"Do you hear what you're saying?" Manager Fu asked coldly. "If this branch ends, so do we! You'll go back to being a lowly commoner, and me? I'll become a server!"
Like a bolt of lightning striking him down, Alek froze, shaken. His eyes widened in realization.
He hadn't spoken out of reason, but out of fear—fear of offending someone they shouldn't.
Hearing his manager's words, Alek realized his mistake.
Return to being an ant? No way! Determination glinted in the assistant's eyes. Clenching his fists, he bowed his head. "My apologies for saying all that! I got carried away by fear!"
Manager Fu's face visibly relaxed.
The two of them were now Cultivators at the 1st-Step Qi Condensation Stage, their power derived from stolen techniques.
Many ordinary people had learned such stolen techniques, but most went rogue and were quickly apprehended by the authorities.
Manager Fu glanced at the goons he had recruited. "You lot. We can't confront them outright anymore. Rest for a few days, then pretend to be customers at the Filly Restaurant. Once inside, wreck everything. Got it?"
"Got it, boss!" the five men answered in unison.
Alek opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but decided against it. He couldn't afford to anger the manager any further—it would risk his position.
"And Alek, you're coming with me," Manager Fu said, casting a glance at his assistant.
"Where are we going?" Alek asked.
"To meet our boss," Manager Fu answered.
Hearing this, Alek was initially surprised, but his eyes soon lit up with excitement. This was his first chance to meet the owner of Skyline Savory!
A few days later, Elmo and Master Popo arrived at the Great Serpent Cultivation School, seated on the balcony of the Headmaster's building.
Taking a sip from his cup, Elmo glanced at Headmaster Axton.
"So, he quit?" Elmo asked with a small smile.
"Yes," Axton replied, letting out a sigh.
"Hehe," Elmo chuckled, his eyes glinting.
"I know what you're thinking," Axton said, eyeing the Sword and Shield Headmaster. "You can try, but I'm sure he'll never agree."
"Oh? How can you be so sure?" Elmo raised an eyebrow.
"Simple. He's not simple," Axton replied with a mysterious smile.
"How is that simple?" Elmo leaned back, his massive frame making the chair creak.
"He's not ordinary," Axton clarified.
"None of us are ordinary. If you place someone not ordinary among others who aren't ordinary, is he still not ordinary?" Elmo asked, taking another sip from his cup.
"Then I'll say he's special," Axton said, locking eyes with the Sword and Shield Headmaster. "Someone you shouldn't touch or even bother."
The temperature suddenly dropped. Feeling the shift in atmosphere, Elmo frowned. "What's with you? Alright, I won't try to recruit him. I'll leave him alone. Are we good?"
The heavy sensation in the air dissipated, bringing a smile to Headmaster Axton's face.
"What are you guys talking about?" Master Popo asked after downing his entire cup in one go.
"Nothing," Axton and Elmo said in unison.
"Oh, come on, don't leave this old man out of the gossip!" Master Popo frowned at them.
"You should just drink as much tea as you can," Elmo chuckled.
Axton also smiled, but his mind was elsewhere. He had resolved to protect the beggar and help fulfill his desires.
As the possessor of the Great Serpent Ascendant Transformation technique, Apollo was technically the rightful owner of the Great Serpent Cultivation School. However, it seemed the beggar was unaware of this.
Or perhaps he knew... but simply didn't care about the position. If that was the case, Axton was determined to protect Apollo and not disturb his cultivation.
"You guys are ganging up on me," Master Popo said, flames briefly flickering around him before settling back into his body. "Anyway, when are they arriving?"
"In five minutes, they'll be outside the city," Axton replied, standing up from his seat.
Hearing this, Elmo did the same, followed by the Fire Shrine Headmaster.
"Then let's go. We shouldn't keep them waiting," Elmo said. Although he was from a different sect, the Great Serpent Cultivation School in this city had always been a good ally. It wouldn't hurt to welcome someone from the main branch.
Master Popo shared the sentiment, though he was mostly joining for appearances.
The trio then flew towards the city's exit. Along the way, people emerged from the buildings surrounding the Headmaster's estate to follow them.
Meanwhile, Apollo was cultivating back in his beggar spot, sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed as the surrounding Qi flowed into his body.
With the Qidifier by his side, he noticed his cultivation speed had increased by at least 10%. It was a significant improvement, which greatly satisfied the beggar.
However, as he meditated, a high-pitched cry interrupted him.
Apollo opened his eyes, frowning. Turning towards the sound, he saw his monkey shrieking loudly in the corner of the beggar spot.
Bubba was rolling on the ground, flapping his arms around, his eyes tightly shut. He seemed to be in pain, though his expression occasionally shifted to one of pleasure.
"Is he having an org*sm?" Apollo muttered, shaking his head. "No, something's wrong."
Concerned, he spread his senses to check on his companion and was immediately shocked.
"He's already at the 1st-Step Foundation Building Stage?!" Apollo exclaimed, his eyes wide.
The monkey's apparent distress was due to his body undergoing rapid changes after achieving a breakthrough. Bones cracked, muscles tore, and both reconstructed into something stronger. The sounds of transformation were faint but unmistakable.
In just a few days, Bubba had achieved something even a High Talent like Don couldn't.
Don was still cultivating and likely needed a day or two to reach the 1st-Step Foundation Building Stage.
But the monkey had surpassed him effortlessly. Apollo had never seen Bubba cultivate seriously—the monkey only seemed to cultivate casually, likely enjoying the sensation of Qi entering his body, which was akin to a refreshing shower.
"D*mn monkey. You must be really talented," Apollo said, though a smile crept onto his face.