96 Inheritance Bestowal

Galleon Tetsui stared at the returning two with an ambiguous smile on his face. Especially when he saw their intertwined hands. Leona's sweet expression and Dan's indifferent yet amused countenance.

"Oh, you two just returned in time! I asked the servants to prepare a feast tonight! Come, come, come here, Dan! I won't let you go until you're full!" Galleon greeted them from the entrance and dragged Dan towards the hall. Galleon secretly raised his thumbs in a gesture of approval towards Leona.

The young maiden furiously blushed before turning around and ignoring her father. She ran towards Dan's direction and dragged him around. Making him taste all sorts of delicacies available only at the Merchant Town of Kalur. The cheerful smiles of the two, along with the sweet atmosphere that they gave off as they walked around the hall, made everyone who saw them, quite envious of their relationship.

Some who didn't know Dan's backing coldly snorted in disdain while those who understood Dan's background only revealed a wry smile on their faces. At the end of the feast, Galleon and Leona convinced Dan to stay in their residence and the latter obliged.

The next day, Dan bade his farewells towards the Tetsui Clan and after making sure that there was no one tailing him. He went straight towards the direction of the City Hall. As always, people come in droves and their combined noises formed a chorus which composed the liveliness and the vibrancy of the area.

The Town Mayor seemed to have predicted his arrival as any staff member who saw him would bow their heads down in a respectful gesture and guide him towards the direction of the Town Mayor's Office. Knocking on the door, Dan opened it and there, he found Jacob along with Sandra and the Town Mayor, happily sharing their lunch with the Town Mayor.

"Oh, you're finally here?" The Town Mayor lifted his head and stared at Dan. Jacob and Sandra stood up and ran towards him as the two children started talking about their experience living inside the City Hall. They yapped about how luxurious everything was and how they were treated like Gods by the employees.

"Old man, take this and be the judge," Dan took a Profound Imagery Stone from his Spatial Storage Device and hurled it towards the Town Mayor. The latter caught it in mid-air and deposited it inside his Spatial Ring as the two discussed for a moment.

Jacob and Sandra looked unwilling to let go of Dan, but after reassuring them that he will definitely return. The two begrudgingly nodded their heads as Dan returned back towards the Tetsui Clan Residence. Upon his arrival, he found Leona waiting for him at the entrance as he said,

"What are you doing in here? You'll catch a cold like that..." He frowned and dragged her inside the residence. Leona's expression flickered, she let herself be dragged since she heard the pure concern laden in his tone. Inside the residence, specifically at Dan's room. Galleon Tetsui could be seen seated cross-legged before a small table.

Atop the tables were liquor and some side-dishes.

"Come here for a moment, Dan." He said and Dan, along with Leona sat beside each other and stared at Galleon in anticipation. Galleon lifted his head and stared at Dan. Since the information that he gathered from his informants told him that Dan was a bonafide student of that prestigious academy. He had since accepted his relationship with her daughter.

However, though the Tetsui Clan was named as a Clan walking on the righteous path. That was not entirely the case. Especially him and his daughter who walked on the path of Lifeforce Devouring. He needed to know if Dan would accept these circumstances as he asked,

"What do you think about my daughter, Dan?" His eyes flashed in a complicated light. If Dan answered that he liked his daughter. Then, he would press on and tell him his and her daughter's secrets. However, once Dan knew their affiliation towards the demonic path and he didn't accept their situation. Galleon would've no other choice but to kill the former so that all evidence would be wiped out.

Leona glanced at Dan, a hint of uncertainty visible in her expression. Dan turned to look at Leona and noticed her apprehension as the latter ruffled her jet-black hair and pecked on her forehead before turning to look at Galleon as if saying, "Is this answer, enough?"

Galleon lightly chuckled, it was the first time that he saw his daughter acting like an embarrassed young maiden. Witnessing his act of affection for Leona. Dan's favorability in Galleon's heart increased as he mirthfully chugged several shots of liquor.

The couple stuck together and fed each other as they happily chatted with their father. Soon, the latter became somewhat intoxicated and said, "The truth is, aside from the other members of the Clan. I and Leona are actually cultivators who walk on the unorthodox path of demonic cultivation..." He stared right into Dan's eyes. Probing for any violent reactions from him.

"Fufu~" Leona covered her mouth with her left palm and lightly chuckled, "Father, he already knows about that, and not only that, he's also the same as us!" Her words reverberated like thunder inside Galleon's head as his intoxicated appearance disappeared, "Really?" He asked with shining eyes.

Towards this display of immatureness and excitement, Dan gave a light chuckle before saying, "Yes, that's indeed the case, father-in-law. I walk on the path of Soul Devouring. By devouring the soul of a fellow cultivator or a mortal, I could permanently enhance my cultivation..."

His words dumbfounded the two, "A Heaven Grade Demonic Cultivation Method?" Galleon mumbled and Dan replied, "Indeed, it is a Heaven Grade Method...As for father-in-law?" He inquired and Galleon immediately replied amidst his excitement, "We walk on the path of Lifeforce Devouring, using that, we could extend our lifespan. However, it is only an Earth Grade Cultivation Method, unlike yours that is a tier higher, our methods couldn't even be compared to each other..."

"Father-in-law, may I ask something?" Dan's eyes flashed in a complicated light. "What is it? Feel free to ask, we're considered as family anyways..." Galleon patted his shoulders in an affectionate manner. Dan revealed a small smile and said, "Just what is father-in-law and Elder Sister's current lifespan and how many people did it needed to attain that current lifespan?"

Galleon froze for a moment along with Leona who became somewhat awkward. Holding his arm closer to her chest, Leona said, "We prefer absorbing the life forces of children because they're void of impurities and gives the best boost in our lifespan..." She explained and thought for a moment, "I absorbed about two hundred children these past years while father absorbed three hundred..."

"Since the ratio of absorption to lifespan is ten to one, which means I have an additional twenty years of lifespan while my father has thirty years..." She stared right into Dan's eyes amidst her explanation. But contrary to her expectations, Dan remained indifferent. As if the matter about those mortals dying, didn't enter his eyes.

Because of this, Galleon became joyful about the fact that he found a suitable husband for her daughter, while Leona brimmed with happiness due to the fact that Dan didn't judge her by her deeds. After all, everyone wanted to live for as long as they could. And that includes her and her father.

Unbeknownst to the two, a fiery inferno of rage seethed inside Dan's heart. Gulping down a mouthful of liquor. He suppressed his feelings as Galleon said, "Since the three of us are a family now, I'll teach you the lifeforce devouring method that we cultivate..." Dan lifted his head and stared at Galleon in astonishment, "Really? Will father-in-law teach me?"

"Since you're already calling me as your father-in-law. Why should I hide secrets from you? I'll teach you this method but in return, you must teach us your method..." An imperceptible flash of light that didn't escape Dan's perception surged inside Galleon's eyes.

Dan froze for a moment and his expression turned awkward. Galleon noticed this and followed up, "You do not need to teach us today, I know that Heaven Grade Cultivation Methods are heavily regulated and it should also be that case in your family." He nodded his head in understanding, "So only after I officially go and meet your mother and father will I ask for the cultivation method..."

Dan's expression flashed in enlightenment. The reason why Galleon wanted to teach him their demonic cultivation method was that he wanted to express his sincerity towards this matter. According to Galleon. If Dan's parents or master realized the fact that Galleon willingly bestowed his cultivation to Dan, they would be moved and do the same to him and his daughter.

After all, they were in the same family.

Galleon didn't waste any more time and sent a stream of information about the entirety of their Lifeforce Devouring Cultivation Method.

[Foreign Information Stream Detected, do you want to receive? Y/N]

'Well, this is a freebie so don't mind if I do...' A slight smile lifted on his face as he inwardly replied, "Yes, and after receiving, sort out all the information and disregard those redundant and unnecessary before placing it in a folder that would be named as Demonic Method."

[System Function Initiating: 30%]

Dan dismissed the system notification as Galleon heaved a sigh and turned to look at his figure. Dan noticed that the light within Galleon's eyes looked more affectionate and tender. Turning his back towards them. He walked towards the exit and opened the sliding door.

"I placed numerous Sound Isolating Formation inside this room along with a Mortal Grade Perception Blocker Formation," Dan stared at him in confusion while Leona's expression looked reddened like a ripe tomato.

"Since you just received my inheritance and we're now considered as a single family. I want you to work hard starting today and produce some grandchildren for me..." A cunning smile lifted on Galleon's lips as he snickered and sealed the entire area with his cultivation base.

Dan's mouth widened in shock while Leona hung her head low, not daring to look into his eyes. Before long, the pair of couple stared right into each other eyes and moved closer. Sounds that would even make the heavens embarrassed reverberated inside the completely silenced room.

Unbeknownst to Leona, another Dan, whose figure looked thoroughly similar towards the one who was pressing her on the bed was staring at them with a wry smile on his face, 'I do hope that this doesn't count as cheating...' He mumbled before entering Stealth and disappearing into thin air.

NOTE: A prologue has been written, featuring some bits about Dan's past life, it can be found at the table of contents, at the auxiliary volume