Beggar Cultivation System

The entire city of Klown was glowing with red symbols, the light making the whole city shine like a star.

Using the Flying Wind Blast technique to keep himself steady in the sky, Apollo stared down at the streets before his eyes landed on the red cloud of smoke.

He raised his hand, lightning crackling in his fingers, before sending a bolt of electricity toward the red cloud.

His Lightning Attribute pierced through the smoke, creating a hole large enough to reveal the ground below.

Seeing this, Apollo sighed in relief. This further solidified his theory that pure red energy was like paper in the face of lightning—though that wasn't the case when used strategically, like how Four did it.

The beggar then raised both hands, this time using a combination of Fire Blast and Wind Blast along with his Lightning Attribute.

The techniques flew toward the red cloud, causing an explosion that eradicated a huge chunk of it. But the cloud quickly healed itself.

Apollo wasn't alarmed; he had expected this. Without wasting time, he created another combination using the Lightning Attribute and began firing at the red smoke cloud.

---

The sound of explosions rang out from the sky, drawing the attention of those flying inside the destroyed mansion.

"Since when did he learn to use Lightning Techniques?" Elmo muttered in surprise.

Axton didn't answer, though a frown had already formed on his face. There was only one person he knew who could use lightning in this city, and as far as he knew, that man had disappeared a week ago.

As they observed the flashes of fire and lightning lighting up the sky, a shout interrupted their thoughts, drawing their attention.

"Holst! Stop him! We can't let him continue!" the Mayor shouted, his voice filled with urgency. "I'm sure there's only one lightning user in this city—why is there another one?!"

"As you wish, Our Saviour!" the butler answered.

At the same time, Axton glanced at Elmo.

"Don't let him distract Yoma."

"Alright," Elmo replied, his eyes glinting coldly.

The moment the butler turned into a blur, so did the Sword and Shield Headmaster. Another explosion echoed as Elmo's Astral Projection materialized.

The titan projection's sword clashed with Holst's, sending the butler crashing to the ground. However, another projection appeared—a shadowy figure wielding a black sword.

With a deep shout, the shadowy figure engaged the blue-armored titan projection of the Sword and Shield Headmaster in battle!

Axton observed their fight briefly before turning his attention to the red cloud, which continued to explode with bursts of lightning.

It didn't take him long to figure out what was happening.

"So that's your weakness," Axton muttered, turning to the Mayor, who glared at him with burning red eyes.

"Even if you know about it, there's nothing you can do to change the outcome!" Klown declared. "That kid's lightning will wear out sooner or later, and by then, my Master will finally arrive in this world!"

Hearing this, Axton didn't argue. The Mayor was right. If Lightning Attribute techniques were used carelessly or as a way to augment incompatible techniques, Apollo would burn through his lightning reserves faster.

If someone possesses an Attribute tied to a specific element, they must use techniques designed for that element to unlock the full potential of their Attribute.

"So, you're admitting it yourself," Axton said as he pulled a token from under his robe. It bore the symbol of the Great Serpent with a sword piercing its body. "With the Symbol of Approval, I have been given permission to end your life and stop the summoning of your so-called Master."

Klown remained unfazed. Against the backdrop of continuous explosions from the sky, he lowered his body slightly, releasing a suffocating aura. "Come at me, and you shall witness the power of the chosen savior!"

The Great Serpent Headmaster placed the token back inside his robe. With a subtle nod, mist emerged around him, coalescing into lifelike clones of himself.

Axton knew he had to kill the Mayor as quickly as possible to assist his ally. He could also sense that the city was undergoing changes—likely because the ritual, which was supposed to have been stopped, was somehow still progressing.

As the beggar had theorized, the Mayor must have anticipated their interference. He had likely prepared in advance, using a fake ritual as a distraction while the real one had already been completed.

This only highlighted how cunning Klown was.

Axton's expression grew more serious than ever. Without prior knowledge of the Mayor's fighting style, he had to tread carefully. One mistake could cost him the battle.

With this in mind, Axton and his clones spread out before launching themselves at the Mayor simultaneously.

When Klown saw this, a smirk crept across his face.

He snapped his thick fingers, and two red whips materialized. His body was engulfed in red smoke, reappearing behind one of Axton's clones. Explore stories on My Virtual Library Empire

A loud crack echoed as the whip in his hand shattered the clone's head.

However, even without a head, the clone remained functional, delivering a punch enveloped in deep blue light.

Klown, unfazed, summoned a barrier made of glowing red symbols. The punch landed on the barrier, unleashing shockwaves, but left the Mayor unharmed.

"Hahaha!" Klown laughed. "This is the power I've been talking about!"

His body was once again swallowed by red smoke. He reappeared beside another clone, which instantly created a water sword and slashed at him, the air distorting from the speed of the stroke.

Klown raised his symbol barrier again, the water sword dissolving into a harmless splash upon contact. "You'll never defeat me, Axton! I've been waiting for this moment! I am the sole ruler of this city! Why should I care about the treaty, huh? With this strength, I no longer need to pretend to tolerate pests in my mountain!"

With another swift attack, Klown destroyed another of Axton's clones.

"So you've resorted to summoning a demon to gain strength? Just to claim sole rulership of this city?" Axton's voice echoed from behind the Mayor.

"Not just this city!" Klown roared, spinning around—just in time to take a water beam to the face.

The force sent him flying back, but he quickly stabilized himself, only to find Axton already in front of him, a punch hurtling toward him.

Klown hastily summoned another symbol barrier, their eyes locking as the punch connected with the shield.

"I will also rule the other regions!" Klown bellowed. "Along with my Master, we'll rule everywhere! And our grand plan starts by destroying you!"