Having come from a prominent family, Gao Jiang’s perspective was clearly different from average folk.
What he saw wasn’t just the incident of Lin Jin being promoted to Rank 3, but the fact that it was a personal order from Jade Dragon Kingdom’s emperor.
What did that mean?
In Gao Jiang’s mind, Lin Jin had obviously gained the support of His Majesty.
Right. Hadn’t Lin Jin headed to the royal capital a while back?
No one had known what he was there for but Gao Jiang knew now.
Thus, the sense of superiority and anticipation that Gao Jiang worked so hard to nurture was extinguished and destroyed like a tiny ember in a storm.
Drenching him cold, inside and out.
He had no chance.
He had no chance of ever surpassing Lin Jin.
Bai Zhenkong said many things to Lin Jin, though it was mostly just to deepen their relationship. When he truly had nothing left to say, the city lord took his leave. Before he left, Bai Zhenkong even sincerely requested that Lin Jin come over to the City Lord Manor for tea if he had time.
Clearly, not only Gao Jiang thought it through, but Bai Zhenkong also figured it out as well.
He befriended Lin Jin not only because Lin Jin was a Rank 3 beast appraiser or the fact that he had a Rank 4 pet beast and that he entered the Guardian Department and become an official guardian.
The greatest reason of all was that Lin Jin had gained the emperor’s favor.
This was why Bai Zhenkong was being so courteous as he befriended Lin Jin.
Simply put, Bai Zhenkong couldn’t afford to provoke Lin Jin now.
Once Bai Zhenkong had left, Tan Lin scanned Lin Jin up and down several times before declaring, “Appraiser Lin, I’ll do my best to study in Heavenly Spiral Academy, and when I return, I’ll definitely catch up to you.”
This was an aspiration and a vow.
At first, Lin Jin thought nothing of it. But after seeing Tan Lin’s serious expression, he knew that her declaration was somewhat like a vow to the gods.
And so, Lin Jin nodded and wished her the best.
In actual fact, Lin Jin knew that Tan Lin’s skill level was only closest to his when they first met. From then on, the distance between them just continued to grow and grow, until finally, Tan Lin would never catch up to him.
Next, many people in the association came over upon hearing the news to convey their congratulations.
After all, Maple City wasn’t the most prosperous city in Jade Dragon Kingdom so they had never had a Rank 3 beast appraiser. Now that it was happening for the first time, coming over to pay their compliments sounded reasonable.
Among them included the elders and department managers of the association.
Tan Lin’s place had been considered spacious, but it became a little too crowded as the number of people grew. Seeing as most of the association’s authority figures were here, she felt this was the right time to announce their new chief candidate.
As she was leaving tomorrow, announcing it now seemed appropriate.
Thus, Tan Lin made a decision and revealed it. As everyone listened, although they were shocked, no one said anything. After all, Lin Jin was already a Rank 3 beast appraiser. In fact, having him take up the role of a mere branch chief despite his rank was considered wasting his talents.
Since Lin Jin had agreed to take up this position, he wouldn’t go back on his word.
To Lin Jin, this was a double blessing. But with his current state of mind, be it his exceptional promotion to Rank 3 or his sudden new position as Maple City Beast Appraisal Association’s chief, they were all just minor things to Lin Jin. None of these even came close to stirring him up compared to the time when he discussed cultivation with the old Taoist Wu Qian at the royal capital.
When he was done with things here, it had gotten dark outside. As Lin Jin left the association, he saw Zhao Ying and the group waiting outside for him.
He could tell that they’ve been waiting for quite some time.
“Master Lin!”
The apprentices hurried over to greet Lin Jin upon spotting him.
Lin Jin nodded.
Lin Jin was very pleased with these disciples of his. Based on his observation today, even Lu Xiaoyun, who was the weakest in skills among the group, had the makings of an official beast appraiser.
Not to mention Zhao Ying and Han Dong, especially Jia Qian who was most competent among them. All of them were at the standard of an official beast appraiser. Perhaps they would all pass the next exam.
“You guys must have waited long, haven’t you?” Lin Jin asked with a smile. Dressed in long robes and carrying an elegant demeanor, he seemed more like a lecturer now.
Perhaps due to cultivating the Beastmaster Fourth Scroll and merging with Xiao Huo, Lin Jin now had a divine air to his being.
After all, the Dharma body originally gave off such an effect.
Now, Lin Jin’s little house was much more cramped.
Zhao Ying and the group came over. Including Shang’er and Little Five, that was seven people in a limited space. Together with their pet beasts and the monsters, they could only sit outside in the yard.
Zhao Ying and the others wanted to cook a meal, but Lin Jin didn’t agree. After all, they were also exhausted from a long day so he said there would always be a next time.
Sure enough, Lin Jin didn’t have much to do next. Moreover, since he agreed to take over as chief of Maple City’s Beast Appraisal Association, he wouldn’t be able to go anywhere for now.
There was a lot to do as branch chief.
Halfway through their pleasant chat, more people came. It was Lu Yunhe and Shi Wenjun.
In fact, with Lin Jin’s sensing abilities, he could tell that Ye Yuzhou was here too. Only, the man must have felt it awkward to be around so many youngsters so he waited outside without coming in.
After sending Zhao Ying and the others away, Lin Jin went out to see Ye Yuzhou.
“Congratulations, Appraiser Lin.” Ye Yuzhou smiled. “This is truly a double blessing for you.”
Lin Jin smiled without commenting much on it. Ye Yuzhou was right, this did count as a double blessing.
Ye Yuzhou had heard about what happened in the royal capital from Black Crow and the others. Although he wasn’t there to witness it, he knew some of the details well.
Hence, Ye Yuzhou understood why Lin Jin would receive such an exceptional honor in the form of a promotion from His Majesty. The latter was trying to gain Lin Jin’s favor and please ‘Curator’.
“During the last Visitation Hall opening, Curator just said a few words and left in a hurry. We’ve been worried and wonder how Curator is doing lately?” Unable to contain himself, Ye Yuzhou voiced his concern.
Not only was he curious but during their last meeting, the other visitors also begged him to clarify with Lin Jin if Ye Yuzhou ever saw the younger man.
Back then, Lin Jin was trying to decipher Carrier Cloud in the Unending Nature Landscape, but he definitely couldn’t say that. So, he simply answered with ‘I don’t know’.
Ye Yuzhou didn’t press the question.
The two continued to chat for some time until it was very late. Then, Ye Yuzhou took his leave.
Now, Lin Jin could finally go back and rest properly.
Unlike the others, Shang’er didn’t have many questions for Lin Jin. She just served him quietly and until everyone had left, when she saw Lin Jin sitting cross-legged as he meditated, Shang’er sat beside and studied him curiously.
Among Lin Jin’s peers, Shang’er’s cultivation and observing skills were the best. Hence, she could see just how much Lin Jin had changed since he left.
“What are you looking at?” Lin Jin asked without opening his eyes.
Shang’er quickly straightened herself and asked, “Master Lin, where is Xiao Huo?”