Lin Jin was currently a Rank 2 beast appraiser. To increase his rank, he would have needed to wait until the next promotion exam and pass certain tests.
However, there were exceptions to everything. Indeed, headquarters had the authority to grant unique promotions though it didn’t happen under regular circumstances. But if Emperor He Qian ordered it, none of that would be a problem.
Hence, strictly speaking, Lin Jin was now granted an exceptional promotion, turning him from a Rank 2 to Rank 3 beast appraiser.
Not only the royal decree but even a three-ringed beast logo sleeve guard was delivered.
He had to admit that the emperor was very efficient when it came to planning and execution. Also, Lin Jin was curious as to why the edict arrived just moments after he returned to Maple City.
Not sooner nor later.
Perhaps the emperor had arranged for a spy to wait out for him and deliver the edict once Lin Jin returned to Maple City.
Of course, this was only Lin Jin’s guess. But he could be sure as to why the emperor would do such a thing.
Because ‘Curator’s influence was too strong.
Due to fear for the curator, His Majesty had decided to win Lin Jin’s favor in hopes of winning the curator’s. At least that would help His Majesty sleep better at night.
Lin Jin wondered how that person would react if he ever found out that ‘Curator’ didn’t exist at all.
Of course, it wasn’t that Curator didn’t exist. Curator was Lin Jin himself and the embodiment of the Museum of Deadly Beasts. So in a sense, Curator was the Museum of Deadly Beasts.
Lin Jin certainly had no reason to refuse something the emperor had gone to such lengths to provide him. After all, being able to achieve Rank 3 earlier was definitely a good thing.
And so, Lin Jin bowed low to give thanks to His Majesty’s grace and accepted the decree.
Meanwhile, Bai Zhenkong was even more shocked as he bowed to return the favor. Although he already knew the decree’s contents, he didn’t understand why His Majesty would issue such an edict.
He didn’t know the reason behind it either. But one thing was for sure, this man, Lin Jin would definitely soar to greater heights from now on.
Meaning to say, he had to be well-acquainted with this guy from now on.
“Congratulations, Appraiser Lin,” Bai Zhenkong exclaimed with a smile.
Now that a Rank 3 beast appraiser had been born in Maple City, Bai Zhenkong could most definitely share this glory as the city’s lord. In addition, unlike the others, the Guardian Department had already issued an order to include Lin Jin into their ranks. With this, Lin Jin was now considered an imperial officer. Though it was just a title, his status was still on par with the Friar Association’s Ye Yuzhou.
Compared to the calm Lin Jin, Tan Lin’s shock was so much greater.
She couldn’t even hide it as her eyes widened and her jaw dropped, unable to speak.
She knew that headquarters had the authority to give exceptional promotions, but a special case was called a special case only because they were terribly difficult to obtain.
Based on her knowledge, headquarters had never once exercised this special right for more than ten years now. Even if they wanted to, there would be hindrances from different factions which would, in turn, render the execution a failure.
However, His Majesty simply used his influence to have this carried out and this was unprecedented.
Frankly speaking, even if she was genuinely impressed with Lin Jin’s beast appraisal skills, Tan Lin still felt intense jealousy. Who could blame her? Even those with stronger minds would also feel envy.
A Rank 3 beast appraiser! That was the highest level a person could achieve in Jade Dragon Kingdom. While headquarters had many Rank 3 beast appraisers, they were all highly respected and aged individuals.
Even the youngest ones weren’t as young as Lin Jin.
Previously, Lin Jin was the youngest Rank 2 beast appraiser in Maple City, but now, he should be Jade Dragon Kingdom’s youngest Rank 3 beast appraiser in history.
Tan Lin’s jealousy soon receded. After careful thought, she knew that Lin Jin must have done something incredible for His Majesty to grant him this special promotion.
By factoring in her understanding of Lin Jin’s skills, the man was already at the standard for a Rank 3 beast appraiser so they should be celebrating right now.
Still, it didn’t mean that Tan Lin wouldn’t feel agitated.
She had a great relationship with Lin Jin. Both of them could even be considered good friends but a friendly competition was unavoidable. Moreover, to move forward alone on the path of beast appraising did sound somewhat lonely.
‘Lin Jin, I’ll be going to Heavenly Spiral Academy soon so let’s just see if I can catch up to you in the future,’ Tan Lin thought.
Lin Jin’s promotion to Rank 3, in turn, fired up Tan Lin’s fighting spirit.
As Lin Jin and Bai Zhenkong engaged in pleasant conversation, apprentices outside overhead the contents of their exchange. Immediately, news of Lin Jin obtaining an exceptional promotion up to Rank 3 spread like wildfire.
Soon, the news was all over Maple City’s Beast Appraisal Association.
“Master Lin is back?”
Zhao Ying, Lu Xiaoyun, and Jia Qian were thrilled when they heard the news in the consultation hall. Han Dong even got up to rush outside but was stopped by Shang’er.
Among their group, she already knew of Lin Jin’s return so she had them calm down.
“Master Lin must have many things to take care of and I presume that many people will be paying him visits later on. Let’s not go and disturb him. Master Lin didn’t disturb us earlier because he wanted us to focus on our jobs so let’s just continue appraising and treating beasts.”
After Shang’er said that, Zhao Ying, Lu Xiaoyun, and Jia Qian calmed down.
Han Dong also returned obediently as they knew that Shang’er was right.
If they simply went over, Master Lin might have scolded them in return. Since they now learned that he had come back, there was no need to rush.
And so, after their excitement passed, the group carried on with their work.
However, they couldn’t conceal the thrill and delight on their faces. A Rank 3 beast appraiser! That was a top-class status in Jade Dragon Kingdom. As disciples of a Rank 3 beast appraiser, this naturally gave them much more glory.
And also pressure.
They had to pass the next advancement exam to become official beast appraisers or they risked being laughed at by others. If that happened, even they wouldn’t forgive themselves.
The news already fired them up this much, so it goes without saying that everyone else in the association felt the same.
Appraiser Gao Jiang had been rather pleased today. He had recently been in contact with a Rank 3 beast appraiser at headquarters and intended to officially learn under that individual.
With this, he would obtain support in headquarters and his voice could be heard. Having a teacher to guide him would surely improve his skills as well.
For this, Gao Jiang had spent tremendous effort and a huge sum of money to have it done.
Just as he was feeling delighted, he heard a piece of shocking news.
Lin Jin had returned. Immediately after, the emperor, His Majesty had issued a royal decree to specially promote Lin Jin to Rank 3 beast appraiser, and headquarters agreed.
This news was too overwhelming for Gao Jiang.
On the inside, Gao Jiang had always been reluctant to acknowledge Lin Jin, thinking that he would surpass Lin Jin in terms of appraisal skills one day. Hence, he had been very hardworking all this while.
Based on his judgment, he had confidence about passing the next advancement exam to achieve Rank 2.
However, news of Lin Jin being promoted to Rank 3 came like a bolt from the blue, striking down at Gao Jiang until his mind went blank. A Rank 3 beast appraiser! That was a completely different level and domain that Gao Jiang hadn’t dared to imagine. To think Lin Jin achieved it so quickly without having to take an exam but was granted by the emperor’s unique authority.