I run a casino in the immortal realm.

All eyes in the hall were focused on Zheng Yifei.

Fifth Elder Su Chenyuan stepped forward, looking at Zheng Yifei with undisguised admiration in his eyes.

Over the course of those ten days, he witnessed firsthand how Zheng Yifei used just a few scraps of paper to plunder the entire wealth of the Qingyun Sect's territory.

They even dragged Hu Lie off his horse.

"Sect Master, Zheng Yifei deserves the greatest credit for the sect's survival in this crisis of having to pay ten billion in tribute!"

Su Chenyuan's loud voice echoed throughout the hall: "With Hu Lie's defection, the position of Fourth Elder is vacant. I propose that Zheng Yifei be promoted to Fourth Elder of the Inner Sect to fill the vacancy and take over the Hu family's dojo!"

These words caused an uproar in the previously quiet hall.

"No!"

Seventh Elder Li Zhan was the first to jump out, waving his hands frantically, sweating profusely. "Fifth Elder, you're trying to kill him with praise! Since ancient times, strength has been paramount in the cultivation world! A disciple at the ninth level of Qi Refining sitting in the inner sect elder position, which is reserved for the Golden Core stage, is simply the most ridiculous thing ever!"

Li Zhan turned to the sect leader and said earnestly, "Sect leader, although Zheng Yifei is exceptionally intelligent and has made tremendous contributions, his cultivation level is too low and he has no foundation whatsoever."

Although the Hu family was destroyed, there are still eight other major families in the inner sect, as well as countless Foundation Establishment stage deacons and true disciples.

Allowing a Qi Refining stage cultivator to ride roughshod over them would absolutely not win them over, and might even provoke a strong backlash within the sect!

The First Elder nodded slowly, stroking his beard, and said, "The Seventh Elder is absolutely right. A tree that stands out in the forest will surely be felled by the wind. Zheng Yifei is so young; if he were to suddenly rise to a high position, he would surely become the target of everyone's criticism."

Moreover, if he were rewarded with too many spirit stones and treasures, he wouldn't be able to keep them with his current Qi Refining stage cultivation level, which would actually harm him.

"The common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime; does the Fifth Elder not understand this principle?"

The Grand Elder paused for a moment, then offered his suggestion: "In my opinion, it would be better to give him the honorary title of Inner Sect Steward for now, while retaining his real power as the head of the two outer sect departments. It won't be too late to entrust him with important responsibilities after he successfully establishes his foundation."

Inside the main hall, the other core deacons echoed their sentiments.

In their view, Zheng Yifei was indeed intelligent, but in the world of cultivation, it was ultimately about strength.

How can someone who can't even fly on a sword be on equal footing with them?

Su Chenyuan, his face flushed red from the rebuttal, glared at them and said, "What do you know! Sometimes brains are more useful than fists! Eighteen billion, which of you can come up with that in a month?"

Seeing that the elders were about to start arguing, Xu Tianyang raised his hand and silenced them.

His deep eyes turned to Zheng Yifei, who remained silent in the corner, and a playful smile appeared on his lips: "Yifei, what do you think? What reward do you want? Just say the word. As long as it's within my power, I won't be stingy."

Zheng Yifei stepped forward, his expression calm, and bowed respectfully with his hands clasped.

"Thank you for your kindness, Fifth Elder, but I am well aware of my own limitations."

Zheng Yifei's voice was calm and steady, without the slightest hint of the arrogance of a young person who has suddenly achieved success.

He knew exactly what was going on.

Becoming an inner sect elder? That's not a promotion, that's putting him directly on the hot seat.

He now holds two powerful positions as director of the Information Department and the Inspectorate Department, which has affected the interests of countless people and aroused the envy of many.

If he were to recklessly assume the position of Fourth Elder, he might be riddled with arrows from who-knows-where the moment he steps outside tomorrow.

In the world of cultivation, without matching strength, power is a death warrant.

"Sect Master, this disciple does not wish for a high-ranking official position."

Zheng Yifei raised his head, his eyes clear. "This disciple knows that my cultivation is shallow. It is already a great fortune that I can share the burden of the sect. I dare not ask for the position of elder."

However, this disciple does have two small matters that I would like to request permission from the Sect Master.

"Oh? Tell me about it."

A hint of admiration flashed in Xu Tianyang's eyes. This kid is extremely clear-headed, knows when to advance and retreat, and understands how to be patient; he's got the makings of someone who can do great things.

"First, I am a disciple with five spiritual roots and dull aptitude. If I wish to establish my foundation, ordinary foundation-establishing pills will probably be useless. Therefore, I humbly request three more top-grade foundation-establishing pills from the sect for my breakthrough."

Top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill!

Everyone in the hall gasped.

A low-grade Foundation Establishment Pill costs 150,000 spirit stones, but a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill is a strategic resource that is extremely rare and hard to come by! It not only requires a main ingredient that is a thousand years old, but also the work of a master alchemist, and the success rate is extremely low.

A top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill is worth at least three million spirit stones, and it's priceless!

However, considering that Zheng Yifei just earned 1.8 billion for the sect, this request is not excessive.

"second,"

Zheng Yifei continued, "This disciple wishes to seek a piece of land on the outskirts of Qingyun Market. As I am alone in the sect, I also wish to establish my own family business as soon as possible, build a manor, and bring my clansmen here to settle down."

Need land? To build a manor?

The elders exchanged glances, all breathing a sigh of relief. Compared to the authority of the inner sect elders, this request was utterly insignificant.

Xu Tianyang laughed heartily and immediately made the decision: "Good! I thought you were going to ask for something outrageous! Top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills are indeed not readily available in the sect's treasury right now."

But don't worry, I will personally order Danfeng to collect spiritual herbs at all costs. You are only eighteen years old now, at the mid-stage of the ninth level of Qi Refining. You need to consolidate your foundation until you are at least twenty years old before you can possibly break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Within two years, I guarantee to deliver three top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills to you!

"As for the land you want..."

Xu Tianyang waved his hand dismissively, "I'll directly allocate two hundred acres to you on that vacant lot on the southern side of Qingyun Market, facing the lake! That's a prime location!"

Xu Tianyang looked at Zheng Yifei, his tone becoming solemn: "Zheng Yifei, you have rendered unparalleled service, and the sect will certainly not treat you unfairly. In addition to the two things you requested, I will bestow upon you an additional one hundred million low-grade spirit stones as development and construction funds for your family manor! This order is effective immediately!"

One hundred million low-grade spirit stones!

Although everyone in the hall was envious, no one dared to voice their opposition.

After all, without Zheng Yifei, they might be facing the wrath of the Xuantian Sect right now.

After the distribution of rewards and honors concluded, the crowd in the main hall gradually dispersed.

Zheng Yifei stepped out of the main hall and took a deep breath of the fresh air outside.

The cool night breeze caressed his face, clearing his mind, which had been throbbing from days of intense work.

One hundred million spirit stones as principal, two hundred acres of land, and a promise from Xu Tianyang.

His first step in the plan has finally been successfully implemented.

"Take off!"

A familiar voice came from behind him. Zheng Yifei turned around and saw the young sect leader, Xu Zhengkun, walking quickly towards him.

The young sect leader, who was usually aloof and superior, looked at Zheng Yifei as if he were looking at a living god of wealth.

In those ten days, his ability to amass wealth so easily, turning his hand to make clouds and rain, completely impressed the young sect leader.

"Young Sect Master."

Zheng Yifei bowed slightly.

Xu Zhengkun grabbed Zheng Yifei's arm, and the two walked to a secluded viewing platform outside the main hall.

After confirming that no one was around, Xu Zhengkun lowered his voice, his eyes gleaming with curiosity: "Yifei, tell me the truth. When you said you wanted those two hundred acres of land in the main hall, was it really to build some kind of family manor?"

"You're all alone, not even a cultivation partner. What kind of clan are you building?"

Zheng Yifei looked at Xu Zhengkun, a signature smile playing on his lips, a smile reminiscent of his previous life when he was about to go all in at the gambling table.

He shook his head, a glint of ambition flashing in his eyes.

"Young Sect Master is wise; I knew I couldn't hide anything from you."

Zheng Yifei gripped the white jade railing of the observation deck, looking down at the brightly lit Qingyun Market below: "Family manor? That's just an excuse for those old fogies. I want those two hundred acres of land to build a city."

"Build a city?"

Xu Zhengkun was stunned.

"A city that never sleeps, a den of iniquity."

Zheng Yifei turned his head, his gaze fixed intently on Xu Zhengkun. "I want to use this land to build the Qingyun Sect's, and indeed the entire Southern Wilderness's, largest, most diverse, and most luxurious super gambling den!"