Shortly after, the group finally arrived at their destination.
Fontaine City—this city, once known as Thunder City, had flourished in a short period since its renaming and becoming the headquarters of the Axis Cult. It was now a presence in the Star Luo Empire no less significant than the imperial capital. The streets were wide and clean, buildings stood in neat rows, shops were everywhere, and the flow of people was like a woven tapestry.
Whether commoners or nobles, everyone could live and work in peace and contentment here, in perfect harmony. There was no strife, no oppression, and certainly no bullying.
It also boasted the liveliest Soul Arena in the Star Luo Empire, which was also the largest on the entire continent. Unlike other places, Fontaine City's Soul Arena was not only open to Spirit Masters; ordinary people wielding spirit tools or firearms, and even Martial Artists Cultivating Cultivation Techniques and refining their physiques, could take the stage to fight.
They fought for glory, adding a brilliant stroke to the legend of this city.
The participation of ordinary people made the originally monotonous Spirit Master competitions more colorful and challenging. Their existence proved that even ordinary people without a Martial Soul were not necessarily unable to fight a Spirit Master.
And those Spirit Masters who clung to tradition were forced to start learning new things—the use of spirit tools, and even asking ordinary people for those exquisite physical technique skills.
Because everyone knew that in the Soul Arenas of Fontaine City and the surrounding cities, if one underestimated an opponent based solely on Soul Power Rank or status, they would absolutely suffer a great loss and even become a laughingstock.
The people of the Axis Cult might look unremarkable on the surface, but if one looked down on them because of it, the consequences were often unforgettable.
Today, however, very few people from the Axis Cult appeared at the Soul Arena. It seemed something more important was happening.
...
At the gates of Fontaine City.
The soldiers guarding the city gate and the surrounding members of the Axis Cult saw Furina's figure from afar. They bowed one after another and shouted in unison, "Greetings, Lord Pope!"
Furina smiled slightly and waved to the crowd. "It seems Protector Long has already sent back the news of my return."
Xiao Xiao followed behind Furina, watching the lively scene before her, and couldn't help but exclaim, "It's so lively! Such a grand display! Furina, I feel like you've almost become a figure like an Emperor."
Wang Dong also nodded repeatedly. "Exactly, exactly! It's much livelier than back at my place!"
He silently added in his heart: If he were to return to the Clear Sky Sect, he estimated that at most his First Uncle and Second Uncle would bring one or two people out to greet him; there could never be such a display.
Tang Ya was equally amazed. "Wow, this display is truly incredible! Joining the Axis Cult was indeed a wise choice. You really are a beloved Pope."
Bei Bei echoed, "Yes, almost all of these people are cheering from the bottom of their hearts. From the looks of it, your prestige is indeed very high."
At the same time, he was inwardly shocked: the power of the Axis Cult was already staggering, and Furina's own prestige within the cult had actually reached such a height.
Hearing this, a trace of a helpless smile appeared on Furina's face. She spoke to the crowd welcoming her with feigned distress, "Why must you do this? You are making things difficult for me."
She waved her hand and raised her voice, "Alright, alright, everyone needn't cheer anymore. Disperse, disperse. I'm not used to such a grand display."
"Yes, Lord Pope!" the crowd responded in unison, then voluntarily dispersed like a receding tide, leaving only a few guards at the gate.
Furina turned to the guards, her tone gentle. "Thank you for your hard work."
"It is not hard! This is our duty!" The guards straightened their backs and responded in unison.
Furina nodded in satisfaction, then led the group through the city gate, heading towards the headquarters of the Axis Cult.
Along the way, countless passersby and Axis Cult believers greeted her one after another. The old members were brimming with enthusiasm, and while the newly joined members didn't know Furina, they would follow the old members in bowing and greeting her.
The sounds of roadside conversations drifted into their ears from time to time:
"Is this our Pope? She's so young..."
"Why else would she be called the Water God? The matters of a deity are not for us to speculate on."
"The Lord Pope is back. Is she preparing to send troops to wipe out the Sun Moon Empire?"
"Are you joking? If we're wiping anyone out, it would be the Heaven Dou Empire or the Dou Ling Empire first."
"I heard that Protector Long, one of the four great protectors, went to the Heaven Dou Empire. I think if we send troops, we should hit the Heaven Dou Empire first."
"Shh! Keep it down, don't talk nonsense. What'starting a war'? If you ask me, rather than fighting this or that, we should wipe out those Evil Soul Master bastards first."
"Hey, you're right about that. But with Young Miss Ye Guyi and Lord Pope Furina here, that's only a matter of time, right?"
"Rumor has it, I heard Young Miss Ye Guyi personally hunted and killed an Evil Soul Master at the Titled Douluo level!"
"No way? Young Miss Ye Guyi is only in her forties, she hasn't even reached Spirit King yet. How could she take down a Titled Douluo? You're bragging!"
"Who's bragging? My brother is in the Intelligence Department; what he says is definitely true!"
"Maybe he's in the Intelligence Department's Gossip Section..."
"You!"
"Can you guys stop arguing? I just want to quietly admire Lord Furina's beauty."
"I want to marry Lord Furina!"
"In your dreams! Why don't you look at yourself? You think you're worthy?"
"I'm just daydreaming, can't you leave me alone?"
"Uh..."
Furina's mouth twitched slightly. She pretended not to hear and continued walking forward without stopping.
Finally, the group arrived at the Axis Cult headquarters.
Furina turned around, spread her arms, and introduced with a beaming smile, "Welcome everyone to my Axis Cult! Just treat this place as your own home, be at ease, no need to be formal."
Xiao Xiao's gaze, however, was drawn to the tall statue in the center of the headquarters. She looked up and murmured, "Is that... your statue?"
Furina followed her gaze and nodded, her tone carrying a hint of pride. "That's right, it's my statue. How is it? Doesn't it match my temperament?"
Wang Dong stared at the statue for a while and couldn't help but mock, "Indeed, it matches—at least in terms of figure, it definitely matches."
The corner of Furina's eye jumped slightly, and she almost had a vein pop. But then she thought, she had long since gotten used to being teased about her figure, so she took a deep breath and suppressed her temper.
She gave a light snort and said with feigned composure, "At least it's full of majesty, isn't it?"
Bei Bei looked at the statue, then at Furina, and gave a serious evaluation: "There is indeed majesty... but the gap between it and your usual self is quite large, isn't it?"
Furina waved her hand dismissively. "So what? A god's state and a human's state must be different. After all, I haven't become a god yet."
Huo Yuhao stood to the side and whispered, "I think... even after becoming a god, there won't be any difference."
Furina pretended not to hear and clapped her hands to call them. "Alright, alright, don't just stand at the door. Let's go, we'll talk inside. I also need to introduce some new friends to you."
"Okay!"
Everyone responded in unison and followed Furina's footsteps, stepping into the main entrance of the Axis Cult headquarters.
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