Chapter 49 – VIP pass
"These days, I'll make sure Emma doesn't eat anything from the family. I'll personally buy all her food from outside," Sophia Xu quickly calmed down. A woman becomes strong for her child, and now that someone was plotting against her daughter, she wouldn't let them get away with it. "However, on the day of the birthday banquet, I'll still have Emma pretend to be poisoned to catch them off guard!"
Terra Su looked at Sophia Xu with admiration. "That's right, Auntie, but it's not enough!"
"Not enough?" Sophia Xu asked.
"Emma and Liz Jiang are evenly matched in strength. Even if Emma isn't poisoned, she might not be able to guarantee a complete victory over Liz," Terra Su said.
"So what should we do?"
"The solution is what I just mentioned—she has to rely on herself!" Terra Su said calmly.
"Rely on herself?" Sophia Xu was puzzled.
"One's fate must be controlled by oneself. I can help her, but all I can do is point her in the right direction. She has to walk the path herself!"
As Terra Su spoke, he stood up. "Auntie, tell Emma that if she wants to control her own destiny, she should come find me within the next few days."
With that, Terra Su pushed the door open and left.
Sophia Xu watched Terra Su's departing figure, deep in thought. She had noticed the changes in Terra Su and now trusted him completely.
However, Emma's stubbornness was well-known. Would she listen to Terra Su's words?
Thinking this, a trace of worry appeared on Sophia Xu's face.
...
Meanwhile, Terra Su headed straight to the Five Treasures Hall.
He planned to buy some tempering herbs there to refine his physique.
His previous encounter with the black-clad expert from the Iron Armor Gate made Terra Su realize the importance of body refinement. If his physique had been stronger than that of an ordinary martial practitioner of the same level, he wouldn't have been so severely injured.
Although the Alchemy Guild had materials, it wasn't a place for business, and its inventory couldn't compare to the Five Treasures Hall. Often, the Alchemy Guild had to purchase materials in bulk from the Five Treasures Hall.
As he approached the entrance of the Five Treasures Hall, Terra Su was about to enter when two guards stopped him. "Sorry, sir, today is one of the Five Treasures Hall's bi-monthly VIP days. Only VIPs can enter. Do you have a VIP pass?"
"VIP day?"
Terra Su looked around and indeed saw that the entrance was deserted, a stark contrast to the usual hustle and bustle.
However, since he was already here, he had no intention of turning back. He frowned and asked, "So without a VIP pass, I can't go in?"
"That's correct, sir," one of the guards said respectfully, though a hint of disdain flickered in his eyes. "Without a VIP pass, entry to the Five Treasures Hall is prohibited today."
This was troublesome. Although Terra Su had an honorary guest elder badge from the Alchemy Guild, which would grant him access anywhere, he didn't want to reveal his identity just yet.
Terra Su shook his head, thinking that he should have disguised himself before coming out today. If he had worn a black robe, he could have revealed his honorary badge without being recognized.
At that moment, a familiar figure emerged from the entrance of the Five Treasures Hall—it was Timothy Jiang.
Seeing Terra Su, Timothy Jiang couldn't help but laugh. "Well, if it isn't our alchemy genius, Terra Su. What's the matter? No VIP pass and got stopped at the door? Need my help to get in?"
Though Timothy's words seemed helpful, his tone made it clear he was gloating and looking to humiliate Terra Su.
Sure enough, Timothy's next words were, "Just call me 'grandpa' twice and admit you're my lackey, and I might consider helping you in... Haha!"
As a direct descendant of the Jiang Family, it wasn't surprising that Timothy had a VIP pass for the Five Treasures Hall.
Moreover, Timothy had been humiliated by Terra Su at the apprenticeship banquet, and even his teacher, Alchemist Qian, had been ignoring him since then. His hatred for Terra Su ran deep, and he seized this rare opportunity to humiliate him.
But Terra Su merely glanced at him indifferently and said, "Were you talking to me just now? Sorry, could you repeat that? I might have missed it because a dog was barking too loudly."
Terra Su had just compared his words to a dog's barking!
"Terra Su!" Timothy Jiang instantly flew into a rage. "Don't get too cocky! Don't forget, you're just a freeloader living off the Jiang Family! If I want, I can kick you out anytime!"
"What did you say?" Terra Su's expression turned cold. Even though he lived in the Jiang Family's residence, it was Sophia Xu's house and food he was using, having nothing to do with Timothy.
Timothy's words had hit Terra Su's sore spot, and True Qi began to gather rapidly in Terra Su's palm.
Unaware of the trouble he was in, Timothy was about to say more when a voice interrupted him. "Who is causing a disturbance at the entrance of the Five Treasures Hall?"
A manager-like figure walked out.
When the manager's eyes met Terra Su's, his pupils contracted sharply in recognition.
It was the young man who had publicly cured the Cold-Hearted Python's bite at the Five Treasures Hall!
Seeing the manager appear, Terra Su retracted the True Qi in his palm. No matter what, killing Timothy Jiang at the entrance would cause too much trouble.
Timothy, oblivious to his narrow escape, smiled at the manager. "It's nothing, just someone without a VIP pass trying to sneak in. I stopped him!"
"That guy right there!" Timothy pointed at Terra Su.
But the next moment, Timothy witnessed something unbelievable.
The manager's eyes narrowed, and he quickly walked over to Terra Su, bowing respectfully. "I didn't know you were coming today, sir. Please forgive us for not welcoming you properly!"
"Please, follow me inside!" The manager gestured invitingly and led Terra Su into the Five Treasures Hall.
Timothy Jiang was dumbfounded. How could the manager be so respectful to Terra Su?
The Five Treasures Hall was known for its snobbery, only showing respect to those with real fame and status. Terra Su had no reputation to speak of, and the Five Treasures Hall couldn't possibly know what had happened at the Jiang Family banquet. How could they treat Terra Su with such importance?
What Timothy didn't know was that Terra Su had already demonstrated his alchemical prowess at the Five Treasures Hall. For them, the most valuable people to win over were alchemists. How could they not show Terra Su respect?
The manager wasn't foolish either. He had been reprimanded by the Five Treasures Hall's higher-ups for not recognizing Terra Su's talent that day. Seeing Terra Su again, he naturally treated him with utmost respect.