There were still a few more days until the Visitation Hall’s next opening. Lin Jin couldn’t wait that long. If they could contact Black Crow and Ghost Child in advance, both experts might just be able to provide the Curator with their assistance out of respect.
Though, how successful this plan could be, Lin Jin had no idea. If it didn’t work, he would just have to think of something else. If Snake Country decides to invade anyway, Lin Jin decided that he would not back down from the fight.
He would try to evolve Goldy up to Rank 4 as well. With Shang’er, there would be three Rank 4s partaking in the invasion of Snake Country. It would then be up to how well the enemy performs if they do not want to be defeated.
However, this plan was his last resort. If he could help it, he’d try his best not to take such a drastic measure.
After spending some time absorbing the Curator’s words, Ye Yuzhou answered quietly, “I have no idea where they are, but I know of an unspeakable channel that villainous experts use to spread information. We can give that a try and send a message through that platform.”
This was the only method Ye Yuzhou could think of at the moment.
The villainous experts had a community of their own, though mostly used it to share news on bounties. Whether or not the news would even spread far enough to reach Black Crow and Ghost Child depended on the messenger’s prestige.
Lin Jin had no other better ideas. They could only give this a shot. If things didn’t turn out their way, he would just have to wait until the next Visitation Hall’s opening.
It wasn’t like Snake Country could mobilize their forces immediately anyway.
After their brief exchange, Lin Jin guided Ye Yuzhou through his pet beast’s evolution method and answered some of his tough questions. Ye Yuzhou was naturally thrilled and made sure to burn the words into his memory.
“Alright, take them away. Don’t let anyone come near Mount Zoroku again for no good reason,” Lin Jin instructed when he noticed how late it was getting.
With a stepping stone like Ye Yuzhou, Lin Jin could now use his identity as the Curator to make arrangements he, as a beast appraiser couldn’t.
Given Ye Yuzhou’s status and influence within Maple City, he believed the man would help him achieve his goals easily.
A thought seemed to have hit Ye Yuzhou and he whispered discreetly, “Curator, I wasn’t aware that Lin Jin was your disciple so I apologize if I’ve offended him previously. I believe I have already made amends with you. From now on, no one in Maple City shall give Lin Jin trouble so you can rest assured. As for Mount Zoroku, I can guarantee that no one will ever step foot here again so you can continue teaching your disciples without worry, Curator.”
Having said that, Ye Yuzhou took his leave.
Lin Jin was shocked. But after letting the information sink in, he realized that what Ye Yuzhou had said to him, that he was his own disciple.
Of course, he was clueless as to how Ye Yuzhou arrived at this conclusion. In fact, when Ye Yuzhou saw Xiao Huo, his mind already began to stray. Ye Yuzhou had seen this fire wolf before. Although it had changed slightly after evolution, it was no doubt Lin Jin’s pet beast.
This further solidified his suspicion that Lin Jin was the Curator’s disciple.
In Ye Yuzhou’s mind, the Curator was here at Mount Zoroku to help Lin Jin’s pet beast evolve but had accidentally been dragged into the incident. In fact, there is a high chance that Mount Zoroku is the Curator’s temporary quarters while training Lin Jin.
Seeing the highly intimidating fire wolf that was obviously stronger than his soaring cloud flood dragon impressed Ye Yuzhou. He mused, ‘Only the Curator could help Lin Jin’s pet beast evolve to such a magnificent being.’
As expected of the Curator. An average person had to go through hell to help their pet beasts evolve into Rank 4, and even then, success was not guaranteed. Even Ye Yuzhou himself had put in great effort back then to help his flood dragon evolve.
Hence, the Curator must never be offended. If his flood dragon was to ever get promoted up to Rank 5, the Curator’s assistance was absolutely necessary.
With these thoughts in his mind, Ye Yuzhou was in a cheerful mood as he made his way back to Maple City, thinking he had done a good job today.
Zuo Wentang and the authorities were led away by Ye Yuzhou. As to how Ye Yuzhou would explain the incident to them, Lin Jin couldn’t be bothered to find out.
Once everyone left, Lin Jin finally fell limp to the ground.
He had been holding out the entire time and the battle had taken its toll on his body.
He glanced around and assessed the damage done to the forest around him. The forest was flattened for several miles around. Trees were uprooted completely and large patches of earth turned over. The sheer level of destruction created by the fight between the gigantic beasts was shocking.
This happened out in the wilderness. If it happened in a densely populated city, countless would have inevitably perished.
Xiao Huo reverted back to his original size and came over to nudge Lin Jin with his head. Lin Jin patted him and the fire wolf’s information in the museum was updated.
“It’s Rank 4 after all!”
Lin Jin was mildly disappointed by this.
After all, he thought they could skip a rank like Xiao Huo did when he had his first perfect evolution. But after careful consideration, evolving a Rank 5 beast was tremendously difficult. Even Black Crow and Ye Yuzhou couldn’t do it after getting the evolution method for several days now, why?
Because even with an evolution method, there were hurdles to be cleared. A Rank 5 beast could be called an entirely different being so they shouldn’t be compared to their Rank 4 counterparts.
“That’s alright, let’s take it slow.” Lin Jin caressed Xiao Huo’s head. Xiao Huo was now an entity too powerful to be ignored. After all, Rank 4 beasts were few and far between in the entire Jade Dragon Kingdom, much less the tiny Maple City.
Shang’er and the little foxes finally emerged from the cave.
There were several instances when she felt the urge to come out and help but was forced back by Lin Jin’s hand telling her to stay put. Such a situation wasn’t appropriate for Shang’er to reveal herself at all.
Ye Yuzhou must have known there were monsters around as well.
But he didn’t ask.
Why?
The first was out of respect for the Curator. Second, since the monster never showed herself, he could overlook it. Otherwise, it would have been difficult if Ye Yuzhou had to help them conceal their existence.
Lin Jin understood this well.
Convenience for others meant convenience for himself.
Little Five was still unconscious but her condition had stabilized.
There was a commotion further ahead. Lin Jin turned to see Goldy clucking as he returned. Come to think of it, Goldy had played a huge role in helping them out of their predicament. Xiao Huo merely relied on his Rank 4 status near the end of the fight to intimidate the enemies but it was Goldy who brazenly fought the Grassy Continent creatures.
Interestingly enough, while the shadow wolf got mildly hurt, there was not a single scratch on Goldy. This was in spite of the fact that he made the most kills and injuries.
Goldy was only Rank 3, mind you.
Lin Jin thought, ‘If I were to help Goldy evolve up to Rank 4, how powerful would he become?’
Would he be able to stand against a Rank 5 beast?
That was a possibility.
Goldy and Xiao Huo were like sworn enemies. The former was waiting to hear Lin Jin’s praises but upon seeing the Rank 4 Xiao Huo, anger immediately flared up in him and his crest went up in flames again. Goldy even ruffled his feathers and flapped his wings in an attempt to provoke the fire wolf.
Thankfully, Xiao Huo ignored him.
After messing around for a little more, the chicken lost interest and went back to foraging for worms after reverting back to normal size.
The battle had dug up a lot of soil, revealing quite a few juicy insects that would usually only be found underground. It turned into an all-you-can-eat buffet for Goldy.
“Master Lin, will those people return?” Shang’er asked with a worried tone. Lin Jin could answer this question with much more confidence than before.
After suffering such a huge defeat, they would have to return and prepare themselves so they definitely won’t be returning, at least not in the near future. Now, it’s up to Maple City to plot their next move. Though, with Ye Yuzhou on their side, things should be fine.
“I’m going to get some rest and then pelletize some medicine for Little Five. Don’t wander around for the next few days, especially the white ape.” Lin Jin knew they were lucky that the Grassy Continent natives didn’t spot the white ape. Otherwise, things might have turned out worse.
With Ye Yuzhou’s help, Mount Zoroku should be safe for now. It should afford them at least a couple of peaceful days.
