CHAPTER 776: A New Direction

***In a gymnasium of the Han residence.

Han Shuo's avatars of death and destruction unleashed their domains of divinity. His three souls were synchronised and the two Domains of Divinity slowly began to merge. Gradually, bizarre transformations took place in the real gymnasium...

The gymnasium was surrounded by powerful boundaries supported by energy towers. The surrounding elements were kept isolated outside the gymnasium. Elemental energies could barely enter the gymnasium through the barriers. However, after Han Shuo's Domain of Divinity merged, loud popping noises began to emanate from the boundaries around him. It was as if the Death Element outside the gymnasium felt a strong pull and was trying to force its way into the gymnasium.

The three Han Shuos stood shoulder to shoulder inside the gymnasium. His Avatars of Death and Destruction used their Divine Souls to sense the changes taking place in their Domain of Divinity. Strings of faith filled the domain, spinning rapidly in trajectories that corresponded to the Edict of Destruction.

With a single thought, Han Shuo condensed the divine energy of destruction within his body into an Orb of Destruction. Within the amalgamated domain of divinity, the rate at which the Orb materialised had increased many times over. Once the Orb was formed, it automatically travelled in special trajectories within the domain, similar to the power of the faith strings around it.

Han Shuo's Avatar of Destruction began to condense more Orbs of Destruction. The orbs glowed with a dark sheen. The divine energy of destruction made buzzing sounds like electric sparks inside the orbs. They moved quickly along the same trajectory as the power of the Faith Strings.

The Orbs of Destruction automatically travelled around the Hybrid Domain of Divinity in unique trajectories, and Han Shuo had no direct control over their movements. It was as if his Hybrid Domain of Divinity was doing the job for him. Han Shuo could not be more astonished.

The Orbs of Destruction fluttered all around the Domain of Divinity. When they were first created, they were the size of a clenched fist. But gradually, they grew in size. The divine energy of destruction within them also grew, making the Orbs more and more powerful.

The Orbs of Destruction that had left Han Shuo's control had become much more powerful under the influence of the Hybrid Domain. They were rapidly spinning in the trajectories of the Edict of Destruction, causing Han Shuo's domain to become more and more chaotic.

At that moment, a slender and curvaceous figure entered the gymnasium.

As the person entered the gymnasium, it was as if the energy that had been building up in the merged domain had found an outlet and swarmed towards the person. The Orbs of Destruction that had been fluttering around charged towards the person in the trajectories of the Edict of Destruction.

A series of crackles and rattles emanated from the area. The beautiful figure hastily put up a defence against the spontaneous attack from Han Shuo's Domain of Divinity and quickly retreated.

With a single thought, the synchronicity between the three souls was broken. With that, the hybrid Domain of Divinity vanished. The moment the domain disappeared, Han Shuo regained full control over the Orbs of Destruction. They flew back towards Han Shuo and disappeared into his palm.

After the Domain of Divinity disappeared, Rose, the beautiful figure, cautiously stepped back into the gymnasium. She looked at Han Shuo with astonished eyes and asked puzzled, "What was that about?"

"Nothing," Han Shuo replied as he knitted his eyebrows in deep thought.

The competition between the Seven Divine Guard Corps of the City of Shadows was about to begin, so Han Shuo had stayed at his Han residence. After the Eighth Desolation and Torment Formation had been built, Han Shuo's friends and girlfriends had gone inside to cultivate. Meanwhile, Han Shuo had been tending to his demon infant's wounds while studying the marvellous merged domain of divinity.

Han Shuo had been very surprised at how wonderfully the merge Domain of Divinity had performed in the duel with Hofs. Since that battle, he began to use the hybrid domain repeatedly to understand what other miraculous functions it had. Since he had nothing to do at the moment, he asked Rose to be his sparring partner.

Rose was extremely surprised by the existence of his two avatars, and even more surprised that their Domains of Divinity could merge into something new. Rose had never heard of such a thing. She had shown great interest in it and had been very helpful to Han Shuo in unravelling the mysteries of the hybrid domain.

""Your domain of divinity is very hostile to others. Apart from yourself, all those who approach your domain would be attacked by it. Can you control it?" asked Rose after a moment's thought. She seemed a little worried.

This was indeed a great challenge for Han Shuo. After much experimentation, Han Shuo discovered that for the time being, he could not fully control the merged domain of divinity. As soon as the two domains merged, any person near him except himself would be attacked by the domain. Even his closest friend was no exception.

This was a major headache for Han Shuo because it meant that once he used the hybrid domain, he had to fight his enemies alone and no ally could fight alongside him or else his ally would suffer the indifferent attacks of his domain. His allies such as Emily and Lisa, whose powers were relatively weak, could suffer serious or even fatal injuries from his Hybrid Domain of Divinity. Needless to say, Han Shuo did not want to see that happen.

Looking pensive, Han Shuo forced a smile and shook his head. He replied, "Sigh, I don't know what's going on either. I'm still trying to find a way to control it. That will come soon, I hope." After a short pause, Han Shuo showed a delighted look and said, "Anyway, the Orbs of Destruction were able to increase in power just by travelling in special trajectories according to the Edict of Destruction within the new domain. It seemed that the new Domain of Divinity could not only amplify the power of the boundaries used, but it also had the same effect on regular attacks!"

"Really? That's wonderful!" Rose exclaimed in delight. She then exclaimed in admiration, "Your two avatars are only midgods now, but the new domain they are forming is already so terrifying. Once your avatars have broken through and you have fully mastered your new domain, I believe your power will increase even further. This is so overwhelming!"

Han Shuo nodded with a faint smile and said, "That is why I must learn to fully control my hybrid domain of divinity as soon as possible!"

Han Shuo continued to discuss the characteristics of the hybrid domain with Rose before leaving the gymnasium. Rose did not leave with Han Shuo. Instead, she stayed in the gymnasium and cultivated on her own. The gymnasium was for her and Han Shuo's exclusive use. She was very happy with the arrangement.

Shortly after Han Shuo sat down in his home office, Sanguis, who had heard that Han Shuo had come out of the gymnasium, walked in and announced, "Master, your friends have come to visit you!"

"Who are they?" Han Shuo had many friends in the City of Shadows. Currently, all the major family clans were throwing olive branches to Han Shuo, always trying to improve their relationship with Han Shuo. They would visit Han Shuo from time to time. Han Shuo had no idea which of them Sanguis was referring to.

"They are not locals and are quite young." Sanguis tried to remember for a moment and said, "I think their names are Bolten and Li Wei."

"Oh!" Han Shuo exclaimed quietly before he smiled faintly and said, "It's them! How unexpected! Where are they?"

"They arrived seven days ago and were put up in the eastern guesthouse," Sanguis replied.

Han Shuo nodded and without another word, he headed straight for the eastern guesthouse. Before Han Shuo had reached the area, Han Shuo had located Bolten and Li Wei through his demon generals.

"What a pleasure to be visited by friends from afar! Haha, welcome to the Han residence!" said Han Shuo laughing as he entered the guesthouse.

The visitors were Bolten, Bowen, Li Wei, and most surprisingly - Dagassi, the ancient lizard king!

Back in the Profound Continent, Dagassi the Ancient Lizard King had provided Han Shuo with assistance and valuable guidance. Dagassi left the Profound Continent soon after, and Han Shuo had not seen him since. Han Shuo later learned from Li Wei that Dagassi was with her family clan.

Dagassi had now become a Mid-stage Lowgod of Darkness. His aged appearance remained much the same. Dagassi seemed very shocked to see Han Shuo again, as if he could not believe that the man before him was the Han Shuo he knew. "Bryan? Is it really you?"

Han Shuo laughed out loud and stepped forward to hug the Ancient Lizard King. He replied warmly, "Of course it is me! How unexpected, we meet again!"

"I was told that Lady Li Wei met you in the Profound Continent, but I never expected the Bryan of the City of Shadows to be the same person. Who would have thought that you would be able to gain a foothold in the City of Shadows in such a short time? Youngster, you are truly amazing!" exclaimed Dagassi in amazement.

"Meh, there's nothing to it. He has risen to great heights, stepping on Sister Donna's House of Lavers and crawling on the House of Sainte. He even took Sister Donna's house. What a shame, Sister Donna treated him well when he had nothing and yet he would betray Donna," Li Wei said after giving Han Shuo a cold look.

Bolten, standing next to them, looked rather embarrassed and forced a laugh to break the tense atmosphere. He interjected, "Bryan, we have come here on behalf of our family clan to discuss business cooperation with your Celestial Pearl Pharmacy. Haha, even though we are in the Domain of Death and Darkness, we have heard a lot about your Celestial Pearl Pharmacy. Our elders knew that we were friends, so they sent us here to negotiate."

Han Shuo did not answer Bolten, but looked at Li Wei with a bitter smile. After a while, he let out a soft sigh and said, "I can't blame you for misunderstanding the situation. But I must say that I have never forgotten Donna and the kindness she showed me. I hold no grudge against her House of Lavers, but Avery had tried to kill me time and again, leaving me no choice but to fight. I only have a grudge against Avery, not Donna."

"You own the Lavers residence now, while Sister Donna is homeless. What's the point of saying those words now?" replied Li Wei after she snorted.

Although Han Shuo did it because he had no choice, he was the victor in the conflict. People usually sympathise with the defeated, and Han Shuo could understand that Li Wei would find it difficult to change her mind in such a short time. Han Shuo shook his head helplessly and did not explain further. He asked Bolten, "Your family clan wishes to purchase the medicines I have personally refined, right?

"Nope!" Bolten shook his head and said smilingly, "Our elders want to open a Celestial Pearl Pharmacy franchise in the Destruction Dominion. Will you be interested?"

Han Shuo was thrilled by the proposal. He immediately nodded with a smile and replied, "Of course I am!"