Chapter 62: Ye Guyi Joins the Church of the Water God
When Furina arrived at the door of the reception room, she found Ye Guyi seated at the table, elegantly savoring the refreshments the attendants had served. Judging by the faint gleam in her eyes and her expression of rapt focus, she had clearly already been conquered by the delicacies before her.
"The texture of this dessert is truly unforgettable," Ye Guyi murmured in soft praise, carefully cutting a bite-sized piece of an exquisitely shaped mousse cake with her silver fork. The dense, cloud-like texture dissolved across her tongue, carrying a perfectly calibrated sweetness that made her unconsciously narrow her eyes in pleasure.
The attendant explained with a smile, "This recipe was developed by Huo Yuhao, our church's young culinary prodigy. He not only created these delicacies himself but also personally taught other chefs to master the techniques. Now, in every town under the Church of the Water God's jurisdiction, you can find food like this."
Ye Guyi gently set down her fork, a trace of surprise flashing through her eyes. "Even commoners can enjoy such things?"
"Of course." The attendant's voice carried unmistakable pride. "Lady Furina has said that fine food should not be a privilege reserved for the nobility. Here, anyone can taste these delicacies at a reasonable price."
Just as these words were spoken, Furina stepped in with light, brisk strides. She saw at a glance how much Ye Guyi was enjoying the pastries, and the corner of her lips curved upward unbidden.
"It seems you're quite enjoying these refreshments?" Furina's voice drew Ye Guyi back from her reverie.
Ye Guyi hurriedly rose to her feet, finally getting the chance to carefully study this legendary Pope. Indeed, just as Shi Meng had said, Furina looked only a year or two older than herself, her figure still carrying a touch of youthful delicacy. Yet in those azure eyes shimmered a light of wisdom that far surpassed her age.
"Greetings, Your Holiness." Ye Guyi bowed respectfully.
Furina waved a casual hand and seated herself in the chair across from Ye Guyi. "No need for such formality. Just call me Furina."
"Very well, Lady Furina." Ye Guyi adapted smoothly, and as she sat back down, her posture noticeably relaxed.
"Shi Meng has already told me everything that happened," Furina said, her expression turning earnest. "Thank you for saving my subordinate, and thank you for the contribution you've made in rooting out evil soul masters."
Ye Guyi shook her head gently. "It was simply my duty. As an inheritor of the Sacred Angel martial soul, eradicating evil soul masters is my mission."
"This is precisely why I value you." Furina leaned forward, her hands folded atop the table. "To be frank, our Church of the Water God is still modest in strength and not yet capable of large-scale purges against evil soul masters. But I trust you've already seen for yourself the efforts we've made on behalf of the common people."
Ye Guyi's gaze swept around the room, then drifted beyond the window to the bustling streetscape outside. "Indeed. Even the imperial household, when it comes to attending to the welfare of the people, falls far short of your church."
"Because their thinking remains trapped in the old era." An idealistic light blazed in Furina's eyes. "What I want to create is a new world—one where all people are equal, living in harmony and shared prosperity. And to realize this ideal, I need your help."
She looked directly into Ye Guyi's eyes, her tone utterly sincere. "If you are willing to join the Church of the Water God, I will fully support your cultivation. Top-tier cultivation techniques. High-quality soul bones. Even custom-made soul tools—all of these I can provide for you."
Ye Guyi's brow furrowed slightly. "Why do you value me so highly? Is it because of my martial soul?"
"Exactly." Furina admitted it openly. "Your Sacred Angel martial soul is the natural nemesis of evil soul masters. Even more importantly, its unique trait of advancing cultivation through slaying evil soul masters allows you to grow at tremendous speed in a short period. Today, the evil soul masters' power across the continent is vast. One person alone cannot stand against them. But if we join forces—it's a mutually assured victory."
Seeing Ye Guyi sink deep into thought, Furina continued, "With my support, helping you rise to the rank of Titled Douluo within six years is far from impossible. Of course, if you refuse, I will not press the matter. I only sincerely hope that we can walk this path forward together."
Ye Guyi remained silent for a long moment, her fingertips unconsciously tapping lightly against the tabletop.
Furina's words would be deeply tempting to anyone. Yet she still hesitated. Happiness had come far too suddenly—anyone in her position would wonder if they were dreaming.
Furina did not rush her. She waited with patience.
"Don't you wish to restore the glory of the Angel God from ten thousand years ago?" Furina's voice was soft, yet brimming with quiet power. "Don't you wish for the holy, pure light of the Angel to shine upon this continent once more, and for evil soul masters to vanish forever?"
These words struck deep into the chords of Ye Guyi's heart. Though history books had painted the Spirit Hall of ten thousand years past as an evil organization, and though her ancestor Qian Renxue had fallen before the Sea God Tang San—to see the glory of the Angel martial soul shine once more upon the world had always been a wish buried deep within her.
"Before I make my decision," Ye Guyi finally spoke, a trace of hesitation still lingering in her voice, "may I witness your strength with my own eyes? It is said that you possess twin martial souls, and that your soul ring configuration is two purple, two black?"
Furina nodded readily. "Of course."
She rose to her feet. Soul power coursed through her. Four soul rings rose from beneath her feet, their two-purple-two-black configuration making Ye Guyi draw a sharp, involuntary breath. Then, Furina displayed her first martial soul—the phantom of an exquisitely formed cake slowly revolving above her palm.
"This is my first martial soul: Cake," Furina explained with a smile. "A standard food-type support martial soul. My fourth soul skill, the Golden Doughnut Vanilla Cake, can regenerate flesh and bone, restoring severed limbs and repairing damaged nerves."
"Th-this... this is practically divine..."
Before Ye Guyi could fully recover from her shock, Furina revealed her second martial soul.
Three figures slowly materialized at her side: the elegantly poised maid, Mademoiselle Chevaleyda; the dignified and graceful overseer, Madame Hevmayer; and the impeccably courteous Lord Usher.
"This is my second martial soul: the Salon Solitaire," Furina introduced them to Ye Guyi. "They are my companions, and also my most capable assistants."
The three members of the Salon Solitaire greeted Ye Guyi in unison, their every gesture exuding the grace of true nobility.
Ye Guyi stared, transfixed, at the scene before her. The last trace of hesitation in her heart finally dissolved into nothing. A soul ring configuration that defied all natural law. Twin martial souls. And these spirit-filled incarnations of a martial soul... Everything proclaimed that Furina was far beyond the ordinary.
She drew a deep breath, dropped to one knee, and performed a standard soul-master salute. "I, Ye Guyi, am willing to join the Church of the Water God and follow at Lady Furina's side."
Furina hurried forward to help her up, a radiant smile of pure delight blooming across her face. "Welcome. I believe this will be a decision neither of us will ever regret."
The two exchanged a smile. The afternoon sunlight streamed through the window lattice, bathing the scene in a warm, golden glow. Ye Guyi knew that from this moment on, her life would open a brand-new chapter. And in Furina's eyes, what she saw was not merely a capable subordinate, but a kindred spirit—a true companion.
On the road ahead, they would walk forward together, facing every challenge side by side, and forge an era that belonged to them.