Chapter 165: The Struggle for Fortune

"Understood."

Li Mochen wisely shut his mouth, thinking the key was still this 'interview fee.' For the sake of money, he figured his classmates would go easy on him. Of course, even if those guys said bad things about him, it wouldn't matter—they'd be cut out during editing.

"Besides that, we hope that A-Mo can participate in activities held by the Dream City Fighting Club in this city during the holidays, serving as a temporary hired instructor on weekends to guide the club's female students in swordsmanship training. Here is their offer and employment contract. Mr. Li, you can have your agent negotiate with them. It must be mentioned that the five advanced female student classes at Dream City are all women worth over fifty million gold shields each, and they have immense influence in the American social and fashion circles—"

Li Mochen was a bit speechless; this was exactly why he didn't want to sign more endorsement contracts in the future—it was too troublesome.

If it were before, he would have refused without hesitation. But now, considering he wouldn't be able to go to the Dark World for the next month or two, he didn't object.

He saw the amount on the contract: a total of seven classes, including four advanced classes with private instruction and three open classes, with Dream City offering four hundred thousand gold shields per day.

This was even more than what Li Mochen earned in the Dark World, and it was stable.

It was also beneficial to him. The Dream City Fighting Club could leverage his influence among female fans to expand the scale of its advanced female student classes. But Li Mochen himself would also gain legitimate opportunities for close contact with his fans, further solidifying his fan base. He could also expand his social circle—in short, it was a win-win situation.

Then came Nathan's Eastern Region Chief Information Officer: "Next are your two opponents. After entering the top sixteen, your opponent is Ibi Bryan, who has been clamoring in the media that you were lucky to get this far and that he'll expose you in the round of sixteen. However—"

This person used an ink pen to draw an X on Ibi Bryan's headshot: "This guy is a downgraded version of James Lanster. He also relies on a large amount of drugs to reach level seven at age seventeen. But his swordsmanship is even worse than James Lanster's, and his control over his own body is even rougher. So there's no need to worry; you can handle him easily. What's noteworthy is the quarterfinals—this guy named Cadio Rhodes."

"This person's strength is not greater than James Lanster's, but he has the bloodline of the Norse gods and can use 'Ancient Recall' at the cost of a huge loss of vitality."

The Chief Information Officer looked at Li Mochen with a serious expression: "This will harm his future, preventing him from unleashing his true strength for half a year. But Mr. Li, you are now the target of a full-scale attack by Arcadis and many sporting goods companies. So we must guard against this. Our opponents may maximize Cadio Rhodes's combat power after using Ancient Recall."

Li Mochen also looked solemnly at the photo of this person. He knew that talent spells like 'Ancient Recall,' 'Titan's Descent,' and 'God's Advent' were about awakening the abilities left by ancestors in one's bloodline.

At that time, he wouldn't be fighting Cadio Rhodes himself, but the remnants of the will of the Titan giants from Greek mythology. This wasn't much different from his current state.

"I understand. I'll be more careful during the fight. Same method as last time?"

"No, that would violate sportsmanship after all, and it would somewhat damage your personal image. Our requirement is just to defeat him as quickly as possible—the cleaner, the better."

"Got it."

Li Mochen looked around the conference room: "Is that all?"

"There's also Mr. Manda, a representative from the head office."

Dwight Payton introduced a bald middle-aged man beside him: "He brings a resolution from the marketing department of our Nathan headquarters."

"My name is Giorgira Manda."

Mr. Manda placed a document in front of Li Mochen: "Mr. Li, I came this time to resolve the risk of internal conflict between you and Mr. Felton Williams. According to this year's NHSAA tournament committee schedule, representatives from Georgia and Washington will meet in the round of 32. To ensure that your reputations and influence among high school students are not affected, we must take precautions. So in the coming period, you must be careful when giving media interviews."

Li Mochen took the document and flipped through it carefully. At first, he found nothing unusual. The head office's requirement was simply for him to appropriately express respect, even admiration, for 'Felton Williams' during interviews, and to place himself in a lower position as much as possible.

This aligned with Eastern thinking—modesty and low profile—so Li Mochen took it lightly.

But when he turned to the second page, Li Mochen frowned slightly and tossed the document in front of him: "Nathan Sports Group wants me to voluntarily withdraw and forfeit in the round of 32, is that right?"

"That's correct!"

Giorgira Manda admitted frankly: "Your combat power still poses a considerable threat to Williams. After the round of 32, there's Green Adams, sponsored by Calome Sporting Goods. He's also a powerful monster. Williams must remain in peak condition to face this enemy. Only then can we ensure that the NHSAA individual championship falls into Nathan's hands."

"Then why should I be the one to yield?"

Li Mochen let out a light laugh: "Can't Williams withdraw?"

"Mr. Li, Felton Williams is the strongest high school student on the West Coast in the past twenty years and the hottest high school sports star currently."

Mr. Manda frowned: "Mr. Li, our company headquarters has assessed your combat power and believes that at this stage, you are no match for Williams. Besides, you're only in 10th grade, right? And Williams is likely to graduate early this year, either entering college or going straight to the draft."

"What does that have to do with me?"

Li Mochen looked at Dwight Payton with a cold gaze: "Mr. Payton, do you share this opinion?"

"No!"

Dwight Payton was unequivocal, a hint of a smile even appearing at the corners of his mouth: "My stance is that there's no need to avoid internal conflict, nor can we force a talent as limitless as you to back down. In fact, several directors on the company's board share this view. However, the current CEO of Nathan and some board members think we should still talk to you."

"Mr. Li, this is a beneficial choice for all three parties."

Mr. Manda's expression darkened, and his tone turned forceful: "Williams is a cold-hearted person. He won't show mercy to a provocator like you. If the scene turns ugly, or if you suffer any physical or facial injuries, it would be a huge blow to your image. Moreover, we will compensate you for this and guarantee to fully assist you in reaching the top eight in next semester's spring individual tournament. Additionally, Williams himself will express his gratitude to you on various occasions."

"Sorry!"

Li Mochen casually tossed the document into the trash can: "I think we have nothing more to discuss."

He had learned a truth long ago: in the struggle for fortune, one must never yield!

And in his view, this round of 32 battle involved the fortunes and ebb and flow of two people's futures.

He was now ambitious, not only wanting to restore his peak strength within ten years, but even surpass it. He also intended to restore his 'Divine Sky Purple Gold Pagoda of Fortune' to its former glory. How could he possibly yield to others at such a time?