At this moment, Xia Yi's gentle voice rang out again,"We are from the Douluo Continent. We would like to discuss a major business deal with your superiors."
"Douluo Continent? Are you part of the Douluo Continent Exchange Delegation?" the receptionist asked curiously.
The exchange between the Star Luo Continent and the Douluo Continent was already well-known throughout the Star Luo Empire.
Just a while ago, she had even heard that a genius son of a prominent businessman from the next street had been killed by a sea soul beast on his way back from the Douluo Continent.
"That's right, we are from the Douluo Continent Exchange Delegation," Xia Yi nodded and confirmed.
"Please wait a moment, distinguished guests. I will inform our superiors."
The receptionist was very polite. She led Xia Yi and Yuanen Yehui to a meeting room, served them tea, and then went off to report their arrival.
Not long after, a middle-aged man who appeared to be in his forties entered the meeting room.
Upon seeing that Xia Yi and Yuanen Yehui were so young, a flicker of disappointment flashed through his eyes.
But he quickly concealed it.
"You two are from the Douluo Continent?" the middle-aged man asked for confirmation once more.
"Spirit Pagoda," Xia Yi stated.
Xia Yi glanced at Yuanen Yehui, signaling her to introduce herself. Yuanen Yehui then said, in a flat tone, "Shrek Academy, Yuanen Yehui."
"Spirit Pagoda? Shrek Academy?"
The middle-aged man, whose name was Ma Yi, the General Manager of Xingluo Caiyun Co., Ltd., immediately straightened his posture in respect.
Although Xingluo Caiyun was a well-established company in the Star Luo Empire, backed by a strong soul master organization, it was still incomparable to Spirit Pagoda and Shrek Academy.
"How can I be of service?" Ma Yi asked quickly.
Xia Yi pointed at Yuanen Yehui's outfit and asked, "Manager Ma, what do you think of this uniform?"
Having already researched Xingluo Caiyun, Xia Yi was well aware of Ma Yi's position.
"Uh… uh…"
Ma Yi's forehead was covered in black lines as he struggled to find the right words to describe Shrek Academy's uniform.
How should he put it?That it looked like crap?
"Manager Ma, this is Shrek Academy's uniform," Xia Yi said with a grin.
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Ma Yi asked, feeling puzzled.
Was it possible that Shrek Academy found their uniform too ugly and wanted to change it?
That didn't seem likely.
Something as significant as a school uniform change wouldn't fall into his hands.
Xia Yi cleared his throat slightly and then chuckled, "Manager Ma, you must know that in just a few days, the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament will be held here in Xingluo City, correct?"
"You're a businessman, so think about it—if, when the Shrek Academy team enters the competition, every other member is wearing this ugly green uniform, but Yuanen Yehui is wearing your company's design instead, what do you think will happen?"
"You mean…?"
Ma Yi's gaze toward Yuanen Yehui suddenly became fiery.
Imagine the scene: a group of ugly ducklings with one elegant swan standing out among them.
With Shrek Academy's prestige, they were guaranteed attention the moment they stepped into the arena. If Yuanen Yehui wore his company's design, his brand would receive an explosive surge in exposure and sales.
"Name your price," Xia Yi said decisively.
"Five million Star Luo coins," Ma Yi also responded decisively.
"Deal!" Xia Yi nodded immediately, then added, "Five million per match for the singles competition, ten million for each doubles match, and fifty million for the team competition."
Based on the market prices he had observed in the shops along the way, he had a rough understanding of the Star Luo coin's value—it was worth significantly less than the Federation's currency.
Five million Star Luo coins?
This Ma Yi truly lived up to his reputation as a businessman.
His opening offer was ridiculously low.
Just the name "Shrek Academy" alone was worth far more than that!
"Fifty million per match? Why don't you just rob me?" Ma Yi protested immediately.
"If you don't agree, we can always take our offer to another clothing company," Xia Yi said indifferently.
"Fine, I agree! But I have one condition," Ma Yi gritted his teeth and gave in.
Although Xia Yi's asking price was high, if Xia Yi really took the deal elsewhere, the company that would profit from this massive advertising opportunity would be someone else.
Xingluo Caiyun was a nationwide brand—losing this opportunity would result in huge losses.
"I will personally design her outfits, and she must wear a different one from our brand for every match," Ma Yi said firmly.
"No problem!" Xia Yi agreed immediately.
After all, he was Yuanen Yehui's creditor.
"I need all of her body measurements, including details about her martial soul, soul skills—everything. Ideally, I'd like to see her abilities in action firsthand," Ma Yi added.
"No problem. But can we get a deposit first?" Xia Yi asked.
Thirty minutes later
Xia Yi and Yuanen Yehui finally walked out of Xingluo Caiyun Co., Ltd.
At this moment, all three of them—Xia Yi, Yuanen Yehui, and Ma Yi—were grinning from ear to ear.
Ma Yi was laughing because he realized Yuanen Yehui was truly androgynous.
He could design both men's and women's clothing for her, doubling his brand exposure.
Yuanen Yehui was laughing because she had just secured enough money to pay off her one-word battle armor forging debt.
Not only that, but she might even have some leftover funds—plus, she would receive dozens of new outfits for free.
Xia Yi was laughing because everything had gone exactly as he expected.
"How did you even come up with this way to make money?" Yuanen Yehui looked at Xia Yi, a hint of admiration flashing in her beautiful eyes.
She had been stressed over this debt for so long, yet Xia Yi had solved it so effortlessly.
"Why didn't I think of such a simple solution before?" Yuanen Yehui sighed inwardly, becoming even more curious about Xia Yi.
"This is a common marketing strategy in the business world. The only reason others haven't tried it is because they don't have the courage to approach Shrek Academy. As for why you didn't think of it—it's simply a matter of specialization," Xia Yi chuckled.
"Maybe," Yuanen Yehui murmured, but her eyes remained fixed on Xia Yi.
"This is the first and last time I'll help you," Xia Yi suddenly said, his expression turning serious. "The money you earned today is enough to clear your debt for the one-word battle armor. As for the cost of forging your two-word battle armor, you'll have to figure out a way to earn it yourself."
"I will," Yuanen Yehui said firmly.
"Alright, I have other matters to attend to. You can go now." Xia Yi waved his hand dismissively.
"Then I won't disturb you any longer," Yuanen Yehui nodded and turned to leave.
As he watched her departing figure, Xia Yi sighed again.
"Gu Yue, you really love throwing me difficult tasks."
Indeed, the reason he had gone out of his way to help Yuanen Yehui solve her financial troubles was because of a task assigned to him by Gu Yue.
Gu Yue wanted Yuanen Yehui to develop a sense of dependence on Xia Yi and follow him until she reached Title Douluo.
Helping her wasn't a problem.
But Xia Yi was worried—what if Yuanen Yehui ended up becoming another Mu Xi?
(End of Chapter)