“Master Gu, have you met a Rank 4 beast appraiser before?” Lin Jin was curious. If his answer was yes, then he wanted to hear about it. Gu Mengzhong smiled and said, “Let’s talk as we go.”
After paying for their drinks, Gu Mengzhong and Lin Jin left the village together. Upon arriving at a secluded area, Lin Jin summoned his eagle while Gu Mengzhong played a tiny flute. Soon, a huge white crane descended from the sky.
Lin Jin was surprised. Eagles were so rare in Jade Dragon Kingdom that average folk couldn’t possibly afford one. To think Gu Mengzhong managed to get himself a bird like this after embarking on his adventure.
However, Lin Jin found the eagle to be much more reliable as the crane was one size smaller in comparison. It was just too thin.
“I got this crane as a gift from an old friend in Heavenly Spiral Kingdom. They’re considered rare but it’s a pity they can’t fly very fast. Have my apologies in advance, as you will have to slow down later, Brother Lin,” Gu Mengzhong said with a smile.
Lin Jin nodded. And so, both of them took to the skies with Gu Mengzhong leading the way.
Admittedly, Gu Mengzhong did somewhat resemble an outstanding immortal with the blade hanging around his waist as he rode his white crane. With the sword by his side, he looked like he was heading out to rid the world of everything all things evil!
This was definitely a one-of-a-kind selling point.The more he aged, the greater his maturity and manly appeal. In comparison, Lin Jin looked more like a disciple following behind him.
As the eagle and crane soared together, the two humans on their backs enjoyed a pleasant conversation. Senior Mo crouched next to Lin Jin as he listened quietly to their conversation..
Such thoughts were currently running through Senior Mo’s mind.
He was allowed to come along under the pretext that he would act as Lin Jin’s guide. However, it wasn’t long before they realized he was useless in that area. This meant that Lin Jin could send him back at any time.
This wasn’t a good thing. As a result, Senior Mo decided to lower his presence. It was best if Appraiser Lin temporarily forgot about his existence, about this extra baggage he was lugging around.
Once they reached Heavenly Spiral Kingdom and all was said and done, Appraiser Lin probably wouldn’t send him back, right?
Even if that happens, he would say he didn’t know the way back. Anyhow, every single minute he spent together with Lin Jin counted.
Senior Mo more or less figured that Appraiser Lin had acquiesced to him tagging along during this journey. If that were the case, it was all the more reason why he shouldn’t interrupt Appraiser Lin’s conversation with his old friend.
With Gu Mengzhong showing him the way, Lin Jin’s journey became much more relaxed. In the end, it didn’t even take one day for them to reach the borders of Heavenly Spiral Kingdom.
“Heavenly Spiral Kingdom has a hundred and three counties and is larger than your average country. They have a much greater landmass than Jade Dragon Kingdom, so even after we enter their border, it would take at least one more day before we arrive at the royal capital. Oh, and keep in mind the airspace restrictions once we’re inside their territory.”
To prove Gu Mengzhong’s point, several eagles could be seen flying toward them at rapid speed. Before long, they appeared before Lin Jin and Gu Mengzhong.
“You have reached the borders of Heavenly Spiral Kingdom. Without official order, no one is to enter our airspace. Descend right now,” barked a soldier who was fully clad in armor.
However, at the sight of Gu Mengzhong’s heroic appearance, the soldier refrained from sounding too harsh.
Gu Mengzhong had clearly been here one too many times so he chuckled and issued them a salute.
“Don’t worry, my good men. That is what we intend to do, and we come in peace.”
Having said that, he turned to look at Lin Jin.
Lin Jin nodded.
Since they were in someone else’s territory, they should respect the local rules.
The soldier scrutinized Lin Jin and Gu Mengzhong. Even Senior Mo was being eyed by the other soldiers. It was only after the group landed and started traveling on foot did the soldiers leave.
“That was Heavenly Spiral’s Sky Patrol. They have at least several thousand soldiers who possess their own eagles. They’re very strong too,” Gu Mengzhong explained.
Lin Jin was shocked by this discovery.
‘As expected of a premium country. Although Jade Dragon Kingdom has eagles too, they were exclusive to royalty and aristocrats. It’s incredibly difficult for anyone else to even get one for private use,” he mused.
And yet, Heavenly Spiral Kingdom was able to equip several thousand Sky Patrol soldiers with one eagle each. This was the perfect demonstration of what set apart premium nations from their intermediate counterparts.
A premium country was premium alright. Even more so for a prominent country like Heavenly Spiral.
“The number one country in United Continent sure lives up to its name!” Lin Jin exclaimed.
Since they couldn’t ride their birds, the only option left was to walk.
Suddenly, Senior Mo braced himself and offered, “Appraiser Lin, Master Gu, if you don’t mind, you can ride on my back. I’m not good at anything else but I’m fast as lightning! Any steed or leopard can’t even compare to me!”
It was a self-recommendation.
Lin Jin nodded and Senior Mo was thrilled.
This was great news for him because it meant that Appraiser Lin was willing to let him tag along. With this, learning cultivation methods, Transfiguration, and the secret of extending his lifespan shouldn’t be a problem at all.
Senior Mo immediately enlarged his physique until he was big enough to support the weight of two grown men. Still, that wasn’t even his original form. Should he return to his original size, forget two people, he could even carry ten without breaking a sweat.
Old Mo wasn’t boasting at all. He was indeed fast when he galloped. With Gu Mengzhong around, Lin Jin didn’t have to worry about getting lost. He could relax and talk to Gu Mengzhong to further understand the situation at Heavenly Spiral. Then, at times, he could rest his eyes or recite the studies of cultivation.
These lectures were obviously for Senior Mo.
Having lived for more than two hundred years, Senior Mo had grown to become an incredibly intelligent creature. Whatever Lin Jin recited, he memorized it all. Whenever he came across parts that he failed to understand, he would wait for Lin Jin to finish the lecture before raising his questions. Of course, Lin Jin did not hold back when it came to answering these questions.
Senior Mo was thrilled.
He had finally taken the first step.
To Lin Jin, this wasn’t anything at all. Senior Mo might be useful in the future and he had proved his loyalty. Lin Jin didn’t mind teaching him a few skills here and there.
Meanwhile, Gu Mengzhong was dumbstruck all the way. When the opportunity arose, he asked Lin Jin, “Brother Lin, are you talking about a monster’s cultivation method?”
Lin Jin didn’t deny it. “Transfiguration too.”
Gu Mengzhong’s speculation was right on the mark. Immediately, he lowered his voice to say, “Brother Lin, I’ve gained a little experience from my travels so you should know cultivation methods, especially monster cultivation methods are secrets that shouldn’t be passed on to just anyone, even if they could be found anywhere. You have to be careful about it because if those with ill intentions hear it, it might spell the end for you. Among these include monsters who lack cultivation guidance. These monsters know no courtesy as they are beasts by nature.”
This was a friendly reminder so Lin Jin thanked him.
Gu Mengzhong was actually right. Many monsters had no etiquette. Those that spent their lives in the wilderness and knew only the law of the jungle, unlike humans who lived in communities where social rules were enforced. Even poor families who couldn’t afford education had to learn their manners at home, even if they were illiterate. They had to learn how to be proper humans.
Hence, most monsters were savage and ruthless.
It was an indisputable fact.
However, Lin Jin refused to judge a creature by its kind. Like how there were wretches among humans, there were always going to be benevolent beings among monsters. It was called being objective.
With idle chatter and random lectures to pass the time, they arrived at the edge of Heavenly Spiral Kingdom’s royal capital in less than two days.
Looking from afar, Lin Jin noticed a castle built on top of a hill. It was an overbearing construction with towering walls and high buildings. Judging by its aura, that place seemed to be filled with champions and powerful beasts. It was one of the most domineering places Lin Jin had come across thus far.
