Although Han Shuo could not let them consume another person's divine energy, he could extract divine energy from a person and process it with special medicinal ingredients to create an elixir that would have similar effects to divine essence.
"I'll find a solution to this, just don't be a godhunter!" Han Shuo had always given them a lot of freedom and rarely interfered with their activities. The fact that he gave them a direct order forbidding them to consume divine energy showed that he was seriously concerned about the repercussions.
Gilbert and the others had been reluctant to devour another person's divine energy because they also knew that becoming a Godhunter was a path of no return. So as soon as they heard Han Shuo promise them an alternative, they immediately put the idea out of their minds. They all nodded and promised not to even think about it.
"Good. You should continue to study the memories you got from the crystal balls and get a better grip on their understanding of the edicts and elements. Also, do not leave the Pandemonium for the time being. There's no need to worry about the situation outside," Han Shuo said.
Following Han Shuo's command, the group dispersed one by one. Deep in their hearts, these core members of the Han family understood that everything Han Shuo did was for their own good. No longer desperate to increase their divine energy, they went back to calmly study the profound knowledge in those crystal balls.
Han Shuo then left the underground palace, summoned Zovic and demanded a report on the recent events in the Fringe.
"Tyre and Logue have been meeting frequently. Together, they have managed to subdue over 70% of the forces scattered throughout the Fringe. Ossora and Wasir lag far behind. Most of the forces they have absorbed are those that were already aligned with them. Together, they have absorbed only 20 percent of all forces. The remaining 10 percent remain undecided...
"Recently, Godhunters have been unusually active on the borders of the Space, Destiny, Death, and Lightning Dominions, drawing the attention of the cities in those Dominions. It seems that the Godhunter Alliance is just around the corner and the Fringe is about to be attacked..."
Zovic politely and patiently told Han Shuo about the recent events in the Fringe. When he finished his report, Zovic looked puzzled and asked, "My lord, many faction leaders have come to us to serve the Pandemonium. Why did your lordship refuse them? Wouldn't it be better to gather as many forces as possible so that we have more chips to use when war breaks out?"
Not only Zovic, but all those who lived on the fringe were perplexed by Han Shuo's actions. Tyre, Logue, Ossora and Wasir had fought high and low, even offering all sorts of ridiculous rewards, only to be given temporary command of these untamed factions. They were desperate to assemble as large a force as possible to give themselves the best chance of riding out the impending storm.
Han Shuo, however, did the exact opposite. No matter who came to visit Han Shuo or what faction they represented, Han Shuo turned them all away. All of the faction leaders who wanted to submit to Han Shuo's command were flushed with embarrassment, as if their burning zeal had been doused by barrels of ice water.
Han Shuo put on the smile of a master schemer and replied, "We of the House of Han do not need strength in numbers. Do not worry, everything is going as I have planned. We will not miss a chance here."
Zovic remained no less confused after hearing Han Shuo's answer, but he didn't say another word to convince Han Shuo otherwise. He understood that Han Shuo had a plan and as Han Shuo's henchman, his duty was to carry out Han Shuo's orders and not to worry about the master plan.
"Alright, you are dismissed. Keep up the good work," Han Shuo waved his hand and told Zovic to get back to running his secret service.
***
Half a month later, Han Hao, accompanied by Scarlett and her followers, appeared in the underground palace that Earth Elite Zombie and Metal Elite Zombie had dug for him.
Han Hao's godhunters had returned to the Fringe from various regions some time ago. Some of them had even relocated to the underground palace and the nearby mountains.
Upon arriving at his new base, Han Hao summoned his chiefs to a chamber dug out of the belly of a mountain for a meeting.
"Pass on my orders - have everyone gather at this base. We will no longer be scattered all over the Fringe. And stop attacking the Fringedwellers for now, exercise self-restraint. When this is over, you may indulge your inner urges again,' he began barking orders as soon as everyone had arrived.
The chiefs, including Polo, nodded repeatedly and promised to restrain their men during this time. They were all aware that this was a critical time when every Fringedweller needed to unite against the greater enemy. If they continued to hunt other Fringedwellers, they would undoubtedly be condemned and denounced by all.
"Make good use of the remaining time and put all your efforts into building and improving this base. It's well hidden. As long as everything is set up properly, even if the Godhunter Alliance lays siege to this base, we won't have to worry too much. All right, you should start assigning tasks to your company. Whatever traps or boundaries you can make, set them up. The more the better," Han Hao continued.
After a short pause, Han Hao pointed to Scarlett standing quietly by his side and introduced her, "This is Scarlett, one of us. She is of the same rank as the rest of you."
Polo and the others had sensed the distinctive aura of a Godhunter on Scarlett as soon as she entered the chamber. Without thinking, they knew that Scarlett must be another faction leader who had surrendered to Han Hao's command. They nodded but made no comment.
Scarlett had been looking at Han Hao with the eyes of a fangirl all this time. It was only now that she realised just how much power Han Hao had amassed. In the chamber, there were three chieftains with Late-stage Highgod strength. The rest of the chiefs had Mid-stage Highgod strength.
From the number of Late-stage and Mid-stage Highgod experts in the chamber, Scarlett could tell that Han Hao now possessed far more power than he had started out with in Ronson Canyon. Even the combined power of those former Ronson Canyon faction leaders would pale in comparison to Han Hao's.
As Scarlett watched Han Hao standing tall, giving order after order, his face callous and handsome, she found herself helplessly awestruck by his charm. She couldn't help but remember the moment they had embraced a few days earlier. Although it had only lasted a moment, it had left an indelible mark on Scarlett's mind.
As Han Hao finished his orders, he glanced at Scarlett and caught her with flushed cheeks and a somewhat enchanted look. He turned to look at his henchmen. He noticed that Polo and the others were staring at Scarlett with fiery eyes. He suddenly felt a surge of anger for no apparent reason, as if he were being hurt.
When she was alive, those faction leaders of Ronson Canyon had lewd and indecent ideas about Scarlett, even when she had two horrible scars on her face. Now that the hideous scars on her face were gone, she blossomed with an irresistible charm. It was no wonder that characters like Polo and the like wanted her.
Since Han Hao had always been socially reserved and had never shown the slightest interest in the opposite sex in front of his subordinates, Polo and the others didn't suspect that the relationship between Han Hao and Scarlett was any different from their own. They thought that Scarlett was just another subordinate of Han Hao's, and so they had the audacity to wantonly scan her body.
Han Hao glared at his subordinates who were looking at Scarlett with immodest eyes, let out a cold groan and sternly announced, "She is my woman! Look at her like that again and I will gouge your eyes out!"
The lecherous looks on their faces were instantly replaced with horror, and they immediately averted their eyes from Scarlett. They understood that although their leader was quite young, he was cruel, ruthless and, above all, a man of his word. He would do exactly what he said, without compromise.
These chieftains were frightened, but also confused. After serving Han Hao for so long, they had never seen Han Hao show any kind of romantic interest in another living being. From their point of view, Han Hao was just an emotionless, unmoving rock. The group was astonished to hear those words come out of Han Hao's mouth. They were almost in disbelief.
Scarlett was irritated by their indecent looks and was about to lash out at Polo and the others when Han Hao suddenly made the threat. Scarlett was overjoyed and felt as if her heart had been filled with the sweetest honey. She gave Han Hao a seductive look as she thought, "Finally, he's starting to get it!
"Um, we're sorry... We didn't know you were the chief's woman ..." Polo gave an awkward and embarrassed smile before he bowed to Scarlett and said, "We're really sorry... We never knew that the Chief was interested in women, so we thought... Haha... Really sorry... " Polo was Han Hao's most senior aide, so he immediately extended an olive branch to Scarlett.
Scarlett no longer felt any anger towards them. She nodded with a smile and replied magnanimously, "I forgive you for doing this in ignorance. I won't hold a grudge over such a trivial matter. After all, we are all on the same side.
Han Hao gave Polo a cold look and groaned again. In a rather annoyed tone he said, "That's enough talking, now get busy. The Godhunter Alliance will attack very soon and you better have the defence ready before they get here. There's no time to waste!"
"Yes, yes..." Polo was startled again. He stealthily glanced at Han Hao as he thought, "Come on, I've only had a few words with her and already you're separating us. Do you really have to be so possessive?
Polo and the others hurried off to carry out their orders. Han Hao then led Scarlett to his underground palace and said, "Come, let's go to the Pandemonium.