Tan Lin naturally hoped that Lin Jin could achieve his goal and advance to Rank 4. Looking back, she now realized how rapid Lin Jin’s improvement was in the art of beast appraising.
What’s more, knowing how strict her father was, Tan Xun would never have written the recommendation letter if he wasn’t a hundred percent convinced by his skill.
Hence, Tan Lin was confident that Lin Jin possessed the necessary skills to pass a Rank 4 assessment.
It was a good thing.
“Appraiser Lin, this must be your first time at Heavenly Spiral City, yes? Let me show you around. This place really lives up to its name as United Continent’s number one city.” Tan Lin had had one pleasant encounter after another today. Not only did a hometown friend visit her, but she also gained an apprenticeship under Mr. Zhong who was like a magnate of the beast appraising industry.
Today was a day worth celebrating.
Such was Tan Lin’s personality. She would actualize whatever came to her mind. Simply put, she was just a teeny bit reckless, and seeing how insistent she was, Lin Jin did not object to her suggestion. After all, it was normal for old friends to catch up after not meeting for so long.
“Right, I ran into Master Gu on the way here so we’ve been traveling together since. He’s waiting outside right now,” Lin Jin said.
Tan Lin was acquainted with Master Gu too since Tan Xun and Gu Mengzhong were old friends back at Jade Dragon City. Since the three of them were old acquaintances, it wouldn’t be awkward for them to get together.
However, Li Xinqi was adamant about tagging along. Unable to fight her off, Tan Lin could only let her come with.
With Tan Lin and Li Xinqi leading the way, Lin Jin managed to leave Heavenly Spiral Academy successfully. Tan Lin told him how she had also gotten lost during her first visit here. Both of them reached a consensus that the academy was a little too big for their preferences.
However, Lin Jin didn’t think it was only a matter of size. Since just now, he had noticed all students of Heavenly Spiral Academy wearing a jade piece.
It was a Student Beast Jade.
Made from inexpensive material, the unremarkable jade possessed surprisingly exquisite carvings. More importantly, unique spirit energy was imbued on them.
As the spirit energy was quite weak, those with low cultivation couldn’t sense it at all.
The way he saw it, the use of these student jades was to break an array.
Simply put, while Heavenly Spiral Academy’s interior seemed average, there was a certain magical formation in place. Every single plant, tree, or pavilion in here had unique patterns on them. Even some obscure rocks lying around could be part of the formation.
While Lin Jin failed to notice it earlier, he realized how quickly he was able to regain his bearings after meeting Li Xinqi.
In other words, the student jade could ward off the array so if intruders entered the campus grounds, they would have a hard time leaving.
This was considered one of Heavenly Spiral Academy’s hidden defenses, and from here, one could tell how formidable the institution was.
‘How remarkable.’
However, Lin Jin didn’t ask about this in detail. After they found Gu Mengzhong, the party of four toured the entire city with Tan Lin and Li Xinqi as their guide.
Then, they went to a rather famous restaurant where delectable delicacies were served before finally calling it a night.
Tan Lin and Li Xinqi would return to the academy while Lin Jin and Gu Mengzhong checked into an inn. It was getting dark outside. Lin Jin yawned and said to Gu Mengzhong, “Master Gu, it’s been a tiring journey for the past few days. I have to head to headquarters tomorrow morning so let’s turn in early.”
Gu Mengzhong nodded.
He was genuinely exhausted.
His age, coupled with his recent habit of drowning himself in alcohol almost every day, forced his body to give out. Thus, Gu Mengzhong nodded and retreated into his room to sleep.
A little while later, there was snoring.
Meanwhile, Lin Jin didn’t seem the least bit tired.
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In terms of cultivation, he was much stronger than Gu Mengzhong so forget the exhausting trip, Lin Jin could endure even more before feeling fatigued.
He only said that earlier so Gu Mengzhong would turn in early while he went to take care of something else.
What he was about to do carried the risk of going into a fight with his enemy and potentially losing one’s life in the process.
Seeing how Lin Jin was about to leave, Senior Mo’s eager expression indicated his wish to tag along. However, Lin Jin’s words simply killed Senior Mo’s spirit.
“Old Mo, stay here and don’t go anywhere. Cultivate the formula I’ve taught you because the lecture I gave today was the first three parts of Transfiguration. Focus on your cultivation so you can take on a human form quickly,” Lin Jin instructed sternly.
Despite being two hundred years old, Senior Mo dared not defy Lin Jin’s wishes so he stayed back at the inn obediently.
Once all the arrangements were in place, Lin Jin hopped out of the window. Although he couldn’t float like a feather, he could at least move around soundlessly.
His previous cultivation of vein strengthening, spirit energy absorption and the powers from his blood contract allowed Lin Jin to scale walls and leap off roofs easily.
He was going to search for the local bullies who staged the accident earlier today.
That rich young master, the bald shopkeeper, and their men could have something to do with the Demonic Appraisal Association. They might even be members of the association themselves.
In any case, Lin Jin had to get to the bottom of this.
Thanks to the needle he left on the bald shopkeeper, Lin Jin was able to detect his whereabouts with relative ease. The darkness of nighttime made it easier for him to pursue his enemies stealthily.
Heavenly Spiral City was huge, and unsurprisingly, it was teeming with life even after sunset.
Lin Jin stood at the entrance of an alleyway.
There was a sign here that read ‘Green Willow Lane’.
It was the name of the alley.
Looking inside, he could see the street decorated with bright lights and willow trees.
Candlelight illuminated the willow trees, music and cheers filled the air. If one listened closely, one could hear the soft playing of pipa[1] and drunk young men reciting popular poems.
Lin Jin saw a banner hanging at the front of a sorority house[2]. Some bored scholar had written a nameless poem on it.
Although the poem wasn’t anything special, it vividly depicted the situation here at Green Willow Lane. This place was probably a money-squandering den for affluent members of society.
The needle’s aura was coming from inside so the bald shopkeeper must be inside too.
Lin Jin smiled before lifting his hand to invoke the Camouflage spell. He then snuck into the building.
Whether or not he could reap anything today, Lin Jin had no idea. In any case, he had to confirm who these snakes were.
If they really were members of the Demonic Appraisal Association, Lin Jin might get the chance to obtain clues as to where the association’s main base was.
Upon learning that information, Lin Jin would wipe them out at once.
These were fiends who caused others grief without an ounce of remorse. Their branch in Reed City had demonstrated their savage nature when they massacred innocent civilians by the score. Even then, they crossed the line when they almost killed Shang’er and White Ape. Even if Lin Jin wasn’t doing it for a noble cause like upholding justice for the world, he had a very good reason for eliminating them due to this personal grudge.
Lin Jin wasn’t that forgiving of a person. Whoever hurt his people had to face the music, sooner or later.
With Camouflage activated, even if Green Willow Lane was filled with people, no one was capable of detecting Lin Jin. Even the scantily dressed ladies who solicited customers in front of the sorority house didn’t seem to notice Lin Jin walking by.
[1] Traditional chinese string instrument
[2] An establishment in ancient China where girls would gather to socialize, learn etiquette, as well as technical skills like sewing and making embroideries.