Somewhere in Heavenly Jade Academy, Appraiser Yang Ming was flipping through some basic ancient books. There was something else on his table.
It was a wooden plaque, simple and old. The texture of the plaque seemed to be made of wood yet not, like iron yet not. It was a mystical sight. If Lin Jin were here, he could tell that this plaque was none other than the visitor's plaque in the Visitation Hall.
Just like the Qiao family's heirloom in Reed City.
However, there were some differences. The number written on it was different. The Qiao family's plaque had the word 'three' but the one on Appraiser Yang Ming's table had the word 'two'.
Appraiser Yang Ming's brows were locked in a frown. After a long moment of contemplation, he put down the ancient book in his hand.
"What kind of secret is contained within this wooden plaque?" Appraiser Yang Ming mumbled to himself. Just then, footsteps could be heard coming from outside. A voice called out, "Teacher, that Lin Jin tore down your notice this morning."
The person speaking outside was one of Yang Ming's students. He was a rather famous Rank 2 beast appraiser in the academy and also one of the students who had the highest chance of getting promoted to Rank 3 this year.
"I understand. You may leave," Yang Ming instructed through the curtains without batting an eyelid.
The student outside was stunned before he whispered, "Teacher, that Lin Jin is new here but he doesn't know the rules. He even ignored your notice. Teacher, you might be able to tolerate this, but we can't. We've decided to meet Teacher Lin next time and ask him questions in class to embarrass him."
By asking questions in class, they were obviously referring to beast appraising techniques and knowledge. This student was obviously very arrogant and confident that he would be able to baffle Lin Jin with some tricky questions. It wasn't an honorable thing for a teacher to be baffled by knowledge.
Yang Ming shook his head. "Although I detest him because he's from the Jade Dragon Kingdom, I have to admit that Lin Jin is quite capable. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to pass his Rank 4 evaluation so easily. Although you're a Rank 3 beast appraiser, you're still a far cry from Lin Jin. Don't go looking for trouble. Not only will you embarrass yourself, but I'll be embarrassed as well."
When the student outside heard this, he jumped in fright and quickly dispelled the thought in his mind.
"It's true that I don't like him, but I still have to acknowledge his strength. Let's call it a day. I did have a class to attend, but for some reason, I didn't go. If things get out of hand, Mr. Zhong and the other teachers won't be able to explain it. Let's call it a day." After Yang Ming finished, he asked the students outside to leave. Then, he shifted his gaze to the wooden sign on the table.
Yang Ming was a Rank 4 beast appraiser and one of the defining characteristics of beast appraisers was that they had a wide network of friends. Who could guarantee that their pet beasts wouldn't fall sick or get hurt when there were all sorts of beasts and cultivators in the world?
Naturally, many people hoped to get to know and befriend an experienced appraiser. Yang Ming had been doing business in Tianxuan City for many years and had many friends.
This good friend of his was also a famous beast cultivator who loved to travel the world. He was best at searching for dragons and exploring caves. To put it bluntly, he was a grave robber. This person was once gravely injured inside an immortal tomb and his pet beast almost died from its injuries. It was Yang Ming who saved his pet beast and that was how they became best friends. Last night, after Yang Ming asked his students to put up a lecture notice, this friend of his suddenly dropped by.
At the time, this beast cultivator looked nervous and said that he had something he wanted to leave with Yang Ming.
Speaking of which, grave robbers like him usually did immoral things and rarely had any close friends. Although Yang Ming was arrogant, he was sincere to his friends and wasn't a hypocrite. That was why this grave robber came to entrust this task to him in times of crisis.
The grave robber also said that ever since he obtained this strange wooden token, he had been hunted down and had been through several battles before he arrived at Tianxuan City. Since he didn't have anyone else he could trust, he temporarily left the wooden token with Yang Ming. At the same time, he hoped that Yang Ming could investigate the secret contained in this wooden token.
"Appraiser Yang Ming, this wooden token is related to the strongest expert in the world five hundred years ago, the Daolord. Someone said that if one can decipher its secret, they can obtain the Daolord's inheritance. Perhaps it's because of this wooden token that I've gotten myself into so much trouble. But I'm a crude man so I won't be able to find out anything even if I have it. Why don't you take a look at it for me?
Appraiser Yang Ming, this is what the grave robber said before he left.
Clearly, the grave robber trusted Yang Ming or he wouldn't have left such an important item with him.
Since last night, Yang Ming had been flipping through ancient books to find out the origins and secrets of this wooden token. After a night of research, he found some clues. This wooden token really was related to the Daolord.
There were similar records in some ancient books, and there was more than one of them.
Yang Ming knew what kind of existence the Daolord was, especially in Tianxuan Academy. The Daolord's name was well-known. Some said that the Daolord five hundred years ago wasn't just the strongest villainous cultivator, he was also the best beast appraiser and the originator of appraisals.
Yang Ming was well aware of this and it was precisely because of this that he wanted to investigate the secret contained in this wooden token.
He really did find a few words from an ancient book. This book was also left behind by an appraiser from hundreds of years ago. It said that during a meeting with a friend, he once saw 'Counting wood as a key, a good friend opens the door and enters. When he returns, he is in a good mood and his knowledge has grown.'
Counting wood referred to a piece of wood with numbers carved on it. Wasn't this the wooden token in his hand?
But how to open the door and enter? That was a little confusing. Where was the door?
It was a pity that the ancient book only mentioned this. There were no other similar clues. Yang Ming grew even more curious about this matter. However, he was stubborn and aloof, so he rarely sought help from others. After giving it some thought, he decided to ask the grave robber in detail the next time he returned. The man must know more secrets.
Just then, someone chuckled from outside. "Appraiser Yang Ming, I hope we didn't disturb you by coming here without saying goodbye?"
As they spoke, two teachers of the academy came in. They were both Rank 4 beast appraisers just like Yang Ming and were highly respected.
"Oh, Appraiser Yan, Appraiser Ouyang, what brings you here out of the blue?" Yang Ming stood up to greet them. In the academy, Appraiser Yan and Appraiser Ouyang were mild-mannered and had a good relationship with the other instructors. Yang Ming, on the other hand, had an eccentric temperament that inevitably led to conflicts with others. Appraiser Yan and Appraiser Ouyang, on the other hand, were the complete opposite.
Appraiser Yan looked around and said with a smile, "There is indeed a small matter. I heard that Appraiser Yang Ming and the new Appraiser Lin Jin had a small conflict because of what happened in Lecture Hall One."
Yang Ming's expression darkened but he didn't say a word.
Appraiser Ouyang chuckled as well. "I heard the students talking about this but it's not a big deal. We're all teachers of the academy and we'll see each other all the time so please don't ruin our relationship over something so trivial. Appraiser Lin Jin is new here so if he has done anything wrong, please forgive him, Appraiser Yang Ming." Yang Ming kept a straight face as he said, "I don't have any grudge against Appraiser Lin Jin.
Yang Ming kept a straight face as he said calmly, "I have no grudge against that Appraiser Lin Jin. Indeed, I wanted to use Lecture Hall One yesterday but something came up at the last minute so I couldn't make it. Moreover, I was the one who asked my disciple to put up the notice. It's fine if my disciple is ignorant, but Appraiser Lin Jin tore down my notice himself.
Appraiser Yan and Appraiser Ouyang were at a loss for words.
Yang Ming did have an odd temper and it seemed like this wasn't over yet.
"Appraisers, I'll say it again. I have no grudge against Lin Jin so please don't provoke me again. I, Yang Ming, am not a troublemaker and I have many things to attend to. If there's nothing else, please take your leave." Yang Ming got up and saluted them, signaling for them to leave.
Appraiser Yan and Appraiser Ouyang exchanged glances before smiling and excusing themselves.
Yang Ming suddenly remembered the wooden sign on the table. He turned to look at it before walking over and putting it into his sleeve.
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