“6 million?” Li Yuan was stunned when he heard the number.
The previously proposed 3 million, in his view, was already an ‘astronomical price,’ considering it was just for a few hours on a show.
Therefore, Li Yuan’s expectation was around 2 million.
To his surprise, Wan Qinghe was actually able to negotiate up to 6 million Blue Star Coins, which was simply terrifying.
“Uncle Wan, impressive,” Li Yuan sincerely said.
He still had a lot to learn from Uncle Wan.
“You underestimate your own value,” Wan Qinghe laughed in the V-chat: “The first priority in negotiations is to be clear about your own value, and then to gauge the other party’s bottom line.”
Wan Qinghe didn’t explicitly say, but he had started at 10 million Blue Star Coins, guessing that Song Yi would eventually give in.
But in dealing with people, one should leave room for maneuver.
If you’re not prepared to utterly defeat the opponent in one blow, it’s best not to corner them.
“Mmm-hmm,” Li Yuan nodded: “So, Uncle Wan, about the money…”
“Don’t worry, I’ve arranged everything,” Wan Qinghe said solemnly: “You’ll go on the show tomorrow, and as for the money… the plan is roughly this.”
Wan Qinghe briefly explained the arrangement to Li Yuan.
“The Guan Mountain District Red River Street Martial Path Talent Development Fund Association?” Li Yuan blinked, what a backwater name.
He couldn’t help asking, “Uncle Wan, is this association reliable? Let’s not get scammed.”
“Of course, it’s real,” Wan Qinghe replied indifferently: “It’s officially registered, and Song Yi is sponsoring the association voluntarily, which has nothing to do with you or me, and it’s taxed.”
“In the end, because the association is inspired by your deeds, they’ll support your martial arts cultivation, which also has nothing to do with Song Yi, and personal income tax will be paid.”
“Exactly.”
“The final 6 million you get has nothing to do with Song Yi, complying with every regulation of the Seven Star Alliance, so spend it without worry,” Wan Qinghe said.
“Understood,” Li Yuan’s mind was like a clear mirror.
In fact, this kind of private financial transaction could directly go to him without any issues…but since Song Yi needed to pass the scrutiny of the Starry Sky Martial Hall, it was necessary to leave no trace.
“Uncle,” Li Yuan naturally dropped another word from the honorific.
He had completed the evolution from calling him Uncle Wan, to just Wan, and now simply Uncle.
“What’s the matter? Something else?” Wan Qinghe laughed.
“There should be some expenses in this operation, right? I know there are rules,” Li Yuan whispered: “How about we go with the original plan and give me 3 million instead?”
“After all, running a society involves a lot of management, staff, and the costs of premises, probably tens of millions each year,” Li Yuan said earnestly.
Following the rules is important.
Uncle Wan might not say it, but he couldn’t help but bring it up.
“No need, if you still called me Hall Master Wan, then it would be by the rules,” Wan Qinghe spoke lightly: “But if you call me ‘uncle,’ I can’t let you call me that for nothing.”
“All right then.”
“You go back to cultivating,” Wan Qinghe instructed.
“Remember, all this is trivial, your strength is the foundation.”
“Also,”
“The day after tomorrow in the afternoon, take leave with your teacher and come with me to the Jiang City Martial Hall. The City Hall Master ‘Elder Fei’ wants to meet you.”
“Mm, thank you, Uncle.”
…
“6 million? Just like that, it’s in my hands?” Li Yuan hung up the V-chat, also somewhat flabbergasted.
“Uncle was right indeed.”
“The richer they are, the more ruthless they are at making money. The hardest million for ordinary people to earn is the first one,” Li Yuan murmured to himself.
Through Wan Qinghe’s maneuvers, Li Yuan also realized that Uncle Wan was not as benign and simple as he appeared on the surface.
To think, how long had the other party been in office?
And to already have such a well-established registered association.
“Every man has his method.”
Li Yuan tightly gripped the long spear in his hand, murmuring to himself, “But the most powerful, will always be martial force.”
Like Dongfang Ji, who established ‘Starfire Martial Hall’ that in just a few decades penetrated the domains of the Seven Great Planets, altering numerous rules from top to bottom within the Seven Star Alliance, tampering with many people’s vested interests.
For instance, opening up Cultivation Techniques, the high school examination system, the Martial Hall contract system… Was it reliant on interpersonal skills?
No! It was his invincible martial force! It was his resolve to protect the entire Human Race.
Violence, it’s the foundation and the source.
Dongfang Ji’s ‘Seven Star Alliance Progress Movement,’ though only half a page long in the history textbooks, but behind it lay countless beheaded, innumerable noble families and clans dissipated like smoke.
“Martial Path.”
Li Yuan put down his spear and continued to practice the Basic Cultivation Method, not daring to relax for even a moment.
Moreover, Li Yuan could feel that Wan Qinghe was indeed sincere toward him.
Because, more than once he reminded him: “Your strength is the cornerstone.”
…
In the evening, Li Yuan returned home and chatted with his younger brother and sister.
They went to sleep.
“Auntie, how’s Uncle doing?” Li Yuan asked while sipping the hot milk his aunt had prepared for him.
A cup of hot milk wasn’t much use to him.
But Li Yuan knew that his rapid growth had made his aunt somewhat uncomfortable, and this was one of the few ways she could show her love for him.
Why take that away?
This was also why Li Yuan insisted on coming home every day. From the perspective of pure cultivation benefits, he could entirely live in the Martial Hall.
But then, what would his aunt think?
The purpose of cultivation is not just to cultivate, but for the family.
“His condition is improving quickly, he’s been moved to a regular ward, and his vital signs are basically back to normal. The Martial Hall’s special care workers are taking shifts around the clock, so I hardly need to be there,” Chen Hui looked at Li Yuan drinking his milk, the corners of her mouth unintentionally curling up a bit, as it made her feel like this was still the nephew she knew.
“Also, the treatment costs are mostly covered by the state, and the remaining part was paid by your uncle’s company.”
“Moreover, considering your uncle’s situation, there’s an additional ‘Merit Subsidy’ from the state of about 400,000 Blue Star Coins, which should arrive within half a month,” Chen Hui said.
“Mm, that’s good,” Li Yuan nodded, the treatment for uncle didn’t cost the family much.
Expenses like rapid transfers using aircraft, Uncle Wan didn’t ask me to pay either.
“By the way.”
“Last time, that Brother Lin, the treasures they brought, they didn’t make things difficult for you, did they?” Chen Hui couldn’t help asking.
She was present at the time and had signed the documents, knowing that the mysterious ‘Brother Lin’ was the key to saving her husband.
“No.”
“If we’re talking about owing favors, then yes, but those were people from the high ranks of the Martial Hall,” Li Yuan said with ease, “Auntie, don’t worry, I’m quite capable now. I’ll arrange everything properly. Once I become a Prime Warrior in the future, none of these will be an issue.”
Li Yuan didn’t tell his auntie the truth, as it wasn’t particularly meaningful.
But he also couldn’t keep her completely in the dark, as that would add to her psychological burden, making her prone to wild thoughts.
“That’s good, we should properly thank those people,” Chen Hui said, “Today, the hospital director told me your uncle’s recovery is almost complete, and they are ready to use the ‘Consciousness Awakening Device’.”
“Consciousness Awakening Device?” Li Yuan nodded slightly, “Okay, let’s trust the doctors.”
Nowadays, the number of people in a vegetative state has drastically reduced, thanks to the ‘Consciousness Awakening Device’.
Its principle is similar to ‘conscious contact sensing’ in a virtual network.
It starts by introducing the ‘vegetative person’s’ consciousness into the virtual network, then enhancing the stimuli.
Ultimately achieving the goal of awakening.
“By the way, Auntie, the Martial Hall told me that the apartment in Starfire South Lake District has been tidied up and redecorated, ready for us to move in,” Li Yuan said, “It will be more convenient for you when you go to work, and for Qianqian and Muhua when they go to the Martial Hall.”
“What about this house then?” Chen Hui hesitated, “Should we wait for your uncle to wake up and leave the hospital before we move?”
She felt a bit lost, as Li Yuan had brought huge changes to the whole family in just a few months.
“We can leave this house as it is for now,” Li Yuan said with a smile, “Everything that should be bought there has been bought. We can move in for a few days to see how it goes. If you’re still not used to it, we can move back.”
“You might not mind.”
“But for Qianqian and Muhua, the cultivation and learning environment will be better there,” Li Yuan knew exactly how to grasp his auntie’s concerns.
“Mm, okay,” Chen Hui nodded reluctantly, she didn’t really care much about the villa.
However, she placed great importance on the education of Li Qianqian and Li Muhua.
Just like she once did for Li Yuan.
“Beep~” Chen Hui suddenly felt her smart ring vibrate and looked down, slightly startled, “Two million Blue Star Coins?”
She had just received a transfer from Li Yuan.
“Li Yuan, what’s this?” Chen Hui was astounded, two million Blue Star Coins!
That was more than a decade’s worth of her salary.
“It’s for Qianqian and Muhua,” Li Yuan said with a smile, “Auntie, this amount of money isn’t much to me anymore. This time I ranked first in the Jiang City Martial Path exams, and the day after tomorrow, the City Hall Master wants to meet me.”
“The City Hall Master?” Chen Hui gasped; this was a significant figure in her eyes.
Usually only seen in the news.
“The money is mainly to provide Qianqian and Muhua, especially Qianqian, with an Origin Power Essence Pill every two months,” Li Yuan said, “You must have seen the training documents before.”
“Mm, okay,” Chen Hui nodded, as she held a master’s degree and was quite educated.
Shortly after.
Li Yuan went into his room to wash up.
“My nephew,” Chen Hui stared at the empty milk cup on the table, lost in thought.
“Big brother, sister-in-law,”
“Can you see this?” Chen Hui silently prayed in her heart, “Li Yuan has really grown up completely.”
Just like Li Changzhou hadn’t forgotten.
Chen Hui too had never forgotten how she held the wailing Li Yuan and ran for their lives.
If Li Yuan’s parents hadn’t desperately fought off the two Star Realm Creatures, there would have been no escape.
You must understand.
Li Yuan’s parents were both Martial Artists, and if they had chosen to run for their lives, they would have had a much bigger chance of survival than the others.
As she kept thinking.
“Auntie, why are you crying?” Suddenly, a deep voice came from the bathroom.
“Eh~”
“Am I?” Chen Hui quickly wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and smiled, “My eyes are a bit uncomfortable from watching the light screen too much.”
…
Entering his room, Li Yuan sat down in the virtual network capsule straight away.
“Having told Uncle Wan that I could score 300 points on the Fallen Star,”
“Let’s get to it as soon as possible,” Li Yuan thought to himself, glancing at his Divine Palace panel subconsciously.
[Life Level: 9.9 (Entry Rank)]
Physical Quality Index: 105 (indicating a comprehensive assessment of aspects such as explosive power, endurance, speed, physique, and spiritual power.)
Fist Strength: 1287 kilograms
Speed: 21.8 meters per second
Spiritual Power: 16.6
Spiritual Awakening Level: 12.8% (current cap 20%)
Physical Body Cultivation Method: Solid Rock Cultivation Method
Mental Cultivation Technique: Observing the Great Sun Starry Sky Scripture
Skill Realm: Spear Technique (Fourth Level 26%), movement technique (Fourth Level 20%), Fist Technique (Fourth Level 29%)
[Note: When the Spiritual Awakening Level reaches 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 125%, you will gradually receive Spiritual Guidance.]
—-
“Spear Technique, movement technique, both have improved compared to last week; there should be hope to break through,” Li Yuan thought to himself.
“Let’s start.”
Li Yuan’s consciousness connected, and he entered the Starry Skies Fighting Network, beginning the Fallen Star rank match.