Martial Arts: I Have a Wilderness World

Chapter 536: Chapter 286: Remnant Soul of the River God (Part 2)

’Besides, even if I were invaded, I have nothing to fear inside the marketplace cottage.’

Without the slightest hesitation, he cast an Identification Technique.

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[Remnant Soul of a River God]

Description: Once a Fish Demon in a river, it protected the local people after many years of Cultivation and was respected by them. It was later enlightened by the Wind Monarch and taken under his command, becoming the River God of the Shanyang River section of the Li Yuan Mountain Range. Along with the Three Earth Monarchs, it received the incense offerings from the people around the Shanyang River, transforming into the body of an Earth Spirit.

Status: Remnant Soul

Grade: Earth Spirit (Damaged)

Points: 100,000

Note: Can be sacrificed to the Ring Spirit.

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Cheng Zongyang’s brow furrowed tightly as he looked at the information displayed.

’More of this baffling information!’

’River God, Earth Spirit!’

’What exactly are these positions? These Grades?’

He suddenly felt that this world concealed an extremely astonishing secret he knew nothing about.

"Beastmen, Elves, Cultivators, Deities... what else is there? What the hell kind of place is this world?"

The deeper Cheng Zongyang explored, the more complex and mysterious he found this world to be. He even had the thought of stopping his exploration altogether, content to just be someone who hunted Exotic Beasts and gathered Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to earn Points, ignoring everything else.

But now, as he continued to explore and learn, it seemed he could no longer stop.

After all, deep in his heart, he truly yearned to understand this world.

He sighed inwardly and maneuvered the Soul Crystal in his hand toward the River God’s remnant soul. The next moment, as if it had found its home, the remnant soul sank back into the Soul Crystal. Cheng Zongyang paid it no mind, placing it together with the other few Soul Crystals.

’I have seven Soul Crystals now!’ The information about the River God still compelled him to take out his notebook and add two new questions that needed answers: River God & Earth Spirit, and their pros and cons.

After sealing the seven Soul Crystals, Cheng Zongyang left the Fourth Level.

With his territory having expanded by 30,000 kilometers, Cheng Zongyang had no intention of identifying any more place names.

First, it was too troublesome, and second, it consumed too many Points. He could only hope to find a map of this world in the future.

「Time flew by, and a month passed.」

Just as he was cultivating in the Wilderness World while waiting for news from Luo Dingran, a voice came from his personal room on the Third Level of the marketplace cottage.

It was Zhou Zhendong, from the outside world.

Cheng Zongyang immediately left the marketplace cottage, his consciousness returning to his body.

Just then, he heard Zhou Zhendong’s voice from outside the door again. "Zongyang, someone from the Da Yi Commerce Association is here. Did you hear me?"

"Got it. Go on up and entertain them. I’ll be there in a moment," Cheng Zongyang replied. He then stood up, and with a shake of his aura, the light layer of dust on his clothes scattered.

He then glanced at the normally operating Array of Jade Peak Immortal City, nodded slightly, and walked toward the basement door.

’A month. This Yu Wenlin is quite patient, actually waiting a whole month.’

Anyone who heard they could go to the Cultivation Immortality Realm would probably be itching to leave that very day. But Yu Wenlin had forced himself to wait a month before coming.

Of course, he guessed Yu Wenlin was probably preoccupied with handing over his business affairs and arranging the three million taels of silver. As for whether Yu Wenlin had told the Da Yi Commerce Association headquarters about the Ice and Fire Cultivation Immortality Realm, that was none of his concern.

「A moment later, in the rear courtyard’s living room.」

Only Cheng Zongyang and three similarly-aged old men were present. Cheng Zongyang had sent everyone else away.

After introducing the third man, Ji Lin, to Cheng Zongyang, Yu Wenlin sat down and began to speak.

"Young Master Cheng, the three of us are ready, but there are still a few matters we’d like you to clarify."

Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly. "Go ahead."

Shentu Li and Ji Lin remained silent, letting Yu Wenlin be the point of contact. Yu Wenlin said:

"We have become extremely familiar with the booklet you gave us last time. However, regarding the matter of Spirit Stones, the booklet only briefly mentioned that we could borrow from you. We would like to understand the details."

As soon as Cheng Zongyang heard this, he guessed they would ask about it.

’Once they’re over there, they’ll need to spend Spirit Stones just to live in the County Town. They don’t have a single one on them. It’s not hard to earn some; they can bring some valuables over to a pawnshop.’

’But there’s no way for them to earn a lot that way, because I can’t let them bring too much. Otherwise, with all their bags, do they think this place is a bus or a cargo truck? How could I run my loan business then?’

"Be more specific," Cheng Zongyang said.

Yu Wenlin then asked, "How many Spirit Stones can the three of us borrow, and what is the interest rate? And what are the repayment methods?"

Having run the Da Yi Commerce Association’s Money Shop for many years, they were naturally well-versed in such matters.

After a moment of contemplation, Cheng Zongyang said:

"Each person can borrow a minimum of three thousand Low Grade Spirit Stones. The approximate cost of living there is written in the booklet, so I won’t elaborate on their value. The annual interest is one hundred Low Grade Spirit Stones. For every additional year, the interest will also increase. The loan can be repaid in a lump sum after a maximum of three years. That’s not high, is it? As for the maximum you can borrow, that depends on your ability to repay and whether you have any valuable collateral.

Of course, the booklet also lists the rules you must follow before you go. They are all recorded along with the loan agreement. The penalty for defaulting on this contract is also written in the contract template at the back of the booklet, so again, I won’t elaborate. You can consider it for yourselves."

After listening, the three men exchanged a glance and all nodded.

The interest wasn’t high, but the penalty for defaulting was truly bizarre.

They really didn’t understand a penalty like "Soul Returns to the Wilderness." But as long as they didn’t default, it wouldn’t be a problem.

As Chiefs of the Commerce Association for many years, they were confident they could repay the Spirit Stones, principal and interest, within a year.

If Cheng Zongyang knew what they were thinking, he would probably laugh out loud.

Even Cultivators in the West District found it difficult to save a thousand Spirit Stones in a year, let alone repaying a loan with interest.

’In Zi’an County, you want to save money without household registration, after all the miscellaneous expenses?’

Yu Wenlin continued to ask, "Then how do we arrange the household registration mentioned in the booklet? It says that without a County Town household registration, we can only find a place to live outside the city, or rent a house in the County Town and have to register our information and pay a fee every month. Only with a household registration can we buy a house. How do we get one?"

This time, Cheng Zongyang smiled. ’This is another business opportunity.’

He had discussed this matter of household registration with Lady Qin before. Although he didn’t know what kind of relationship Lady Qin had with the local Cultivation Immortality Families, her ability to help people quickly secure registration meant her connections were extraordinary.

Therefore, he had asked about a potential partnership back then. However, Lady Qin had not given him a direct answer.

But from over a month of intermittent contact, he knew Lady Qin was very fond of Spirit Stones.

Thus, the household registration partnership was still worth a try.

He said to Yu Wenlin and the other two, "It’s written in the booklet that it’s extremely difficult for a non-Cultivator to get household registration without connections. Even if you become a Cultivator, it’s hard to rent a house in the other three districts without Spirit Stones or connections. So, if you want to get registered, you’ll need a lot of Spirit Stones. For now, you should focus on earning more Spirit Stones first. You can consider household registration once you have a surplus. After all, you can always find a place to live outside the city."

Hearing this, the three men fell silent.

Cheng Zongyang gave them a kind reminder, "The price for one person’s household registration is no less than five thousand Spirit Stones. You can come find me after you’ve earned that amount."

At this, the three men said no more.

Just then, Shentu Li spoke up. "When do we leave?"

Cheng Zongyang said calmly, "Anytime."

So, the three men said no more and prepared to go. But Cheng Zongyang said, "I will take you there, but you have to drink this."

As he spoke, he called out to Zhou Zhendong outside.

"Take a sip. Show them."

When Zhou Zhendong saw what was in Cheng Zongyang’s hand, he knew what it was. He had drunk it before, and his finger had been healed afterward.

And so, under the wary gazes of Yu Wenlin and the other two, Zhou Zhendong sat in a chair, drank, and then fell asleep.

Cheng Zongyang was direct. "Check him and see if there’s anything wrong. The only reason I’m having you drink this is so you don’t see certain things. You’ll be there when you wake up. It’s not just you; everyone who goes to the Cultivation Immortality Realm in the future will drink this."

Yu Wenlin didn’t respond but went over to check Zhou Zhendong’s condition. The drink was on the table, and there was still plenty left.

There was no way the three of them would drink it so casually; that would be putting their lives in someone else’s hands.

As they examined him, Cheng Zongyang stood up and began to walk out, continuing,

"Examine him thoroughly, and think it over carefully. He didn’t drink much, so he’ll probably wake up in about half an hour. I’ll be back in half an hour. If you don’t agree to drink it, I’ll return your money, and our transaction is over."