Beggar Cultivation System

When Apollo arrived at the resting spot, he floated down in the middle of them, beside the bonfire that crackled as the wind blew.

At his descent, the people looked up at him as if he were a god, their reverent eyes burning even brighter than the fire.

Upon landing softly, Apollo waved his hand, and white lights materialized around him. Then they transformed into the items he had bought. All kinds of meat appeared, ranging from seafood to high-grade steak—there were even marshmallows, which he was sure would shock them.

"Wh-what's this, Master?" Rachel asked, her confused eyes glancing at the variety of food lying everywhere.

"Food. Some of it is already processed, but it's as good as fresh meat, especially the high-grade steaks. You guys should try it—I highly recommend it," Apollo smiled at the people already gathering around him. "But there are no spices, and you'll have to barbecue with the sticks."

Apollo brought up his System Store to buy barbecue sticks before handing them to Rachel. "You'll handle the distribution of food. Skewer the meat using these and cook it over the fire."

"I will do my best, Master!" Rachel answered, holding the sticks as if her life depended on it.

"What is this, Master?" one of Apollo's disciples asked. In his hands were packets of white marshmallows. "It's soft and doesn't look like food."

"Hehe, it's something you can eat. And let me tell you this—once you taste that white, you'll be addicted to white for the rest of your life," Apollo said with a proud expression. But a few seconds later, he regretted his choice of words, realizing they could be interpreted differently. "Marshmallows. That thing is called marshmallows. You can eat them as is, or you can cook them over the fire, but make sure they don't touch the flame and cook them for thirty seconds to a minute."

The other kids were immediately drawn to the marshmallows. They had never seen anything like them—probably because of their white color and soft appearance. Still, it just proved that even in another world, marshmallows remained popular, especially among kids.

"You should start," Apollo said to Rachel seriously as the smile on his face disappeared. "Rest as much as possible so we can hit the road as soon as possible."

"Is something wrong, Master?" Rachel asked, worry evident in her voice and face.

"Maybe… maybe not," Apollo shrugged as he floated onto a small boulder to sit.

Rachel watched her Master's back before she began unwrapping the food on the ground. Her actions were precise and fast, as if she had known what to do from the start.

Smart and efficient, Apollo thought, noticing how Rachel already knew what to do. Although she didn't have exceptional talent like Don, the beggar realized she had more gifts than what her cultivation talents showed.

…

Meanwhile, back in Belthias City, in the newly constructed Mayor's Castle…

It was a castle much like Klown's, but compared to what the devil-worshipping mayor had, this new castle was full of vibrancy and elegance—clean and not too depressing to look at. The disturbing paintings on its walls had been replaced with poetry and nature paintings.

The once 'hellish' place had now transformed into a paradise where people walked with the dignity of the virtuous.

At the highest level was a wide room where Qi Condensation Stage guards stood in front of the door. The long corridor made it seem endless.

A person was currently walking toward the door, her long hair falling gracefully like a waterfall while her beautiful eyes blinked innocently. With a smile on her face, she nodded at the guards, who pushed the door open for her.

Usually, they would ask why someone wanted to meet the Mayor, but not her—her position was enough to make even the Mayor fearful.

"Father," Bel called out as the door behind her closed.

The inside of the room had only simple furniture: bookshelves filled with books and scrolls, a rack on the side with weapons, a wardrobe, a drawer, and most importantly, the table where the Mayor worked.

Mathias put down the documents in his hands before looking up at his daughter with a smile.

"What brings you here, Bel?" Mathias asked.

"I just wanted to admire your new office," Bel said, looking around the room and nodding from time to time. "It's good, and you kept the style just like in your old room."

"I wanted to remind myself of home," Mathias said emotionally.

"This place is better," Bel glanced at the door behind her. "No creaking doors, and you have the highest floor."

"Hahaha," Mathias laughed for a while before shaking his head. "Anyway, what brings you here? The real reason."

"It's about the gathering in Manida. Do I really have to go?" Bel asked.

"You don't have to go if you don't want to," Mathias smiled. "I only assigned it to you because I can't go anymore. Being Mayor is a big responsibility, and I'll be busy at that time. But may I ask—why don't you want to go?"

"It's just that…" Bel scratched her cheek with an uncomfortable expression. "I heard a few Curse Cultivators are going to be there. I don't like being around them."

"Oh?" Mathias raised an eyebrow. Then, he fell into deep thought before speaking. "This is the first gathering where some Curse Cultivators will make an appearance. One of their mountains has a Curse School, but ever since the Cultivators' Gathering started, they haven't shown up once."

"That's what I've been wondering," Bel sighed.

"If that's the case, you really don't have to go," Mathias said. Then, as if remembering something, he added, "I should let him know that Curse Cultivators will also be attending. I don't want him getting into trouble with them."

"Him?" Bel tilted her head. "Who's him?"

"The beggar," Mathias answered.

"Wait! He's going to attend?" Bel asked in surprise.

"Yes," Mathias nodded. "Axton requested a 'special' carriage from me for Yoma to use."

"If… Yoma is going to be there…" Bel hesitated. "Then I'll go too!"

"I thought you didn't want to go?" Mathias chuckled.

"It's the Beggar we're talking about," Bel smiled. "Ever since I met him, I've learned a lot. He's mysterious and powerful. Who wouldn't want to stay beside him and pick up a thing or two?"

"You're right," Mathias nodded as he stood up and walked in front of the window. "Even your old man will admit he is powerful. A boundless ocean… and we are only seeing a drop of its infinity."