One Hundred and Fifty-Nine: Of Immense and Invaluable Merit

It is well known throughout the Spirit Realm that Zi Lanfeng deeply appreciates talented individuals. Today, not only was Qinchuan not driven out of the Purple Spirit Mansion, but he was instead invited as an honored guest.

For Xiao Ruochen and his son, this was absolutely a hard-to-accept reality; more importantly, there was the attitude of Zizi.

Another low table was added below Zizi, and Qinchuan was seated in the fourth position on the left, receiving Zizi's warm hospitality.

Shortly after, Zi Lanfeng asked, "From where does Worthy Nephew Qin come?"

This question was posed with tact, carrying a subtle intent of inquiry, yet it was much more polite than directly probing into one's background.

Qinchuan smiled and replied, "Lord of the Mansion, I have just returned from a journey to the Black Wind Cliff. I am merely a wanderer of the mountains and wilds, belonging to no sect or faction."

This was indeed the truth, but apart from Zizi, no one present believed that Qinchuan was a man without a sect.

Everyone assumed that Qinchuan was unwilling to reveal his master's sect, hence offering this evasive excuse, which was a common occurrence in the Spirit Realm.

At this moment, Xiao Yunfei, who had been harboring a belly full of anger, could not help but sneer once more, "Hmph, hiding and covering things up is hardly aboveboard!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Zi Lanfeng inevitably felt a trace of displeasure, and his estimation of Xiao Yunfei dropped by another notch in his heart.

Qinchuan did not even deign to glance in his direction, saying indifferently, "Even hiding and covering things up is far better than certain people who launch sneak attacks to injure others."

"You..."

Xiao Yunfei was instantly consumed by fury, yet unable to vent it, so angered that he did not know how to respond.

"Brother Yunfei, calm your anger. Come, let us share a cup."

Zi Feng, who had remained silent all this while, offered Xiao Yunfei a graceful way out. After all, he was a guest of the Purple Spirit Mansion, and they could not let him be too embarrassed.

Xiao Yunfei raised his wine cup and, suppressing his anger, said, "Very well."

Earlier, Xiao Ruochen had secretly launched an attack in an attempt to intimidate Qinchuan. Had it succeeded, it would have been one thing, but returning empty-handed made it look quite disgraceful.

Everyone present possessed discerning eyes and saw it all clearly.

Xiao Ruochen clenched his fists secretly, a trace of murderous intent rising in his heart: "This brat is truly hateful. If I do not kill him, it will be hard to purge the hatred in my heart."

Holding a high position in the Heaven Alliance, when had he ever suffered such grievance? Moreover, Qinchuan was merely an unknown nobody.

Xiao Ruochen took over the conversation and feigned a relaxed demeanor. "Oh? Coming from the Black Wind Cliff, could you perhaps be a spy from the Black Wind Cliff?"

At this time, the Purple Spirit Mansion had not yet received news of the great victory at the front lines. Therefore, amidst an ongoing war, Qinchuan's arrival at the Purple Spirit Mansion indeed carried numerous suspicions.

Hearing such a groundless accusation, Qinchuan could not help but find it amusing. "Oh? Why does returning from the Black Wind Cliff make one a spy?"

Xiao Ruochen wore a smug smile, as if he had caught Qinchuan's vulnerability, and pointed at Little Hei, saying, "This black falcon is the proof. Everyone knows that the black falcon is the signature mount of the Black Wind Cliff, and no one except core figures is ever allowed to ride it."

Looking in that direction, everyone indeed saw Little Hei standing not far away, trembling slightly.

"Big Brother, they are all looking at me. I'm so scared."

"Don't be scared. Stand firm, stop shaking, and don't bring shame to Big Brother Big!"

Hearing the words of the drowsy bug, Little Hei found courage from unknown origins and let out a resounding eagle cry, instantly appearing much more formidable.

This eagle cry seemed to confirm Xiao Ruochen's accusation, filling him with immense complacency.

To everyone's surprise, Qinchuan said indifferently, "Are you an idiot?"

As soon as these words were uttered, the crowd was startled once more. In the Spirit Realm, Qinchuan was definitely the first person daring to call Xiao Ruochen an idiot.

"If I were a spy, would I swagger in openly riding a black falcon?"

After saying this, Qinchuan pointed at his own forehead, clearly implying that Xiao Ruochen lacked brains.

Xiao Ruochen's anger surged instantly, and he shouted sternly, "The people of the Black Wind Cliff are crafty and treacherous! Who knows if you are just putting on a deceptive act to pull wool over our eyes!"

"Uncle Xiao, do not spit blood with your baseless accusations! Qinchuan is here to participate in the Spirit Duel Tournament."

This time, without waiting for Qinchuan to reply, Zizi snapped back with great displeasure, almost making Xiao Ruochen cough up blood from anger.

His future daughter-in-law had twice in a row contradicted him for the sake of Qinchuan; this feeling was truly indescribably bitter.

"Zizi, you are becoming increasingly unruly! I forbid you to speak for the remainder of this banquet."

Zi Lanfeng had no choice but to intervene at this point. If a rift were to form with the Heaven Alliance over this, the loss would outweigh the gain.

Zizi stuck out her tongue lightly and replied very obediently, "Understood."

"Brother Ruochen, calm your anger. I believe Qinchuan is not a spy sent by the Black Wind Cliff."

Observing coldly from the sidelines, Zi Lanfeng naturally realized that all the trouble stemmed from Zizi, but he also felt deeply disappointed by the behavior of Xiao Ruochen and his son.

On the surface, Xiao Ruochen and his son appeared refined and dashing, but in reality, they were narrow-minded and petty. To forge family ties with such people, Zi Lanfeng felt, would be a grave miscalculation.

However, this marriage was extremely important to both the Purple Spirit Mansion and the Heaven Alliance. No matter how displeased Zi Lanfeng felt inside, he would not casually ruin it.

Nevertheless, Xiao Ruochen, still burning with anger, refused to give Zi Lanfeng any face, saying with a sinister tone, "Qinchuan, unless you explain how you acquired that black falcon, don't even dream of walking out the gates of the Purple Spirit Mansion!"

Xiao Ruochen was losing his patience and even wanted to personally suppress Qinchuan. Such conduct severely lacked the demeanor of a true master.

Seeing this, both Zi Lanfeng and Mo Zhuiwen could not help but secretly shake their heads.

Seeing Qinchuan being wrongfully accused, Little Hei mustered up its courage, trotted forward on pattering feet, and spoke.

"I was originally the mount of Shang Xuanyue, the Young Cliff Master of the Black Wind Cliff. Big Brother Big slaughtered Shang Xuanyue in the desert, and after I surrendered, I devoted myself entirely to following him!"

"In the end, Big Brother Big even went to the inner sect headquarters of the Black Wind Cliff, set a few massive fires, and burned the place down, causing heavy losses to the Black Wind Cliff!"

At this moment, Qinchuan was also quite surprised, realizing that this little subordinate was actually quite loyal.

"What?! Worthy Nephew Qin, you actually killed Shang Xuanyue?"

"And you burned down the inner sect headquarters of the Black Wind Cliff?"

"Splendid, simply splendid!"

Zi Lanfeng was pleasantly surprised, because the most direct cause of the war between the Purple Spirit Mansion and the Black Wind Cliff was that Shang Xuanyue had almost abducted Zi Hanyu.

Moreover, Shang Xuanyue was one of the pre-selected successors of the Black Wind Cliff; the blow this dealt to the Black Wind Cliff was immense.

More importantly, Qinchuan had torched the inner sect headquarters of the Black Wind Cliff—a feat that was simply unbelievable.

"No! How is this possible?!"

"How could a mere nobody like him possibly breach the Black Wind Cliff?!"

Xiao Yunfei could no longer contain himself, shouting out his inner shock and disbelief.

Under the current circumstances, Xiao Yunfei had completely lost his composure, a sight that caused everyone in the Purple Spirit Mansion to secretly shake their heads.

A trace of disgust flashed in Zizi's eyes, as she thought to herself how such a person could ever compare to Qinchuan.

Meanwhile, the look in Xiao Ruochen's eyes grew terrifyingly gloomy.

Mo Zhuiwen calmly remarked, "There is nothing impossible about it. Our Treasure Pavilion has confirmed intelligence. My visit this time was originally intended to discuss these very matters with Brother Lanfeng."

Zi Lanfeng said with great delight, "I am all ears."

Thus, Mo Zhuiwen recounted the gathered intelligence step by step, stunning everyone present into speechless astonishment.

"Laughing loudly, I raise my head and stride out the door; how could people like us be dwelling among the weeds! Worthy Nephew Qin truly possesses magnificent spirit!"

After listening, Zi Lanfeng held Qinchuan in high admiration, for such wild and daring feats were something he would never even dare to imagine.

"Report! A great victory at the front lines!"

"Read it!"

"The Black Wind Cliff has suffered a total rout! All outer territories have been secured, and we shall return in triumph shortly!"

At this point, everyone knew that Qinchuan deserved the utmost credit for achieving such monumental results in the war against the Black Wind Cliff.