Seeing Lin Jin frozen in his tracks, while the others thought nothing of it, Zu Can shuddered in fear.
The others weren’t aware of Lin Jin’s caliber, but Zu Can was. His knowledge of Lin Jin was, of course, limited, but he at least knew that the man’s pet beast was a Rank 3 and knew that after entering the Friar Association, Lin Jin’s initial assessment of his blood contract was on the fourth realm.
Either one of these two factors should have made him an intimidating figure to the Zu family.
However, Zu Can kept quiet, nor did he try to mediate.
Since the Zu family members wanted to let their mouths run, they deserved everything that was coming their way.
Lin Jin then turned to look at the Zu family’s third elder and shook his head. “Zu Can was right. You are disrespectful despite your age. Since you don’t know how to speak, I think it’s best if you never do again.”
Having said that, he turned and left.
The others assumed Lin Jin might do something else but to their surprise, he left after uttering those ‘harsh words’.
Some of them laughed immediately. The third elder wanted to laugh too when he suddenly noticed a frightening matter.
He couldn’t laugh anymore.
He wanted to say something but when he opened his mouth, his voice failed to come through. As if his throat had been sealed up, he couldn’t make even a peep.
This got him panicking.
Clenching his throat, he tried to cough but still, he couldn’t make a sound.
When they came to realize what was happening, the others hurried over to examine the situation but failed to find anything wrong. The third elder’s eyes widened as he started breathing heavily. Alas, as he was too riled up, the old man passed out following a hiccup.
Another round of chaos ensued.
Even Zu Tianhong was startled. He glanced at Zu Can and the latter nodded his head discreetly. Zu Tianhong understood that signal and said no more.
Somehow, Lin Jin was behind this odd phenomenon.
Zu Tianhong was currently disappointed.
Although the family had always been in a state of internal dissonance, they had at least maintained a harmonious impression on the surface thus far. Ever since Zu Tianhong became head of household, he intended to change this unpleasant state, but the various factions within the family were too influential that he alone couldn’t make a difference.
Just like this situation today. He never thought his second and third uncle would take Zu Tianli’s side, creating such a shameful mess.
For a moment there Zu Tianhong was disheartened. He didn’t comment on anything else but went over to Zu Can and said, “Our family has mistreated Appraiser Lin today. Can’er, as you’re friends with Appraiser Lin, please apologize to him on my behalf.”
Zu Can nodded.
Seeming to have recalled something, Zu Can then asked, “What about the two-headed snake?”
Zu Tianhong laughed in spite of his anger. “If they want to fight for it, let them. Didn’t Appraiser Lin say that other than your brother, Yuan’er, he wouldn’t help anyone else form a blood contract? Did you think he was only saying that in a fit of pique?”
Feeling shocked, Zu Can understood right away what his father was trying to say.
His father knew the situation better than he did. Moreover, they had absolute confidence in Lin Jin’s skills. What the latter had implied in his statement was, no one else in the world could get the two-headed snake to form a blood pact other than him.
Once outside the Zu Manor’s gates, Lin Jin didn’t return home. After all, it was already daytime so he headed for the Beast Appraisal Association.
Zu Can appeared at the association later and began ceaselessly apologizing to Lin Jin, but the latter didn’t blame Zu Can or Zu Tianhong for what happened. Things were just as tough for Zu Tianhong as the patriarch when there was internal strife in the family.
However, since Zu Can was his friend, Lin Jin left him a message.
“Sooner or later those Zu family members of yours will beg for my services. When that time comes, let them come to me. Don’t you or Lord Zu get involved.”
At this, Zu Can smiled and agreed to it instantly.
Lin Jin also gave Zu Can an evaluation report.
It was a report for the sapphire turtle.
When the sapphire turtle was poisoned, Lin Jin had fostered it for several days and grew quite fond of it. And since Zu Can was a great loyal friend, Lin Jin decided to give his sapphire turtle an evolution method.
The sapphire turtle was only Rank 1 so moving up to Rank 2 wouldn’t be all that difficult. He had faith that once Zu Can’s pet beast evolved, his faction would hold greater influence within the family.
Zu Can couldn’t thank him enough.
Meanwhile, Lin Jin sat in his consultation hall, as usual, treating and appraising beasts. He didn’t plan on going to the Friar Association today.
Or rather, he wouldn’t go without any particular reason because he had already decided on which spells he would use during the disciple’s tournament.
He would use only two. One was ‘Fire Spirit Possession’, while the other was ‘Spell Negation’.
Lin Jin could have learned more and he had the time to practice too. But that wasn’t necessary. Having a handful of quality spells was far more valuable than a truckload of subpar ones. Two was more than sufficient for Lin Jin.
Hence after his daily work was done, Lin Jin immersed himself in practicing these two spells, continuously reenacting and improving them.
In the afternoon, Jia Qian came by.
She was here to return his evaluation report.
She previously borrowed his report on the injured deer and had spent the entire night studying it. She wasn’t the least bit tired after that because she had learned so much from Lin Jin’s work.
It was in the process of studying it that she realized the disparity in strength between her and Lin Jin.
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After letting the fact sink in, Jia Qian now understood that she had to bid farewell to her false ‘reputation’ and know her place.
She was merely an apprentice beast appraiser. Previously she thought too highly of herself and assumed that Lin Jin was beneath her so that gave way to contempt. But when this false vanity of hers disintegrated like bubbles, she achieved a sense of self-awareness.
Beast appraising has always been her dream. If she wanted to take one step further, she had to make a decision.
She wanted to learn under Lin Jin’s guidance, in other words, be affiliated with him.
No doubt, this act would definitely give rise to gossip and she would be looked down upon by her peers. But Jia Qian didn’t care about those things anymore. Only by letting go of her pride and earnestly seeking knowledge could she obtain an official beast appraiser certification.
Of course, she was also scared.
She was afraid that Lin Jin might reject her and bar her from learning under him.
But despite her fear, despite her uneasiness, Jia Qian braced herself and decided she would soldier on. Even if Lin Jin wouldn’t take her in, she wouldn’t give up but continue learning humbly.
At that moment, she saw Lin Jin practicing spells and the latter had obviously noticed her come in. Knowing that she was here to return his report, he said, “Just leave it there. If you want to read the other reports, help yourself. Just remember to return it afterward.”
She hesitated for the longest time before chewing her lip and kneeling down to pay her respects.
“Jia Qian would like to be affiliated with Appraiser Lin and learn the art of beast evaluations under your guidance. I hope that Appraiser Lin may grant my request.”
Having said that, she prostrated before him.
“Sure!”
Lin Jin never even looked up. He was currently contemplating the mysteries of Spell Negation. According to Xue Bao’er’s explanation, there should be room for improvement.
This included the incantation part of the spell, as well as getting more out of invoking the spell itself.
Jia Qian was baffled by his nonchalant response.
That was it?
Wasn’t that too easy? Lin Jin even seemed to be spacing out.
Was he still holding onto the grudge that once existed between them? Was he planning on wasting her time, or perhaps he would try to humiliate her after this?
Jia Qian remained stunned for a long while. When she realized that Lin Jin was still practicing spells, she decided to get up on her own. Jia Qian took a deep breath and proceeded to tidy up her new master’s hall, changing his tea before picking one corner where she would sit down and begin studying his evaluation reports.
Soon, Zhao Ying, Lu Xiaoyun, and Han Dong returned.
They had gone to the logistics department to retrieve their spirit stones and beast appraising amulets. They also got Lin Jin’s for him. However, Lin Jin rarely used these amulets when he appraised beasts.
Seeing Jia Qian sit in a corner, the trio was dumbstruck.
“Why is she here?” Lu Xiaoyun, with her straightforward personality, simply asked quietly. Han Dong shook his head while Zhao Ying rolled her eyes. “I came back together with you, how would I know?”
Lu Xiaoyun added with a frown, “This Jia Qian has been giving Master Lin a lot of trouble in the past so how dare she show up here? Her face must be as thicker than the city walls.”
Zhao Ying who had a gentle and forgiving personality urged, “Master Lin isn’t that petty of a person.”
Lu Xiaoyun retorted, “So you’re implying that I’m petty?”
At this, Han Dong quickly scooted aside in fear of getting caught in the crossfire.
When Jia Qian saw them return, she quickly got up and greeted them. Since Zhao Ying and the others were Lin Jin’s students before her, they were her ‘seniors’.
Once they learned that Jia Qian was here to be affiliated to Lin Jin, even Zhao Ying’s jaw dropped. After all, Jia Qian had always been known as the association’s ‘number one apprentice’. She was much more ‘reputable’ than they were in the past.
Seeing the determined look on Jia Qian’s face, it didn’t seem like she was lying.
Then, a brilliant thought came to Lu Xiaoyun. “So, this makes me your senior now. Well then, Junior Jia, I’m thirsty. Get me a cup of tea.”
At this, Zhao Ying immediately tugged Lu Xiaoyun.
However, Jia Qian quickly poured Lu Xiaoyun a cup of tea without retorting. Not only for Lu Xiaoyun, but she also poured tea for Zhao Ying and Han Dong without any complaints nor hints of reluctance.
“She really did it. It must be suffocating for her on the inside. I refuse to believe she can turn over a new leaf so quickly,” Lu Xiaoyun whispered with a cup in her hand.
Zhao Ying shook her head instead. “Xiaoyun, people can change. Moreover, the people who had genuinely been giving Master Lin trouble were Zhang He and Wang Ji. I think we should give her a chance because from what she says, Master Lin seems to have already accepted her as one of his students.”
Lu Xiaoyun felt anger rose in her. “Master Lin has a good temper and rarely ever turns people down. What if this Jia Qian still harbors ill-intentions in the end? What do we do then?”
Zhao Ying’s expression turned icy. “If that’s truly the case, I’d be the first to deal with her.”
Lu Xiaoyun chuckled. “That’s settled then. We’ll keep our eyes on her for the time being, and if we really catch her being her old self, you better not be lenient on her.”
Zhao Ying nodded.
Han Dong had been sweating profusely as he listened from the side, musing how terrifying women were.
It wasn’t until that evening that Lin Jin finally understood the essence of Spell Negation.
The term ‘Negation’ referred to negating his opponent’s spells. For example, if his opponent invoked ‘Thirst for Blood’ during a pet beast battle, Lin Jin could use Spell Negation to cancel out his opponent’s ‘Thirst for Blood’.
The spell itself didn’t have any offensive abilities.
During the disciple’s tournament, as the contestants weren’t allowed to use spirit stones to supplement their energy, everyone had to plan the usage of spells meticulously. They had to use the most suitable spells to achieve maximum results.
Spell Negation could be very useful at times. For example, when someone used more than ten stones of spiritual energy on one enhancement spell for their pet, if his opponent used Spell Negation, that would simply cancel out the enhancement. When used like this, a single spell was sufficient to determine the outcome of the match.