[Elion's Chamber]
A faint chime echoed in Elion's mind, breaking the silence of his chamber. His golden eyes, unblinking and sharp, fixed on his mother as she shifted fitfully on the sofa.
[Congratulations! Your puppet (Selena) has killed a Frozen Serpent.]
[You have leveled up!]
The notification flickered and vanished, but its impact remained, simmering in Elion's thoughts. He inhaled deeply, suppressing the surge of urgency clawing at his composure.
"Selena," he said, his voice calm yet commanding, activating the mental link. "What's the situation? Report."
Selena's reply was swift and clinical, her tone devoid of hesitation. "The Frozen Serpent is neutralized. Residual Qi indicates a breakthrough attempt before Young Master Verion's disappearance, but someone erased evidence within the chamber."
Elion's jaw tightened, his frustration barely held in check. "Don't limit your focus to Verion's Qi. Whoever covered their tracks might have left subtle energy traces."
