Cultivation, Inc.I Use Capitalism to Fix a Dying Sect

Chapter 163: Taking a Supreme Heaven Spirit Root Disciple Isn’t Too Much, Right?

“Excellent,” Sun Yi said, pulling Zeng Niu to his feet. “From this day forth, you are my chief disciple.”

He grinned. I, a Low-Grade Spirit Root cultivator, taking a Supreme Heaven Spirit Root disciple? Life is good.

Elder Han Yun watched with naked envy. A disciple with such potential was a guarantee of future glory. But Sun Yi was the Headmaster, and his authority was absolute. Unless Patriarch Qingxuan descended from the heavens to intervene, this prize belonged to Sun Yi.

“Tell me about your family,” Sun Yi asked.

“I have a younger sister,” Zeng Niu replied honestly.

“Fetch her,” Sun Yi ordered. “Your family will live in the Qingyun Dao Palace for now. When I return to the sect, you will all come with me.”

He turned to Zeng Niu’s father. “Old sir, if you need anything, speak. Your son is my disciple; your problems are my problems.”

The old man shook his head vigorously. “I have no needs! This is already too much!”

Sun Yi signaled a disciple. “Escort the old gentleman home. Take gold and silver—enough to buy half the street. Let him return in glory.”

As the disciple led the dazed old man away, Sun Yi walked Zeng Niu toward the Dao Palace.

The crowd watched in awe.

“Zeng Niu… an Immortal’s disciple…”

“He has ascended to the heavens in a single step.”

“I need to cultivate! Maybe I’m next!”

Inspired by Zeng Niu’s success, the fervor of the populace redoubled. Thousands threw themselves at the cultivation steles, desperate to change their fates.

Sun Yi knew the odds. A Supreme Heaven Spirit Root was a one-in-a-billion miracle. The investment in Yellow Earth City had already paid for itself a hundred times over.

As they walked, Sun Yi chatted with his new disciple, easing the boy’s tension.

“Tell me about the city,” Sun Yi asked. “The real city. Not what the officials say.”

Zeng Niu hesitated, then spoke. He told stories of crushing poverty, of land barons who owned everything, of families selling children to pay rent, of people starving to death while granaries rotted. It was a feudal nightmare where the rich were kings and the poor were cattle.

And the demon beasts. Every year, thousands died outside the walls, preyed upon by monsters while the city guards protected only the wealthy districts.

“I see,” Sun Yi murmured. His eyes grew cold. “It seems the rules of this city are due for a change.”

In front of the Dao Palace, a group of men in silk robes stood apart from the common rabble. They were fat, soft, and smelled of expensive perfume.

Liu Yihu, the City Lord, wiped sweat from his ample forehead. He was the king of Yellow Earth City, but today, he felt like a pig waiting for the butcher.

“City Lord Liu,” a vice-official whispered nervously. “What do we do?”

“We wait,” Liu Yihu hissed. “What else can we do? Fight an Immortal?”

Beside him, Deputy City Lord Luo Yibo narrowed his eyes. He was a shrewd man, known for his cunning.

“Relax,” Luo Yibo murmured. “Immortals don’t care about mortal administration. They need us. Who else will collect the taxes? Who else knows the logistics?”

He smirked. “As long as we are useful, we can negotiate. Perhaps we can even profit from this.”

Liu Yihu nodded slowly. That made sense.

“They’re coming!”

Sun Yi approached, leading Zeng Niu. He stopped before the group of officials, his gaze sweeping over them like a cold wind.

“Greetings, Immortal!” Liu Yihu bowed low, his belly jiggling. The others followed suit.

“Rise,” Sun Yi said indifferently.

“You are the former administrators,” Sun Yi stated. “You know this city. The Qingyun Sect has taken control. I expect you to assist us in developing the city.”

Luo Yibo’s eyes lit up. I was right. He needs us.

“Immortal, rest assured!” Liu Yihu stepped forward, eager to please. “We will serve with all our hearts!”

“Good,” Sun Yi nodded. “Identify yourself.”

“I am Liu Yihu, the former City Lord.”

“Liu Yihu. Your first task is simple. Reclaim all land deeds in the Yellow Earth City region. Transfer ownership to the Qingyun Sect. Then, redistribute the land equally among the population based on household size. From this day on, land cannot be bought or sold privately.”

Silence.

The officials stared at Sun Yi as if he had grown a second head.

“What?”

“Reclaim… all the land?”

“Impossible! My family has held those deeds for five generations!”

“Give our land to the mud-legs? That is theft!”

The officials erupted in protest. Their fear of the Immortal was momentarily eclipsed by the threat to their wealth.

Luo Yibo stepped forward, his face grave. He bowed deeply.

“Immortal, please forgive my boldness. But this policy is unwise. The land is our rightful property, accumulated through generations of hard work. To seize it would be… unjust.”

“Yes!” the others chimed in. “We cannot agree to this!”

Sun Yi looked at Luo Yibo. “And what do you suggest?”

Luo Yibo straightened, confident. “If you seize the land, the city will fall into chaos. We can manage the city for you, ensure the taxes flow, and keep the peace. But the property rights must be respected.”

It was a veiled threat. Without us, the city stops working.

Sun Yi didn’t answer him. Instead, he turned to Zeng Niu.

“A-Niu. Do you know this man?”

Zeng Niu glared at the Deputy City Lord, hatred burning in his eyes.

“Reporting to Master. This is Luo Yibo. He is a tyrant. He uses usury and thugs to seize land from the poor. He has driven hundreds of families to suicide and starvation.”

Luo Yibo paled. “You lying brat! Immortal, do not listen to this peasant—”

Sun Yi nodded. “I see.”

He raised a hand. He pointed a finger at Luo Yibo.

Snap.

A ball of spiritual fire materialized from thin air, wrapping around the Deputy City Lord instantly.