Previously, when Mingyue Palace was uprooted by that black-clothed Dao Integration cultivator, there were many other similar organizations also destroyed.
Li Fan speculated at the time that these organizations might not have appeared in imitation of the flourishing lending business of Mingyue Palace. Instead, these organizations were likely originally engaged in other lending-related businesses.
After seeing the huge profits generated by Mingyue Palace annually, they couldn't help but imitate its methods.
If there were such organizations in Yuandao Province, there should naturally be similar organizations in the Congyun Sea.
If you want to get rich, you can't do without leverage.
Li Fan planned to take advantage of the large fluctuations in the price of Spirit Mist Grass to make a hefty profit. Naturally, he needed the help of these lending organizations.
But whether it was in the past or in this world, Li Fan, after inquiring in various ways, couldn't find any trace of them.
Apparently, this organization was very cautious in its actions.
So, Li Fan came to inquire about it from He Zhenghao.
Sure enough, He Zhenghao did not disappoint him.
"Before you go to Clear Wind Hall, it's best to reconsider."
"They won't lend you contribution points for nothing. You need to pay an exorbitant interest of eighteen percent every year."
"If you make a profit, this interest can be quickly paid off. If you make a loss..."
He Zhenghao's eyelids jumped, "I'm afraid you'll have to work for those guys for free for more than ten years."
Li Fan arched his hand, "Fellow Daoist, I understand. But rest assured, I know what I'm doing."
"I won't bother you anymore. We'll talk again next time."
With that, Li Fan used the teleportation array to return to Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
He headed straight to Clear Wind Hall.
In a corner of the outermost area of Ten Thousand Immortals Island, he finally found it.
It was inconspicuous and indistinguishable from an ordinary small shop.
Li Fan activated a Concealing Form Talisman and walked in.
An old man who looked quite sloppy was sleeping on a recliner behind the counter.
When a customer came in, he didn't even open his eyes, still swaying the chair with his eyes closed.
Following He Zhenghao's instructions, Li Fan took out the jade token.
"Ding, ding, ding."
The old man knocked on the counter three times.
The emerald green jade token emitted a faint light, forming a door.
Li Fan looked around for a moment. Then he walked into the door.
His figure disappeared, and the green door disappeared with him.
As for the old man, there was no change in his posture from beginning to end.
It seemed as if no one had ever been to this Clear Wind Hall.
The surroundings first fell into darkness, then lit up again.
Li Fan looked around and found himself under a large tree.
The concealment effect of the talisman he had just activated was unexpectedly lifted instantly.
The branches were luxuriant, and the leaves were like jade, emitting a shiny luster.
On the trunk of the tree, a human face appeared.
It stared at Li Fan and asked, "Who introduced you, and what brings you here?"
Li Fan faced the tree face and said loudly, "I was introduced by He Zhenghao, the guardian of Liuli Island. I want to borrow from your Clear Wind Hall."
The tree face's reaction seemed a bit slow.
After Li Fan finished speaking, it took a long time before it replied, "Late Foundation Establishment cultivator, the upper limit for borrowing is thirty thousand contribution points."
"Annual interest rate of sixteen percent, you can choose the repayment method yourself."
"The maximum overdue period is no more than ten years."
...
The tree face slowly introduced the business of Clear Wind Hall to Li Fan, one sentence at a time.
After finishing, Li Fan expressed some dissatisfaction, "How can I only borrow thirty thousand contribution points in total? It's not enough."
"I'm a Foundation Establishment cultivator at twenty-nine years old with a bright future. Can't you give me more preferential treatment?"
The tree face tried to widen its eyes and carefully stared at Li Fan.
After observing for a while, it said, "You can borrow a maximum of forty thousand contribution points."
Li Fan was a bit impatient, "You only added ten thousand contribution points? That's too stingy!"
"When I was in Yuandao Province, I was only at the mid Foundation Establishment stage. I could borrow seventy to eighty thousand contribution points at once from Mingyue Palace!"
"Why is your Clear Wind Hall so much worse?"
"Tree, can you make decisions? Otherwise, let's talk to someone who can."
Li Fan said in a casual manner but discreetly glanced in a certain direction.
The branches above swayed without wind, and the green leaves rustled, making a shushing sound.
The tree face stared at Li Fan expressionlessly.
Li Fan, also unfazed, stared back at the tree face.
After a while, the tree face slowly spoke, "Fifty thousand, no more."
Li Fan looked very regretful, then said, "Oh, by the way. I don't want to borrow contribution points; I want to borrow Spirit Mist Grass. Can you lend that?" He blinked, staring at the tree face.
An invisible wind seemed to intensify.
The branches and leaves shook more violently.
"Yes. If borrowing items, no interest will be charged. It will be based on the quantity borrowed," the tree face said grimly.
"In the first year, the repayment amount is calculated at 130% of the borrowed amount."
"In the second year, it's 160%."
"In the third year, it's 200%."
"You can only borrow for a maximum of three years."
Li Fan was shocked, "So high?"
But seeing the tree face's unpleasant expression, he immediately chose to keep quiet.
He started negotiating again, "If borrowing items, can you lend me more?"
The tree face ignored Li Fan.
Seeing this, Li Fan could only regretfully give up.
"How much Spirit Mist Grass can I borrow now?" he asked.
"Two thousand seven hundred plants," the tree face grunted.
Li Fan muttered a few words, not knowing what he was saying.
"Alright! I'll borrow it! What procedures do I need to go through?" Li Fan seemed to have made up his mind.
A green leaf floated down from above and landed in front of Li Fan. Taking it in his hand, a stream of information instantly appeared in his mind.
It was exactly the agreement Li Fan had just made with the tree face.
"If you agree, use your spiritual power to refine this green leaf."
Li Fan nodded, then used his spiritual power to envelop the green leaf.
The green leaf was instantly refined, and a nearly invisible green leaf pattern appeared on the inside of Li Fan's left arm.
"After repaying the debt, the leaf contract will naturally disappear."
"Wait a moment, and I will send you the borrowed Spirit Mist Grass."
After saying this, the tree face disappeared from the tree, and Li Fan took the opportunity to lift his head and observe the large tree.
The strength of the tree face felt a bit strange to him.
It was obviously stronger than a Nascent Soul True Lord but weaker than the Soul Transformation True Monarch by quite a bit.
Moreover, there were no traces of formations in this space, as if it was naturally formed.
Li Fan looked around with interest.
After a while, the tree face reappeared.
It opened its mouth and spit out a storage ring.
"All the Spirit Mist Grass is inside."
"Transaction completed, you can leave."
"Remember to repay the debt on time, or..."
Before Li Fan could speak, the tree face expelled him from this space.
Under the big tree, strands of green light gathered to form a blurry green figure.
"Borrowing so much Spirit Mist Grass? Interesting."
A crisp female voice came from within.
"Could it be that the price of Spirit Mist Grass will still drop?"
"Ah Liu, pay attention to it."
The tree face responded grimly, "Yes, Miss."
"Miss, that guy just now was really annoying."
The green figure let out a light laugh, "Indeed, quite annoying."
"But, which faction is Mingyue Palace a part of? Why have I never heard of it?"