As the days went by, the Axis Cult grew silently yet rapidly, like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.
Neuvillette's plans were implemented methodically. In the preparatory school, Teacher Wang's rhythmic chanting of lessons and the children's tender voices reading along became the most pleasant background music in the courtyard. Production in the small workshops also gradually got on track; the baskets from the weaving old man and the small stools from the carpenter uncle gained a bit of local fame, while the snack stall of that particular lady became the cult's signature at the entrance, its drifting aroma always attracting passersby to stop and stare.
What made Furina most proud was that her "deluxe edition" cake and the miraculously effective blood coagulation powder had made a name for themselves. Not only did commoners scramble to buy them, but even some low-Rank Spirit Masters and small merchants came drawn by their reputation. The nineteen packets of blood coagulation powder had long since sold out, with demand far exceeding supply. Looking at her empty inventory, Furina plotted in her heart to exchange for another batch once she had enough points.
The number of believers grew steadily, soon breaking the five-hundred mark. More and more believers came from surrounding villages; some people from remote areas even heard that there was a "Axis Cult" in Thunder City that not only helped children with their Martial Soul Awakening for free but also distributed "sacred objects" that could cure illnesses, and they traveled thousands of miles with their families in tow.
Even more surprising was that low-Rank Spirit Masters began to take the initiative to apply to join the Axis Cult. Most of them were Spirit Masters with limited Aptitude who were ignored in their Sects or academies; they were attracted by the Axis Cult's approachable atmosphere and potential development opportunities (and perhaps, they had also heard of those peculiar Medicinal Pills and cakes). Neuvillette screened them strictly, eventually recruiting three Spirit Masters of decent character with unique Martial Souls to be responsible for protection, teaching, and procurement respectively.
On the very night the number of believers surpassed five hundred, the long-awaited System prompt finally rang in Furina's ears.
[Ding! Mission "Make the Axis Cult Great" completed!] [Rewards issued: Points +5000, Growth-type Divine Artifact "radiance of the flowing still water" x1]
A surge of points flooded into her account. Looking at the now abundant numbers, Furina couldn't stop smiling. What made her heart race even more was a longsword flowing with an azure glow and an elegant, noble design that quietly appeared in her hand. The blade seemed to have water flowing within it, cool to the touch, containing an indescribably powerful force.
"radiance of the flowing still water..." Furina gently stroked the blade, unable to put it down. She could feel a sense of compatibility between the Divine Artifact and herself, as if they shared the same Bloodline.
With points in hand, her confidence immediately bolstered. With a grand wave of her hand, Furina not only covered daily expenses but also exchanged for a batch of blood coagulation powder and a small amount of other Medicinal Pills as strategic reserves, and even gave Neuvillette and several core cadres a "bonus."
The reputation of the Axis Cult was at its peak in Thunder City. Commoners regarded it as a land of hope, and many even secretly set up "Water God" spirit tablets at home—though the image of the Water God they imagined always unconsciously took on Furina's proud look with her chin tilted up.
However, the Axis Cult was too prominent, and it finally drew the displeasure of certain people.
Inside the City Lord of Thunder City's Mansion.
"Bang!" An exquisite porcelain cup was smashed ruthlessly onto the ground, fragments flying everywhere.
"Useless! A bunch of useless trash!" The City Lord of Thunder City, Lei Bao, a middle-aged man with a sinister face, was roaring at his subordinates. "A mere trashy cult playing god has almost overshadowed me, the City Lord, in just a few months! What are you all being paid for?"
The people below were as silent as cicadas in winter. A man who looked like a counselor braced himself and stepped forward: "City Lord, please calm your anger. This Axis Cult is indeed strange. That woman named Furina is a Food Element Soul Master, and I estimate she has a top-tier food system Martial Soul. She also somehow obtained some strange Medicinal Pills, winning over many people. And that newly arrived white-haired man doesn't look simple either; he has managed the cult in an orderly fashion..."
"I don't care what means they use!" Lei Bao interrupted him, his eyes fierce. "There can only be one voice in Thunder City, and that is mine, Lei Bao's! What kind of thing is that Axis Cult? A ragtag bunch of mud-legged peasants and bottom-tier Spirit Masters!"
He panted heavily, pacing back and forth. "Don't they know how to cure diseases? Can't they help people with Awakening? Can't you find some trouble for them? Send people to cause a disturbance! Say their cakes made people sick, and their Medicinal Pills are fake! Then go to the Tax Office and give them a heads-up to 'calculate' exactly how much tax they should pay!"
"Yes, yes..." the subordinate quickly responded.
"Also," Lei Bao narrowed his eyes, a flicker of greed passing through them, "find out the source of those Medicinal Pills... if we can get our hands on them..."
A few days later, the Axis Cult indeed encountered some "minor trouble."
First, someone clamored that their stomach hurt after eating the cake and refused to leave the entrance (though the person's acting was so exaggerated that even the onlookers couldn't stand it); then, officials from the Tax Office came to the door, arrogantly demanding to audit the accounts and hinting that they needed to be "taken care of"; even at night, thugs tried to throw trash into the courtyard, only to be easily caught by the Spirit Master guards on duty.
These trifles naturally did not stump Neuvillette. He handled matters fairly and clearly, silencing the troublemakers with a few words. Facing the tax officials, he produced the fully prepared accounts with neither arrogance nor humility, leaving the other party unable to find any fault. As for the thugs, they were sent directly to the Garrison.
But Furina was still quite angry.
"That Lei Bao! He's clearly jealous because we're doing well!" She paced around the room, her cheeks puffed out in anger. "What a petty man!"
Neuvillette, however, was very calm. "A tall tree catches the wind; it is inevitable. This is just a test; there may be further moves later." He pondered for a moment. "We need to further strengthen our self-protection capabilities. The Ranks of the newly joined Spirit Masters are not high; perhaps we can improve them appropriately."
Furina's eyes lit up. "Right! We have points! There are plenty of good things in the system mall!"
She immediately opened the system mall, her gaze scanning over those Medicinal Pills and spirit tools.
"profound water pill... just right for them to build a foundation now." She muttered, exchanging for three profound water pills (costing 600 points), and then looked at those spirit tools.
"Rank One spirit tool Dagger, Rank Two spirit tool Shield... though they are low-level, they are better than nothing." She spent another 600 points, exchanging for three daggers and two shields.
When she handed these items to the three Spirit Masters, the three were so excited they could hardly speak. They had long heard of the value of the profound water pill; it was a treasure that was often sought but rarely found, capable of improving Aptitude and increasing Soul Power! The Pope was actually so generous!
"We will certainly do our utmost to protect the Axis Cult!" The three knelt on one knee, their voices trembling with excitement.
Furina was a bit embarrassed by their reaction and waved her hand. "Get up, get up. Work hard, and there will be no shortage of good things for you in the future!"
With the addition of the Medicinal Pills and spirit tools, the strength and loyalty of the three Spirit Masters increased significantly. Neuvillette also adjusted the patrol and guard arrangements, making the cult's defenses even tighter.
The City Lord's Mansion's petty tricks temporarily ceased, but the air seemed thick with the oppressive feeling of an impending storm.
Furina gripped her newly acquired Divine Artifact, "radiance of the flowing still water," and stood at the slightly renovated courtyard gate, looking toward the faintly visible City Lord's Mansion in the center of Thunder City. A smile that mixed confidence and defiance curled at the corners of her mouth.
"Want to find trouble? Just bring it on. This Pope... ah no, this Water God, will see it through to the end!"