The familiar sensation of spatial transfer washed over the body of Dan, rocking his untempered organs, which made him dizzy as a result. Shaking his head, he regained his clarity and the scene that revealed itself before him made him leak a wide smile.
"Finally, I am back..."
Staring at the ceiling of the residence that he bought. Dan revealed a small smile. Charlotte turned around and scanned the area. Her figure froze when she saw a young girl that approached them with a wide smile.
Juliet's movements looked awkward, but her effort in walking towards them with great strides made Dan smile as he took her from the ground, "Daddy's back, baby...Were you a good girl when I was gone?" Natalie's expression softened and she also joined the fun, rubbing Juliet's hair.
Charlotte's expression looked indescribable upon witnessing the bonding of the two families. Bowing her head, she interjected, "Ermm, Ma'am Natalie, I'll be going now, thank you for everything," She didn't know why, but in each time she saw Dan displaying his affection to Natalie, a painful pang would sting her heart, it was a sour and bitter sensation.
Natalie's gaze focused on Charlotte, as a fellow woman, she was sensitive towards a maiden's emotions. And when she saw the disappointed and despondent light within her eyes, Natalie understood that despite the short time that they spent together. Charlotte became attached to Dan.
She then turned towards the oblivious Dan and thought, 'If I want to get a sister, it seems like I need to do some pushing,' She inwardly sighed before saying, "Sister Charlotte, you're already going? Come, stay here for a moment, I've already told your father about everything and he is coming here along with Senior Takemikazuchi."
Dan's expression flickered, "That old man is coming as well?" Dan thought about the times where he acquired Takemikazuchi as a student. He felt shameful that as the master, he hasn't even provided him with any study material.
"What old man? Stop being so disrespectful to Senior, If not for him having some connections in the Great Wilderness of Torb, I doubt that you could even return here in such a short amount of time,"
"Yeah, right," Dan nodded his head and carried Juliet who refused to remove her embrace from his neck. The young girl wanted to be doted upon and Dan obliged, showering her with head pats. The two of them walked towards the kitchen. As a celebration, Dan prepared to showcase his cooking skills.
Juliet insisted that she would assist, and how could Dan refuse such an adorable hardworking loli? Smiling to himself, he made Juliet fetch the ingredients as she observed from the sidelines. Back at the living room, Charlotte glanced at Natalie whose lips leaked a small smile. She had a premonition in her mind that she didn't dare to confirm.
However, Natalie's next words astonished her, "What do you think about Dan?" A teasing smile lifted on Natalie's lips as she asked.
Charlotte's expression blushed, calming herself down, she replied, "He's a very reliable man, family oriented and a gentleman," After speaking these words, she hung her head low, hiding her expression from Natalie with her hair.
Upon hearing her words filled with praise for Dan, Natalie inwardly snickered, 'It seems like he managed to fool this young girl,' Her teasing smile intensified as she softly said.
"Do you like him?" Natalie continued her offensive and Charlotte's figure, froze. She lifted her head and stared at Natalie with complicated emotions running through her mind. 'Why is she asking me these questions? Aren't they married? Just what kind of a wife asks other women if they like her husband?' Natalie's inquiry stumped her.
Since Charlotte didn't reply immediately, Natalie moved closer to her and explained how she and Dan met for the first time. Her story astonished Charlotte and the young woman started trembling. The light that shone on her face indicated that she admired Dan even more.
Natalie noticed this and she glanced at the kitchen while inwardly thinking, 'I've already laid the foundations for you, Hubby. Now, I'll leave everything to your care.' Natalie calmed Charlotte down, rubbing her back like she did with Juliet.
Charlotte felt the warm sensation that came from Natalie's hand and she became more guilty about the feelings that started blooming in her heart. Although polygamy was a normal occurrence in this world, she still felt shameful about having designs for a married man, like Dan.
Natalie sensed that the atmosphere was getting weird. Standing up, she left Charlotte behind and assisted the two at the kitchen. When Natalie left, Charlotte's expression looked indescribable as she reminisced about everything that happened back at the Wilderness.
All the suffering that she suffered, served as a great lesson for her. Now, she knew how cruel the outside world was and she was determined, determined to change herself for the better.
Dan wrapped up the cooking and soon, a fragrant curry with rice was served atop the table. Mathias along with Takemikazuch finally arrived and when they entered, the enticing smell of the dish assaulted their nostrils. They even forgot to greet Dan and Natalie as they curiously glanced at the pot that sat above the table.
Dan stared at their antics with a smug smile on his face. Seeing someone enjoying what he made gave him a priceless sense of satisfaction. The group proceeded on their meals and the two men couldn't help but praise Natalie,
"Goddamned it, how is this so good? Even my personal Chefs can't cook this good!"
"Yeah, right, the ingredients used were not even that precious compared to what you use back at the Academy...."
Sensing their gazes full of praise, Natalie wryly smiled, she didn't understand why she couldn't beat her husband when it comes to cooking.
"Senior, that wasn't made by me..." Natalie spoke up and the two men lifted their heads, "What do you mean not made by you? Could it be that this is a takeaway?"
Natalie shook her head, "No, that's made by Dan."
The men froze and their shocked expression made everyone chuckle around the dining table. Mathias glanced at his daughter and found that she would steal glances at Dan. Remembering the fact that Dan managed to subdue this old man beside him, a small smile crept on his face, "What do you think about the meal? Charlotte?"
Charlotte's figure shook upon being called. Turning to face her father, she said, "It's good, it's much better than what I eat at the Academy."
"It's good, right? Good enough that you want to eat it, every day?" Mathias continued with a smile, and Charlotte absentmindedly nodded her head. However, when she analyzed her father's words laden with hidden intents, her expression reddened in embarrassment.
Natalie glanced at Mathias and raised her thumb in approval. Meanwhile, Dan who understood Mathias' intention couldn't help but sigh in his heart, it was the first time that he encountered a Dan that willingly offered his daughter towards a man.
But if you think about it, why would he not do that? Just from the fact that Takemikazuchi became submissive to him and the latter confirming his talent. At first, Mathias didn't reall think much about that, but when he realized that his daughter had some feelings for Dan. He knew that everything was starting to become serious.
They finally finished their meal and while they were resting and casually chatting with each other. Takemikazuchi who was silent the whole time finally spoke up.
"Young master, come with me for a moment," He stood up and walked towards the front yard of the residence. Dan was puzzled but he followed suit.
"I accepted you as my master but you still haven't taught me anything, now I am becoming suspicious if you're really that consistent as I thought," Takemikazuchi said with a frown. Dan bitterly smiled, he knew that he need something that would spark the Forger's heart within this old man as he quickly decided.
Taking his Desert Eagle from his pocket, he handed it over to the old man who frowned, "What is this piece of metal?"
Dan chuckled, "Don't underestimate that so-called piece of metal. With a single pull, it could kill."
Takemikazuchi lifted an eyebrow, glancing at Dan, he didn't seem to be bluffing but he still found it hard to believe that this piece of metal could kill somebody. Inspecting its body, he found an opening and said, "So this guy propels something out from this barrel, like a cannon?"
Dan smiled, 'It seems like he's not completely clueless, well, that's expected, after all. He's a Legendary Forger.'
"Here's how to use it," Dan took the Desert Eagle out from his hands and pointed the barrel at Takemikazuchi. "Hey, why are you aiming that to me?"
"Didn't you say that you want to know if this guy could kill, right?" Dan gave a small smile, Takemikazuchi replied, "Yeah, but what should I do? Should I just stand here or do I defend myself?"
Dan thought for a moment. Since Takemikazuchi was Divine Soul Cultivator, his physique's sturdiness should be top-notch that he could defend against an unenchanted bullet.
"Just stay still and brace for impact," Dan said and Takemikazuchi distanced himself from him. Seeing that the old man was ready, Dan aimed and pulled the trigger as a roar reverberated, disturbing the group of people taking inside the house.
Takemikazuchi saw the bullet approaching his way, but he didn't do anything to defend against it. As expected, when it collided with his body, the bullet disintegrated, but a sharp pain followed by a purple mark, wretched the point of impact as he hissed,
"Goddamned it, it really could kill someone! Put that dangerous thing away!" Takemikazuchi rubbed his pained arm as Dan chuckled and threw the weapon towards his direction. Catching it in mid-air. Takemikazuchi stared at the retreating Dan who said, "Try and make something like that, old man. If you succeed and gain the ability to mass produce that thing, we can change the way empires do wars..."
Takemikazuchi's expression shone in utmost excitement, with such an excellent business opportunity in his hands, how could he slack? Without saying anything to Mathias, he disappeared from the front yard, flying towards the direction of the Great Wilderness.
Dan shrugged and returned inside where he was greeted by the strange looks of the three, "What's wrong?" He asked and Mathias replied, "What was that sound, earlier?"
"Ah, that? That was me. The old man wanted to test my strength so I punched him," Dan explained and Mathias nodded his head, "Setting that aside, what's going on here?"
Dan casually sat beside Natalie and his little wife explained, "Senior Mathias is asking us if we want to enroll at the Paradyne Academy. He also says that we can take the position of an Honorary Disciple..."
Mathias glanced at Dan with a small smile on his face, his proposal was tempting because an Honorary Disciple could enjoy the same benefits with the Core Disciples without even working for it. That's how much he appreciated Dan's talent.
Dan thought for a moment, he reminisced about the times where his life became endangered due to his lacking strength. Inwardly sighing, Dan said, "Fine, we accept your request, but we want to take Juliet with us,"
Mathias nodded his head, "That's also fine. I won't ask you to do anything in reciprocation, but I hope that you stand together with the Academy if we're in a crisis," He said these words for he knew that Dan's destiny was much higher than this, and once he became a powerhouse, the Academy would also acquire a strong backing.
Dan understood Mathias' intention. Although he didn't want to be shackled by Sects or Academies. Since he wanted to learn more about cultivation, he had no other choice but to enter the Academy and become a student.
Mathias' smile became more amiable and the group talked to each other for a moment before the pair of father and daughter, finally left.
Inside the now empty living room, Dan clutched a jade bottle containing the pills that Mathias gave to him several weeks ago. Natalie's expression turned worried. Since she also consumed that pill to increase her strength, she knew how much pain it could inflict and that kind of pain was something that not everyone could survive.
Back then, she only managed to survive thanks to her determination to see her husband again. And now that Dan wanted to take these pills to reach the Organ Tempering Realm, it was natural for her to be worried.
"Are you really sure about this, Dan?" Natalie asked and Dan turned to her with a small smile, "Yeah, I am sure, I want to gain strength for as soon as possible since I don't wanna be mocked fo hiding behind a woman's skirt," He joked and Natalie pinched his waist,
Rubbing his aching waist, Dan kissed her forehead and ruffled her hair in reassurance, "Everything will be fine, really. Who do you think I am? I didn't become your husband for nothing," Dan stretched his arms out and flexed, making Natalie chuckle as the serious atmosphere, slightly dissipated.
Several minutes later, Dan sat cross-legged on the ground. His expression solemn along with Natalie who observed him from the sidelines.
Swallowing the pill. It dissolved into a liquid that emanated a heatwave akin to a molten lava. Dan's expression twisted in pain. Grounding his teeth, he forced himself to calm down and focused his mind on dissolving the medicinal pill's efficacy.
If he didn't dissolve it, the pill turned liquid would wreak havoc in his body, potentially making him explode like a balloon.
Natalie tightly clenched her fists, she knew that no matter how much she wanted to help her husband. Once the process of cultivation started, she could only watch in the sidelines.
She prayed in her heart as the intensifity of the medicinal pills power surged followed by a miserable howl that reverberated across the residence.