← 我的模拟长生路

第一百六十八章 清风拂灵树

Previously, when the Black-Cloaked Convergence of Dao uprooted the Bright Moon Palace, it had also pulled up other similar organizations.

Li Fan guessed at that time that these organizations might not have emerged after witnessing the flourishing activities of the Bright Moon Palace. Instead, they were likely already engaged in lending-related businesses. Seeing the huge profits generated by the Bright Moon Palace each year, they couldn't resist imitating its operations.

In Dao Source State, such organizations should naturally exist in the Congyun Sea as well. To get rich quickly, one had to use leverage.

Li Fan planned to take advantage of the massive fluctuations in the price of Spirit Fog Grass and make a substantial profit. He needed these lending organizations' help for that.

However, whether it was before or this world, Li Fan couldn't find any trace of them after extensive inquiries. Clearly, this organization operated with great caution.

Thus, he came to Immortal Master He Zhenghao to gather some information.

As expected, He Zhenghao didn’t disappoint him.

"Friend, consider carefully before going to the Clear Wind Hall," he said. "They won't lend you contribution points for free; they charge an 18% annual interest rate."

"If you make a profit, it will be easy to repay this interest. But if there's a loss..."

He Zhenghao’s eyelids flickered: "You might have to work off that debt for those guys for over ten years."

Li Fan bowed slightly: "I’ll remember your advice. Please rest assured; I know what I’m doing."

"Then, no further trouble. We can discuss again next time."

After saying this, Li Fan returned to the Ten Thousand Immortals Island through a teleportation array and headed straight for the Clear Wind Hall.

In the outermost layer of the Ten Thousand Immortals Island, he finally found it—unremarkable, indistinguishable from any ordinary small shop.

Li Fan activated a shape-shifting talisman and entered.

A rather shabby old man was sleeping on a chair behind the counter. He didn’t even open his eyes when someone came in; instead, he continued to rock back and forth while still closed-eyed.

Following He Zhenghao’s instructions, Li Fan took out the emerald-green jade token.

"Beep beep beep."

The old man tapped three times on the counter.

The emerald-green jade token emitted a faint glow, forming a door.

Li Fan looked around for a moment before stepping through the door. His figure vanished, and so did the green shadow of the door.

The old man remained motionless throughout; it seemed no one had ever entered this Clear Wind Hall.

Darkness enveloped him briefly before lights flickered back on. Li Fan found himself under a large tree.

To his surprise, the effect of the shape-shifting talisman was instantly nullified upon entering.

The tree’s branches were lush and verdant, with leaves shimmering like jade, emitting a lustrous glow. A human face appeared on the trunk, staring at him as it spoke: "Who referred you here? What business do you have?"

Li Fan faced the tree head-on and said loudly, "Immortal Master He Zhenghao of Lustrous Island refers me. I want to borrow something from your Clear Wind Hall."

The tree face seemed slow in its response.

After a long while, it replied: "A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator can borrow up to 30,000 contribution points."

"An annual interest rate of 16%, with flexible repayment options."

"The maximum overdue period is ten years."

...

The tree face slowly introduced the Clear Wind Hall's services one by one.

Afterward, Li Fan said unhappily, "Only 30,000? That’s not enough at all. I’m a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator of twenty-nine years old with an untold future. Can you be more lenient?"

The tree face tried to widen its eyes and stared intently at Li Fan.

After observing for a while, it said, "You can borrow up to 40,000 contribution points."

Li Fan was impatient: "Just one additional ten thousand? That’s too stingy!"

"When I was in the Source Dao State, I was still a middle-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. The Bright Moon Palace lent me over seventy thousand contribution points at once! Why is it so different here?"

"Brother Tree, can you make this decision? Otherwise, let's find someone who can and discuss again."

Li Fan spoke casually but covertly glanced in a certain direction.

The branches above rustled without wind, and the green leaves swayed softly.

The tree face stared at Li Fan expressionlessly. Li Fan returned its gaze fearlessly.

After a long time, the tree face slowly said, "Up to 50,000 points; that’s all."

Li Fan looked disappointed: "Such a pity." He then added, "Oh right, I’m not borrowing contribution points but Spirit Fog Grass. Can you lend it?"

He blinked and stared at the tree face.

The wind seemed stronger, and the leaves swayed more violently.

"Yes. For borrowed items, we don’t calculate interest; instead, repayment is based on quantity," the tree face said gruffly.

"You must return 130% of what you borrow within one year."

"160% in the second year."

"200% in the third year."

"The maximum borrowing period is three years."

Li Fan was shocked: "So unfair?"

But seeing the tree face’s stern expression, he immediately shut up.

He started negotiating again: "If it's for borrowed items, can I borrow more?"

The tree face ignored him.

Seeing this, Li Fan reluctantly gave up.

"Then how many Spirit Fog Grass can I borrow now?" he asked.

"2,700." The tree face said gruffly.

Li Fan muttered to himself before replying, "Alright! I’ll borrow it. What do I need to do?"

A green leaf slowly descended from above and landed in front of him.

He took the leaf and immediately saw a series of information pop up in his mind—exactly what he had just agreed with the tree face.

"If you agree, use spiritual energy to refine this green leaf."

Li Fan nodded and wrapped the leaf with spiritual energy. The leaf was instantly refined, and a barely visible green-leaf pattern appeared on Li Fan's left forearm.

"Once the debt is settled, this bond will disappear," said the tree face.

"I’ll send you the Spirit Fog Grass in a moment."

After saying that, the tree face vanished from the trunk, leaving no trace.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Li Fan looked up at the large tree. The tree face's strength felt strange to him—clearly much stronger than an Incarnation True Monarch but weaker than a Transcendent True Monarch. Moreover, there was no sign of any array here; it seemed naturally formed.

Li Fan observed curiously from side to side.

After some time, the tree face reappeared and spat out a storage ring.

"Here are all the Spirit Fog Grass."

"The transaction is complete; you can leave now."

"Don’t forget to repay your debt on time. Otherwise..."

Before Li Fan could speak, the tree face expelled him from this space.

Green light gathered under the tree, forming a vague green figure.

"Such a large amount of Spirit Fog Grass? Interesting," a clear voice said from within.

"Could it be that the price of Spirit Fog Grass will drop?"

"Sixth Brother, keep an eye on things."

The tree face replied gruffly: "Understood, Miss."

"Miss, that guy was really annoying."

The green figure chuckled lightly: "Indeed, he was."

"But who is the Bright Moon Palace’s competitor? I’ve never heard of them before."

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