CHAPTER 748: House Of Han

After seven years, all those who came from the Profound Continent broke through to the Lowgod Realm. However, since their aptitudes were different, some, such as Stratholme and Ayermike, managed to reach the Late-stage Lowgod Realm, while others, such as Candide and Emma, whose aptitudes were lowet than Stratholme and Ayermike's to begin with, had only reached the Early-stage Lowgod Realm.

Since Fanny, Phoebe, and the ladies had all reached Lowgodhood, they honoured their agreement and no longer refrained from sexual activities with Han Shuo. As a result, Han Shuo enjoyed pleasurable days after returning from cultivation.

After returning to Celestial Pearl, in addition to indulging in sexual pleasures, Han Shuo also made sure to find time to teach Sanguis, Bolland, and Gilbert. Aside from guiding them in their cultivation of the demonic arts, he also wanted to learn the exact level of their strengths.

Han Shuo was quite clear about Sanguis's and Bollands' conditions, since they were only cultivating demonic arts. But as for Gilbert, he was a special case because his body had been refined the same way a demonic weapon was forged, and his soul had been enhanced by demonic arts. To this day, Gilbert has never stopped practising the demonic skill that strengthens his soul. After arriving in Elysium, he began to cultivate in the energy of darkness, and had currently reached the realm of Lowgod.

Gilbert's situation was different from Han Shuo's. Although Han Shuo was cultivating in the Demonic Arts as well as the Energy of Death and Destruction, he had three separate bodies for each of these energies. Gilbert, on the other hand, only had one body. Both energies were combined in this one body of his. This made his dark divine energy extremely bizarre.

After a moment of careful observation, Han Shuo discovered that within Gilbert's dark divine energy, there was also a small amount of demonic yuan, which Han Shuo put into his demonic body. His divine soul and divine energy were also much stronger than those of a Lowgod of darkness of the same class. Han Shuo couldn't figure out what exactly caused this.

Bollands, Sanguis, and Gilbert were currently the top three in Celestial Pearl Pharmacy in terms of strength. They were more powerful than the Late-stage Lowgod. Based on the trend of their progress, another breakthrough did not seem too far away.

During the seven years in the City of Shadows, Celestial Pearl Pharmacy had not only maintained its market dominance, it had managed to capture an even larger share of the market, earning two million black crystal coins for Han Shuo. The medicines he personally refined had become an attraction for gods visiting the city.

This was largely due to Phoebe's promotion. Before Han Shuo left to refine the flying swords, Phoebe had asked for and received a portion of the medicines Han Shuo had personally refined. Over the past seven years, she would occasionally put some of these medicines up for sale in all the branches of Celestial Pearl. The sales would attract large crowds to her stores, thus increasing Celestial Pearl's profits.

It should be mentioned that Phoebe's ability to grow a business was admirable. Under her management, Celestial Pearl's business had grown exponentially. The talented pharmacists, who were well paid, produced medicines that were far superior to those of an average pharmacy.

The regular medicines produced by Celestial Pearl's pharmacists were superior to those produced by an average pharmacy. Therefore, even though Han Shuo had not produced any medicine during those years, Celestial Pearl's sales had managed to eclipse those of other pharmacies.

Then, on one of those days when things were going perfectly, Han Shuo was invited to the Sainte Residence by Andre.

As soon as Han Shuo arrived at the Sainte Residence, Carmelita, who had been forced to cultivate by Wallace in recent times, came to greet him. Carmelita immediately threw a punch at Han Shuo and said, "You rascal, where have you been? You've been gone for seven years!"

There were no more dark pigments on her skin, and her appearance was no longer frightening, but just very average. For some reason, Han Shuo felt very comfortable and relaxed. He found Carmelita a delight to be around.

"I chose to cultivate in seclusion, away from the city," Han Shuo explained with a smile. He quickly followed up with a question, "Right, what is Lord Andre looking for me for?"

"Actually, it is my father who is looking for you. I will only tell you that it will be good for you," Carmelita replied. As she led Han Shuo into the residence, she asked Han Shuo what he had seen in the GodHunter's Valley. She was very interested in what had happened there.

"Aobashi and Erebus were there. You should have heard everything from them by now. Why do you still ask me about it?"

""They didn't want to talk about it clearly and left out many details, as if they were trying to hide something from me," Carmelita replied in an annoyed voice.

After a moment's thought, Han Shuo understood why both Aobashi and Erebus did not tell Carmelita their stories clearly.

The raid on the Godhunter's base had involved two Overgods, one of whom was the Goddess of Destiny. Aobashi, Erebus and Han Shuo had been warned by Wallace and Andre not to spread the word outside their circle. As Carmelita was rather naive in her thoughts and straightforward in her speech, they considered her to be someone who couldn't keep any secrets. Knowing that she would probably reveal the information unintentionally, they told the story vaguely.

Han Shuo had some idea of how things worked in the Sainte family. If Carmelita still did not know about the two overgods, it meant that Wallace and Andre did not want her to know. Therefore, after quickly weighing his options, Han Shuo decided that he would not reveal the sensitive information to her. He lied, "I was injured during the raid and my mind wasn't working well. I believe only Aobashi and Erebus know the details. So I'm sorry, but I can't help you!"

"So it turns out that you didn't know anything either, how strange!" Carmelita groaned slightly before pointing to a room and saying, "There, my father is in there. I won't go with you!"

It was a different room from the one Aobashi, Erebus, Han Shuo and Wallace had discussed the last time. The hall had a solemn and serious atmosphere. The four walls were decorated with dark patterns, the stone pillars had shimmering magical stones on their tops, and above their heads, a huge glazed magical chandelier illuminated the hall with a glorious radiance.

Inside the hall were all the influential figures of the City of Shadows. They were seated according to their status.

One of those seated near the centre was the patriarch of the House of Kinson, Caspar. Around him were his wife Beth, his daughter Jiya and his sister Camilla. Camilla was the head of the Fourth Corps. Like Erebus, she was a Mid-stage Highgod of Darkness.

Also seated were those from the House of Kisa: their patriarch Kinloch, Rugersey, the Chief of the Sixth Corps, and several members of the inner family.

From the House of Buller, their Patriarch, Laurel, the Chief of the Seventh Corps, Batúk, and Tuya's heir, Tuxi.

Patriarchs and members of low clans were also present. They sat at the corners and edges of the hall. It was clear that they were of low status.

After stepping into the hall and taking a look around, it took Han Shuo no time to realise that this was a very important meeting. His mind was jumbled and he had no idea why he was being summoned.

"Bryan, over here!" Andre shouted and gestured from a distance as soon as he noticed Han Shuo standing at the entrance.

Some in the hall who heard Andre's call turned their attention to Han Shuo. All those who had friendly relations with Han Shuo smiled and nodded at him. Even the patriarchs of the three major family clans nodded at Han Shuo, acknowledging his presence.

The patriarchs of the five major family clans of the City of Shadows, with the exception of the House of Lavers, were present. There were around thirty people in the hall, including various smaller family clans. Everyone present was at least somewhat influential in the City of Shadows.

Answering Andre's call, Han Shuo walked over to him with a blank expression on his face. Once there, however, Han Shuo looked around and noticed that there was no seat or chair next to Andre. He was quite puzzled. Everyone there was sitting, but only Han Shuo was standing. This made Han Shuo feel rather uncomfortable.

Most of those present had friendly relations with Han Shuo. Those from the great family clans had empty seats around them, but not a single one of them invited Han Shuo to sit with them. The situation was unusually formal!

"Elder brother, should Celestial Pearl be given a seat?" asked Andre after turning his head to look at Wallace who was sitting on the most prestigious seat in the hall.

Wallace glanced at Han Shuo and nodded. In a deep voice he said, "The Celestial Pearl shall have a place. Get him a chair!"

Everyone in the hall reacted by raising their eyebrows. All the patriarchs of the major family clans looked at Han Shuo in astonishment. Those from the smaller family clans even began to gossip, "How is he even qualified to sit there?" "Back then, the Godswamp Pharmacy didn't even have a chair in this hall. This boy is rising fast!"

"Congratulations, Bryan!" said Rugersey with a broad smile.

"Congratulations!" Jiya said smiling too.

Those from the grate family clans who knew Han Shuo congratulated him one by one, while those from the smaller family clans wore envious faces as they looked at Han Shuo with strange glances.

Han Shuo stared blankly for a moment before he finally realized what had just happened. He turned to Wallace and bowed, saying, "Thank you, City Lord!"

So every family clan has seats exclusively for their own people in designated places in the hall. No wonder Rugersey did not invite me to take the empty chair beside him!

Han Shuo finally understood what Wallace meant when he said: "the Celestial Pearl shall have a place". From that moment onwards, the Celestial Pearl was no longer a mere pharmacy store, but a family clan in the City of Shadows. This meant that Han Shuo had finally climbed to the noble class in the city!

"Bryan, what is your full name? We need to know that to formalize your family clan," Andre asked smilingly while a few divine guards arranged a seat for Han Shuo.

Han Shuo thought for a little and answered, "Bryan Han."

"Han? That's a strange surname. Haha, but that's alright. I have known stranger surnames," Andre smiled and said, "Bryan, from today onwards, Celestial Pearl Pharmacy will be the property of the House of Han. You can now have divine guards under your family clan as well as your own emblem!"

"Thank you very much!" Han Shuo expressed his gratitude once again. He had finally realised one of the many goals he wanted to achieve on Elysium. From this moment on, those who came from the Profound Continent would be members of his House of Han.

"Take a seat," Wallace gestured.

After Han Shuo had taken his seat, Wallace began in a deep voice: "The patriarch of the House of Lavers, Felder, has left the City of Shadows. All of his clansmen had left the city before him. As of today, the House of Lavers no longer exists in this city. Although they have left, their properties and assets remain. This includes several shops, residences, and several forts and satellite towns previously granted to them.

"These resources belong to the City of Shadows. Now that the House of Lavers is gone, someone will have to take their place in managing the estates, especially the forts and satellite cities, which must have a ruler at all times. My House of Sainte has limited manpower and has always maintained that the resources of the city should be shared among all the family clans. The reason I have invited you all here is to discuss how these resources should be distributed among you.

Han Shuo had learned of Felder's departure from the City of Shadows shortly after he returned from refining the demonic weapon. There was no denying that Felder had made at least some contribution to the City of Shadows. However, due to Avery's outrageous actions, Felder's House of Lavers lost the trust of the House of Sainte. Wallace, in an act of mercy, did nothing as Felder and his family clan withdrew from the City of Shadows.

The House of Lavers was once one of the five great family clans of the city. Although not as powerful as the House of Sainte, the resources and assets they possessed were considerable. After the Lavers left, the satellite towns, forts, estates and businesses they owned were naturally reclaimed by Wallace. All these assets cannot be left unmanaged. Therefore, for the stability of the city, Wallace summoned all the family clans in the city to divide them among themselves.

"We will respect all decisions made by the City Lord!" shouted those from the smaller family clans. The patriarchs of the three major clans nodded in silence.

In the City of Shadows, the House of Sainte is king. It was clear to all present that Wallace had come with a plan, and of course no one would say anything to displease the City Lord.

Wallace nodded and said, "Very well then," he turned to Andre and instructed, "You make the announcement.

Andre rose from his seat and declared with a smile, "Of the eighteen shops previously owned by the House of Lavers, the Houses of Kinson, Kisa and Buller will each take six shops. In addition, the three family clans will each receive one satellite city or fort, with the exception of Fort Lasberg. Andre then pointed to some of the smaller clans. Those who were mentioned became excited, while those who were not sighed.

"Fort Lasberg and the Laver Residence in the city will be given to the House of Han," Andre announced.

Han Shuo was overjoyed at the unexpected good news, but those from the smaller clans shouted in protest at the decision.

After all, both Lasberg Fortress and the Laver Residence were great fortunes!

It wasn't surprising that these people were unhappy about the huge assets being given to Han Shuo's newly formed family clan. Although the patriarchs of the three major family clans were quite shocked, they did not say anything because they considered the vacant position of the Chief of the Fifth Corps to be an even bigger and more lucrative asset!