Somewhere inside Heavenly Spiral Academy, Appraiser Yang Ming was flipping through some ancient books. An item laid waiting on his table.
It was an old and simple-looking wooden plate, though the strangest thing would be its material that looked somewhat like a combination of wood and metal. If Lin Jin was here, he would have instantly recognized it to be the token to his Visitation Hall.
Just like the family heirloom of Reed City’s Qiao family.
However, there was one slight difference, and that was the number carved on this token. The Qiao family’s token had borne the number ‘three’, but Yang Ming’s wooden token was number ‘two’.
Appraiser Yang Ming’s brows were knit tightly together. After the longest time, he put down the book in his hand.
“Just what kind of secrets does this wooden token contain?” Appraiser Yang Ming mumbled to himself. Just then, he heard footsteps coming from outside before a voice announced, “Teacher, that Lin Jin tore away your notice this morning.”
The person speaking outside was one of Yang Ming’s private students, a rather well-known Rank 2 appraiser in the academy who had the highest potential of passing the Rank 3 assessment this year.
“Got it. You may leave now,” Yang Ming instructed indifferently.
Outside, his student was stunned by his response. After a moment of silence, he whispered, “But sir, that Lin Jin is new here, and he doesn’t seem to know his place. You may be able to tolerate him but as your students, we simply can’t stand around and watch him disrespect you! We plan to meet Lecturer Lin in his next class and challenge him in front of everyone, humiliating him.”
By that, the student was talking about raising impossible to answer questions beast appraising techniques. This person was clearly conceited enough to assume that his queries would put Lin Jin in a tough spot. Of course, it would be humiliating for any teacher to fail to answer their students’ questions.
Yang Ming shook his head. “I may resent him because he hails from Jade Dragon Kingdom but this Lin Jin is genuinely capable. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to pass the Rank 4 assessment so smoothly. Although you now possess the capabilities of a Rank 3 appraiser, you’re still far too inferior compared to Lin Jin. Do not attempt to bring contempt upon yourself. Not only would you be humiliated, but I would also be shamed.”
Upon hearing this, the student outside was startled and he quickly killed the idea.
“Disliking him is one thing, but acknowledging his strength is another. Let the incident this morning be bygones. I did have a class I wanted to give but I couldn’t make it in the end due to certain reasons. If this turns into a fuss, I won’t be able to explain myself to Mr. Zhong and the other teachers. Let this be the end of our spat.” Having said that, Yang Ming had the student excuse himself before shifting his attention back on the wooden token on his table.
This token was delivered to him by a good friend last night. Yang Ming was a Rank 4 beast appraiser, and one of the perks of his status was having a vast social network. How many friars in the world could guarantee that their pet beasts would never fall ill or get injured?
Needless to say, many people hoped to befriend an experienced appraiser. Having served in Heavenly Spiral City for so many years now, Yang Ming had grown to have tons of friends.
This good friend of his was a famous friar who enjoyed traveling and excelled in uncovering treasures. Simply put, he was a tomb raider. Once, this person had gotten himself severely injured in an immortal’s tomb and his pet beast almost died. It was Yang Ming who saved his companion. Since that incident, both men had grown to become good friends. Last night, after Yang Ming instructed his pupil to put up his lecture notice, this friend decided to give him a surprise visit.
When he arrived before Yang Ming, he was visibly anxious. He said that he needed Yang Ming’s help looking after something for the time being.
Speaking of which, tomb raiders like him lived on wicked deeds so he didn’t have many reliable friends. Although Yang Ming was an arrogant man, he was at least genuine to his actual friends. Hence, the tomb raider chose to rely on him in times of need.
The tomb raider explained that ever since obtaining this strange token, he was stalked and hunted by mysterious forces. He had experienced several clashes before finally arriving here at Heavenly Spiral City. With no one else to trust, he could only leave the token with Yang Ming. At the same time, he hoped that his beast appraiser friend would be able to uncover the secret behind this ordinary-looking thing.
“Appraiser Yang, this token had something to do with the world’s strongest, Daojun, from five hundred years ago. Word has it that whoever manages to uncover its secrets will gain Daojun’s inheritance. Perhaps this token is the reason that I’m attracting trouble, but I’m an uneducated man. I won’t be able to find anything on this token so why don’t you help me take a look at it? If you find anything, let’s share the secret together.”
This was what the tomb raider told Yang Ming before departing.
He clearly trusted Yang Ming. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have left such a valuable item in Yang Ming’s possession.
Since last night, Yang Ming had been searching through ancients texts, hoping to find the origins and secrets of this token. After an entire night’s research, he did manage to find some clues, and this token was indeed related to Daojun.
Some books had records of it and relevant information appeared in more than just one book.
It went without saying that Yang Ming knew who Daojun was. Daojun’s name was famous even in Heavenly Spiral Academy. Rumor has it that not only was Daojun the number one villain five hundred years ago, the strongest expert known to man, but he was also the number one beast appraiser, and a pioneer of beast appraisal studies.
It was precisely due to this that Yang Ming was adamant about discovering the token’s secrets.
Anyhow, Yang Ming found a statement in one of the ancient texts, This book was left behind by a beast appraiser from several years ago who spoke of an incident when meeting his friend. According to his account, ‘the numbered wooden token acting as a key, my friend disappeared through a door. When my friend returned, he was in a pleasant mood with an evident increase in knowledge.’
Said numbered wooden token was a piece of wood with a number carved into it. That perfectly describes the thing Yang Ming was holding right now!
Though, the part about ‘disappearing through the door’ was incredibly confusing. Where was this door?
Unfortunately, the only relevant portion of the ancient text provided only that much information. No other clues were available. Yang Ming naturally grew increasingly curious about the matter. However, due to his stubbornness and arrogance, Yang Ming rarely sought help, so after giving it some thought, he decided to ask his tomb raider friend in detail once he returned. His friend must know more about this thing.
Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by a jovial voice.
“Appraiser Yang Ming, have we disturbed you by visiting unannounced?”
After the voice, in came two academy lecturers, who were both Rank 4 beast appraisers, like Yang Ming.
“Oh, Appraiser Yan and Appraiser Ouyang. Why the sudden visit?” Yang Ming stood up to receive them. In the academy, both Appraiser Yan and Appraiser Ouyang were warm fellows who maintained pleasant relationships with all teachers. With Yang Ming’s unusual temperament, it was inevitable for him to clash with others. Appraiser Yan and Appraiser Ouyang were the polar opposite of him. Whenever a crisis arose, they would be the first to mediate the fight.
Appraiser Yan glanced around before starting with a smile, “Indeed, there’s a minor reason for our visit. I heard that Appraiser Yang has had a minor conflict with the newcomer, Appraiser Lin Jin, because of the First Lecture Hall.”
Yang Ming’s expression darkened and he stayed silent.
Appraiser Ouyang added smilingly, “I’ve heard the students discussing this too. It’s actually not that big of a deal. We’re all lecturers of the same academy and meet almost everywhere so we mustn’t argue over trivial issues. Appraiser Lin is new here so if he has made any mistakes, please bear with him, Appraiser Yang.”
Devoid of emotions, Yang Ming replied faintly, “I do not have any grudges with Appraiser Lin and it’s true that I wanted to use the First Lecture Hall yesterday but couldn’t make it due to an emergency. Also, I had my student post the notice in my stead. I can forgive him for not knowing any better, but Appraiser Lin personally tore off my notice. Does he not know any better too?”
With this, both Appraiser Yan and Appraiser Ouyang were speechless.
Indeed, Yang Ming was a strange character and it looked like this strife was far from over.
“My fellow appraisers, again, I have no grudges with Lin Jin himself. So long as he doesn’t provoke me again, I’m not the type to make a fuss over nothing. I’m busy, so if there is nothing else, please leave.” Yang Ming raised his hands to salute his guests.
Appraiser Yan and Appraiser Ouyang exchanged glances, smiled, and then left.
Yang Ming then remembered the token on the table. Turning around, he reached for it and tucked it safely inside his sleeve.
