Feng Ziqian later told Lin Jin that he had tried to invite other Rank 4 beast appraisers but they were all rejected without exception. Of course, they didn't reject him outright. After all, they had to be mindful of the third prince's reputation. Hence, most of them came up with various excuses and refused to see them.
This was obvious and no one here was an idiot. If they were to follow Feng Ziqian, it would be the same as choosing a side in Heavenly Spiral Kingdom's battle for the throne.
Choosing a side shouldn't be rushed and one shouldn't go over knowing that the other party wouldn't be able to ascend the throne. Take Feng Ziqian for example. Out of all the princes, he had the lowest chance of ascending the throne. Under such circumstances, how could anyone possibly go with Feng Ziqian?
It was true that Rank 4 beast appraisers were respected but they wouldn't make enemies over such a trivial matter, especially if they offended a powerful prince or even the future emperor of Heavenly Spiral Kingdom.
It wasn't worth it.
Hence, it was normal for Feng Ziqian to refuse. It would be strange if Feng Ziqian could.
Lin Jin only figured this out after some thought. But now that Feng Ziqian had come knocking on his door, Lin Jin would be disloyal if he didn't respond.
There was one more thing. This banquet was undoubtedly a test. Feng Ziqian mentioned that the rare beast brought by the Thousand Island Nation was extremely rare. If the beast appraiser he brought along couldn't appraise it, it would be a disgrace to Heavenly Spiral Kingdom's dignity.
"This time, my elder brother has invited the State Tutor, Sima Qing, and another Rank 4 beast appraiser. My second brother has also invited two Rank 4 beast appraisers. If I can't even invite a single one of them, Father will probably think that I'm useless, let alone gain the favor of the princess of Thousand Island Country."
Feng Ziqian looked helpless as he said this.
Lin Jin didn't mind blowing things up so he asked, "Are you afraid that your father will think that you're useless or are you afraid that you won't be able to win the princess's favor?"
Feng Ziqian was stunned. He looked at Lin Jin and asked, "Is there a difference? These two matters are the same. But to be honest, I don't care if the princess likes me or not. I just don't want to be looked down upon. I have to at least show some ability. But if I can't even invite a Rank 4 beast appraiser, I'll be considered incompetent. I'd rather not attend the banquet tonight. "
Lin Jin had already decided to help Feng Ziqian. After all, to Lin Jin, Feng Ziqian was a member of the Visitation Hall so he was one of his own.
It was only right and proper for him to help his own people.
Also, if he wanted to borrow the Dao Lord's Heavenly Tome, he would need Feng Ziqian to act as a middleman. Feng Ziqian was naturally trustworthy, but the problem was that if his status was too low, Emperor Tianxuan would probably ignore him.
Regardless of whether it was for the sake of others or for himself, he should help.
Hence, after giving it some thought, Lin Jin nodded. "I'll help you with this."
In any case, the banquet couldn't be held too late. At most, they could enter the Visitation Hall after midnight. They could still make it.
Feng Ziqian was elated to hear Lin Jin agree.
Of course, Feng Ziqian's best plan was to invite Curator and Appraiser Lin Jin along. Only then would they be ranked.
Especially the Curator, who had recently risen to fame. Even in the Sky Jade Nation, many people knew of him, and many people wanted to get to know him. If the Curator came, then he would have a great reputation.
It was a pity that Curator wasn't here yet so Appraiser Lin Jin had to take over. Although it wasn't up to expectations, Appraiser Lin Jin was still a Rank 4 beast appraiser so he should be able to handle the situation.
Hopefully.
However, Appraiser Lin alone wasn't enough. Feng Ziqian decided to bid farewell and visit a few more Rank 4 beast appraisers. It would be even better if he could invite them, but if that didn't work out, he would have to find a Rank 3 beast appraiser to take over.
Just then, Feng Ziqian heard a woman's voice. "I'm coming too!"
This' I'm going too 'wasn't a question, nor was it a test. Instead, it was a confirmation, a voice of absolute authority.
Feng Ziqian looked over in confusion. "Madam Lin, you're coming too?"
The one who spoke was obviously Shu Xiaolou.
Lin Jin was afraid that Shu Xiaolou would kill the annoying Feng Ziqian in a fit of anger so he quickly tugged at Feng Ziqian's shirt, coughed, and said sternly, "Your Highness, this is a senior from the academy, Senior Shu."
Senior Shu?
Feng Ziqian was stunned, thinking that Lin Jin was joking.
"Hurry up and greet him. Even if your father was here, he would have to be polite to Senior Shu," Lin Jin said with a straight face. He was right. Shu Xiaolou was a Rank 5 beast appraiser.
He was probably the best beast appraiser in the entire Heavenly Jade Academy. Needless to say, he had been around for more than five hundred years. Even Zhong Zifeng had to be respectful and careful when he saw Shu Xiaolou.
Feng Ziqian was still skeptical, but the good thing about him was that he wasn't overly stubborn. Since Appraiser Lin Jin had said so, Feng Ziqian bowed dubiously.
"Greetings, Senior Shu. I apologize for my lack of manners earlier. Please forgive me."
Feng Ziqian was a smooth talker. He could tell that things weren't as he thought, that Appraiser Lin wasn't keeping a mistress in his house. Lin Jin then said, "Congratulations, Your Highness."
"What's there to be happy about?" Feng Ziqian looked confused but Lin Jin continued, "Of course there's something to be happy about. Now that Senior Shu is willing to support you, Your Highness, I'm sure you'll be able to shine brightly at the banquet. When that happens, not only will your father value you, but even the princess of Thousand Island Kingdom will be interested in you."
"Are you serious?" Feng Ziqian clearly didn't believe Lin Jin. But since Lin Jin made it sound so plausible, even though Feng Ziqian knew it couldn't be true, he couldn't help but feel a little excited and expectant.
"Of course it's true." Lin Jin glanced at Shu Xiaolou, but the latter looked nonchalant.
"Alright then!" Feng Ziqian didn't think too much about it. Seeing how serious Lin Jin was, he was a little more convinced. Since he might not be able to hire another Rank 4 beast appraiser, he might as well do it this way.
Just as Lin Jin said, Feng Ziqian might be able to turn the tables and shine brightly.
"Uhm, Appraiser Lin, Senior … Senior Shu, I'll go make some preparations now. I'll send someone to invite both of you over later. Don't worry, I've prepared the carriage." Feng Ziqian clearly had other matters to attend to so he quickly excused himself.
After Feng Ziqian left, Lin Jin asked Shu Xiaolou curiously, "Where are you going?"
Shu Xiaolou definitely wasn't going because of Feng Ziqian so Lin Jin guessed that Shu Xiaolou only wanted to join in on the fun because Lin Jin was going.
Instead, Shu Xiaolou said with a straight face, "I heard that the Thousand Island Kingdom has many rare beasts that can't be found in Continent Central. I'll be able to broaden my horizons by going there."
His tone and expression made it seem like he was just doing his job.
"Well then, let's get changed," Lin Jin suddenly said. Lin Jin suddenly said. He was thinking that Shu Xiaolou's crimson dress was too eye-catching but Shu Xiaolou misunderstood his intentions.
"Oh, that's true. I don't look as dignified as I am now. Let's get changed then." Having said that, Shu Xiaolou vanished. After a while, Shu Xiaolou, who looked like a sagely old man, appeared.
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