Chen Xun and his companions continued exploring the immortal city, laughing and marveling at its grand architecture. Xiao Chi eagerly played with his Image Stone, capturing amusing moments, including exaggerated close-ups of Brother Ox’s and his own faces. The group’s laughter echoed as they wandered through the city’s illuminated streets.
After a night of merriment stretching into morning, they arrived at the renowned Myriad Realms Bank. Spanning a vast area of a thousand li, the bank’s estate was a testament to its unparalleled wealth and influence. The central building, a towering wooden structure crafted entirely from Mengmu Wood, exuded a celestial aura. A colossal spirit stone embedded in its facade sparkled brilliantly in the morning sunlight, drawing awed gazes.
“Incredible,” Chen Xun murmured, taking in the grandeur.
The group opted to enter through a human-designated area rather than the bank’s central hub, mindful of their status.
<hr>
As they approached one of the smaller wooden buildings, a melodious voice greeted them.
“Might the esteemed seniors be here to acquire a Spirit Mark?”
They turned to see a poised young woman clad in a green robe. Her demeanor was calm and dignified, her voice carrying a warmth that made her approachable despite her evident strength.
“Indeed,” Chen Xun replied with a polite nod. “We’re here to acquire a Yellow-Tier Spirit Mark.”
The woman smiled gently and introduced herself. “I am Wan Xiangying. Please, follow me. The process is straightforward.”
As they followed her inside, Chen Xun asked, “Would it be possible to understand more about the Spirit Mark? It seems redundant when cultivators already have storage rings. What is its true purpose?”
Wan Xiangying’s expression brightened with enthusiasm. “Senior, you’ve raised a crucial point. To answer, I must first share the bank’s history.”
Chen Xun gestured for her to continue, intrigued.
<hr>
Wan Xiangying explained that the bank was born out of the chaos of an ancient era known as the Great Era of Slaughter. Back then, resources were hoarded, and rampant conflict devastated weaker races.
“Amid this turmoil,” she continued, “pioneering cultivators with foresight banded together. They recognized the need for a unified system to stabilize the three thousand great worlds. The bank emerged as a solution, fostering trade and promoting harmony among races.”
Chen Xun nodded thoughtfully, impressed by the vision of those long-dead cultivators.
“But why the Spirit Mark?” he prompted.
“Ah, this is where practicality meets innovation,” Wan Xiangying replied. “Spirit stones, when stored in typical rings for millennia, degrade—their purity and potency wane. The marks were designed to prevent this loss by maintaining optimal conditions. Moreover, they serve as a secure, universal currency recognized across all realms.”
Chen Xun’s brow lifted. “And they’re tamper-proof?”
“Absolutely,” Wan Xiangying confirmed. “Each mark is imbued with the bank’s unique spatial law, ensuring that only its designated owner can access the stored wealth. Should theft occur, the mark automatically notifies the bank, and reclamation teams are dispatched.”
<hr>
The group entered a magnificent interior that defied the building’s exterior simplicity. A vast expanse of rolling hills, crystal-clear lakes, and luminous trees stretched before them. Hidden within this picturesque setting were countless strongholds guarded by formidable auras.
Chen Xun and Wan Xiangying settled at a lakeside pavilion, where spirit energy danced on the water’s surface. The tranquil setting belied the immense power coursing through the bank’s foundations.
“What else makes the marks indispensable?” Chen Xun asked, savoring the tea Wan Xiangying poured.
“Their universal recognition,” she replied. “With a Yellow-Tier Mark, you can trade and withdraw spirit stones from any bank branch. Furthermore, the marks streamline taxation for cross-realm trade, reducing disputes and fostering economic growth.”
Chen Xun sipped his tea, impressed by the foresight behind such a system.