Chapter 9: Federal Fund Loans

Li Qingying was truly a First-Order Deity; even the tiny wealth leaking from between her fingernails was enough to fill these students with motivation.

Every student sat up straight, fearing they might miss a single important detail of this class.

This wasn't because they were studious, but because it concerned Faith Points.

Children from poor families learn to manage the household early.

Seeing that a single sentence of hers had mobilized the students' enthusiasm, a hint of pride appeared at the corner of Li Qingying's mouth.

"Prosperity Level involves many aspects, for which the Federal Government has a set of standardized evaluation procedures.

It mainly focuses on the population and strength of believers, as well as the value of various resources within the Divine Kingdom, including but not limited to land, spiritual plants, and non-believer organisms."

"Doesn't this just mean that whoever invests more gets a higher Prosperity Level?" a student below the stage countered.

"You're essentially correct, but not entirely. Besides that, biological diversity, the stability of the food chain, the degree of sustainable development of the Divine Kingdom, and even the cleanliness and aesthetics of the Divine Kingdom's interior are all included in the assessment criteria."

Li Qingying smiled and continued, "Don't think the knowledge learned in school is unimportant. If a 'rich second generation' only knows how to mindlessly pile up resources, they might start high, but in the long run, their Divine Kingdom will become bloated and even unable to digest it all.

Developing a Divine Kingdom is a science. Resources are important, but for ordinary students like you, you must put more effort into your studies. Only then can you utilize every resource to its absolute limit."

Everyone listened even more intently upon hearing this, as if grasping a glimmer of hope.

What Li Qingying said was naturally true, but she didn't mention the real point: in fact, the most important thing for the development of a Divine Kingdom was still resources.

Even if an ordinary person learned everything perfectly and utilized every resource to its limit, how could they possibly compare to those born with a silver spoon? The resources those people wasted could probably burst their Divine Kingdoms.

Social classes in this world had already solidified; trying to climb up was as difficult as ascending to heaven.

"In addition, I have some good news for you. I have applied to the Ministry of Education, and now everyone in Class 7 has been removed from the Minor Protection Act. You are eligible to apply for loans from the Ministry of Education," Li Qingying said.

"Loans!" Yang Fan's eyes also lit up.

According to federal law, until a federal citizen awakens their Divine Kingdom and gains independent capability, they cannot participate in Federal Education Fund loans.

Li Qingying coughed, her expression gradually becoming solemn. "Outside loan companies generally have annual interest rates above 50%, while the Federal Education Fund loan is 0%. Interest will only start being charged once you lose your student status, and you don't even need to pay back the principal during this period.

This is an investment given by the Federal Government to all students. For the vast majority of people, this might even be the last investment of their lives.

This fund is extremely important. Remember to use it for the development of your own Divine Kingdom."

"As for the loan amount, it is determined by your evaluation at the time of awakening. An F-grade evaluation has a limit of 300,000, E-grade is 1,000,000, D-grade is 2,000,000, and C-grade is 5,000,000."

"Teacher Li, this isn't fair. With such a large gap in loan limits, won't the top three spots already be fixed?" someone below said anxiously.

"There is no absolute fairness in this world. Instead of wasting time complaining, you should think more about how to use limited resources to develop your Divine Kingdom. The assessment starts in ten days; everyone, get ready."

Leaving those words behind, Li Qingying's figure instantly vanished, presumably returning to reality.

Zhang Pang nudged Yang Fan's shoulder and said, "A 5-million-point loan limit with no interest, and there are still four years until university graduation. Any random investment could double that. How is this different from getting it for free? No wonder my dad says being one step ahead means being ahead at every step."

Even Zhang Pang, who came from a relatively well-off family, looked moved at this moment.

Five million Faith Points could buy out his father's entire grain warehouse.

"It's impossible to use all of this capital for investment; the consumption required to nurture believers is also quite significant," Yang Fan lamented, putting on an act.

Just then, he felt a scrutinizing gaze.

It was Li Shuhao. He was looking at Yang Fan and slowly stood up.

Seeing Li Shuhao about to walk toward him, Yang Fan hurriedly logged out of the Virtual World.

Seeing this, Li Shuhao was also stunned. He was certain Yang Fan had seen him, but then he suddenly ran away.

"Li Shuhao, I won't lose to you in this internal assessment," Wang Zhenyu said as he stood up nearby.

"So confident? And haven't you forgotten someone? Yang Fan in our class also received a C-grade evaluation."

"Five million is a lot, but Yang Fan's family background is too poor. His parents can't provide him with any help; this is already his ceiling," Wang Zhenyu said indifferently, seemingly not taking Yang Fan seriously at all.

"My family background is also average. Unlike you, who has a good father with ten cargo transfer points in Tomorrow Neighborhood," Li Shuhao sighed.

"Stop being sarcastic. Although you're from a branch of the Li Family, you received family investment right after getting a C-grade evaluation ten days ago. I'm afraid the Prosperity Level of everyone else's Divine Kingdoms in the class combined can't match yours alone," Wang Zhenyu rolled his eyes.

"How do you know such a top secret?" Li Shuhao was shocked.

"Screw you! A few days ago, when we were drinking at Heavenly Fragrance World, you damn well bragged about it in front of over a dozen people. Now you're pretending to have forgotten? Would it kill you to stop showing off? Have you been suppressed too much by being a bookworm all these years!" Wang Zhenyu spat. Without waiting for a reaction, he logged out of the Virtual World.

Li Shuhao stood there, his face turning slightly red. After an embarrassed cough, he also logged out.

"It's good to be related to a major family. Just a bit of potential and you get investment."

"The Li Family and the Luo Family are the two largest families in Yang County. Li Shuhao can be considered to have successfully changed his fate. His current strength could probably get him into Class 1, Third Year."

"Wang Zhenyu also shouldn't be underestimated. I saw his father applying for a loan a while ago. It seems he wants to give him a boost before the college entrance exam."

…

Yang Fan didn't know what happened afterward, nor was he interested in gossip among classmates. Now, he only wanted to apply for the loan as quickly as possible to buy resource cards and enrich his Divine Kingdom.

Just as Yang Fan tapped on his smartwatch, he saw a voice call from Zhang Pang.

Picking up the call, Zhang Pang's boisterous voice came through: "Brother Yang, why did you run so fast? I wanted to ask why you didn't go to the party Li Shuhao organized a few days ago? That kid has really made it big. He ordered one for each of us brothers without even blinking. That show of wealth was incredibly satisfying."

"A party?"

"Didn't you see the group message? All the boys in Class 7, Third Year of High School could attend."

"What about the girls?"

"You really don't check your messages. We went to Heavenly Fragrance World; why would we bring female classmates? There are no male models there."

"Cough, cough… I didn't notice," Yang Fan said awkwardly.

"Back to business. Li Shuhao said he couldn't reach you, so through me, he wants to invite you to dinner," Zhang Pang said.

"Why is he inviting me to dinner?" Yang Fan looked puzzled.