Of the seven major cities in the Darkness Dominion, the City of Gorging Clouds was undoubtedly the strongest.
The Lord of the City of Gorging Clouds was Yarus. Lakrisen was a younger brother of Yarus. Lakrisen cultivated in the Edict of Destruction and was a Late-stage Highgod.
Of the seven cities of the Darkness Dominion, the City of Gorging Clouds had the most Highgods. Yarus' House of Broadhurst was also the oldest and most powerful family clan in the Darkness Dominion. They were held in high esteem by the Overlord of Darkness.
The City of Shadows was only stronger than Hushveil City, which ranked last in strength. The City of Shadows paled in comparison to the City of Gorging Clouds.
The strongest person in the City of Shadows was Wallace, who possessed Late-stage Highgod Strength. Wallace was the only Late-stage Highgod expert in the entire city. The situation in the City of Gorging Clouds was quite different. Practically every patriarch in the city possessed Late-stage Highgod strength. It was said that City Lord Yarus had transcended the realm of Highgod and reached the realm of overgod - an overgod without the Quintessence.
Han Shuo was overwhelmed with shock when he discovered the origin of the assassins who tried to kill him. Except for the Fields of the House of Lavers, all the assassins were from the most powerful family clan in the City of Gorging Clouds - the House of Broadhurst.
Having lived in the City of Shadows for so long, Han Shuo had learned a thing or two about the general situation in the Darkness Dominion. Naturally, the most conspicuous City of Gorging Clouds and the House of Broadhurst had found their way to Han Shuo's ears. Han Shuo had a rough idea of the identities of the three gods he had killed right after Felder had called the short man by his name.
Without much thought, Han Shuo understood that the House of Lavers must have found their way to the City of Gorging Clouds after leaving the City of Shadows. Felder must have made some sort of deal with Lakrisen so that the House of Broadhurst would protect his House of Lavers.
The addition of the House of Lavers to the City of Gorging Clouds would add to the city's already formidable power, which has always overshadowed the other six cities of the Darkness Dominion. Under the protection of the City of Gorging Clouds, even if Felder or his House of Lavers did something to harm the City of Shadows, Wallace would have to think twice before retaliating. The City of Gorging Clouds was different from Hushveil City. In every way, from the overall strength of the cities to the City Lords' relationship with the Overlord of Darkness, the City of Shadows and Wallace were no match.
Wallace dared to insult the Hushveil City Lords for Han Shuo. But whether Wallace dared to do the same when it came to the Broadhurst House of Gorging Cloud City was hard to say.
Han Shuo wore a dark face as he rose from his cross-legged position. The demon general who had discovered the bomb was on his way back at Han Shuo's command.
Demon generals, even those refined by Highgod souls, were limited in their range. The further away they were from Han Shuo, the weaker their connection to Han Shuo would be. If a demon general lost his connection with Han Shuo, without a master, the demon general would try to kill every living being he saw, and would continue to do so until he was killed or re-connected to Han Shuo. For this reason, Han Shuo did not order the demon general to follow the assassins any further.
Rose saw that Han Shuo seemed troubled. After a moment of hesitation, Rose asked quietly, "What is it? Have you hit a snag in your cultivation?"
Rose did not know that Han Shuo had left a drop of blood essence on Lakrisen, or that Han Shuo had already discovered the identities of the assassins. She assumed that Han Shuo was just resting and recovering the energy he had used in the last battle. She thought that Han Shuo had most likely faced a great challenge in his cultivation.
A warm feeling rose in Han Shuo's heart when Rose showed concern for him. Han Shuo temporarily put aside his worries, turned to Rose, smiled faintly and replied, "It's nothing. I'm just a bit tired."
Worrying about possible threats from the House of Broadhurst was a great burden, so much so that even Han Shuo was stressed by it. Revealing the matter to Rose will make her worry, but it will not improve the situation. The stress might even affect Rose's cultivation. Therefore, Han Shuo decided not to share the results with anyone and to carry the burden alone.
As the patriarch of his clan, Han Shuo had a responsibility to look after his clansmen. Having tempered his body and mind for ages, Han Shuo was not afraid of any amount of stress. He believed that the stress of the House of Broadhurst looming over him could not crush him. In fact, the stress might even be a motivation to push him forward!
"Oh, OK. Don't think too much about the attack. Three of the five attackers are dead. The two that escaped did not and will not have enough power to hurt you. You have nothing to worry about!" Rose was observant. She could tell from Han Shuo's expression that he was not facing a hurdle in his cultivation, but something else was bothering him.
Han Shuo smiled brightly and nodded. He used the Demon Generals nearby to observe his surroundings. He noticed that none of his divine guards from the Fifth Corps had left the one hundred mile radius, which made him feel a little more at ease. Before finding out who the anonymous enemy was, Han Shuo hadn't worried that the enemy might try to strike again. After learning that the anonymous enemy was the Broadhurst House of the City of Gorging Clouds, he was no longer so sure.
The City of Gorging Clouds was simply too powerful. If the House of Broadhurst wanted to go all out against him, Han Shuo reckoned that his House of Han would be crushed like a thin, dried leaf.
"Oh, right. Rose, do you know any experts with formidable strength? I mean Highgods who have yet to join a family clan. It doesn't matter if they are human or non-human," Han Shuo asked suddenly.
Rose looked at Han Shuo with a puzzled expression. She asked puzzled, "Why are you asking me this all of a sudden?
The House of Han currently possessed many crystal coins, while Han Shuo's influence in the City of Shadows was rapidly expanding. Once the Fifth Corps was victorious in the competition between the Seven Corps, Han Shuo believed that a large number of gods would flock to his House of Han and the Fifth Corps, begging to be his divine guards. Han Shuo will have no shortage of gods of this class.
In the House of Han, there were no other Highgods besides Han Shuo and Rose. The most important factor that determined the strength of a family clan was the number of Highgods in the family clan. In order to increase the strength of his House of Han as quickly as possible, he must try to recruit Highgods.
Before that day, Han Shuo had no plans to increase the strength of his House of Han so quickly, because he knew that once his family clan became too powerful, it could potentially conflict with the interests of the House of Sainte. The current rulers of the City of Shadows were the House of Sainte. Once the House of Han became powerful enough to threaten the House of Sainte, Han Shuo was certain that his relationship with the House of Sainte would no longer be as harmonious as it was now.
However, the threat posed by the House of Broadhurst was simply too great. Han Shuo must try to narrow the gap in power between his family clan and the House of Broadhurst as quickly as possible. He had no time to worry about the feelings of the House of Sainte.
"You have lived on Elysium for many years. Surely you know many Highgods who live in solitude like you? Tell me all you know, both friends and enemies. I want to communicate with them!"
"What exactly do you want to do?" Rose became even more confused. She couldn't tell what Han Shuo's intentions were.
"The House of Han is too weak. I want to increase its strength as quickly as possible," Han Shuo replied.
After hesitating for a moment, Rose replied, "I know a place where there are many experts. It is very chaotic. There are Highgods and even Overgod experts. If you are looking for Highgods who have not yet joined a family clan, that is the best place to go. However, it is very dangerous!"
"Where is it?" asked Han Shuo hastily. He was excited.
"It's the Fringe - the Land of Chaos!" Rose replied, explaining, "It lies between the Space Dominion and the Destiny Dominion. It doesn't belong to any of the Twelve Dominions, nor is it ruled by any of the Twelve Overgods. The Space and Destiny Dominions forbid their Gods from entering the Fringe. It is undoubtedly the most chaotic and lawless place on Elysium. In this land, the one with the biggest fist makes the rules. I lived in the Fringe for a while and was nearly killed several times. After several brushes with death, I decided to leave that place. I came to live in the Darkness Dominion, as I cultivate in the energy of darkness."
"Land of Chaos?" Han Shuo smiled faintly and said, "I can tell from the name alone that it is an interesting place!" After a short pause, he asked, "You said you were almost killed in that land? Even with your strength?"
"I still vividly remember all those who tried to kill me. As soon as I have the confidence to kill them, I will return to this place to seek revenge!" Rose declared. She made an angry face as she remembered her enemies.
"It will not take long. After the competition is over and I have arranged things in the House of Han, we will go to the Land of Chaos and I will help you get your revenge!" Han Shuo promised Rose.
When Rose heard that Han Shuo was going to help her take revenge, her expression turned strange. She took a good look at Han Shuo before lowering her head and saying softly, "Thank you!"
"Hehe, we have gone through trials and tribulations together, and you are mine. This is what I should do," Han Shuo replied with a smile.
As Han Shuo said this, Rose's expression became even stranger. Her beautiful and adorable face flushed. She cried softly, "I am not yours!"
Han Shuo stared blankly for a moment before the smile on his face grew wider. He looked at the seductively beautiful Rose and said teasingly, "I mean you're my servant, okay? Did you think I meant anything else?"
Rose's face turned even redder. She cast an angry glance at Han Shuo and lowered her head without answering.
Han Shuo suddenly felt that his mood had improved considerably. He had not expected Rose to be so interesting. But Han Shuo did not continue to tease her as it seemed she was about to get angry. He chuckled and said, "Alright, let's hurry to the mountain range. I'm getting impatient!"
After experiencing the attack by the five assassins, Han Shuo and his group encountered no more trouble for the rest of their journey. After six days, Han Shuo and his Divine Guards of the Fifth Corps finally arrived at the Soaring Clouds Mountain Range.