Try It

Yuan Tailai's words caught Li Pin somewhat by surprise.

But when he considered the atmosphere of this world, it seemed only natural.

Many famous martial artists took endorsements and filmed commercials.

Li Pin's strength as a Level 2 Martial Artist was not particularly outstanding, but he was young.

And thanks to his parents' excellent genes, among Canglong City's Level 2 Martial Artists...

There really were few who could compare to him in that regard.

"A hundred thousand? That's thinking too small."

Li Pin smiled. "Do you think I'll be eliminated in the first round of the Jiangzhou Tournament?"

"Uh..."

Yuan Tailai clearly did think so.

After all, Li Pin was so young and only a Level 2 Martial Artist. Wouldn't he just be cannon fodder if he went up there?

Naturally, he could not say that aloud.

"Of course not. It's mainly because Hongri Apparel has limited funds set aside for endorsement promotions..."

"Meeting is fate."

Li Pin found the idea of martial artist endorsements in this world rather novel.

On Blue Star, martial artists were an obscure group. Even if their kung fu had reached perfection, their popularity and income could not compare to those of a second-rate celebrity.

Yet now, someone had come looking for him just because he had earned a Level 2 Martial Artist certificate...

"Let me make a suggestion. You might as well hear it out."

Li Pin chuckled. "I won't film an advertisement video. During the Jiangzhou Tournament, I'll authorize you to use my portrait rights to promote Hongri Apparel. Fifty thousand will do. But if I make it into the second round, the price rises to a hundred thousand. If I make the top ten, a million wouldn't be unreasonable, would it?"

"Top ten?"

Yuan Tailai paused slightly. "If I didn't see wrong, the ID number displayed on the number plate device said... you're twenty-two this year? You can only compete in the youth division, right?"

A Level 2 Martial Artist like you...

Make the top ten?

Did you really think those Hua Jin experts and Dan Jin Masters were just sitting around collecting a paycheck?

"Yes. Is there a problem?"

Li Pin said.

"..."

Yuan Tailai was instantly rendered speechless.

Seeing this, Li Pin smiled, turned, and left.

He had only found the idea of endorsements novel. Since Yuan Tailai had sought him out, it counted as fate, so he had said a little more.

Now, however, it seemed that a partnership without any foundation of trust was forcing things where they did not belong.

And it was a waste of time.

But at that moment, Yuan Tailai came to his senses.

He had originally planned to offer Li Pin a hundred thousand for an endorsement.

Although Li Pin was unwilling to shoot advertisements and would only allow the use of his portrait rights during the Jiangzhou Tournament, still...

Making the second round and being eliminated in the first round were completely different in nature.

For the former, he could only be called a participant in the Jiangzhou Martial Arts Tournament. For the latter...

Would it be unreasonable to add the title "Outstanding Competitor of the Jiangzhou Martial Arts Tournament"?

Besides, if he really was eliminated in the first round, wouldn't it only cost fifty thousand?

He could afford to lose fifty thousand.

"Wait, little brother. I'll sign on your terms."

Yuan Tailai quickly chased after him. "I'll still give you a hundred thousand. If you can make the second round, we'll give you two hundred thousand. If you can make the top ten, three million. But I hope you'll sign for one year."

"Don't you just want the attention during the Jiangzhou Tournament?"

Li Pin was somewhat puzzled.

"Hehe, even without the Jiangzhou Tournament, I think we could cooperate with you for the long term, little brother."

Yuan Tailai smiled. "If there's no problem, let's find somewhere to sign the contract right away."

"There is a problem."

Li Pin said, "We'll do it exactly as I just said. But I won't sign for a year."

"Hm?"

Yuan Tailai froze. "Why?"

Li Pin smiled. "What if I still want to compete in the National Tournament?"

"Uh..."

Yuan Tailai was left not knowing how to respond by those words.

If it was the top ten of the Jiangzhou Tournament, there was still a slim chance for some Hua Jin experts with rich combat experience to stand out. But the National Tournament...

If you had not cultivated Dan Jin, you probably would not even qualify to receive an invitation.

"The youth and young adult divisions of the National Martial Arts Tournament are invitation-only. Competitors are selected from the top five, even the top three, of each state. Only the adult division uses an open registration system, but the minimum registration requirement is an Associate Senior Title—in other words, having cultivated Dan Jin..."

As Yuan Tailai spoke, he seemed to realize that this young man surely knew all this information already. His voice abruptly stopped.

After a long while, he made up his mind. "I'll sign. We'll go with a hundred thousand and two hundred thousand. Not only that, if you can make the top ten in the Jiangzhou Tournament, I'll pay two million... I only hope that when our Jiangzhou flagship store opens, you can take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony."

After a brief consideration, Li Pin nodded slightly. "All right."

He truly found it novel and intended to experience the process.

Unless some special circumstance arose in the future, he probably would not accept any more endorsements.

Li Pin then called Shanhu on his phone.

By the time he, Yuan Tailai, and the legal staff Yuan Tailai had called over afterward had drafted the contract in a café, Shanhu hurried over with a middle-aged man.

"This is the legal consultant our Changfeng Martial Hall works with."

As Shanhu spoke, she could not help scrutinizing Li Pin from head to toe. "Not bad. You've already gotten an endorsement? Looks like you passed?"

"Mm. It's merely a portrait rights authorization."

Li Pin spoke, then turned to the middle-aged man. "Sorry to trouble you."

"You really passed?"

Shanhu muttered, "I actually ran into one of those legendary martial arts geniuses just like that?"

The middle-aged man discussed matters with the legal staff Yuan Tailai had brought. After revising several details, he nodded to Shanhu and Li Pin.

Seeing that, Li Pin returned to the table.

Shanhu took the opportunity to glance at it, then immediately cried out, "Good heavens, top ten in the Jiangzhou Martial Arts Tournament!? Your ambitions are wild."

"There are still six months. I'll give it a try."

Li Pin said with a smile.

"Give it a try..."

Shanhu looked at Li Pin, her eyes somewhat complicated.

She felt that she was increasingly unable to understand this man.

At the beginning, when Fang Yubai had pulled strings to place Li Pin under her master, she had still been in the mood to put him in his place.

Only after losing to Li Pin did she begin to take him seriously.

Over the following month, Li Pin's growth had been plain for all to see.

Although he said that he was merely picking up, bit by bit, the martial arts he had once cast aside, and thus progressing quickly, it still left her with a sour feeling.

Now that he had obtained his Level 2 Martial Artist qualification certificate, he even dared to sign a contract based on reaching the top ten in the Jiangzhou Martial Arts Tournament!

One had to know that even her master was not one hundred percent confident of making the top ten in the Jiangzhou Martial Arts Tournament.

Even though Li Pin only said he would give it a try, his words and actions still displayed unparalleled courage and confidence.

At the very least...

If it were her, even if she had obtained a Level 2 Martial Artist certificate, she would absolutely not have had the courage to register for the Jiangzhou Martial Arts Tournament, much less set her sights on the top ten.

"Just how far had you trained before?"

Shanhu could not help asking, "Could it be that you had already entered the hidden realm from the visible realm back then?"

Li Pin smiled but did not answer.

He did not want to lie.

But sometimes, the truth hurt more than a lie.

Shanhu was a good girl. She could slowly come to understand it herself.

He checked the contract once more, then signed his name on it.

"Pleasure working with you."

Yuan Tailai stood and shook Li Pin's hand. "The first installment of the signing fee, fifty thousand, will be transferred to your card by tomorrow at the latest."

"Thanks."

Li Pin nodded.

The fifty-thousand signing fee had been secured for him by the legal consultant.

When it came to money, it was best to have it safely in hand.

And with money, he could buy some qi-and-blood medicines to nourish himself. The time needed for him to recover the physique he had at the peak of Hua Jin could be shortened further.

Would splitting it into three chapters make it seem like there were more updates?