Han Shuo had not used the Invincible Omen Body over his entire body because he knew that Andrina had practiced restraint in her attacks. Even if he had been pinned, the attack wouldn't have killed him.
Han Shuo was overjoyed as the Demonic Yuan in his body automatically activated to form the Invincible Omen Body when Andrina's attack hit his chest, firmly defending his body against the attack. With a broad smile, he asked, "Hit me again, but don't use too much power!"
At this point, Han Shuo's body had been pushed to the limit and he could no longer use the Cauldron Spirit's energy without hurting the demon infant. Therefore, Han Shuo asked Andrina to use less power.
Pow! Another blow landed on Han Shuo's chest.
An enormous force overwhelmed him. It was as if a mountain had struck him in the chest. He was forced to take several steps backwards. A mild salty-sweet taste filled his mouth before a line of blood flowed down from the corner of his mouth.
"Huh?!" Andrina was shocked. Her figure became blurred and the next thing she knew she was standing next to Han Shuo, preventing him from falling any further. She asked in a condemning voice, "Why didn't you block the attack?"
Han Shuo wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and explained, "I'm fine. I'm just testing my body's endurance." Strangely enough, when Andrina's attack landed on his body this time, the Invincible Omen Body did not automatically deploy. As a result, he suffered minor injuries.
What's going on? It just worked. Why isn't it working now? Han Shuo was stunned.
"Akley, come here and hit me for a while. Don't use too much power!"
Although Andrina had only used a small fraction of her power in the attack, as her strength was immense, Han Shuo had still suffered a bit. Akley's power was nowhere near Andrina's and he couldn't do any real damage to Han Shuo. It would be much safer to let Akley do the test instead.
"Are you a masochist now?" asked Akley. He came over to Han Shuo somewhat reluctantly before suddenly launching a series of pitter-pattering attacks on Han Shuo. Though the attacks seemed ferocious, Akley had deliberately reduced the power and it wasn't too damaging.
"Stop!" Han Shuo shouted softly. Damn it, it still does not work! He was confused. The Invincible Omen Body did not activat automatically when Akley bombarded him with attacks as packed as raindrops in a rainstorm.
"What the hell is he doing... Has Bryan turned into a madman...?" Akley muttered to himself before waving his hand unenthusiastically and saying, "I'm going. You play with yourselves."
"Bryan, what exactly are you doing?" Andrina asked Han Shuo in a confused manner after seeing that Han Shuo was pondering over some issues. Considering his bizarre performance, Andrina felt that Han Shuo wasn't acting quite right.
"Nothing, it's just that I've run into some problems related to the energy I'm cultivating in," Han Shuo replied casually before smiling and saying, "All right, Andrina, go do whatever you want and leave me alone."
"Alright then, I'll go play with Sister Fanny. She has now reached Demigod strength with the help of an Origin Crystal. It looks like she will become a Basegod in a few years!" Andrina remarked before leaving the gymnasium.
Those mortals from the Profound Continent were all unusually talented. Using the vast resources provided by Han Shuo, being on this outstanding place called Elysium, and working extremely hard at their cultivation, they had increased their strength at lightning speed. For example, Candide, who had previously been a Dark Sacred Magus, took very little and was about to reach the Demigod realm. Han Shuo was very proud of their cultivation efforts and achievements.
The Bollands and Sanguis who had cultivated in the Demonic Arts had not stopped improving their strength during the time Han Shuo had been away from the Profound Continent. This was especially true of Sanguis. Thanks to his unique body, he was able to progress in the cultivation of the Bloodgod Mantra at an astonishing rate. At this point, Sanguis had learned to control the blood in his opponent's body, as well as transforming their blood into bloody shadows that could attack others.
Han Shuo had focused most of his attention on Bollands and Sanguis. He would answer and explain the difficulties they encountered in their cultivation, and even refined several types of special medicinal pellets for them, allowing their strength to increase significantly in a short period of time.
After Andrina left the gymnasium, Han Shuo continued to think about why the Invincible Omen Body did not deploy automatically.
After thinking about it for a while and practising the Invincible Omen Body for a moment, he still couldn't figure out what the problem was. He decided not to worry about it any more. He also decided that he would try it again later, when his strength was boosted by the Cauldron Spirit's energy.
"Carmelita was looking for you!" Shortly after leaving the gymnasium, Han Shuo saw Akley leading Carmelita over to him.
Carmelita had finally come out of her secluded cultivation. Her eyes lit up as soon as she saw Han Shuo and she exclaimed excitedly, "You rascal, so it turns out that you really are a powerful expert! Come on, let's have a friendly fight. I heard how you kicked Portlem's ass. Well done! I wanted to do that myself for a long time. That asshole did a lot of dirty things before he became a Highgod. He only got worse after he became a Highgod. Once again, good work!"
"I just trained with Andrina and I'm exhausted. Maybe next time!" Han Shuo declined Carmelita's invitation before his face turned dark and he asked, "That asshole, has he left the Sainte Residence?"
"No, but he will be returning to his home soon," Carmelita seemed to know what Han Shuo was thinking and so she hastily advised, "But you must not try to do anything to Portlem at my Sainte Residence. He is always near his Uncle Doyalo. Charlotte would also be nearby. You and Andrina wouldn't be able to defeat her. Besides, they are in the house of Sainte. We cannot just sit back and watch you attack them. You better give up this idea and find another way!"
Han Shuo knew that it wasn't realistic to attack Portlem inside the City of Shadows. After hearing their advice, he smiled faintly and nodded, "I know your House of Sainte's attitude. I will not make things more difficult for you."
"Bryan, I have come here to give you some very, very good news," Carmelita said.
Han Shuo raised his eyebrows and asked, "Very good news? What is it?"
"My father found you quite admirable after learning that you possess highgod strength. Although it hasn't been long since you first came to live in the city, you've been very helpful to us, not to mention the fact that you're close to our House of Sainte. So my father wants you to take control of the Fifth Corps!" Carmelita announced the news excitedly.
"Wha... What?" Han Shuo exclaimed in surprise. In disbelief, he asked, "Me take control of the Fifth Corps? Are you sure?"
Carmelita nodded and said, "It is indeed true. You should know that in the City of Shadows, according to the rules, only certain great family clans have the right to have their own divine guards. Aside from them, only the seven Divine Guard Chiefs could raise their troops. If you become the Chief of the Fifth Corps, you will have real power in the City of Shadows. This will also be of great benefit to your Celestial Pearl Pharmacy. With the power you have as Chief of the Fifth Corps and the wealth you have accumulated from the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy, you could easily replace the House of Lavers and become a new family clan in the city. A family clan could enjoy many amenities in the city. Patriarchs of large family clans would even be qualified to learn certain things about the Church!"
Han Shuo did not expect to gain such benefits just by revealing his strength. Had he known that displaying his might would bring him such benefits, Han Shuo might have acted on Avery a long time ago.
Han Shuo knew how big a deal it would be for him to take over the Fifth Corps. It was the most lucrative post that every big and small family clan in the city had coveted. Possession of the Fifth Corps would mean that he could legally possess military power. Every Divine Guard chief in the City of Shadows had special privileges and was respected by all. Generally speaking, only powerful experts from large family clans who had made significant contributions to the city would be qualified to take the seat.
How long had it been since Han Shuo arrived in the City of Shadows?
"But am I qualified enough? Everyone covets this position. I couldn't just walk in and take the seat, could I? Besides, your father has made it known that in order to become the Chief of the Fifth Corps, one must turn Avery's head. Not only do I have no idea where Avery is at the moment, even if I did, I would have a hard time getting rid of him!" Han Shuo said with a frown.
It wasn't that Han Shuo didn't want the position, it was just that as an outsider who had only recently arrived in the City of Shadows, it didn't seem right for him to be in possession of such an enormous gift.
"Some rules can be bent!" Carmelita replied, "Although this is my father's intention, there is still much work for you to do before you can take this seat. You must prove your abilities to everyone before my father can give you a hand!"
Han Shuo nodded and replied with a smile, "Understood!"
"That is the most important news I have for you. Otherwise, Erebus wants you to know that you can go to the Third Corps and learn about their work. He can make arrangements for you. There, you can accumulate enough contributions and prestige to greatly increase your chances of taking over the Fifth Corps!"
If Han Shuo could learn about the conditions of Erebus' Third Corps by working there, and at the same time accumulate contributions by participating in their operations, in addition to having Wallace's support, then it seemed promising that Han Shuo could take over the position of Chief of the Fifth Corps, this post highly coveted by everyone.
"What has Erebus been up to lately?" Han Shuo thought for a moment before suddenly asking. Erebus had not been in the City of Shadows recently.
"Nothing but hunting those godhunters. Erebus and Brovst have a private grudge. He never stops hunting Brovst," Carmelita replied.
"Fantastic!" Han Shuo called out quietly. "Carmelita, I will have to ask you to arrange this for me. I will go to the Third Corps to learn about their work. I have some insights that I could provide when it comes to hunting the Godhunters!"
"No problem, I'll send Erebus a message when I get home. I will let you know when he has completed the arrangement!" Carmelita said happily.
Indeed, it's good to have powerful friends! thought the elated Han Shuo. He knew that if it weren't for the fact that he had saved Carmelita's life twice and had established a good relationship with the House of Sainte, there was no chance that he would be able to take this position, not even in a hundred years.
"Bryan, there's something else I want to tell you!" Carmelita seemed rather embarrassed and awkward.
"What is it?" asked Han Shuo.
"Sister Charlotte and I are on good terms. She wants you to know that she helped Portlem stop your attacks in the hall because she had no choice. She hopes you will not hold a grudge," Carmelita hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Bryan, Charlotte was originally from our Darkness Dominion. She has since married and moved to the Dominion of Destruction. Although she is here in the city with Portlem, they did not travel the same route. She has not participated in Portlem's vices!"
Han Shuo nodded and said, "As long as Charlotte doesn't do anything to harm our Celestial Pearl, I won't hold a grudge against her," Han Shuo said and continued in his mind, "But if she harms any of my people, I will make her pay!
"That's great. Well, that's all I came here to tell you. Ciao!" Carmelita left in a hurry. She felt she had done Charlotte a favour.
Soon after Carmelita left, Han Shuo took out the Holy Grail and transmitted to McKinley, "I have returned to Elysium, but there are some urgent matters I need to attend to. After some time, I will personally take you to the Space Dominion!"
"Where on Elysium are you?" asked McKinley.
"The City of Shadows of the Darkness Dominion," Han Shuo replied.
"Oh, that place is indeed quite some distance from the Space Dominion. Well, if you have pressing business, I will wait. After all, I have been in the Grail for so long. Waiting a little longer won't make much difference," McKinley said.
As long as Portlem and his party were in the City of Shadows, Han Shuo wouldn't feel comfortable about the safety of his Celestial Pearl. Although Han Shuo believed that they wouldn't do anything reckless in the city, as the saying goes, it's hard to protect yourself from an arrow in the dark. If they were to carry out a covert assassination like Avery, without clear evidence, there wouldn't be much the House of Sainte could do to hold them accountable.
Apart from that, there was the matter of the lucrative post Han Shuo was after. He had learned the location of the Godhunter's base. As long as he put some effort into it, he could get a name and a contribution to the crackdown on the Godhunters. Then, with Wallace's help, he would have a clear path to becoming the head of the Fifth Corps.
"Don't worry, it won't take too long! Besides, even if it is not for you, I will still go to the Space Dominion after some time!" Han Shuo had agreed with Little Skeleton and the five elite zombies to meet at the Space Dominion every fifty years. It was only a matter of time before Han Shuo would be there.