I run a casino in the immortal realm.

Zheng Yifei suppressed the surging spiritual power around him and changed into a clean black robe.

The summit of Cuiping Mountain had been leveled by lightning, and the surrounding air still retained a strong smell of burning and a violent aura of lightning.

Without lingering, he flashed and transformed into a streak of light, flying towards the city of Tanzhou.

After breaking through to the Void Refinement Realm, Zheng Yifei felt that the whole world had become different in his eyes.

The flow of spiritual energy between heaven and earth, and the subtle fluctuations of the laws, were clearly presented in his perception.

His flight speed was several times faster than when he was at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage. In a short while, the tall city walls of Tanzhou came into view.

The city of Tanzhou was more prosperous than ever before, with newly renovated buildings lining the streets, bustling with merchants and lively crowds.

Without alerting the city guards, Zheng Yifei landed directly in the backyard of the prefectural governor's mansion and walked towards Zhu Zhenbang's study.

Inside his study, Zhu Zhenbang was reviewing the reconstruction completion files sent by various prefectures and counties.

Hearing footsteps outside the door, he looked up and saw Zheng Yifei walk in. He was about to greet him with a smile, but his expression suddenly froze.

As a cultivator in the late stage of the Void Refinement realm, Zhu Zhenbang was extremely sensitive to the flow of Qi.

Although Zheng Yifei in front of him deliberately suppressed his aura and looked like an ordinary person, Zhu Zhenbang could still feel a chilling sense of oppression.

The feeling was like facing a live volcano that could erupt at any moment, with a devastating power hidden beneath its calm surface.

Out of a desire to test the waters, Zhu Zhenbang subtly released a trace of the pressure of a late-stage Void Refinement cultivator, like an invisible net enveloping Zheng Yifei.

In the past, as long as he released his pressure slightly, cultivators in the Nascent Soul stage would feel difficulty breathing and their spiritual energy would stagnate.

However, when this oppressive force landed on Zheng Yifei, it was like a mud ox sinking into the sea, without stirring up the slightest ripple.

Zheng Yifei didn't even lift his eyelids, and walked steadily to the desk, bowing respectfully: "My lord."

Zhu Zhenbang's heart sank, and he silently withdrew his oppressive aura.

He could clearly sense that the solidity of the spiritual energy within Zheng Yifei's body was in no way inferior to his own, a late-stage Void Refinement cultivator.

Furthermore, within the five-colored flowing spiritual energy, there was also a violent aura of lightning that he found extremely dangerous.

"You... have broken through to the early stage of the Void Refinement realm?"

Zhu Zhenbang put down his vermilion pen, his tone filled with undisguised shock.

"We made it through by sheer luck; the process was a bit thrilling, but thankfully we pulled through."

Zheng Yifei answered calmly and sat down on the chair next to him.

"You didn't just get lucky."

Zhu Zhenbang gave a wry smile and shook his head: "Those who have successfully broken through to the Void Refinement stage with five spiritual roots are extremely rare throughout history. Moreover, the sheer amount of spiritual power you possess is simply monstrous."

I even think that if we fought right now, I might not be able to beat you.

Zheng Yifei smiled but didn't reply.

He knew his current strength, and with the mutated Thunder Spirit Finger, Zhu Zhenbang would most likely be no match for him in a life-or-death struggle.

"Okay, let's not talk about this anymore."

Zhu Zhenbang picked up his teacup, took a sip, suppressed his shock, and got down to business: "During your six months of seclusion, the post-disaster reconstruction work is nearing completion. The city walls of all ten affected counties have been rebuilt, the refugees have been basically settled, and the farmland has been successfully restored."

"This is all thanks to the disaster relief lottery you organized."

"This is all thanks to the coordination of Your Excellency and His Highness the Ninth Prince; I merely offered an idea."

Zheng Yifei said politely.

"Whoever deserves the credit should claim it."

Zhu Zhenbang waved his hand, his expression becoming serious: "I plan to submit a memorial to the court in the next few days to request commendation for you, and at the same time, formally recommend you to take over as the Chief Justice of the Judicial Commissioner."

Now that you've reached the Refinement Void Realm, you've fully met the basic requirements. Even if the Third Prince's people wanted to block you from the Ministry of Personnel, they wouldn't find any reason to do so.

The Chief Judicial Officer was a powerful official of the fourth rank, in charge of criminal justice and anti-smuggling in a prefecture. He could be considered a regional governor.

But Zheng Yifei didn't show much joy after hearing this; instead, he remained silent for a moment.

"My lord, let someone else take the position of Chief Justice."

Zheng Yifei raised his head and looked at Zhu Zhenbang.

Zhu Zhenbang was taken aback: "What? You think your official rank is too low?"

"no."

Zheng Yifei shook his head: "I want to go to Kyoto."

Zhu Zhenbang frowned slightly: "Go to the capital? Why? You have been operating in Tanzhou County for so many years, and your foundation is deep. With me and the Ninth Prince here, you can be said to have the power to do whatever you want."

"If you go to Kyoto, that's the Third Prince's territory. Aren't you afraid he'll cause you trouble?"

"I'm not afraid of the trouble, but I have to go."

Zheng Yifei sighed and said frankly, "My lord, the Five Elements Primordial Technique that I cultivate can only support me to the Void Refinement stage. In the past six months, I have searched through the county government's library and even asked the Southern Wilderness Merchant Guild to purchase it from other counties, but I have not found a high-level cultivation technique suitable for the five spiritual roots."

Without further cultivation techniques, my cultivation will remain stagnant at the early stage of the Void Refinement realm forever.

Zhu Zhenbang suddenly realized that cultivation techniques based on the five spiritual roots were already rare, and those who could cultivate to the Void Refinement Realm were extremely rare. It was indeed impossible for anyone in the region to break through to the Integration Realm or even higher.

"Only the Royal Library could possibly contain a cultivation technique of this caliber."

Zheng Yifei's eyes were firm: "Therefore, I must go to the capital and establish a firm foothold in the court in order to gain access to the core area of ​​the Royal Library."

Zhu Zhenbang remained silent for a long time.

He knew Zheng Yifei's personality; once he made up his mind, nothing could change it.

"I see."

Zhu Zhenbang sighed: "Since you have made up your mind, then I will not mention the Chief Justice in the memorial, but only the merits. However, it is not an easy thing to get a position in the capital and to have access to the Imperial Library."

The Third Prince controls the Ministry of Personnel; he will definitely not let you get your way so easily.

"I know."

"You can't handle this alone."

Zhu Zhenbang looked at him and pointed outside the door: "You need to go find the Ninth Prince. He is the Emperor's son and has made great contributions to disaster relief. His voice in the court is stronger than before."

Moreover, he is the backbone of the prince's family. If he is willing to come forward to protect you, or the prince comes forward, the third prince will also have to weigh it. "

Zheng Yifei nodded: "I was just about to go and discuss this matter with His Highness."

After leaving the prefectural governor's mansion, Zheng Yifei returned to the inner quarters of the judicial office.

As night fell, the courtyard of the inner residence was quiet.

Su Wanqing sat at the stone table, looking through the account books sent by the Southern Wilderness Trading Company by the moonlight.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up and saw Zheng Yifei. A hint of joy flashed in her eyes, and she quickly stood up to greet him.

"You've emerged from quarantine?"

Su Wanqing looked him up and down, sensing the restrained yet unfathomable aura emanating from him, and her heart finally settled down.

"Yes, you've broken through."

Zheng Yifei took her hand and pulled her to sit down at the stone table.

"Did it go smoothly?"

"It's alright, I encountered a few minor problems, but they've all been resolved."

Zheng Yifei downplayed the danger of the Six-Nine Heavenly Tribulation, not wanting her to worry.

The two chatted for a few minutes about disaster relief and business. Zheng Yifei picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "I met with Lord Zhu today and told him I wanted to go to the capital. I'm preparing to send a message to His Highness the Ninth Prince to discuss the trip."

After listening, Su Wanqing did not immediately respond. Instead, she closed the account book, put it aside, and quietly looked at Zheng Yifei, her eyes revealing a rare tenderness and hesitation.

"What's wrong?"

Zheng Yifei noticed her unusual behavior.

"Yifei, could we postpone the trip to Kyoto for now?"

Su Wanqing said softly.

Zheng Yifei was taken aback: "Slow down? Why? The cultivation technique can't be delayed..."

"It's not about the cultivation technique."

Su Wanqing interrupted him, a slight blush rising on her cheeks. She lowered her head, looking at their clasped hands, and whispered, "I... want a child."

Zheng Yifei's hand trembled, and the water in the teacup almost spilled.

He stared wide-eyed at Su Wanqing, speechless for a long time.

"child?"

"Um."

Su Wanqing took a deep breath, raised her head, and looked directly at him: "In the past, we were always running for our lives and fighting, fighting all the way from the Southern Wilderness to the Eastern Divine Continent, without even a safe place to settle down."

At that time, I dared not have children, fearing they would suffer with us and that it would hinder my cultivation and hold you back.

Zheng Yifei fell silent.

He knew Su Wanqing was telling the truth; these past few years had been incredibly difficult and dangerous for them.

"But things are different now."

Su Wanqing grasped his hand in return, her tone becoming firm: "We have both broken through to the Void Refining Realm, and in this Eastern Divine Continent, we can be considered powerful figures. The Criminal Investigation Department and the Southern Wilderness Merchant Guild are already on the right track, and we have the ability to protect ourselves."

She paused, then continued, "Moreover, I asked Ling'er, and she said that it takes an extremely long time to accumulate spiritual power and comprehend the rules of heaven and earth from the Void Refining Realm to the Body Integration Realm. It cannot be achieved by simply closing oneself off in seclusion."

Even if it delays us for a year or two, it won't have a significant impact on our future cultivation.

Looking at her, Zheng Yifei felt an indescribable tenderness welling up in his heart.

He knew that Su Wanqing was an extremely strong-willed woman who never slacked off in her cultivation.

Now that she has taken the initiative to ask for a child, it shows that she truly longs for a child of their own.