Sun Yi didn’t waste time basking in the applause. He turned to the Board of Directors, firing off instructions with the precision of a COO managing a logistical crisis.

“Elder Qin,” he said, addressing the head of Internal Affairs. “Mobilize your department immediately. Inventory everything. Categorize assets by tier and liquidity. Once the auditing is complete, report to the Central Hall.”

“Understood,” Qin Chu nodded, already pulling out a jade slip to draft orders.

Sun Yi pivoted to Elder Ye Luo. “The R&D division is your priority. Tell the Miscellaneous Arts Hall to start requisitioning materials now. I want a full skill upgrade across the board. In one year, our manufacturing capability needs to be unrecognizable. If they hit their KPIs, authorize bonuses. Meet me at the Central Hall when you’re done.”

“Consider it done.”

“Elder Jin Jue,” Sun Yi continued, his voice dropping an octave. “You handle security. Initiate the lockdown protocols. Full perimeter seal. No signal leakage, no unauthorized exits. If a fly leaves this mountain, I want to know about it. Then, join us.”

“Elder Li Tai, get External Affairs to compile a comprehensive dossier on our competitors—Black Wind Stockade and Evil Spirit Valley. I want their troop numbers, revenue streams, and known weaknesses. The faster, the better.”

“Elder Han Yun,” Sun Yi finished, looking at the head of the Transmission Hall. “Internal training. Set up a mentorship program. High-level disciples will tutor the juniors. Incentivize it with Points. We need to raise the average cultivation level of the entire workforce. Go.”

The five Golden Core Elders departed instantly, moving with a newfound urgency. There was no hesitation, no debate. They were simply executing the CEO’s vision.

Patriarch Qingxuan watched them leave, a look of profound satisfaction on his face.

“Kid,” Qingxuan chuckled. “You’ve done good work. Jin Jue and the others aren’t just following orders anymore; they’re believers.”

“It’s just business,” Sun Yi said, waving a hand. “They respect the results, not me.”

“Don’t be modest. Now, what’s the next phase? Why the dramatic assembly at the Central Hall?”

“Trade secret,” Sun Yi grinned. “I need the full Board present before I reveal the roadmap.”

“Fine. Keep your secrets. I’ll be waiting.” Qingxuan vanished in a streak of light.

Sun Yi watched the empty space where the Patriarch had been. Good, he thought. The Chairman is fully on board. With the IPO success, my position is unassailable.

He messaged Er Gouzi to join him and flew toward the Central Hall.

Inside the Central Hall, the atmosphere was heavy. Patriarch Qingxuan sat on the primary throne, eyes closed, radiating a faint but terrifying sword pressure.

Sun Yi entered and took the Sect Leader’s seat without a word. He pulled out a jade slip and began reviewing the financials. Time was money.

Moments later, Er Gouzi slipped in, looking terrified by the Patriarch’s presence.

“Sit anywhere,” Sun Yi muttered without looking up.

Outside, the sect was in a frenzy.

The returning expedition members were being mobbed like rock stars. Disciples surrounded them, desperate for details on the payout.

“What?! You netted 110,000 Points?” a Qi Refining disciple screamed, staring at his friend in disbelief.

“110k is entry-level,” the friend scoffed, basking in the attention. “Senior Brother He pulled in 310,000. He’s basically retired.”

“Is the Myriad Demon Forest really that profitable?”

“It is,” Senior Brother He announced to the crowd. “But don’t get it twisted. Without the Sect Leader’s Spirit Plate technology, that forest is a meat grinder. Even Golden Core experts have a slim chance of survival. We survived because we had the tech and the strategy.”

He looked at the envious junior disciples. “Don’t just stand there drooling. The Sect Leader opened the treasury. 50% discount on resources! Loans! Break-through bonuses! If you don’t leverage this to level up, you’re an idiot.”

The crowd dispersed like a grenade had gone off, everyone sprinting toward the cultivation caves. The message was clear: Get strong, get rich.

Above them, the sky shimmered.

The Great Mountain Protection Formation roared to life, a translucent dome sealing the Qingyun Sect from the rest of the world. The lockdown was absolute. The sect had gone dark.

Back in the Central Hall, the five Elders filed in, taking their seats. The doors sealed shut.

Sun Yi cleared his throat.

On the throne, Patriarch Qingxuan opened his eyes. “Everyone is here. Speak.”

Sun Yi smiled, leaned forward, and dropped a tactical nuke on the table.

“We are going to liquidate the Black Wind Stockade and Evil Spirit Valley.”