The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call (Wynter Quinnell) novel Chapter 1793

Wynter didn't understand why Dalton had changed after just walking a short distance with the white tiger.

He became quieter, his smiles more indifferent and inscrutable. Though he had never been particularly lively, there was a noticeable difference from how he had been earlier, when he would explain everything to her.

Was it because the rain had stopped? Had his attentiveness faded with it?

As Wynter pondered this, the white tiger's back stiffened. Dalton, though seemingly casual with each step, exuded a chilling energy. It didn't remember when Wynter had kept such a boy toy.

The white tiger moved slowly as it was injured. Wynter, being considerate, didn't walk far before picking it up. Though small, it was still heavy, nothing like a cat.

Fortunately, the mountain's mystic spirits arrived quickly. In less than half an hour, they gathered around Wynter, one after another, forming a grand assembly.

The sects had no idea that, under the moonlight, the mystic spirits were on the move at this very moment.

Their eyes glowed brightly in the dark forest.

Wynter raised a torch, holding it high as she looked around.

On the mountainside, animals were either standing or lying down, all watching her. This scene might have been terrifying to anyone else, but Wynter showed no fear. To her, this was normal.

She even chuckled softly, her breath low. "Long time no see."

These four words, spoken by Wynter, were enough to make the demon clans and mystic spirits rejoice. Only she could evoke such a response.

This was something only Ailithir and her seniors, who protected her on Mt. Nyxvarn, knew.

The other sects wouldn't dismiss Wynter as having low cultivation or mediocre spiritual roots if they discovered her ability to command mystic spirits and the demon clan.

After all, anyone who could lead mystic spirits and demon clans was extraordinary. It was possible that she was already at the level of a grand master, just waiting for a great golden encounter to ascend to the Sacred Path.

Such individuals were rare, perhaps appearing only once in millennia.

But there was a downside. There was always the risk of envy, of being accused of colluding with demon clans. Sometimes, it was better to hide one's brilliance. Being too bold could lead to disaster.

As a child, Wynter had once lost control and revealed her ability. She used it against Carlton, who nearly lost his life, barely retaining his Arcane mind. But young Wynter was still held accountable.

The major sects seemed to have long joined forces to establish the rules. Anyone who dared overstep them would face divine retribution.

Ailithir didn't want Wynter to take such risks. Back then, he had shouldered part of the retribution for her and concealed her energy, protecting her till now.

With these memories now, Wynter could no longer pretend nothing had happened. In truth, she felt a deep connection to this body.

She had once had a precognitive dream outside the formation. In the dream, the Quinnell family fell from prosperity to ruin. She died alone, and her brothers met tragic ends. She had met Dalton only once in that dream.

If not for the dream being unraveled, she might never have understood Fabian's thoughts, Gordon's grand ambitions, the heroic spirits buried in the past, the long-cherished dreams yet to be fulfilled, and the wish to catch a glimpse of the present world.

Wynter had been endlessly grateful for unraveling that dream. This time, she would do the same and prevent the upcoming catastrophe.

"Everyone must've seen the things that have happened on the mountain tonight." Wynter's gaze fell on the faint green glows in the darkness. Those were the eyes of the snake and fox clans, all calm and obedient.

Wynter lowered her gaze. "What the enemy wants is the mystic deer's blood and the mystic spirits' cores. It might not be your turn yet, but I'm afraid it won't be long before they set their sights on you."

After Wynter finished speaking, a spider hidden deep in the shadows spoke up. "The little one is right. It'll be our turn sooner or later. Didn't the Wretched Ground's mystic spirits all meet the same fate?"

The spider seemed to care deeply about its appearance, not wanting Wynter to see its true form. Wynter had never seen such a large spider before and stared at it for a while. Only then did she realize that the "little one" it was referring to was her.

Seeing Wynter looking at it, the spider quickly shrank back. "I look scary, little one. Don't look at me."

If it weren't for the impending heavenly punishment, with thunderbolts striking one after another, it wouldn't have had to reveal its true form. It could have easily taken on a more pleasing appearance.

Wynter's first reaction was to apologize. "I'm sorry." Then she added, "You're not scary. I just wanted to see those threads."

As she spoke, she stepped forward and touched one of its legs. "I'll be leaving the mountain in three days, and my seniors might not be around, either.

"I hope you can help me protect my sage. After all, these threads can shield people. I also need you to help me look after the villagers at the foot of the mountain."

"Protecting Mr. Glaisne is not a problem. But little one, you've forgotten—the villagers are afraid of us," the spider explained. "And we're afraid of them, too."

Hearing this, Dalton tilted his head, clearly skeptical.

The spider added, "We're afraid that we might lose control and eat them all if we see them. That's why Mr. Glaisne set up a formation to keep us in check."

"Exactly, little one—I mean, Your Highness," a white fox chimed in. "Our self-control isn't great. The snake clan nearly bit the people who came to gather herbs yesterday."

A snake hissed in annoyance, "Hey, you sly fox, talk about yourself if you must. Why drag the snake clan into this?"

Tattling in front of Wynter—how shameless!

Faced with this scene, Wynter raised her hand and cleared her throat lightly before speaking. "Heaven's punishment is approaching, and Mt. Nyxvarn might face a great calamity. It might not happen soon, but these are turbulent times.

"Would you consider temporarily accepting me as your master? You're free to leave after a month. As for the villagers, you'll have better self-control once you've acknowledged a master. You won't feel the urge to harm humans.

"I've also observed the mountain's condition. There's a risk of a landslide if the rain continues like this or if there's another heavy downpour like today."

"Landslide? What's that?" The snake didn't understand. The term wasn't exactly ancient-snake-friendly.

Wynter rephrased. "A mountain collapsing. A natural disaster."

"Then your home might be destroyed!" The spider's first reaction was concern for Wynter, showing just how much it adored her.

Wynter paused. "It's possible. But the villagers at the foot of the mountain are common people who can't withstand a mountain collapse. I hope you can scare them away before that happens."

The spider's declaration echoed through the mountain. After all, it was a high-grade great demon—a being many cultivators wouldn't dare to fight.

With it taking the first step, others followed. This many demons acknowledging a master was unprecedented in history.

This wasn't a time-limited contract but a true submission to Wynter's command. They would lose half their power if she were to die. And once the acknowledgment was complete, their primary duty would be to protect her.

It was a gamble. Yet, none of the demons present seemed to distrust Wynter.

Wynter's heart skipped a beat. She looked at the gathered demons and stepped forward, pushing the spider's spirit core back. "Keep it, and never reveal it again. These are special times, and all of you need to be careful.

"There's no need for permanent acknowledgment. Heaven's punishment is coming, and I don't know what will happen to me in the end. There's no reason for you to suffer if I die. Protect yourselves."

As she spoke, she waved her sleeve, drawing a dagger to cut her fingertip. Blood infused with her cultivation started flowing freely. It glowed as it spread from her, landing on all the demons.

"This is a time-limited contract. You'll all be free after a month."

The spider watched her, as if trying to imprint the image of this child it had watched grow up firmly in its heart. They all knew this situation was far from simple.

Wynter had never spoken like this before. She used to play freely, sitting by the stream fishing and picking fruits for them. Yet, she mentioned death today.

The spider and the black bear were great demons capable of ascending to immortality if they wished, having cultivated without harming humans. They could sense the unusual movements on Mt. Nyxvarn and had thought this calamity would be related to Ailithir.

In truth, it should have been. Cultivators who failed to break through after a certain age might face death. With heaven's punishment approaching and no new golden encounter related to Ailithir emerging on Mt. Nyxvarn, the situation was dire.

Ailithir had taken on too much karma, including bringing people he shouldn't have up the mountain. Topher had come from the Demon Realm, and there was Darwin Randolf, the oldest of Wynter's seniors, who had betrayed Mt. Lunther.

None of them were what people called having mediocre spiritual roots. In fact, they were rootless souls, brought up the mountain in despair. But after arriving, they had all changed, treating Wynter with the utmost kindness.

The spider had never forgotten the time it encountered Darwin, the once-renowned genius cultivator, while trying to shade Wynter from the sun.

He had appeared, sword in hand, warning it to stay away or face destruction. The spider had been puzzled until Wynter woke up, tugging at his sleeve and calling him with the affection of a little sister.

Only then did it realize that Darwin, who had betrayed Mt. Lunther, had come to Mt. Nyxvarn and become Wynter's senior.

With a significant age gap, he often carried Wynter on his back to gather herbs, which he then gave to Ailithir.

That was Ailithir's first attempt at transcending heaven's punishment to protect his disciples on the mountain. This time was the second.

But it wasn't just heaven's punishment this time—it was also the various sects' watchful eyes. Based on the spider and the black bear's deductions, Ailithir might not survive this time.

But today, Wynter's words made it clear—she intended to bear the burden for Ailithir and Mt. Nyxvarn.

Dalton also realized this. He turned to look at Wynter when she mentioned the word "death".