Morning light gently spilled, casting colorful light and shadows inside the temple through the stained glass windows.
Furina stood quietly by the window, letting the sunlight dance on her slender fingertips, as if playing a silent musical piece.
Her gaze passed through the colorful halo, looking toward the continuous city walls in the distance, her thoughts already drifting to those city lords who entrenched themselves in one region and held power in their hands.
"How can I make them truly submit?" This thought swirled repeatedly in her mind.
She knew very well that in this world where the strong prey on the weak, ideals and beliefs alone were far from enough.
Benefits are always the most direct stepping stone.
And the sharpest blade in her hand right now was the Medicinal Pill from another world.
These magical drugs had already become the foundation for the Axis Cult to establish itself on this continent.
"blood coagulation powder, strength-accumulating pills, Qi-nurturing powder..." She recited these familiar names softly, a complex smile appearing on her lips.
These Medicinal Pills originating from the world of "Battle Through the Heavens" could be redeemed with System points, allowing her to get rich on this Douluo Continent where the alchemy System was barren.
Their effects were so significant, and the prices so accessible, it was practically a dimensional reduction strike against the local alchemy System.
Furina still remembered the scene when these Medicinal Pills were first introduced: the suspicious gazes of those civilian Spirit Masters turned into fanatical worship after witnessing the efficacy with their own eyes; the initial disdain of the nobles turned into a scramble to purchase after experiencing the magic of the Medicinal Pills.
Profits grew like a snowball, supporting the initial expansion of the Axis Cult.
Every day, caravans from all over gathered in Fontaine, just to obtain a bottle of Medicinal Pill produced by the Axis Cult.
These small medicine bottles not only brought a steady stream of wealth but also acted like an invisible net, connecting more and more people's fates closely with the Axis Cult.
"Perhaps, these basic Medicinal Pills alone are enough to make those City Lords sit down and talk." Furina mused.
In this era of frequent wars, no one would refuse a stable source of wealth, especially these magical drugs that could enhance strength and heal wounds.
However, her fingertips tapped lightly on the window lattice unconsciously, revealing her inner dissatisfaction.
She knew clearly that cooperation linked by interests was as fragile as the ice on early winter.
Today they could come for profit, and tomorrow they would turn and leave for greater benefits.
Thunder Leopard's complete allegiance stemmed more from awe of "miracles" and identification with beliefs, rather than pure material temptation.
What Furina wanted was true submission that obeyed her every command, partners who shared the same goals, not a temporary alliance with ulterior motives.
Her consciousness sank into the System space, her gaze sweeping over those higher-level Medicinal Pills—profound water pill, foundation establishment spirit liquid, soul ascension pill.
These treasures that could wash the marrow and cut the bones, and accelerate Cultivate, were priceless on the Douluo Continent.
Especially the foundation establishment spirit liquid, this magical liquid that had never appeared in this realm, was a temptation sufficient to stir up bloody storms for any Spirit Master Family.
"If I were to use these Medicinal Pills as chips..." This thought had just arisen when she immediately suppressed it.
The risk was too great, so great that the Axis Cult could not yet bear it.
"A treasure is a crime..." Furina muttered to herself, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.
In the eyes of these cunning and calculating powerful people, her ability to stably provide these rare Medicinal Pills must hide unknown secrets.
Human greed is endless, and in the face of the huge temptation that is enough to make a Family rise and allow oneself to break through the Bottleneck, taking risks and killing people to seize goods was almost an inevitable option.
She seemed to have already seen such a scene: various forces fighting openly and secretly, the Axis Cult becoming the target of public criticism, and the foundation she had built with such difficulty turning into nothingness in the flames of greed.
Using high-level Medicinal Pills to attract strong people, before one's own strength was enough to deter the heroes, was tantamount to drinking poison to quench thirst.
The path of Medicinal Pills was temporarily blocked, and Furina's thoughts naturally turned to herself.
That unique fourth Spirit Ability—golden doughnut vanilla cake, the vast life energy it contained was enough to grow bones and flesh, repair broken limbs, and reconnect nerves, with effects that could be called miraculous.
Even that renowned Medical Immortal Douluo, Wang Xian'er, would likely find it hard to compare with her in the field of limb regeneration.
If this ability were shown to the royal Family or top nobles, exchanging it for a lofty status and protection would be extremely easy.
But this thought had just emerged when she decisively extinguished it.
Living under someone else's roof, relying on others' breath?
Lü Bu's resounding oath echoed inexplicably in her mind: "A great man lives between heaven and earth, how can he be willing to live under others for long!"
Moreover, her, Furina's, ambition was far more than just staying in one corner.
The heartfelt words she had once revealed to Neuvillette were not a momentary whim.
Unifying the continent, eliminating internal friction, integrating the power of the entire Douluo world, focusing on development, and striving to eliminate Evil Soul Masters—this was her ultimate goal.
She had witnessed too many civilians displaced by war, too many innocents sacrificed in power struggles.
Rather than patching up the old order, it was better to build a brand new, bright order with her own hands.
Depending on any existing force was contrary to this goal.
Thinking of this, a trace of firmness flashed in Furina's eyes.
But immediately, a sense of fatigue struck, making her rub her temples unconsciously.
"Sigh..." She sighed softly, her silver-white long hair swaying gently with the shaking of her head, "Geez, I've thought until my head is swollen."
She realized she seemed to have drilled into a dead end.
Political weighing and commercial maneuvering were not her strengths.
These intricate interest networks, these trade-offs that required careful calculation, made her feel unprecedentedly tired.
As an "actor" who had performed countless joys and sorrows on stage, she was better at performances that struck the heart, art that mobilized emotions, not these cold calculations.
Forcing herself to think about these was not only inefficient, but also made her feel that her Soul was being consumed bit by bit.
"Professional things should be left to professional people." This thought made her feel much more relaxed immediately.
She had always seen the talent Thunder Leopard displayed in governing the city.
Since there was a suitable candidate, why bother doing everything herself?
Thinking this through, Furina felt much brighter.
She stood up, tidied her robes, walked to the door, and ordered the figure standing outside softly: "Go and invite Minister Wang to come over."
After a moment, the spirited Minister Wang walked quickly into the temple.
Although the old man was Advanced in age, his steps were still steady, and his eyes twinkled with wisdom.
He bowed respectfully, his voice loud and clear: "Your Holiness, what are your orders?"
"Minister Wang, please go to the City Lord's Mansion immediately and invite City Lord Lei to the temple quickly."
Furina's tone was calm but carried unquestionable decisiveness, "Just say I have important matters to discuss, concerning the future development path of the Axis Cult."
"I will obey the Divine Oracle!"
Minister Wang had no extra questions, his face full of solemnity and loyalty.
He took two steps back, his Soul Power surged instantly, and he shouted in a low voice: "Martial Soul, possess!"
A colorful light flashed, and a powerful winged tiger phantom emerged from behind him, then merged into his body.
Accompanied by a slight "chi la" sound, a pair of large wings covered with gorgeous feathers suddenly unfolded from his back, bringing up gusts of air as they flapped slightly.
After the Martial Soul possession, Minister Wang exuded a majestic Aura.
"This subordinate will go and invite City Lord Lei immediately!"
Minister Wang cupped his fists and bowed, then his wings flapped violently, and his figure shot into the sky like an arrow from a bow.
The strong airflow rolled up the curtains in the temple, and his figure soon turned into a black dot in the sky, flying toward the City Lord's Mansion at full speed.
Furina watched him go, turning her gaze back to the window.
Fontaine in the morning light was waking up, and the streets were gradually becoming lively.
Vendors began to set up stalls, Spirit Masters went out of the city in groups to Cultivate, and children chased and played in the square—all this peace was the change brought by the Axis Cult.
She saw believers spontaneously cleaning the streets, saw injured Spirit Masters queuing in order in front of the medical hall established by the Axis Cult, and saw hope for the future on everyone's face.
This scene made her more determined in her choice.
Perhaps she was not a politician skilled in calculation, but she knew how to unite people's hearts; perhaps she was not a cunning businessman, but she understood what true value was.
In this world, some things were far more important than interests—faith, hope, and the ideals to strive for.
The world outside the temple was vibrant, and Furina's thoughts had already begun to outline the next steps after meeting with Thunder Leopard.
She believed that professional people do professional things, and what she had to do was to grasp the right direction and lead everyone to that bright future.
The sunlight gradually brightened, plating the entire temple with a layer of golden radiance.
Furina stood quietly, her silver-white long hair shining in the halo, like a god descending.
But in her eyes, there was a firm light belonging to a pioneer.