Chapter 173: The Mentors’ Evaluation

An authentic practice was a genuine cultivation method passed down through time without being lost or disinherited. A method that the later generation worked hard to preserve.

Ye Yuzhou nodded, agreeing with Huangfu Ming’s statement.

“But this elaboration doesn’t seem like it came from a young man,” Huangfu Ming added an honest comment.

It wouldn’t be too odd for a person to rediscover a pre-existing formula from somewhere else, granted he has enough luck.

However, an elaboration was much different.

Generally speaking, perception and understanding of a formula can’t be passed down that easily. Cultivation methods from the past rarely manage to survive the test of time. The problem was amplified for their relevant explanations. The future generation could only try to interpret as much as they could from these formulae.

Immortal sects of ancient times were very particular about heritage. Many of their cultivation methods were strictly guarded and were passed down only to their true disciples and not outsiders.

With this, even more ancient cultivation methods suffer disinheritance through time.

Just like the visualization method’s two branches, outer imagery and inner cognition. Both were supposedly lost in time and the remaining visualization technique was just a fragmented piece of the whole picture. The later generations might have filled in the missing parts in an attempt to salvage it but it would obviously pale in comparison to the original.

“I don’t see any problems with letting this outer imagery method enter the Spirit Library.” Huangfu Ming’s opinion basically decided the matter.

Ye Yuzhou’s brows were furrowed. As Huangfu Ming had already clarified his stance, even if the other mentors had any opinions, they wouldn’t dare to voice it out.

The only person who had the power of veto was Ye Yuzhou himself.

“Brother Huangfu, while this outer imagery method is indeed brilliant, but as you’ve said, its origin is questionable. I’ve heard how this Lin Jin is a Rank 2 beast appraiser so I understand he is a man of status and profound knowledge. But the possibility of him obtaining a cultivation formula that was supposedly long lost in time is quite marginal. There’s also this detailed elaboration. If we don’t verify its origin and hastily put it into the Spirit Library with Lin Jin’s name on it, I fear it might give rise to unwanted trouble in the future.”

Ye Yuzhou’s worries weren’t baseless.

If Lin Jin had obtained this information through underhanded means and the Friar Association were to place it into the Spirit Library’s archives, they would be placed in a difficult position if someone were to show up to claim otherwise.

The library’s manager suddenly spoke up, “I had someone ask Lin Jin about the origins of this outer imagery technique. Lin Jin says he learned it from an expert who wishes to remain unknown so I think that wouldn’t be a problem.”

At this, the group of mentors came to a realization.

“I knew it!” Luo Beihe nodded slightly. The other mentors commented as well, “I thought so too. Lin Jin couldn’t possibly have provided an elaboration of this quality himself. So he really did have an expert guide him!”

Ye Yuzhou and Huangfu Ming exchanged a glance, the surprise evident in their eyes.

There was only one reason for this.

This expert Lin Jin had mentioned was by no means insignificant.

The more capable they were, the more they could recognize the depth hidden in this elaboration text.

Hence, this frightened them.

Lin Jin had not anticipated this to happen. After all, he was still rather inexperienced so he didn’t know what might happen if he simply provided a copy of the elaboration from the Museum of Deadly Beasts.

A wise man wouldn’t expose his wealth to the world after all.

And Lin Jin had accidentally revealed his treasure.

Huangfu Ming didn’t think much of it but Ye Yuzhou began to harbor certain intentions.

His most prized student, Yang Jie had recently had a clash with Lin Jin. While Ye Yuzhou wouldn’t stoop so low as to deal with Lin Jin himself, both factions weren’t exactly on friendly terms. They at least saw each other as rivals.

For Lin Jin’s outer imagery technique to be recorded into the Spirit Library with his name on it was a great honor especially when he was still a disciple.

Yang Jie no longer had an advantage over Lin Jin in terms of prestige.

To watch his disciple be defeated by someone else naturally annoyed Ye Yuzhou.

After all, Yang Jie had a great influence on Ye Yuzhou’s reputation. Huangfu Ming couldn’t be bothered because he wasn’t related to this issue at all.

Holding onto this personal prejudice, Ye Yuzhou said, “I still think we should clarify the origins of this material. After all, a verbal statement cannot amount to substantial proof.”

The group was stunned.

Although Ye Yuzhou didn’t say it bluntly, his intentions were clear.

They had to verify the origins of the content.

“Let’s call Lin Jin over and ask him directly.” Since Ye Yuzhou has spoken, the library’s manager couldn’t possibly object to the suggestion. After all, Ye Yuzhou’s status was higher than his, so even if he felt it unnecessary, he could only obey.

Huangfu Ming didn’t say anything either. There’s nothing wrong in seeking to ensure the validity and credibility of such an important piece of information. In fact, Huangfu Ming himself was slightly curious about it too.

He simply wanted to know who this expert supporting Lin Jin was.

Perhaps he could have the opportunity to visit that person someday.

Hence, Huangfu Ming refrained from saying anything unnecessary.

Since both the association’s prominent figures have expressed their sentiments, the others couldn’t say anything else. An assistant lecturer was immediately dispatched to summon Lin Jin.

They obviously didn’t know that Lin Jin was currently at home, helping the shadow wolf evolve.

When the assistant lecturer couldn’t find him in the association, he hurried over to the Beast Appraisal Association only to get the same results. He was drenched in sweat by now. After asking for Lin Jin’s address, he made haste and found the location with much difficulty only to be stopped by Xiao Huo outside. He couldn’t enter the house.

As the black haze the shadow wolf produced during evolution had cut off all sounds, the assistant lecturer’s shouting was an exercise in futility.

He grew increasingly anxious.

He planned to barge into the house.

After all, so many official mentors were waiting back at the association. Moreover, he assumed himself to be quite a capable man with his blood contract at the fifth realm and a Rank 2 pet beast to go with that.

But this decision was destined to end in tragedy.

Lin Jin’s order for Xiao Huo was simple, that was to not let anyone who might disturb him step into the yard.

If Zhao Ying, Lu Xiaoyun, and the others were to come by and see Xiao Huo standing guard outside, they knew Lin Jin must be engaged in something important. They definitely wouldn’t force their way through and no one would be looking for Lin Jin out of nowhere anyway.

However, Lin Jin failed to anticipate a visitor from the Friar Association. What’s more, this assistant lecturer was not the most patient individual around.

The man simply led his pet beast into the yard, thinking they could easily subdue Xiao Huo and then enter the house.

But the moment he stepped into the yard, Xiao Huo initiated an attack.

A Rank 3 pet beast’s strength had an overwhelming advantage in this situation. That confident assistant lecturer was instantly beaten to the ground without enough time to even cast a spell. Had it not been for his fifth realm blood contract and sturdy physique, he might have lost half his life there.

Still, the assistant lecturer who suffered one attack from Xiao Huo couldn’t get back up. He laid on the ground, letting out muffled screams. Similarly, his pet beast was being pressed to the ground by Xiao Huo upon encounter, not daring to move.

Just like a rabbit being caught by a ferocious tiger, it could only shiver in fear.

Fortunately, Xiao Huo didn’t continue attacking but tossed both man and beast out of the yard.

Lin Jin had specifically instructed him not to kill.

The assistant lecturer who was left sprawled and battered outside the yard climbed back up. He dared not force his way in anymore. Feeling humiliated and angered, he simply returned to the Friar Association and explained the situation with extra negativity.

Ye Yuzhou and the others frowned at this.

Lin Jin was definitely home. His pet beast was there so he must be there as well so why wouldn’t he come out?

How dare he order his pet beast to assault the association’s assistant lecturer.

This was quite a huge deal.

Also, the fact that Lin Jin’s single pet beast could defeat both the assistant lecturer and his pet beast intrigued them.

“That Lin Jin is too much. No matter the reason, he shouldn’t have let his pet beast harm others. He’s just trying to challenge the Friar Association’s authority,” the battered assistant lecturer complained.

Suddenly, someone got up and offered, “Perhaps Lin Jin does have something important going on. I’ll make the trip over.”

To their surprise, it was Huangfu Ming.

After careful consideration, it was best to let Huangfu Ming take up the task. After all, he was the one who recommended Lin Jin into the association. If Lin Jin was truly being disrespectful to the association’s orders and broke any rules, the person who had the authority to teach him a lesson would be Huangfu Ming.

“Then we’ll have to trouble you in making this trip, Brother Huangfu,” Ye Yuzhou said. He evidently wasn’t fond of Lin Jin.

It wasn’t only because of Yang Jie. His contempt for Lin Jin was further increased after wasting so much time waiting around, and after finding out that his pet beast had assaulted the assistant lecturer they dispatched to get him.

If Ye Yuzhou was the one calling the shots, no matter how capable Lin Jin was, he would have expelled him from the Friar Association after what happened.

He had yet to lash out because he was showing Huangfu Ming respect and was waiting to see how Huangfu Ming would deal with him.

Huangfu Ming’s cultivation level was towering. Once outside, he invoked a spell that allowed him to cover ten feet in a step so he managed to reach the outside of Lin Jin’s yard in just a couple of seconds.

Lin Jin had yet to come out. Upon seeing another newcomer, Xiao Huo immediately took up a defensive stance.

Huangfu Ming was stunned when he saw Xiao Huo.

It wasn’t his first time seeing the fire wolf but previously when Xiao Huo tagged alongside Lin Jin, he would conceal his aura so he didn’t seem that powerful. But now, Xiao Huo’s restraints were lifted so Huangfu Ming could tell his rank with just one glance.

“No wonder!” Huangfu Ming muttered to himself.

That assistant lecturer must have barged in recklessly so Lin Jin’s pet beast attacked him. But it was obvious that he was just following Lin Jin’s orders so the assistant lecturer only suffered mild injuries.

When going up against a Rank 3 pet beast, even average mentors would find them hard to deal with, much less an assistant lecturer.

Lin Jin was a Rank 2 beast appraiser with profound knowledge in his expertise so it wasn’t odd for him to have a Rank 3 pet beast.

When he turned to the house, Huangfu Ming’s eyes lit up.

While it was hard to tell at first glance, but after closer observation, one could notice a strange aura hovering above the house. Being an experienced individual, Huangfu Ming deduced that a pet beast evolution was happening inside.

“So that’s what’s happening!” Huangfu Ming realized that Lin Jin must be helping a pet beast evolve inside the house. As this process tolerated no disturbances, he let his pet beast stand guard at the door in case of uninvited guests barging into his house.

For that assistant lecturer to simply barge in without clarifying the situation was just asking for a beating.

Huangfu Ming didn’t insist on asking for Lin Jin so he planned to retreat for now. But at that moment, Lin Jin opened the door and came out.

He immediately noticed Huangfu Ming who was standing outside the yard.

“Mr. Huangfu!” Lin Jin hurried forward and bowed.

Lin Jin still had a great deal of respect for this man.

Huangfu Ming stopped in his tracks and smiled at Lin Jin. Then, he noticed a shadow wolf following Lin Jin out of the house. Just one glance at it was enough to surprise Huangfu Ming.

It was another Rank 3 pet beast.

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