CHAPTER 736: Strength Revealed

The members and representatives of the various family clans left the hall with their medicines. As they walked out, they whispered to each other about the incident they had just witnessed. Among them, Jiya had a beautiful glow in her eyes as she looked at Han Shuo. She felt as if she had been re-introduced to Han Shuo.

Han Shuo's sudden outburst had shocked everyone in the hall. It was only after this incident that they realised that this person who seemed inconspicuous on ordinary days was actually an extremely patient and ferocious man. Han Shuo's status in their hearts was greatly enhanced. No one would ever think of Han Shuo as just a pharmacist again.

While it was true that pharmacists were a respected profession on Elysium, they could never inspire the same awe as a Highgod. Their respect for apothecaries was born of necessity. The respect they have for Highgods, however, surely comes from the heart.

"It is truly amazing that the boy has such strength at such a young age."

"What is impressive is not only his current strength, but his patience in keeping a low profile all this time. If Portlem hadn't done such an outrageous thing, I'm afraid we'd all be unaware of his true strength for much, much longer," Beth of the House of Kinson remarked after leaving the hall. She then glanced at Jiya and asked in a low, teasing voice, "Uh-oh, has my little Jiya just fallen in love with someone?"

"What? No," Jiya replied, her charming face blushing, "I just thought he looked rather interesting. I have never met anyone remotely like him in the City of Shadows. Normally, he would bow down and fawn over Andre. But just now, when he tried to kill Portlem, he never even blinked, no matter how much Andre screamed. I'm really surprised about that."

"I heard that Bryan went berserk because Portlem tried to kidnap his women. Jiya, don't forget that he already has women, and that's plural, not singular, mind you," Beth said in a low voice.

"Mum, what are you talking about?" Jiya groaned lightly and walked away in a hurry.

Beth watched Jiya go. She let out a soft sigh and murmured, "I have never seen you show so much interest in one person in all the years I have raised you."

***Inside a secret chamber, Han Shuo and Andre sat face to face. Han Shuo was silent and looked dark.

Andre looked at Han Shuo with a grimace. He sighed and said, "Bryan, oh, Bryan, what else are you hiding from us? Last time it was Andrina who flipped out and now it's your turn. Who from your Celestial Pearl will be the next to break out?"

After a long silence, Han Shuo finally said, "Lord Andre, if the City of Shadows is no longer suitable for us, I will take my people and leave the city immediately."

"That is not my wish. Although you have kept us in the dark for a long time, you have meant no harm to our House of Sainte. You have saved Carmelita twice and even helped us expose the deeds of the Godswamp Pharmacy. No matter how you look at it, the House of Sainte owes you a favour," Andre explained hastily, "but it's just that the influence of Portlem's family is considerable. His uncle came to the City of Shadows to discuss certain matters concerning the Church. If anything were to happen to Portlem in the City of Shadows, our House of Sainte would be held responsible."

"Lord Andre, I understand your position," Han Shuo replied. Turning to a deep voice, he continued, "But truly, when I learned that Portlem had attempted to kidnap my women, despite being informed that they were from the Celestial Pearl, it made my blood boil."

"Sigh, let's not talk about that for now," Andre said with an annoyed look on his face. After a short pause he asked, "Bryan, what energy did you just use? Why have I never seen anything like it before?"

Han Shuo remained silent.

"Erm," Andre seemed rather awkward and added, "Both you and Andrina are very queer. The energies you both used are very unusual. I'm just curious about it, that's all."

"It's a kind of energy similar to combat aura. I've been practising it since I was young," Han Shuo explained after thinking for a while, "As for what kind of energy it is, I'm not too sure either. My master who taught me the art did not explain it in detail. He only mentioned that only certain people with a certain body type could cultivate in this energy. An average person cannot understand or practice it," Han Shuo lied.

"That's really strange!" exclaimed Andre.

"Master, what you did today is reckless. If the Demon Lord's enemy discovers that you are cultivating in the demonic arts, they will try to kill you before you become strong enough to be their rival," the Cauldron Spirit transmitted into Han Shuo's consciousness.

"I know. But I really want to kill Portlem," Han Shuo said to the Cauldron Spirit, "This universe is vast. The chances of meeting this person are very small, especially when my strength is so low now. It is unlikely that a character of that level would notice me. I don't think that would be a problem for now."

"Still, you should be more careful next time. Avoid using demonic arts unless it's necessary. If used too often, it will sooner or later attract unwanted attention," Cauldron Spirit remained silent for a moment before telling Han Shuo, "The Exalted Demon Lord had severely injured the enemy before his death. In my estimation, the enemy would still be recovering from his injuries at this point. Still, we should be more cautious."

"Understood," Han Shuo replied.

According to their original understanding, Han Shuo should avoid the use of demonic arts, and if he were to use them, he would make sure that no one who witnessed it would remain alive. However, the circumstances on this day were unique. Han Shuo had momentarily lost his temper when he heard that Portlem had nearly kidnapped his women, and he had rashly used demonic arts as a result.

Even though he knew that doing so might cause some trouble, in the heat of the moment, his only thought was to kill Portlem and nothing else. Now that the event had happened, all Han Shuo could do was to learn from it and minimise the damage. Han Shuo was slightly relieved to learn that the enemy had not yet recovered from his injuries.

"Forget it. I won't force you if you don't want to talk about it," Andre remarked and sighed when he saw that Han Shuo remained silent. Then he stood up and continued, "But you needn't worry too much about this matter. As long as Portlem is alive, things are still salvageable. It is even beneficial for you to show off your mighty strength."

Han Shuo was stunned. Confused, he asked, "What advantage do you mean?"

"After this incident, my elder brother will look up to you. If you did not have this kind of strength to solve the matter, my Elder Brother might choose to sacrifice you for the greater good. After all, a pharmacist will never be as important to my Elder Brother as a Highgod. But given the situation now, given the importance of both you and Andrina to him, even without considering the favours you've done for Carmelita, my Elder Brother will defend you at all costs," Andre assured, "so you don't have to leave the City of Shadows. In fact, you need not worry about the repercussions - our House of Sainte will take care of everything for you."

After a short pause, Andre looked solemnly at Han Shuo and added, "But you must promise me that you will not harm Portlem in the City of Shadows. It's a good thing Portlem's uncle isn't around today, otherwise things would have gotten ugly. If you really cannot forgive Portlem, wait until he has left the city before doing anything to him.

Han Shuo's anger had partially subsided after seriously injuring Portlem. Seeing the serious look on Andre's face, Han Shuo calmed his mind and thought for a moment. Finally, he nodded and said sincerely, "Lord Andre, I apologise for my actions. I have lost my rationality at that time."

"I understand," Andre said with a faint smile but in his mind, he thought, You looked completely calm when trying to murder him. It didn't seem like you have lost much rationality!

"I won't be seeing your Lordship out. Farewell, Lord Andre," Han Shuo bowed.

Andre nodded smilingly. He left a few pieces of advice at the last minute and left Celestial Pearl Pharmacy.

As soon as Andre left, Andrina entered the chamber. She asked, "Bryan, do we have to leave the City of Shadows?"

Han Shuo shook his head and replied in a deep voice, "We will stay for now and see what happens."

"But if we don't leave now, it will be too late if the House of Sainte decides to capture us and deliver us to Portlem to resolve the matter," Andrina creased her brows and said.

"If the House of Sainte really wants to do so, now is already too late for us to leave," after taking a short pause, Han Shuo asked, "What exactly happened?"

"Twenty days after we separated, I kept them inside a boundary and went out alone to scout out the surroundings. After making sure that you had successfully lured away all the Godhunters, we continued our journey to the City of Shadows. We spent twenty thousand black crystal coins on an airship in the first town we entered. From there, we continued our journey on the airship.

"Then, while travelling through a valley, we met that asshole on his airship, also heading for the City of Shadows. Although Fanny and my older sisters are weak in strength, they are all outstanding in appearance. Even in Elysium, they are hard to find beauties. This scum decided to act on his evil thoughts when he saw our strengths were weak. Fortunately, they did not discover my true strength. I surprised them by destroying their airship. Then, after a struggle, we barely managed to escape.

"Since I was injured, and fearing that we might run into more trouble on the rest of the journey, I rested for a while before continuing the journey on the airship. That's about it," Andrina said.

"I'll go and see how they are. Here, take this, use these crystal coins to heal your injuries," Han Shuo tossed Andrina a bag of black crystal coins and walked towards his ladies' room.

Han Shuo knew which room Akley had put his women in as he had watched with his demon general. When they arrived, Han Shuo reassured them with his warm voice before he reassured them physically. He made sure they were completely satisfied before he left.

After resting for the night, on the second day, Han Shuo introduced the ladies to Gu Li, Akley and others. He also gave them a brief update on the situation in Celestial Pearl. Phoebe had a lot of experience running a business on the Profound Continent.

She was very interested in solving the problems of Celestial Pearl Pharmacy.

Han Shuo knew that Phoebe was capable in this aspect, so he recommended her to Gu Li to participate in the business and personnel management aspects of Celestial Pearl. Although Emily wasn't as good as Phoebe at management, she was skilled at recognising and recruiting talent - a skill that allowed her to rise to a high position in the Dark Mantle.

She also volunteered to help run Han Shuo's business.

These things were not Han Shuo's strengths. Seeing how excited the two of them were to help him with the business, and knowing their abilities, Han Shuo assigned them some of the relevant tasks.

Since Fanny had no experience in running a business and showed no interest in it, Han Shuo did not arrange for her to work in his pharmacy.

Leaving the excited Phoebe and Emily to learn about the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy from Gu Li, Han Shuo took Fanny to one of the nearest Divine Weapons Stores.

The Origin Crystals and scrolls detailing how to ascend to Godhood that Han Shuo had purchased before the journey were given to Trunks and other friends remaining on the Profound Continent. Now that Fanny, Stratholme and the others had arrived in the City of Shadows, the most important thing they had to do was to quickly improve their powers.

These mortals were all talented in cultivation. In Elysium, where the elemental energies were the most intense and the resources the most abundant, their strength would surely soar.

After spending only three thousand black crystal coins, Han Shuo bought all the materials they needed from the shop. The items Han Shuo purchased were considered ordinary and low level on Elysium. They were nothing precious.

When Fanny saw that goods that would be priceless on the Profound Continent were displayed in a corner of the shop as if it were nothing remarkable, and when she saw that the prices were only a few dozen purple crystal coins to three black crystal coins, her mind was once again blown.

"Those on Elysium could make rapid progress in their cultivation because this world has all the resources. In addition to the superior environment, it's not surprising that gods are common.

Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many who would travel across the universe just to live here," Han Shuo said to Fanny with a smile. After placing the items in his space ring, they returned to the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy.

Han Shuo gathered all those who had come from the Profound Continent, placed all the items he had just purchased on a table in front of them, and smilingly instructed, "Take what is most useful for you.

There were Origin Crystals, green crystals for forming an Elemental Body, scrolls detailing how to break through from demigod to basegod, and even methods for ascending from basegod to lowgod.

After inquiring and learning the functions of the items, they selected and carefully put away these treasures, which would be coveted by every person on the Profound Continent. After thanking Han Shuo, they rushed back to their own rooms to cultivate.

It was only after they arrived on Elysium that they realised how weak they were. They were unwilling to waste a second on anything other than cultivation to make up the difference in strength with an average person on Elysium.