A song could be played, or it could be burned.
Being in sync when squeezing someone didn't mean being in sync about how to do it.
The side with the advantage would often play it safer. Lui was a good example.
Honestly, Fu Qian didn't think demigodhood was necessarily his limit. But his assessment of the situation had led him to make the choice he had.
Having seized the initiative, and confident that the truth would stand up to scrutiny, he had chosen—as the real mastermind—to lay out the facts and reason things through, gradually exposing his deceitful facade before the audience.
As a result, the special guests had received quite a warm welcome. He had even helped remove the corruption they had suffered.
He had taken the opportunity to rise to demigodhood. Partly, this was to boost his combat power and deal with any direct threat from himself, but more importantly, it fit his story.
After all, someone capable of orchestrating such a scheme would inspire little confidence if his rank were too low.
But he couldn't be too high-ranking, either. It was one thing for a demigod to use three guests to search for Benjamin, who had hidden himself after mutating. If a Second Order did the same, people would inevitably suspect some other motive.
It was a carefully considered choice of just the right level.
Lui wasn't willing to sacrifice his advantage in the story by climbing beyond demigodhood in exchange for the chance to physically eliminate his opponent outright.
That was only natural. The one with more cards to play should have more room to maneuver.
And there was no telling whether this rival of his had an anchor in the real world that could support him in rising further. Demigods were rare enough as it