CHAPTER 875: Making A Move

After Han Shuo reached the Skybreak Realm in his cultivation of demonic arts, not only could he refine medicines faster, but the medicines had become even more powerful than before.

Many of the nearby gods noticed the salivating scent emanating from the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy. After some investigation, they learned that it was Han Shuo who had been refining the medicine.

These fringedwellers had heard about the wonders of Han Shuo's medicine from the people in the Divine Domain. When they found out that it was Han Shuo who was making the medicines, they swarmed like bees to the Celestial Pearl and lined up to buy Han Shuo's medicines.

In the fringe, there were all sorts of sinister pharmacists who engaged in evil research. Almost all the medicines they produced were for harming others. There were no medicines to improve one's cultivation speed.

Based on the information the Fringedwellers had obtained, they knew that the medicines Han Shuo produced were incredibly useful for improving oneself in various aspects. This was very different from the kind of medicine that was abundantly found in the Omphalos. Some could increase the body's healing speed, some could stabilise one's mind during cultivation, thus increasing one's cultivation speed.

For many, this was the kind of medicine they needed most. Therefore, when the fringe dwellers heard that Han Shuo was producing medicine in the Celestial Pearl, they immediately rushed to the pharmacy from every region. They brought large amounts of black crystal coins with them, intending to buy as much of Han Shuo's medicine as possible.

Although those gathered at the Celestial's Pearl were fierce and savage gods from all over the Fringe, they were well-behaved and even volunteered to form an orderly queue. None of them dared to make a scene.

They knew that Han Shuo was not only a talented apothecary, but also one of the most formidable experts in the Fringe. In the territory of such a powerful being, they tried to behave as best they could so as not to displease Han Shuo.

Han Shuo looked around and saw the large crowd gathered outside his Celestial Pearl. As soon as they saw Han Shuo, they respectfully approached him and greeted him politely, informing him of their obvious intention.

Han Shuo had not expected a crowd to gather here just because of the scent. But he did not mind, as it was a good thing for him. Han Shuo announced to the crowd, "My medicines will be sold at a fixed price, but only a small portion will be sold each day. They will be sold on a first come, first served basis..."

Han Shuo had been running the Celestial Pearl for a long time and had learnt some techniques from Phoebe and Emily to increase the pharmacy's reputation and profits.

Given his current reputation, no one in the crowd dared to argue with his decision. He gave his apothecaries the medicines he had made, gave them some instructions and retreated to a private lounge.

Many of the toxin makers standing in the crowd wore strange expressions. It was as if they had something to say, but couldn't. But after Han Shuo was out of sight, they grumbled in low voices, "What's so great about these medicines? I'll eat my hat if they're as miraculous as he claims!"

"So will I! If he has the power to defeat Salas, then it's impossible that he also has a high level of mastery in the field of medicine. Hmph, if he didn't have tremendous strength, I would have already challenged him to a duel in drug making!"

As soon as Han Shuo started refining medicine, many of the fringedwellers had rushed to the Celestial Pearl to wait. This had affected the sales of the toxin makers. It was only natural for them to be unhappy about this.

However, they were too intimidated by Han Shuo's tremendous strength to voice their grievances in front of Han Shuo, nor did they have the courage to cause trouble at the Celestial Pearl.

"We'll buy some of his medicine to test if it's as wonderful as he claims. Hmph, if it turns out that he is making false claims, even though he is very powerful, we will speak the truth as it is!" suggested one of the toxin makers. His colleagues agreed.

These pharmacists who specialized in producing toxic substances were very queer and condescending in temperament. If it wasn't for their fear of Han Shuo's tremendous strength, they would have made a scene.

Although Han Shuo had disappeared from sight, his senses covered the entire Celestial Pearl and he clearly heard every word the toxin makers uttered. With a broad smile on his face, he called for one of his shopkeepers and instructed, "If these Toxin Makers want to buy my medicine, let them skip the queue. Make sure they get their hands on my medicines."

"I'm sorry, My Lord , but I don't understand! Those bastards are here to cause trouble! My Lord, you may not know this, but when Your Lordship is not at the Celestial Pearl, they often try to slander us, saying that our medicines are useless!" the shopkeeper replied. He seemed very irritated by these toxin makers.

Before Han Shuo came to the Celestial Pearl, before he had defeated Salas, those toxin makers were unafraid of Han Shuo and secretly spread slander about the Celestial Pearl, hurting the pharmacy's business.

Although Han Shuo was unaware of this before, he quickly figured out what the toxin makers were up to. Han Shuo smiled but did not explain to the worker. He instructed, "I understand, but just do as I say. Hehe, although they are queer in temperament, they are nonetheless very talented in their fields. I want to see if they can find any flaws in my medicine!"

After hearing Han Shuo's words, the shopkeeper mysteriously excused himself and continued to carry out Han Shuo's orders.

Han Shuo planned to make all these toxin makers his apothecaries by hook or by crook. He would move the Celestial Pearl headquarters to Omphalos and dominate the pharmacy market of the fringe. His rivals would either be crushed or join him.

***

"Hello Mister Bryan, it's been a while!" a familiar voice sounded before Luolong stepped into the private lounge with a grin.

Han Shuo had indeed been waiting for Luolong. He had sensed Luolong's presence after he had finished refining the medicine. Han Shuo knew that Luolong was very loyal to Ossora, and he must have come to the Celestial Pearl to deliver a message from Ossora.

"Oh, it's you! How can I help you, Luolong?" Han Shuo replied in a friendly manner.

Luolong seemed rather surprised, not expecting Han Shuo to treat him as kindly as before.

From Luolong's point of view, from the moment Han Shuo had defeated Salas, he had risen to an existence on the same level as the Five Sovereigns. Luolong thought that Han Shuo would have acted differently in front of others and wouldn't have treated him as politely as before.

Therefore, Luolong wanted to treat Han Shuo the same way he often treated Ossora. However, before he could do so, he was surprised to find that Han Shuo did not care and was still as friendly as before. He found this very strange.

"I have come with a message from Lord Ossora," Luolong replied with a smile in a very respectful tone. He continued, "Salas has disappeared and the Sovereign Shops he owned have been divided among the remaining Sovereigns. As Mr Bryan was not in Omphalos at the time, you didn't get any. However, Lord Ossora believes that Mr Bryan has the power to control part of the Omphalos. His lordship has been in talks with the other Sovereigns, asking them to give up the Sovereign Shops they took from Salas and let Mr Bryan take Salas' place in the Omphalos. However, it didn't look like this was going to be an easy task. There hasn't been much progress so far..."

Han Shuo looked at Luolong with a smile, nodded and said, "Um, Luolong, please thank Lord Ossora for me. I really don't know how I could ever repay His Lordship for doing so much to help me." Han Shuo had always felt that the Sovereign Shops that had previously belonged to Salas were rightfully his.

"Mister Bryan, the most important message I have to give you is that Lord Ossora intends to give you the two Sovereign Shops he has acquired. Lord Ossora believes that in order for Mister Bryan to take Salas' place in the Omphalos, Mister Bryan should inherit those assets that Salas previously possessed," Luolong said smiling.

Han Shuo was astounded. He did not expect that Ossora would be willing to surrender such great capitals just to improve their relationship. Han Shuo was elated and replied, "That's wonderful! Please tell Lord Ossora that I really appreciate it and thank you so much!"

<i >What is this Ossora after? Is he trying to use me as a tool? thought Han Shuo secretly while wearing a grateful, cheery face.

"There is one more thing I'm instructed to inform Mister Bryan. There are hundreds upon thousands of shops in the Omphalos. If Mister Bryan wishes to have a share of the Omphalos, besides the consent of all the Sovereigns, you will also need the approval of at least half of the shop owners. These are the two requirements that Mister Bryan must fulfill in order to be one of the owners of the Omphalos," said Luolong.

Han Shuo nodded smilingly and replied, "Thank you, now I know what I must do. Hehe, I doubt that those shop owners would have any objection. It should be a done deal as long as I can persuade the other three Sovereigns!"

As those shop owners in the Omphalos did not possess formidable power, it would be a wonder if they would resist Han Shuo, a most terrifying expert. But Han Shuo immediately knew that there had to be reservations. Perhaps the other three Sovereigns would instruct the shopkeepers to oppose him.

This would allow the three Sovereigns to avoid friction with Han Shuo for the time being, while preventing Han Shuo from getting a piece of the Omphalos. Most of the shopkeepers lived inside the Omphalos. If Han Shuo were to kill any of the dissenting shopkeepers, it would be tantamount to declaring war on the Four Sovereigns. This would give Tyre, Logue and Wasir an excuse to join forces and kill him.

After thinking through all the possibilities, Han Shuo had a rough idea of the intentions of these Sovereigns. He scoffed in his mind and began to think of his countermeasures.