Beggar Cultivation System

"F…father…" Bel's weak voice echoed, her eyes lingering on her father before drifting to the Kleinford family head and then to June. "Un…cle… Ju…ne…"

Her voice was quiet and slow, but they heard it clearly. Bel's eyes had dimmed, holding no brightness or cheerfulness—only acceptance.

"How… do you feel?" Mathias asked, his voice choked, though he tried his best to remain calm. His clenched fists betrayed his true feelings. He walked over to her bed and sat beside her.

"I'm… good…" Bel answered, each breath labored and forceful.

"That's good, that's good," Mathias repeated, raising her hand and gently touching her faintly warm cheek.

"I… won't… be able… to survive… right?" Bel gave a weak smile.

Nathan Kleinford looked away, as did June, unable to bring themselves to tell her the truth. Their hearts were heavy, seeing Bel—the once lively, bright young girl—lying frail on her bed.

"It's my fault," June muttered, his teeth clenched. "If I had traveled further, if I had been faster… I could've found the right cure…"

Bel glanced at June, then smiled softly at her father. "How… much… longer?"

"Ten minutes or so," Mathias sighed, forcing a smile. He could sense the poison she had just consumed battling the poison that was killing her. June must have acquired the potion from one of the Poison Masters in the region—no small feat, as they rarely grant requests.

"Ten… minutes… I'm… happy…" Bel murmured, though regret flickered in her expression. "But… I haven't… found them…"

"Who is it, daughter? Do you want to see someone? I'll do my best to find them!" Mathias held her hands tightly.

"Leone's… heir… and… my savior…" Her mind flashed with the image of the young man who had helped her when she was searching for the lost Leone heir. Even now, on the brink of darkness, she still longed to see him.

"Leone," Nathan muttered, exchanging a glance with the Helflick family head. "Klown must be behind it."

"There's no one else it could be," Mathias replied. "But the chances of the heir being alive are slim. Don't worry, Bel—I'll do everything I can to find him!"

With that, he rose to go, ready to search the city for the Leone heir, but Bel stopped him, grasping his hand.

"Stay… here… Father," Bel smiled, her face glowing like a flower, bringing warmth to the sadness that filled the room. "Stay… with… me."

Bel knew she would never see the heir or her savior again. It was a shame, but she accepted it.

"Don't worry, kid. I'll always look out for your family," Nathan promised. Seeing Bel lying so frail made him realize the importance of family. He regretted not showing more love to his own children, especially the one who had chosen business over cultivation.

As he thought of her, a knock at the door drew everyone's attention.

"Your friends are here," Mathias said. "Come in!"

The door opened, and three individuals stepped into the room. As they entered, the strong smell of medicine hit their noses, making them frown, though they quickly adjusted.

Filly took the lead, followed by Gail and the beggar.

"Father," Filly greeted Nathan, then nodded to the Helflick family head. "Uncle Mathias."

"You came," Mathias said, standing up from the bed.

"Yes," Filly replied, her gaze settling on her friend lying on the bed. "Bel."

"Filly…" Bel smiled, trying to sit up.

June stepped in to help her.

"Than…ks…" Bel nodded at her bodyguard, who had been by her side since she was little.

"I brought…your favorite," Filly choked out, lifting the basket in her hand. Her eyes moistened, tears threatening to fall.

"Spaghetti?" Bel asked weakly, and when Filly nodded, her face brightened.

"Here you go." Filly moved to her bedside, opened the basket, and took out a plate of noodles topped with red sauce. "You can eat, right?"

"Yes…" Bel nodded, a bit of strength returning as she smelled her favorite food. She had eaten this only a few times before, as Filly would often visit her with it and feed her.

"Good," Filly said, stirring the food so the sauce coated the noodles. Using a fork, she began feeding Bel.

With each bite, Bel's face grew a little brighter, and she seemed more lively.

The beggar stood silently to the side, observing Bel's fragile state. He knew it wouldn't be long before she took her last breath. It reminded him of scenes he'd witnessed in his previous life, in the hospitals he owned—terminal lucidity, where people close to death would suddenly gain a burst of strength.

As Filly fed Bel, the room grew quiet. Watching closely, the beggar picked up an anomaly in the air. The surrounding Qi was pulsing with a distinct wavelength, emanating from Mathias and Nathan.

Apollo hadn't come here just to see Bel. He also wanted to understand her father, and Filly's father being here was an added advantage. Knowing these two families opposed the Mayor, Apollo sensed an opportunity to learn something valuable.

What are they talking about? Apollo wondered, spreading his senses and aligning with the frequency of the Unrefined Qi.

"…they will pay for it," Mathias 'said,' his voice as cold as ice.

"I suspect they hired whoever did this to her," Nathan replied in the silent connection.

"They're the only ones capable of something like this," Mathias said. "I have to take action. Are you in?"

"Of course," Nathan replied. "They can't be the only ones with a plan. What about Axton and the others?"

"They're still neutral, likely awaiting approval from their main branch. But I believe they'll side with us," Mathias explained.

"That's good to hear. Also, Aaron's death will unsettle the Mayor. I think he'll make an obvious move soon," Nathan said, glancing at Mathias.

"We have to be prepared. I will make them suffer for hurting my daughter," Mathias murmured, a hint of killing intent in his voice. The temperature in the room dropped momentarily, reflecting his rage.

Bel looked at her father with concern. "Are… you… okay?"

"I'm alright, Bel," Mathias replied.

"I see…" Bel said softly. She had just finished eating and noticed a person she didn't recognize. Turning to the young man, she tilted her head. "You… are?"

"This is Mr. Yoma," Gail introduced. "He stayed near Filly's restaurant. He's… a beggar and a friend."

"Oh… I… remember," Bel managed a small smile. "Hello."

"Hello." Apollo stepped forward, glancing at the two influential figures before meeting Bel's eyes directly. "Do you want to live?"

The unexpected question left everyone stunned.

Nathan frowned. "Hey, kid, this isn't the place to say things like that."

"I'm asking her," Apollo said, looking directly at Nathan.

"You!" Nathan's face flushed with anger as he looked at his daughter. "Filly! Why did you bring a beggar here?!"

"Father, he's not just a beggar," Filly replied, then turned to Apollo with hopeful eyes. She had a fleeting thought that maybe the man who helped save her restaurant could also save her friend, but quickly dismissed it, not wanting to impose on him.

"He's not just a beggar?" Nathan repeated, still frowning.

"Are you a Wanderer?" Mathias asked, his gaze cold, as if one wrong answer would make him lash out.

"You could say that," Apollo nodded.

"I see. Then are you saying you can save my daughter?" Mathias asked. June, standing behind him, looked at the beggar with a glimmer of hope, willing to cling to any chance of saving Bel.

"Yes, but it's not free," Apollo replied, placing one hand behind his back, where he quietly materialized a bottle of green liquid—the same potion he used after being poisoned by Arke, the poison that now threatened Bel's life.

"Name your price. As long as you save my daughter, I'll pay whatever you want," Mathias said.

"All I need is cooperation," Apollo replied, looking pointedly at both Nathan and Mathias. "From the two of you."

"Us?" Nathan muttered, intrigued by the beggar's proposal.

"Yes, but let's discuss that later. Right now, let's focus on saving Bel," Apollo said.

The reminder shifted their attention back to Bel Helflick. She was struggling to breathe, her eyes fixed on the beggar.

"So, do you want to live?" Apollo asked again. He respected her choice—if she wished to pass peacefully, he would let her.

Bel took several deep breaths and, using the last of her strength, nodded slowly.

"Give her this," Apollo said, tossing the bottle to June, who caught it instinctively. "Be careful—that's very valuable."

June didn't open it right away but looked to the family head.

"Do it," Mathias nodded.

With Mathias's approval, June uncorked the bottle and approached the bed.

Filly and Gail clasped their hands tightly, a storm of emotions swirling within them.

Please, let this work!

June raised Bel with his free hand. Her eyes are on the verge of closing as her chest moved up and down strongly. A great responsibility is currently on his hands.

Bringing the potion closed to Bel's lips, the smell made her nose to twitch.

Bel instinctively opened her mouth and taking this chance, June made her drink the liquid inside the bottle.