Crystal coins are essential for a family clan to expand and grow rapidly. As the House of Han grew larger and its members became more powerful, its consumption of crystal coins would increase. The Celestial Pearl Pharmacy has generated enough income from the City of Shadows to cover all of the House of Han's expenses for the time being.
However, the House of Han would only grow in size. Recruiting divine guards would require a large amount of crystal coins. If the income does not grow in line with the growing expenses, the House of Han may one day find itself in a situation where it is strapped for cash. Lately, Phoebe and Emily had been discussing how to expand Celestial Pearl to other cities in the Darkness Dominion. Han Shuo had risked his life and gone to great lengths to kill Hassling of Godswamp Pharmacy because he had this grand vision in mind.
And now, out of nowhere, two family clans from the Dominions of Death and Destruction were throwing him olive branches and offering him the chance to expand the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy into those Dominions. This could mean a substantial increase in income for the House of Han. Needless to say, Han Shuo would not turn down any opportunity for great profit.
"Our family elders see the enormous growth potential in your pharmacy. They want to work with you and help Celestial Pearl expand its reach by establishing a presence in the Destruction Dominion. You will supply the medicines and pharmacists, while our family clan will be responsible for setting up the stores through our connections in the Destruction Dominion. We propose that the profits be split equally," Bolten said straightforwardly after seeing Han Shuo's approval of the idea.
"Haha, I'm sure this will be a fruitful joint business venture!" Han Shuo said with a smile, "But as for the details of the deal, you should discuss it with my executives. Unlike me, they are up to date with Celestial Pearl's situation and are more qualified to conduct such negotiations."
Han Shuo was no longer involved in the day-to-day operations of Celestial Pearl and was not good at negotiating the terms of business cooperation. Phoebe and Emily, however, were good at it. Han Shuo believed that they could make a great deal for his Celestial Pearl and the House of Han.
"Sure, absolutely!" Bolten gladly agreed and replied smiling, "I am only here to convey the wishes of my family clan and to gain your approval. I will inform my elders immediately and they will send others here to discuss the details.
Bolten and Bowen had been sent there by their family clan because of their friendship with Han Shuo on the Profound Continent. Their family clan knew of the wonders of Han Shuo's medicine and believed that they would make a lot of crystal coins by forming a joint venture with Han Shuo's pharmacy. Bolten and Bowen were there to sell the idea to Han Shuo and get him interested. Once Han Shuo agreed, the two brothers would leave the rest to professionals from their family clan to handle the details.
"Very well, I will inform my executives of this later," Han Shuo replied as he nodded. He could not be more pleased. Once Celestial Pearl extended its reach to the Destruction Dominion, the House of Han would have even greater financial power, allowing it to rapidly grow in strength and influence.
"Lady Li Wei, I believe it's our turn to declare our position?" Ancient Lizard King Daggasi gently reminded Li Wei after seeing that Bolten had reached an agreement with Han Shuo.
Daggasi felt no animosity towards Han Shuo. On the contrary, he could not admire Han Shuo more. Li Wei went to the City of Shadows with the same goal as Bolten and Bowen. Although she was unhappy with Han Shuo, she would not abandon the task her family clan had given her.
Li Wei pouted and seemed reluctant. She let out a soft groan before saying, "Our House of Kiaran has the same intention!"
Han Shuo knew that Li Wei was still angry with him, but he wasn't going to argue with her about it. He replied with a smile, "Sure, no problem. Like Bolten's family clan, my executives will discuss the details with your family clan's professionals when they get here." After pausing for a moment, Han Shuo smiled and invited, "Now that you are in the City of Shadows, why not take a tour around the city and have some fun? Haha, if you want, I can accompany you."
"No thanks. I've been here before and I know where all the fun places are," Li Wei said coldly. She continued, "Besides, a noble like you must be very busy. How dare we inconvenience you to keep us company in person!"
Bolten, who originally wanted to say yes, forced a laugh and said nothing.
""Lady Li Wei, I have not seen Bryan in ages. If Your Ladyship doesn't mind, I would like to speak to Bryan," asked the Ancient Lizard King Dagassi, bowing to Li Wei.
"Whatever," Li Wei replied with a sulky face.
Han Shuo sighed in his mind. He knew that Li Wei had misunderstood him because of his clash with the House of Lavers. He was now living in the former Laver residence, and even Lasberg Fortress had become a territory of his House of Han. It wasn't all wrong that Han Shuo had risen to his current height by stepping on the Laver House.
Li Wei then left bitterly. Bolten shrugged his shoulders and smiled at Han Shuo before saying, "We've heard about the friction between you and the House of Lavers. Li Wei is very close to Donna. It's normal that she couldn't see through it in such a short time. Don't take offence." Bolten paused for a moment before adding, "There will always be competition between family clans. No one knew when a clan would rise or fall. The House of Lavers has left the City of Shadows, but that doesn't mean they will continue to decline. Don't worry about it!"
Contrary to expectations, Han Shuo admired Li Wei for standing up to him and disapproved of Bolten's unsympathetic comment. Donna had shown concern for Bolten and Bowen back on the Profound Continent. It was clear to Han Shuo that Bolten had not shown the slightest anger towards him, as his House of Han would be a valuable partner to Bolten's family clan. Li Wei, on the other hand, was a much more sincere person, and it showed that she was loyal to her friends.
Han Shuo nodded. The faint smile on his face did not fade. He replied, "Don't worry, I took no offence at all. But I still feel guilty about Donna's situation. I will make sure I explain everything to her when I see her again.
The joint venture would be very profitable for both sides. Han Shuo, as the patriarch of his family clan, would never risk alienating this great goldmine. He played along, making light conversation with Bolten with a seemingly cordial smile.
Soon after, Bolten and Bowen left, leaving Dagassi with Han Shuo. Dagassi immediately began to ask Han Shuo things about the Profound Continent, especially about the lizardmen who lived in the underground world.
"Don't worry, your people are doing well in the Underground World. Come with me, there's someone I want you to meet," Han Shuo said smiling.
"Who?" asked Dagassi puzzled.
"You'll see!" replied Han Shuo with a smile. He led Dagassi to the gymnasium where Rose was.
Rose was still cultivating in the gymnasium. Her eyes glistened with wonder as Dagassi entered. She looked up and down at Dagassi a few times before nodding her head coldly and saying, "So you are the great lizard!"
Dagassi stared blankly for a moment. He looked at Rose in confusion as he asked, "Who are you? Do I know you?"
A huge false image appeared behind Rose. It had her seductive and beautiful face, but the body of a giant spider. It looked down at Dagassi from the air and shouted sternly, "Big lizard, you better not mess with my followers!"
Instantly, a shiver ran down Dagassi's spine. He screamed in horror, "Spider Goddess Rose!"
The image abruptly disappeared. Rose nodded and said, "Yes, it is I! So you remember me telling you those words, huh?"
Dagassi became even more frightened. He cried out in alarm, "Why are you here? Why are you with Bryan?" After a short pause, Dagassi suddenly turned to Han Shuo and asked, "Bryan, did you sell out our race of lizardmen to her?!"
Dagassi's people and the dark elves who lived in the underground world had always been in conflict. He wrongly assumed the worst when he saw that Rose was with Han Shuo.
Rose remained silent, but Han Shuo smiled and said, "Of course not. I would never let the dark elves persecute your lizardmen. Rose is now a member of my House of Han and your people live in harmony with the Dark Elves."
Han Shuo then turned to Rose and said with a smile, "Don't you think you owe him an apology after imprisoning him for so long?"
It was Spider Goddess Rose who had imprisoned the ancient Lizard King Dagassi. At that time, she temporarily descended to the Profound Continent by sacrificing several hundred dark elves. Once there, she easily defeated Dagassi. But because Dagassi's former master was a member of the Kiaran family of the Death Dominion, Rose did not kill him, but imprisoned him.
One day, Han Shuo discovered the magical crystal ore mountain where Dagassi was imprisoned, and freed Dagassi from the seal. Knowing that the Dark Elves worshipped Rose, Dagassi did not massacre the Dark Elves after his release.
Rose seemed reluctant to apologise. Dagassi had massacred many of her dark elves before he was captured. Rose had only imprisoned him, not killed him. From her point of view, she had done nothing wrong. But since Rose could not go against Han Shuo's order, after much hesitation she said quietly, "I am sorry for imprisoning you for so many years.
Dagassi made a startled face. He glanced back and forth at Rose and Han Shuo before he enigmatically asked, "You two, what is the relationship between the two of you?"
Rose seemed embarrassed by Dagassi's question. After a quick glance at the smiling Han Shuo, Rose replied quietly, "I... I'm his slave now."
"What?!" Dagassi's face fell as he shouted in alarm, "You are his slave? But you are a Highgod ! I learned of this after my arrival on Elysium. That is why I did not dare to take revenge on you. How on earth did you become his slave?"
"It's hard to explain." Han Shuo said to Dagassi with a smile, "Look, the grudge is long gone and Rose has apologised. You should bury the hatchet now."
Dagassi had not yet recovered from the shock and continued to look at the two of them in astonishment. A long, long time later he forced a smile and sighed. He said, "Oh, Bryan, you really are an unbelievably amazing young man. You put her in such a lowly position and even took revenge on her for me. Is there any room left for me to say no? Besides, I'm absolutely no match for her!"
"That's good. Hehe, I will make sure to punish her on your behalf!" said Han Shuo with a mischievous smile as he looked at the seductive and beautiful Rose.