Chapter 341: Flames, Ashes
If that were the case, even his father couldn’t order a Rank 5 beast appraiser around. In the Heavenly Spiral Kingdom, a Rank 5 beast appraiser was their greatest ‘resource’. Princes who intend to contend for the throne would have a bigger advantage if they manage to obtain support from a Rank 5 beast appraiser.
They had a saying in their nation.
‘Five rings to rule the country’.
A Rank 5 beast appraiser could afford to deter neighboring premium countries looking to expand their territory. When one person could support an entire country, it wasn’t hard to imagine how influential that person would be.
Even if this ‘Curator’ wasn’t at Rank 5, he was at least a Rank 4 beast appraiser, meaning he was an individual worthy of befriending.
As his thoughts ran wild, Feng Ziqian suddenly heard Curator speak. “A Rank 4 Zheng beast, fire attribute…”
Lin Jin revealed the details of Feng Ziqian’s pet beast as if he was reading off a list, something which startled the prince.
To think the man would know so much.
How was this humanly possible?
Of the beast appraisers he had met, none possessed this degree of prowess unless they already had prior information on his pet beast.
Feng Ziqian grew suspicious again.
But after contemplation, it didn’t seem right.
The information Curator provided was so detailed that there were even some which the prince was unaware of. For example, the fact that his beast had suffered a lightning strike during its juvenile stage, an incident that left it with a hidden illness.
It didn’t feel like the man was running his mouth because every detail he mentioned earlier was flawlessly accurate.
Lin Jin patted the Zheng beast’s head and then touched its horn. “Great potential and very talented. Based on your current situation, there’s a possibility you’ll evolve into Rank 5 in a few years.”
After that, Lin Jin said, “Return!”
The beast instantly disintegrated into a ball of flames, streaming back to Feng Ziqian.
This further spooked Feng Ziqian, whose heart was drumming against his ribcage. As his pet beast had a terrible temper, the creature would never listen to anyone but Feng Ziqian.
Even if they were the Rank 4 beast appraisers Feng Ziqian was acquainted with.
His valuation of ‘Curator’ had once again increased.
After touching number eleven’s pet beast, Lin Jin turned and walked toward number twelve, causing the latter to shudder in fear. She instinctively took a step back.
Ever since appearing in the Visitation Hall, this woman had shown nothing but composure and tranquility. Even when Feng Ziqian unleashed his murderous intent, she was unfazed. Her mental tolerance was surprisingly strong.
However, at this moment, she was flustered.
Although it was just a man in a mask, everything about him unnerved Zhao Jingyan.
Something like this had never happened before.
Zhao Jingyan’s background was fairly unique. Once, she was a highly respected individual who commanded formidable strength. Average countries were nothing but houses of cards before her. However, even Achilleas had his heel. She stumbled across an unfortunate event so grave that it could kill your average man eight hundred times over. Even someone like Zhao Jingyan had to pay a staggering price for it.
Although she didn’t die, she knew it was impossible to turn her life around again.
Her plan was to commit suicide.
But right before she did the deed, she was abruptly sucked into this place.
For someone who was moments before her own death, she had no fear left. Even just now, she silently hoped that Feng Ziqian would kill her, granting her ultimate and final wish.
Though, her curiosity had been piqued by this Visitation Hall so she had been paying attention, pondering the credibility of the things she heard.
When this ‘Curator’ mentioned by the other visitors appeared, Zhao Jingyan figured that they were probably telling the truth.
Her suspicion was confirmed when she witnessed how this Curator tamed Feng Ziqian’s beast without effort, and how he read off the statistics of the beast. Zhao Jingyan’s guess was that this ‘Curator’ must be a Rank 5 beast appraiser. Even if the man wasn’t wearing a corresponding appraiser’s sleeve.
In fact, true experts would never allow themselves to be classified by an assessment system formulated by the masses.
Still, it wasn’t like she hadn’t met a Rank 5 beast appraiser before. However, for reasons unknown to her, Zhao Jingyan inadvertently panicked when the masked man started approaching her.
Reality oftentimes would never conform to one’s wishes, so Lin Jin did not stop as he approached her.
“What do you want?” Zhao Jinyan couldn’t resist asking.
Of course, she had to ask that question.
The man had said he would touch their pet beasts and he did exactly that in relation to Feng Ziqian’s beast. However, it would be impossible to touch hers.
This was also the reason for Zhao Jingyan’s despair. Her pet beast had died.
It didn’t matter who you were dealing with, the death of a companion beast was a huge deal. It was even more so for Zhao Jingyan. Although this was just one of the many psychological blows of life, it was undoubtedly the biggest loss for Zhao Jingyan.
Moreover, her pet beast was dead so how could this ‘Curator’ touch it?
This wasn’t an excuse for him to fondle her, was it?
Zhao Jingyan’s mind subconsciously drifted to the worst assumptions.
Lin Jin had no idea what she was thinking about. Since just now, he had been curious about her, or more specifically, the unique aura she was exuding.
This woman had surely cultivated the Beastmaster Scroll before and probably up to the third scroll at that.
In the world of today, besides Lin Jin who had cultivated the Beastmaster Fourth Scroll, the third scroll was the limit for most mortals.
Those who had cultivated this technique before would carry with them the aura of their pet beasts, allowing others to gauge these creature’s statuses. Through his curator’s mask, Lin Jin saw something behind the woman.
Ashes.
Floating about behind this woman was a bundle of ashes. An average person would never see it. Even experts like Ye Yuzhou couldn’t see it. Lin Jin was no average person.
They were in the Visitation Hall, a place that heightened Lin Jin’s senses. In addition to the enhancements provided by his curator’s mask, Lin Jin could see what everyone else couldn’t.
These ashes demonstrated this fact well.
And so, Lin Jin reached over to where the ashes were most condensed.
“Shameless!” Zhao Jingyan was ready to smack his hand away when she saw him reach toward her. She had only lost her pet beast but her physical capabilities weren’t half bad. Though it was a pity her opponent was Lin Jin.
It took only one needle to deal with her.
Paralyzing her with his needle, Zhao Jingyan felt a sting in her neck before dreadful realization set in that she had been paralyzed.
At that moment, chills ran down her spine.
The woman wasn’t a beast so Lin Jin’s deterrence ability didn’t work on her. Still, he had one too many methods when it came to stunning a fellow human being.
Lin Jin grabbed that pile of ashes before forcefully dragging it out of its hidden state.
It hadn’t been a quiet process. Quite the contrary, the commotion was huge as everyone else watched how a bundle of burning ashes appeared in Curator’s hand as if he was holding onto a handful of charcoal that was about to turn into dust.
That pile of charcoal was burning hot, and the way ash and smoke kept pouring out added to its intimidating aura.