"Silin, please continue."
Zhu Silin nodded. "Let me give you an example, Sister Yutong. Your company, Longxin, is working on chips. Once this project succeeds, it will even impact foreign chip giants. I can almost guarantee they'll unite to impose technology blockades, market blockades, or even use underhanded tactics to suppress Longxin."
"Also, if we invest in real industries in the future, like ports or energy, what if they are forcibly taken back or even frozen by shady players?"
"And if that time comes, what can we, the Cloud Mountain Society, do?"
"Everyone, can you think of an answer?"
After Zhu Silin finished speaking, the room fell into silence again—this time heavier and more suffocating than before.
To be honest, many of them had never thought about this layer, or simply dared not think about it. But now that they were pondering it carefully, it was truly chilling to consider.
In the past, they wouldn't have needed to think so far ahead. It was good enough to dominate the domestic market, let alone consider overseas markets. But then again, they had an incredibly strong leader at the helm.
No one doubted that if Liu Yutong let loose, she could achieve great things abroad. The founding members, in particular, believed this without a doubt. That was also the main reason Zhu Silin had considered this issue so early.
Liu Yutong was silent for a moment before speaking. "Silin, I've actually thought about the problems you've raised too."
"If the Cloud Mountain Society wants to expand overseas, no matter what we do, we'll step on other people's toes. It's indeed possible that we might face encirclement or sanctions. At that point, relying solely on the Cloud Mountain Society's strength simply wouldn't be enough."
Zhu Silin asked, "Sister Yutong, do you already have an idea?"
Liu Yutong nodded. "I've been thinking about one thing lately."
Glancing at everyone in the room, she continued, "I think we should establish a brand-new organization."
As soon as she said this, everyone in the room froze.
A brand-new organization?
What did that mean?
Were they disbanding the Cloud Mountain Society?
Liu Yutong explained, "This organization is different from the Cloud Mountain Society. The Cloud Mountain Society is positioned as an investment platform—a way for us to pool resources and make money together. But this new organization's goal isn't to generate profit."
"Then what is it?" Shangguan Ling'er couldn't help asking.
Liu Yutong dipped her finger in tea from her cup and drew the shape of a net on the redwood table.
"It's about building a net."
"A super-relationship network that can cover the entire globe."
"Simply put, this new organization doesn't distinguish by nationality, skin color, or industry. As long as someone holds enough capital, resources, or technology, or wields enough influence in global politics, business, tech, or finance—and they share our philosophy, willing to pursue mutual benefit and shared progress—they can join."
"This organization isn't an ordinary chamber of commerce. It's a special alliance, an ultra-powerful community of interests..."
"Of course, this is just a rough idea of mine. I'm not sure if it's feasible, but I want to give it a try."
Although Liu Yutong's description was a bit vague, the others roughly understood that she wanted to create a global top-tier federation, similar to the legendary Illuminati. However, this organization would be purer than those secret societies—its ultimate goal was simply to band together and avoid being bullied by shady players.
But saying it was easy; doing it was extremely difficult.
"Let me put it more bluntly: if one day someone tries to impose sanctions or blockades on us, we can mobilize everyone in this net, making them realize that locking us down or sanctioning us comes at a heavy price."
"For example... bankrupt their companies, crash their stock markets!"
Everyone's spirits were jolted by Liu Yutong's last sentence.
Gu Yebai stood up abruptly. "Sister Yutong, count me in for this organization! I'll do it even if it means walking through fire and water!"
Lu Hong also stood up. "How could I miss out on something this good?"
Zhu Silin, Shen Hao, Bai Shisui, Zhou Muchen, and others all expressed their agreement one after another.
The four new candidate members were also infected by this fervent atmosphere, a burst of excitement coursing through them.
Friends, who could understand? They had originally just wanted to invest with a big shot and make some money, and now they had the chance to become founding members of an organization that might become great in the future.
Without much hesitation, they joined in expressing their support, declaring their intent to join this new organization no matter what.
After all, they were all young people, at the peak of their ambition and passion. After hearing the massive vision Liu Yutong had painted, they were as hyped as if they'd been injected with adrenaline, eagerly buying into it.
Whether it could succeed or not, they didn't want to miss the chance.
"Sister Yutong, what will we call this new organization?" Shangguan Ling'er asked impatiently.
Liu Yutong shook her head. "I haven't thought of a name yet. Any ideas?"
The group immediately broke into a lively discussion.
"How about the Dragon Abyss Society? 'Abyss' as in 'deep and unfathomable.'"
"That's too cheesy, sounds like something from a novel."
"What about the Star Ocean Society? Our journey is the stars and seas!"
"Too cliché."
"Maybe the Kunlun Society? Kunlun is the ancestor of all mountains, symbolizing supremacy."
"Too flashy, it'll attract trouble."
Just then, Gu Yebai suddenly remembered something. "Sister Yutong, wasn't your nickname abroad the Black Phoenix? How about incorporating the character 'Phoenix' into the name?"
Liu Yutong: "..."
"How did you find out about the Black Phoenix nickname?"
Gu Yebai chuckled. "Suisui told us. Who knew that in just one trip abroad, you got such a cool alias? I wish I'd gone with you—I might have snagged a badass nickname too."
Black Phoenix.
That was the alias the foreign gangs had given her, meaning a black phoenix—beautiful and deadly.
It was quite fitting.
Just then, Bai Shisui suddenly voiced the name she had thought of. "What do you think of [Xuan Phoenix Society]?"
"Xuan Phoenix Society?"
Everyone paused, savoring the name. Beyond its literal meaning, it seemed to carry a homophonic layer.
"Xuan Phoenix Society..."
Zhu Silin repeated it, his eyes growing brighter. "That name is great. It sounds sophisticated without being too flashy."
The others nodded in agreement.
"Xuan Phoenix Society—I like it too. It has a cool ring to it."
"Since the core of our organization is Sister Yutong, and her nickname is Black Phoenix, this name fits perfectly."
"Sister Yutong, let's go with Xuan Phoenix Society. That name is nice."
"..."
Seeing that everyone had embraced the name, Liu Yutong made the final decision.
"Alright, then let it be Xuan Phoenix Society."
"The positioning of the Black Phoenix Society is different from that of the Cloud Mountain Society. The Cloud Mountain Society is an overt investment platform, responsible for making money, executing projects, and building industries... The Black Phoenix Society operates in the shadows, responsible for constructing a global network of connections, integrating resources, and dealing with crises. Each side has its own duties, and they coordinate with each other."
"Recruitment isn't limited to China, nor to the business world. As long as someone is influential enough—no matter what country they're from or what industry they're in—as long as they meet our standards, they can become a member of the Black Phoenix Society."
"In short, we're going to turn the Black Phoenix Society into an organization powerful enough to shake the global order! An organization that will make those so-called old-money families and shadowy tycoons tremble!"
Liu Yutong's speech stirred everyone present, sending chills down their spines and firing up their blood.
They had only thought of Liu Yutong as an investment genius and a ruthless woman before.
But now, they truly realized that this girl, who seemed to be barely twenty, possessed ambitions and a vision far, far greater than they had ever imagined.
"Sister Yutong."
Gu Yebai stood up, his expression fervent, and said, "I, Gu Yebai, will follow you for the rest of my life."
The others chimed in one after another.
"Me too!"
"Me too!"
"... ..."
Liu Yutong looked at these people who had chosen to follow her, and a wave of warmth surged in her heart.
I am not alone on this path!
"Alright, don't publicize the Black Phoenix Society. Stay extremely low-key, as low as possible. And from now on, when we accept new members, we must be very cautious. Only the strictest vetting process will do."
Everyone responded in unison: "Understood!"
