Li Pin was somewhat taken aback by Yuan Tailai's words.
But considering the customs of this world, it also seemed to make sense.
Many famous martial artists endorse products and appear in advertisements.
Li Pin's power level as a second-tier martial artist wasn't extraordinary, but he had youth on his side.
Plus, thanks to his parents' excellent genes, among the second-tier martial artists in Zanglong City...
There are really a few who could compare to him in this aspect.
"One hundred thousand? Seems a bit low."
Li Pin replied with a smile, "Do you think I'll be eliminated in the first round at Jiangzhou's martial arts competition?"
"Uh..."
Clearly, this was what Yuan Tailai thought.
After all, Li Pin was so young and only a second-tier martial artist. Wouldn't he just be cannon fodder?
But, of course, he couldn't say that out loud.
"Of course not, mainly because Red Sun Apparel's budget for endorsements and promotion is limited..."
"A meeting is fate."
Li Pin was intrigued by the endorsement concept for martial artists in this world.
On Lanstar, martial artists are an unknown group; even if their martial arts skills were supreme, their popularity and income wouldn't rival that of a second-rated celebrity.
Now, as soon as he passed the test for a second-tier martial artist certification, someone came looking for him...
"You might as well listen to my suggestion."
Li Pin chuckled, "I won't film an ad video. During the Jiangzhou competition, I'll grant you the right to use my image to promote Red Sun Apparel for a fee of fifty thousand. If I make it to the second round, the price goes up to one hundred thousand; if I make it to the top-ten, one million wouldn't be too much, would it?"
"Top-ten?"
Yuan Tailai was momentarily stunned, "If I'm not mistaken, based on the ID number shown by the license plate device... aren't you 22 years old this year? You can only participate in the youth group, right?"
You're a second-tier martial artist...
Getting to the top-ten?
Do you really think those Transformation Energy Experts and Elixir Energy Masters get their meals for free?
"Yes, is that a problem?"
Li Pin responded.
"..."
Yuan Tailai was left speechless.
Seeing this, Li Pin chuckled and turned to leave.
He merely found the idea of endorsement quite intriguing, and being approached by Yuan Tailai was also considered fate. Thus, he indulged him a bit more.
It seems that collaboration without any basis of trust proves to be an imposition.
And it's a waste of time, too.
At this moment, however, Yuan Tailai seemed to regain his composure.
He had initially intended to hire Li Pin's endorsement for a hundred thousand.
Even though Li Pin doesn't want to star in an advertisement, and only allows the use of photo rights during the Jiangzhou competition, but...
The second round and elimination in the first round are of completely different natures.
The former can only claim to be a participant in the Jiangzhou Martial Arts competition, but the latter...
Would it be too much if he claimed the title "Champion Contender of Jiangzhou Martial Arts Competition"?
Besides, even if he gets eliminated in the first round, wouldn't he only be getting fifty thousand?
Fifty thousand, that's a loss he can afford.
"Wait up, young man, according to what you've said, I'll sign the deal."
Yuan Tailai quickly caught up with him, "I'll still give you a hundred thousand. If you make it to the second round, we'll give two hundred thousand, and if you're in the top-ten, three million. But I hope we sign for a year."
"Aren't you just after the hype during the Jiangzhou competition?"
Li Pin was a bit puzzled.
"Ha ha, even without the Jiangzhou martial arts competition, I think we can have a long-term cooperation."
Yuan Tailai replied with a smile, "If it's alright with you, we can find a place to sign the contract now."
"There is a problem."
Li Pin replied, "Let's stick to what I just mentioned, but, I won't be signing for one year."
"Hmm?"
Yuan Tailai was caught off guard, "Why?"
Li Pin gave a slight smile, "What if I want to participate in the national competition?"
"Uh..."
Yuan Tailai was left speechless by his response.
If participating in the Jiangzhou martial arts competition and making it to the top-ten presents a small possibility for some Transformation Energy Experts with extensive combat experience to stand out, then for the national competition...
Without Elixir Energy, you would probably not even meet the qualification for an invitation.
"The national martial arts competition in the youth and juvenile categories are by invitation only — the participants are selected from the top five or even top three in each state. Only the adult category accepts applications, and the minimum standard for registration is to have a deputy senior `title, which requires one to have Elixir Energy..."
When Yuan Tailai was about to finish his explanation, it seemed to occur to him that this young man might already know this information. Suddenly, he stopped mid-sentence.
After a moment, he made up his mind, "I'll sign, just as you said - with one hundred thousand, two hundred thousand. Moreover, if you make it to the top-ten in the Jiangzhou competition, I'll give two million... but I hope you will join us for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at our Jiangzhou Flagship Store."
After a brief moment of thought, Li Pin slightly nodded, "Okay."
He did find the whole process quite amusing and was keen to experience it.
Unless there's a special situation in the future, he probably wouldn't accept any more endorsement offers.
Then, Li Pin took out his phone and called Shanhu.
By the time he and Yuan Tailai, along with a legal consultant called by Yuan Tailai, had drafted the contract in a cafe, Shanhu arrived with a middle-aged man in a hurry.
"This is our cooperating legal consultant from Changfeng Dojo."
As Shanhu spoke, she couldn't help but look Li Pin up and down, "Not bad, you've already got an endorsement deal? You must have passed then?"
"Hmm, it's just a photo rights authorization."
Li Pin uttered, and turned to the middle-aged man, "Thanks for your effort."
"So, you really passed?"
Shanhu muttered, "So, I've met the legendary martial arts genius?"
The middle-aged man spoke with Yuan Tailai's legal consultant and made some adjustments to the details. Then, he nodded towards Shanhu and Li Pin.
Seeing this, Li Pin returned to the table.
Shanhu seize the moment to take a quick glance at the contract and exclaimed, "Wow, aiming for the top-ten in the Jiangzhou martial arts competition? How ambitious are you?"
"I still have half a year to give it a go."
Li Pin smiled and replied.
"Give it a go..."
Shanhu looked at Li Pin with a complex look in her eyes.
She felt that she was understanding him less and less.
At first, when Fang Yubai wanted to get Li Pin into their teacher's dojo through the back door, she was upset.
Only after she lost to Li Pin did she start to recognize him.
In the following month, Li Pin's growth was quite apparent.
Although he supposedly was just picking up the martial arts skills he lost, and was making rapid progress, she was still a bit miffed.
Now, after obtaining the certification of a second-tier martial artist, he dared to sign a contract predicting he would be in the top-ten in the Jiangzhou martial arts competition!
It should be noted that even her teacher was not 100 percent sure of making it to the top-ten in the Jiangzhou martial arts competition.
Even though Li Pin merely regards it as giving it a try, his words and actions still reflect an indomitable courage and self-confidence.
At least...
If it were her, even after obtaining the certification of a second-tier martial artist, she certainly wouldn't have the courage to register for the Jiangzhou martial arts competition, let alone hope to get into the top-ten.
"How much had you achieved before?"
Shanhu couldn't help but ask, "You weren't already at the 'Transformed Energy' stage, were you?"
Li Pin just chuckled, choosing not to respond.
He didn't want to lie.
But sometimes, the truth was more cruel than a lie.
Shanhu was a nice girl; he would let her figure it out on her own.
Then, after checking the contract one more time, he signed his name on it.
"Pleasure doing business with you."
Yuan Tailai stood up and shook hands with Li Pin, "By the latest, the first payment of fifty thousand will be transferred to your account tomorrow."
"Thank you."
Li Pin nodded.
The fifty thousand signing fee was something his lawyer helped him secure.
With money, it is always better to pocket it as soon as possible.
Moreover, with this money, he could buy some Qi and Blood replenishment medicines, and the time taken for his body to recover to the 'Transformed Energy Peak' would definitely shorten.