Zephyrin’s expression changed sharply when he realized that Albus had grown stronger again. The discovery caught him off guard, yet the situation left him no room to retreat. Having already committed himself to the confrontation, he could only grit his teeth and charge forward.
Moments later, the battle erupted again. Facing multiple opponents alone, Albus moved through the clash with relentless precision. Streaks of sword light swept across the field, and his frost sword aura was pushed to its absolute limit.
Blanche and the other members of the Frost family fought beside him. They coordinated their attacks and defenses to support his advance while struggling to contain the relentless pressure from the Jornell family.
Despite their efforts, the imbalance in numbers gradually became apparent. The Jornell family held the advantage in sheer manpower.
Although Zephyrin hadn’t fully recovered from his injuries, the foundation of a Core-Forged cultivator still made him a formidable force. Under the combined pressure, the Frost family slowly began to lose ground.
“Blanche, take the others and go,” Albus shouted. “I’ll hold them off here.”
“No,” she replied without hesitation. “If we die, we die together.” At that critical moment, a rush of footsteps echoed from outside the cave. Everyone froze in shock, assuming another enemy force had arrived. Zephyrin stared at the newcomers in disbelief.
“People from the Moseys?” he muttered. At the mouth of the cavern, Anders arrived with several dozen followers. He paused just inside the entrance and surveyed the chaotic melee unfolding in the chamber, a thoughtful smile slowly appearing on his face.
Seeing him, Zephyrin immediately called out, “Mr. Mosey, help my family deal with the Frosts, and you’ll be richly rewarded!”
Anders made no move to intervene.
Instead, his gaze shifted toward Blanche, lingering briefly on her strikingly beautiful face before he spoke in an unhurried tone.
“Ms. Frost, how would you repay me if I were to help you repel the Jornell family?” he asked. She was momentarily taken aback, though the surprise vanished almost instantly as her expression turned cold.
“What do you want?”
He smiled faintly and responded, “I haven’t decided yet. I’ll call in the favor later. How does that sound?”
Zephyrin’s expression changed drastically. “Anders! You dare cross us?”
The smile on Anders’ face didn’t fade. “Mr. Jornell, please forgive me.”
With a casual wave of his hand, the Mosey family’s elite troops behind him surged forward at once. However, their target wasn’t the Frost family. Instead, they turned their weapons on the Jornell family.
The sudden reversal threw the Jornell family’s formation into complete disarray. Seizing the opportunity, Albus struck with a decisive sword slash that severely wounded Zephyrin.
Zephyrin let out a cry of pain. Since he couldn’t stabilize the collapsing situation, he fled in panic with the remnants of his forces. The battle finally ended. Blanche remained wary as she looked at Anders. “Why are you helping us?”
He answered calmly, “No need to be suspicious. I simply dislike seeing the strong bully the weak through numbers.”
As he spoke, his gaze shifted briefly to the sword in Albus’ hand before he continued, “Besides, this young man possesses astonishing talent in the sword. Someone like him is destined to achieve great things. Forming a favorable connection is far better than making an enemy.”
Blanche studied him for a long moment but said nothing further. At last, she nodded in acknowledgment. “Thank you. I will remember this favor.”
Anders nodded with a faint smile and turned to leave with his men. But the instant his back was turned, a deep and calculating glint flashed through his eyes.
His intervention on behalf of the Frost family had never been an act of goodwill. The Jornell family was too powerful, and allowing them to secure too many opportunities here would only strengthen a rival to the Moseys.
On the other hand, the Frost family might prove useful if they could be drawn into a cooperative relationship. As for Blanche, Anders had plans of his own.
