It would be impolite not to reciprocate. Zu Can knew that he couldn't back down in this short battle. Since the other party had invited a so-called master beast appraiser, Master Liao, he had to introduce Lin Jin as well.
Zu Tianli frowned, probably finding it a pity that Zu Can had regained his composure and didn't fall for the trap. As for Lin Jin, Zu Can's introduction wasn't beneath him at all.
"Appraiser Lin? Hmph, I've never heard of him. Zu Can, purchasing a pet beast for the family is a big deal. How can you treat it like a child's play? It would be fine if you invited Chief Wang or even Gao Jiang. But the Gao family is here to purchase pet beasts too so Gao Jiang definitely won't appraise them for us. It's for this reason that I invited Master Liao. Let's leave the appraisal of the family's purchase to Master Liao. "
Zu Can was infuriated. But after suffering a loss earlier, he had learned his lesson. Even if he was disgusted, he wouldn't show it. However, he could still retaliate in another way.
"May I know if Master Liao is an official beast appraiser?" Zu Can asked.
"This …" Zu Tianli hesitated for a moment as he looked at Master Liao. He only knew that Master Liao was a hermit expert who was rumored to be miraculous in certain circles. But whether or not he was an official beast appraiser, Zu Can had no idea.
Master Liao took the initiative and said, "Although I'm not an official beast appraiser, I've been appraising and treating beasts for more than forty years. No one has ever dared to question my skills. As for my qualifications as an official beast appraiser, it's just a title. Even Wang Ji of Maple City's Beast Appraisal Association was only an insignificant apprentice when I appraised beasts back then. Young man, don't always think too highly of this so-called certification. Why would a true expert care about a title like that? "
With one sentence, Master Liao displayed his seniority and arrogance as he lectured Zu Can.
Zu Can gritted his teeth in anger. He knew that he had to stand his ground. Otherwise, if his purchasing rights were taken away, his father would surely blame him.
He could only pin all his hopes on Lin Jin now.
Zu Can was very confident in Lin Jin.
"Second Uncle, it was my father's idea to invite Appraiser Lin here. What's more, Appraiser Lin has already passed the Rank 2 beast appraiser's examination. It's better if Appraiser Lin appraises our beasts instead." Zu Can refused to back down.
You can have your manners.
But don't even think about using your seniority to bully others.
Both Zu Tianli and Master Liao were taken aback when they heard this.
A Rank 2 beast appraiser was a big deal.
After all, the current chief of Maple City's Beast Appraisal Association was a Rank 2 beast appraiser.
However, neither Zu Tianli nor Master Liao believed him because Lin Jin was too young.
"Hmph, a Rank 2 beast appraiser. I'd like to see for myself!" Master Liao was the first to speak. After sizing Lin Jin up, he sneered. "Since you're a Rank 2 beast appraiser, why don't you have a two-ringed sleeve tattoo? There are many swindlers these days. Young man, don't be deceived. "
At this, Zu Tianli reacted. He glanced at Lin Jin's sleeve and sure enough, he didn't have a one-ringed sleeve tattoo. Forget a two-ringed sleeve tattoo, there wasn't even a one-ringed sleeve tattoo. Zu Tianli immediately bellowed, "Zu Can, purchasing pet beasts for the family is extremely important. This isn't a child's play. You haven't even confirmed whether he's a beast appraiser or not yet you invited someone like him here to mess things up. If he turns out to be a swindler and messes up our family's business, let me tell you, not even your father will forgive you."
Lin Jin had only passed the Rank 2 beast appraiser's examination at noon. When Yu Mantang and the others sent the message back to headquarters, the official certification hadn't been issued yet.
However, Lin Jin's passing of the exam was a sure thing.
Zu Can wanted to say more but Lin Jin stopped him. He knew it was his turn.
Zu Tianli and Master Liao were working in tandem. Zu Can was no match for these two old men alone. Since Lin Jin was invited here by Zu Can, he couldn't just stay out of trouble.
Moreover, Lin Jin had to retaliate after being ignored and belittled by them.
"Master Liao, right?" Lin Jin walked over with a grin and said, "Beast appraising isn't a matter of lip service. Since Old Mister Liao thinks his beast appraising skills are unfathomable and unparalleled, why don't we speak with facts? When the auction begins, we'll appraise and purchase beasts based on our own abilities. We'll pick the best pet beast and if the one who buys a lousy pet beast ends up having to pay for the spirit stones themselves. This way, the Zu family won't be at a disadvantage and we'll be able to decide who's better. "
Lin Jin didn't say a word and went straight to the point.
'Aren't you awesome? Don't you think no one is better than you? Fine, let's go big. '
'Let's see if you dare to accept my challenge. '
Admittedly, Lin Jin's move was' ruthless'. If he lost, he would have to pay out of his own pocket. After all, pet beasts here cost at least several hundred low-grade spirit stones. An average family wouldn't be able to afford such a sum.
If there was a bidding war, the price would be even higher. It could even be several times higher.
Sure enough, Master Liao's expression froze. He was stunned by Lin Jin's unconventional approach.
If he lost, not only would he lose face, but he would also have to pay a hefty price.
His first reaction was to reject the challenge.
But he quickly realized that if he rejected the challenge in front of everyone, people would assume he was scared. Wouldn't the 'reputation' he had built up over the years be ruined?
Many people were watching and Zu Tianli was looking at him expectantly.
"Who is this old mister?"
"You don't even know who Master Liao is? He's a hermit expert in Maple City, a renowned beast appraiser. "
"Is he really that good? I'll have to see for myself. "
Hearing the discussions around him, Master Liao's anger fueled his courage. His blood surged and he made up his mind.
With his hands behind his back, he stood proudly and said with the air of an expert, "Young man, you have no sense of propriety. Competing with you would be bullying you. But if you're willing, I don't mind playing with you. I just hope that when you lose, you can reflect on yourself."
Lin Jin smiled.
'Old man, I was afraid you wouldn't want to compete. '
Since you did, then sorry about that.
Just then, the auction was about to begin. Members of the Friar Association came in one after another. Then, someone struck the gong, signaling the official start of the beast auction.
Members of the Friar Association reached out and lifted the thick cloth covering the dozens of beast cages in the hall, revealing the beasts within.
This auction wouldn't be held one by one, with one person calling out the item and the highest bidder getting the item.
It wasn't that simple.
The auction here was similar to a 'marketplace'.
Next to each beast cage was a wooden sign. When the seller entered, they would be holding a sign in their hands. If they were interested in a pet beast, they could just stick a sign on it and write down the price. If the next bidder offered a higher price than the previous one, the previous bid would be erased and a new one would be written down.
In the end, the highest bidder would win.
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