in this world was an asshole that should be avoided. It would be the best choice to avoid someone's company whom you think as not worthy of trust.
Dan sighed in his heart, the world he previously lived in and the world he currently lived in the present had some similarities. Though murders were condemned back at his previous world. The number of vipers that donned the skin called human were innumerable and lurked everywhere.
The allure of having someone with a substantial background standing as their ally proved fatal as Galleon consented towards his daughter's request. At first, he was doubtful at first but when he made inquiries towards the Paradyne Academy using his channel of connections, he found that the young man named Dan really did exist. And he was an Honorary Disciple at that!
When Leona returned, a sweet smile blossomed on her face as she talked towards Dan in a gentle and tender manner. Dan kept up his gesture as he followed through the conversation. Dan understood that when he spoke his true name and even flashed his Academy Token, Galleon Tetsui would've surely made some actions and confirmed his identity.
If he didn't do that. It would be impossible for him to send her precious daughter towards his lap like a sacrificial lamb. Understanding this fact, a wry smile couldn't help but leak on his lips as he shook his head, the temptation of the so-called status and wealth was too great that fathers could even abandon their daughters.
Dan's masterfully weaved words enabled him to lure Leona out of the woods. There, the Young Mistress of the Tetsui Clan became somewhat fidgety as Dan scanned the area around him. After confirming with the System that there was no one around them in a two-mile radius, Dan turned to Leona and said,
"Elder Sis must be confused about the reason why I dragged her here, right?" A small smile lifted on his lips as he said, Leona's expression turned as red as a tomato. But she tried her best in maintaining her calm as she replied, "Indeed, is Big Brother gonna do something that needs us to be alone?" She took the initiative and pre-emptively attacked.
"Yeah, I have a confession to make towards Elder Sister. I do hope that Elder Sister doesn't reveal what she saw towards anyone..." He mysteriously spoke and Leona turned serious. A secret that even someone who was an honorary disciple of the Paradyne Academy that flustered, just what kind of a secret is that, and why is he revealing it to me? Does he trust me that much? She inwardly thought.
Leona noticed that she didn't reply to his inquiry as she hurriedly nodded her head like chicken pecking rice. The instant she consented, a cold air swept past their figures as a black mist manifested around Dan's body. At this moment, his calm and refreshing visage looked cold and controlling. His gaze stared at her as if he was looking at an inferior species.
This drastic change made Leona afraid of what was going to happen. But before she could speculate, Dan mumbled, "Elder Sister is also a demonic cultivator, right? I am also the same, I cultivate in the path of Slaughter..."
These words made a chill run through her spine as her mind madly spun. Adrenaline coursed through her body as she assumed a defensive stance with her cultivation, rotated in full throttle.
Witnessing her response, Dan bitterly chuckled in disappointment. His cold expression melted and revealed a rare weakness that didn't suit someone like him. His pained expression made Leona's figure freeze. Calming her nerves, she turned to look at him with a dumbfounded expression that asked for explanations.
Dan saw the light of tenderness in her eyes and it reminded him of Natalie as he inwardly shook his head and cleansed his mind of indecent thoughts. Lifting his head, a teardrop dripped from his eyes down on his cheeks as he mumbled,
"When I traveled towards this small town in hopes of understanding more of my path, I didn't expect that I would meet someone as beautiful and as kind as you, Elder Sister..." His tone contained his admiration and a hint of desire which shook the young maiden's heart to the core.
Dan didn't let her speak as he continued, "When we talked towards each other I realized that the every second of that moment became ethereal and divine. And deep within my heart, the desire to replay those moments and savor the seconds that we spent together, blossomed and became a deep-seated desire that I could never fulfill."
"I was elated that you invited me to your residence and became happier when your father invited me for some drinks and even accommodated me like I was a member of your family." His figure trembled like a leaf as he continued.
"The truth is ever since my mind processed everything in this world. I was an orphan. Someone that never got a taste of what familial love is. However, when I thought about the times that we spent together with you, and your father. I finally felt and somewhat understood what kind of love that was..." He stretched his arms out and beckoned for her to come closer as Leona dropped her guard and moved before him.
He pulled her closer in his arms as he said, "Do you love me, Leona Tetsui?" He spoke in the most gentle tone that he could muster. His voice which transmitted inside her ear became like the whispers of the gods itself as tears streamed down Leona's eyes. The notion of controlling Dan to achieve her goal disappeared and was replaced with the desire of staying beside him and rising towards the peak of Martial Arts with him beside her.
Burying herself deep within his chest, she nodded her head as Dan replied, "Then, can you tell me if you're a demonic cultivator or if father-in-law is also a demonic cultivator?" Leona didn't even process his words as she hurriedly nodded her head and said, "Only father and I are the demonic cultivators of the clan. But trust me, since you're the same as us, you must know about how hard it is to cultivate using the method of the unorthodox path..."
Dan ruffled her hair, "Silly girl, of course, I understand your sentiment, and I am not that shallow to think that you're a despicable person just because you cultivate a path different from what is morally acceptable. After all, we're all fighting against the heavens, why think of such trivial things when there are only two results. Either death or reaching the peak itself..."
Leona lifted her head and stared at Dan with an affectionate light in her eyes. Staring right into his eyes, she said in a hushed voice, "Can you give me a kiss?" Her words made the former chuckle as he lightly pecked on her forehead and said, "Just be satisfied with this for now. At the night of our wedding, I'll give you even more than that..." Leona dropped her head in an embarrassed manner and pinched his waist as the latter rubbed his aching side with a wronged expression on his face.
Little did Leona knew that when both of them returned towards their residence. Dan casually returned a Profound Imagery Stone from his left palm back inside his Virtual Inventory. A small smile lifted on Dan's face as he inwardly thought, "WIth this, the third phase is perhaps, completed..."