Several days later, the three city lords around Fontaine arrived as promised, gathering in the council hall of the City Lord's Mansion in Fontaine. Wind Blows Snow of North Underworld City wore a white robe, his temperament cold and aloof. Yan Luo, City Lord of Savage City, had a burly build, his brows etched with a rugged air. Long Ziyun, City Lord of Ice Wolf City, sat quietly to the side, his gaze deep and profound. On the surface, the three appeared calm and composed, but inwardly, they were each harboring their own thoughts, secretly speculating about the hidden meaning behind Thunder Leopard's invitation.
Thunder Leopard had already been waiting in the hall for some time. The carved long table was laden with steaming, exquisite dishes, and an alluring aroma wafted through the hall. He wore a calm smile, his demeanor exuding stability and certainty, as if everything were within his grasp.
Wind Blows Snow, City Lord of North Underworld City, flicked his sleeves and spoke first, his tone carrying a hint of probing: "City Lord Thunder Leopard, I wonder what the purpose of inviting us here today is?"
Thunder Leopard did not answer directly. Instead, he smiled and raised his chopsticks, greeting them warmly: "No rush, no rush. Since you have traveled from afar, why not first taste the delicacies recently acquired by my Fontaine? Let us eat while we talk."
However, the more polite he was, the more vigilant the three city lords became. Wind Blows Snow's gaze tightened, Yan Luo's brows furrowed, and Long Ziyun sat silently without a word. The three thought of the same thing simultaneously—could this be a trap? Had Thunder Leopard already tampered with the food?
After all, on the Douluo Continent, strength has always been respected, and the rule of the jungle has never changed. If Thunder Leopard had truly obtained some Opportunity and made a Breakthrough to the Spirit Saint Realm, it was hard to guarantee he wouldn't develop ambitions to annex the surrounding areas and expand his influence. Although this possibility seemed unlikely, in a world where interests and power were intertwined, no one dared to let their guard down.
Thunder Leopard was highly astute and saw through everyone's concerns at a glance. He did not rush to point it out, but instead acted naturally and composedly, taking up his chopsticks first. He picked up a few dishes in front of him and tasted them one by one, smiling as he ate: "Everyone, please rest assured. My way of doing things has always been open and aboveboard. This is no trap; I merely wish to discuss some mutually beneficial matters with a few old friends."
After speaking, he took a small jade bottle from his robe and placed it gently on the table. The jade bottle was translucent and warm, and inside it was the 'blood coagulation powder' that had recently become popular in the surrounding cities, drawing merchants in droves.
"I believe you are all familiar with this, are you not?" Thunder Leopard's gaze swept over the three, his tone peaceful.
The three city lords naturally recognized it—was this not the miraculous healing medicine flowing out of Thunder City... no, this city now renamed Fontaine? Its medicinal efficacy was so great that it was not inferior to the first two Spirit Abilitys of a healing-type Spirit Master. It was precisely because of this item that Fontaine had rapidly accumulated wealth in a short time, attracting countless merchants and travelers, and had become a prosperous place.
Thinking of Thunder Leopard monopolizing such huge profits, the three city lords could not help but feel a bit uneasy. Moreover, they still harbored doubts about Thunder Leopard suddenly renaming the city to 'Fontaine,' always feeling there was something fishy about it.
The hot-tempered Yan Luo finally could not hold back and said gruffly: "Thunder Leopard, we are not people who beat around the bush! If you have something to say, just say it directly. What exactly do you want to do?"
Upon hearing this, the smile on Thunder Leopard's lips deepened. This was exactly the reaction he wanted.
"City Lord Yan Luo is straightforward, and I admire that. However—" He changed the subject and gestured to the table full of delicacies again, "Why don't you try the dishes in front of you first? These were cooked by a young master chef in my city. As for the taste, I dare say that even at the banquets of royalty and nobility, it is rarely seen."
He paused, his tone carrying a trace of faint regret: "If you refuse to even taste a bite, then you do not trust me. Since there is no trust, then there is no need to discuss the subsequent cooperation. Trust is, after all, the foundation of everything."
Having said this, Thunder Leopard tasted a few more dishes, each chopstick movement casual and natural, eating with great relish. The aroma of the dishes permeated the hall, combined with his expression of enjoyment, making anyone who saw it unable to resist wanting to eat.
Yan Luo was, after all, a straightforward person. Seeing this, he hesitated no longer, picked up a large piece of red-braised pork, and stuffed it into his mouth. The next second, his eyes widened, his face full of disbelief. Immediately, without a word, he picked up the plate of red-braised trotters in front of him and began to devour it, mumbling praises while eating: "Damn it! This is delicious! I've lived for half a lifetime and have never tasted such a delicacy! I'm afraid even the imperial meals eaten by the Star Luo Emperor are nothing compared to this!"
After saying this, he reached out and snatched another plate of crystal shrimp, continuing to sweep through the food like a whirlwind. The shrimp were crystal clear, bouncy, and the delicious taste made even this rugged man unable to help but narrow his eyes.
Seeing Yan Luo like this, Wind Blows Snow also elegantly picked up a chopstick of steamed bass and gently placed it into his mouth. The next moment, a flash of amazement crossed his eyes, and he couldn't help but nod in praise: "Tender, smooth, and melts in the mouth... It is truly Peerless Grade."
Even the taciturn and most cautious Long Ziyun, after tasting a mouthful of the Ganoderma pigeon soup in front of him, completely let down his guard, an expression of amazement appearing in his eyes. The soup was clear to the bottom, yet contained an indescribably mellow and delicious flavor. After one mouthful, warmth rose from his Dantian, making him feel completely comfortable.
Thunder Leopard took in the reactions of the three, smiling inwardly: "The person chosen by the Pope, how could he be an ordinary person?" At the same time, he couldn't help but sigh about that youth, Huo Yuhao. Even if he didn't become a Spirit Master, this superb culinary skill alone would be enough to make him famous in Star Luo.
However, the Pope seemed to value his potential to Cultivate even more, showing him great favor. Although his first spirit ring was only a ten-year spirit ring, that Spirit Ability had four effects—Spiritual Detection, Spiritual Sharing, Soul Shock, and Spiritual Interference Domain.
Thunder Leopard secretly pondered that this was definitely not some ten-year spirit ring. He had never seen a ten-year spirit ring with such magical effects. If a ten-year spirit ring were truly this powerful, why would people in the world bother to hunt hundred-year, thousand-year, or even ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts?
One could only say that the person valued by the Pope was indeed extraordinary. No wonder he was held in such high regard.
Seeing that the time was ripe, Thunder Leopard finally cut to the point: "Actually, I invited you all here today for a collaboration. As long as you are willing to allow the 'Axis Cult' of my Fontaine to preach in your cities, allocate a piece of land for them to set up a branch temple, and not interfere with the development of church affairs—then, the profits from the blood coagulation powder and several other Medicinal Pills can be shared by you all. I guarantee that what you gain will far exceed what you pay."
Long Ziyun, who had been silent, raised his head at this moment, pondered for a moment, and asked slowly: "Thunder Leopard, do you mean you want us to cooperate with this Axis Cult? Could it be... that those Medicinal Pills all came from the hands of this cult?"
His question also voiced the common doubts in the hearts of the other two city lords. The three pairs of eyes fell on Thunder Leopard, waiting for the answer that might change the balance of power among all parties.