I Come from the Foundation, and I'm Proud!

Qingyun Archipelago.

It consisted of more than thirty small islands clustered together, with little distance between them.

Not only Cultivators but even ordinary mortals frequently traveled among these islands for trade and visits. A round trip took only four or five days.

Changlan Island and Autumn Leaf Island were among them, located along the outskirts.

At this moment.

On one of the small islands.

Jiang Xiaoqing dragged his exhausted body down the street.

He had just participated in the disaster relief efforts on Changlan Island. He had not even had time to change out of his Foundation robes, and his entire body felt weary, as if he had been hollowed out.

He only wanted to find a nearby inn or rent a Cave Mansion and rest properly for two days.

"Daoist Friend, may I ask which direction the nearest Cave Mansion rental office on this island is?"

He stopped a passing Cultivator and asked politely.

The Cultivator seemed to be in a hurry. He brushed Jiang Xiaoqing's hand aside and was about to leave.

Just as Jiang Xiaoqing was preparing to ask someone else, he suddenly saw the Cultivator who had hurried away turn back. The man carefully inspected Jiang Xiaoqing's clothing.

In the end, his gaze stopped on the words "Langya Charity Foundation" embroidered over Jiang Xiaoqing's chest.

"You... you're from the Langya Foundation?" The Cultivator's expression changed.

"Yes, that's right!" Jiang Xiaoqing nodded.

"Hey, why didn't you say so earlier?" The Cultivator hurriedly asked, "You're looking for a Cave Mansion?"

"That's right!"

"Come, come, come! I'll take you there!"

Jiang Xiaoqing was flattered. "How could I trouble you with that? I'd already be very grateful if you could just point me in the right direction!"

But the Cultivator insisted. As they walked, he said, "My wife's whole family lives on Changlan Island. This time, it was fortunate that your Foundation was there. Otherwise, my wife would have been heartbroken to death... Isn't it just showing you the way? It's only right!"

Very soon.

The Cultivator brought Jiang Xiaoqing to the Cave Mansion rental office.

Once they arrived, the steward in charge of Cave Mansion rentals personally came out to receive him and gave him an enormous discount.

"This Old Man deeply admires the benevolent deeds of the Foundation's righteous heroes! To meet you by chance today is this Old Man's honor!" The steward was utterly sincere as he personally led Jiang Xiaoqing to the Cave Mansion.

Only after repeatedly telling him that he could come find him at any time if he needed anything did the steward finally leave.

Jiang Xiaoqing entered the Cave Mansion, took off his Foundation uniform, and hung it neatly on the wall. He stood there somewhat dazed.

Originally, joining the Foundation and becoming a steward...

Was only because his cultivation was too weak, and none of the slightly better sects wanted him.

Besides, the Foundation's benefits were fairly good.

Its monthly wages ranked around the upper-middle range among the average monthly stipends of many sect Disciples.

He had merely wanted to find a source of income.

After finishing a job, he really was exhausted.

But when he thought of everything he had experienced today, the corners of his lips could not help but rise.

Being a member of the Foundation seemed to be something truly worth being proud of!

At the same time.

Similar scenes played out in many places.

Whenever people from the Foundation or Cultivators from Heavenly Severing Island revealed their identities,

Even passersby who had never personally been saved by the Foundation, nor had relatives saved by it, could not help but glance at them again and offer them kind looks.

There were many treacherous and deceitful people in the Cultivation World.

An organization like the Foundation, which saved people without seeking anything in return, was like a clear stream flowing through this murky world.

Moreover.

In a place like the Northern Region, Sea Demons attacking islands was something that happened almost every day.

No one dared guarantee that something similar would not happen to them.

If they encountered such a day,

They would surely rather meet people from the Foundation than those Cultivators who stood high and mighty before coldly turning away.

Let's change the subject.

On Feixian Island, at the heart of the Qingyun Archipelago.

Before the Langya Branch.

A huge crowd had gathered. They stood in line, carrying money with excited expressions.

They only waited for the Merchant Association's doors to open.

Then they would rush inside.

"What's going on? Did the Langya Merchant Association get some good items? Why is everyone scrambling to buy them?" someone who did not understand asked curiously.

"Buy what? They're all rushing here to give away money!"

"Give away money? To the Merchant Association? Have they gone mad?"

"Not to the Merchant Association. They're donating it to the Langya Charity Foundation!"

"What's the difference?"

"The difference is enormous! If you can secure one of the top three spots on the Foundation's Merit List, the Guild Master of the Langya Merchant Association will personally present you with an award!"

"The Guild Master? Could it be... that legendary Princess Consort of Wei? She's an Earth Immortal-level existence!"

"Who else could it be?"

"No wonder. If throwing money around lets me come into contact with someone like that, I'd be willing to throw in however much it takes!"

"And that's not all. This Foundation is a genuinely excellent place! Did you hear about what happened on Changlan Island a few days ago? Sea Demons broke through its formation, leaving countless dead and wounded. It was practically about to become a deserted island...

Then the Foundation's people went there. They healed the dying and tended the wounded, supported those in peril and rescued those in distress, saving countless lives...

No one knew how many people owed them a debt of gratitude!

If one could rank near the top of this Merit List, then in the Future, that would be an enormous network of connections for certain..."

There were no Idiots in the Cultivation World.

Judging from what had happened across the islands these past two days, if the Foundation continued doing this, then one day, practically every cultivator in the entire Northern Region would have to give the Foundation's people some face.

And they would do so sincerely.

The higher one ranked on the Merit List, the easier it was for people to remember them.

When the time came, the Merchant Association's doors opened on schedule.

Shopkeeper Su of the Langya Branch on Feixian Island nearly jumped in fright at the sight of the sea of people outside.

Only after quite a while did he make out what they were shouting.

"The Foundation saved my Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers. I have no way to repay them, so I only have a few Spirit Stones. Please accept them!"

"I have always loved peace and often aided my local community, but one person's strength is truly too meager. I am willing to offer these several thousand Spirit Stones to the Foundation and contribute my own share to the cause of charity!"

"..."

Shopkeeper Su hurriedly called out in a clear voice, "Everyone, I understand why you have come! However, the Young Master has given instructions that the Foundation will not accept any direct donations or material gifts!

As long as you purchase the items you need from the Langya Merchant Association, we will naturally allocate one percent of your total spending to the Foundation!"

Upon hearing this.

The crowd fell quiet for a moment.

What?

They did not accept direct donations or material gifts?

"So that means we can only donate to the Foundation by buying things? Why? Why does the Langya Merchant Association get to keep this chance to do good deeds for itself?" someone complained indignantly.

"Are you an Idiot? This is a good thing! If you just hand over money as a donation, you won't even know where it ends up! But this way, you get the things you need while doing a good deed at the same time. You can't lose either way!"

"Hiss... that does seem to make sense!"

"Young Master of Langya has considered everything so thoroughly. He's truly thinking for our sake!"

"Then what are we waiting for? Buy!"

"..."

The crowd surged into the Langya Branch like a roaring flood, like an autumn wind sweeping fallen leaves—buying whatever they saw.