High-Level Martial Era
Chapter 99: 95: He's Worth the Price (Vote for Monthly Ticket)

"A million Blue Star Coins for a television interview?" Li Yuan was dumbstruck.

What kind of play was this?

The key point, according to Uncle Wan's meaning, was that this program was going to be about his own story with Starfire Martial Hall?

But there was no story to tell!

In the past, when he bought qi and blood potions, he always went to Starry Sky Martial Hall.

"Don't understand?" Wan Qinghe looked at Li Yuan with a slightly puzzled expression and smiled, "This Song Yi, in Starry Sky Martial Hall, is responsible for various contract audits and the distribution of funds for the hall's operation."

"Financial authority?" Li Yuan asked.

"Right," Wan Qinghe looked at Li Yuan, "You seem to know quite a bit."

Li Yuan smiled; his uncle, Li Changzhou, had struggled in construction for many years and occasionally taught him; naturally, he understood some things.

In any organization, so-called management simply means effectively controlling personnel authority, financial authority, and executive authority.

Li Yuan could guess that Song Yi wielded great power in the Starry Sky Guan Mountain branch hall.

"The hall conducts audits of each Martial Hall every three years," Wan Qinghe patiently explained, "And the next audit is coming up soon."

"The matter of you almost signing with Starry Sky Martial Hall is no secret," Wan Qinghe laughed.

Wan Qinghe didn't say that this matter was primarily stirred up by him and Xu Bo together.

"If you had only shown the potential for a Grade B contract, then the impact wouldn't have been significant," Wan Qinghe smiled. "But the stronger you perform, especially in this April's evaluation where you were essentially the top martial artist in Jiang City..."

"Together with your performance at the Jiangbei Martial University recruitment event... it must have put her in a difficult position."

"Moreover, the better you perform from now on, the more difficult it will become for her."

"I suspect someone in Starry Sky Martial Hall is targeting her," Wan Qinghe laughed. "Controlling the finances of a hall comes with no small amount of benefit."

"Internal strife?" Li Yuan was curious.

"More like mutual supervision," Wan Qinghe laughed. "It can promote healthy internal competition."

Li Yuan was speechless.

Uncle is just at a higher level than himself.

"So, she came to me?" Li Yuan pondered, "Is it to have me declare through the program that my signing with Starfire Martial Hall was due to my own subjective reasons and not her dereliction of duty?"

"To permanently resolve the problem of me?" Li Yuan smiled. "If you can't solve the problem, solve the person who raises the problem?"

"Smart," Wan Qinghe smiled. "Once you appear on the program, and she promotes it in secret, there should be no one who can openly use that reason to attack her anymore."

"At least, she would have a strong support to defend herself."

"Uncle Wan, what do you think I should do?" Li Yuan asked respectfully.

In fact, Li Yuan already had an idea, but he could see that Uncle Wan had a strong 'desire to perform.'

You must understand.

Seniors love being respected, asked for opinions, and appreciated when the younger generation can take those opinions and improve even further upon them.

This is the essence of all kinds of relationships—be it that of a parent and child, confidants, or friends without regard for age difference.

Just as Li Yuan expected.

"If you refuse, you would offend her. Of course, it wouldn't affect you much; she wouldn't be stupid enough to target you anymore," Wan Qinghe laughed, "because you have become powerful enough to be her problem."

"But it's always good to have one less direct enemy," Wan Qinghe smiled. "The little devil is troublesome to deal with."

Li Yuan smiled; his own strength was the most important.

Why didn't Song Yi come to him before? Why didn't she try to resolve the problem of him? It was because she didn't think he was worth mentioning.

If Song Yi knew that Uncle Wan treated her as a little devil, she would be grinding her teeth in irritation.

"If you agree to turn hostility into goodwill, she will not only pay the money but also owe you a favor," Wan Qinghe continued. "Besides, once the program airs, if the higher-ups of Starfire Martial Hall are aware, they will also appreciate you more."

It all sounded like benefits.

"However, it would offend the higher-ups in Starry Sky Martial Hall who are targeting Song Yi," Li Yuan picked up the conversation. "But I am with Starfire Martial Hall, and I don't care about her."

"Right," Wan Qinghe looked at Li Yuan approvingly, "It's up to you."

Li Yuan had seen through Uncle Wan's thoughts.

"Uncle Wan, I think you're right, reconciliation is better," Li Yuan said directly, "I also have some of my own thoughts."

"Speak," Wan Qinghe said.

"One million, isn't that a bit cheap?" Li Yuan asked tentatively.

Wan Qinghe was taken aback, then laughed, "You little devil, what do you want to do?"

"For a million, I'll only appear on the show saying that I've liked Starfire Martial Hall since I was a child," Li Yuan laughed. "For two million, I'll say that I have admired Hall Master Dongfang since I was little, idolized him, and was determined to join Starfire Martial Hall."

"For three million, in addition to the above, I'll add that my family is friends with 'Zhong Cheng' from Starry Sky Martial Hall, so Hall Master Song Yi made me many private promises, even preparing to apply for a Grade B contract for me out of sequence, but ultimately, despite such temptations, I steadfastly chose to join Starfire Martial Hall," Li Yuan said in one breath.

Wan Qinghe looked at Li Yuan with completely changed eyes.

Three packages—basic, premium, flagship?

If based on the last package.

Song Yi would not only be blameless, but in a certain sense, she would have done all in her power, fulfilling her duties commendably.

No deductions, and she would even merit extra points.

"Uncle Wan, my thoughts might be naive, what do you think?" Li Yuan held the opinion of the elder in high regard.

"You can proceed with the last plan," Hall Master Wan pondered, "But did you really lean toward joining Starfire Martial Hall at first?"

"Yes!"

"Although it's not as exaggerated as the third plan, I did indeed prefer to join Starfire Martial Hall," Li Yuan said decisively, "I don't dare deceive Uncle Wan; since I was young, I have greatly admired Hall Master Dongfang. One wall of my room is adorned with Hall Master Dongfang's words saying 'Martial Path is me.'"

"As a child, I wrote more than once that 'The person I admire most is Hall Master Dongfang.'"

"Furthermore, my classmates also know that my idol is Hall Master Dongfang," Li Yuan quickly provided the 'material' needed for a segment of the program.

But in actuality, Li Yuan was downplaying things.

Yes, Li Yuan admired Dongfang Ji very much, but he never had such a fervent desire to join Starfire Martial Hall.

A mix of three parts truth, seven parts fabrication.

But who could tell? There were no mind readers.

"That's good," Wan Qinghe believed Li Yuan.

Suddenly, Wan Qinghe remembered something and couldn't help but feel sentimental, "Back then, your teacher told me your aunt and uncle did not quite approve of you agreeing to sign a Grade B contract with us at Starfire right away; you insisted on agreeing immediately."

"I always secretly thought your teacher was bluffing me, but now? I believe it," Wan Qinghe laughed.

Li Yuan kept a smile on his face.

Xu Bo, his teacher, had indeed streamlined a lot of processes for him.

"Alright,"

"Then let's proceed with the third plan. I'll go and talk to Song Yi, leave it to me."

"3 million may not be guaranteed, but at least 2 million is possible. I will do my best to strive for you," Wan Qinghe smiled. "Once the show airs, if it's promoted well, the higher-ups of the Martial Hall will also have a better impression of you."

"Thank you, Uncle Wan," Li Yuan said sincerely. "Additionally, Uncle Wan, I've been thinking, if I can pass the 300-point mark at Fallen Star, and move up in the rankings on Blue Star's 'Youth Pride Leaderboard,' couldn't that increase my bargaining chips?"

"Fallen Star 300 points? Are you confident?" Wan Qinghe's eyes shone brightly.

300 points in Fallen Star represented a minor watershed for Fourth Level techniques.

"Yes," Li Yuan confirmed. "I've already reached 242 points in Fallen Star, and that was a week ago."

"If I spend a bit more time, in this day or two, I should be able to break through."

"Ha ha, good. If you can achieve that, I will make her offer at least 3 million," Wan Qinghe laughed. "Alright, continue with your training."

"Yes."

...

"Uncle Wan's Vigor is mysterious and unpredictable; he must have mastered control over his bodily strength to the utmost degree," Li Yuan pondered alone in the Martial Hall.

"Body control."

"Unity, Subtlety." Li Yuan resumed practicing with his Long Spear, with deliberate slowness.

He consciously induced and mobilized deeper layers of strength within his body.

Li Yuan didn't pay much attention to the matter of Song Yi.

Money? 2 or 3 million, it would be best to obtain it, but if not, so be it.

Over ten minutes later.

"Powerful."

"As long as I am strong enough," Li Yuan's Long Spear whistled through the air, and the spear shadows shifted unpredictably: "Whoever troubles me will replace that I am their trouble."

"Boom!"

Suddenly, he thrust his spear, resembling a streak of light dashed across, causing a startling roar within the Martial Arts Room.

[Your Spear Technique realm has increased from Fourth Level 25% to Fourth Level 26%.]

...

On the twelfth floor of the Martial Hall, the Hall Master's office.

"Hall Master Song," Wan Qinghe said with a smile, looking at the elegant lady in the light screen projection. "Sorry to have kept you waiting."

"How is it?" Song Yi asked. "Is Li Yuan willing to agree?"

"Li Yuan is very courteous and is willing to appear on the show," Wan Qinghe said.

A sense of joy flashed in Song Yi's heart.

"However," Wan Qinghe's tone shifted, and his expression cooled slightly: "If Li Yuan is willing to help Hall Master Song, shouldn't Hall Master Song also be a bit more understanding?"

Song Yi understood immediately and went straight to the point: "Lord Wan, just tell me, what's your price?"

"10 million!" Wan Qinghe stated indifferently.

"What?" Song Yi's expression changed slightly; despite her wealth, not that she couldn't afford the price.

But it was too steep.

"He's worth that price," Wan Qinghe stated casually. "Let's discuss this in detail."

Immediately after, Wan Qinghe explained the three plans to Song Yi.

Her expression grew very interesting.

"Additionally," Wan Qinghe's face showed an inexplicable smile: "I want to remind Hall Master Song; I can also prepare another show where Li Yuan can thoroughly discuss how I, with my discerning eyes, spotted the gem he is, and the 'real process' of how he joined my Starfire Martial Hall."

Song Yi's face darkened to the extreme.

"Hall Master Wan, you think too highly of Li Yuan," Song Yi ground her teeth. "In my assessment, he only makes up a small part, at most 2 or 3 points out of 100."

"You're only missing those 2 or 3 points to pass the evaluation," Wan Qinghe replied, no longer being polite.

"I'll remind you,"

"Tonight or tomorrow, Li Yuan will break through the 300-point barrier on Starry Skies Fighting Network."

"When that happens, it won't be this price anymore," Wan Qinghe said coldly.

Song Yi's face changed again.

"10 million is too much," Song Yi said lowly. "At most 6 million, or I might as well give up this position."

She had her limits.

"Alright, deal," Wan Qinghe nodded. "However, you'll have to cover all the taxes."

"Taxes? What taxes?" An inkling of unease passed through Song Yi's mind.

"You will donate the money to 'Guan Mountain District Red River Street Martial Path Talent Development Association' via the official channels," Wan Qinghe explained casually. "Whatever is left, you won't have to worry about."

A donation?

Song Yi was stunned; she had never heard of such an association.

In the end.

Song Yi was forced to agree.

"The money should arrive within two hours, remember, don't use your own accounts," Wan Qinghe reminded her. "Then you can be on the show tomorrow."

"You'll still have three days to do promotions."

After hanging up on Song Yi.

Wan Qinghe dialed another V-call, and soon.

"Big brother," a deep voice came through.

"Little Six, didn't I ask you to set up an association in Red River Street last time?" Wan Qinghe's voice was deep. "Today, a sum of money will come in, about 6 million after taxes."

"Make sure the accounts are in order."

"In a week, there will be a program airing, and you'll justify the donation for sponsoring underprivileged, aspiring Martial Path talents by awarding it to class (2) of the senior year at Guan Mountain District No.1 High School, to a student named 'Li Yuan.'"

"How much shall we keep?"

"Not a single cent; I'll cover the intermediary expenses."

"Understood."

...

One hour later.

"Li Yuan? Initially, Song Yi was only willing to offer 2 million, but I did my best to negotiate for you, and after a long talk, she agreed to pay 6 million," Wan Qinghe made a V-call to Li Yuan.