Chapter 10: Development Plans
Neuvillette watched Furina's fleeing figure, shook his head slightly, and returned his attention to the notebook in his hands. The nib of his pen scratched softly across the paper, recording the requests of the last few believers: Old John needed a salve for his rheumatism, little Mary wanted a "blessing" to make her family's sickly hen lay more eggs, and the blacksmith's apprentice was hoping to awaken a second martial soul (this one Neuvillette crossed out directly)...
Meanwhile, Furina, having slipped back into her room, shut the door eagerly and rubbed her hands together in excitement. "System, system! Open up the shop and let me have a look!"
The light screen unfurled in response, now seemingly more populated with content than before. At the very top, her current point total was displayed: 2280. Furina blinked. It seemed Neuvillette's management was indeed effective—faith points were accumulating far faster than before.
She browsed through the shop items, muttering to herself as she went:
"Gold soul coin exchange is still the same—10 points for 1 coin. What a scam..." "Huh? What's this...?" She spotted a row of newly unlocked categories, and her eyes lit up at once.
[Elixirs & Pills]
Coagulation Powder (30 pts/pack): For treating external wounds and stopping bleeding. Effect isn't much better than the cake, but you don't need to eat it.
Qi-Returning Pill (60 pts/pill): Rapidly restores a small amount of soul power.
Strength-Storing Pill (80 pts/pill): Increases strength by 10% for half an hour.
Wind-Striding Pill (80 pts/pill): Increases speed by 10% for half an hour.
Profound Water Pill (200 pts/pill): Has the effect of marrow-cleansing and meridian-reforging. Remarkable results for low-ranked soul masters.
Furina curled her lip. "Aside from the Profound Water Pill, aren't these all just low-tier stuff? And the names feel oddly familiar..."
Scrolling further down brought even more surprises.
[Weapons]
Profound Heavy Ruler (Replica) (300 pts): Looks very heavy, but seems to have no special effects.
Flame-Splitting Wave Ruler (Single-Use Scroll) (500 pts): Can release one blast of a fire shockwave.
Green Lotus Core Flame (Seed State) (1500 pts): Marked: Requires special conditions for cultivation.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Furina rubbed her eyes. "Why do these things look so familiar? System, did you just copy these from some novel or what?"
She scrolled further and came across a special section:
[Soul Master Exclusive]
Ten-Year White Soul Ring (300 pts): Random skill. Results are... up to fate.
Hundred-Year Yellow Soul Ring (600 pts): Slightly better skill. Still depends on luck.
Thousand-Year Purple Soul Ring (3000 pts): Can't afford it. Just looking.
Random Ten-Year Soul Bone (1200 pts): Random body part, unknown effect. Note: A ten-year soul bone sold off would certainly be an eye-opener (massive fog).
Tier-1 Soul Dagger (200 pts): Comes with a faint sharpness effect.
Tier-2 Soul Shield (400 pts): Can block one powerful attack.
Furina stared, utterly stunned. "You can even buy soul rings and soul bones? System, are you trying to break the heavens?! But... these prices are insane..."
Finally, she reached the [Special Items] section:
Storage Ring (5 cubic meters) (600 pts): Storage space. Finally, no more stuffing everything into your pockets.
Random Technique Scroll (800 pts): Whatever you get depends entirely on luck.
Furina's gaze lingered on the simply designed yet elegantly ancient storage ring, her heart stirring with desire. "Six hundred points... still so expensive." But the thought of never having to worry about where to stash things again tipped the scales. She gritted her teeth and made the exchange.
A silver ring suddenly appeared in her hand—plain in design, faintly warm to the touch. She tried "storing" a cup from the table. A thought, and the cup truly vanished! Another thought, and it reappeared in her palm.
"Fun, fun!" Like a child with a new toy, she spent a merry while putting things in and pulling them out again, thoroughly entertained.
Once she'd had her fill, her eyes drifted toward the random technique scroll. "What if I pull some incredible technique? Then I could speed up my cultivation, right? It can't possibly give me some defective leftover like that Tang guy's Mysterious Heaven Technique, could it? I wouldn't touch that thing with a ten-foot pole."
But the steep price of 800 points made her hesitate. "Forget it, forget it. I'll save up for now," she muttered, closing the light screen. "I'll look again when I've got more points."
When she stepped back out into the courtyard, she found the place completely transformed. Neuvillette was directing several believers in building a sturdy awning in one corner, beneath which a few tables and chairs had been neatly arranged. Mademoiselle Chevaleyda was using her claws to help secure wooden planks—her movements a bit clumsy, but full of earnest effort. Lord Usher was attempting to teach a young believer how to keep accounts, a brush coiled in his tentacles; unfortunately, ink had splattered everywhere. Madame Hevmayer floated overhead, supervising the entire scene, occasionally emitting a dissatisfied bubble-pop.
"Progressing nicely!" Furina sidled up to Neuvillette, trying to give the impression that she'd been deeply concerned with church affairs all along.
Neuvillette continued writing without raising his head. "At this pace, basic infrastructure should be completed by tomorrow. Additionally, I've noticed that our supplies storage is highly problematic."
Furina waggled her hand triumphantly, showing off the ring. "Problem solved! Look, a brand-new storage ring!"
Neuvillette finally looked up, studying the ring with care. "A most interesting spatial device. What is its capacity? Does accessing it consume energy? How secure is it?"
The rapid-fire professional questions completely baffled Furina. "Uh... five cubic meters? Doesn't really consume anything, I think? And security-wise... it should be fine?"
Neuvillette jotted a note. "I would recommend maintaining a physical storage location for important supplies regardless. A spatial device like this is best kept as a backup."
He closed his notebook and suddenly asked, "What are your plans for the children who awakened soul power?"
Furina paused. "Huh? What plans?"
"According to the records, there are currently seven children who have awakened soul power ranging from rank one to rank three." Neuvillette flipped through the registry. "They require systematic soul master education. Otherwise, this meager soul power of theirs is meaningless."
Furina scratched her head. "Well... send them to a soul master academy?"
Truth be told, all she'd done before was help them awaken their martial souls and soul power, instruct their parents to enroll them in soul master schools, and give them a bit of money. She'd never followed up on anything else. She had no idea how any of those earlier children were doing now.
"The nearest junior soul master academy charges an annual tuition of fifty silver soul coins. For a commoner family, this is no small sum. Two of the children have remained with the Church of the Water God for precisely this reason." Neuvillette's tone was calm. "Our current monthly donation income totals approximately one gold soul coin. The Church still has one hundred gold soul coins in reserve, but there are also construction costs and other expenses to consider."
Furina wilted instantly. "That expensive, huh..."
Looks like I'll have to exchange more points for money, she thought ruefully.
"As such, I propose," Neuvillette continued, "that we first establish a basic introductory class ourselves. Hire a teacher to instruct them in foundational knowledge, while simultaneously identifying and focusing on children with potential for more intensive cultivation."
"Hire a soul master? How much would that cost?"
"It need not be expensive. Some low-ranked soul masters are frustrated scholars—starting with such individuals would be considerably easier." Neuvillette seemed to have already done his research. "We could also offer room and board, as well as 'holy relic' benefits, as partial compensation."
Furina's eyes lit up. "That's a great idea! We could even teach them reading and arithmetic! And then I, the Pope and Water God herself, could help them hunt soul beasts for their soul rings."
"Precisely." Neuvillette nodded. "For those children willing to stay and grow within the church, we can provide more comprehensive cultivation. They may eventually become the church's backbone."
He unfolded a simple map and pointed to several spots. "Regarding long-term planning, I suggest first consolidating our current base, then gradually expanding into the surrounding villages. Each outpost can provide basic medical and awakening services, broadening our influence."
"At the same time, we need to establish more stable income streams. Beyond believer donations, we might perhaps develop some specialty products—for example, selling special foods created with your soul skills to non-believers. Or staging musicals and theatrical performances. I trust this would be right in your wheelhouse."
Furina stared, dumbstruck. "You've already thought all this through?"
"Merely basic managerial planning." Neuvillette's tone was indifferent. "Naturally, all of this requires time and a stable environment."
"As for money, there's no need to worry. I'll figure something out. You just focus on bringing in more and more believers." Furina planted her hands on her hips, the corners of her lips curling upward involuntarily.
Money? No problem. With points came money, and with faith came points. A trifling sum like this wasn't even worth mentioning!
Neuvillette didn't understand why she was so confident, but he refrained from pressing further. He merely nodded. "If you have a solution, Lady Furina, then we need not concern ourselves with it."
"Now, let us first address the children's education."
The blueprint for the Church of the Water God's future was taking shape, quietly unfurling across the Chief Justice's notebook. And Furina had already begun pondering how to use her limited points to carve out the greatest possible room for this fledgling little sect to grow.