Black Crow wasn’t trying to be humble. Judging by knowledge and understanding of spells, Ye Yuzhou was the best among their group, no doubt.
Ye Yuzhou quickly waved. “Curator’s here so don’t say that.”
Black Crow laughed heartily.
Lin Jin didn’t notice what they were talking about at all. His entire attention was focused on the Nebula Barrier book.
Indeed, just as Black Crow had said, none of the current friars could cultivate this ancient spell because the level and spirit energy requirements were insanely high.
However, there were always other methods to perform spells. Hadn’t that old dragon succeeded as well?
That creature didn’t rely on his own abilities but used the flag instead.
Using a magical artifact to perform a spell was just the same.
But this required time to research. Lin Jin asked if they had any other questions before telling He Qing not to worry.
Right now, she couldn’t help with anything.
Lin Jin’s conflict with the old dragon had evolved into a personal grudge. No one could possibly tolerate a dragon suddenly showing up and trying to kill them.
Those who could, good for them. But Lin Jin wouldn’t have it.
The white ape being heavily injured was one of his reasons. Lin Jin had a tendency to protect his companions so revenge must be taken. Also, He Yu’s bestial soul curse had become much more difficult to deal with. Previously, when it was still sealed in He Yu’s pinky finger, Lin Jin could have used his golden needle to stab it. He had been confident about removing the curse completely.
But now, the curse was unleashed again and had penetrated deep into He Yu’s bones. Even if Lin Jin were to meet her now, he might not be able to save her.
However, they weren’t truly out of options. If they could eliminate the source of the curse, the old dragon, that would be the simplest way to break the curse.
Yet, dealing with a Rank 5 dragon was much easier said than done. Even if Black Crown and Ghost Child came to help, they might not be able to defeat that old dragon.
“Success must come at a cost!” Lin Jin muttered inwardly. After informing the visitors, he left the hall.
Lin Jin didn’t exit completely but sat cross-legged behind the metal door to research the flag and Nebula Barrier skill.
As long as he didn’t leave this place, Lin Jin could stay here for hours.
After seeing the curator leave in such a hurry, they knew things were serious. Black Crow and Ghost Child made haste, bidding everyone else goodbye before leaving quickly.
They had to hurry for Jade Dragon Kingdom as this was a direct summon from the curator. They had to be vigilant. Maybe this time they could meet the curator in person and even receive some of his guidance.
The others didn’t leave at once. After being locked in for two days, He Qing felt so suffocated she just wanted to talk to someone. Jiang Ziqi stayed as well and Ye Yuzhou had much to discuss with He Qing. Even Old Tian stayed back to listen.
Thing matter had nothing to do with him and Jade Dragon Kingdom was too far away but Old Tian knew that he had to use this opportunity to get closer to everyone. Only then, would they someday help him.
Particularly now that he learned how this frail little girl was the royal princess of Jade Dragon Kingdom, Old Tian became much more eager. He couldn’t help with killing but he could at least chat to keep someone company and share their woes.
***
During sunrise at Jade Dragon City.
There would always be early-risers like merchants, traders, or coachmen. Whoever passed through Lin Jin’s rented home easily noticed the wrecked courtyard. Yet, the strangest thing was, all damages were limited to within the walls of the yard. The house was dilapidated, the walls were cracked and not only did it show signs of burns, but there was even snow piled up somewhere. As if overnight, this place had experienced a fire and blizzard, summer and winter.
None of them dared to enter. They quickly reported this to the authorities.
However, not long after they left, several groups of people came to investigate.
The first group was dressed in full black with menacing demeanors. They entered the ruined yard and looked around. After realizing no one was there, they left immediately, heading toward Jade Dragon Temple.
Soon, another group showed up. They too searched the place before heading for the palace.
The government was the third group, obviously here to survey the site, trying to understand what happened here. They immediately found out who the owner was and sought him out. After a round of questioning, they learned that the house was rented to an outsider and then this happened.
The owner was crying hysterically when he saw how trashed his property was. But since it was occupied, the tenant must have left something behind. Soon, the government found out that it was Maple City’s Lin Jin who rented the place.
The royal capital’s governor Zhang Mengliang looked helpless, anxious even.
“Why is it Appraiser Lin again?” Zhang Mengliang didn’t know what else to say. After his men investigated the site, they concluded that some expert must have gone to give Appraiser Lin trouble. Come to think of it, this was already the third time.
For the first two incidents, Appraiser Lin was the one informing them, but now, he was nowhere to be found. Could an accident have happened?
Or was he done away with?
This Appraiser Lin was a good friend of General Lu’s. If this case wasn’t taken care of properly, there might be a disaster waiting for him.
Hence, there was a saying that capital governors have it rough. Zhang Mengliang was feeling it.
“Let’s focus on locating Appraiser Lin first. I want him found, dead or alive!” Zhang Mengliang ordered the constables in charge of the case.
He wouldn’t dare to take full responsibility for this case either so Zhang Mengliang quickly reported this to the higher-ups. If punishment was due when they couldn’t solve the case, at least he wouldn’t be shouldering it alone.
Inside the palace, Emperor He Qian remained indifferent as the eunuch reported to him.
“Your Majesty, the strangest thing is, everything in the yard was destroyed. They were either crushed by a huge impact, burned, or frozen. One of our guards touched it and the temperature was dangerously low,” the eunuch reported, bowing slightly.
After a thought, He Qian asked, “Did you see Appraiser Lin?”
The eunuch shook his head. “The inner guards went to investigate but found no traces of Appraiser Lin. Governor Zhang has also sent his men to search the city.”
“Alright!” He Qian nodded. “What about the physicians?”
The eunuch quickly responded, “Your Majesty, several imperial physicians are standing by and the sixth princess remains unconscious. But her health shows no signs of deteriorating so there should be no changes for the time being.”
He Qian was silent for a moment. Then, as if he was mumbling to himself but also asking a question, He Qian spoke. “Yao Sheng, you’ve been in the palace for so many years now. Back when my third sister died, you were there too. Do you remember the scene from back then?”
At this, the eunuch immediately fell to his knees. “I remember.”
“Tell me, what did my little sister look like back then? I don’t remember anymore,” He Qian said. The eunuch named Yao Sheng answered at once, “That year, it was a little over ten days before Third Princess reached her coming of age ceremony. By then, she had already shriveled up to the point of looking inhuman. It was tragic. It seems like she had been in that state for almost a month and suffered great torture!”
