Charity Foundations, Yet Such a Vast Difference?

Desolation stretched everywhere.

Corpses lay in plain sight.

Everywhere bore traces of having been submerged by seawater.

Sea Demon invasions were common in the Northern Region, but they mostly occurred on smaller islands.

There were few powerful Cultivators.

The formations were easier to breach.

After looting a wave of goods and devouring a wave of people, they could retreat swiftly.

That way, they would not be held back by Human Race Experts rushing over in support.

But the Starry Archipelago was different.

Though it was made up of medium and small islands, its unique location placed it right on the boundary between the inner and outer seas.

Cultivators traveling north and south were accustomed to stopping here to trade.

As a result, trade here was exceptionally flourishing.

The major merchant associations and sects had all stationed Experts here.

It was absolutely not the most suitable target for an invasion.

Yet the invasion had happened anyway.

And at an astonishing speed, it had completely destroyed the islands' defenses. Countless people had been killed or injured across the islands, which had almost entirely become ruins.

It was no exaggeration to say—

Such a massive disaster had been exceedingly rare across the entire Northern Region in recent years.

It was enough to move the vast majority of Northern Region forces.

Fewer than one in ten survivors remained.

Most people had only one breath left.

They silently swallowed pills or circulated Secret Techniques, forcibly prolonging their lives in the hope of waiting for rescuers.

This was a Cultivator's instinct in desperate circumstances.

Even if they had no friends, nor had they contacted anyone who could help them.

And even though, in most cases, what eventually arrived was not a rescue force but a butcher's blade.

They still had to try.

What if...

They encountered a kindhearted passerby?

So long as there was even a thread of hope, they could not simply give up, could they?

Being alive mattered more than anything.

Zhou Ping was one of them.

He had originally been an Inner Sect elder of the Sea-Breaking Sect, one of the Starry Archipelago's five great sects.

His cultivation had reached the Nascent Soul Early Stage.

His strength was formidable, and his foundations were even more profound.

Otherwise, he could not possibly have survived this disaster.

His condition was worse than that of most people.

Because of his cultivation, when the war broke out, he had been one of the targets upon whom the Demon Race had concentrated their firepower.

If not for the fact that, years ago, by a stroke of fortune, he had obtained a life-saving talisman left behind by some Spirit Severing Stage Expert—

He would likely have long since perished, body and soul extinguished.

But even though he had not died, he was not far from that step.

His injuries were grievous. The pills, magical treasures... even the Storage Bag on his person had all been nearly completely destroyed in that battle.

The spiritual power within him was nearly exhausted as well. Even walking was difficult, let alone flying through the air.

If no one came to save him—

He could only wait here to die.

Just then.

Flying Ships appeared in the sky, flying in groups toward the Starry Archipelago.

Though Zhou Ping was severely injured, his eyesight remained intact.

At a glance, he saw that the Flying Ships belonged to two different factions.

The Flying Ships on one side flew the banner of the [Langya Charity Foundation], while those on the other side flew the banner of the [Penglai Cloud Sea Foundation]!

A trace of delight appeared on his face.

Two new factions had emerged in the Northern Region, bearing the name of charity and making it their purpose to aid those in peril and relieve those in distress.

Naturally, he knew of this news.

He had heard that not long ago, a small island in the Qingyun Archipelago had suffered a Demon calamity. One of the foundations had sent people to rescue it and saved quite a few lives.

As an old hand in the Cultivation World—

Zhou Ping had seen all the warmth and coldness of human relationships, all the feuds and slaughter, friends turning against one another... He had long known what a dark and dangerous place the Cultivation World was.

Naturally, he did not believe that any great power in this world could truly be so benevolent, wholeheartedly saving people as the rumors claimed.

It was most likely exaggerated and untrue praise.

The purpose was nothing more than making money. After all, they had the Four Great Merchant Associations behind them!

But none of that mattered to Zhou Ping.

Even if some of it was false—

As long as these people could save him, lend him a hand, and let him live, that was enough!

Even if he had to pay a price, it would be entirely worth it!

Before long.

Figures swooped down from the Flying Ships one after another.

Zhou Ping saw clearly.

Those who descended from the Langya Merchant Association's Flying Ships were all dressed in white. They moved with great speed and without the slightest delay, heading straight for the hardest-hit areas and immediately beginning treatment.

Those who descended from the Penglai Cloud Sea Foundation's Flying Ships, however, were a mixed bunch and moved neither quickly nor slowly.

After landing on the ground—

They first frowned as they Scanned the miserable scene before them, clicking their tongues and making several unpleasantly strange remarks.

Only then did they begin treating people, slow as molasses and with faces full of reluctance.

Zhou Ping was very fortunate.

Two groups arrived in the area where he was.

"Sorry, we got here first!"

A young man from the Penglai Cloud Sea Foundation stood with his arms folded, blocking the path of the Langya Foundation group.

"You!"

"Those above instructed us to avoid disputes. Saving people is what matters!"

Someone from the Langya Foundation could not help wanting to say something, but a mature man at the head of the group stopped him.

He then led them away, turning toward another location.

Watching this scene, Zhou Ping thought to himself that the foundation jointly established by the Three Great Merchant Associations was indeed far more imposing than the one founded by the Langya Merchant Association alone.

Its financial resources and methods were probably far stronger as well!

His heart filled with even greater joy.

This way, the chances of his injuries being kept under control would be much higher.

"How are you? Are you all right?"

"Sa... save me!"

"Don't worry. You'll definitely get better. Here... take this healing pill first!"

"..."

Not far away, the conversation between a young woman from the Langya Foundation and a Cultivator from the Disaster Area drifted over.

Her voice was exceedingly gentle.

Perhaps the circumstances were simply special.

But even Zhou Ping's heart, which had not stirred in hundreds of years, rippled faintly.

He could not help looking over.

He saw the white-robed young woman take out an orange-yellow pill and feed it to that Foundation Establishment Realm Rogue Cultivator.

"Jade Void Pill?"

Zhou Ping was greatly surprised. It was an extremely famous healing pill, costly and astonishingly effective.

Ordinary Rogue Cultivators could not afford it in their daily lives.

He felt both surprised and delighted.

If he could take such a pill, his injuries could be controlled far better than he had imagined, and his subsequent recovery would require much less effort.

Even the material aid provided by the Langya Foundation was this good!

What miraculous pills could the Penglai Cloud Sea Foundation, established jointly by the Three Great Merchant Associations, possibly produce?

He moistened his dry lips.

For the first time, he felt—

This Charity Foundation thing was Te Miao a wonderful thing!

Which living bodhisattva had come up with it?

Before long.

A Penglai Yunhai Disciple responsible for this area came before him, slowly crouched down, and frowned as he examined Zhou Ping's injuries. A barely perceptible smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Senior... your injuries are not light."

"Cough, cough. I'll have to trouble you."

This Penglai Yunhai Disciple slowly took out two pitch-black pills and held them to Zhou Ping's mouth.

At once, a faint smell of scorched, withered vegetation drifted into Zhou Ping's nostrils.

His brow immediately furrowed.

What was this stuff?