I run a casino in the immortal realm.

The moment Su Qingwan stepped out of the inspector's building, Zheng Yifei's communication talisman vibrated.

It was a message from the head of the hall.

"The sect leader summons you. Proceed to the Tianyuan Hall on the main peak immediately."

Zheng Yifei took in the handwriting, stood up, and straightened his clothes. He had considered being summoned by the sect leader, but he hadn't expected it to happen so soon.

He thought that the higher-ups would only officially appear after the new tax law was fully implemented and the data looked good enough.

Only 90% of it has been laid so far.

"Uncle Gu".

Gu Jianhua pushed open the door next door and came in silently.

"Prepare the flying boat to the main peak."

Gu Jianhua didn't ask why, and turned to go downstairs.

A white flying boat, three zhang long, took off from the backyard of the Inspectorate and sped towards the main peak.

The flying boat was a top-quality item bestowed by the sect leader, and it was extremely fast, taking only the time it takes to travel from the Inspectorate to the main peak.

Zheng Yifei stood at the bow of the boat, the wind blowing into his sleeves. The peaks in his field of vision rushed past. The closer he got to the main peak, the higher the concentration of spiritual energy in the air. With each breath, he could feel the spiritual energy becoming more active in his meridians.

"Uncle Gu, why is the spiritual energy on the main peak so dense?"

Gu Jianhua's hands, which were firmly in control of the flying boat, remained as steady as a rock. Without turning his head, he said, "There is a third-grade mid-level spiritual vein at the foot of the main peak. The spiritual energy hub of the entire Qingyun Sect is located here."

The sect leader and elders' cave dwellings are all located on the main peak; outer disciples can't even reach the foot of the mountain normally.

Third-grade mid-level spiritual vein.

Zheng Yifei did the math in his head. The top-grade spirit-gathering array he was using had a spiritual energy concentration about eight times that of an ordinary area. And within the area covered by this spiritual vein, the spiritual energy concentration was at least twenty times that of the outside.

If he can cultivate here for a month, his preparation time for breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage will be shortened by at least one-third.

He noted the thought down but didn't say it aloud.

The flying boat landed at a platform halfway up the main peak. Two guards checked his token and led him up a stone staircase paved with spirit stones.

Purple bamboo grows on both sides of the stone steps, its leaves glistening with fine dew, and the air is filled with a refreshing scent.

Tianyuan Hall is located seven-tenths of the way up the main peak. It is a magnificent stone hall covering hundreds of feet, with flying eaves and brackets. The hall doors are wide open, and the three ancient seal characters on the lintel gleam with a pale gold color in the sunlight.

Zheng Yifei stepped across the threshold.

The interior was simpler than he had expected. There were no carved beams and painted rafters, no carpets covering the floor, and the stone floor was polished so smooth that it reflected one's image. In the center was a high sandalwood chair, with five chairs on each side arranged in a fan shape.

Nine people were sitting in the nine chairs.

The nine elders are the decision-making body of the sect.

Zheng Yifei didn't recognize any of them.

Zheng Yifei withdrew his gaze and looked towards the center.

A middle-aged man was sitting in a rosewood chair.

His face was square and imposing, and his eyes were calm like a deep pool. When his gaze fell on Zheng Yifei, there was no aggression in it, but a fine layer of sweat appeared on Zheng Yifei's back.

This wasn't killing intent; it was pure, overwhelming superiority in cultivation.

Xu Tianyang, the sect leader of Qingyun Sect, is a peak Golden Core cultivator.

Zheng Yifei performed a standard disciple's salute: "Zheng Yifei, Chief Inspector of the Tax Department of the General Affairs Bureau, pays respects to the Sect Master and all the elders."

"No need for formalities, please sit."

Xu Tianyang's voice wasn't loud, but it could be heard clearly in every corner of the hall: "I didn't call you here for anything important, I just wanted to see with my own eyes what you, the disciple who caused such a huge change in the sect, look like."

Two elders inside the hall chuckled, easing the tension slightly.

A eunuch brought over a low stool and placed it on the left side of the hall.

Zheng Yifei sat down, his back straight, his hands on his knees—a standard posture for a subordinate to pay homage, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Zheng Yifei, the new tax law has been in effect for over three months now."

Xu Tianyang picked up his teacup and took a sip: "Tell me, what difficulties are you facing?"

Zheng Yifei didn't start with any platitudes.

"Reporting back to the clan leader, the overall implementation is progressing smoothly. The ten inspection teams have completed the first round of coverage of all ten jurisdictions of the clan. The promotion rates of the invoice system and the simplified accounting method have reached 70% and 90% respectively."

He paused for a moment.

"But there are two things that need to be reported."

Xu Tianyang put down his teacup: "Speak."

"First, the Eighth Inspection Team was ambushed while inspecting the Baishifang market area. Team leader Li Pei was seriously injured, and three team members died in the line of duty. Master Jin has transferred the case to Jianfeng for handling, and the mastermind behind it is currently being investigated."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

"Secondly, during the verification process, our department discovered that seventeen Class A merchants had systematically concealed data, and the amount of tax evasion involved was initially estimated to exceed 80 million spirit stones."

Of these seventeen merchants, nine have direct financial ties with the upper echelons of the sect.

When he said the words "upper-middle class," his tone remained unchanged, just like when he was reciting numbers.

But among the nine elders present, three of them twitched their fingers.

Xu Tianyang's expression remained unchanged.

"Who specifically is involved?"

"The chain of evidence is not yet completely closed. I dare not make any rash statements before there is conclusive evidence, but the relevant materials have been backed up. One copy is archived in the Inspectorate and the other has been sent to the General Affairs Department."

The meaning of this sentence is very clear—I know the list, but I will not name names in public. I have kept two copies of the evidence, and none of you can make it disappear.

Xu Tianyang stared at him for a couple of moments, his lips twitching slightly, whether in a smile or something else was unclear.

"Zhengyuan".

Kim Jong-won walked out of the side hall, nodded to Zheng Yifei, and stood behind Xu Tianyang.

"Let's talk about the figures for this quarter."

Jin Zhengyuan unfolded a roll of spiritual paper, his voice steady: "After the new tax law was fully implemented, the sect's tax revenue increased by an average of 150 million low-grade spirit stones per month this quarter, of which new tax sources accounted for 40% and revenue from plugging loopholes accounted for 60%."

150 million.

No one spoke in the hall. The nine elders had different expressions, but they all shared one thing in common: this number had exceeded everyone's expectations.

"in addition,"

Jin Zhengyuan put away the spirit paper and glanced at Zheng Yifei: "The simplified accounting method and multiplication table promoted by the Inspectorate have now spread to more than 60% of the independent cultivator families within the sect's jurisdiction. This has significantly improved the efficiency of daily transactions for lower-level cultivators. The indirect economic benefits of this part cannot be quantified at present, but the long-term impact is immeasurable."

Xu Tianyang leaned forward slightly from his chair, his gaze falling on Zheng Yifei.

"Zheng Yifei, you have been in the sect for less than half a year, yet you have reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, are in charge of ten Foundation Establishment cultivators, and have increased the sect's monthly tax revenue by 150 million. The elders and I have all witnessed your achievements."

His tone was flat, as if he were stating a fact.

"I called you here today for a formal commendation. Your achievements have been recorded in the sect's register. In addition, you will be rewarded with one hundred mid-grade spirit stones, one third-tier cultivation technique of your choice, and a sect leader's token."

"With this warrant, you have the authority to access the accounts of any market or merchant within the sect's territory at any time, and no one may obstruct you."

One mid-grade spirit stone can be exchanged for one thousand low-grade spirit stones. One hundred mid-grade spirit stones are equivalent to one hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones. Moreover, it is very difficult to exchange them.

Third-tier cultivation technique, issued by the sect leader.

The first two are money and resources, and the third is power.

Zheng Yifei stood up and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Sect Master."

"Don't thank me yet."

Xu Tianyang leaned back in his chair: "Tell me your requirements all at once."

Zheng Yifei did not hesitate.

"Sect Master, I have reached the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining and am preparing to break through to Foundation Establishment. However, I lack spiritual root aptitude, and the success rate of low-grade and mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pills is too low. If the sect can provide high-grade or even top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, my chances of succeeding in Foundation Establishment will be much greater."

The moment the words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall changed.

The expressions on the faces of the elders changed slightly.

A top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill costs 150,000 spirit stones. The sect's inventory is limited, and the allocation requires a meeting of the elders to discuss it each year.

Top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill—the entire Qingyun Sect produces only three to five of those pills a year. Refining them requires a fourth-level alchemist to do it personally, and the cost exceeds 500,000 spirit stones.

A disciple at the ninth level of Qi Refining asked for a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill right off the bat.

The Seventh Elder snorted coldly and didn't say anything, but his attitude was clear.

Fifth Elder Su Chenyuan held his teacup, his gaze falling on the patterns in the tea.

Xu Tianyang did not answer immediately.

He looked at Zheng Yifei and remained silent for three breaths.

Then he said something that surprised everyone in the hall.

"The sect still has two top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills in its inventory."

He paused for a moment.

"I'll give you one."