As night deepened, Blanche traveled with Snowy, but they didn't venture far from Oakvale. She found a secluded cave in a remote forest area to rest and recover from her injuries.

Yesterday's battle with Narcissa had ended in her favor, but it had aggravated old wounds. She needed time to stabilize her condition.

Snowy lay quietly beside her, licking her front paw. Its amber eyes occasionally glanced toward the cave entrance with watchful alertness.

Blanche's thoughts were far from peaceful. She knew Narcissa's vindictive nature all too well.

If Octavius hadn't suddenly appeared and vouched for Narcissa, she would never have let Narcissa leave so easily. He seemed impartial on the surface, but his attitude was ambiguous, as if he had hidden motives.

And behind Narcissa stood the Jornells of Amethysius, a powerful force among the hidden cultivator families, known for their ruthless methods.

"The Weston family…"

Blanche thought of those ordinary people trembling under Narcissa's