"Because if you refuse, I'll tell the other Headmasters that you're still alive. And let me tell you, they're far more persistent and can be very annoying," Axton said with a smirk.
If Elmo and Master Popo saw what Axton was doing right now, they would definitely shout one word at him:
Headmaster? More like a Headache, Apollo thought, resisting the urge to massage his forehead.
"I'm starting to hate you," Apollo said honestly.
"Don't be," Axton replied. "So, shall we?"
"I don't really have a choice," Apollo shrugged. He didn't know how this Headmaster had figured out that he hated attention and trouble, but it seemed there was no other option but to go along with it.
"There's already a carriage waiting outside," Axton said, gesturing for the Beggar to lead the way.
"Alright," Apollo nodded, heading towards the street where a black and white carriage bearing the insignia of the Great Serpent Cultivation School awaited.
As Axton watched Yoma's back, his eyes gleamed. He's definitely a Wanderer, he thought. He had already spoken with Filly, who suspected Yoma of being a Wandering Cultivator posing as a beggar. Now, seeing the man in person, the Headmaster was certain their suspicions were correct. However, even if Yoma was a Wanderer, Axton was determined to take him in as his disciple.
And even if Yoma turned out to be much older than he appeared, he wouldn't mind.
When it comes to the Master-Disciple relationship, age doesn't matter. As long as one has something to teach and the disciple is willing to learn, then status, age, power, and money are nothing but worldly possessions—things that can be discarded. Wisdom, however, is something invaluable.
Following the Beggar, Axton climbed into the carriage, and soon they set off down the central street of Klown City, heading back to the Great Serpent Cultivation School.
As the carriage turned a corner, Filly and Gail stepped out of their restaurant, their faces filled with curiosity and amazement.
"I didn't know Mr. Beggar was such a big shot that even Headmaster Axton would personally visit him," Filly muttered, her eyes sparkling.
"Hmm," Gail nodded, sharing the same sentiment.
The journey took at least twenty minutes before the black and white carriage, pulled by two horses, arrived in front of a massive structure.
Apollo stepped out, jumping down from the carriage. As his feet hit the ground with a thud, his eyes naturally turned toward the grandeur in front of him. Though he had already seen this structure once before, he was still awed by its impressive size.
It was an ancient-looking building, constructed from polished stone, maple-like wood, bronze metals, and unknown materials he couldn't identify. While not as tall as the skyscrapers from his previous life, the building's sheer width was remarkable—it felt like you could fit three or four football fields inside.
However, what truly captured Apollo's attention was the enormous white serpent statue coiled around the building. The serpent was so lifelike that he almost felt as though he were standing before a real monster, even though he had never encountered such a creature before. The statue's scales were intricately crafted, and its eyes seemed to pierce through anyone who dared to look at it.
"That's the legendary Great Serpent," Axton introduced, stepping out of the carriage.
"I could tell. That's where your school got its name, right?" Apollo asked.
"Even a fool could tell," Axton chuckled. "Follow me."
At first, Apollo was reluctant, but his curiosity got the better of him as he admired the structure of the so-called Cultivation School. He trailed behind the Headmaster.
In front of the building was a metallic gate guarded by two men in black and white armor, standing still with spears in hand.
The moment they saw Axton approaching, they hurriedly knelt on one knee.
"Well, Headmaster!" they shouted.
"Carry on," Axton waved them off as the gate opened.
"You're really highly regarded," the Beggar remarked, observing the treatment.
If any noble had overheard how casually Apollo spoke to the Headmaster, they would have surely insulted him, lectured him on proper decorum, and then proceeded to fawn over the Great Serpent Headmaster.
"It's one of the perks of the title," Axton explained.
Ahead, a flight of stairs led up to a giant door adorned with the sculpture of the Great Serpent embedded in the center. This time, there were no guards, only the intricate serpent design.
Axton raised his hand and pushed the massive door open. As the creaking echoed, Apollo tilted his small head to peek around the Headmaster. His eyes widened at what he saw beyond the door.
"This is?!" Apollo muttered in disbelief.
"Surprised?" Axton asked. Nice acting skills, he thought. Worthy of a Wanderer.
Apollo nodded vigorously at the sight before him. Beyond the door was a whole new world—literally!
It was a bustling street filled with martial students going about their day. In the distance, a mountain loomed, dotted with ancient buildings.
As they stepped inside, the door closed with a resounding bang. When Apollo turned around, the entrance had vanished!
All he could see were streets lined with martial students, buildings, and vendors selling their wares. He squinted up at the sky, noticing the sunlight and clouds. There's even a sun and clouds here! Did I just teleport? Apollo thought, feeling a rush of excitement.
"Welcome to the Great Serpent Cultivation School," Axton said, greeting students who bowed their heads as they passed. "So, what do you think?"
"This is amazing!" Apollo said, genuinely impressed.
"The main school put in great effort to apply the Teleportation Inscriptions," Axton explained, continuing forward. Apollo followed naturally. "It was a very complex inscription, requiring the expertise of dozens of great Array Masters."
Apollo's amazement grew. "So, you're telling me this is just a branch school, and you're just a branch Headmaster?"
"Spot on," Axton confirmed with a smile.
A branch school with its own world?! Apollo thought, wondering what the main Great Serpent Cultivation School must look like.
"Anyway, you were curious about why I found you, right?" Axton returned to the topic.
"Yes," Apollo said, his excitement fading as curiosity took over.