Interest?

Chapter 13: Interest?

The Yue family was undeniably an intellectual one. Both of Yue Wen's parents were professors at Jiangcheng University.

His father specialized in ancient history, while his mother researched Otherworldly Script.

Before their disappearance, the couple had been exploring the ruins of a previous Spiritual Energy era and deciphering the writings of otherworldly creatures, respectively. Their research overlapped in many areas, and they had collaborated on numerous projects, earning them a modest reputation in academic circles within Tianbei Prefecture.

Before the spiritual energy cataclysm, the legends from around the world were dismissed as mere myths concocted by our ancestors. However, in the centuries following the cataclysm, humanity began to gradually understand that those ancient myths might be actual events from the previous Spiritual Energy era, which had merely become distorted during their transmission.

By deciphering these myths and legends, it was possible to uncover the true history of the ancient times, learn more about cultivation, and even discover ruins left behind from the previous Spiritual Energy era, potentially unearthing Immortal Treasures.

Snake Mountain Tiger Tomb was one of the subjects his father had been investigating.

One of the Four Great Immortal Treasure Forbidden Lands was located in the south, known as the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

It was a vast expanse of interconnected mountain ranges. After the spiritual energy cataclysm, space itself became distorted, and numerous realms converged here, transforming it into a chaotic forbidden zone overrun by all manner of spirits and monsters.

However, due to the spatial anomalies, many otherworldly treasures could be found within it, thus making it an Immortal Treasure Forbidden Land.

Each peak in the Hundred Thousand Mountains harbored its own unique Evil Spirits. The survival rate in the most dangerous areas was even lower than in the Whale Swallowing Sea. Snake Mountain was one of its mysterious locations.

After years of investigation and interviews, his father had gathered numerous folk tales from the southern regions, ultimately reconstructing the historical background of Snake Mountain.

This was during the peak of the previous Spiritual Energy era, nearly six thousand years ago. At that time, the Hundred Thousand Mountains might not have yet formed; it was a fertile and abundant land, located in a region then known as the Southern Frontier.

One day, a snake kingdom from another world suddenly descended.

The leader of the snake kingdom was a Nine-Headed Demonic Serpent, comparable in cultivation to the Divine Realm, with countless snake demons under its command. Its spread would have brought immense disaster to the Southern Frontier.

In that critical moment, a hero of the Jiuli Clan, half-human and half-tiger, intervened. After a grueling and perilous battle, he ultimately used a majestic mountain peak to suppress the entire snake kingdom. Later, that hero was acclaimed by the people of the Southern Frontier and ascended to the position of Jiuli Tiger Heavenly Emperor, protecting the Southern Frontier for a thousand years.

As the Tiger Heavenly Emperor was nearing his end, he worried that the demons within Snake Mountain might break free after his death. So, he built his tomb directly atop Snake Mountain, establishing a grand formation and using his own skeletal remains to continue suppressing the snake kingdom.

This place subsequently became known as Snake Mountain Tiger Tomb.

The emblem of snakes coiling around a tiger was carved into the rock walls of the Tiger Tomb.

Later, the land of the Southern Frontier underwent immense changes, and the Immortal Treasure Forbidden Land of the Hundred Thousand Mountains rose to prominence. Yet, the title of Tiger Heavenly Emperor continued to be passed down in the south. Even now, many places still worship the Jiuli Emperor for protection against evil spirits, a practice that evolved from him.

But...

What was the secret behind this card bearing the Tiger Tomb emblem?

Perhaps he would only find out by taking it into the Hundred Thousand Mountains himself.

His father had mentioned this item in his moment of crisis, suggesting it was likely connected to their disappearance.

However, if the Fourth Realm was the threshold for entering the Wasteland, then the threshold for entering an Immortal Treasure Forbidden Land must be at least the Seventh Realm. Below that, venturing into a forbidden zone would be no different from seeking death.

This was precisely why Yue Wen yearned to become stronger.

Every sword strike that felled a Lantern Monster carried his longing for his parents.

However, he had kept the black card hidden because his father had specifically instructed him to, so he didn't have that problem with this cloth.

Then...

Why not ask the marvelous Big Dragon?

In the black gold palace illuminated by golden flames, Yue Wen once again saw the Big Dragon coiled on its giant throne.

Still aloof and imposing.

"Wang Dalong, I'm here again," he greeted casually.

The Big Dragon seemed resigned to him, too lazy to even respond, merely fixing him with its fiery eyes.

"I've come to ask you something," Yue Wen said, holding up the purple cloth. "Do you know what this thing is?"

"A smelly piece of skin," the Big Dragon replied, its disgust evident. "It's from the Demon Race... smells like it's from the armpit area, where they sweat the most. Take a good look, you might even find hair follicles on it. Pick at it, and you might find dirt under your fingernails..."

"Alright, alright, you don't need to be so detailed," Yue Wen quickly interrupted.

Although he didn't smell anything, the Big Dragon's continued description was making him hesitant to hold it.

He was just puzzled as to why such a piece of skin would end up in an antique shop, then fall into the hands of an ordinary employee like Zhang Wei, and subsequently attract the covetous attention of various parties...

He continued, "Do you know what this thing is used for?"

"Ah, that..." The Big Dragon's eyes rolled, and after a moment's thought, it replied, "Of course, I do. Providing specific information costs five Demon Suppressing Coins, and the method of use costs ten Demon Suppressing Coins."

"You charge for everything?" Yue Wen stomped his foot. "We've known each other for so long, can't we have a little friendship between us?"

"Goodbye," the Big Dragon said, about to close its eyes.

"Fine, fine, fine," Yue Wen quickly produced five Demon Suppressing Coins and tossed them over. "I'll hear about what it's used for first, then decide if I want to use the method."

The Big Dragon's eyes flashed with crimson flames, and the Demon Suppressing Coins in the air instantly burned, turning into a wisp of golden smoke that it inhaled through its nostrils.

"Hoo..." After accepting the Demon Suppressing Coins, it slowly began, "There are barriers between realms that prevent communication. Some demons with crude methods and low cultivation will tear off their own skin and have it delivered, allowing them to transmit messages at any time even across the realm barrier. This skin still has unread messages on it."

"So it's a communication tool for demons across realms?" Yue Wen finally understood. He pondered for a moment, then tossed out another ten Demon Suppressing Coins. "Here, I want the method of use."

He was genuinely curious about what was written on this demon skin. He had gained quite a bit from the cemetery in the eastern part of the city earlier, so he wasn't stingy.

"Hah--"

The Big Dragon let out a single draconic word. It seemed like just one sound, yet it contained a multitude of complex information, compressed into the form of Dao rhythm.

Instantly, a Visualization Diagram appeared in Yue Wen's mind – it was the incantation for using this demonic skin.

"Every demon that has its skin torn off possesses its own encrypted incantation, known only to those it transmits it to," the Big Dragon continued. "However, this method is exceedingly crude. To this King, a single glance is enough to decipher it. Whether you can comprehend it is your own affair."

"Alright, alright, I know you're amazing. You don't need to worry about anything else," Yue Wen said impatiently, waving his hand.

Seeing that the Big Dragon seemed to know everything, he took out the half Black Gold Skull again and asked, "Do you recognize this?"

"Hardened trash," the Big Dragon replied casually after a glance.

"Oh," Yue Wen said, dejectedly putting it away.

It seemed it didn't recognize everything. At least, only treasures of a certain caliber would warrant a "crude" evaluation from it.

"Oh, right," the Big Dragon suddenly remembered something. "Regarding your request for installment payments last time, I've considered it and decided I can give you a chance. However, you can't just pay in installments arbitrarily; I'll need to charge some interest."

"Oh?" Yue Wen stared at it cautiously. "How much interest are you planning to charge?"

"A cultivation technique of the Gang Realm, worth three hundred and ninety-nine. If you pay in installments, you can give me twenty Demon Suppressing Coins each month, paid over twenty months. How about it?" the Big Dragon asked.

"You mean..." Yue Wen blinked. "A cultivation technique worth three-ninety-nine, paid over twenty months with four hundred Demon Suppressing Coins? You're charging me an extra one Demon Suppressing Coin as interest?"

"If you find it unacceptable, then let's drop the matter," the Big Dragon said coldly. "I won't let you owe me debt for free!"

"I accept! You can transmit the cultivation technique to me now," Yue Wen agreed immediately. "Although charging interest is quite excessive, considering our friendship, I'm willing to let you earn this little bit extra!"

He directly summoned twenty Demon Suppressing Coins and tossed them over.

Good heavens.

Perhaps the Big Dragon understood cultivation well, but it definitely didn't understand the human world.

Despite its dark and imposing appearance, compared to those capitalists, it was practically Snow White.

Another cold draconic word echoed, imprinting the Visualization Diagram into Yue Wen's mind. "Haa—"

Although he had spent most of his savings, paying twenty Demon Suppressing Coins per month in installments wouldn't be too much pressure for him now. Once the Firm officially opened, it would likely be even less of an issue.

This way, as soon as he reached the Great Perfection of the Unity Realm, he could immediately begin his breakthrough.

If he had to wait until he saved up three hundred and ninety-nine Demon Suppressing Coins, plus the considerable materials needed for advancing to the Gang Realm, who knew how much time that would take.

His cultivation progress would be significantly delayed.

At this moment, Yue Wen looked at the Big Dragon on its throne, and it even seemed a little more refined.

However, the Big Dragon clearly didn't want to respond to his lingering gaze. After finishing their business, it immediately let out a cold snort, "Begone."

The space instantly turned pitch black.

The lights went out.

His Spiritual Sense returned, and Yue Wen opened his eyes, finding a notification on his phone.

An unread message from "Young Hero Qi Roams the Jianghu with a Sword."

Good morning.