Volume One, Chapter 43: Is the Penglai Sea of Clouds Foundation About to Rise?

As dawn broke, the number of people noticing the newly opened foundation steadily increased. Thanks to the recent aggressive publicity campaign by the Penglai Cloud Sea Foundation, many had heard of it. Now that they saw it in person, curiosity inevitably drew them inside.

One had to admit, the effort Penglai Cloud Sea had put into promotion was not in vain. Yet, upon entering, visitors found it was nothing like they had imagined.

First and foremost, spending money yielded no tangible returns.

Though donations by nature are meant to be selfless, most who entered were familiar with and accustomed to the model of the Langya Foundation: purchasing useful items while contributing charitably—a true win-win. Even modest cultivators could accept this, often enjoying the process.

But at Penglai Cloud Sea, it was different. Money was given away with nothing gained in return. Times were hard, making it difficult to earn spirit stones; many wandering cultivators barely had enough for cultivation pills, let alone charity.

At this point, over ninety percent of would-be donors were discouraged. A few, either unable to back down or genuinely moved to help, tried to donate a small amount, hoping to contribute to charity and accumulate blessings and fortune for themselves.

But guess what?

Those dozens or even hundreds of spirit stones were met not with gratitude but with cold sarcasm from the shopkeeper. In the end, even the merit board at the entrance refused to acknowledge them.

According to Manager Zhong, the Penglai Cloud Sea Foundation’s Merit Board was of the highest prestige, reserved only for truly great-hearted living bodhisattvas. The implied message was clear: stingy wandering cultivators had no place on the list.

“Damn it, what kind of nonsense is this?” one growled. “I donated eighty spirit stones, and not a single kind word!”

“This is outrageous—they don’t even treat us low-level cultivators like human beings!”

“Shouldn’t have come in here,” another muttered regretfully.

“Both are foundations, yet look at Langya next door—why such a huge difference?”

“Keep your voices down. If they hear us, we might lose more than just face.”

Now, the spirit stones were handed over, leaving a bitter taste. Some disgruntled souls sought justice, but Penglai Cloud Sea was a formidable organization no ordinary cultivator could afford to offend. Best to leave quietly, or face dire consequences.

Survival of the fittest—that was the open truth of the cultivation world. Business everywhere was the same. Wealth without strength might still earn respect, or be treated as easy prey. Those lacking both fared even worse.

In comparison, Langya Charity Foundation was far more satisfactory. Though lacking the polite attentions of Penglai’s pretty tea service, Langya treated all customers equally, never sneering or mocking. Even a donation of three spirit stones earned a spot on the merit board. Wealthy heirs queued patiently alongside others.

As a result, Penglai Cloud Sea’s reputation plummeted. Countless cultivators who had entered complained bitterly.

Of course, not all was bleak. While Penglai scorned ordinary wanderers, they lavished attention upon wealthy clients—offering a continual supply of exquisite teas and fruits, and assigning beautiful attendants to serve them.

These patrons cared little for money or tangible returns; their concern was prestige. Witnessing Manager Zhong’s attitude toward common cultivators, then his obsequiousness to the rich clients, their sense of superiority swelled instantly.

“Master Zhao, please take care on the steps!” a beautiful attendant called as a young noble strode out confidently.

He glanced back at the top name on the Merit Board, with a staggering donation surpassing two hundred thousand spirit stones, his pride swelling.

Wasn’t this far more impressive than the mere hundreds or thousands donated at Langya?

His gaze then fell on the group of wandering cultivators being ejected outside, and he sneered, “A bunch of paupers pretending to be charitable! They should take care of themselves first.”

Angry cultivators clenched fists but dared not speak.

Over the following days, almost every prominent cultivation family and noble clan in the Qingyun Archipelago shifted their competition for merit board prominence from Langya Foundation to Penglai Cloud Sea.

At the top of Penglai’s Merit Board stood the young Master Shi, whose donation had exceeded one million spirit stones, garnering considerable attention.

Rumor had it he was praised heavily upon return, his confidence soars to the point where even his steps seemed to carry wind.

Yet the true beneficiaries were the heads of the three great trading guilds. Within days, their influence had completely eclipsed Langya Charity Foundation, with profits far exceeding those of the Langya Guild.

“Hahaha! This foundation is a goldmine!” laughed the Penglai headquarters’ senior leaders gathered together, their grins nearly splitting their faces as they examined the recent revenue.

“A business with no capital, naturally the returns are considerable!” said Gou Anshi, still bearing the demeanor of a scholar, speaking cheerfully. “We must credit the Wang family’s young master for giving us such a brilliant idea!”

Su Yujiao, head of the Yun Palace Guild, chuckled: “Too bad he’s too honest, insisting on revealing everything truthfully. Had he concealed that they only contribute one percent of their profits to the foundation, perhaps the money would have been theirs to keep!”

“Honest?” Tang Qian sneered, a hint of disdain in his voice. “The Wang family’s young master is anything but honest; otherwise, how could he have caused so much trouble? Or perhaps... he’s simply not very clever.”

In a matter of days, the foundation’s massive gains caused Tang Qian to forget the warnings from his father-in-law. Or rather, he preferred to believe that Wang Mu’s methods were guided by some higher power behind the scenes.

The group exchanged knowing laughter.

“In the end, the Wang family’s young master is better at spending than making money! Such an opportunity slipping through his fingers—if the Langya Guild’s leaders knew, they’d be furious! Hahaha...”

“Exactly! As long as we keep quiet, how would anyone know how much we truly donate? The numbers are ours to control.”

“This world has no walls without cracks.”

On Tianjue Island, Wang Mu stood atop a height, gazing toward the soon-to-be-completed foundation headquarters. A gentle breeze stirred his hair, his expression calm and composed.

“Foundations rely foremost on trust. They may profit briefly through concealment, but long-term success is impossible. Once a credit crisis hits, they are finished.”

Nie Tingting blinked her captivating eyes. “So you mean we needn’t take any action?”

Wang Mu smiled serenely. “Just watch.”

Suddenly, a bell rang in the distance. Someone hurried up behind Wang Mu, saluting as they reported, “Young master, fifteen islands three thousand miles south are simultaneously under attack by sea demons. The situation is dire!”

Wang Mu’s smile vanished as he spoke seriously, “Everyone, depart immediately. No mistakes.”

“Yes, sir!”