"Who... exactly are they?" Du Weilun couldn't help but ask.
Yan Shaozhe didn't answer immediately; instead, he pulled out several more detailed intelligence files from beneath the records.
"Regarding Furina, we have uncovered some deeper information." Yan Shaozhe's expression became serious. "Have you heard of the 'Axis Cult'?"
Du Weilun thought for a moment and nodded, "I have. It's a rising Sect organization that emerged in the Star Luo Empire about a year ago. It has grown incredibly fast and is said to have already infiltrated more than half of the Star Luo Empire. Their overt high-end combat power consists of four Soul Sage-level Protectors, but rumors say they possess a special Spirit Ability Fusion technique, allowing the four of them to fight a common Titled Douluo when working together."
He paused and continued, "The Axis Cult's way of doing things is very peculiar. They recruit a large number of commoner Spirit Masters, including many whose Martial Souls are flawed or rejected by other Sects. They provide free Martial Soul Awakening for commoners everywhere and offer basic assistance. They've even established an Advanced Spirit Master academy called 'Jianan Academy' within the Star Luo Empire, with the slogan 'Education for all without discrimination, becoming the number one academy on the continent.' It's a bold claim, but their methods... seem a bit idealistic, even foolish, to many."
"The Star Luo Empire's imperial Family seems to hold them in high regard; there are rumors they wanted to establish it as the state religion, but were refused." As Du Weilun said this, he suddenly realized something, his pupils shrinking abruptly. "Dean Yan, you suddenly mentioned the Axis Cult, could it be that Furina...?"
Yan Shaozhe said in a low voice, "According to the intelligence we have, Furina is the founder and current Pope of the Axis Cult. And the so-called 'Water God' that the Axis Cult worships is allegedly her."
"What?!" Du Weilun cried out in shock, standing up directly from his chair. "That's impossible! A fourteen-year-old girl founded a Sect that grew into a behemoth within a single year? And she refused the Star Luo imperial Family's invitation to become the state religion? Where did she get the resources? The connections? The strength to intimidate her subordinates? Even if she has a Hidden Family backing her, this is too fast! Even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's rise back then wasn't this exaggerated!"
He felt his worldview collapsing once again. A Heaven-Defying Genius girl with an incredible spirit ring configuration, who was also the Pope of a massive religious organization? The absurdity of these two combined was simply unacceptable.
Yan Shaozhe waited for him to calm down slightly before continuing, "I know it's hard to believe, but after cross-verifying multiple sources of intelligence, it's basically certain. As for the Axis Cult's development resources... according to our investigation, their primary source of wealth is the sale of various Medicinal Pills with peculiar effects."
"Medicinal Pills?" Du Weilun frowned.
"Yes," Yan Shaozhe nodded. "Some of those Medicinal Pills have effects comparable to the treasures that only Shrek Academy Inner Court Disciples can exchange for. There are even... unconfirmed rumors that they can refine the 'profound water pill'."
Du Weilun gasped. The profound water pill is a precious Medicinal Pill that can improve a Spirit Master's Aptitude and Physique, and its refining method is only known to the Xuanming Sect. If the Axis Cult really can refine it, their allure would be terrifying.
"There's something even more shocking." Yan Shaozhe lowered his voice. "Rumor has it that the Axis Cult possesses some kind of 'miracle,' or rather, a method far beyond the current level of healing Spirit Abilitys—the ability to achieve limb Rebirth and flesh regeneration."
"Limb Rebirth?!" Du Weilun was truly stunned this time. Such an ability is almost legendary in the world of Spirit Masters. If the Axis Cult can really do it, they wouldn't just attract commoners; many high-level Spirit Masters and great Families would likely flock to them!
"However..." Yan Shaozhe changed the subject. "Regarding the specifics of the Medicinal Pills and 'miracles,' the Axis Cult maintains strict internal secrecy, making it difficult for outsiders to discern the truth. It might be somewhat exaggerated, but there's rarely smoke without fire."
Du Weilun slowly sat back down, digesting this massive amount of shocking information. After a long while, he asked hoarsely, "Does Elder Mu... know about this? What is his attitude?"
A complex expression appeared on Yan Shaozhe's face. "Elder Mu not only knows, but... Furina privately gave him something."
"What thing?" Du Weilun pressed.
"Elder Mu didn't explicitly say what it was." Yan Shaozhe shook his head. "But he told me personally that the item was 'very helpful' to him. Because of this, Elder Mu specifically instructed that as long as Furina doesn't do anything that harms the foundation of the academy or goes too far—like poaching a few promising students or questioning some teaching methods—we should let her be. Elder Mu said... Shrek needs reform, and the wind of change might just start with these young people."
Du Weilun fell silent. Elder Mu's words were the ultimate directive in Shrek. Since even he said so, what could those beneath him say?
"Reform..." Du Weilun mulled over the word, his heart filled with mixed emotions. Having managed the Outer Court for many years, he knew well that there were indeed many deep-seated issues within the academy, but reform was easier said than done. To pull one hair is to move the whole body.
Yan Shaozhe continued, "Actually, before Zhou Yi caused this trouble, Elder Mu mentioned to me that he was very interested in some of Furina's educational philosophies and a certain 'spirit tool that doesn't require Soul Power to operate' she presented."
"A spirit tool that doesn't need Soul Power?" Du Weilun's curiosity was piqued again. "Isn't that just a Hidden Weapons?"
"No, according to the description, it's something entirely new." Yan Shaozhe explained, "It looks like a short rod and is called a 'pistol.' Pulling the trigger fires a metal projectile at extremely high speed with strong penetration, requiring no Soul Power, so even ordinary people can use it. According to the teachers who saw the demonstration, its power and accuracy far exceed Tang Sect Hidden Weaponss, and it's simpler to use and easier to train with."
Du Weilun was shaken. If such a thing could be mass-produced, it could have a massive impact on the Spirit Master world and even the entire continent's landscape! It broke the iron rule that 'Soul Power equals power'!
"If that fellow Qian Duoduo found out, he'd definitely try everything to pull Furina into the Soul Tool Department." Yan Shaozhe laughed helplessly. "Our Martial Soul Department has found a treasure this time, but we've also found trouble."
Du Weilun immediately said, "Such a Genius absolutely cannot be given to the Soul Tool Department! Her Martial Soul talent is far more worth cultivating!"
"While I think so too, Elder Mu's intention is clear." Yan Shaozhe waved his hand. "Let her choose for herself. We won't interfere or apply pressure. Let nature take its course."
He paused, looked out at the deep night sky, and said slowly, "Director Du, for the coming period, you must keep a close eye on the freshman class one, especially the movements of Furina and Huo Yuhao. Don't pay so much attention that it causes resentment, but don't leave them entirely alone either. Strike the right balance. As for Zhou Yi... I'll talk to her again. If she really can't adjust her state, we might truly have to consider replacing her. This batch of talent in Class One cannot be ruined by personal emotions."
Du Weilun nodded solemnly, "I understand, Dean Yan."
"Also," Yan Shaozhe added, "go and investigate the Spirit Abilitys of Furina and Huo Yuhao."
"Yes."
The conversation ended there. Du Weilun got up to take his leave, but his mind was repeatedly replaying everything he had heard today. A fourteen-year-old Soul Ancestor Pope, a theory-defying spirit ring configuration, the mysterious Axis Cult, Elder Mu's attention, weapons that didn't require Soul Power... All of this intertwined, giving him a premonition that beneath Shrek Academy's calm surface, waves were truly about to rise.
Meanwhile, Yan Shaozhe remained alone in his office, his fingers lightly tapping the desk as his gaze fell on Furina's archive photo. The white-haired girl in the photo had a bright smile and clear eyes, looking completely harmless.
"Furina... Water God Pope... what exactly are you planning to do by coming to Shrek?" Yan Shaozhe whispered to himself, a deep light flashing in his eyes. "Surely it couldn't really be just for recruiting talent?"
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