Chapter 579 - Three Challenges

Chapter 579: Chapter 579 - Three Challenges

Clap clap clap!

The guests who had witnessed Leyvi and Barbara’s hug earlier began clapping and cheering enthusiastically for him. Those who had no idea what was happening simply followed along, and before long, it seemed as though the entire wedding hall was rooting for him.

"Hue hue hue. You can do it, lad. Snatch her from that unreasonable Bardan."

"Don’t chicken out now!"

"Show us what you’re made of!"

Leyvi and Anda looked at each other and chuckled in amusement. How did he end up getting everyone’s support?

He had originally planned to visit the Buchanan Family for the proposal much later, perhaps after the wedding today or even tomorrow.

Who would have thought that Barcas would call him up right now? Did he really want him to propose in front of all these guests?

Meanwhile, Bardan gritted his teeth in frustration as he watched the crowd’s response. He had not expected his son to do this right now.

Damn these guys! Why are you all cheering for this unknown kid? Everyone just wants to annoy me because I am much better than them. What else could it be? Just you all wait. I am going to gloat and show off even harder the next time my research makes a new breakthrough.

Bardan then turned to face Leyvi, who had just stood up.

Hmph. Come up here, you lecher. Let me see if you have what it takes to dare dream about marrying my daughter! Even if they say it is thanks to you that they survived, I will not believe it until I see it for myself.

Leyvi’s gaze slowly swept across the stage.

Aside from the fuming Bardan, the other members of the Buchanan Family merely looked at him with curiosity.

Barbara’s mother, on the other hand, was smiling at him. Seeing that, Leyvi assumed she wasn’t opposed to the proposal.

Lastly, his eyes fell on Barbara.

She looked noticeably nervous.

Perhaps she was worried that her father wouldn’t approve of him. After all, regardless of everyone’s opinion, Bardan was still the head of the Buchanan Family.

Since things had come to this, he decided to simply go with the flow. Not only did he want to convince Bardan, but he also wanted to leave a good impression on the entire Buchanan Family.

With calm, steady steps, Leyvi walked onto the grand stage, his expression composed.

Seeing Leyvi approaching from the right side of the stage, Bardan handed his grandson over to Barcas before turning to face him once more.

Hmph. Let’s see if you can pass my first and easiest test. If you can’t even withstand my aura and walk all the way over here, then don’t even dream of marrying my daughter.

A powerful Soul Formation Realm aura erupted from Bardan’s body before pressing directly toward Leyvi.

A cultivator’s aura alone possessed no physical force. It couldn’t stop someone from moving.

However, it carried the overwhelming presence of one’s cultivation, instilling fear into those with weaker minds. Under that invisible pressure, many would instinctively hesitate, their bodies freezing from the psychological weight alone.

Barbara can’t complain to me about this. It’s perfectly normal for a father to intimidate the man courting his daughter.

Leyvi chuckled inwardly.

Most lower-realm cultivators would probably have been shaken by Bardan’s aura.

But he was someone who had once stood before a Divinity. Bardan’s intimidation simply couldn’t compare.

He even had a Divine Power residing within him.

Whenever his consciousness entered the internal storage room, he could feel Senior Raisho’s Divine Aura permeating every corner of the space.

The tiny fragment of Divinity left behind by Senior Raisho was far more overwhelming than anything Leyvi had ever experienced.

When Senior Raisho first revealed the Divinity to him and Anda, it had been stripped of its oppressive aura, leaving behind only its divine nature. Senior Raisho had obviously isolated the intimidating aspect of it.

However, after remaining inside the internal storage room for some time, the overwhelming pressure born from that Divine Power gradually resurfaced.

It had taken Leyvi quite a while to grow accustomed to it.

Now, he could remain calm even under that terrifying aura.

Compared to it, the aura of a mere Soul Formation Realm cultivator simply couldn’t intimidate him anymore.

Not even in the slightest.

Leyvi was confident that even the aura of a Soul Transformation Realm or Dao Manifestation Realm cultivator wouldn’t be enough to disturb his composure.

Without the slightest change in expression or hesitation in his steps, he continued walking toward the center of the stage.

A few moments later, Leyvi stopped directly before Bardan Buchanan, his future father-in-law.

Bardan was somewhat surprised.

What kind of willpower does this kid have? He wasn’t affected in the slightest... Or is he simply too dense to recognize fear?

Hmph. That was only the easiest test. It’s no big deal. This lecher already has a Soul Formation Realm wife. He’s probably gotten used to being around someone with this level of aura.

Bardan quickly settled on what he believed was the most likely explanation.

"Patriarch Bardan," Leyvi greeted respectfully, clasping his fists and bowing. "It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person."

"And?" Bardan said. His tone was anything but welcoming.

"When we were in the Mystic Realm, Barbara talked about you a lot." Leyvi began. "She said she would be heartbroken if she never got to see you again."

Bardan was caught slightly off guard.

His soul fluctuations are steady. He doesn’t seem to be lying. Well... I’m her father. Of course she’d be devastated if something like that happened.

"Since she felt that way, it’s obvious she loves you very much." Leyvi continued.

"That’s only natural," Bardan replied.

"I recently became a father myself, so I understand the feeling of wanting your children to love you."

Leyvi glanced briefly toward his three babies seated with the Leyan Family.

"I don’t ever want there to come a day when they hate me."

"Hmph. What’s your point?" Bardan asked, his brows furrowing.

The more he looked at Leyvi, the more he remembered that this fellow already had several wives. How could he not worry that Barbara would eventually be neglected?

"What I’m trying to say is..." Leyvi met Bardan’s eyes.

"I don’t want to become the reason a crack forms in your father-daughter relationship."

"What? Are you getting cold feet now?" Bardan’s voice rose slightly.

Strangely enough, the thought of Leyvi giving up on Barbara irritated him even more. Even though driving him away had been his goal from the very beginning. The contradiction only made him even more annoyed.

"You’re mistaken, Patriarch Bardan." Leyvi smiled calmly. "I heard that you only allow exceptionally talented men to pursue your daughter."

"That’s right." Bardan nodded.

"Then let’s do it."

Leyvi’s voice remained steady.

"I’ll accept any test you have for me to determine whether I’m worthy of Barbara or not."

"I’ll do my very best to earn your approval."

After saying that, Leyvi slowly turned to face the numerous guests gathered in the wedding hall.

"I, Leyvi Leyan, Patriarch of the Leyan Family and Lord of the South Region’s Bara Territory, have come here today on my own behalf to formally propose to the Buchanan Family for Barbara Buchanan’s hand in marriage. Everyone present, please bear witness."

Leyvi’s voice rang clearly throughout the wedding hall.

As he finished speaking, a thick parchment appeared in his hand.

The guests’ eyes widened.

"The Deed of Sovereignty!"

"Look! That’s the real Deed of Sovereignty!"

"Who is this young man? How did someone so young become a Territory Lord?"

"Even if it’s in the South Region, a Territory Lord is nothing to scoff at."

"This young man must be quite extraordinary!"

"Bardan, it’s obvious this young man is remarkable. Just give him your daughter already. Barbara clearly likes him so much. Why are you being so stubborn? Hue hue hue!"

"Shut up, Geezer Mallard." Bardan snorted. "I’ve already investigated him. Despite receiving the Deed of Sovereignty, there’s no concrete proof that he’s personally remarkable."

He glanced toward Leyvi before continuing.

"In fact, he received the Deed of Sovereignty immediately after one of his wives won first place in the South Region Alchemy Competition. The timing is too convenient. Most likely, he only received it because of her achievements."

"Bah! So many excuses." Geezer Mallard waved his hand dismissively. "Then test him. The boy has already declared in front of everyone that he’ll prove himself. At least give him that chance."

"You don’t need to remind me." Bardan replied. "That was my intention from the very beginning."

He turned back toward Leyvi.

"Leyvi Leyan. I have prepared three challenges for you."

"As long as you pass all three, I will..." He paused for a moment before continuing reluctantly, "...approve your relationship with my daughter."

"Are you willing to accept?"

Three? Leyvi hadn’t expected there to be three separate tests.

"I accept!" he answered without the slightest hesitation.

Barbara had already told him that her father would test him in areas where he excelled. He chose to trust her.

"Hmph. At least your courage is commendable."

For the first time, Bardan showed a hint of appreciation.

"I won’t be unreasonable. The challenges will all be based on your strengths. You’re a Beast Tamer, aren’t you? Then your first challenge..."

Bardan raised his voice for the entire hall to hear.

"...will be a Spirit Beast Duel!"

Leyvi blinked. A Spirit Beast Duel?

It had been quite a while since his last one.

Well... Mr. Bison should be able to win this easily, right?