Beggar Cultivation System-Chapter 178: Spaghetti?

With his hands held palms-up above his forehead, Apollo resumed cultivation. Although he preferred to cultivate while sitting cross-legged inside his Beggar Spot, once his mind was set on cultivation, he quickly became absorbed in it.

His surroundings turned black, like a void. The firefly-like Qi entered his body, following the pattern of the Revised Simple Breathing Technique. However, Apollo didn’t expect much—after a full circulation of the Qi, the ball of energy below his navel didn’t budge.

Anticipating this, he reversed the flow of the Revised Simple Breathing Technique until the darkness shattered, and the street came back into view.

Opening his eyes, Apollo began to think.

I need another revision for this breathing technique, he thought. His previous revision had been solely focused on breaking past the Foundation Building stage. Now that he’d done so, the technique was no longer effective.

Apollo needed to create a new version. He could buy a Cultivation Technique from the System Store, but a Beggar had to be frugal. Besides, spending his hard-earned Alm Points would be wasteful. If there was a way to avoid using them, he would.

The Beggar was confident he could revise the Revised Simple Breathing Technique again.

What if I revise it to reach the final stage of the Simple Breathing Technique? This thought crossed Apollo’s mind, and the more he considered it, the more excited he became.

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Why keep revising the technique after each breakthrough? Instead, he could modify it now to carry him all the way to the highest cultivation stage.

With that in mind, Apollo closed his eyes again, letting the void return. But this time, he didn’t mobilize the Qi. Instead, he focused on the structure of the Revised Simple Breathing Technique.

The pattern, the amount of Qi required, the number of circulations… As his mind raced to its limits, shaping a new version of the Simple Breathing Technique, Apollo lost track of time. He wanted to change the technique so it would allow him to reach the Absolute One stage. But this was easier said than done.

Just as Apollo felt he was on the verge of figuring it out, he was struck by a sharp headache. The pain was so intense that the dark world shattered into particles of light.

The sound of a carriage rolling by, the footsteps of passersby, and their voices filled his ears. When he opened his eyes, he expected to be writhing in pain, but the headache had vanished.

"What happened?" Apollo muttered in confusion. He had clearly felt the pain—so intense that, for a split second, he wanted to die. Then, the void had shattered, and when he opened his eyes, the headache disappeared as if it had never been there.

Shaking his head, he tried again. Once more, as he neared a breakthrough, a violent headache disrupted his progress. The dark world disintegrated, and Apollo opened his eyes, finding the pain had vanished.

"That was real," the Beggar realized, his expression growing serious. "But why? Something’s interfering with me."

Determination flashed in his eyes as curiosity brewed within him. He tried again, but this time, when the headache struck, he gritted his teeth and held on. Yet, despite his efforts, the same result occurred.

"Damn it…" Apollo cursed, frustrated that he couldn’t accomplish what he’d set out to do. "Do I really have to revise it one step at a time?"

He couldn’t understand what was happening at all.

Then Apollo recalled his conversation with Axton, the Headmaster of the Great Serpent. Axton had said that Apollo could talk to him whenever he was curious about something, troubled, or in need of help.

But going back to him so soon... Apollo was too lazy to do that.

"Hey System," Apollo called out. "Why—never mind."

He didn’t finish his sentence, knowing the System would only try to sell him something.

Apollo looked up at the morning sky and let out a sigh.

Shaking his head, he closed his eyes and began revising the Simple Breathing Technique to push past the Half-Step Qi Condensation Stage. The sun was still young, and Ned wouldn’t bring his breakfast for another two hours. He had time to beg and revise.

"You received 1 Alm Point…"

"You received 1 Alm Point…"

...

Gail and Filly stepped out of the carriage.

Both wore smiles, their steps light as feathers, as they approached the door of Filly’s Restaurant. Just as Gail was about to open it, someone came out holding a basket.

Ned smiled when he saw his goddess and Gail. "Good morning, Miss Filly and Miss Gail."

"Good morning," Filly replied, while Gail nodded. She glanced at the basket in Ned’s hand, then looked over to the corner of the restaurant, where she spotted a small head peeking out, with hands raised above his forehead. Two bronze coins rested in his palms as he sat motionless. Noticing this, Filly took the basket from Ned. "I’ll take this. You can get back to work."

"Oh, alright," Ned said, scratching the back of his head. "I’ve already placed the new dish inside, along with fried chicken, scrambled eggs, and a glass of milk."

"Good job, thanks," Filly said, peeking inside the basket.

As Ned turned back into the restaurant, Filly and Gail exchanged glances.

"I should personally thank him," Filly said.

"Yes," Gail agreed. "Why don’t we invite him inside?"

"That…" Filly hesitated, glancing at the beggar for a moment before shaking her head. "Like you said, we should respect his Way of the Dao. He wants to sit outside, so we shouldn’t go against his wishes."

"You’re right," Gail smiled.

"Then let’s go. Remember, he’s a beggar," Filly whispered, walking toward Apollo.

Standing in front of him, Filly was about to greet him when Gail placed a hand on her shoulder.

"We should give alms," Gail said, nodding toward the coins on Apollo’s hands.

Realizing this, Filly sighed in relief. "Thank goodness you reminded me."

Gail pulled a gold coin from her outfit and placed it in Apollo’s hand.

The moment the coin touched his fingers, Apollo stirred, then opened his eyes.

"Oh, it’s you two," Apollo greeted with a smile.

"Good morning, Mr. Beggar."

"Good morning, Sir Yoma."

The two women greeted him with the utmost respect.

What’s with these two? Apollo felt strange. His gaze then landed on the basket in the restaurant owner’s hands.

"Oh my, you don’t have to personally give this to me," Apollo said, feeling embarrassed.

"No, don’t worry about it," Filly shook her head with a smile, handing the basket to the beggar. "Besides, we’re here to express our gratitude once again."

Apollo stood up, holding the basket in his small hands. "Gratitude for what?"

"Open the basket, and you’ll know," Filly said mysteriously.

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Hearing this, Apollo had a guess about what was going on. As he opened the basket, a familiar smell hit his nose. He ignored the scent of fried chicken and eggs, focusing instead on a new aroma. Sure enough, a plate of spaghetti came into view.

The noodles were covered in a deep red sauce, and he could see some of the condiments sprinkled throughout.

It looked so tantalizing that the beggar couldn’t help but gulp.

"Wow, you guys succeeded," Apollo said in surprise.

"Haha, yes! It was all thanks to your journal," Filly bowed her head. "Once again, I am very grateful. If you ever need help, I’m always here."

"It’s no big deal," Apollo waved his hand. He still had the token from her, a sign that he was a respected guest of their family, though he hadn’t used it yet. Besides, he thought the token was more than enough.

"I insist. My restaurant, my manpower—whatever you need, I will provide," Filly said determinedly.

"That’s too much," Apollo sighed. "Anyway, thank you for bringing this to me."

"With this, I think we’re ready to fight back," Filly said, clenching her fist.

"The food is so good and new that even Skyline Savory can’t compare," Gail commented from the side.

"That’s good to hear," Apollo nodded. "Don’t hold back. A snake’s venom is still deadly, even if the snake is already dead."

Hearing this, Filly and Gail were both surprised. Such wisdom! The image of the Wanderer, the Beggar, was elevated in their hearts.

"Thank you! Thank you!" Filly bowed, followed by Gail.

Seeing them behave so respectfully, Apollo could only smile bitterly.

The trio chatted for a while before the two women left.

Apollo glanced at their retreating figures, then returned to his beggar spot. Sitting on the ground, he opened the basket, took out the plate of spaghetti, and began eating.

The moment the food touched his tongue, Apollo felt like a child again, reliving his love for spaghetti.

Some of the condiments used in the sauce were ingredients not found on Earth. The meat came from a monster, though the beggar didn’t know what type they had used.

Before long, he finished his breakfast. Letting out a satisfied burp after drinking the whole glass of milk, Apollo smacked his lips in contentment.

"This is delicious," Apollo muttered, a smile spreading across his face.