Chapter 97 Falling to the Bottom

The hope for the Heart Realm Grotto-heaven was completely shattered. The astronomical figure of 14 million was like an insurmountable mountain, pressing Yun Bai firmly into an abyss of despair.

He returned to the temporary command post, lost and dejected, and found Supervisor Zhou Shengtai, who was busy dealing with the aftermath of the riot.

"Supervisor Zhou..." Yun Bai's voice was so hoarse it was barely audible. "The Heart Realm Grotto-heaven... is gone too... They said it would cost 14 million... I..."

Yun Bai told Supervisor Zhou Shengtai about his experience in full detail.

In fact, he did not want to repeatedly ask Supervisor Zhou for help, but he had no other choice.

"What? The Medicinal Pill at Senior Jiu's place is sold out too?"

Looking at the light in the young man's eyes that was on the verge of extinguishing, Supervisor Zhou Shengtai sighed heavily in his heart.

He rubbed his temples, pondered for a moment, and said, "A 14 million, Grade 6 soul-stabilizing pill?"

Supervisor Zhou Shengtai was naturally someone who knew his goods; he knew that offering this price to Yun Bai was already an act of kindness from the shopkeeper.

He hesitated and said, "There is one more place... perhaps we can try there."

Yun Bai suddenly looked up, as if grabbing at the last straw: "Where?!"

"Guoquan Bank." Supervisor Zhou Shengtai said in a deep voice, "They are the largest official bank and sometimes provide large loans, especially to State Religion members or promising Cultivators. However, their review process is extremely strict. For a large loan like yours, it's hard to say if you can even get it, and even if you could, the interest would be shockingly high. The bank also suffered an attack from the demonic people, causing huge losses, and the final loss results have not been calculated yet. And..."

He did not finish his sentence, but the meaning was self-evident.

The daily supervision and defense of Guoquan Bank were handled by General Yang Cang's General's Office, which had close ties to the Chen family. During this riot, the bank's losses were likely immeasurable, so lending would inevitably tighten.

But Yun Bai could no longer care about that! Even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance, he had to try, even if it meant breaking his head and bleeding!

Supervisor Zhou Shengtai knew that Yun Bai was desperate, so he gave his jade pendant to Yun Bai, saying that with this pendant, he could travel unimpeded through the martial law-enforced Chu Prefecture city.

Yun Bai thanked him.

When Yun Bai left the State Religion, he met Jiang Shuanger, who was waiting inside the State Religion Hall. She was different from Yun Bai; she could not see Supervisor Zhou Shengtai at will, so she could only wait outside.

Seeing Yun Bai come out, Jiang Shuanger asked him with a face full of anticipation if he had bought the soul-stabilizing pill.

With a grim expression, Yun Bai told Jiang Shuanger about the current situation: the Grade 4 soul-stabilizing pill worth 3 million was sold out, and he had to buy the Grade 6 soul-stabilizing pill worth 10 million.

Yun Bai immediately used a communication talisman to contact Captain Zeng Fu.

Before long, Captain Zeng Fu hurried over. Du San had trouble with his legs and stayed at the station, but he had given all his savings and everything he could sell to Captain Zeng Fu.

"Let's go! We're going to Guoquan Bank!" Seeing Yun Bai's condition, Captain Zeng Fu knew something was wrong, so he didn't ask any more questions and just patted his shoulder heavily. "Brother will go with you!"

The Chu Prefecture branch of Guoquan Bank was located in the most prosperous part of the city center. In the past, it was bustling with traffic, but now it was shrouded in a grim, murderous atmosphere.

Around the tall building, soldiers clad in the standard armor of General Yang Cang's General's Office stood densely. Their swords were unsheathed and arrows were nocked, vigilantly patrolling everyone who approached. The defense was so strict that it far exceeded other disaster-stricken areas, and was even several times tighter than the State Religion command post.

As soon as Yun Bai and his group approached, they were blocked by cold spear tips.

"Halt! This is a restricted area of the bank; idlers keep away!" The leading officer's eyes were as sharp as an eagle's as he looked them up and down.

Captain Zeng Fu stepped forward and revealed the State Religion squad token and Yun Bai's identity plaque: "Squad Yi-34 of the State Religion Xinyue Hall, we have urgent official business and need to enter the bank to handle a loan!"

The officer carefully examined the token and plaque, then swept a suspicious gaze over the blood-stained, pale-faced Yun Bai and the bandage-wrapped Captain Zeng Fu, before waving his hand reluctantly: "Search them! Check their Storage Pouch!"

Layer upon layer of inspections were tedious and slow. Every second of delay felt like a thousand cuts on Yun Bai's heart. He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms, forcing himself to stay calm with the pain, but the inner anxiety was like oil on a raging fire.

After finally passing the inspection and entering the bank lobby, it was unusually deserted inside, with only a few clerks and an expressionless old manager wearing a monocle crystal lens.

Yun Bai walked quickly to the counter, trying his best to keep his voice steady: "Manager, I am a State Religion Cultivator named Yun Bai. I urgently need to borrow a sum of Spirit Stone. The amount is huge and concerns a life. Please, can you make an exception!"

The old manager slowly lifted his eyelids, pushed up the crystal lens on the bridge of his nose, and said in a calm, flat voice: "A loan? The maximum limit is 3 million Low-Grade Spirit Stone. The interest is calculated according to emergency wartime regulations, and the collateral must be worth..."

"3 million?!" Before Yun Bai could speak, Jiang Shuanger on the side got anxious and slammed the counter: "Manager! Look carefully! He is Yun Bai! He is a Genius who has signed a Profound-level special contract with the State Religion! He is going to the Holy City headquarters in the future! How is 3 million enough? We need at least 10 million!"

The old manager was startled by Jiang Shuanger's excitement but quickly returned to his indifference. He picked up Yun Bai's identity plaque and checked it on a Formation Plate, shaking his head helplessly: "Young lady, calm down. The System records show that Cultivator Yun Bai's current registered identity is still 'Squad Yi-34 member of the State Religion Xinyue Hall'. The benefits and permissions of the Profound-level special contract will only take effect after he arrives at the Holy City and completes the formal filing. According to current regulations, the maximum personal loan limit for an Yi-level member is 3 million. This is an iron rule, and I have no authority to change it."

"Then can't you make an exception?! Special situations require special handling! My sister is waiting for the Medicinal Pill to save her life! We are just short of this money! One hour! There is only one hour left!" Yun Bai's voice carried a plea.

The old manager sighed and pointed to the crying sounds and stretchers being carried past, which could be vaguely heard outside the window: "Young man, look outside. How many people died today? How many families are broken and in urgent need of money? If everyone were an 'special situation' like you, wouldn't my bank become a charity? The bank's losses this time are not small, and the treasury silver must be prioritized for post-disaster relief and reconstruction for the whole city, as well as the upcoming border war!"

"Which of these is not a money-guzzling beast? I am just a small manager of the Chu Prefecture branch, and the mere 3 million limit is the limit I can approve under tremendous pressure. Any more would require applying to superiors and going through layers of approval! It wouldn't come down for ten days or half a month! You need it so urgently now, and the city is so chaotic with poor communication, it's simply impossible to handle."

"But..."

"No 'buts'!" The old manager's attitude became tough, his tone rigid: "Rules are rules! The limit is only 3 million! If you want it, follow the procedure to provide collateral and sign the contract! If not, then please leave! Do not make a scene here and affect the bank's order!" He waved his hand, looking like he was showing them the door.

"Then, can I also borrow 3 million?" At this moment, Captain Zeng Fu frowned and asked.

"You?" The old manager took Captain Zeng Fu's identity plaque, checked it slightly, and then shook his head: "Captain Zeng, according to your permissions, your personal maximum loan limit is only 2 million."

"Then what about adding me?" Jiang Shuanger stepped forward.

Seeing their reactions, Yun Bai was stunned: "You, you guys..."

The old manager saw this and shook his head: "Sigh, wait a moment. Looking at you, you must be determined not to give up until you borrow 10 million from me. But that is not the case; you have seen the bank's current situation. It is basically impossible for you to get this 10 million Spirit Stone within a few hours. Let alone whether we still have that much cash in our Chu Prefecture branch, even if we did, it would have to be prioritized for the government and State Religion relief."

"I only gave him an emergency loan of 3 million because this Yun Bai is a Profound-level talent. As for the rest of you, I cannot release any more large amounts of Spirit Stone."

"If you want so much, you can only apply to your superiors, but the process... I'm afraid there isn't enough time."

The implication: The Guoquan Bank in Chu Prefecture can only give you 3 million at most right now. Consider it for yourselves!

Everyone fell silent.

"Old sir, really, is there no other way?" Yun Bai choked out these words.

The old man shook his head.

"Please leave."

Captain Zeng Fu, Li Ying, and the others still wanted to argue, but they were coldly stared at by several bank guards who had come in upon hearing the noise.

Both sides argued several times, and the atmosphere became increasingly tense. The old manager finally impatiently pressed a bell under the table, and more guards surrounded them.

"Everyone, please leave! If you keep causing trouble, don't blame me for being heartless and 'escorting' you out!" The old manager issued an ultimatum.

In the end, Yun Bai and the others were half-forced to be "escorted" out of the gates of Guoquan Bank.

Standing outside the strict guards, looking at the cold, tightly closed gates, Yun Bai felt his whole body go cold. This was hope ignited once again, only to be extinguished once again.

A few million Spirit Stone—a drop in the bucket.