Seeing the man walk away with his 'Alm points,' Apollo smiled bitterly. This is annoying. Oh right, I didn't give him a fork! The beggar began to worry that the man would come back asking for utensils. Fortunately, the man seemed to have the ability to produce items out of thin air, relieving Apollo from having to spend another Alm point—though he would definitely refuse if that guy came back.
This situation gave Apollo a better understanding of his role in this life. A true beggar. He could only earn Alm Points by literally just begging. He couldn't exchange them for something else; the coins he received would be invalid. The one and only requirement was for people to give him Alms willingly, not because they wanted something from him. Any trickery wouldn't work.
"But System," Apollo recalled the time when a martial student fell unconscious beside his feet, his coins rolling out of his pocket. "How come that guy's money turned into Alm Points?"
"The money came out of his pocket, rolled toward you, and he didn't take it back."
"Oh, I see," Apollo finally understood everything. He also realized something, his eyes glancing at the guy who had just bought a cup of noodles from him. "So System, earning Alm Points also considers how people think of me?"
"Yes," the System answered truthfully.
"Then it makes sense," Apollo said with a bitter smile. Ah, I wish I'd had this talk with the System sooner. I get easily distracted, he finally realized, which is very contrary to the cool-headed old self from his previous life.
Letting out a heavy sigh, he continued to finish his food, trying to forget the 2 Alm Points he had just given away.
But unbeknownst to him, while he relished his food, to others, it was a nightmare under the morning sun. Especially as another person joined in, making slurping sounds and smacking his lips from time to time.
The smell also became more intense, making it hard for them to cultivate their chosen techniques.
"F*ck! Is this their strategy to reduce the competition?" one of them couldn't help but say aloud. He was very angry because the smell was so tantalizing that it made him hungry. "Argh! This is frustrating!"
As time passed, the effects of the delicious food caused one of them to stand up. With a shout, he started running toward the cliff! "F*ck this exam! If I can't pass, I'll at least fulfill the needs of my stomach!" The man jumped, his figure disappearing instantly.
This caused some of those who were having a hard time understanding their techniques and probably wouldn't pass the second test to do the same. If they were pretty sure they couldn't pass the exam, why not just surrender now, eat something good, go home, and have a nice sleep?
The scene of students jumping down the mountain was seen by the Instructor, who came flying from a distance.
"What's wrong with them?" Master Popo muttered, landing on the platform in the middle of the mountain. He didn't expect that some of them would give up after just a day. It was very unexpected, putting a frown on his face.
Nevertheless, they were just the martial students they didn't particularly pay great attention to, and most of them would fail anyway, so it didn't matter if some of them gave up now.
Master Popo squatted down, watching the students practice their chosen techniques.
Meanwhile, west of this tall mountain lies the forest where the Duskwolves Shadowtails reside.
Mathias arrived in a carriage, his usual suit replaced by a gray Hanfu robe that reached his ankles, with sleeves almost covering his hands.
He glanced at the tent set up nearby and the soldiers neatly arranged and ready for battle in the distance. Mathias also noticed a number of Cultivators from various noble families in Klown City.
Everyone is ready. Mathias was about to walk toward the tent when he turned back. There was nothing but a wide expanse of grass, though his eyes seemed to pierce through everything.
"As expected of Mathias from the Dragon Hunter lineage, you can see through my technique," A man appeared out of nowhere, as if he'd always been there. He wore a butler suit with a monocle over his left eye.
"Morning, Butler Holst," Mathias greeted with a smile. "The Dragon Hunters are mere history, and I only share a speck of dust from their bloodline."
"Still, that is a very rare bloodline," Holst said, his eyes steady. "Have they arrived?"
"The owner of Skyline Savory, Theo," Mathias said, glancing at the tent.
"Haha, the city's greatest force of attraction," Holst chuckled as the two began to walk toward the tent. "If not for Skyline Savory, the city center would be a lifeless street."
"You are right," Mathias nodded, sharing the sentiment. Soon, they arrived and saw Theo sitting quietly in one of the chairs.
"Good morning," Theo said, his voice as nonchalant as ever.
"Morning," Mathias greeted, taking a seat at the head of the table.
Holst nodded with a smile before taking his seat beside the Skyline owner.
They didn't have to wait long before the Branch Manager of the Alchemy House entered the tent. Looking around, she didn't see Nathan, causing her to smile.
"Hehe, that guy's still not here? He's probably still inside his wife," Helen commented, taking a seat to Mathias's right.
"What did you say?!" someone shouted from outside, and Nathan stormed in angrily.
"You heard what I said," Helen smirked at the Kleinford family head.
"You and your mouth don't know respect!" Nathan retorted, lifting both his sleeves.
This again, Mathias sighed. Before they could fight again, he tapped the table, drawing their attention. "Let's begin the official matter."
Nathan could only grit his teeth, pulling his seat away from Helen.
"The Duskfangs are already making their move," Mathias said, glancing at each of them, noting their calm expressions. "They've begun hunting our men more aggressively than before, killing dozens. This morning, they launched another attack. Although our men managed to defend themselves, they still suffered heavy casualties."
The attack happened inside the forest where the Hunting Team was deployed. Their main purpose was to kill as many monsters as possible before the Alpha began her hunt.
"She couldn't wait any longer," Holst commented.
"Correct," Mathias nodded. "We've already moved the plan forward, but she is... agitated."
"Are you suggesting that we—" Helen began, but she didn't finish her sentence. It was enough for the Helflick family head to understand.
"We start our attack now," Mathias said.
"But I still need one more day to concoct those toxins!" Helen protested, a frown on her face.
"Then we'll try to defeat her as soon as possible," Mathias said, staring at Helen with determination. "If we can't, we'll hold her off as best as we can until you succeed in making those toxins."