Surprised as he was, Eighth Master Mu naturally wouldn't show it. Besides, participating in the Anyang Martial Meet was Terra Su's own business, and as an outsider, he had no right to interfere.
"However, Young Master Su, you need a participation quota to join the Anyang Martial Meet," Eighth Master Mu reminded.
"Is that so? A participation quota?" Terra Su was taken aback. Qin Shopkeeper hadn't mentioned this to him, probably because he forgot.
Eighth Master Mu nodded, "That's right. Every year, the Anyang Martial Meet is a mix of good and bad. Just filtering out the unqualified participants takes a lot of effort. To avoid this, Marquis Anyang changed the rules. Starting this year, you need a participation quota."
"Can you tell me where to get a quota?" Terra Su asked.
"As long as a family or force in Anyang City has reached a certain scale, they will receive some quotas to distribute among their members," Eighth Master Mu explained. "Our Mu Family also has some quotas, which we plan to give to promising young members. Of course, if Young Master Su is willing to join the Mu Family as a guest alchemist, you will definitely get a quota."
"Are there any other ways to get a quota?" Terra Su asked with a faint smile.
"Yes, of course," Eighth Master Mu laughed. "The simplest way is to enroll in Anyang Academy. Anyang Academy is a Sacred Ground for Martial Dao, specifically for commoners. They also have some quotas. If you excel there, you can get a quota."
"I've heard that many talented martial practitioners from humble backgrounds have joined Anyang Academy this year, aiming for the Martial Meet quotas," Eighth Master Mu added.
"Anyang Academy, huh?"
Terra Su pondered. For him, it seemed like a good way to get a quota.
He hadn't been interested in Anyang Academy before because he didn't know about the quota requirement. Now that he knew, joining the academy seemed like a good choice.
After all, in an academy, as long as you're strong enough, no one would restrict you. Unlike families or forces, which have many rules and obligations.
"I'll go check out Anyang Academy tomorrow."
Terra Su made up his mind.
He then thanked Eighth Master Mu, "Thank you for telling me all this."
"No need to thank me, Young Master Su," Eighth Master Mu smiled. "Actually, I think if you don't join the Mu Family, going to Anyang Academy is a good choice. The academy prohibits private duels and outsiders can't enter, so you'll be safe from the Sun Family's threats."
"I see."
Terra Su nodded.
"Alright, you and your friends can settle down here. If you need anything, just call me."
"Thank you, Eighth Master Mu."
"I won't disturb your rest then," Eighth Master Mu said and left.
After he left, Gu Qianxue cheered and ran around the large courtyard, "Brother Terra, Sister, the houses here are so big!"
Gu Qianyin also sighed softly, "To have such a spacious residence in a prime location of Anyang City, the Mu Family truly lives up to its prestigious status."
Terra Su smiled and asked, "Are you two interested in going to Anyang Academy?"
"You want to get a quota from Anyang Academy, right?" Gu Qianyin blinked her long eyelashes. "I want to go too because I also want to participate in the Martial Meet."
Gu Qianxue, who loved excitement, immediately shouted, "I want to go too! I want to go too!"
"In that case, let's rest tonight and go to Anyang Academy tomorrow," Terra Su decided.
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, the three of them got up early, had breakfast delivered by the Mu Family servants, and prepared to leave.
As soon as they stepped out of the courtyard, they ran into Mu San Niang and her entourage.
"Hmph, I wondered who it was. Turns out it's our genius alchemist," Mu San Niang sneered as soon as she saw Terra Su. "Don't you have anywhere else to stay? Why must you cling to our Mu Family?"
She then pretended to sigh dramatically, "Well, it's a good thing the Mu Family is big and wealthy enough to support a few freeloaders. If it were any other family, a few more freeloaders like you would drag them down."
Gu Qianxue's eyes widened in anger, and she immediately retorted, "What nonsense are you spouting? It was your old man who repeatedly invited Brother Terra to stay. What freeloaders? If you can't speak properly, don't speak at all."
"Hmph, isn't it true?" Mu San Niang snorted coldly. "You lot stay here without contributing to the Mu Family. If that's not freeloading, what is?"
"You…"
Gu Qianxue was about to retort but was stopped by Terra Su raising his hand.
Terra Su looked at Mu San Niang and said calmly, "Are you deaf? Didn't you hear that your old man invited me to stay?"
"You dare speak to me like that?" Mu San Niang was furious. How dare an unknown brat speak to her this way? So what if he's a genius in alchemy? In all of Anyang City, few dared to speak to her like this!
"Hmph, a freeloader like you has no right to stay in the Mu Family!" Mu San Niang snapped back.
"Do you believe that if I leave now, you'll suffer greatly?" Terra Su countered.
"You…"
Mu San Niang's face turned pale. She had to admit that Terra Su was right. If he left now, the old man would definitely suspect her interference. At that point, the old man would be even less pleased with her.
For a moment, Mu San Niang's expression changed several times.
"Fine, fine, just you wait!"
In the end, Mu San Niang glared at Terra Su and left with her entourage.
"Utterly boring," Terra Su commented, then left the Mu Family with the two Gu sisters.
Anyang City was vast, more than ten times the size of Clear River City.
Moreover, walking within the city prohibited riding horses, so it took them a full hour to reach Anyang Academy.
At the academy gate, they were immediately stopped by the gatekeeper, "Who goes there?"
Anyang Academy was not a place outsiders could easily enter.
"We're here to enroll in Anyang Academy," Terra Su said.
"Alright, then fill out these enrollment forms first," the gatekeeper said, then suddenly noticed Gu Qianxue and frowned, "This little girl isn't here to enroll, is she?"
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