Huangfu Ming was just as astounded.
Back when he assessed and approved Lin Jin’s entrance into the Friar Association, he did not anticipate the beast appraiser to turn out to be this prodigious.
Honestly speaking, he regretted his decision slightly.
Should he have taken Lin Jin in back then?
But after thinking twice, Huangfu Ming had his principles he remained loyal to, and that was, he required his students to focus all their attention on cultivation. He did not tolerate half-heartedness in his students, which he was still doubtful that Lin Jin could pull off.
Hence, as amazed by Lin Jin’s blood contract realm level he was, Huangfu Ming had to uphold his rules.
Besides this, Huangfu Ming had other doubts.
He was worried that he wouldn’t be able to teach someone like Lin Jin.
And so, him coming over was just to confirm the truth in the invigilating elders’ statements.
After another brief moment of observation, without saying anything else, he abruptly turned and left.
By the time the other mentors realized his odd reaction, Huangfu Ming had already exited the assessment room.
“Why did Mr. Huangfu leave?”
The mentors were confused.
Although no one knew the reason, not having Huangfu Ming as one of the competition was good news for them.
One of the invigilating elders suddenly announced, “It’s done. He passed the fourth realm’s assessment.”
Inside the circle, the light on all three stone pillars gradually dimmed as the great force field slowly disintegrated.
Lin Jin who was standing in the center opened his eyes. Surprisingly, he seemed unsatiated.
“Perhaps the fourth realm isn’t my limit,” Lin Jin mumbled to himself. If he were honest, he wanted to continue with the assessment because he didn’t have to foot the bill anyway.
However, he was aware that, by continuing, if he passed the next round, that would put him on the fifth realm.
And that brought about one problem.
The fifth realm exceeded the limitations of a disciple. If the association didn’t let him join the disciple’s tournament because of this, Lin Jin would have defeated the purpose of why he was here in the first place.
So fourth realm it was! Lin Jin didn’t come here to show off his abilities but was here to obtain the lesser dragon blood pill for Xiao Huo’s next perfect evolution.
Once he was outside the circle, Lin Jin was startled.
Standing inside the room were many people with heated gazes. When he noticed the cloud patterns on their robes, Lin Jin came to a realization.
These people must be the Friar Association’s mentors.
“Amazing! To attain blood contract fourth realm on your first assessment is superb, young man,” one of the invigilating elders couldn’t resist complimenting Lin Jin as he handed him a disciple’s robe with four cloud patterns on it.
One of the mentors spoke up impatiently, “Lin Jin, I understand that you’re a freelancing disciple without a designated mentor. I can take you in as my student and guarantee that I’ll give you solo classes every day.”
Right after this mentor made his offer, another teacher added, “Teacher Qiao, it hasn’t even been a few years since you began instructing so your experience is still lacking. Considering how great Lin Jin’s foundation is, you might end up hindering his improvement instead. If he were to study under my guidance, I will bestow all my knowledge upon him.
“Teacher Wang, how can you say that? Did you think I wouldn’t offer him all my knowledge as well? Moreover, one’s experience is irrelevant where real capabilities are concerned. In terms of teaching, you’re inferior to me,” Teacher Qiao retorted aggressively.
Both dignified mentors would never behave this way, but for the sake of securing a prodigy, neither party was willing to back down.
Mr. Yi shook his head helplessly. “Everyone, we’re all here for the same purpose. Just as accomplished teachers are hard to obtain, quality students are hard to find as well. However, we can’t lose our honor as instructors because of this, and you also have to ask Lin Jin if he’s willing to learn under a mentor. If he has no such intention, all this arguing would be futile.”
This statement made sense.
Both Teacher Qiao and Teacher Wang nodded, turning to Lin Jin.
Mr. Yi turned to Lin Jin as well and said, “Lin Jin, I am Mr. Yi, and these are…”
As he introduced the instructors present, Lin Jin paid respects to each of them.
After introducing the rest of the mentors to Lin Jin, Mr. Yi added, “Everyone here is an official mentor of the Friar Association and we’ve all achieved the sixth realm of our blood contracts. All of us specialize in different fields and if you’re keen on searching for a mentor, you may pick either one of us. Of course, if you’re not interested, we won’t force you to make a choice as well.”
This privilege was obviously unique.
If the group of disciples outside found out about Lin Jin’s current circumstance, they might just turn green with envy.
Lin Jin nodded.
However, he truly had no intention of entering an apprenticeship. Just as he was about to reply honestly, Luo Beihe suddenly spoke up, “Lin Jin, if you intend to fight Yang Jie, make me your teacher. Otherwise, even if you’re on the same fourth realm as he is, you’re still no match for him.”
Lin Jin didn’t believe her.
Be it a duel between their pet beasts or a physical fight, Lin Jin had confidence in himself. And the source of his faith was Xiao Huo and the coiled wire needle technique.
Rumors regarding Lin Jin and Yang Jie were already known throughout the Friar Association. Many mentors have heard about it as well so it came as no surprise that Luo Beihe knew about Lin Jin’s animosity toward Yang Jie.
Using this to make Lin Jin waver was a slick move.
With her keen observation skills, Luo Beihe knew what Lin Jin was thinking so she continued, “I know you’re skeptical, but it’s the truth. Yang Jie is Mr. Yuzhou’s ultimate disciple and Mr. Yuzhou is Maple City’s Friar Association’s number one mentor. Yang Jie’s capabilities far exceed what you can imagine. If you come with me, I will make you my ultimate disciple and teach you skills that could take down Yang Jie.”
As she spoke, there were traces of satisfaction in Luo Beihe’s eyes as if her victory was secured.
Lin Jin bowed.
Luo Beihe smiled. Just as she assumed Lin Jin would pledge himself as her student, what she heard instead was, “Thank you Teacher Beihe for your kind offer.”
And then, there was nothing else.
Luo Beihe’s confident smile immediately froze up.
Lin Jin saluted all the mentors once more before taking his leave.
She got rejected.
Luo Beihe was frowning hard. Being a proud woman, it was her first time proactively asking to take a disciple in and she never expected a rejection.
However, since she was a mentor, Luo Beihe wasn’t petty enough to hold a grudge after being turned down.
But that didn’t mean she didn’t have a temper.
“What a character. I’d like to see just how a freelance disciple like you could stand up against Yang Jie.”
Bits of information leaked outside the assessment department. It was said that these mentors came here to fight for a disciple. Lin Jin was the only disciple inside so it goes without saying who the mysterious candidate was.
And clearly, only an excellent disciple would deserve such a privilege.
All color drained from Zhao Pi’s face.
Lin Jin’s blood contract assessment might have just reached the third realm. Why else would he attract so many mentors here to fight over him?
Zhao Pi was no longer in the mood to give Lin Jin trouble. If the man’s blood contract assessment result was on the third realm, a hole would burn in Zhao Pi’s wallet.
The total sum of first realm, second realm, and third realm assessments was two hundred and fifty low-grade spirit stones. To Zhao Pi, this was an enormous sum.
Zhao Pi regretted it.
He shouldn’t have listened to Chen Cheng and tried to give Lin Jin trouble.
Looking up, Zhao Pi realized that Chen Cheng was nowhere in sight.
He didn’t even have the energy to curse out loud.
At that moment, Lin Jin came out.
Zhao Pi shuddered as he looked at Lin Jin. Lin Jin looked back at him. Smilingly making his way over, Lin Jin patted Zhao Pi on his shoulder graciously.
“Brother Zhao, I feel bad to have you spend so much, but thanks a bunch!”
Having said that, he left.
Soon, news of Lin Jin achieving blood contract fourth realm began spreading like wildfire.
Upon hearing this, as if he had been struck by a bolt of lightning, Zhao Pi couldn’t hold out any more and passed out.
