Polo was a late stage Highgod of Destruction. He was a well-known and respected figure in the Fringe and the Godhunter Alliance. His reputation was comparable to that of Han Hao.
Given his great strength and status, it was only to be expected that Polo would not simply bow to the command of another expert, especially when he didn't know if Han Hao had the strength to defeat him.
Having exhausted his energy in escaping from Salas' pursuit, Han Hao had been feasting on the energy of other experts. What did not kill him only made him stronger. Han Hao's overall strength had now reached a new level and he was certain that he could kill Polo.
Han Hao was never one to waste words. He knew that in order to make Polo yield, he had to demonstrate that he could completely overwhelm him in power. No words could be more convincing than actual combat.
As Han Hao thrust his bone spear, an insurmountable energy of intertwined aura of death and killing intent exploded from it. Polo was taken aback. He seemed cautious and hesitant.
Polo could sense that Han Hao had completely changed after two years. Both his demeanour and his gaze had become sharper and more menacing. At this moment, he looked ready to destroy anything in his path.
Both Han Hao's and Polo's followers stood still as they watched their leaders. They would do nothing without their leader's command.
After the intertwined aura of death and killing intent, circular waves were emitted from the tip of the bone spear. Each of the waves formed its own Boundaries of Death in a fraction of a second. Before Polo could even react, Han Hao had focused all the divine energy in his body into a single point and thrust the bone spear at Polo.
With a single thought, the seven bone spurs detached from his spine and shot towards Polo in graceful and captivating arcs.
The boundaries that Han Hao used would not hinder his bone spurs. On the contrary, they would enhance the firepower and stealth of his bone spurs. Caught off guard, Polo used all his energy to defend himself.
Suddenly, an intense flash of lightning erupted around Polo. In the aftermath, all of Han Hao's defences suddenly vanished. The bone spurs hovered a few metres around Polo, as if they had formed an invisible cage around him.
The Godhunters around them knew that Han Hao and Polo had exchanged blows during the intense flash of light, but they could not tell what the results had been. They watched the two leaders closely, while remaining alert to their opponents, ready to fight at any moment.
These followers of Polo were quite nervous because Han Hao's Godhunters had outnumbered them and they had got wind of the ferocity of Han Hao's Godhunters. They knew that if Polo were to fight Han Hao, they would suffer the same fate as their former victims. The divine energy in their bodies would be used to enhance another person's strength.
Han Hao wore a calm expression as he stared intently at Polo. He said to Polo, "Let me tell you this: soon, the status quo in the Borderlands will be changed. If you do not bow to my command, even if I spare your life today, someone may take it from you tomorrow. Your happy days on the Fringe are over!
Polo showed a mixture of emotions on his face, including a few traces of dejection. He looked deeply into Han Hao's eyes for a long time before hesitantly asking, "That expert, Bryan, the one who destroyed Empyrean Peak but still managed to escape from Salas, who is he to you?"
Han Hao stared blankly and hesitated for a moment. He waved his hand and formed a boundary around them before answering, "He is my father.
Polo was stunned. It took him a while, but he finally made up his mind. With a bitter smile, he nodded, "Well then, I must oblige."
Han Hao nodded. He removed the barrier and announced to everyone, "From now on, Polo and all his followers are mine!"
"Put away your weapons," Polo instructed his followers with a disheartened face.
No further explanation was necessary. Everyone knew that Polo had surrendered. From that day on, Han Hao and the Godhunters he commanded became a force not to be reckoned with in the Fringe.
***
Over in Pandemonium, Rose, Romon, Zovic, the Five Elite Zombies and others gathered in a meeting room. News of Han Shuo's invasion of Empyrean Peak and the massacre of Salas' followers had spread to every corner of the Fringe. Luolong and Han Hao had delivered the news to the Pandemonium, urging its inhabitants to exercise extreme caution.
Recently, Romon, Zovic, Goron and the others had wiped out a dozen or so forces that had been stationed around the Pandemonium. Some surrendered, others were slaughtered.
But just as they were most motivated to expand their territories, they were informed that Han Shuo had invaded the Empyrean Peak. Rose immediately ordered them to stop all expeditions and stay in the Pandemonium.
All of Han Shuo's experts in the fringe had gathered in the underground palace. Rose, Romon, Zovic and Goron wore grave faces in these uncertain times. Salas was a Sovereign feared by every Fringedweller, and Han Shuo's whereabouts were currently unknown. They did not know if the Pandemonium could survive until Han Shuo returned, or if he would return at all.
"Sala's followers have been very active in searching for their master. His scouts have even reached the borders of our Pandemonium. Since we recently wiped out many of the nearby forces, this place won't stay hidden for long," the angry Zovic remarked.
"Agreed. Given the manpower and connections Salas had in the Fringe, it won't be long before he lays siege to our base. Sigh, shall we disperse for now and reconvene when we have news of Master?" suggested Luolong.
"We won't leave. It's not easy to build the Pandemonium. We will never allow this place to be damaged!" Metal Elite Zombie seemed to be full of courage as he said, "Besides, you guys are underestimating the power of the Pandemonium. We and our father have put a lot of effort into building this place. Its defensive power is nothing you can imagine! Hmph, even if Salas tries to break into the base himself, he will have to pay a heavy price!"
Han Shuo and the Five Elite Zombies had put a lot of effort and energy into building Pandemonium. As the architects and builders, they knew how brutal the Pandemonium could be. They were not the least bit afraid, even if it was one of the Sovereigns that attacked them.
"I believe in the Master's power. Salas' Empyrean Peak was destroyed and his experts were massacred by Master. I don't think Salas can muster much force against us," Romon remarked.
"Given the extent of Salas' influence in the Fringe, we cannot avoid capture even if we evacuate the Pandemonium. We might as well try and stay. I believe the Master will return to the Pandemonium as soon as he recovers. We just have to stay here until Master returns," Zovic said.
"No one will leave the valley," Rose, who had been silent the whole time, ordered calmly.
Everyone in the meeting room knew that Rose was the person Han Shuo trusted the most. So the group stopped debating and accepted Rose's decision.
***
Back in Ossora's underground palace, Luolong went to his lord and reported, "My lord, I have just received word that Salas has learned of Pandemonium's presence and location. He is gathering his troops and marching towards the valley!"
Ossora thought for a moment before asking, "Any information that suggests Bryan is in the Pandemonium?"
Luolong shook his head and replied, "None. Ever since he mysteriously disappeared from Empyrean Peak, not a word has been heard of him. The followers of Salas and the other Sovereigns have searched the entire Fringe and yet they have not found the slightest trace of Bryan."
"This Bryan - what a guy!" exclaimed Ossora, who seemed quite impressed. Then, after thinking for a while, Ossora said, "All right, I will visit the Pandemonium and check out the situation. I'll go alone."
Luolong was astonished, for he had not expected his mighty and all-important Sovereign to handle the matter himself. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "But, my lord, wouldn't that be a waste of your time?"
Ossora shook his head with a smile and replied, "This Bryan is definitely worth my time. I will check out the situation in Pandemonium and see if his followers are worthy of my help."
Luolong became even more puzzled and confused. However, he asked no further questions and respectfully excused himself.
***
On a mountain peak near the northwest of the Pandemonium, Salas' followers gathered and grew rapidly in number.
The experts who died or were injured on Empyrean Peak were only part of Salas' followers. The rest were scattered throughout the Fringe. Although Salas suffered great losses, his army was not completely destroyed. In fact, he was able to muster a large number in a short time.
Within a few days, five or six hundred gods had gathered on the mountain. These fierce experts, who dwelt in every part of the Fringe, had heard of the tragic attack on Empyrean Peak. As followers of Salas, they had rode roughshod over the other Fringedwellers in the name of their sovereign. Needless to say, they were angered by the flattening of Empyrean Peak.
In recent times, the scene of devastation at Empyrean Peak has been widely reported among the Fringedwellers. These followers of Salas saw the Schadenfreude in the eyes of other Fringedwellers. People who used to take detours to avoid them now seemed to have no fear of them. This made them acutely aware of the impact Salas' downfall would have on them.
Even if not for Salas, they had to destroy the Pandemonium and Han Shuo for their own sake. They knew it was the only way to preserve the special privileges they enjoyed in the Fringe.
The Fringedwellers were very real. Although Salas was not defeated in battle, the destruction of Empyrean Peak and Han Shuo's survival made everyone think that Salas wasn't as powerful as they thought. This has far-reaching consequences.
Half a month later, a bolt of lightning struck the sky. Salas finally appeared on the mountain.