Right now, Lin Jin was using the methods he had learned from Shihuang’s Observation Technique to appraiser the simulation beast.
Of course, Lin Jin hadn’t truly mastered all thirty-six parts yet, but he wasn’t afraid since he could always refer to the materials inside the museum.
“I remember there was one part that taughtdragon appraisals and the corresponding evaluation methods,” Lin Jin mumbled to himself before closing his eyes.
While it seemed like he was in deep thought, he was actually flipping through the books in the museum.
By now, Gao Jiang was writing his evaluation report while Lin Jin was still stuck in the appraisal process.
When Elder Du of the three invigilators saw Lin Jin absorbed in thoughts, his heart thumped. ‘Seems like the Rank 2 certification exam is still a little tough for Lin Jin. Although he’s very knowledgeable, he’s still lacking in practical experience. If he goes on to accumulate another two years of experience, he can breeze through even a dragon subject easily.’
Tan Xun shared a similar opinion. However, based on the theories Lin Jin dished out during the mutant egg appraisals, he knew that Lin Jin wouldn’t have a problem coming up with an evaluation report. The question was how good the evaluation report would be. If it wasn’t up to the required standard, Lin Jin would fail the test.
‘I might need to come up with a way to persuade Yu Mantang to be as lenient as possible to return my favor to Lin Jin.’
As for Yu Mantang, his beliefs couldn’t be more elementary.
He didn’t think Lin Jin could pass at all.
He had far higher hopes for Gao Jiang.
Inside the Museum of Deadly Beasts, Lin Jin was flipping through one of the books when suddenly he exclaimed, “I found it!”
In the twenty-first volume of Shihuang’s Observation Technique were methods tailored to appraising dragon type beasts. There were also a few spells and spirit seals to help the appraiser conduct the evaluation.
Flipping the book open, Lin Jin memorized the corresponding spirit seal for the dragon’s evaluation and rehearsed it carefully before exiting the museum.
Lin Jin could be seen approaching the simulated dragon. Elder Du watched him. Tan Xun watched him. Yu Mantang yawned. Gao Jiang continued scribbling away on a sheet of paper furiously.
The next instant, Lin Jin took out a spirit stone and held it in his palm before performing the spirit seal.
As the saying went, ‘only connoisseurs recognized true artistry’, none of the three invigilators were mediocre figures, two being Rank 3 beast appraisers and one a Rank 2. They had extensive experience and profound knowledge on beast appraisals.
The moment Lin Jin performed the spirit seal, the trio realized something instantly.
“This is…” Elder Du’s eyes lit up.
Tan Xun simply caressed his beard and said, “Dragon appraisal spirit seal from volume twenty-one of Shihuang’s Observation Technique. Haha, interesting. Interesting!”
Even Yu Mantang stared at Lin Jin incredulously with widened eyes.
“Shihuang’s Observation Technique, volume twenty one, the dragon appraisal spirit seal! This is something only a Rank 2 beast appraiser could learn and control. How did Lin Jin learn this?”
He immediately turned to Elder Du.
Could Elder Du have taught Lin Jin?
In Yu Mantang’s mind, it was the only possibility because none of the branch association libraries had volume nine of Shihuang’s Observation Technique and above. They have all become personal treasures of some beast appraisers. The only other way to get one’s hands on these books was to borrow them from headquarters’ library.
Hence, Yu Mantang firmly believed that Lin Jin was Elder Du’s ‘disciple’.
Even Tan Xun thought the same. After all, no average beast appraiser could easily learn anything above volume sixteen of Shihuang’s Observation Technique, so Lin Jin must have been taught by a master.
Elder Du was obviously clueless about this. And now, he had inadvertently become labeled as Lin Jin’s ‘mentor’.
The trio continued to watch Lin Jin do his magic.
“His performance… Although it’s not very refined, it’s amazing enough.” Yu Mantang immediately found a flaw.
He could tell that Lin Jin wasn’t experienced in performing the seal. As if he had just learned it recently. There was a hint of rawness found only in novices, but he was definitely taught by a master. Quite a few of the skills involved weren’t something a newbie could learn on his own.
Yu Mantang and Tan Xun stole discreet glances at Elder Du and mused just how impressive Elder Du was.
Lin Jin was oblivious to what his invigilators were thinking. He was merely applying what he learned, or one could say he was just practicing using the dragon appraisal seal. However, the spirit seal worked only for a brief moment before shattering to pieces.
The cause of it was inexperience.
What troubled Lin Jin the most was realizing how taxing it was for his spirit energy to maintain the seal.
He didn’t have much spirit energy to begin with, so he had to borrow some from the spirit stone.
That spirit stone from earlier had been completely exhausted and reduced to a regular stone.
Feeling helpless, he could only take out another one. This time, the seal lasted a little longer but it still failed.
He would keep trying.
It wasn’t until the fifth spirit stone that Lin Jin managed to complete the seal and used it to appraise the dragon’s attributes and bloodline.
Next was to observe the beast and feel its bones.
Although he seemed rather clumsy, his executions were profound as if he had received guidance from a master. All three invigilators arrived unanimously at this conclusion.
Elder Du was just as surprised himself, and unbeknownst to him, he was now labeled a ‘master’.
Lin Jin completed the appraisal steadily before picking up his brush to write the evaluation report.
By now, half of the allocated time was gone. Gao Jiang was already on the third page of his report.
If the appraisal method he performed earlier told them he was taught by an expert, the evaluation report could fully test a beast appraiser’s raw skills.
After all, a method was only a method. Being able to search for the right results was key.
And in this aspect, Lin Jin’s performance was just as ‘remarkable’.
He had merely written half a page when Tan Xun quietly approached him to take a look. Feeling shocked, the older man could now form a fairly grounded assumption.
‘If no accidents happen, Lin Jin will surely advance to the next rank.’
This was Tan Xun’s conclusion.
Of course, it was only his personal opinion and he didn’t voice it out loud.
After all, the main invigilator here was Yu Mantang. Despite being the veteran, he shouldn’t be causing a scene and assume the role of someone else.
Fifteen minutes before times up, Lin Jin wrote his last word and Gao Jiang put his brush down. Both had completed their exam at the same time.
Hand in the answer sheets!
“Lin Jin, Gao Jiang, both of you can wait outside and I will announce the results soon.” Yu Mantang waved his hand, dismissing them. Lin Jin and Gao Jiang bowed in salutations before retreating from the hall. Then, Yu Mantang picked up the evaluation reports and began judging them together with Tan Xun and Elder Du.
First, they studied Gao Jiang’s. After careful judgment, the three shook their heads in disappointment.
Although there were a few impressive points, putting Gao Jiang on a higher level above most Rank 1 beast appraisers, he was still far below the standard of Rank 2 appraisers.
This was something the trio agreed unanimously on.
Then, they moved on to Lin Jin’s evaluation report.
All three men looked impressed and even Yu Mantang was nodded his head silently. While there were a handful of flaws in Lin Jin’s report, at least the trio assumed there was still room forimprovement, but where a Rank 2 beast appraiser was concerned, Lin Jin had satisfied the standards.
He was even a little higher than that.
Compared to Gao Jiang’s evaluation report, his was far too superior.
“Appraiser Yu, what do you think?” Elder Du asked.
Yu Mantang pondered, ‘What else can I think? This Lin Jin is clearly your disciple. Does it amuse you for you to ask our opinion on his work?’
Yu Mantang didn’t give his conclusion but turned to ask Tan Xun instead, “Master Tan, let us hear your comments first.”
Tan Xun chuckled. “Let’s talk about Gao Jiang’s evaluation report first. There were some flaws in his theory and it’s clear that his foundation and knowledge have yet to achieve the requirements. As for Lin Jin, his evaluation report of the simulated dragon is quite accurate. His theories are solid and from his appraisal method, it’s clear that he possesses a lot of skill and experience. I feel that the quality of the work he has shown us is enough for us to pass him..”
He was speaking from the bottom of his heart.
Putting aside the fact that Lin Jin was his daughter’s benefactor, as an impartial beast appraiser, Tan Xun would give the same comment.
“Elder Du, what do you think?” Tan Xun asked, despite finding the question unnecessary.
True to their expectations, Elder Du answered with a straight face, “I, too, feel that Gao Jiang’s report is slightly lacking. As for Lin Jin, his report is enough to let him pass the Rank 2 examination. Of course, this is only a personal opinion of mine. In the study of beast appraisals, I’m still behind the both of you so feel free have the last say in this.”
It was supposedly a serious answer but Yu Mantang and Tan Xun assumed Elder Du was being ‘coquettish’. Just like how a parent would act reserved whenever their child was being praised by another, despite actually feeling ecstatic inside.
At least this was what they thought Elder Du was doing.
Although Yu Mantang was a proud individual, facts were facts because even he agreed that Lin Jin had met the passing criteria for both his appraisal method and evaluation report writing.
“I agree. However, these are only the initial results. The final decision will be made by the headquarters’ elders after these evaluation reports are sent back,” Yu Mantang concluded.
Although there was still one final review required by procedures, under such circumstances, one could say that Lin Jin had a ninety-nine percent chance of passing the exam.
The trio then signed their names in the initial assessment column.
