Chapter 82: Rank 2 Beast Appraiser Exam
The loud screech of an eagle suddenly came from a distance and a gigantic eagle could be seen swooping across the sky, circling above their heads before making a swift landing.
The wind howled in its presence. Those who were slightly knowledgeable knew that this eagle was specially raised to carry humans and cargo. However, not everyone could afford to keep it.
Standing on the back of this eagle was a human.
It was a man in his thirties. He wore a cold expression while carrying a wooden box behind him.
Laying on the shoulder of this man was a peculiar pet beast.
A cloud snake.
According to the encyclopedia of beasts, a snake with wings and a crest on its head was called a cloud snake. The cloud snake was an intelligent species that could spit out poisonous lightning venom. It was a combination of lightning, wood, and wind attributes.
There was no doubt that it was a rare beast that was difficult to form a blood pact with and had an incredible potential rate.
At the sight of this man, Tan Lin frowned while Tan Xun smiled. “It’s Yu Mantang.”
Elder Du asked, “Yu Mantang? Could he be the recently promoted Rank 3 beast appraiser from headquarters?”
Tan Xun nodded.
That man leaped down from the eagle. After casting a spell, the eagle soared back into the clouds. If it was ever needed, the user only had to cast a corresponding spell to summon it back.
This scene got many people excited as they mused how cool it was.
Including Lin Jin.
He was almost drooling as he watched the eagle flap its mighty wings. In his mind, he decided if he ever got the opportunity, he would get himself an eagle as well. How convenient it would be to have one for traveling on!
“Where is Elder Du of Maple City’s Beast Appraisal Association?” Looking aloof, Yu Mantang raised his head slightly and asked in a proud voice.
However, he soon noticed Tan Xun and Tan Lin. With light in his eyes, he approached them at once and greeted, “Good day Master Tan!”
Tan Xun nodded with a slight smile.
“Lin’er, I heard you’ve come to Maple City so I took up this invigilation task. Who knew that I’d really run into you here.” There was a hint of flattery in Yu Mantang’s tone.
Tan Lin’s reaction, in turn, was rather cold when she responded after saluting him, “Greetings, Appraiser Yu!”
“There’s no need for such formalities between us!” Having said that, Yu Mantang noticed the crowd around them. He let out a dry cough before reverting to his stern appearance.
“Master Tan, I’m here at Maple City to oversee an exam. Once my task is complete, allow me to officially greet you afterward!” Then, Yu Mantang turned to the crowd.
“Where is Elder Du?”
Elder Du stepped forward.
“Elder Du, I am here on orders to invigilate the Rank 2 beast appraiser’s certification exam. Where are the candidates Lin Jin and Gao Jiang?” After asking his question, Elder Du beckoned Lin Jin and Gao Jiang over.
“Gao Jiang, although you didn’t pass last year, your answers were nicely done. With a little more effort this year, I’m sure there will be a chance for you to pass!” Yu Mantang encouraged. Then, when he turned to Lin Jin, he frowned.
This Lin Jin looked younger than Gao Jiang.
To him, a Rank 2 beast appraiser certification exam wasn’t child’s play. On average, while the exam candidates weren’t too old, they wouldn’t be this young either.
This man looked to be about seven or eight years younger than himself. To think that he was trying to get certified as a Rank 2 beast appraiser at this stage.
However, Yu Mantang didn’t say anything. There was a difference between a Rank 1 and 2’s beast appraiser exam, that is a Rank 2 exam candidate required initial screening. The managing elder of the local association would be in charge of this process so whoever could successfully get themselves registered must that passed the first screening.
“Elder Du, prepare a quiet exam hall for us and supervise the exam with me,” Yu Mantang instructed.
Every Beast Appraisal Association had such a venue.
A Rank 2 beast appraiser certification exam was strict business so only candidates Lin Jin and Gao Jiang were present in the large hall together with the invigilators, Yu Mantang and Elder Du.
Yu Mantang announced the examination rules. Once he was done, he took out a ‘practice beast’ from the wooden box he brought over.
Sealed inside this practice beast was a beast simulation amulet. Even Yu Mantang who was overseeing the exam had no idea which beast amulet it was.
This was the rule.
The contents of the exam were decided by the elders from headquarters through discussion. Once they reached a consensus, they sealed the amulet into the practice beast and had it sent directly to the exam candidates.
In addition, there was an ‘answer’ sheet provided that could only be opened by a spell, used only for assessing the scores once the exam was finished.
Just then, someone entered the hall. It was Tan Xun.
“Master Tan, what is the meaning of this?” Yu Mantang asked.
“I’m just here to act as a freelance invigilator. I believe it’s not against the rules!”
Indeed, if the other invigilator agreed, a Rank 3 beast appraiser was allowed to oversee the exam together.
Tan Xun held quite a prominent status and Yu Mantang was once his student. Hence, if the older man wanted to watch, how could Yu Mantang turn his request down?
And so, the doors closed and the windows were locked. The exam officially began.