Chapter 66: Advance on Shrek Academy—Operation Poach
Time flowed like water. Spring passed, autumn faded, and in the blink of an eye, another year had gone by. It was now the season when Shrek Academy opened its gates for new admissions, and the entire soul master world stirred with restless anticipation.
Within the training chamber of the Church of the Water God's headquarters, Furina slowly opened her eyes. The soul power swirling around her gradually settled into stillness. After a full year of arduous cultivation, her progress had far surpassed expectations—her soul power had impressively reached rank forty-seven. This filled her with even greater confidence for the Shrek journey that lay ahead.
At the same time, under her meticulous guidance, Huo Yuhao had broken through to rank thirty-one. Worth particular note was that his third soul ring was a custom ring Furina had specially exchanged from the system shop at the cost of a great many points. This soul skill, named "Demon Eye," was rather unique—it could force an opponent to see visions of their deepest, most primal fears, while simultaneously and drastically reducing their spiritual resistance.
"This soul skill... it does have a bit of an evil soul master's flavor to it," the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm had remarked in the spiritual sea.
Furina had dismissed the concern. "Soul skills in themselves have no inherent righteousness or evil. What matters is the heart of the one who wields them. Yuhao has a pure and kind nature. He has never once done anything to harm the innocent, and his martial soul is as normal as can be. How can anyone pass judgment over a single soul skill?"
On another front, Ye Guyi's cultivation had likewise advanced by leaps and bounds, reaching rank forty-three. Had the evil soul masters within the Star Luo Empire not been largely cleared out by the imperial house and the Shrek Inspection Corps, her progress would have been even faster. Over the past year, she had steadily grown into the backbone of the church's campaign against evil soul masters.
Through the combined efforts of the Four Protectors and Neuvillette, the Church of the Water God's sphere of influence had now expanded across half the Star Luo Empire. This rapid, sweeping growth naturally drew the attention of the imperial court, but to everyone's surprise, it didn't stir up much of a storm.
There were multiple reasons for this: the Church of the Water God had always kept a low profile and never flaunted its true depths; many of the powerful and influential now owed the church favors; and most importantly, the church enjoyed immense prestige among the common people, yet never directly meddled in local governance.
Emperor Xu Jiawei had once come in person. After an in-depth conversation with Neuvillette, he had quietly departed. Furina hadn't concerned herself much with the matter—these tedious diplomatic affairs were best left to her reliable envoy.
"Neuvillette is my external brain!" she often declared with pride.
One morning, Furina summoned the Four Protectors to the council chamber.
Lei Bao, Long Ziyun, Yan Luo, and Feng Chuixue—four Soul-Sage-level powerhouses—stood solemnly in the hall, awaiting the Pope's instructions.
"I've asked the four of you here today because I have an important matter to announce," Furina said, seated at the head seat with an uncharacteristically serious expression.
Lei Bao stepped forward. "Please speak, Your Holiness."
"I intend to leave the Church of the Water God for a period of time and study at Shrek Academy," Furina announced. Her words drew expressions of astonishment from all four protectors.
But then a sly, mischievous grin spread across her face. "Of course, nominally, I'll be there to study. In truth... I plan to 'borrow' some talents from Shrek. After all, that place is a gathering ground for geniuses. Even those students Shrek considers merely average in talent could prove immensely valuable to our church."
The four protectors exchanged glances, seeing the same shock mirrored in each other's eyes. This lively, whimsical young Pope who usually seemed utterly guileless—she possessed such foresight and strategic depth? To poach talent from Shrek Academy—this was something no one in the soul master world had ever dared to even dream of!
Feng Chuixue was the first to recover, and he offered sincere praise. "Your Holiness is truly wise! Shrek Academy is not only a cradle of geniuses but also a gathering place for the scions of nobles and magnates from every corner of the land. With Your Holiness's wisdom, you will surely recruit the talents our church urgently needs."
The other three nodded in agreement. Thinking it over carefully, Furina truly had no need of Shrek's instruction. The resources she could provide had long since surpassed anything within Shrek's capacity.
"In that case, I must trouble you all to devote extra care to the church's affairs," Furina continued. "Though I've already given instructions to Neuvillette, I can't heap all the burdens onto his shoulders alone. If you ever need my fourth soul skill, the Golden Doughnut Vanilla Cake, send someone to find me at any time. So long as I'm available, I'll prepare them."
The four protectors couldn't help a silent, wry smile. Over the past year, they and Neuvillette had already been handling the vast majority of church affairs. This young Pope's primary contribution was more in tossing out all manner of wildly imaginative ideas—the actual execution had always fallen to them. Of course, these were thoughts they kept strictly to themselves.
Yan Luo thumped his solid chest in guarantee. "Rest easy, Your Holiness! Leave everything to us!"
Furina nodded with satisfaction. "The Logistics Department has already stockpiled enough supplies for half a year. If there are any shortages, contact me at once." She paused, a glint of eager anticipation shining in her eyes. "I hope that when I return, the Church of the Water God will have grown to even greater heights."
"We shall not fail your trust!" Long Ziyun declared with full confidence.
Over the past year, all four protectors had, with Furina's help, advanced to the Soul Sage level. Even more astonishingly—following a casual suggestion of Furina's—they had attempted to practice martial soul fusion techniques and soul skill fusion techniques. They'd discovered, during a battle against a Soul Douluo who had come to challenge the church, that once they activated their Martial Soul True Bodies, the four's sixth soul skills could fuse into a single, devastatingly powerful combination technique.
That challenger, a Soul Douluo, had been utterly defeated on the spot by their soul skill fusion technique—Battle King Descends! Not a shred of doubt remained.
This discovery had elevated Furina's stature in their hearts to even greater heights.
"I will take Huo Yuhao with me. Ye Guyi and the others will remain to guard the church," Furina gave her final instructions. "If you discover traces of evil soul masters, remember to bring Ye Guyi along and let her deliver the finishing blow. This will greatly aid her growth."
Her expression suddenly turned grave. "However—if you encounter an evil soul master above the Soul King level, you must exercise the utmost caution. In particular, beware of an evil soul master who calls himself the 'Death God's Envoy.' When you face him, be sure to thoroughly dispose of the corpses of his subordinates and any bodies nearby. In truth, this applies in the face of any evil soul master—their soul skills are often bizarre, treacherous, and unpredictable."
"We shall engrave your teachings in our hearts!" The four protectors responded in unison.
Watching Furina depart, the four exchanged smiles. Lei Bao sighed with emotion. "Our Lady Pope... truly grows ever more worthy of the mantle of leadership."
"Indeed," Long Ziyun agreed. "Though she may seem unreliable in everyday moments, at the critical junctures, she always gives the most correct guidance."
Feng Chuixue gently swayed his folded fan. "Perhaps that is precisely her unique charm."
Yan Luo let out a booming laugh. "No matter what—we must guard this foundation well! When Her Holiness returns, we'll give her a grand surprise!"
In the distance, Furina heard the laughter drifting from behind her, and the corner of her lips curved upward unbidden. With such reliable companions at her back, she could set forth on her plan with a peaceful heart.
Shrek Academy—we're coming. She silently recited the words, a light of absolute, unwavering determination blazing in her eyes. This time, she would not only alter the fates of certain individuals—she would forge an entirely new future for the Church of the Water God.