Over these past few days, Thunder Leopard seemed to have been reborn. Whenever he saw his son, Lei Ke, nimbly using his new right arm to Cultivate in the courtyard, he couldn't help but reveal a gratified smile. This arm not only meant the continuation of his son's path in martial arts, but it also symbolized the future hope of the Thunder family.
Since joining the Axis Cult, a series of pleasant surprises had followed one after another. What surprised Thunder Leopard the most was that even though he invested large amounts of funds to sponsor the construction of the church, the city lord's manor's fiscal revenue had increased instead of decreasing. Thinking about it carefully, this was perhaps related to the prosperity brought by the Axis Cult—more and more Spirit Masters were flocking here, business in the city's shops was becoming increasingly booming, and tax revenue naturally rose accordingly.
Inside the Cultivation room, Thunder Leopard felt the flow of Soul Power within his body, his gratitude toward Furina deepening a little more. The profoundness of the Mysterious Heaven Skill far exceeded his imagination; this Cultivation Technique seemed to have opened the door to a new world for him. His previously stagnant Soul Power was now like thawing spring water, exuding renewed vitality. What surprised him even more was that the effects of this Cultivation Technique were even more significant for Lei Ke. In just over a month, this youth, who had once been depressed due to his severed arm, was now a spirited Soul Venerable.
"Father, I feel that my Soul Power has improved a bit more." Lei Ke finished his session and stood up, his face brimming with long-lost confidence.
Thunder Leopard looked over his son. Although at sixteen he had already missed the optimal period for Cultivation, with the help of the Spirit Medicine and Cultivation Technique bestowed by Furina, this child was catching up to his peers at an astonishing speed. The soul ascension pill had solidified his Foundation, the foundation establishment spirit liquid had cleansed his Meridians, and the mysterious water had even raised the quality of his Soul Power by a grade.
"Cultivate well. Following the Pope, your future will be limitless." Thunder Leopard patted his son's shoulder, his tone filled with expectation. "Continue your Cultivation! Practice your new Spirit Ability more; after all, you've fallen too far behind over these years. If you don't work hard, you won't be able to keep up with your peers."
"Alright, Father." After Lei Ke agreed, he left with the butler, intending to go to the practice arena in the backyard to train.
Thinking of Furina, Thunder Leopard couldn't help but silently marvel in his heart. This seemingly weak Pope, whose figure was a little bit flat, acted with extraordinariness in every way. Awakening Martial Souls for commoners for free was a charitable act that was simply unheard of in the Spirit Master world. The cake made by her Spirit Ability was even more magical; he didn't know how many difficult and complicated illnesses it had cured.
What was most admirable was that she actually made the Cultivation Technique public, allowing ordinary people without Soul Power to strengthen their bodies and improve their health.
Such breadth of mind and demeanor made Thunder Leopard, an old Jianghu hand who had floated in the officialdom for many years, have to submit with admiration. Even Shrek Academy, famous for cultivating monsters, was probably difficult to compare with the Axis Cult in terms of resource supply and talent cultivation.
Not to mention the astonishing talent of Furina herself. Thunder Leopard knew better than anyone just how rare twin spirits were. And the spirit ring configuration of two purple and two black broke the conventional understanding of the Spirit Master world. Such talent and such strength made Thunder Leopard couldn't help but have a bold guess: perhaps this Pope, who called herself the Water God, truly had the potential to become a god.
"Perhaps, the Pope can really, like the legends of ten thousand years ago, achieve Ascension to become a god and become the true Water God." Thunder Leopard gazed at the clouds drifting outside the window, muttering to himself unconsciously.
Just then, a familiar voice broke the silence of the study: "Lord City Lord, Your Majesty the Pope requests your presence to discuss important matters."
Thunder Leopard looked up and saw Minister Wang had unleashed his Martial Soul, hovering outside the window. Those pure white wings shimmered with a faint halo under the sunlight, making his whole person look exceptionally spirited. What caught Thunder Leopard's attention the most was that the originally shiny top of Minister Wang's head had now grown thick, beautiful hair, and he looked at least ten years younger.
"Minister Wang, it seems you are living quite well in the Axis Cult." Thunder Leopard said with meaningful intent.
Upon hearing this, a trace of embarrassment flashed across Minister Wang's face, which immediately turned into sincere gratitude: "It is all thanks to the favor of Your Majesty the Pope. Your subordinate has always kept in mind the kindness of the City Lord in recognizing my talent back then. It's just…"
"No need to explain." Thunder Leopard waved his hand. "Sending you to the Axis Cult back then was originally intended to use your abilities to test the truth of the other side. Now that you and I are both serving under the Pope, let the past be the past."
Speaking of this, Thunder Leopard was filled with emotion. When Minister Wang first defected to the Axis Cult, he had been furious. Who would have known that just one day later, he himself would be conquered by Furina's divine skill and willingly joined the Axis Cult. Looking back now, perhaps this was destiny.
"What is the matter that Your Majesty the Pope requires?" Thunder Leopard composed himself and asked seriously.
Minister Wang shook his head slightly: "Your Majesty did not say explicitly, but since she summoned you specially, it must be important. Judging by Your Majesty's expression, it seems to be of great significance."
Hearing this, Thunder Leopard dared not delay. He took out a beautifully crafted flying spirit tool from his storage ring—this was something he had bought with a large sum of money years ago, and it had brought him many benefits. If only he had been more careful back then… Unfortunately, there were no regret pills in this world, but fortunately, he had met Furina.
"Let's depart immediately."
The spirit tool spread its wings and soared into the sky. The distance from the city lord's manor to the Axis Cult was not far, but every time he flew along this path, Thunder Leopard had different feelings. Today the sun was just right, and overlooking the entire city, one could see that the new temple of the Axis Cult had already taken shape. That building, which he had personally supervised, was rising from the ground at an astonishing speed.
In just a moment, the two had landed at the Axis Cult's station. Although the scale of the current station was still small, it revealed something extraordinary everywhere. Even the most ordinary duty-bound believers were full of energy and behaved with decorum.
The two walked straight toward the conference room, but at the corner of the corridor, they met Neuvillette, who was discussing matters with his subordinates. This Water God Special Envoy was wearing a blue robe today, holding a scepter, with a solemn expression.
Even from a distance of several zhang, Thunder Leopard could still feel the unfathomable energy fluctuations on the other party, even stronger than the most powerful Titled Douluo he had ever seen; could he be a Super Douluo?
As for a Limit Douluo, he didn't even dare to think about it. The only Limit Douluo he knew of was the Dragon God Douluo who had once appeared at Shrek Academy. However, a long time had passed, and he hadn't heard anything about him in these years; presumably, this Dragon God Douluo must have passed away.
"Lord Special Envoy." Thunder Leopard and Minister Wang immediately stopped and bowed respectfully.
Neuvillette nodded slightly in return, his gaze lingering on Thunder Leopard for a moment: "City Lord, you have come just in time; Your Majesty the Pope is waiting."
His voice was calm yet carried an unquestionable majesty, making people feel awe involuntarily.
Watching Neuvillette continue to discuss the recruitment of Soul Engineers with his subordinates, Thunder Leopard couldn't help but secretly rejoice. If he had rashly made an enemy of the Axis Cult back then, with this Special Envoy's strength, he feared that his city lord's manor could have been reduced to ashes in the snap of a finger. Thinking of this, he became even more determined to follow Furina.
"Let's go quickly, don't keep Your Majesty the Pope waiting too long." Thunder Leopard said to Minister Wang, involuntarily quickening his pace.