Achieving Demon Godhood from Unlocking Talents

A cold wind, heralding the shift from late winter to early spring, swept across the square.

Figures stood on both sides of the sealed-off streets, while on the square, Superpower Members and patrol teams were on high alert, guarding against any unexpected incidents.

And at the center of this crowd.

Lu Chao and Du Lie, their eyes locked, both stopped in their tracks. They could each read the expression in the other's eyes.

Disdain, arrogance, condescension...

Lu Chao could sense the vague emotions—a faint malice directed at him.

Past rumors flashed through his mind. 'The City Lord's Mansion isn't exactly a picture of harmony.'

'It seems the Tan family's influence really is vast.'

At this thought, Lu Chao suddenly smiled, his expression unchanged.

Everyone was taken aback. The tense atmosphere was quietly broken.

One of the accompanying specialists breathed a small sigh of relief, thinking he had let the matter drop. The bald, burly man named Du Lie, however, merely raised an eyebrow and curled his lip in disdain.

'So he's just a coward. And here I thought he was someone special...'

"To think they can even keep a dog in the City Lord's Mansion... I must say, that's what you'd expect from one of the old, established families."

Lu Chao chuckled, his expression serene.

Du Lie's thoughts came to an abrupt halt. His eyes instantly narrowed, cold and sharp, and a chilling glint appeared on his vicious face.

But Lu Chao wasn't finished.

"Seriously, why don't we just let Red Maple City take the Tan family name from now on? They seem quite impressive."

"Supervisor Du must agree with me, right?"

Lu Chao asked with a smile, ignoring Du Lie's icy stare.

The atmosphere grew heavy. The faces of the surrounding patrol team members changed slightly as they began to grasp the undertones.

The members of the Superpower Squad instinctively tightened their grips on their firearms, their eyes fixed on Du Lie. They could clearly feel the air stagnate, making it almost hard to breathe.

The two Superpower Level Martial Artists were clearly at odds, and no one could say for sure if a huge fight was about to break out.

At the critical moment.

"Everyone, our mission today is not an easy one."

Luo Xuan stepped forward, her expression calm.

An Exploration Level expert from the First Superpower Bureau stood silently behind her. He said nothing, but his presence alone exerted a certain pressure.

"While Leader Lu's words were a bit extreme, well..."

Luo Xuan looked at Du Lie. She wore a dark gray wool coat, and her shoulder-length hair fell neatly behind her. She spoke calmly, "I hope everyone can consider the bigger picture of the city's integration."

"I'm sure Supervisor Du can understand that, can't you?"

As her words fell, Du Lie's eyelid twitched.

Their eyes met. How could he not know she was turning his own words back on him?

After a few seconds of silence.

In the end.

He snorted coldly, glanced at the Exploration Level expert behind her, and turned to lead his patrol team toward the glass elevator.

The previously rigid atmosphere rapidly dissipated.

Lu Chao looked at Luo Xuan and saw her give him a barely perceptible nod before she too began walking toward the entrance to the Hive District.

He was slightly surprised. Although he had guessed she was a high-ranking member of the hard-line faction, he hadn't expected her to speak up for him at the last moment.

After all, there was a fair bit of personal animosity involved.

"Compared to Su Tianyang—a Peak Transcendence Level expert who commands the City Guard Army and has the backing of several old families..."

"...Secretary Luo is more in favor of Miss Su Muqing becoming the Honorary City Lord."

Yao Jin stepped closer and explained in a low voice that only the two of them could hear.

In an instant.

All his doubts vanished. Lu Chao understood all the key connections.

The infighting within the City Lord's Mansion was even more severe than he had imagined.

It wasn't just among the old families; even the Superpower Bureau was involved in the power games.

Du Lie was clearly a supporter of Su Tianyang, and Secretary Luo's decision to help him wasn't just on a personal level.

The thought flashed through his mind. Lu Chao then led his Superpower Members, escorting the accompanying specialists, toward the glass elevator that connected to the underground.

Many of his suspicions were confirmed. However, his thoughts turned to Miss Su, whom he had met several times back in Ring City.

Compared to her brother, who was well-established and formidably powerful in his own right...

...she was clearly at a disadvantage.

'I wonder what she'll choose to do in this situation.'

...

WHIR!!

With a swirling blast of air, a hovercar landed at the manor.

Teams of security from the City Lord's Mansion, dressed in uniform, patrolled the grounds, guarding the fountains, corridors, and lawns.

The temperature in the manor, situated under a glass dome, was thermostatically controlled. Although it was still early February, on the cusp of winter and spring, the gentle breeze carried a hint of warmth. Clusters of colorful flowers swayed in the wind.

And yet, amidst this idyllic scene...

...the atmosphere in the manor felt inexplicably heavy. Pharmacists could be seen occasionally coming and going from the main hall, and the faint scent of medicine wafted out from the building.

An occasional cough echoed from within, aged and weary, betraying utter exhaustion.

The servants passing by who heard the sound would lower their heads slightly, treading as lightly and quickly as possible. The gardeners on the lawn also worked in complete silence, not daring to make too much noise even while trimming the plants.

Witnessing all this, Su Muqing, who had just walked out of the main hall, had a complicated expression on her face. Her long golden hair cascaded down her back as she remained silent for a few moments.

Her light-colored, gold-patterned dress shimmered in the sunlight. She thought of the warning her father had just given her, and a myriad of complex emotions clouded her once-bright eyes.

"Miss."

Noticing the movement, Wei Cangming, who had been waiting outside the main hall's courtyard the entire time, hurried forward. However, he was stopped by the Personal Guard stationed at the courtyard gate, unable to get near the main hall's corridor or the building itself.

The old City Lord's health was deteriorating by the day, and his vigilance and suspicion were growing ever stronger.

The nearby Personal Guard were all elites personally trained by the old City Lord. They worked in shifts day and night, and not even the City Guard Army or the patrol teams could interfere. Even a Superpower Level individual like him was not permitted to approach without reason.