Both Leyvi and Anda were already well-known figures in Bara City to the point of being legendary.
Anda's fame stemmed largely from her identity as a young Alchemy Grandmaster. She had been bestowed the title Princess of Alchemy Formula due to her remarkable achievements in helping countless alchemists complete and refine their formulas.
At the same time, she was equally known for something else… her overwhelming protectiveness toward her husband.
She didn't care if others mocked the birthmark on her face or called her ugly. Those insults meant nothing to her. But the moment she learned that someone had spoken ill of Leyvi, everything changed. That person would be placed on her blacklist, permanently banned from purchasing any of her alchemy products.
And in Bara City, that punishment carried terrifying weight.
Because of her prestige, other businesses would follow suit, refusing to deal with anyone on her blacklist. In an instant, those individuals would find themselves completely isolated, their lives in the city effectively ruined.
There was only one person capable of reversing such a fate.
Leyvi.
This was how his fame began to rise.
Those who had been blacklisted would desperately seek him out, begging for forgiveness. More often than not, Leyvi would listen patiently and, with a few words, have their names removed from the list. His approachable nature and kindness quickly became well known. He treated everyone warmly, and toward women, he was especially considerate.
It didn't take long before admiration turned into something more.
Many of those men who had once sought his help became his followers, inspired by his personality. Eventually, they even formed the Leyvi Fan Club, a group dedicated to becoming men like him.
Then came the turning point.
When Leyvi was awarded the Deed of Sovereignty, granting him authority over Bara City and its surrounding territories, his reputation soared to even greater heights. His fan club expanded rapidly, drawing in more and more admirers.
Even though he chose not to personally govern, instead entrusting the role of City Lord to one of his wives, many still volunteered to serve under her, their loyalty firmly rooted in their respect for him.
Following Leyvi's example on how to treat women, many of these men eventually found success in their own relationships. One after another, they married, and some even built harems of their own.
For reasons they couldn't quite explain… it simply seemed that women had a natural fondness for men who could make them laugh.
His fame had already reached remarkable heights, but it climbed even further beyond what it had been over five years ago.
Back then, a Soul Formation Realm female cultivator had suddenly arrived in Bara City and publicly declared herself as Leyvi's future wife. She had even issued a stern warning, stating that anyone who dared to scheme against his territory during his absence would suffer her wrath.
That single incident shook the entire city.
A newly advanced Core Formation Realm cultivator managing to attract a Soul Formation Realm powerhouse into his harem was nothing short of legendary. It was the kind of feat people spoke of in disbelief, something that had never been heard of before.
From that point on, Leyvi's reputation transformed into something almost myth-like.
Parents began teaching their sons to become men like him. He became more than just a respected figure, he turned into a role model for the next generation.
Of course, Leyvi himself would be completely dumbfounded when he eventually learned about all of this.
The streets of Bara City were now filled with people welcoming their return, their cheers echoing through the air. Their joy felt genuine, warm, and unrestrained.
Anda, who could sense such emotions, felt a quiet happiness bloom within her. Knowing that so many people admired her husband filled her with pride, a pride that only grew stronger with each passing moment.
The truth about the incident from five and a half years ago had been thoroughly suppressed. Aside from high-level groups and powerful organizations, the general public remained completely unaware of what had truly happened. Because of that, the citizens of Bara City were not surprised to see them return safely.
Seeing the overwhelming crowd that had gathered for him, Leyvi chose not to head straight for the Leyan Family mansion. Instead, he slowed his flight, moving along the main street and passing through the city center while casually waving to the people below.
At the same time, he took the opportunity to observe the city.
It had grown more prosperous than before, more vibrant, more alive.
He quickly noticed that the number of Core Formation Realm cultivators had increased significantly. And it wasn't limited to just that level. The Foundation Building Realm and Qi Refining Realm cultivators had also seen a noticeable surge in numbers.
The change was undeniable.
It spoke clearly of effective governance.
Leyvi couldn't help but feel satisfied. Layla had done an excellent job.
Then something else caught his attention.
The Love Hotel he used to visit with his wives had undergone a complete transformation. It was now known as the Grand Love Hotel, its size vastly expanded, its presence far more imposing than before.
Apparently, due to his influence, it had become a must-visit destination for couples, turning it into one of the most successful establishments in the city.
After passing through the sea of welcoming citizens, Leyvi and his group finally made their way toward the Leyan Family estate, where his family had long been waiting for his return.
"Hahaha! Everyone! I'm home!" Leyvi announced, his voice carrying warmth and relief after so long away.
"Husband!" "Darling!" The ladies rushed toward him almost instantly, their voices overlapping as they swarmed around him.
"My ladies are becoming more and more beautiful now." Leyvi praised truthfully, his eyes sweeping across them with genuine appreciation.
Layla, Nala, Selene, and Sawi were the first to reach him, wrapping him in a tight embrace. Their presence felt familiar, grounding, like returning to something he hadn't realized he missed so deeply. After them came the four maids, Sayu, Hana, Fifi, and Nikita, each taking their turn to hug him, their excitement no less than the others.
Yet, as Leyvi returned their embraces, he noticed something strange.
Something felt… off.
After the greetings settled, his gaze shifted toward Nala. Only now did he fully register what had seemed strange earlier. Her stomach was still noticeably rounded, about the size of a woman halfway through pregnancy.
"Nala, you're still pregnant?" He asked in a surprised tone.
He had expected to see his first child upon returning, yet the reality before him caught him completely off guard.
A pregnancy lasting over five years?
Even for cultivators, that was far beyond normal.
Leyvi's thoughts turned serious.
It wasn't uncommon for female cultivators to experience longer pregnancies than ordinary women. Such cases usually occurred when the fetus began developing its spirit roots unusually early, or when it was forming a rare or powerful constitution.
Most of the time, children born under such circumstances possessed exceptional talent.
However, those extended pregnancies typically lasted at most twice as long as normal… not several years.
Nala's situation was clearly abnormal.
"Darling, something is wrong with my pregnancy. At around the 20th week of my pregnancy, she suddenly stopped growing and has stayed that way until now. At first, I was happy because she might be born with great talent, but now it doesn't make sense anymore. I don't know what's wrong." She told him with worry.
Leyvi's expression grew more focused as he listened.
"Can you sense if anything is wrong with the baby inside? Any defect or anything weird?" Leyvi asked.
Nala gently shook her head, her beautiful afro swaying softly with the motion. "She's perfectly normal. We visited many doctors, and they all said nothing was wrong with her. She's very healthy inside."
"What about her spirit root? Did she develop spirit root early?" Anda asked, stepping forward, her tone thoughtful.
Nala shook her head again. "No madam. She didn't."
"Hmm...then it could be possible that she is developing her unique heavenly body instead," Anda said.
"I hope that would be the case, but it's been too long, so I couldn't help but worry..." Nala sounds troubled.
"Hahaha! Don't worry about it, Nala. Everyone said that nothing is wrong with her, even you. Maybe she is actually super smart. She knew that her father was away for a long time, so she didn't want to be born early. I think she just wants me to be here for her birth." Leyvi casually spouted nonsense to reassure her, gently stroking her back as he spoke.
Nala became momentarily dumbfounded.
Not because she thought his words were nonsense, but because she suddenly felt a small kick from the child inside her… right after Leyvi said those words, as if responding in agreement. It had been a long time since she last felt any movement.
Could it be… she really wanted to wait for her father to return?
Isn't that a bit too intelligent?
Already scheming while still in the womb…
In the end, Nala dismissed the thought as a mere coincidence.
Leyvi then glanced around and asked, "By the way, where are Tal and Tasya? Did they go somewhere?"
Layla, who had grown even more beautiful and carried herself with a dignified air, replied with a gentle smile. "Husband, Tasya is very popular now. She's on a tour around the South Region, making food for the unfortunate. Tal is accompanying her."
"Oh, are those two together yet?" Leyvi asked.
The ladies exchanged knowing smiles, as if recalling something amusing.
"It seems that our Tal is having a difficult time. Tasya's popularity has attracted many young masters trying to court her, while she keeps playing hard to get with Tal." Layla explained.
Leyvi let out a small sigh.
It seemed Tasya's antics toward Tal had only escalated over the years. He could only hope she wouldn't keep teasing him forever. Tal might be a patient man, but even patience had its limits. If things went too far, all that teasing might end up backfiring.