Beggar Cultivation System

"Training room? No, not that," Headmaster Axton said. "I meant the fifth floor. Did you enter it?"

"Fifth floor? Is there even a fifth floor?" Apollo asked 'innocently.'

"Yes, there is!" Axton said, his eyes narrowing at the beggar. "Answer me truthfully! This is an important matter."

"Like I said, I don't know what you're talking about," Apollo's tone turned cold.

Seeing the beggar's stubbornness, Axton's face turned red. This person is very frustrating! Why is he not telling the truth?! "Personal Disciple Yoma, the fifth floor is something only the chosen one can enter. If you did, tell me—it's a very important matter for the school."

I figured, Apollo thought, but the more important it was, the less he wanted to reveal the truth. He could sense the consequences if they found out. Although he didn't know the specifics, he knew enough to realize it would only bring trouble. He didn't want to take on too much.

"I really don't know what you're talking about," Apollo said. "Why don't you just check inside and see for yourself?"

Axton fell silent. Seeing the determination on the beggar's face, he let out a heavy sigh. "Alright then. I'll know the truth once I go inside."

"Good, then I'll be going." Apollo smiled and began walking toward the stairs.

Watching his Personal Disciple's back for a moment, Axton's eyes wavered. Shaking his head, he stepped into the fourth floor with determination to uncover the truth.

As soon as he entered, his eyes immediately focused on the entrance to the fifth floor, ignoring the dozen techniques around him.

He walked toward it and raised his hand. His hand passed through the entrance without encountering the water barrier that had always been there. His suspicions were confirmed—Yoma had indeed entered the upper floor.

"But why doesn't he want to admit it?" Axton muttered. Since the beggar had returned, it meant he had successfully passed the test.

Curious, Axton ascended the stairs, his footsteps echoing in the empty space. A few moments later, he arrived on the fifth floor. Enjoy new tales from My Virtual Library Empire

In the center of the room was a circular platform, just like the ones on the fourth and third floors. However, there was no technique floating here.

"Why?" Axton suddenly felt conflicted. Should he report this or not? Clearly, his Personal Disciple didn't want anyone to know the truth. "Personal Disciple? I got lucky."

Axton felt incredibly fortunate that Yoma, the Chosen One to become the next Headmaster of the entire Great Serpent Cultivation School—not just in this city, but of the main school itself—was his Personal Disciple.

According to his orders, if someone managed to enter the fifth floor and return alive, they were to be reported immediately. It was no secret that the chosen one would become the next owner of the Great Serpent's legacy.

Axton hadn't even taught Yoma a single thing, and now the beggar would become the next master. The irony made the headmaster smile bitterly.

"I'm useless," he muttered, shaking his head. Then, with determination glinting in his eyes, he made up his mind. "I should respect his decision."

…

Apollo walked out of the school's library. He noticed that the Martial Students were still buzzing about what had happened.

"Mr. Yoma!" someone shouted.

The beggar turned toward the voice and saw Gail running toward him.

"You're still here?" Apollo asked. "Why didn't you go back yet?"

"I was waiting for you," Gail said. "Are you okay? The fourth floor suddenly started shaking, and I was worried something bad might have happened to you."

"I'm alright, thanks for asking," Apollo replied. "I actually don't know what happened, but something must have gone wrong. Someone's already investigating it."

"I see," Gail sighed with relief. "As long as you're okay."

"I'm heading back. Do you want to come with me?" Apollo asked.

"Well, sure," Gail nodded, though she glanced at the library first. She was curious about what had happened, but Filly needed her.

Apollo whistled, imbuing it with Qi, necessary to call his mount, Bluetooth.

Soon, his Water-Attributed Falcon landed in front of them.

"That's a full Water-Attributed Falcon," Gail said, her eyes wide with surprise.

"What? Is that good?" Apollo asked, rubbing his bird.

"Of course," Gail nodded, raising her hand. "Can I pet him?"

"Sure, be careful though, he's quite sensitive," Apollo said. He stepped back to give Gail space to stroke his bird.

"This is amazing," Gail praised, her hand moving back and forth over the falcon's head. "He's also really big."

"Hahaha, don't praise him too much, or he'll blush," Apollo joked, making Gail laugh.

Bluetooth enjoyed the attention for a few more moments before Gail stopped. "I should call my mount too."

"Why don't you ride with me?" Apollo offered, jumping onto his mount's back.

"I wouldn't dare. Besides, my falcon would get jealous," Gail replied before she whistled.

Soon, the two of them took off, and as they flew into the sky, a young man pulled out a talisman.

"Something happened in the library, but they didn't stick around and left. Their destination is the south beach, the exit." The man's eyes glinted coldly, a cunning smile appearing on his face as the talisman burned into particles of light.

…

As Apollo felt the wind hit his face, he couldn't help but think about what had just transpired on the fifth floor. If that fight had taken place on the street where his beggar spot was, they would have leveled the whole area.

That Great Serpent said I was the chosen one, and even Headmaster Axton mentioned it. Chosen? Chosen for what, though? Apollo tried to figure out what it all meant but gave up after a moment. He also knew Axton wouldn't believe everything he said, but it was up to the Headmaster to decide what to do.

Apollo already got what he wanted by visiting the library, and if Axton did something he didn't like, he could just drop the role of Personal Disciple. Having that overpowered technique was more than enough. He wouldn't care about the other benefits anymore.

But hopefully, no trouble would come his way now that he had the Great Serpent Ascendant Transformation. Yet, in the next moment, Apollo began to wonder if he was destined to attract trouble wherever he went.

The two falcons landed on the south beach of the island.

"See you next time," Apollo said, bidding farewell to Bluetooth. "It'd be great if I could bring you outside."

Bluetooth let out a small shriek, seemingly agreeing with his words.

Gail also said goodbye to her mount, and then the two Water-Attributed Falcons flew into the distance.

"Why does this school use falcons instead of serpents? What's the point of naming it the Great Serpent, then?" Apollo mused.

"Falcons are easier to tame and train," Gail explained. "Besides, serpents are proud creatures, and finding one would be difficult."

"I was just musing," Apollo said. "Let's head back."

Gail nodded, and the two turned to the exit, where a light blue portal whirred slowly.

When people entered the Great Serpent Cultivation School, they'd appear on the island's street. If they wanted to return to the outside world, they'd head to one of the four beaches—north, west, south, or east—where they'd find a portal.

Apollo wanted to return immediately to heal his injuries. It was uncomfortable moving with wounds all over his body.

But before they could enter the portal, the beggar sensed danger—so did Gail. They quickly jumped away from their position just as it exploded from the strike of a water serpent.

Seeing this, Apollo frowned. Now what? He had just dealt with the Great Serpent, and now someone else was picking a fight with him?!

"Tsk, you shouldn't have dodged that," someone said, annoyance evident in their voice.

Turning to the source, Apollo saw familiar faces.

It was Mahika, a young master from the Callum Family—one of those families with sickness in their heads.

He'd brought his usual goons, though this time there were more of them.

"Let me guess, you're here for revenge from the last humiliation," Apollo said. It wasn't really a guess, more of a fact. He already knew how people with 'Young Master Syndrome' thought. You offend me, I'll bully you. I get defeated, I seek revenge. I get defeated again, I bring backup.

Rinse and repeat. Their thinking revolved around this tedious cycle, which was pretty annoying, to be honest.

"Hell yeah!" Mahika shouted, his eyes burning with anger. "You think you can just leave this place so easily, huh?! You offended me, the great Mahika from the great Callum Family! I'll never let someone humiliate me!"

"Mahika! What do you think you're doing?!" Gail demanded, her voice cold and low. At the same time, a strong killing intent radiated from her.

Only now did Mahika recognize the person beside Apollo. "You… Gail?!"

"Answer me," Gail said, her red eyes piercing into Mahika's heart.

Mahika began to shiver, but recalling that he had his Senior Sister's backup, his confidence returned.

"I'm punishing this kid for offending me! Don't get in my way, b*tch!"