Death... and me

Frandin laughed as he forcefully broke through the spikes. This time, he simply used his advantage in cultivation to overcome Pioran's defense.

Pioran saw how Frandin broke through her defense and closed her eyes, certain that she was done for. However, at the very last moment, another stream of attacks came from Frandin's side.

'Limitless Slash Storm!'

Another Zasfin appeared from Pioran's side, breaking through the defense of her Earth Spikes with brute force. Frandin was taken aback before he was forced to change the direction of his attack to defend himself.

*Clang, clang, clang...*

The Snake Lightning Spear and the Limitless Slash Storm attack exchanged several blows, forcing both sides back. Frandin then controlled his body, landing just a few meters away. He received quite a bit of damage from this assault. Unlike before, it was a one-on-one exchange, though the surprise attack was truly effective. He really didn't expect someone would appear there at that moment.

"Hahaha! Xiria, that was very good. It seems like you knew already."

Xiria, who ended up in a condition several times worse than Frandin, smiled with a pale expression. In the end, Frandin showed a far higher control of his strength than her. The only reason she didn't lose straight away in that exchange was that her ambush had truly worked.

"Yes, I understood that you wouldn't back down even in front of that barrage. If I wanted a chance at beating you, I had to take the risk. Well, the end result is still obvious if you look at me."

Her clothes were ragged as blood flowed from several parts of her body. Of course, Frandin controlled his strength so that no fatal injury was left behind. This wasn't a battle to the death, after all.

Pioran then looked at Xiria and immediately thanked her.

"Don't worry. Pay attention, everyone. Gian's coming!"

Sure enough, Frandin's battle spirit rose once more as he attacked one again. He couldn't remember a situation where he felt so good during a battle before.

'It's so fun!'

Roan looked at his face and snorted after that. How could he not tell what Frandin was feeling? Malaka, Qia, and Calina were no different. After all, they had been with Roan for way longer. They could totally understand Frandin's feelings at that moment.

The battle continued for some time. It turned out that Xiria took control of everyone's actions and used it to hold Frandin down. Unfortunately, the difference in experience and strength was just too high. Frandin didn't fall for any other trick after that either since his Spiritual Sense focused on Xiria and the others 100% of the time. That made him spend a lot of his energy, but that wasn't a problem since he had the advantage.

Pioran was still the first one to come down. Following that, Liuome came next. That only left a guy called Qarviu and Xiria herself. They were the ones at the same realm and stage as Frandin.

Unfortunately for them, even if the others had lower strength, their support was critical. With only the two of them remaining, they were no match for Frandin anymore. Not to mention that Xiria had suffered quite a lot when she first saved Pioran, so she was already feeling the effects of blood loss. 

*Bang!*

Because of that, she was the next one to be sent flying away. 

'Sky Fall!'

The last one was Qarviu, who tried to fight with all his might even though he knew he would lose. Sure enough, Frandin avoided his Sky Fall by a ridiculous margin before striking the back of his head with his spear shaft. Lightning Element raged forth, which immediately caused Qarviu to fall unconscious.

*Thud.*

Qarviu's body fell on the ground like a doll, not moving at all.

As for Frandin, he landed right beside him. Of course, this fight took quite a toll on him. He was just as pale as Xiria was since he also had several injuries everywhere. Nevertheless, he had a satisfied expression on his face.

"That was a great battle. After I defeated Jomawe, your team had changed completely, and it became a lot harder to take you all out."

Frandin then looked at Xiria, who was still unconscious. Following that, he looked at Laun.

"It was her who took command of everyone with Spiritual Sense Messages, right?"

Laun nodded before the elders around him nodded as well. His heart pained, seeing the state that his daughter was in. However, he knew that she wasn't at any risk of dying or being crippled. She just passed out of exhaustion and because of blood loss. Obviously, Frandin had absolutely no intention of killing her or any of the others.

Of course, he still had a dark expression on his face as he looked at Frandin. His daughter would take several weeks to recover from this fight, and many scars would be left behind.

"Couldn't you have held back a little bit?"

Frandin shook his head as he replied.

"She forced me close to my limit. Besides, you should know very well that fighting to kill is a completely different scenario than fighting to knock down someone. The latter is several times more energy-consuming and difficult. You should be happy. Her commanding ability forced me to take them seriously. How many Zasfins do you think can push me to that extent? She has a good head on her shoulders. I can guarantee that."

Frandin then looked at Roan, who nodded. Following that, he looked back at Laun and said.

"They have all passed out, so bring them to a private room. I'll use a secret technique from my hometown to heal their injuries. Don't worry. There won't be a single scar left behind." 

Laun and the elders were taken aback after that. Still, to leave his daughter alone with Gian...

"That won't be necessary."

Frandin(Gian) understood Laun's concern as he said.

"You gave me your daughter on a silver plate, but I didn't eat her. Do you think I'd have the gall to touch her? Stop having the wrong ideas, old man. Or could it be that you really wish for her scars to remain for the rest of her life?"

Laun instantly felt like a spear went through his heart. If not because of the Soul Stone, he would never allow that. Nonetheless, he had to admit Frandin was right.

"Fine, but she better come back to me without any changes."

Frandin waved his hands, not minding Laun's threat at all.

"Yeah, yeah... So be it."

---

Author's note: I released a new project called The Ascension Age, check it out if you like this type of work.