CHAPTER 874: Celestial Pearl In The Omphalos

If it had been anyone else who had refused to pay the entrance fee, Logue's followers would have killed them mercilessly.

But when they learned that the man they were surrounding was Han Shuo, they did a complete 180, immediately lowering their posture and respectfully allowing Han Shuo to enter. A force so powerful as to defeat Salas was not to be reckoned with. Even if their master, Sovereign Logue, had been present, he would have allowed Han Shuo to enter the Omphalos rather than make an enemy of him for a mere hundred black crystal coins.

Han Shuo had obviously known for a long time that might makes right in the Fringe. He wasn't worried that the Omphalos guards might do something behind his back, so he walked into the Omphalos as if no one was watching.

Haruli immediately followed Han Shuo. He seemed indecisive, as if he had something to say but did not know how to begin. While Haruli's followers looked at Han Shuo in awe, they also watched Haruli, hoping that their leader would lead them to a better future.

Hurry up and say it, you fool! You missed your chance once. Don't miss it again! Haruli's followers hurried their chief with meaningful looks.

Haruli seemed to find it difficult. But after hesitating for a long time, he finally mustered up enough courage to raise his voice, "Ex... excuse me... Mister Bryan..."

Han Shuo stopped and turned to Haruli with a raised eyebrow. "Can I help you?" he asked with a grin.

"About a year ago, you asked me if I would be willing to serve you. Um, do you remember?" Haruli asked awkwardly, shifting his gaze back and forth. He seemed a bit nervous or embarrassed.

Han Shuo wore a stunned expression, as if he had no idea what Haruli was talking about. "Really? Did I?"

"Yes, you did, sir. Over at Luolong's checkpoint and right after you killed Buzz and Bertha. Remember?" said Haruli. He felt like he had been dunked in an ice bath.

Given Han Shuo's impeccable memory, it was impossible for him to forget something like that. Han Shuo had asked Haruli to serve him the first time he entered the Omphalos. But Haruli had immediately refused, even ridiculing Han Shuo.

Soon after, outside the Omphalos entrance guarded by Luolong, the Five Elite Zombies formed the Penta-elemental Undead Formation and destroyed dozens of forces within minutes. Goron and a group of Fringedwellers betrayed Buzz and Bertha before being forced into servitude under Han Shuo. After the event, Han Shuo, having demonstrated his immense power, once again invited Haruli to serve him, but Haruli gave no formal reply, claiming that he needed time to decide.

And now, after the entire Land of Chaos had learned of Han Shuo's rule over Salas and the supreme power that had led him there, Haruli, who had deliberately taken his time to consider, finally stepped forward to accept the offer.

"My apologies, I don't remember making such an offer," Han Shuo replied before continuing on his way. Considering Han Shuo's position and reputation in the fringe at that time, many powerful experts would throw themselves at Han Shuo. He could do well with or without Haruli.

Haruli looked discouraged as he watched Han Shuo leave. He knew that Han Shuo had not forgotten the offer he had made just a year before. It was also painfully clear to Haruli that Han Shuo no longer considered him a worthy associate, and that his coldness was a sign of displeasure that Haruli had only accepted the offer after his meteoric rise in reputation.

"Chief, what are we going to do now? Sigh, we should have agreed back then. There are too many experts who want to serve him now. Considering that our group isn't even the most powerful in the Fringe, our chances of being recruited are slim," one of Haruli's followers sighed remorsefully.

"Hmph, what's so great about him?" Haruli grimaced and barked, "He just managed to take advantage of Salas, who had spent too much divine energy fighting Ossora. With my position and reputation in the Fringe, I can do without him, as I always have!"

If he's not so terrific, then were you pandering at his feet just now? Haruli's followers scoffed as they secretly laughed at Haruli's angry remark. It was clear to them now that Haruli had no foresight. Otherwise, Haruli would have accepted Han Shuo's offer when he had the chance, and they would be more prosperous than they were at this moment.

Not only could he not admit his shortcomings, he even tried to belittle Han Shuo's abilities. Haruli's followers found his attitude ridiculous.

But Han Shuo didn't care about a forgettable character like Haruli. He just shrugged it off and went about his business.

"Excuse me, where are the Sovereign Shops under Sovereign Salas?" Han Shuo stopped a random stranger in the Omphalos and asked smilingly.

"Salas? Hehe, since he disappeared, the remaining four Sovereigns have taken over his Sovereign Shops. Sovereign Tyre took four, while the other three Sovereigns took two each. You may not know this, but even Salas' right-hand men now have to pay the fees to enter the Omphalos!" the random stranger chuckled.

Han Shuo stared blankly for a moment. He thought, "Damn, they really do act fast, don't they?

Han Shuo hesitated, weighing in his mind whether he should use brute force to take these Sovereign Shops. But after seriously considering his options, Han Shuo decided against it, at least for now.

Having recently entered the Skybreak Realm, Han Shuo was confident that he could defeat any of the Sovereigns. However, if all the Sovereigns joined forces against him, Han Shuo did not think that he could last long. Most worryingly, Han Shuo had yet to meet the strongest of the sovereigns, Tyre, who was said to possess unfathomable power if the legends were to be believed. Han Shuo felt that the risks outweighed the rewards.

After some thought, Han Shuo decided not to rush into anything and to take down the Sovereigns one by one. Han Shuo then went to the Sovereign Shop that Ossora had given him. Since Han Shuo had taken over the shop, he had set it up as another branch of the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy.

Han Shuo had managed to transfer some pharmacists from his branch in Ethereal City to the Omphalos. They easily produced more than enough medicine to fill the shelves. But since Han Shuo was busy with the Pandemonium, he did not produce and sell his pellet medicines in this Celestial Pearl branch. As a result, the business didn't do so well.

The Celestial Pearl was very popular in other cities because they sold the special, miraculous medicines that Han Shuo had refined. However, any medicine sold in this store could be bought in other pharmacies. They were average and nothing exciting. It was only to be expected that the people in the Omphalos didn't spend much money there.

Besides, there were all kinds of apothecaries and poison-makers all over the Omphalos. They were mad chemists and apothecaries from every corner of Elysium, all with the same strange fascination for producing poisons. These poisoners were extremely good at what they did. The medicines they refined were far more useful to the Fringedwellers than the ordinary medicines sold by the Celestial Pearl.

Although it was forbidden in the Divine Dominions, the use, production and research of poisons was completely unrestricted in the Fringe. The common medicines sold by the Celestial Pearl were nothing compared to those found in the Omphalos. If it were not for the fact that the employees of a Sovereign Shop were exempt from paying the costly fees and taxes, the business might not have survived.

The first thing Han Shuo noticed when he arrived at the Sovereign Shop was how massive it was. The shelves were filled with a dazzling array of medicines, but there were very few customers. It was clear that the items sold here were of little interest to the Fringedwellers.

To maintain a strong foothold in the Fringe, one must have wealth, power, and reputation. It was necessary for Han Shuo to have all three.

Han Shuo's arrival made the Celestial Pearl Pharmacists extremely excited. They had heard that Han Shuo had defeated Salas. They were very proud that their boss was such a powerful being.

Han Shuo did not talk much to the pharmacists. Soon after his arrival, he went to the medicine storehouse, gathered the rare materials he needed, notified the pharmacists, and locked himself in a secluded gymnasium.

All kinds of medicinal materials and herbs were thrown into the Nine Tessellation Cauldron. Strands of demonic yuan then began to circulate along the channels on the surface as flames gently licked the Cauldron. Soon, the sweet scent of the medicines began to waft out...

Han Shuo gave his full attention to the production of pellet medicines. Using his demonic yuan energy, he broke down the medicinal ingredients before reforming the energies contained within. Suddenly, he realised that not only had his strength and realm state improved, but his efficiency in producing medicine had also improved.

The pellet medicines that had previously taken Han Shuo a month or two to produce now took him only a few days. Furthermore, the quality of the medicine had not diminished, but was even more powerful than before.

Moreover, when Han Shuo stopped worrying about everyday things and concentrated on producing medicine, his Demonic Yuan could circulate very smoothly and slowly increase. Han Shuo realised that if he could clear his mind and cultivate, the growth of his Demonic Yuan would be much faster than usual.

Ten days later, Han Shuo had successfully produced over two thousand pellet medicines. They were as round, smooth, and shiny as pearls. The heavy scent they emitted would make anyone salivate.

"Master, there is a large group of people standing outside. They noticed the scent and want to buy your medicine. Also, many fringe pharmacists have gathered outside to watch!" a pharmacist hastily reported as soon as Han Shuo emerged from the gymnasium.

"Just in time!" Han Shuo said with a broad smile.