Chapter 157: Entering the Purple Spirit Manor for the First Time

Before entering the black fog, Qin Chuan had Long Ao set a few more fires from the air.

In an instant, blazing fire descended from the skies and immediately roared, threatening to spread across the entire inner sect.

Only at this moment did Qin Chuan feel truly and completely satisfied.

"Haha, the rivers and lakes are vast, we shall meet again if fate allows."

The final few fires inflicted heavy losses upon the Black Wind Cliff, making it arguably the most devastating blow they had suffered since invading the Spirit Realm.

Such a battle achievement surpassed even the gains the Purple Spirit Mansion had secured over months of warfare, and this single outcome directly triggered the rout of the Black Wind Cliff's frontlines.

With this, Qin Chuan had thoroughly made a name for himself within the territory of the Black Wind Cliff, and his renown began to spread throughout the Spirit Realm.

Due to the internal turmoil within the Black Wind Cliff's inner sect and the lack of material supplies for the frontline army, their forces suffered a crushing defeat and retreated in disarray, abandoning a vast expanse of territory.

The Purple Spirit Mansion seized the outer sect region formerly belonging to the Black Wind Cliff, facing them across a small desert from a distance.

In this grand battle, the Purple Spirit Mansion concurrently captured the Deer-Chasing Plain, transforming the buffer zone into a barren little desert devoid of spiritual lifeforms.

For a time, the prestige of the Purple Spirit Mansion soared within the Spirit Realm, pressing down upon the Black Wind Cliff to the point where they could barely breathe.

Meanwhile, Qin Chuan entered the territory of the Purple Spirit Mansion. Glancing down from the sky, he saw a scene of prosperity, far more flourishing than the Black Wind Cliff.

The human race and the Purple Spirit Mansion shared a harmonious relationship, walking the path of mutual development, which allowed the human race to thrive exceptionally well within the mansion's domains.

Although there was no formal alliance, it was a solid alliance in all practical aspects.

Qin Chuan flew all the way, encountering a few interceptions along the path. However, thanks to the passage token provided by the Purple Spirit Mansion, the sleepy bug encountered no obstacles.

Ten days later, Qin Chuan arrived at a grand city, bustling with voices and teeming with extraordinary liveliness.

This was none other than Purple Spirit City.

Purple Spirit City served as one of the commercial hubs of the Spirit Realm, boasting a highly developed trade network and intertwined with various factions. Even the Black Wind Cliff had established a secret stronghold here.

Where there are crowds, there are disputes. Qin Chuan thus embarked upon yet another journey.

The Purple Spirit Mansion sat in the very center of the city, covering an immense expanse of land, complete with jade towers and magnificent pavilions in a scene of absolute luxury.

"Zizi turns out to be a wealthy heiress and young lady of a prominent family. This is quite a surprise."

Qin Chuan had merely sensed that Zizi's background was extraordinary, but he had never inquired into the specifics.

At that moment, the Purple Spirit Mansion was holding a banquet to entertain distinguished guests from afar.

The banquet venue was set upon a vast lake, featuring pavilions and water terraces in the center. Lotus leaves floated upon the water's surface, and a gentle breeze swept past, stirring up ripples layer upon layer.

The sight before them could truly be called an earthly paradise, refreshing the mind and delighting the spirit.

Zi Lanfeng, the master of the Purple Spirit Mansion, wore a golden crown and luxurious white garments. Looking to be around fifty years old, every gesture and movement of his carried the charismatic aura of a king.

He sat upright in the primary seat, raised his wine cup, and spoke with a beaming smile, "Welcome, Brother Ruochen, to my humble abode. I have prepared a modest brew to wash away the dust of your long journey."

Occupying the prime guest seat to Zi Lanfeng's right was a handsome and elegant man dressed in white, who appeared somewhat younger than Zi Lanfeng.

Seated immediately below him was a dashing young man with star-like brows, sword-like eyes, and an imposing demeanor, roughly twenty years of age.

These two were none other than Xiao Ruochen and Xiao Yunfei, hailing from the Heavenly Dao Alliance with extraordinarily prominent statuses.

The third seat on the right belonged to Zi Feng, the second son of Zi Lanfeng. Around twenty-three or four years of age, he bore a striking resemblance to Zi Lanfeng.

Zi Feng had been tasked with accompanying the guests at the banquet and entertaining Xiao Yunfei.

Xiao Ruochen laughed heartily, raised his cup, and said, "Brother Lanfeng is too modest. Who in the Spirit Realm does not know that the fine nectar and jade wine of the Purple Spirit Mansion are peerless?"

Zi Lanfeng smiled without answering, then turned to the old man on his left and said, "Brother Zhuiwen, it is a rare occasion for you to return. Let us all share this cup together with Brother Ruochen."

The old man seated on the left was precisely Mo Zhuiwen of the Treasure Pavilion, with Mo Yiyi seated immediately below him, and Zizi occupying the final seat.

A total of seven people were present at the banquet, each possessing a most extraordinary background.

"Very well, Brother Ruochen, please."

After three rounds of drinks, Xiao Ruochen smiled gently and said, "Brother Lanfeng, my purpose in coming this time is twofold. First, to allow Yunfei to participate in the grand centennial event of the Spirit Realm; and second, to discuss the marriage between Yunfei and Zizi. Now that the two children have grown up, it is time to speak of marriage and betrothal."

Hearing Xiao Ruochen's words, Zizi's expression shifted slightly. The moment she dreaded the most had ultimately arrived.

Back then, Zi Lanfeng and Xiao Ruochen had established a betrothal between Zizi and Xiao Yunfei, constituting a marital alliance between the two major factions.

This matter carried profound significance for both the Purple Spirit Mansion and the Heavenly Dao Alliance.

Zi Lanfeng gazed at Zizi, his eyes filled with doting affection and a visible reluctance to part.

"Brother Ruochen, this youngest daughter of mine is exceptionally dear to my heart. I still wish for her to keep me company for a while longer."

"Besides, Yunfei and Zizi are meeting for the first time. Speaking of marriage right now is somewhat hasty. It would be better to let the two young people interact more and cultivate their feelings first."

Zi Lanfeng's reasoning was entirely sound. No matter how eager Xiao Ruochen was to welcome Zizi into his family, he had no choice but to wait.

This outcome did not come as a surprise to Xiao Ruochen, who continued with a lighthearted smile, "Brother Lanfeng speaks reasonably. Let us first allow the two youngsters to become acquainted."

Zi Lanfeng smiled warmly and called out, "Come, Zizi. Step forward and greet your Uncle Ruochen and Big Brother Yunfei."

Summoned by Zi Lanfeng, Zizi had no choice but to walk over. She offered formal greetings to them, which counted as an introduction.

Zizi's demeanor was impeccably graceful, resembling a drifting fairy maiden, causing Xiao Ruochen to feel immensely satisfied.

As for Xiao Yunfei, his eyes lit up with a burning radiance, unable to conceal his surging excitement. He had laid eyes on countless beauties in his life, yet not a single one compared to Zizi.

In an instant, both Xiao Ruochen and Xiao Yunfei mentally awarded Zizi a perfect score.

At that moment, a maidservant stepped forward to report, "Reporting to the Mansion Master, a young man named Qin Chuan claims to be a friend of the Sixth Young Miss and has come to pay a visit."

Zizi, who had maintained an impeccably composed demeanor just moments before, instantly stirred with excitement and broke into a sweet smile. "He is my friend! Hurry and let him enter."

That smile left Xiao Yunfei feeling utterly infatuated and dazed.

Yet, recalling abruptly that this radiant smile was not meant for him, his gaze instantly turned somewhat gloomy and dark.

"Wait!"

Upon witnessing Zizi's expression, Xiao Ruochen felt profoundly displeased.

Furthermore, since the visitor was a male, how could he possibly tolerate his future daughter-in-law having excessive contact with other men?

Seeing this, Zi Lanfeng adopted a stern tone and asked, "Zizi, who is this Qin Chuan? What is his background?"

Hearing this, Zizi was momentarily stunned, completely at a loss for how to respond. She stammered with a hint of panic, "He is my good friend, and he belongs to no sect or faction."

Before Zi Lanfeng could speak, Xiao Ruochen sneered coldly, "Hmph, belonging to no sect or faction? Zizi, you must not allow yourself to be deceived. There are countless swindlers and charlatans in this world."

With such a heavy accusation leveled against him, Zizi grew displeased and defended him, "Uncle Ruochen, Qin Chuan is not that kind of person. He saved my life, and he is a good friend I made during my trials, bound by life and death."

It would have been better had she not said that, but once spoken, Xiao Ruochen grew even more aggrieved, stating with an unkind tone, "This fellow hides his identity and refuses even to tell you his sect's roots. To me, he is clearly a fraud. It is best to drive him away immediately to avoid being swindled in the future."

The atmosphere instantly grew somewhat awkward, and Zi Lanfeng could clearly perceive Xiao Ruochen's displeasure.

"Zizi, you are still young, so it is inevitable that you might be deceived."

"Although this is an informal banquet, it is not a gathering that just anyone can attend."

"How about this? Let him stay outside for now, and later we can gift him some medicinal pills to send him on his way."

Zi Lanfeng handled matters with a degree of tact. He could naturally tell that Zizi and Qin Chuan shared a reasonably good relationship, and he found it difficult to treat Qin Chuan too harshly.

From this alone, it was evident that Zi Lanfeng truly held an immense amount of doting affection for Zizi.

With Zi Lanfeng's words, the matter was essentially settled. In their eyes, Qin Chuan's status was indeed inadequate to qualify him for attendance at the banquet.

For a moment, Zizi's complexion turned somewhat unsightly, as she had never expected Qin Chuan to be received with such unwelcoming disdain upon his arrival.

In truth, Zizi was still inexperienced in worldly affairs. Despite her prominent background, she had yet to fully grasp the intricate complexities hidden beneath the surface.

"Wait a moment!"

Just as the maidservant was about to turn and leave, Mo Zhuiwen abruptly spoke up.