The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call (Wynter Quinnell) novel Chapter 1825

Noting that Isidore was pinning the blame on Dalton, Wynter moved to lock eyes with Isidore. "I didn't expect Mt. Lunther's sages to take such an interest in my private life. And here I thought Mr. Camron was only concerned with world peace. How surprising to find you're also fond of gossip."

Her words had enraged Mt. Lunther's cultivators. Normally, Wynter wouldn't carry herself with such arrogance, but she had to defend Dalton. After all, it was hard to explain his sudden physical growth.

Wynter wasn't certain about Dalton's true identity at that point, though she speculated he might have been a high-level Spirit King before this. Otherwise, why would the demons on the Wretched Grounds bow to him so fearfully while maintaining a cautious distance?

But after entering Granville Village, Wynter realized that Dalton was far more than just a Spirit King. Surely, there was something about him that the cultivators had overlooked.

Regardless, Dalton was unusual in every way. Perhaps Isidore had been plotting to discredit Dalton since learning he was meant to be sacrificed to the statue. Obviously, Wynter wasn't about to let that happen.

"Mr. Camron, isn't the real reason behind your suspicion simply because my spiritual roots are nothing special? You were convinced that I could never dispel the formation in Granville Village.

"Even if it was to be dispelled, it should've been by Mt. Lunther's disciples, and not by a useless cultivator who can't even ascend to the Sacred Path." As Wynter retorted, a smirk tugged on her lips.

Her eyes held a sharp, alluring charm, and the beauty mark underneath them only heightened her striking appearance.

She continued, "Well, my apologies for stealing the spotlight. But if you're so keen for questions, why don't you ask how I suddenly gained the power to overpower the entire Mt. Lunther?"

Wynter had always been a master of provocation, considering she was notoriously known as an unruly scion in Hawford. Though her words sounded like an apology, they cut straight through the pride of Mt. Lunther's disciples.

While the cultivators were still suspicious of both Wynter and Dalton, Mt. Lunther's disciples could no longer hold back their fury at her taunts.

"What do you mean, overpowering us? Just because you're the princess doesn't mean you can insult us like this!"

"No one had even heard of you when Carlton rose to fame!" one of their disciples retorted.

"You've always come in last. You only managed to dispel the formation this year by sheer luck! How dare you act so arrogant? You'd better watch your tongue!"

While the disciples flew into a rage, Wynter fixed a calm gaze on Isidore. "Mr. Camron, you've always been known to be fair and just. Tell us, can the formation in Granville Village truly be dispelled by mere luck?"

Although Isidore maintained a friendly smile, his fists were clenched tightly beneath his sleeves. He had believed Wynter to be useless, but she turned out to be smarter than he had anticipated. She was nothing like the benevolent Ailithir.

Keeping his kind smile, Isidore explained, "Of course not. It's just that everyone is curious how you managed to dispel the formation. After all, the stronger a formation, the more it demands spells and golden encounters.

"What happened was far too bizarre. For the safety of all sects, we must investigate this thoroughly. If the man you brought back is found to be a threat, Mt. Nxyvarn will face harsh criticism. I'm sure you wouldn't want that, would you?"

Jervis suddenly interjected, "Mr. Camron is right. What's the harm in a simple soul-seeking? Don't tell me you're going to refuse."

In fact, every disciple brought to the mountains would undergo soul-seeking to ensure no demon could infiltrate the sects through mortal bodies. However, Jervis held a personal vendetta against Wynter.

The destruction of Carlton's Arcane mind only deepened Jervis' jealousy toward Wynter's overwhelming fortune. In Jervis' eyes, Carlton should've been the one to obtain the golden encounter!

Before Wynter could come to Dalton's defense, he leaned in close. His low, velvety voice sounded in her ear in a whisper. "Let's just go along with them, Your Highness. While you did run a background check on me the moment I entered the mountains, it seems the others aren't convinced."

Dalton could care less about the soul-seeking—he was the one who granted the cultivators such abilities, after all. He had remained silent just to watch Wynter stand up for him. Needless to say, he looked rather pleased as he gave a soft chuckle.

Wynter blinked, puzzled by Dalton's apparent delight in the face of suspicion. However, she trusted that he was well-prepared since he agreed to the soul-seeking. Besides, she had never met anyone more human than Dalton.

He was too frail to shoulder or lift anything. Whenever Wynter turned over in her sleep, he wouldn't hesitate to frown, as if condemning her poor etiquette.

Despite being the princess, Wynter had to admit she was nowhere near as noble as Dalton. He carried an air of elegance and poise of a noble son even in a white garb.

"But I'm still afraid. You'll have to keep an eye on me," Dalton said, staring at Wynter with his pretty eyes.

Wynter hesitated for a moment and nodded. She doubted that Dalton was truly afraid, but she couldn't bring herself to refuse as his affectionate gaze held hers.

Dalton walked out of the crowd, holding the parasol. As he had entered the formation with a teenage appearance, his hair was still bound up. Though his handsome face appeared domineering, beneath it lingered a trace of youthful innocence.

Dalton was undeniably good-looking, but he also gave off an intimidating presence. When he removed the parasol and showed himself, the crowd couldn't help but gasp.

There were many beautiful people in the world, especially in the cultivation realm, where undergoing spiritual practice often refined one's temperament. Even so, Dalton was considered a rare find.

He had a lean yet strong build, and his fingers were as pale as porcelain. He was usually stoic, but that expression seemingly suggested he could shatter the world with a snap of his finger.

Looking at such an alluring face, it was no wonder Wynter had impulsively brought him back to the mountains.

Isidore was observing Dalton as well. Having previously glimpsed into the heavenly secret, he attempted to leverage that to see through Dalton. Yet, Dalton remained as arrogant as ever from his examination—no trace of demons or malicious spirits.

For a moment, Isidore questioned his earlier assumptions. But that couldn't be right! No mere mortal could survive the threat of the grim spirits. Moreover, it wasn't possible for one to move so freely within the spellbound Granville Village. Just who on earth was Dalton?

Isidore narrowed his eyes. He once believed he had everything under control, but now he started feeling perturbed. Could there really be a demon that even he couldn't see through?

A being born from the refining flames, Dalton approached Isidore with a faint smile. However, his eyes held a hint of coldness beneath. "How do you plan to seek my soul, Mr. Camron?"

"Not to mention, you're trying to do that on a mortal. Shouldn't you at least apologize if you're proven wrong?"

The four cultivators argued, attempting to pressure Mt. Lunther into abandoning the soul-seeking. They had been aware of Dalton's eccentricity. After all, he didn't seem the least bothered when the cultivators were nearly consumed by the grim spirits.

Regardless of what happened, Dalton remained calm and composed. Clearly, no mortal would act with such composure. But since he was Wynter's servant, they were determined to cover for his unusualness.

Mt. Lunther's cultivators found themself in a tough spot. Glancing around, Jervis was about to back down when Isidore suddenly spoke up.

"If he's proven innocent, we will give a formal apology. Not only that, we'll take full accountability for Jaylene's misdeeds. However, we cannot allow a demon to infiltrate our sect," Isidore insisted.

With those words, all eyes turned to Dalton once again. Despite his nonchalant demeanor, an intense intimidating presence surrounded him.

He stepped aside and reached out a hand. Without hesitation, he placed it onto the artifact Isidore had mentioned.

The artifact was actually a mirror that could reflect the true form of any demons or monsters, known as the Mirror of Truth. No matter how skillful or powerful they were, their true form would be revealed the moment they placed their hand on it.

Convinced that Dalton was a demon, Feradach and his peers couldn't shake their worry for him. But to their surprise, the mirror only reflected Dalton's appearance and nothing more.

Dalton appeared even more commanding and charming in the mirror, with his smooth skin and striking features almost too perfect for the mortal world. In particular, his outfit, with its wide, flowing sleeves, complemented his refined charms.

A faint-colored beaded necklace peeked from beneath his collar, trailing down to the back where it was connected with a golden lotus ornament. The long beaded necklace held his loose grab in place, adding a unique elegance.

Dalton looked at his own reflection for a moment before letting out a soft chuckle. His downcast eyes masked all emotions, making him appear even more noble and aloof. Still, the cultivators recognize his outfit in the mirror.

Rather than a demon, Dalton turned out to be of noble birth—the beaded necklace he wore was a clear indication of that. However, the cultivators couldn't determine its origins as it was far too old to trace.

With the red beaded necklace and white outfit, Dalton resembled a god standing atop a snowy mountain, gazing stoically down at the world below.

Blocking the cultivators' curious stares, Wynter turned to Isidore and questioned, "There's no demonic energy or spirit energy on him. I believe it's time for you to fulfill your promise."

While others might not have recognized it, Wynter had seen the beaded necklace before. During a mission on Mt. Wapelis in Nuthiynia, she found it lying in the ruins. Legends claimed that it was a divine relic that should never appear before mankind.

Wynter knew that the cultivators only dreamt of ascending to the Sacred Path. Isidore, in particular, sought eternal life. She definitely would never let him get even an inch closer to Dalton. As for Dalton, she decided she would question him personally when the time was right.

With that thought in mind, Wynter cast a glance in Dalton's direction.