Martial Arts: I Have a Wilderness World

Chapter 547: Chapter 290: The First Loan (Part 2)

The terms for the Spirit Stone loan weren’t excessive. As mentioned before, the amount started at three thousand Spirit Stones, with a maximum of ten thousand. The repayment period was a minimum of one year and a maximum of three. An extension of one year was possible if they couldn’t repay on time, but the interest rate would be higher.

This meant a maximum of four years to repay.

If they still couldn’t repay after four years, there was only one final price to pay: Soul Returns to the Wilderness.

These four words appeared throughout the terms. All matters related to Cheng Zongyang, including but not limited to the Teleportation Array and his residence, were bound by a confidentiality agreement. If they leaked even the slightest detail, the only consequence was Soul Returns to the Wilderness.

Cheng Zongyang’s terms listed no other punishment, only "Soul Returns to the Wilderness." This could only mean one thing—it was a real threat, and it meant their lives! Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been stated so bluntly.

To pay with one’s life for failing to repay a debt—the price was terrifying to them.

But they recalled how Da Yi Bank handled debtors. When someone couldn’t repay a loan, the bank would essentially seize control of their life, forcing them to work until the debt was cleared. If they refused, their assets would be confiscated, and in the end, they would be killed.

Now, they were the ones experiencing the consequences of the rules they had once imposed on others.

Of course, they could refuse to sign the loan agreement. But if they walked out that door, they would have to earn Spirit Stones through their own labor, which would inevitably slow their rate of Cultivation.

To ensure they could repay the debt, they thought it over and decided to each borrow only three thousand Spirit Stones. They would repay it in a single lump sum after three years. The interest was set at one hundred Spirit Stones for the first year, one hundred and fifty for the second, and two hundred for the third, totaling four hundred and fifty Spirit Stones.

Cheng Zongyang hadn’t bothered with a fixed interest rate, opting instead for this simple and direct calculation method.

They had no choice but to comply.

After the three of them filled out the agreements, signed their names, and added their thumbprints, they handed them to Cheng Zongyang.

Cheng Zongyang accepted the three Sheepskin Scroll contracts. After looking them over, he signed and added his own thumbprint without another word. He put the scrolls away, then took out three chests and placed them on the ground.

"One chest contains three thousand Low Grade Spirit Stones. One for each of you. As for worldly wisdom like not flaunting your wealth, you three have far more experience than I do, so I won’t presume to lecture you."

Cheng Zongyang had no intention of making arrangements for the three chests. If three Martial Artists were seen carrying nine thousand Spirit Stones out in the open, and a Cultivator spotted them... the outcome was obvious.

’They might be protected within the city, but they’ll have to leave eventually, won’t they?’

’It was no longer his problem. Their loan agreement was finalized. What happened to the Spirit Stones and how they managed them was their own responsibility.’

’But the real business wasn’t over yet. If he didn’t find a way to earn those Spirit Stones right back, all his preparations would have been for nothing, right?’

So, he added, "However, taking these Spirit Stones out with you is no different from a child carrying gold through a busy marketplace.

"Our loan transaction may be complete, and your three days of free lodging are up, but we can always extend the lease, can’t we?

"These rooms of mine are intended to provide a buffer period for people who arrive via the Teleportation Array.

"So, I can offer you an initial term of three months. After that, we can discuss a renewal. If more people arrive in the future, you’ll have to vacate to make room for the newcomers. After all, they’ll also need some time to adjust.

"I’ve renovated and refitted these rooms. You’ve seen the location. They are shielded by a Protective Array, a Spirit Gathering Array, and other formations. This will be extremely beneficial for both your future Cultivation and your safety.

"Therefore, the rent is naturally a bit higher. It’s benchmarked against housing for Loose Cultivators in the West District, so let’s say eighty Spirit Stones per person per month. I’ll give you a round number—two hundred Spirit Stones a month for all three of you. Plus, I’ll throw in a free aptitude test for your Spiritual Root and Bone.

"If you’re willing, the rooms are yours to rent. If not, you’re free to look for an inn or other lodging, assuming you can find any.

"You’ll just need to be moved out by the end of today.

"Oh, right. I don’t know if you’ve had a chance to look around the South District, but ordinary houses here don’t have Array protection. Only the superior rooms at inns have them, and their daily rent is quite steep."

’He had considered selling Cultivation Techniques, but he hadn’t purchased any himself, and their cost in Points was high, so he decided against it for now.’

’Besides, everyone chooses different Cultivation Techniques. Later, though, he would buy various Cultivation Immortality Techniques here and take them back to the Martial Arts Realm to be printed and sold. That would maximize his profits.’

Just then, he recalled something else and said:

"If you decide to stay here, you’ll need to go to the local Sect garrison to register for temporary residency. After that, you just have to check in once a month and pay the sojourn fee. If you’re caught residing in the city without paying, the Spirit Stone fine is substantial, and you’ll get a black mark. More than three marks, and you’ll be expelled and forbidden from renting lodging in the city ever again."

After Cheng Zongyang finished speaking, Yu Wenlin suddenly asked, "Can we really handle the residency registration? If so, can it be done today?"

This time, it was Cheng Zongyang’s turn to be surprised. He looked at the three of them and asked doubtfully:

"Permanent residency costs five thousand Spirit Stones. That’s more than half of your nine thousand. Are you sure the remaining four thousand will be enough to cover your needs? As much as I’d like to make a profit, I also need to be sure you can eventually repay your debt."

Ji Lin quickly interjected, speaking to Cheng Zongyang, "Don’t get the wrong idea. We’re just asking."

Then, he turned to Yu Wenlin. "Let’s reconsider residency after we’ve had a breakthrough. Since Young Master Cheng is willing to rent to us for three months, we should make good use of this time to focus on our Cultivation and achieve a breakthrough."

"He’s right. While permanent residency certainly has long-term advantages, it’s not an urgent matter for us right now," Shentu Li chimed in.

Seeing this, Yu Wenlin said no more.

And so, the three of them agreed to rent the rooms from Cheng Zongyang for three months.

But Cheng Zongyang said, "Let’s make it for half a year. I’m not sure if I’ll be back within the next three months. If you decide to leave before the six months are up, I’ll simply refund you for the remaining time."

"That... works for us," Ji Lin nodded.

With that, they paid Cheng Zongyang one thousand two hundred Spirit Stones for six months’ rent.

There was no need for a formal lease agreement; that much trust existed between them. Besides, Cheng Zongyang wasn’t about to tarnish his reputation over such a small amount of Spirit Stones.

He was building a long-term business.

Once the money was exchanged, Cheng Zongyang took out a Spirit Testing Stone and a sheet of Spirit Testing Paper. He addressed the three of them, saying:

"To embark on the path of Cultivation Immortality, you need a Spirit Bone, a Spirit Root, or both. You’ve already read about it in the pamphlet, so I won’t go into detail. Who wants to go first?"

"I’ll go first," Shentu Li said, stepping forward excitedly.

’They didn’t really care about the Spirit Bone. If they had a Spirit Root, they wouldn’t have to pursue a breakthrough via the Martial Dao; they could begin Cultivation Immortality directly.’

The other two had no objection to the order, and they stepped closer to watch.

After a brief procedure, Cheng Zongyang began by testing Shentu Li’s Spirit Bone.

Anyone capable of cultivating to the Innate Great Perfection realm was certain to possess a Spirit Bone. The test was just to determine its Attributes.

A moment later, Shentu Li and the other two stared at the four colors that appeared—red, blue, gold, and green—and fell silent.

According to the pamphlet Cheng Zongyang had given them, the more attributes a Spirit Bone had, the faster one’s progress in the Martial Arts.

Their ability to cultivate to the Innate Great Perfection Realm spoke volumes about their Talent. But they had never imagined he would have a four-attribute Spirit Bone. This meant that once they embarked on the path of Cultivation, their progress would be incredibly slow without sufficient resources!

’If he hadn’t known about Spiritual Root and Bone, he would have been thrilled about his high Martial Arts Talent. But now... to hell with it.’

"The Spirit Bone doesn’t matter, the Spirit Root is what’s important! Let’s test the Spirit Root," Shentu Li said, immediately shaking off his gloomy thoughts and adjusting his mood.

Cheng Zongyang didn’t seem to mind. He picked up the Spirit Testing Stone.

’The presence of a Spirit Root and a Spirit Bone were almost always complementary.’

’Someone with a Spirit Root was highly likely to also have a Spirit Bone, and vice versa. It was true for himself, for Zhou Zhendong, for Cheng Zongwen, and now, it seemed, for Shentu Li as well.’

’However, the Spirit Root Attributes of Zhou Zhendong and Cheng Zongwen weren’t very good. They had either Four Attributes or five. This meant that without a steady supply of resources, their Cultivation speed would be painfully slow.’

’Of course, for him, resources were no problem at all.’

’When he returned this time, he would have the clan members with four and five-attribute Spirit Roots begin their Cultivation immediately, so they wouldn’t fall behind. As for those with fewer Spirit Root attributes but more Spirit Bone attributes, they would continue to pursue the Martial Dao.’

’He had plenty of Martial Arts resources, so he wasn’t worried about their training speed.’