I run a casino in the immortal realm.

Qingyun Sect, outer sect flying boat ferry.

A 30-zhang-long, third-tier troop transport ship hovered in mid-air, its hull covered with wind-controlling formations that dispersed the surrounding clouds.

Zheng Yifei stood on the high platform at the ferry crossing, the mountain wind blowing his blue robe.

Below, seven Foundation Establishment stage inner disciples stood in a row, each wearing a jade plaque that read "Regional Director of the News Division" around their waist.

The three-month closed-door brainwashing training has ended.

The arrogance and confusion in the eyes of these seven people have disappeared, replaced by an extreme desire for spirit stones and power.

"Everything that needed to be taught has been taught."

Zheng Yifei put his hands behind his back and glanced at the seven people: "I'm giving you three months. Within three months, I want to see all the offices in your jurisdictions officially open and operational, the news writer network established, and the newspaper boy team set up."

The seven people bowed in unison.

"Three months later, the Information Department's first issue of the newspaper will be officially published. The first-day circulation must be no less than 100,000 copies in each major region!"

Zheng Yifei held up three fingers: "Those who fail to complete the task, hand over the jade token to the General Affairs Hall and go back to the Inner Sect to continue collecting your meager monthly salary."

Those who complete the task will receive half of the regional GG's earnings as their year-end bonus.

Half of the profit.

The seven Foundation Establishment cultivators' breathing became heavy and labored instantly.

They had done the math: if GG's business were to expand across a large region, half a percent of the revenue would amount to at least tens of thousands of low-grade spirit stones per year.

This earns them far more than hunting monsters or completing sect missions.

"Don't worry, Director. If we don't take over the territory within three months, we'll come back with our heads!"

"Boarding."

Zheng Yifei waved.

The seven people turned and leaped onto the flying boat. The formation was activated, and the flying boat transformed into a streak of light, soaring into the sky and heading in seven directions from the Qingyun Sect.

After seeing off the high-ranking official, Zheng Yifei turned around and returned to Tingfeng Pavilion in the backyard of the General Affairs Office.

This place has changed dramatically.

The once quiet courtyard has been transformed into a row of public housing units, with wooden signs hanging at the door of each room: Editorial Department, Review Department, Layout Department, Operations Department, Logistics Department, Finance Department, and Transportation Department.

Su Tong was carrying a stack of jade slips as he passed through the corridor when he saw Zheng Yifei and immediately came to greet him.

"Director, the headquarters structure is complete."

Su Tong placed the jade slip on the table: "I have arranged for the remaining seven outer disciples to serve as heads of various departments. In the past two days, we have also recruited two hundred late-stage Qi Refining disciples from the outer sect and distributed them to various departments."

Zheng Yifei sat down in the main seat and opened the top jade slip.

"Now that the people have been recruited, the rules must be established."

Zheng Yifei took a thick booklet out of his storage bag and threw it on the table. The cover had five large characters written on it: "Employee Handbook of the Information Department".

Su Tong picked up the booklet, opened it, read a few pages, and his eyes slowly widened.

"Base salary plus performance-based pay? KPI assessment? Bottom-ranking elimination?"

Su Tong read out several completely unfamiliar words.

"It's very simple. The editorial staff must provide three valid news items every day. If they don't meet the quota, their base salary will be deducted; if they exceed the quota, they will receive a bonus for each item."

For the typesetting department, if there is even one typo, the entire month's bonus will be deducted.

The operations department is responsible for bringing in top-performing employees from headquarters; each successful referral earns them a 2% commission. Anyone with the worst performance for two consecutive months will be fired.

Zheng Yifei poured himself a cup of tea, his tone flat: "The Information Department doesn't support idlers. Distribute this system and have them sign contracts."

The cultivation world has no shortage of low-level cultivators; those who don't want to do it can get lost immediately, and there are plenty of people lining up to get in.

Su Tong swallowed hard. This was the first time he had ever witnessed such a management system that exploited people like mineral mines.

Under this system, all employees will become tireless cogs, turning frantically.

"I'll take care of it right away."

Su Tong left with the booklet in his arms.

The door had just closed when it was kicked open from the outside.

A burly man with a full beard strode in. He was wearing a short, tight-fitting outfit, exuding the powerful aura of a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, and the hem of his robe was still covered in dirt and wood chips.

Jin Biao, the only son of Jin Zhengyuan, the head of the General Affairs Department, is also the printing factory manager appointed by Zheng Yifei. Bringing him in means that the printing factory is under the personal protection of the head of the department, and no one else can have any ulterior motives.

"Director, this is a huge problem!"

Jin Biao plopped down in a chair, grabbed the teapot on the table, and took a big gulp straight into his mouth.

"The factory collapsed?"

Zheng Yifei didn't even look up.

"The factory didn't collapse, but the money did!"

Jin Biao slammed an account book heavily on the table:

"I bought all 150 acres of land you designated in the southeast corner of Qingyun Market. The land itself, plus all the associated fees, cost 300,000 spirit stones. Building five large production workshops, three employee dormitories, and a canteen, all constructed with second-tier fire-resistant and moisture-proof Qingyan wood, cost another 800,000 spirit stones."

Jin Biao counted on his fingers: "Xu Jian's side is building a large-scale automated printing press. He needs to buy top-grade black iron to make tens of thousands of type molds, and he also needs to buy high-level array plates for the power core. He took away 500,000 yuan in one go. Plus, you allocated 100,000 yuan as start-up capital to each of the seven regional directors..."

Jin Biao stared at Zheng Yifei: "The sect leader gave me one million, plus the nine hundred thousand you put in yourself, and the dividends from Tianyuan Gambling House over the past three months."

Two million low-grade spirit stones, gone! We don't even have ten thousand in the account right now. We don't even have money to buy ink tomorrow!

Zheng Yifei took the ledger and quickly flipped through it.

The numbers are correct.

Jin Biao is straightforward and hardworking; he wouldn't tamper with the accounts.

Infrastructure construction is a bottomless pit, especially since he was building the first modern large-scale printing plant in the cultivation world.

Two million spirit stones were thrown in and not even a splash was heard.

"You don't need to worry about the money."

Zheng Yifei closed the ledger: "The factory construction can't stop. Xu Jian's machines need to be installed and tested next month. Go back and keep an eye on the construction site."

"Where are you going to get the money?"

Jin Biao stared wide-eyed: "This isn't just a few thousand or tens of thousands. For the printing factory to fully operate, it needs to cover a shortfall of at least 500,000 spirit stones! You can't exactly rob us, can you?"

"Robbery is illegal."

Zheng Yifei stood up and patted the wrinkles on his robe: "I'll go get it."

Night falls in Qingyun Market.

Zheng Yifei was not wearing the Inspectorate uniform, but had changed into an inconspicuous black casual outfit.

He wasn't wearing a mask and walked alone through the bamboo forest to the entrance of the Goldlion Casino.

Four guards, all at the early Foundation Establishment stage, stood at the entrance. Seeing a young man at the ninth level of Qi Refining walking in without even wearing a mask, one of them immediately stepped forward to stop him.

"Halt. Goldlion's rules state that those who are not in the Foundation Establishment stage or do not have an introducer are not allowed to enter."

The guard's voice was cold and hard.

Without wasting words, Zheng Yifei flicked his fingers through his sleeve, revealing a card with purple-gold trim and intricate patterns, which he then handed over.

The guard's gaze fell on the gold card, and his expression changed drastically.

He immediately withdrew his hand, bent over, and his attitude underwent a complete 180-degree turn.

"Please forgive me, esteemed guest! I was blind to your worth."

The guard respectfully handed the gold card back to Zheng Yifei with both hands, then turned and shouted towards the gate, "A top-tier VIP! The head manager will personally greet you!"

The heavy wooden gate was suddenly pulled open to both sides.

Zheng Yifei stepped across the threshold. The hall remained the same scene of extravagance and debauchery, with masked gamblers surrounding a dozen or so gambling tables.

A fat man wearing a brocade robe and sporting a mustache strode forward. The fat man possessed the cultivation level of the late Foundation Establishment stage, and his face was plastered with a fawning smile.

This is the head manager of Goldlion, who is in charge of receiving top-tier guests who hold gold cards.

"This young master looks unfamiliar. Is this his first time using a gold card?"

The head manager bowed slightly.

"Let's find a place where we can have some fun."

Zheng Yifei spoke calmly as he put the gold card back into his sleeve.

"Young master, you have arrived at just the right time."

The head steward turned to the side and gestured for them to join: "Tonight, there's a high-end game in Room 1 of the top floor, playing Pai Gow, with a minimum bet of 100,000 spirit stones. There are already three distinguished guests inside, and we're just one short to complete the table."

"Are you interested, young master?"