While Adrian was immersed in his training battle inside the Self Dimensional Space, the atmosphere in the main hall of the palace was relatively calm.
Selena, Evelyn, and Victor were seated there. In Selena's hands were several documents—papers containing detailed information about Mian.
Selena carefully read each page, as if searching for some hidden clue in every line. Then she lifted her gaze toward Victor.
"What do you think?" she asked, her voice quiet but serious. "Should I take her as my disciple?"
Victor lowered his head for a few moments, deep in thought. Faint lines of concern appeared on his brow. Finally, he drew in a measured breath and replied:
"All the information is before you, Selena. The decision is yours to make. But if what Adrian said is true… you must not let this girl slip away so easily."
Selena's gaze grew even sharper. She gestured to a waiting maid.
"Go, bring Mian here."
Within moments, Mian entered the hall, visibly nervous. Her steps held a mix of reverence and apprehension.
Selena fixed her with a steady look.
"Your name is Mian?"
Mian bowed her head.
"Yes, my lady."
Selena's voice remained composed but carried an undercurrent of authority.
"Adrian wishes for me to take you as my disciple. What do you think about this?"
Mian's fingers twisted together, her gaze dropping to the floor. Her voice trembled.
"My lady… if you would accept me… I will give everything I have. I will never allow any stain to come upon your honor."
Evelyn and Victor watched closely, studying every nuance of the exchange. There was curiosity in Evelyn's eyes and a deep, measured weight in Victor's expression.
Selena considered her a moment longer. Her voice softened slightly, though her sternness remained intact.
"You have reached Beginner Stage – 4. How long have you been cultivating?"
A glimmer of hope flickered in Mian's face.
"My lady… around six months."
A trace of surprise passed over Selena's features, though she did not let it show plainly.
"Four stages in six months… Not ordinary. You have uncommon talent."
The atmosphere was still relatively composed when suddenly a maid's sharp cry cut through the air:
"Young Master! What happened to you?"
The voice was so shrill the entire hall seemed to shudder. Victor, Selena, and Evelyn all stood at once and rushed out.
Victor reached first.
Adrian was sitting on the ground. His clothes were torn, dust and streaks of blood visible on his body. His breathing was ragged.
"Adrian!" Victor hurried to him, bracing his shoulders and placing fingers on his wrist to feel the flow of his Qi.
Selena and Evelyn arrived an instant later. Without wasting a second, Selena took out a mid-grade healing pill and placed it in Adrian's mouth. Evelyn pressed her palms to his wounds, channeling her Qi to close them.
Victor's eyes were no longer merely concerned—they burned with anger. A faint red glow flared in his pupils, his aura beginning to spread outward.
"Who…" His voice turned to a low, freezing growl.
"Who has done this to my son?"
And then he roared—
"Whoever it was—I will kill them with my own hands!"
His fury sent a tremor through the palace. Footsteps and shouts echoed as soldiers came running. Within moments, the commander of the guards arrived with a squad. The moment he saw Adrian's condition, his breath caught in his throat.
But Adrian opened his eyes, his voice hoarse but steady.
"Father… it's nothing. Please… send them all away."
Victor looked into his son's eyes. There was no fear there—only exhaustion and determination. He drew in a slow breath. Then he turned to the soldiers and ordered:
"All of you—return to your posts."
The soldiers hesitated, but the commander stepped forward, voice taut.
"Young Master… I can have the entire palace searched immediately—"
Adrian slowly shook his head.
"These wounds are from my own training. The palace is secure. You may go."
The commander studied him a moment longer, then bowed in salute and withdrew.
Victor rested a hand on Adrian's shoulder.
"Come… let's go inside."
He helped Adrian back to the main hall, settling him carefully in a cushioned chair.
Evelyn, still gently treating the last of his injuries, asked in a pained voice,
"Adrian… you went to your room. How did such deep wounds happen?"
Selena regarded him closely as well.
"My son… this poison is no trivial matter. You must tell us the truth."
Adrian looked down for a moment, gathering his thoughts. At last, he said quietly:
"I was training… I challenged a beast beyond my limits… and this is what happened."
Victor's gaze did not waver.
"What beast?"
"A Scorpion-Tail White Lion," Adrian replied. Then he calmly recounted the entire fight—how his sword had been knocked away, how he'd nearly died forcing himself to draw on everything he had.
Evelyn pressed a hand to her forehead. Then, with a mixture of fierce love and exasperation, she lightly smacked his head.
"Foolish boy! You pick fights with beasts stronger than you… and you don't even know how to handle a sword properly!"
Victor and Selena exchanged a look, both nodding in quiet agreement.
When most of the wounds were closed, Adrian exhaled and said,
"Please, don't worry. Next time I'll be more cautious."
He accepted a few healing pills and Qi pills from Victor, then slowly made his way back toward his room.
As he disappeared down the corridor, Victor said in a low, serious voice,
"Adrian is putting far too much pressure on himself."
Evelyn bowed her head, her voice soft.
"Yes… One day, we must make him understand he doesn't have to carry everything alone."
Selena drew in a deep breath, nodding silently.
From the side, Mian spoke hesitantly,
"My lady… may I take my leave?"
Selena drew a pouch from her belt and extended it to her.
"Yes. Go home today—spend time with your parents. Gather what you need. Tomorrow, take the day with your family. After that… your training will begin."
Mian dropped to her knees, bowing deeply before rising and quietly departing.
When everyone else had left, a deep silence filled the hall.
Victor's voice broke it, calm but edged with steel.
"The time has come… to settle accounts with the rats hiding among us."
The three of them—Victor, Selena, and Evelyn—walked together to the council chamber.
As soon as they arrived, Victor sent a spiritual message. Within moments, a shadowy figure emerged, garbed entirely in black, face completely concealed.
She moved forward soundlessly and sank to one knee.
"Master. My lady."
Victor's tone was cold and unwavering.
"Ming Hao… watch Elder Zhu's every move. Where he goes, whom he meets—I want to know all of it. If anything seems suspicious, bring proof."
Ming Hao bowed her head.
"As you command, Master."
She dissolved back into the shadows.
Selena looked uneasy.
"We have investigated the elders before… If Zhu is a traitor, he may still slip away."
Victor's gaze was hard as iron.
"This time, we will lay a trap so precise… he will have no escape."
Then he began to outline his plan in detail.
Selena and Evelyn exchanged a glance.
"This plan…" Selena murmured, "It is flawless."