This teacher came in contact with Mr. Zhong the most compared to others, so he understood Mr. Zhong’s status and temperament well. If the latter was disinterested toward someone, he would never waste his time on meeting them.
Judging by his reaction, Mr. Zhong might just have taken an interest in Tan Lin and intended to accept her as his disciple.
After all, given Mr. Zhong’s unique standing, whichever student who managed to study under him was certain to rise to greater heights and success.
Forget the students, even if this man, a Rank 3 beast appraiser and an assistant lecturer, was offered the opportunity to learn under Mr. Zhong, he would take it in a heartbeat.
Mr. Zhong was a veteran Rank 4 beast appraiser after all. His erudition was considered above average even among Rank 4 beast appraisers.
One would reap countless benefits by virtue of becoming his disciple.
Hence, when he heard that Mr. Zhong was requesting to meet a student despite never having such interests before, this teacher knew that Tan Lin was in luck.
It was great luck at that.
Of course, he was incredibly envious of her.
However, such envy was useless.
He hurried downstairs. As he descended the stairs, the young teacher made a split-second decision.
He would stop trying to curry favors from Jiang Fengfeng’s faction and sever all ties with her. Meanwhile, he would befriend this student named Tan Lin.
That’s right, he had to get closer to her.
Tan Lin might just become Mr. Zhong’s disciple. Even if it turns out to merely be an empty title, her future was sure to be limitless, so befriending someone with such potential would surely allow her luck to rub off on him.
Compared to Mr. Zhong, Jiang Fengfeng’s network wasn’t worth anything.
When he returned to the first floor, the young teacher had now regained his usually aloof countenance. He wore the stereotypical stern impression of an educator.
Those waiting downstairs were getting impatient.
It was especially so for Jiang Fengfeng. She couldn’t wait to crush Tan Lin, and because there was a wager in their competition, the thought of Tan Lin addressing her respectfully as ‘Senior’ got her excited.
“Mr. Wang!” Jiang Fengfeng greeted him on sight. Yet, the teacher walked over expressionless only to smile at Tan Lin after passing her.
This struck Tan Lin dumb.
After all, this teacher had never been nice to her at the Beast Appraisal Pavilion.
Tan Lin couldn’t stop the anticipation bubbling inside her heart when she noticed this change in attitude.
“The results of this competition are out. The victor is Tan Lin!” Mr. Wang announced with a smile, praise audible in his tone.
Of course, he had done so on purpose.
“What?” Assuming she had misheard his words, Jiang Fengfeng’s eyes widened. “Sir, pe-perhaps there has been a mistake?”
Jiang Fengfeng clearly did not expect to lose.
It was because she relied on someone else’s assistance this time, and this external helper was a Rank 3 beast appraiser. So, how could she possibly have lost?
Mr. Wang’s expression darkened at this. “Do I look like I’m joking? Tan Lin’s evaluation report was more accurate so it’s only natural for her to win.”
“Th-this… is impossible!” Jiang Fengfeng subconsciously turned to her childhood friend, the Rank 3 beast appraiser, and he was just as baffled.
The man marched over and asked the teacher, “Brother Wang, are you sure you’re not mistaken? I’ve taught Fengfeng before and her appraisal of that five-colored feather should’ve been correct.”
Mr. Wang’s answer was polite.
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“Brother Shen, I’m not saying that Jiang Fengfeng is wrong, but Tan Lin’s evaluation report was much more accurate and comprehensive. Also, it wasn’t me who assessed the reports but Mr. Zhong.”
Upon hearing Mr. Zhong’s name, the Rank 3 beast appraiser, Appraiser Shen, was stunned. After giving it some thought, he remained silent.
There was no need to say more.
He knew full well who Mr. Zhong was, and since this man was the judge, Appraiser Shen wouldn’t dream of ever going against him.
Thus, he could only give Jiang Fengfeng an apologetic look.
Jiang Fengfeng was on the verge of a mental breakdown.
What was supposed to be a sure-fire plan suddenly fell through so abruptly, and Tan Lin ended up crushing her instead! She couldn’t accept this. Just as she was about to come up with a retort, she was quickly stopped by Appraiser Shen.
“Student Tan Lin, please come with me. Mr. Zhong would like to see you!” Mr. Wang’s subsequent announcement startled everyone.
This time, even Appraiser Shen’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Tan Lin’s heart was thumping madly. She clearly knew who Mr. Zhong was. He was a member of the academy’s higher management and a legendary figure among beast appraisers.
And this esteemed individual wanted to meet her?
It would only be surprising if Tan Lin wasn’t excited.
Seeing this, Mr. Wang took the opportunity to comfort her, saying, “Relax, Tan Lin. Mr. Zhong is a very amiable man. Come, let’s not make him wait.”
Suddenly recalling something, Tan Lin quickly looked back to see Lin Jin nodding at her with a smile. Only then did she take a deep breath and followed Mr. Wang to the second floor of this Beast Appraisal Pavilion.
Jiang Fengfeng still couldn’t believe it but Appraiser Shen was much more level-headed. He understood how hot-tempered Jiang Fengfeng was, so he quickly pulled her away in case she did something foolish again.
As they left, Appraiser Shen’s senses picked up something, so he turned over abruptly to see Lin Jin standing among the crowd.
He also noticed the three rings on Lin Jin’s sleeve.
‘A Rank 3 at such a young age?’ Appraiser Shen’s eyebrows furrowed. He had noticed how Tan Lin was acquainted with this man earlier, and a peculiar thought suddenly came to mind.
Could Tan Lin had also…
He suddenly let out a helpless chuckle. So what if she did cheat? They were in the same camp themselves. Also, without evidence, everything they say would sound like an accusation. If they let their mouths run, he might get himself in trouble instead.
Forget it. They were just unlucky today.
He continued tugging the reluctant Jiang Fengfeng away.
Lin Jin had also noticed this young appraiser. The man was probably around his age, a few years older at most. To be able to rise up as a Rank 3 beast appraiser at such a young age meant that a bright future was guaranteed.
Earlier, Lin Jin heard them mention a ‘Mr. Zhong’. After careful deliberation, one name appeared in Lin Jin’s mind.
Zhong Zifeng!
That man was a legend in the study of beast appraising. At present, out of the many beast appraisal books available in this world, at least thirty percent of them were composed by this honorable figure.
Just this one fact proved the man’s prominence in his field of study.
Apart from that, Lin Jin had heard rumors about Zhong Zifeng being somewhat of a national treasure of Heavenly Spiral Kingdom. It seemed he had achieved Rank 4 status several decades ago.
It was no wonder his name caused such an uproar.
Would Tan Lin be alright up there?
After thinking about it more, Lin Jin shook his head. Tan Lin was an intelligent woman who knew how to choose her words. Her knowledge in beast appraising exceeded that of her peers. After all, she had the veteran beast appraiser Tan Xun as her personal mentor. When one considered her basic quality, there really was nothing to worry about.
As for the feather’s origins and appraisal method, Lin Jin had conveyed them all to her so she should be able to answer some simple questions.
With this in mind, Lin Jin and Li Xinqi retreated outside and found a place to sit down.