What Was There to Certify Right After Awakening?

Ji Xuejun really wanted to pull out her great halberd and give him a smack, just to see whether Cao Yiming was really as powerful as he claimed. But after thinking about how Lin Yu was still here, she decided to give Cao Yiming some face.

Meanwhile, Cao Yiming, completely unaware that he had narrowly escaped disaster, was still showing off his proud creation to Lin Yu.

"This is far too valuable, and I have ways to protect myself!"

Although Lin Yu said it was too valuable, his hands honestly accepted it anyway. This was something that could save his life. While Lin Yu was already excellent at staying alive, who would ever complain about having more safeguards?

Cao Yiming laughed when he saw Lin Yu's reaction. He had taken it out specifically to help Lin Yu preserve his life. No matter how Lin Yu reacted, he would not take it back. As Banyan City's leader, he had at least that much magnanimity.

Moreover, Cao Yiming rather appreciated Lin Yu's unpretentious manner.

"Haha... it's not that valuable, just a little thing I made myself! Go ahead and use it, but it can only be triggered once. After using it, you'll need to replenish it with spiritual energy before you can use it again!"

"You can replenish its spiritual energy with magic crystals, or have a seventh-rank Guardian infuse it with spiritual energy."

"Mm-hm, then this kid thanks Lord Cao!"

Lin Yu nodded like a bobblehead. He had not expected this thing to be reusable. What a good item. Even if he did not use it himself, he could give it to his parents.

"No need to be so polite with me. I'm probably about the same age as your father, so just call me Uncle Cao!"

"Then I'll gladly accept your kindness, Uncle Cao!"

"Hahaha... good!"

Cao Yiming understood things clearly. Though he currently held a high position, once Lin Yu grew stronger, he would surely become someone Cao Yiming could never reach. Thus, showing him goodwill while Lin Yu's wings had yet to fully grow was the wisest choice.

"Lord Cao, that's not very proper of you. What's this? Taking advantage of me?"

Ji Xuejun glared at Cao Yiming with an unfriendly expression, seeming ready to pull out her halberd at the slightest disagreement.

Cao Yiming's face stiffened. Damn it... how had I forgotten this little ancestor?

He could not afford to offend this great deity. Although Cao Yiming was nominally Ji Xuejun's superior, he truly did not dare give orders to the person before him casually.

At such a young age, Ji Xuejun was already a seventh-rank Guardian like himself. Who knew how far she would grow in the future? She was known as the person among the younger generation most likely to become an Emperor. On top of that, her background was even more terrifying—she was from the Ji Family of Upper Capital. He could not provoke her. Absolutely not.

"Different matters, different terms... different matters, different terms."

Cao Yiming hurriedly said, secretly wiping away a cold sweat.

Knock, knock...

A burst of knocking saved Cao Yiming. His eyes lit up. Damn! What perfect timing. Cao Yiming silently sighed in relief.

"Come in!"

Cao Yiming hurriedly sat up straight, his expression turning stern as the imposing aura of someone long accustomed to a high position naturally emerged.

Seeing this, Ji Xuejun rolled her eyes and could not be bothered to say anything more. With outsiders present, she still knew where to draw the line.

A young man gently pushed open the office door and walked in.

"Director Cao, you were looking for me?"

"Mm. Little Li, take Brother Lin Yu to have his Guardian identity certified. Tell Elder Li that I asked you to bring him!"

Cao Yiming pointed at Lin Yu as he spoke.

"Yes, Director Cao!"

Little Li nodded without saying anything, though curiosity showed in his eyes. He turned to Lin Yu and said, "Mr. Lin, please come with me."

"Alright, thank you! Then, Director Cao, I'll be going now."

Lin Yu stood and bid Cao Yiming farewell. Since there were outsiders present, Lin Yu did not call him Uncle Cao to avoid giving the wrong impression.

"I'll go too. I haven't seen Elder Li in a long time. I'll go visit him!"

Ji Xuejun also rose and said to Cao Yiming.

"Alright. Elder Li was mentioning you not long ago. It'll be good for you to go see him."

Cao Yiming nodded and watched the three leave the office.

Along the way, Little Li was very respectful toward Ji Xuejun and Lin Yu. To be Cao Yiming's assistant, his judgment was certainly above average.

Ji Xuejun was one of Banyan City's most prominent figures. As someone in the same system, she was extremely famous throughout this small territory of Banyan City. How could Little Li not recognize her?

As for Lin Yu, Little Li did not know him, but anyone whom Cao Yiming addressed as "little brother" could not be simple.

Therefore, neither of them could be offended. Little Li instantly added both of them to his list of people not to provoke, and he spoke carefully the entire way, afraid that he might say something wrong.

After a while, Little Li brought Lin Yu and Ji Xuejun to a spacious room. It resembled the training halls from movies in Lin Yu's previous life, with all kinds of sabers, spears, swords, and halberds lined up along both sides. A robust, rosy-cheeked old man was leisurely brewing tea. Wearing headphones, he had his eyes closed and was holding an old-fashioned radio as he listened to opera.

"Elder Li, Director Cao asked me to bring this little brother here to have his Guardian status certified."

Little Li led the two over and respectfully addressed the old man.

The old man said nothing. He continued swaying his head, utterly immersed in the opera.

"Old man, what are you listening to that has you so engrossed?"

Ji Xuejun had no such reservations. She walked straight up to Elder Li, took hold of his arm, and shook it.

After Ji Xuejun shook him, Elder Li slowly opened his tightly shut eyes. A flash of brilliance passed through them, and Lin Yu instinctively used Appraisal on him.

Seventh-rank peak (eighth-rank)

Lin Yu froze. What was going on? Why had all the levels he Appraised lately been so strange? Before he could think further, the old man's booming voice rang out.

"Hahaha... Little Xuejun, what brings you to this old man's place?"

"Old man, I haven't seen you in so long. I missed you!"

Ji Xuejun rarely revealed such a girlish expression. Smiling, she continued to shake the old man's arm.

"Haha... Little Xuejun, your mouth is still as sweet as ever."

The old man laughed heartily, clearly delighted by Ji Xuejun's arrival.

Lin Yu watched the scene before him with astonishment. Compared to the Ji Xuejun from before, she seemed like an entirely different person. The more domineering she had been earlier, the more much she now resembled a young girl. Lin Yu felt that their relationship had to be unusual, or Ji Xuejun would not have changed so drastically.

"Elder Li, Director Cao asked me to bring this little brother here to have his Guardian status certified."

Little Li seized the chance to interject and relayed Director Cao's instructions to Elder Li.

"Hmm?"

Elder Li turned toward Lin Yu with surprise in his eyes. Though he nominally oversaw certifications, he had not personally handled one in a long time. Besides, if someone wanted certification, could they not simply go to the Rank Certification Center? Why had they come here instead? Elder Li wondered.

"Old man, Little Yu isn't old enough to be certified yet. Going to the Rank Certification Center would be too troublesome!"

"Not old enough? Did he just awaken? What is there to certify?"

"He did just awaken, but Old man, take another careful look."

Ji Xuejun pursed her lips and snickered.

"Hmm?"

Elder Li sensed Lin Yu's aura in confusion. Then his eyes abruptly widened, and he spat out a mouthful of tea.

"Damn... third-rank peak?"