The destruction of the City Lord's mansion came as a big surprise to everyone. Not only were all of the divine guards killed, but even the City Lord, Baum, and his house were wiped out. All of this happened in a matter of moments.
The demon general that Han Shuo had placed in the mansion to watch over Baum was also destroyed by the violent space-time fluctuation. If an immaterial being like the demon general couldn't survive the attack, a normal living being wouldn't stand a chance.
The people of Ethereal City were terrified after the mansion and all its inhabitants were destroyed. They wondered if they should continue to live in the city.
The few small family clans that lived near the mansion also watched the destruction of the mansion almost as clearly as Han Shuo's demon general. The last words uttered by the Baum before it was destroyed were spread throughout the Ethereal City. Everyone in the city knew that it was the Overgod himself who had destroyed the house. They wondered what Baum had done so wrong that the Space Overlord would unleash his wrath upon him.
The people of Ethereal City were terrified and worried for their safety. Many shops and businesses were temporarily closed. Those who had recently arrived from the other Domains were afraid to stay in Ethereal City and were hastily evacuating.
The Overgod had frightened every god in Ethereal City with a single gesture of his wrath!
The few companies of Divine Guardians who had not been killed in the incident remained in the city, continuing their duties as guardians of order. Although each of them was deeply frightened, fearing that the wrath of the Overgod might fall upon them at any moment, they did not attempt to leave. They knew that the power of an Overgod was too great to run away from, especially when it was the Overgod of Space!
They all knew that if the Space Overgod wanted them dead, there was no way they'd live, no matter where they ran or hid. They thought their best option was to stay in Ethereal City and await the Space Overlord's judgement.
No one in the city had any idea what had caused this, except Han Shuo, who had some vague ideas. He knew that McKinley must have been to the Space Shrine and told the Space Overlord of his ordeal. However, even Han Shuo did not know what McKinley had actually said to the Space Overgod or how McKinley had persuaded him to kill Baum so decisively.
And of course Han Shuo did not leave the Ethereal City out of concern for his safety. His Celestial Pearl Pharmacy was one of the few shops that opened for business as usual, as if nothing significant had happened. Han Shuo asked his pharmacist to continue producing the commonly used medicines, especially those that had recently been sold out.
Han Shuo believed that McKinley, who had met the Overgod of Space, would return to Ethereal City soon.
And just as Han Shuo had expected, five days later, McKinley arrived in Ethereal City without any notice.
McKinley had been a famous figure in Ethereal City before he disappeared. He had returned to the city at a time when everyone was on tenterhooks. Not only that, but he came as a representative of the Space Overlord, carrying a divine decree bestowed by the Space Overlord.
The people of Ethereal City, and even other parts of the Space Dominion, were terrified, not knowing who the Space Overlord was going to turn his wrath on next. Although many were surprised by McKinley's return, many more were reassured. The leaders of the few surviving Divine Guard companies, having seen the Divine Decree proving that the Space Overlord had appointed McKinley as the new City Lord, unanimously accepted him as their City Lord without objection.
McKinley's arrival was like a tranquilliser injected into the Ethereal City, which was beginning to show signs of disorder. Carrying the divine decree of the Space Overlord, McKinley publicly announced that Baum had colluded with Godhunters, among other crimes. He also declared that Baum and all the Divine Guardians who died in the mansion had betrayed the principles of Ethereal City and had received the punishment they deserved. He went on at great length to justify Baum's execution.
Finally, McKinley announced on behalf of the Space Overlord that Ethereal City would function as before, that the Overlord had no intention of interfering in the petty affairs of the city, and that he would not be concerned with the crimes of others.
Without the slightest hindrance, McKinley became the new Lord of Ethereal City by the Space Overlord's divine decree. All of Ethereal City's divine guards pledged their allegiance to McKinley. They even publicly condemned Baum for his heinous crimes.
As McKinley was very busy with the affairs of Ethereal City, he did not immediately search for Han Shuo. After making the public announcement and receiving the loyalty of the divine guards, McKinley designated a private estate previously owned by Baum as the new city lord's estate. He then met with the patriarchs of all the major family clans and the heads of all the major businesses in the city. It was only after Ethereal City had finally stabilised that he came to Celestial Pearl Pharmacy.
Han Shuo was somewhat surprised by McKinley - he seemed to have improved in his realm in the short time they had been apart. Not only did McKinley seem to be in a much better mood, but he was also brimming with an unusual kind of vitality.
After observing for a moment, Han Shuo discovered that McKinley had become even more powerful than Baum. It seemed that McKinley must have received something from the Overgod during his time in the Space Shrine. Otherwise, it would not have been possible for his strength to improve so much in such a short time.
"McKinley, did you receive something wonderful in the shrine?" Han Shuo asked smilingly after assessing McKinley.
McKinley smiled broadly but did not answer.
Instead, he began to walk around the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy, looking as happy as a lark. After a while, he remarked, "Damn, that Baum really is willing to part with its capital. I had originally planned to find you a new shop site. But now it doesn't seem necessary. This is an excellent location and it's well renovated. I doubt I could do better than this.
Then, after they were further into the shop, McKinley said apologetically to Han Shuo, "About the things that happened in the shrine, I'm not at liberty to talk about them. You have heard about what happened at the former City Lord's estate, right?"
"Yes. Everyone in the city was talking about the flattened manor. Of course I would have heard about it. You are quite resourceful, aren't you? You managed to get Baum killed without lifting a finger," Han Shuo said smiling.
McKinley, who had recently enjoyed a string of lucky events, looked as if he could not be happier. He replied, "That was only because he deserved it, and the position of City Lord rightfully belonged to me. I'm just taking back what's mine, hehe! Bryan, I promised you that I would make you some space divine devices. Have you thought about it? What kind do you need?"
"I don't need any offensive ones. I just need tools that allow for long distance meetings - devices like magic mirrors. Oh, and if it's possible, please make me a transportation matrix. I could really use it," Han Shuo replied after thinking for a moment. Han Shuo also knew how to refine devices, especially those with deadly firepower. However, he had no idea how to make transportation matrices and long-range communication devices.
"Sure, absolutely no problem!" replied McKinley immediately. He then earnestly asked Han Shuo to live in Ethereal City.
Han Shuo was wary of agreeing to such requests after the friction with Wallace in the City of Shadows. Even though he seemed to have a great relationship with McKinley and Han Shuo had saved McKinley's life, there was no telling if McKinley would still be so kind if there came a day when their interests conflicted.
Most importantly, just like the Darkness Dominion, the Space Dominion was the territory of an Overgod. Even though McKinley was the City Lord of Ethereal City, he still had to obey the commands of the Space Overlord. Since Han Shuo was not a cultivator of the Edict of Space, it was impossible for him to be the City Lord of Ethereal City. And if the Space Overlord wanted to kill him for whatever reason, there wouldn't be much Han Shuo could do.
After witnessing the destruction of Baum by his demon general, Han Shuo had become very wary of an Overgod. He knew that at this point, before he had amassed enough power, he had better not risk offending any of the Overgods.
"You really don't want to live in Ethereal City?" McKinely seemed very disappointed. He continued to persuade, "The Ethereal City could really use talents at this time. And if you were to live in the city, given your strength, Ethereal City would become the strongest city in the Space Dominion. In fact, I'm willing to rule the city with you. I can assure you that what happened to you in the City of Shadows will not happen here. After all, I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for you!"
McKinley seemed sincere when he said those words. It seemed like he really wanted Han Shuo to stay.
However, Han Shuo knew that the real City Lord of Ethereal City was the Space Overlord. Besides, Han Shuo had other plans for his future. Therefore, he politely declined McKinley's invitation. He said, "I really don't plan to live in Ethereal City. But don't worry, I'll make sure to drop by often. Haha. Right, please keep an eye on my Celestial Pearl Pharmacy while I'm away."
"Rest assured, nothing will go wrong with your Celestial Pearl branch in Ethereal City," McKinley promised immediately.
"What special materials do you need to make the Space Edict devices? Tell me, and I'll help you gather them," with the presence of Goldstone Trading, it was possible to get hold of most of the unique materials for refining divine devices.
"Don't worry about that. I have plenty of materials stored in my own warehouse in the city. I have also discovered a small dimensional storeroom that Baum has set up in his mansion that contains valuable materials. I have more than enough materials. Give me a year and I'll make you all the most miraculous divine devices of the Edict of Space," McKinley smiled faintly and continued, "But for the transportation matrix, you'll have to choose a special region. I don't think you've found a good place for it yet, so we'll wait."
"Well then, thank you very much! I'll come look for you in Ethereal City after a year," Han Shuo replied.
"Bryan, why are you in such a hurry to leave? Can't you stay a little longer?" McKinley looked sad when it seemed from Han Shuo's tone that he would be leaving immediately.
"My son was injured, I must settle the debt with the person who did it!" said Han Shuo as his face turned cold. When he remembered that Metal Elite Zombie was almost killed, he felt the urge to skin the attackers alive. Now that the Five Elite Zombies were reunited and McKinley's matter had been resolved, Han Shuo had no desire to wait any longer. He was ready to go to the fringe!