* * * Ethereal City in the Space Dominion.
Ever since Baum's death and McKinley took over as the City Lord of Ethereal City, not only did the City's trade and combat strength not decline, but they had also grown even more prosperous than when Baum was alive.
After McKinley took over Ethereal City, he reduced taxes on all kinds of transactions in the City. As long as one wasn't an evil person, one was welcome to enter Ethereal City. Furthermore, he still maintained the liberal environment of Ethereal City and did not interfere with the residents' personal affairs.
McKinley's abilities were far more outstanding than Baum's. Not only was he adept at management, but he also knew how to win people's hearts. Under his leadership, all the major family clans and business owners in the City would submit to him. Those divine guards who had been following Baum submitted to McKinley without hesitation and managed Ethereal City for him.
In Ethereal City, the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy and the Goldstone Energy Gem Shop received a lot of attention from McKinley. With the help of the City Lord, the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy and the Goldstone Energy Gem Shop had become the leaders of the two major industries in Ethereal City.
It had been some time since Phoebe, Emily, and the members of the Han family had arrived in Ethereal City. They had received a grand welcome from McKinley and felt as though they were at home. Unlike the City of Shadows, Ethereal City was not only very suitable for living but also more prosperous than the City of Shadows due to the fact that experts cultivating in all kinds of energy could gather in one place. It was the perfect place for ambitious women like Emily and Phoebe to expand their business.
With McKinley's help as the City Lord and the wisdom of Emily and Phoebe, the Han family's Celestial Pearl Pharmacy had developed rapidly. They had nearly destroyed most of the medicine and energy gem shops in the City and became the only major business in Ethereal City.
* * * Inside the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy, Phoebe, Emily, Sanguinar, and Bollands had gathered in a hall and were exchanging information about their recent gains.
"Ethereal City is a good place. However, it is said that the Fringe is where we should go. After all, we won't be staying here for long, so we don't need to invest too much energy here," said Statholme with a smile.
During this period of time, the members of the Han family felt very comfortable. Unlike when they were in the City of Shadows and Witherbone City, McKinley had truly treated them as one of his own in Ethereal City. He protected them wholeheartedly and did not harbor any ill intentions. Even the cunning old foxes of the Han family could sense that.
"Yes, McKinley has been very kind to us. I will talk to him about giving him ten percent of the profits from the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy and Goldstone Enterprise. Perhaps he's grateful to Brian for saving his life, but he's protecting us a little too much. Even when the owners of the shops go to the City Lord's Mansion every day to cause a ruckus, claiming that we've broken the trading rules of Ethereal City, he still ignores us! " Said Phoebe smilingly. In Ethereal City, she felt as though she was a dragon that had returned to the sea and was able to unleash her full potential.
"We can't go too far. After all, when Brian arrives, we will be heading to the Fringe. If we cause too much trouble in Ethereal City, McKinley will be put in a difficult position," said Phoebe smilingly. Emily had always been a considerate person. If someone treated her well, she would keep it in mind and find an opportunity to return the favor.
"Why hasn't Master returned yet? I wonder what's going on," said Sanguinar with his brows bunched. He seemed rather worried.
The party fell silent after hearing those words. They knew that Shuo would very likely have to face that incomparably terrifying existence when he returned to the Death Dominion. To them, the Overgod of the Death Dominion was an unimaginably powerful enemy. The longer they stayed on Elysium, the more they understood how terrifying an Overgod could be.
Although they had confidence in Han Shuo, they were still deeply worried when they thought that Han Shuo might have to face an almost invincible existence.
"Don't worry, Master will be fine. Even if he can't defeat the Overgod, he should be able to escape!" Said Dark dragon Gilbert, as always, blindly trusting Han Shuo. He wasn't worried about Han Shuo's safety in the slightest. In his opinion, Han Shuo would be fine.
"An Overgod who possesses the Quintessence possesses the most fundamental energy of heaven and earth. It is far beyond our knowledge. In this vast material plane, there are only twelve Overgods who possess the Quintessence. No matter how hard we try, we will never be able to fathom how terrifying they are. I hope Senior Brother is fine," said Bollands with a soft sigh.
"Alright, don't worry. Pack your things and get ready. We will depart for the Fringe in a moment!" Suddenly, a sonorous voice sounded from outside. A majestic figure abruptly appeared in the room. Who else could it be but Han Shuo?
"I'm glad that you are fine, Brian. How did it go?" asked Emily hastily.
"Hill is dead. Hofs, Wallace, Larikson, and Ralph are all dead. Don't worry, they are all dead!" said Han Shuo smilingly. He then turned to the crowd and said, "It seems that McKinley has been treating you well."
"Yes. Compared to what I experienced in Witherbone City, it's like heaven and earth!" replied Statholme with a big smile. It seemed that he really liked this place.
Sanguinar, Emily, Phoebe, and the others were overjoyed when they heard that Hill and the others were dead. To them, those people were the sworn enemies of the Han Clan. Only when they were finished would the Han Clan be able to make a name for themselves and not have any worries in the future.
"Alright, get ready. I will be making a trip to McKinley's mansion. When I return, we will depart for the Fringe. Haha, no matter how great Ethereal City is, it is still someone else's territory. Only the Fringe is ours. I'm sure you will like the Pandemonium, "said Han Shuo smilingly. Then, without waiting for them to reply, he vanished from the place.
* * * Ethereal City, inside the mansion of the City Lord.
McKinley, who was meditating in the gymnasium, put on a bright smile when he saw Han Shuo suddenly appearing in front of him. His face was filled with delight as he said, "Brian, you have finally returned!"
McKinley had undergone a drastic transformation. The depression he had accumulated over the years had been swept away. He appeared to be in high spirits. It seemed that he was very satisfied with his life as the City Lord of Ethereal City.
"Haha, you are doing well, old fella. It seems that your strength has improved again. How is it? When will you become an overgod? "Han Shuo joked.
Han Shuo and McKinley had spent a lot of time together over the past few years. Although the two did not meet often, as the Fringe was very close to Ethereal City, they frequently exchanged letters. Han Shuo knew about McKinley's situation very well, and McKinley also knew about Han Shuo's big moves in the Fringe.
"No matter how much my strength has improved, I won't be as fast as you!" McKinley laughed heartily. He shook his head and said in a somewhat angry manner, "You were so weak back on Profound Continent. But as soon as you arrived on Elysium, you showed off your abilities. To think that you would reach such a realm in less than a hundred years. I really wonder what kind of monster you are!"
"I will be bringing my people to the Fringe soon. How is the item you promised me coming along?" asked Han Shuo after blinking his eyes.
"I have long since prepared it for you." McKinley laughed involuntarily. A space ring flew towards Han Shuo. "Magical mirror, Teleportation Scroll, Spacetime Lock, and …" McKinley smilingly explained to Han Shuo how to use the space ring.
The magical mirror could allow people to communicate with each other across long distances. It was very useful for Han Shuo to gather intelligence in the Fringe. The Teleportation Scroll was a life-saving treasure that could allow one to tear through space and escape in an instant. Although Han Shuo did not need it, the important members of the Han Family would have a much higher chance of survival if they had the scroll.
As for the Spacetime Lock, as the name suggested, it could freeze space. Most experts who cultivated in the edict of space would have the means to tear through space and escape. With the Spacetime Lock, if the Han Family wanted to attack someone, they could prevent that person from leaving the Fringe alive.
Apart from those three items, there were also a few other items that could only be refined by experts who cultivated in the edict of space. To Han Shuo, those items were very useful. Han Shuo had asked McKinley to refine them for him.
"Not bad, not bad at all. Haha, thank you." Han Shuo scanned through the space ring and discovered that there were dozens of magical mirrors, a dozen or so teleportation scrolls, space-freezing locks, and a few other miscellaneous gadgets. All in all, there were still quite a few of them, more than enough for the current House of Han's use.
"Bryan, I heard that you caused a huge commotion in the City of Gorging Clouds and even fought with Yarus?" McKinley suddenly asked. He seemed to be very interested in Bryan's story.
Han Shuo nodded and smilingly said, "That's right. Yarus' strength has already reached the realm of overgod, and he's an extraordinary person. If it weren't for his younger brother, Larikson, I would be more than happy to befriend him. Unfortunately, we can only be enemies now. It's my fault for killing Larikson. "
McKinley couldn't help but laugh. After thinking for a moment, he said to Han Shuo with some difficulty, "Brian, I have a favor to ask of you."
Han Shuo was taken aback, but he soon smiled and said, "We're so close. Just tell me what you need. Even if I have to help you commit murder or arson, I don't mind."
Upon hearing those words, McKinley's eyes were filled with gratitude. After a moment of silence, he said, "As you know, my divine body and divine soul were separated because of Jarre, one of the three Keepers of the Light. Brian, I want to take revenge. I hope that you can help me."
Jarre was one of the three Keepers of the God Of Light's Domain and the most devout believer of the God of Light. He possessed late-stage highgod strength many years ago. McKinley obviously wasn't a match for Jarre in a one-on-one fight. If he wanted to take revenge, he would have to look for help. And Han Shuo was the most suitable candidate.
"No problem. Just confirm the time and place and I will help you!" Han Shuo agreed without hesitation.
"Thank you!" McKinley looked at Han Shuo and expressed his gratitude. He knew that he owed Han Shuo a huge favor. "I will inform you after I find out Jarre's whereabouts."
"Alright, I'll wait for your news. Alright, I'll be taking my men back to the Fringe." Han Shuo smiled and didn't take the matter to heart. He didn't even bother to exchange pleasantries with McKinley. With a sway of his body, he disappeared.
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