I run a casino in the immortal realm.

Because of the biggest variable—the sect leader of the Xuantian Sect's seclusion to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm—Elder Qin Cang ultimately suppressed his greed and chose to lie low.

Not only did he not attack the Qingyun Sect, but he also strictly ordered his subordinates to keep a low profile and observe the situation.

This rare period of calm was a golden window of opportunity for Zheng Yifei and the entire Qingyun Sect to develop.

Without the covert constraints and suppression from the upper sect, the Mirage, this gold-devouring behemoth, was completely unleashed and began its almost frenzied, savage growth.

In just a few months, the mirage's fame swept across the entire Southern Wilderness like a hurricane.

Countless independent cultivators, family members, and even high-ranking cultivators from other sects came to visit.

Large quantities of spirit stones, rare natural treasures, and precious monster materials flowed into the shores of Yingxian Lake like rivers flowing into the sea.

The mirage has become the premier wealth center in the entire Southern Wilderness.

The massive influx of people and capital has directly spurred large-scale commercial development around Yingxian Lake.

The once desolate lakeside has now been transformed into a landscape of luxurious inns, upscale restaurants serving spiritual cuisine, and trading markets for various magical treasures and elixirs.

Even the menial disciples of the outer sect of the Qingyun Sect can earn more spirit stones each month than they could in the previous few years by running errands around the mirage.

The entire Qingyun Sect held Xu Zhengyun, the head manager, in the highest esteem.

However, Zheng Yifei, the creator of all this, is surprisingly low-key.

He almost never left his house, spending all his time in the study and secret room on the top floor of the mirage, which was shrouded in layers of arrays.

His life was as regular as a precise machine: every morning, he would listen to a detailed report from the head manager, Zhao Wenyuan, on the previous day's revenue, intelligence, and the movements of all parties.

After making the core decision, he plunged into the Spirit Gathering Chamber and, with the help of the continuous supply of top-grade third-tier pills from Zhao Ling, engaged in almost self-torturous, frenzied cultivation.

He knew very well that the more prosperous the mirage was, the heavier the sword of Damocles hanging over their heads would be.

Only by quickly forming the Golden Core can one grasp a glimmer of hope in the impending storm.

Compared to Zheng Yifei's reclusive lifestyle, Su Wanqing is much busier.

Besides overseeing the enormous and dizzying accounts of the mirage, she would unfailingly set aside one day each month to personally visit Zheng Yifei's parents at the outer gate of the Qingyun Sect.

In a quiet and elegant courtyard outside the outer gate of the Qingyun Sect.

Su Wanqing shed the aura of a powerful businesswoman she had displayed in the mirage, and instead donned an elegant blue dress, resembling a gentle daughter-in-law from an ordinary family.

"Uncle, Aunt, Wanqing has come to see you."

Su Wanqing gently placed several storage bags on the table, skillfully rolled up her sleeves, and helped Zheng's mother sort the freshly picked spirit tea.

Looking at the girl in front of him, who was as beautiful as a fairy and had profound cultivation, yet was so respectful to the old couple, Zheng Dashan couldn't help but feel his eyes redden slightly. He sighed deeply and said, "Wanqing, you are now the head housekeeper of Mirage. You are busy with countless affairs every day. You don't need to come to our old bones every month."

Yifei... he doesn't have that kind of luck. You're still so young; you can't let our Zheng family tarnish your reputation forever."

Upon hearing this, Su Wanqing paused slightly as she poured tea, a pang of sorrow rising in her heart.

She desperately wanted to tell the two elders that their son was not only alive, but was also manipulating the wealth of the entire Southern Wilderness with an air of supreme arrogance.

But she couldn't say.

Zheng Yifei's identity is an absolute secret. If it is leaked, not only will Zheng Yifei die, but his entire family will also face immediate annihilation.

"Uncle, please don't say that."

Su Wanqing composed herself, a gentle yet firm smile appearing on her face: "Although Yifei is gone, I still cherish our friendship. Taking care of you is Wanqing's duty."

Zheng's mother wiped away her tears, held Su Wanqing's hand, and was too moved to speak.

In the Qingyun Sect, the fact that Su Wanqing was Zheng Yifei's fiancée was already an open secret.

Now that Zheng Yifei is dead, Su Wanqing not only did not break off the engagement, but also, despite holding a high position, she still adhered to filial piety and visited him on time every month.

Such a loyal and righteous act earned her the admiration of everyone in the Qingyun Sect, and no one doubted that Zheng Yifei was still alive.

"By the way, how are Second Sister and Chongtian's cultivation progressing lately?"

Su Wanqing changed the subject and asked with concern.

When Zheng Dashan mentioned his two children, a relieved smile finally appeared on his face: "It's all thanks to the precious pills and spirit stones you send every month."

My second sister is quite promising. With her dual water and wood spiritual roots, she already possesses excellent aptitude, and at only sixteen years old, she has already broken through to the seventh level of Qi Refining! During the recent inner sect assessment, she caught the eye of a deacon from the Pill Pavilion and has been officially accepted as a disciple, majoring in alchemy.

Su Wanqing's eyes lit up. A sixteen-year-old at the seventh level of Qi Refining was definitely considered a genius in the Qingyun Sect.

Moreover, his main focus is on alchemy, which coincides with Zhao Ling's path.

She secretly made a mental note of it, planning to go back and discuss it with Zheng Yifei, and send her younger sister to Xuantian Sect to follow Zhao Ling in the future.

"As for Chongtian..."

Father Zheng gave a bitter smile: "His aptitude for the four spiritual roots is really too poor. Even with the massive resources you sent to force him to develop them, he is now twelve years old and has only barely reached the third level of Qi Refining."

However, this child is resilient and never slacks off in his daily sword practice.

"Lack of talent is nothing to worry about, hard work can make up for it. Uncle, don't worry about resources, Wanqing will provide plenty."

Su Wanqing smiled reassuringly. She knew very well that with Zhao Ling, that monstrous talent who could refine top-grade pills like candy, Zheng Yifei could force even a useless person with five spiritual roots to reach the Foundation Establishment stage, let alone someone with four spiritual roots.

After having lunch with the two elders and testing Zheng Ermei and Zheng Chongtian's cultivation levels, Su Wanqing left behind a batch of pills and talismans sufficient for their cultivation for half a year before quietly departing.

Meanwhile, at the main peak of the Qingyun Sect, in the sect leader's villa.

The night was as dark as ink, and there wasn't a breath of wind.

Xu Zhengkun, who had just finished a day of cultivation, was about to take off his clothes and rest when suddenly, a chilling sensation shot from his tailbone straight to the top of his head.

The golden core within his body began to tremble uncontrollably, as if it had encountered some extremely terrifying natural enemy.

The air in the entire villa instantly froze, becoming so heavy it felt almost tangible. Even the protective array didn't raise the slightest alarm before being silently dismantled by an invisible force.

"Who?!"

Xu Zhengkun suddenly pulled out the long sword from the bedside table, his forehead instantly covered in cold sweat.

"The new sect leader of Qingyun Sect is quite alert. It's just a pity that his cultivation is still too weak."

A deep, hoarse voice, as if drifting from the deepest hell, rang out in the main hall.

Xu Zhengkun endured the discomfort caused by the oppressive aura, and slowly moved out of the inner room.

In the main hall, a middle-aged man dressed in a black robe was sitting in the main seat.

The man had a sinister face, and his eyes were like bottomless black holes. The edge of his black robe was embroidered with a strange black lotus flower in dark gold thread.

The moment Xu Zhengkun saw the black lotus clearly, his pupils shrank, and his heart felt as if it were being squeezed tightly by an invisible hand.

Heavenly Demon Sect!

One of the two overlords of the Southern Wilderness, a demonic giant who rivals the Xuantian Sect and has a blood feud spanning generations!

The aura emanating from the person before them was as deep and unfathomable as an abyss or the sea.

This is... a powerful cultivator in the late Nascent Soul stage!

"This junior, Xu Zhengkun, the sect leader of Qingyun Sect, was unaware of your presence and has failed to greet you properly."

Xu Zhengkun forced himself to calm down, sheathed his sword, and respectfully performed a junior's salute.

He knew that in front of a powerful being in the late Nascent Soul stage, he didn't even have the right to self-destruct his Golden Core.