Clap, clap! Crisp applause echoed throughout the council hall.
Thunder Leopard clapped his hands and laughed, his eyes flashing with approval: "Long Ziyun, City Lord of Ice Wolf City is indeed exceptionally intelligent and understands things instantly. That is correct; this is precisely what I meant."
He stood up, paced to the window, and gazed at the bustling street scene outside. His tone became deep: "To tell you the truth, I have long been a member of the Axis Cult. At first, I was just like all of you, wary of this rapidly rising Sect. They expanded too quickly and touched upon the interests of too many people. I once thought about suppressing them, thought about containing them, but later I realized how foolish those thoughts were."
He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the three City Lords: "In this era of changing winds and clouds, rather than sticking to old ways and ultimately being drowned by the torrent of the times, it is better to go with the flow. Instead of being at loggerheads and losing everything in the end, it is better to choose cooperation and achieve a win-win situation. Only in this way can we have a bright future."
Thunder Leopard walked back to his seat and lightly tapped the tabletop: "The blood coagulation powder and other Medicinal Pill you tasted just now are merely the tip of the iceberg of the Axis Cult's strength. If you join the Axis Cult, the benefits you will receive are by no means as simple as collecting a few hundred or thousand more gold coin each month."
He smiled meaningfully: "Even the delicacies at the banquet just now were the work of a little God of Cooking from the Axis Cult. I presume you have all felt it; it was not just delicious, but also contained a unique aura of Soul Power."
The three City Lords looked at each other, lost in thought. Wind Blows Snow lightly waved his folding fan, Yan Luo, City Lord of Savage City rubbed his chin, and Long Ziyun, City Lord of Ice Wolf City had flashing eyes, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.
They really couldn't figure out what kind of love potion the Axis Cult had fed Thunder Leopard to make this usually shrewd City Lord so devoted, to the point of personally lobbying them to join.
Seeing that the time was ripe, Thunder Leopard clapped his hands again and said loudly: "Ke'er, hurry up and come in to serve tea to the three uncles."
"Yes, Father." Lei Ke responded and entered, holding an exquisite teapot, his steps composed.
When the three City Lords saw Lei Ke clearly, they all gasped. Wind Blows Snow's folding fan stopped in mid-air, Yan Luo, City Lord of Savage City sat up abruptly, and even the usually steady Long Ziyun, City Lord of Ice Wolf City couldn't help but shrink his pupils.
They clearly remembered that several years ago, when Thunder Leopard's only son, Lei Ke, was hunting for a spirit ring, he encountered a thousand-year Vicious Beast and unfortunately lost an arm. When this news reached their ears at the time, they even sent people to offer their condolences.
But now, the Lei Ke standing before them had healthy arms and moved freely; where was there any trace of disability?
"This, this is impossible?" Yan Luo, City Lord of Savage City, this rough and bold man, was the first to lose his composure. He pointed at Lei Ke's arm, his voice trembling slightly, "Old Thunder, is this the handiwork of the Axis Cult?"
Thunder Leopard, however, feigned confusion: "What? Old Luo, what are you talking about? Why don't I understand?"
Wind Blows Snow snorted coldly, and his folding fan snapped shut with a "clap": "Thunder Leopard, stop playing dumb. We heard about your son losing his arm long ago. Now that his arms are intact, plus the fact that we saw many disabled commoners rushing to your Thunder City when we arrived... the connection here is self-evident."
He stared sharply at Thunder Leopard: "Presumably, the Axis Cult has mastered some kind of magical method capable of healing these incurable injuries. And it is precisely because of this that you are so devoted to serving the Axis Cult, right?"
Thunder Leopard chuckled inwardly; Wind Blows Snow was indeed the most cunning City Lord he knew, guessing the key point in an instant. But on the surface, he remained calm, shaking his head: "Brother Wind, that is incorrect. My Ke'er was saved by a wandering miraculous doctor; what does that have to do with the Axis Cult? You cannot make baseless speculations."
Wind Blows Snow cursed inwardly: What a Thunder Leopard, he doesn't even need a draft to make up lies! Who doesn't know that even the Medicine Immortal Douluo, Wang Xian'er, cannot make severed limbs regenerate? What kind of miraculous doctor in this world could do that?
Yan Luo, City Lord of Savage City tried to find a Breakthrough from Lei Ke, smiling as he asked: "Nephew, tell your uncle, how was your arm healed?"
However, Lei Ke just smiled modestly and respectfully poured tea for the three City Lords: "Uncle Yan, you are joking. This Junior was just lucky enough to encounter a miraculous doctor, that is all."
This father and son had obviously colluded on their story long ago; no matter how they probed, it was watertight.
Just as the atmosphere reached a stalemate, the silent Long Ziyun, City Lord of Ice Wolf City suddenly slammed the table and stood up. Wind Blows Snow and Yan Luo, City Lord of Savage City thought he was going to turn against Thunder Leopard, and couldn't help but show expressions of wanting to watch a good show.
Who would have thought that Long Ziyun, City Lord of Ice Wolf City's next words would shock the two of them: "Good! I, Long Ziyun, City Lord of Ice Wolf City am willing to join the Axis Cult and offer my loyal service!"
His gaze was firm, his tone resonant: "Within two weeks, my Ice Wolf City will surely build a Axis Cult branch hall that is no less impressive than the City Lord's Mansion. From today on, Axis Cult personnel entering and exiting my city will be exempt from all fees. For any Axis Cult merchants, tax rates will all be executed at the lowest standard."
Thunder Leopard calmly took out a contract and handed it over. Long Ziyun, City Lord of Ice Wolf City took the contract, signed his name without even looking at it, and then bit his thumb to press his fingerprint; his movements were smooth and flowing, without a hint of hesitation.
Wind Blows Snow and Yan Luo, City Lord of Savage City cursed in unison in their hearts: As if we'd believe you! You old fox must have secretly promised some heaven-defying benefits!
Thunder Leopard smiled and extended his hand toward Long Ziyun, City Lord of Ice Wolf City: "Welcome, City Lord Long, to the Axis Cult. Rest assured, our Pope is benevolent and broad-minded; he will absolutely not let his followers suffer any losses."
He paused, then added meaningfully: "Where there is contribution, there will definitely be a reward, and this reward is guaranteed to satisfy you."
Having said this, he turned to Wind Blows Snow and Yan Luo, City Lord of Savage City, his tone becoming deep: "Two City Lords, I wonder how you have considered it?"
"This opportunity is once in a thousand years. It is because I cherish our past friendship that I invited you to create a great cause together. If you are unwilling, I, Thunder Leopard, will certainly not force you. However..."
His gaze suddenly became sharp: "I will say the ugly words upfront: if you regret it later and want to join again, it will not be as easy as it is today."
The atmosphere in the council hall suddenly became heavy. Wind Blows Snow lightly stroked his folding fan, Yan Luo, City Lord of Savage City had his brows tightly locked; both were undergoing intense ideological struggle.
Outside the window, the sun was setting, and the afterglow shone through the window lattice, casting long shadows on the smooth stone slabs. The fragrance of tea curled and permeated the air, but it could not dispel the heaviness that filled the room.
Thunder Leopard calmly sipped his tea, seemingly not at all worried about their decision. Long Ziyun, City Lord of Ice Wolf City sat quietly to the side, but his eyes flashed with the light of wisdom, as if he had already seen the distant future.