Achieving Demon Godhood from Unlocking Talents

"Xiaolu."

The speaker was a woman in a black trench coat over a dress shirt, standing in black high heels.

Her long black hair was styled in an updo. She looked to be in her thirties, wearing light makeup, and had clearly aged remarkably well; it was difficult to believe she was nearly sixty.

"Aunt You."

Lu Chao smiled and stood, gesturing to the seat across the table for her to sit.

He greatly respected this manager from the Hunter Guild, not only because of her past financial support, but also out of consideration for the bond between his master and her.

"Mr. Lu."

You Qiulin's secretary, a woman named Xu Yao, echoed the respectful greeting. She stood behind her boss with a slight bow; she was the one who had always personally delivered his financial support in the past.

Lu Chao nodded in acknowledgment, and then they got down to business.

"My apologies, Xiaolu, for making you come all this way."

You Qiulin said softly as she sat down across from him. Her complexion was rosy, giving her a rather dignified air.

Lu Chao shook his head to indicate it was no trouble. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he asked how she had been.

"I've been looking into Old Ge's case for a long time."

You Qiulin let out a soft sigh. "But that Old Fiend Li and the unknown Superpower Level individual seem to have vanished without a trace. There hasn't been any movement at all."

"We couldn't trace the background of the Superpower Level individual who's skilled with a blade, either. No one among the Wilderness Warlords matches the description."

Oh?

Lu Chao raised an eyebrow, feeling a hint of disappointment.

But on second thought, he felt it was to be expected.

He had already secretly looked up a lot of intelligence at the Superpower Bureau, even using some of the informants from his own team.

The result was the same as You Qiulin's: no leads. Otherwise, he wouldn't have needed to ask for her help in looking into the matter.

"However, I took care of the matter of the energy mineral essence."

Suddenly, noticing the change in his expression, You Qiulin spoke softly.

Lu Chao snapped back to reality. He saw her tilt her head, and her assistant, Xu Yao, quickly placed a small silver briefcase on the table.

"One million two hundred thousand. I had to talk to several old-timers before they finally agreed to sell it to me."

"Don't worry, the energy level is fine. I had someone check it; there are no issues."

As You Qiulin's voice reached him, Lu Chao could already sense the familiar energy fluctuations from within the case without needing to open it.

"Thanks, Aunt You."

His eyes brightened as Lu Chao nodded gently.

He had already given her the anonymous Red Maple Bank card, and now he obviously needed to cover the difference.

"There's no need, Xiaolu."

However, seeing his intention, You Qiulin smiled, a trace of concern in her eyes. "Two hundred thousand... your Aunt You isn't that hard up for cash."

"Even if you were to pay it back, you should have your master come to me."

Her words were pointed, carrying a hint of gentle resentment.

Lu Chao caught her meaning. Even as a Superpower Level individual, he couldn't help but touch his nose, feeling a bit helpless.

'Master, oh Master, when on earth are you coming to Red Maple?' he wondered, resigning himself to accepting this sincere gift from his elder.

"Oh, right. There's one more thing."

As You Qiulin spoke again, her assistant Xu Yao, having received an order, operated her wrist device.

「The next moment.」

Lu Chao's communication device vibrated in sync, having received a file from them.

"I don't know why you want this information about the wilderness, but I had Xiaoxu compile a file for you."

"It covers a hundred-kilometer radius of the wilderness outside the city circle, including the usual activity zones of the major warlord factions and scavengers, as well as the habitats of most wilderness Mutant Beasts..."

Lu Chao opened the file on his wrist device. It was an extremely detailed map of the wilderness.

Nanyun Mountain was clearly marked on it, along with the territories of nearby Mutant Beast packs and scavenger factions. This was far more comprehensive than the intelligence available at the Superpower Bureau.

"Thanks, Aunt You."

Lu Chao thanked her in a solemn voice after a quick glance.

The kraft paper map of the old-era ruins was far too ancient, which was why he'd had the idea to ask about the current state of the wilderness.

It was safe to say he had come to the right person.

Only a faction of Wilderness Hunters would know every inch of the wilderness so clearly.

"Heh, what's there to thank me for?"

You Qiulin smiled lightly and waved her hand dismissively.

Then, as if remembering something, she added a warning, "I don't know if you're planning to go into the wilderness, but allow your Aunt You to be presumptuous and offer a piece of advice."

"The Tan family has always been domineering and ruthless. They never take a loss lying down. If you really intend to leave the city circle, you must be extremely careful."

Throughout her words, Lu Chao could sense her sincerity and concern.

He nodded firmly in acknowledgment.

Finally, he watched the two of them stand up and take their leave, getting into an inconspicuous [Tuzhong] commercial van outside the coffee shop and driving away.

His gaze flickered. Lu Chao then looked at the small briefcase on the table and the wilderness map on his wrist device.

He could feel a subtle shift in the elder's attitude compared to when he had first arrived.

Although he knew this change was brought about by his own strength, her willingness to risk offending the Tan family to help him multiple times was a clear sign of her sincerity.

Picking up the small briefcase from the table, Lu Chao silently committed these favors and this kindness to memory before getting up, settling the bill, and walking out of the coffee shop.

Low-rise apartment buildings lined both sides of the street, where rows of cars were parked.

He looked into the distance and saw that the black [Tuzhong] commercial van had already left the area completely, leaving no trace behind.

His gaze swept over the passing crowd. Only the last vestiges of dusk remained, and one by one, the streetlights began to switch on.

His five senses detected no prying eyes or malicious intent. Apparently, the Tan family wasn't paying attention to this place, nor had they dared to send anyone to follow him.

After confirming that everything was clear, Lu Chao turned and, carrying the briefcase, melted into the crowd, walking past the roadside shops toward the transit stop at the end of the street.

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