Beggar Cultivation System-Chapter 308 : Investigation

"This little fella is interesting," Master Li chuckled as his fingers ran over the body of the monkey in his hands. "I didn't know this city had a normal animal capable of cultivating."

"We also didn't know such monkeys existed," Axton replied, glancing at the monkey in confusion.

"You didn't know?" Master Li raised an eyebrow, staring at Headmaster Axton as though doubting his words. "You successfully managed to turn a normal falcon into a Water-Attributed Beast. I think you know something about this."

"I…" Axton opened his mouth, then closed it again. He could only glance helplessly at the Mayor beside him before defending himself. "I'm telling the truth, Uncle Li. There's no way I would let this Secret Technique out."

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In this city, only the Great Serpent Cultivation School possessed the ability to transform a normal animal into a half-beast state, like the Water-Attributed Falcon. However, the Secret Technique was exclusively used on falcons.

Using it on a monkey? Axton couldn't recall that ever happening.

Master Li studied Axton's face seriously for a moment before nodding. "Then I'll believe you."

Axton let out a sigh of relief.

"I was just testing you," Master Li muttered, raising the monkey in front of him against the backdrop of a dilapidated mansion. "This monkey has reached the 1st-Step Foundation Building Stage with no signs of a Secret Technique being used on him. While this is uncommon, it's not unheard of. But encountering something like this in such a backward place? It's a first for me. So, I'll be taking him into my custody."

Bubba couldn't look directly at the human holding him as a pressure unlike anything he'd ever felt overwhelmed his entire body. His animal instincts screamed at him to run, but the sheer force made him want to pass out. Helpless, he remained defenseless in the hands of someone other than his owner.

"Well…" Axton glanced at the monkey, then at the others beside him, his gaze settling on the Kleinford Family Head.

The group had found the monkey inside Nathan's daughter's restaurant, happily gorging himself on food.

Nathan had hoped to leave a good impression by impressing Master Li with the meal. Fortunately, Master Li truly enjoyed the food and even expressed interest in learning the ingredients and preparation methods. However, Filly firmly refused, which caused a tense atmosphere in the restaurant.

Fortunately, Master Li didn't press the issue, though he snatched the monkey mid-meal and left before Nathan's daughter could protest.

Nathan glanced at his daughter, standing behind him with wide eyes. She had decided to follow the group to the Klown's Mansion, the site where the previous Mayor had perished.

Sorry, Filly… but we can't risk upsetting the visitor, Nathan conveyed to his daughter through Thought Transfer.

When Filly heard his voice in her mind, her eyes widened even further, as though they might pop out. She was the only one who knew the monkey belonged to Mr. Yoma. However, just as she was about to protest and reveal the truth, her father turned and nodded at the Great Serpent Headmaster.

Filly had followed the group not because she wanted to join their "tour" but to ensure the monkey wouldn't be taken away. However, it seemed she was already too late.

She understood the importance of Master Li, a figure so revered that even the Emperor would personally greet him. Her father and Uncle Mathias would never dare to offend such a visitor from the Middle Continent. They could, but with no knowledge of the monkey's owner being Mr. Beggar, they saw no reason to risk it.

"Hahaha, good," Master Li laughed as he placed the monkey on his shoulder. "Stay. Don't do anything stupid. You won't like it if you piss me off."

Bubba visibly shivered, lowering his head as he clung to the old man's shoulder. Deep inside, he felt intense regret. He should have listened to his owner and stayed put.

Now, the consequences of his actions were painfully clear. The old human terrified him, and in comparison to the small human, he realized how much he preferred the latter. With the small human, he didn't feel this overwhelming pressure, even though he disliked being fed that strange red thing.

"So, this is the place, huh?" Master Li asked, gazing at the destroyed mansion in front of him.

"Yes, Uncle Li," Headmaster Axton replied with a nod. "This is where the main ritual occurred and also where Klown died."

"I see…" Master Li floated upward while the others remained on the ground. He ascended above the mansion, gaining a clear view of the entire area.

The site was still scarred by the remnants of battle: upturned earth, giant rocks, and craters scattered across the landscape. In the distance, what remained of a small forest was reduced to shattered trunks and debris.

Master Li's eyes focused on the dilapidated mansion, its bloodstained stones a grim reminder of what once stood there.

The Red Energy here is strong, Master Li thought. This alone confirmed the reports—there had indeed been a summoning of a Demon at this site.

He spread his senses across the entire area. Instantly, he "saw" the ritual markings, identical to those he had studied in ancient texts.

Demons… they've made their move. A frown appeared on Master Li's face, though it vanished as quickly as it had come.

He continued his observation, rising higher into the sky. Master Li closed his eyes briefly, and when he reopened them, his senses expanded far and wide, covering the entire city of Belthias in seconds.

All the while, Bubba clung to the old man's shoulder, tears threatening to fall. This was his first time being at such a height, and the cold wind only made him shiver more.

"I see…" Master Li murmured as his gaze shifted to the city's center—the place where the Demon had attempted to manifest before being stopped by the Mayor. Even now, the lingering Energy of the Demon was strong, gnawing at his senses despite its absence.

This was one of the terrifying aspects of Demons: even their lingering presence could cause someone like Master Li to feel unease.

He knew this feeling was an innate trait of all Demons, regardless of their strength, and would only fade with time. Pretentious beings, they left their presence as a claim of dominance over any place they touched.

After observing the city further, Master Li descended back to the ground.

"How is it, Uncle Li?" Axton asked, his voice tinged with concern.