Trying It Out

Li Pin was a little surprised by Yuan Tailai's words.

However, when he thought about the prevailing customs in this world, it seemed quite reasonable.

Many established Martial Artists took on endorsements and filmed commercials.

Li Pin's strength as a Level 2 Martial Artist wasn't outstanding, but he had youth on his side.

Coupled with his parents' excellent genes, among the Level 2 Martial Artists in Canglong City...

There were truly few who could compare to him in this regard.

"One hundred thousand? That's a small vision."

Li Pin smiled and said, "Do you think I'll be eliminated in the first round of the Jiangzhou Martial Dao Tournament?"

"Uh..."

Yuan Tailai clearly thought so.

After all, Li Pin was so young and only a Level 2 Martial Artist; wouldn't he just be cannon fodder going up against others?

But of course, he couldn't say that out loud.

"Of course not, it's just that Hongri Apparel has limited funds reserved for endorsements and advertising..."

"It's fate that we met."

Li Pin felt a sense of novelty regarding Martial Artists doing endorsements in this world.

On Blue Star, Martial Artists were an obscure group. Even those with profound skills in martial arts couldn't match the popularity or income of a second-rate celebrity.

Now, he had just obtained a Level 2 Martial Artist certificate, and someone was already coming to him...

"I have a suggestion, you might want to hear it."

Li Pin chuckled, "I won't film a commercial video. During the Jiangzhou Tournament, I'll authorize you to use my portrait rights for Hongri Apparel's promotion. The fee will be fifty thousand. However, if I advance to the second round, the price will increase to one hundred thousand. If I can make it into the top ten, one million wouldn't be too much, right?"

"Top ten?"

Yuan Tailai was slightly taken aback. "If I'm not mistaken, the ID number displayed on the number plate... you're twenty-two this year? You can only participate in the youth division, right?"

You, a Level 2 Martial Artist...

Making it into the top ten?

Did he really think those Hua Jin experts and Dan Jin Masters were just sitting around doing nothing?

"Yes, any problem?"

Li Pin asked.

"..."

Yuan Tailai was instantly speechless.

Seeing this, Li Pin smiled and turned to leave.

He had only found the idea of endorsements novel. Yuan Tailai approaching him was a matter of fate, so he had spoken a few extra words.

Now, it seemed that cooperation without any trust between the two parties was forcing the issue and a waste of time.

But at this moment, Yuan Tailai had a realization.

He had originally intended to offer one hundred thousand for Li Pin's endorsement.

Although Li Pin was unwilling to film a commercial and only allowed his portrait rights to be used for promotion during the Jiangzhou Tournament, the nature of advancing to the second round was completely different from being eliminated in the first.

The former could be considered just a participant in the Jiangzhou Martial Dao Tournament, while the latter...

It wouldn't be excessive for him to add the title "Jiangzhou Martial Dao Tournament Winner," would it?

Moreover, if he was eliminated in the first round, it would only be fifty thousand.

Fifty thousand, he could afford to lose.

"Wait, young man, as you said, I'll sign."

Yuan Tailai quickly caught up. "We'll still give you one hundred thousand. If you can reach the second round, we'll give you two hundred thousand. If you can make it into the top ten, three million. But I hope to sign for a year."

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

Li Pin asked, a little strangely.

"Heh, even without the Jiangzhou Tournament, I think we can have a long-term cooperation with you, young man."

Yuan Tailai smiled and said, "If there are no issues, let's find a place to sign the contract right now."

"There are issues."

Li Pin said, "Let's do it as I just said, but I won't sign for a year."

"Hm?"

Yuan Tailai was stunned. "Why?"

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

"Uh..."

Yuan Tailai was completely at a loss for words.

If the top ten of the Jiangzhou Martial Dao Tournament had a small chance of allowing some Hua Jin experts with rich combat experience to stand out, then the National Tournament...

If you haven't cultivated Dan Jin, you probably won't even qualify for an invitation.

"The National Martial Dao Tournament's junior and youth divisions are invitation-only, with participants selected from the top five, or even top three, from each province. Only the adult division has an open registration system, but the minimum registration standard is an Associate Senior Title, meaning you've cultivated Dan Jin..."

As Yuan Tailai said this, he seemed to realize that the young man must also know this information, and his voice trailed off.

After a long pause, he seemed to make up his mind. "I'll sign. We'll go by one hundred thousand, two hundred thousand. Not only that, if you can make it into the top ten of the Jiangzhou Tournament, I'll give you two million... I just hope you can participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony when our Jiangzhou flagship store opens."

Li Pin pondered for a moment and nodded slightly, "Okay."

He genuinely found it novel and intended to experience these processes.

In the future, unless there were special circumstances, he probably wouldn't accept any more endorsements.

Immediately, Li Pin took out his phone and called Shanhu.

When he, Yuan Tailai, and the legal personnel Yuan Tailai had called over had finalized the contract at a coffee shop, Shanhu arrived in a hurry with a middle-aged man.

"This is the legal counsel for our Changfeng Martial Hall."

Shanhu said, unable to help but scrutinize Li Pin, "Not bad, you're already taking on endorsements? Looks like you passed the test?"

"Mm, it's just for portrait rights," Li Pin replied, turning to the middle-aged man, "I'll trouble you."

"You really passed?" Shanhu muttered, "The legendary Martial Dao genius, and I actually met him?"

The middle-aged man conferred with the legal personnel brought by Yuan Tailai. After making some revisions to the details, he nodded to Shanhu and Li Pin.

Seeing this, Li Pin returned to the table.

Shanhu took the opportunity to glance at the contract and exclaimed, "Good heavens, top ten in the Jiangzhou Martial Dao Tournament!? You've got some serious ambition!"

"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 expression somewhat complicated.

She felt she was understanding this person less and less.

At first, she had the inclination to warn Li Pin when Fang Yubai tried to pull strings to get Li Pin apprenticed to his master.

After being defeated by Li Pin, she finally began to take him seriously.

Over the next month, Li Pin's growth was evident.

Although, according to him, he was just gradually picking up the martial arts he had previously lost, leading to rapid progress, she still felt a pang of something.

Now, he had obtained his Level 2 Martial Artist qualification certificate and dared to sign a contract for the top ten of the Jiangzhou Tournament!

She knew that her master wasn't even 100% confident about making it into the top ten of the Jiangzhou Martial Dao Tournament.

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

At least...

If it were her, even with a Level 2 Martial Artist certificate, she wouldn't have the courage to register for the Jiangzhou Martial Dao Tournament, let alone aim for the top ten.

"How far did you train before?" Shanhu couldn't help but ask, "Don't tell me you had already reached the 'hidden' stage back then?"

Li Pin smiled but didn't answer.

He didn't want to lie.

But sometimes, the truth was more heartbreaking than a lie.

Shanhu was a good girl; she could figure it out slowly.

He checked the contract again and signed his name.

"Pleasant cooperation," Yuan Tailai stood up and shook Li Pin's hand. "By tomorrow at the latest, the first installment of the signing fee, fifty thousand, will be transferred to your account."

"Thanks," Li Pin nodded.

The fifty thousand signing fee was secured by the legal team for him.

Money was best when it was in hand.

Moreover, with money, he could buy some Qi and Blood medications for nourishment, which would further shorten the time needed to recover his Hua Jin peak physique.