The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call (Wynter Quinnell) novel Chapter 1754

Mt. Verfait's cultivators stared in disbelief, struggling to comprehend what they had just witnessed.

This was their mentor. By all logic, a cultivator at his level should not lose their Arcane mind so easily. Such a catastrophic event would usually require the deliberate interference of someone at the level of a grand master.

But today, that wasn't the case. Kaspar hadn't even moved a finger.

As for Wynter, she was merely a rogue cultivator with a demonic manifestation. She wasn't even formally trained in the Arcane Way. Her abilities came from her unique horoscope which allowed her, under certain circumstances, to see spirits.

This phenomenon wasn't unheard of as Mt. Verfait had encountered similar cases before. They just couldn't understand why Leanan's Arcane mind would break.

Even Leanan himself was stunned. He glanced at his palms, the sudden onset of pain making him clutch his head.

Any cultivator could see that his cultivation power was dissipating. A shattered Arcane mind didn't just render a person's spells useless but also drained their accumulated merit.

The logic was simple. Cultivation was rooted in the heart. No matter what path one pursued, a stable foundation was essential. With the Arcane mind destroyed, a cultivator became no different from an ordinary mortal.

Leanan was visibly aging before their eyes. The vitality and authority he once commanded were gone, replaced by the frailty appropriate for someone of his age.

"No!" Leanan exclaimed, panic flashing across his face for the first time. He trembled with disbelief, refusing to accept the reality before him. "My Arcane mind—you destroyed my Arcane mind!"

When his gaze landed on Wynter, it was no longer the lofty, condescending look of an elder. Instead, his eyes were filled with darkness and malice. "How dare you destroy my Arcane mind?"

Wynter stood motionless, her eyelids lifting just enough to convey her indifference.

Kaspar laughed heartily from the side. "Leanan, you're really something. Wynter didn't even move, and yet you're blaming her for shattering your Aracne mind. But it truly is strange. What could have caused you to suddenly lose it?

"Could it be... that you caught a glimpse of the heavenly merit she carries—the kind you could never hope to achieve?"

"Heavenly merit?" The onlookers collectively drew a sharp breath.

For those unfamiliar with the Arcane Way, the significance of heavenly merit might be lost, but to the cultivators present, it was monumental. If they had such merit, they would have already reached the pinnacle of cultivation.

"Heavenly merit is said to be a once-in-a-century occurrence. How could Ms. Quinnell possess such merit?"

"Moreover, she's not even a proper cultivator. She's, at most, a rogue practitioner. How does this even make sense?"

They couldn't understand why such an opportunity was bestowed upon an ordinary person.

The other cultivators couldn't fathom it, but Leanan, in that fleeting moment, was consumed by jealousy and resentment. In simpler terms, he had completely lost his composure.

To him, it was inconceivable that someone so inferior in every way, someone burdened with resentful energy, could be graced with the heavens' favor. It was absurd—utterly nonsensical! Even Leo followed her lead!

Medwyn's soul was torn apart, doomed to never cultivate again, all because of her. The disgrace that had befallen Mt. Verfait was also because of her. Leanan simply couldn't accept it!

Kaspar saw right through him. "Jealous of what others have, unable to reconcile it with yourself, and ultimately shattering your own Arcane mind. Leanan, with that kind of narrow mind, what Arcane Way are you even trying to comprehend?

"You'd be better off finding a patch of land to grow sweet potatoes—that would at least be a contribution."

"You—" Leanan gasped, struggling even to catch his breath.

The other cultivators, understanding the situation and hearing Kaspar's blunt words, exchanged glances, their expressions tinged with pity. After all, it was rare—unheard of, even—for a mentor to destroy their own Arcane mind in such a manner.

Mt. Verfait had truly hit rock bottom this time, and even its members knew that. First, Medwyn was exposed for practicing witchcraft, and now, Leanan's Arcane mind had been destroyed out of jealousy. These two events alone were enough to bring shame upon their entire sect.

Leanan tried to speak further, but no one was interested in listening to him anymore.

Kaspar didn't hold back. "Wynter's merit comes from aiding countless heroic spirits finding peace. Leanan, if you're truly envious, you shouldn't have tried to take shortcuts. Even now, you refuse to admit your mistakes when the truth is laid bare before you. Look at the Malone family…"

Kaspar gestured at Lenny, who had now gone completely insane. "Without your interference, they would have fallen during the previous petition against them.

"Leanan, I know what you're thinking. You always justify your profiteering as following the heavens' will. But now, the heavens have given you their answer."

His words hit like hammer blows. "The heavens have destroyed your Arcane mind, stripped you of your merit, and sentenced Mt. Verfait to obscurity for at least ten—no, 20 years."

Indeed, anyone with common sense could see what had happened.

If Leanan had acted impartially when the truth was revealed and hadn't protected Medwyn, Mt. Verfait might not have fallen so far.

And even if he had remained true to his principles, believing in the separation of humans and spirits, he wouldn't have ended up like this if he had refrained from envying Wynter.

It would take at least 20 years, if not more, for the sect to recover and produce a new mentor unless some extraordinary opportunity arose.

Wynter, however, didn't care. She wasn't a cultivator, after all. What she cared about was for good deeds to be rewarded, and evil deeds to be punished!

By logic, tearing apart the soul of a cultivator would, under normal circumstances, make it impossible for someone like Sylvia to remain in this world. She knew the Malone family had met their end.

Sylvia's resentment dissipated entirely, and her appearance reverted to how she was when she first entered the entertainment industry—pure and untainted.

Fans often likened her to a "little white flower". It wasn't a derogatory term but was the truth. She had always been clean and pure, in every sense.

Colin could finally see her once she returned to this state. The siblings had finally reunited after so many years, though they were separated by the boundary of life and death.

Colin's hands trembled uncontrollably as he reached out, but Sylvia wouldn't allow him to get too close.

She smiled softly. "Colin, those who bullied you are gone now. You can go further and do what you've always wanted to do."

It turned out her revenge was never for herself. She was afraid that as long as the Malone family existed, or as long as cultivators like Medwyn remained, they would always have ways to harm Colin.

She was already dead, so she could afford to not care about anything anymore, but she was adamant that Colin had to live a good life. This was Sylvia's obsession.

And as with all great grudges, once her obsession was resolved, her soul would dissipate. Her spirit had long been refined and could no longer reincarnate. This was also why the spirit wardens never came for her.

"Colin, you don't have to run around for me anymore."

Sylvia knew she didn't have much time left. She turned to Wynter, intending to plead with her to give her brother a chance, but Sylvia knew it was a selfish request. She had never expected anyone to do this much for them.

Sylvia transferred all her fortune to Wynter. "Thank you, Ms. Quinnell. Truly, thank you."

Whenever Sylvia overheard Lenny or Medwyn planning to harm Colin, she would be consumed with rage, desperately trying to break free of her bindings. Yet, the suppression of spells and heavenly laws rendered her powerless.

It was Wynter who released her. She had initially thought that Wynter sought to make a deal like other cultivators did—help her fulfill her wish in exchange for servitude or the essence of her spirit power.

But she hadn't and simply said she came to clear her name. Sylvia couldn't even remember the last time she had heard those words.

If she had sought revenge on her own, the most she could have done was make Lenny pay the price. It would have been difficult to touch Medwyn, given his backing by Leanan.

Sylvia had never imagined someone could bring down the entire Malone family, nor had she thought Medwyn would face consequences.

The truth about her and Colin was laid bare online. Sylvia figured that maybe this time, after such a huge uproar, Colin wouldn't have to be forced to leave the military anymore. Maybe the Malone family would finally stop treating people like disposable tools, too.

Inside the studio, a voice rang out. "Cut!"

The director stood up and approached Tobias, speaking in a low voice. "Tobias, the show is about to wrap up. You're the one holding it together."

Tobias smiled calmly. "You flatter me. The other actors are doing great, too."

The director chuckled. "I know their limits. The only one who's decent is Luna. By the way, I've heard she's interested in you."

Tobias' tone turned serious. "I don't know whether she's interested in me or not. But I'm sure I'm not interested in her."

The director patted his shoulder. "I get it. You're focused on your career. But sometimes, you've got to build relationships with people in the industry. Doing everything alone won't take you far in this circle."

Just as he finished speaking, Jacqueline jogged over. "Tobias, someone wants to see you."

Tobias nodded at the director. "I'll be back shortly."

He followed Jacqueline out.

Not far away, Luna watched him leave and flashed a dangerous smile.

The director approached her. "Luna, I've set things up. Later, invite him to dinner, saying it's under my name. The rest is up to you."

"Thank you, Dad."

…

Walking alongside Jacqueline, Tobias asked, "Who wants to see me? Is it Wynter? I dreamed about her last night, and now my dream is coming true!"

He only showed this playful side to Jacqueline.

"It's not Ms. Quinnell but Mr. Yarwood."

Tobias froze mid-step. "Who? Dalton?"

Jacqueline nodded. "Yes. Mr. Dalton said he's here on your sister's behalf to check on you."

Tobias' excitement vanished in an instant. "He's not Wynter. He can't replace her."

Jacqueline tugged at his arm. "Come on, it must be important if Mr. Yarwood came to see you."

Reluctantly, Tobias allowed her to lead him to Dalton.

The crow watched them approach and asked curiously, "My Lord, why does he look so upset?"

Dalton glanced at him. "Sometimes, people show displeasure when faced with someone better than themselves."

The crow nodded, half-understanding, as Tobias and Jacqueline arrived at the car. The crow opened the automatic door to the backseat, and Jacqueline cleverly stepped aside.

Tobias sat down abruptly before Dalton could say anything. "What brings you here, Mr. Yarwood? Tell me, so I can avoid it next time."

Dalton smiled faintly. "I came to see you and help you with a small matter."

Tobias gave him a look. "What small matter of mine could possibly need your help?"