Beggar Cultivation System-Chapter 172: Offer

"Where?" Apollo asked, his eyes darting around the place. Beyond the giant mountain in the distance, filled with ancient houses, he noticed a dozen floating mountains overhead. Some had waterfalls that didn’t fall to the ground but were instead absorbed by the clouds beneath them, acting as their support.

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Squinting, he saw animals flying around some of them. No, they were monsters.

"To my abode," Axton said, pointing toward the top of the mountain, where a black-and-white ancient building stood. Even from a distance, one could tell the structure was made of high-quality materials.

"Now that I’ve followed you this far, it wouldn’t hurt to change locations once again," Apollo sighed.

"Good," Axton nodded with a smile, then whistled.

Suddenly, a shriek came from above. When Apollo looked up, he instinctively took a step back. A four- to five-meter-tall falcon with blue feathers descended in front of them, spreading its wings and crying into the sky before bowing its head toward the Beggar.

"Jump on," Axton said, watching the Wanderer’s continued act of surprise. Truly a Wanderer at heart.

"Oh, alright," Apollo nodded. Although a bit nervous, he jumped onto the bird’s back.

"It’s a Water-Attributed Falcon, a regular monster cultivated by my students," Axton explained with a confident smile. "Over time, they evolved a normal monster into this form."

"That sounds amazing," Apollo replied half-heartedly, stroking the bird’s back.

The Blue Falcon moved its head, clearly enjoying the sensation.

"Can I keep this?" Apollo asked, staring at the Headmaster with hopeful eyes.

"Hmm, of course," Axton nodded.

"Really?!" Apollo was overjoyed. "Then—"

But before he could finish, the Great Serpent Headmaster continued.

"But you must understand—only my students can have that bird as their companion," Axton smirked, his body beginning to float.

Apollo’s enthusiasm immediately dampened. Of course, he thought. No free lunch, even in this world. In any world, for that matter. He had already somewhat guessed the Headmaster’s true purpose for seeking him out. Back at the Advancement Examination, the three Headmasters had all invited him to join their Martial Schools, but Apollo didn’t want to.

The only reason he followed the Serpent this time was because of the threat—and the prize.

The bird cried into the air, then spread its wings wide. With a powerful flap, Apollo suddenly felt a pulling sensation from his back, making him grip the Falcon’s feathers tightly. Looking down, he realized they were already dozens of meters in the air, with the Great Serpent Headmaster flying beside them.

As the intense winds whipped at his face, Apollo took in his surroundings and realized something. The street below seemed to be the only one; around it was a light blue ocean. Beyond the mountain, a water-like film—some kind of barrier—enclosed this small world.

"An island inside a school," Apollo mused, describing what he was seeing.

After a while of flying, they arrived at the balcony of the highest floor of the black-and-white building at the top of the mountain.

"This is my humble abode," Axton said as he walked into the dark room, with the artificial sunlight being the only source of illumination.

Apollo jumped off the giant bird and glanced around the so-called ’humble abode’ of the Headmaster. There were only wooden walls, and the only furniture in the room was a mat in the center.

Humble? More like you couldn’t afford any furniture, Apollo thought. But he was in no position to say such things, knowing full well that he couldn’t afford furniture either. Seeing that someone else had the same minimalist taste in décor as he did, he felt a slight connection to the Headmaster—perhaps a centimeter closer than before.

"Why don’t you just get straight to the point?" Apollo asked once they were inside. Experience more on novelbuddy

Axton didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he went to the mat and ’sat’ cross-legged, though he was actually floating in midair.

"Become my personal disciple," Axton said seriously, his voice low as he stared straight into the beggar’s eyes.

"I knew you were going to ask me that," Apollo let out a heavy sigh. "But like I said during the exam, I’m not joining any school."

"Who said anything about joining a Martial School?" Axton asked, a smile spreading across his face. "I’m asking you to be my personal disciple, with no affiliation to any school."

"But isn’t that basically the same thing?" Apollo raised an eyebrow. He couldn’t see the difference at all. Whether he became a Martial Student or the Headmaster’s personal disciple, he’d still be under someone’s authority. And he could already tell that it would limit his freedom. "So, I’m going to refuse."

"You don’t want great benefits?" Axton asked, his smile fading. "Cultivation techniques that even the Martial Students of my school can’t get their hands on, resources like the Advanced Cultivation Bead, and protection as my personal disciple. Are you sure you don’t want that? Plus, there’s an allowance of five thousand gold coins per month."

"Like I said, I’m going—wait, let me think for a moment," Apollo turned around, placing a hand under his chin as his mind raced. If there were sound effects, it would be the sound of gears shifting into place.

Cultivation techniques no student can access, an Advanced Cultivation Bead that would exponentially boost my cultivation, and protection as his personal disciple?

"What about my initial prize? Are you still going to give it to me?" Apollo asked, glancing back at Axton.

"Yes," Axton nodded.

Apollo immediately turned around. So, more rewards. He was having a hard time deciding. Everything pointed to it being beneficial if he accepted the Headmaster’s offer—but why?

Apollo turned to face Axton, staring at him intently. "What’s the purpose of me being your personal disciple?"

"Purpose?" Axton chuckled. "Of course, it’s to receive my knowledge, my teachings, and to gain enlightenment with my help."

"Is that really out of good intentions?" Apollo looked at Axton skeptically. "You’re saying I’m the only one benefiting, but what about you? Honestly, this seems like a loss for you."

"Loss?" Axton shook his head. "You may be a Wanderer, but I can tell you’re only at the 4th-Step Foundation Building stage. Although you have incredible talent, talent alone can still get you killed. And yes, I’ll benefit from this too. It’s not just goodwill; it’s for the future. A master for a day is a master for life.

What if you become an almighty figure one day? I’m expecting you to pull me up as well."

Wanderer? What the hell does he mean by that? Although curious, Apollo decided to ask about it later. He fell into deep thought, weighing his options. Being in a Master-Disciple relationship seemed like acknowledging someone as a new parent, and from the "parent’s" perspective, it’s an investment.

The benefits were certainly enticing—like a beautiful woman inviting him over. But something held him back—his "mistress."

"System, there’s no time limit for being away from my beggar spot, right?" Apollo asked the System.

"No, but if the System deems the Host no longer has the intention to return to his Beggar Spot, I will have no choice but to initiate another Lightning Tribulation punishment," the System replied in its usual cold, emotionless tone.

"I see," Apollo nodded.

"So, what’s your choice?" Axton asked, noticing the Wanderer was deep in thought. He needs another push, the Headmaster thought, a sly glint flashing in his eyes. "Just so you know, if you refuse my offer, the other Headmasters will find out you’re still alive. My offer includes protection, which means I’ll hide your identity from them and protect you with all my abilities."

Hearing the thinly veiled threat, Apollo clenched his fist before sighing. "Then let them bother me. I wouldn’t mind it. Worst case, I’ll just leave the city."

The answer left the Great Serpent Headmaster speechless. A Wanderer… yeah, he’s definitely one.

"Tell me why," Axton said, still puzzled. He couldn’t fathom why someone would reject his offer. Although he had told the other two Headmasters to let the masked man make his own choice, it still irked him that his offer was being refused.

"Let’s say I accept your offer and become your personal disciple. Does that mean I have to stay here?" Apollo asked instead of answering directly.

"Only Martial Students of the Great Serpent are required to stay in the school unless it’s their designated day to go out," Axton explained. "But as my personal disciple, you can decide whether to stay here or outside the school."

"Oh, is that so?" Apollo muttered, his expression unreadable. "And what about the resources? Will you keep giving me Advanced Cultivation Beads?"

"Of course. I can give you four to five beads every month if you want."

"Even if I’m outside? You’ll still give them to me?" Apollo asked.

"Yes," Axton nodded. "As long as you’re my personal disciple and accept all my teachings, you’re free to do whatever you want."

"Alright, I accept," Apollo said with a satisfied smile.

The Great Serpent Headmaster’s eyes widened, surprise at first before he calmed down.