Museum of Deadly Beasts

The monkey demon was now exuding the aura of a Rank 3 monster. Old Taoist was obviously shocked.

Of course, he knew that Appraiser Lin had something to do with the monkey demon’s evolution but he felt ashamed that he couldn’t tell exactly how the monkey demon evolved.

Now this here was a true expert.

Lin Jin was so young. Not only was he incredible at beast appraising, but the young man also had a strong comprehension ability when it came to cultivating their Cloud Sect’s edict amulet. And then there was Old Taoist who had been living for decades now.

Noticing Old Taoist discouraged, Lin Jin comforted, “Sir, please don’t think too much. Appraising beasts is my specialty and the monkey demon already showed signs of evolution. I merely gave him a hand. As for the edict amulet, it was just a random idea, a coincidence.”

Coincidence?

Could cultivation be achieved through coincidence?

Wu Qian knew that Lin Jin was just trying to console him and he was grateful.

He gave an easy smile and the initial dejection and distress disappeared.

“I met this monkey demon long ago during my travels. I taught him cultivation after that and gave him edicts. He’s been with me for more than ten years now and is my only disciple. Thanks to Appraiser Lin, our travels will be much easier from now on after he has evolved. We should be able to stand up for ourselves when we come across any danger.”

Old Taoist meant what he said. Back in the day, they had to be careful in their conduct and tolerant if they met troublesome and powerful bullies.

Now that the monkey demon was Rank 3, they could stop enduring the intolerable. The Rank 3 monster should be able to hold his ground under normal circumstances, and with the Beast Energy Formation, he had become so much stronger compared to before.

The monkey demon knew that Lin Jin was his benefactor too so he knelt immediately to thank him.

All of a sudden, Lin Jin recalled the Taoist temple near Shang’er and the foxes’ old home. That was the temple that taught Shang’er and Little Five cultivation. Lin Jin had wanted to visit the place to investigate it, but now that he had met a Taoist, why not ask his new acquaintance? As they were all Taoists, Wu Qian might just know something.

Lin Jin held his hands up in a salute and inquired, “There’s something I’d like to ask you, Sir.”

After witnessing Lin Jin’s capabilities, Wu Qian dared not accept such courteous behavior. He bowed immediately to return the favor. “Please, ask away Appraiser Lin. I will tell you everything I know.”

“Great!” Lin Jin asked him about the Taoist temple in Mount Qixia. He didn’t know the temple’s name but he was sure that the place had an incantation formula to turn regular beasts into monsters.

“A Taoist temple in Mount Qixia?” Wu Qian pondered for a bit before shaking his head. “I know of a few sects but I’ve never heard there was a famous Taoist sect in Mount Qixia. But if it’s capable of turning beasts into monsters, it must be quite significant. It’s a pity that I really don’t know about it.”

Lin Jin was surprised but on second thought, it was reasonable too.

While Old Taoist was of the Taoist community, he couldn’t possibly know every sect in existence. There had to be some he didn’t know about. And so, Lin Jin could only opt to make a personal trip there for investigation. He might learn something there.

Lin Jin had benefited quite a bit from his meeting with Wu Qian. Not only did he learn about the human cultivation of this world, but he also discovered the mysteries of Old Taoist’s edict amulets. That Five Elemental Fire Amulet will prove to be useful someday.

The night inadvertently passed. As the sky began to brighten, Lin Jin knew it was about time so he got up to bid farewell. Aware that all meetings would eventually have to end, Old Taoist got up to see Lin Jin out.

“If ever the opportunity arises, I will visit you in Maple City, Appraiser Lin,” Wu Qian said with a salute at the yard’s gates.

Lin Jin smiled. “It will be my honor if you do.”

“Goodbye!”

“Goodbye!”

With White Ape carrying the coffin, Lin Jin led the way forward. About ten steps later, a little distance away, Wu Qian actually witnessed Lin Jin and White Ape slowly disappear into thin air.

He was dumbstruck.

“Camouflage?”

Old Taoist’s heart thumped and he quickly chased after them. With his sturdy physique that was healthier than most youngsters, Old Taoist ran quick enough but no matter how he chased, he couldn’t catch even a glimpse of their shadows.

Old Taoist immediately stomped his feet in anger.

“I missed it! To think Appraiser Lin even knows Camouflage. I can only perform this spell by using an amulet. Had I known, I would have sought his guidance. What a pity. Such a pity.” Old Taoist felt regret.

But after a thought, he chuckled heartily.

“Oh silly me. I can just visit Appraiser Lin at Maple City in the future. There’s no need be like this, no need at all.”

Having said that, he returned cheerfully.

He wasn’t in a hurry to head to Maple City either. Taoism emphasized heavily on fate. By missing out this time was just destiny telling him it wasn’t time yet. Since that was the case, there was no need to force himself. He could head over whenever he felt like it someday.

‘I’ve been training in a Taoist sect since a very young age but I’m not proficient in spell-casting and my cultivation level is shallow. I don’t understand the glorious way of Tao nor do I possess any phenomenal skills. I only know a few tricks. Just when I thought I’ve been wasting my life away, thinking it was all for naught, meeting Lin Jin helped me realize that I have to continue cultivating. I can’t give up on pursuing my goals.’

Wu Qian regained confidence.

By now, Lin Jin had exited the city.

Although he hadn’t been here long, Lin Jin learned a lot. His personal cultivation had also improved immensely and he was able to cast a speeding up spell to quicken his pace. Be it mountain paths or flat roads, he could cross them easily and quicker than a carriage.

Halfway through, Lin Jin abruptly stopped and sighed.

“I forgot. I forgot!” Lin Jin mumbled to himself. “Lu Bin said he would give me an eagle beast. I helped him so much but I end up forgetting to claim my prize.”

He was too lazy to head back now. Based on Lu Bin’s character, the man tended to keep promises so he might just send the eagle over some day.

Lin Jin desired that eagle and just imagine how fast he could travel while riding it.

However, with his current situation, he wouldn’t be able to use the eagle anyway. White Ape aside, one eagle couldn’t possibly transport the coffin housing the zombie cthulhu.

So he should just continue his journey on foot.

By now, Lu Bin had been released by Emperor He Qian from prison.

Previously, He Qian only locked Lu Bin up to protect him. Now that the jade dragon deity was dead and Minister Yu’s faction had been forcibly dissolved, Lu Bin was no longer in danger.

Lu Bin had no idea what was going on. After being locked in for several days, upon his release, he realized that everything has been settled.

He went to visit the sixth princess, He Yu immediately.

He Yu had regained consciousness and was doing well. Her coming of age ceremony would be in two days and it seemed like she would be fine. Still, she remained cautious. If she could live through her birthday, that would truly mean that her curse has been broken.

Lu Bin was genuinely happy from the bottom of his heart.

As to how He Yu was cured, after checking with He Qing and gathering intel from various channels, Lu Bin learned that it was because the mysterious ‘Curator’ personally helped.