True integrity is, after all, something only a few possess.
Most people might imagine they possess unshakeable integrity in their daily lives.
But when faced with a critical moment, without needing money or torture, just a blade at their throat and the terror of facing death, their integrity vanishes instantly, and they grovel in submission.
This is human nature, the instinct for survival.
This instinct is not shameful, but only by overcoming it can one be called "transcendent."
Regrettably, neither Liao Yifan nor He Chongxu, nor any of the other guests present, managed to transcend themselves.
Under Ying Chen's life threat, they knelt with utter readiness.
As for the two who didn't kneel quite so readily, one was publicly slapped twice by Ying Chen, turning his face into a pig's head, while the other had his spine broken and could only lie in bed like a maggot wriggling for the rest of his life.
"So you wanted to learn from me! You should have said so earlier..." Ying Chen slowly retracted the palm hovering above He Chongxu's head.
He Chongxu let out a long sigh of relief.
"How about this, pay me another five billion in tuition, and I guarantee to guide you to mastery. I won't say you'll become a Heavenly-tier expert, but at least you'll break through to the ninth rank of sorcery."
"Considering you've already paid six-point-five billion, this is a friendly price. For anyone else, I wouldn't even consider it for twenty billion."
Ying Chen said leisurely.
He Chongxu was instantly stunned, a flicker of ardor igniting in his eyes.
Ninth rank of sorcery?
If it were truly possible, let alone another five billion, even another ten billion, He Chongxu would be willing to pay!
One must understand that even the Five Great Sects did not have many ninth-rank sorcery experts!
If He Chongxu truly became a ninth-rank sorcerer, he would immediately gain renown and awe the world!
His name could then be officially added to the Underground World's Heavenly Rankings, displayed for all to see, bringing glory to his ancestors!
At that point, He Chongxu wouldn't even need to speak; a throng of people would visit him, bringing gifts.
This was because the established hierarchy of the Underground World, composed of martial artists and mystical practitioners, had been solidified for many years.
The limited number of eighth and ninth-rank experts, as the top-tier combat forces of this world, were already fiercely contended for by various organizations and sects.
The sudden emergence of a brand new ninth-rank expert was enough to break the existing balance and pique the interest of every organization!
Even if you weren't interested, you'd be forced to recruit them. Because if your opponent succeeded in recruiting them, you'd be immediately at a disadvantage and potentially face annihilation!
"At that time, let alone twenty billion, I could earn back three hundred billion or even five hundred billion!"
He Chongxu was lost in a beautiful fantasy, unable to extricate himself.
However, in the next second, he suddenly shuddered and looked at Ying Chen with suspicion.
Something's not right!
He was so caught up in his fantasy that he almost forgot something crucial!
Isn't Ying Chen a martial arts expert?
Could a martial arts expert sincerely promise to help a sorcery expert break through to the ninth rank? How much more fake could this "deal" be?
Bah, he almost fell for it!
He Chongxu was fortunate to have realized his mistake so quickly, and at the same time, he put on a regretful expression, saying, "I desperately wish to learn from you, but... but... I am truly lacking in funds!"
"Let alone five billion, I can't even produce fifty million right now! Perhaps you could allow me to study on credit, sir? I'll repay you when I earn enough in the future?"
He Chongxu, however, was being shrewd, thinking of getting something for free from Ying Chen.
If Ying Chen could truly elevate him to the ninth rank of sorcery, he wouldn't mind paying fifty billion then;
If Ying Chen couldn't elevate him, but his strength was superior, he could still learn something from Ying Chen, and it wouldn't be a loss.
He Chongxu was calculating his options with great fervor.
Unfortunately, he was unaware that this small calculation caused him to miss the most important opportunity of his life.
And he would never have another chance to rectify it.
"Heh heh." Ying Chen seemed to have seen through He Chongxu's thoughts and chuckled, no longer paying attention to him.
Ying Chen had only acted on a whim, wanting to cultivate a spokesperson in the mystical world.
In the future, he wouldn't need to personally handle matters; the spokesperson could act on his behalf.
He hadn't expected He Chongxu to be too calculating and thus miss an excellent opportunity for a dramatic comeback.
It's often like this; people always complain about unfairness and the lack of opportunities.
Unbeknownst to them, heaven has already given them countless chances, but they've always deemed them unsuitable and missed them.
"Almost forgot about you. I recall there was someone else who was defiant, wasn't there?"
Everyone's face had been slapped, but Huo Sheng was left out.
That would be too unfair to Huo Sheng.
So, Ying Chen, with great consideration, turned his gaze towards Huo Sheng.
Huo Sheng's face instantly turned ashen.
He couldn't bring himself to grovel and apologize like Liao Yifan or He Chongxu.
But he was even less willing to be beaten and humiliated like Li Fengcheng.
Thus, after a moment of hesitation, he immediately extended one finger and said, "Ten billion, to buy some face."
Ying Chen's previously menacing gaze immediately softened into a warm and approachable one.
"Look, why can some people become century-old families in Hong Kong, while others only become fleeting nouveau riche? It's precisely because there's such a huge difference in how they conduct themselves!"
"Huo Sheng is clearly much better at handling things!"
Ying Chen praised Huo Sheng without reservation.
At the same time, he glanced sideways at Li Fengcheng, as if unintentionally.
This infuriated Li Fengcheng to no end.
Conversely, Huo Sheng, despite knowing that Ying Chen was deliberately trying to sow discord, still felt immensely pleased.
That's right, he was indeed better at handling things than Li Fengcheng!
Their Huo family also had more heritage than the Li family!
Wealth alone doesn't last for three generations; but a good family tradition can endure for a hundred generations!
This was the difference between their Huo family and other families!
"Alright, let me tally today's earnings."
"Mr. He, 6.5 billion; Huo Sheng, 2 billion; the Liao family, 2.7 billion plus a golden silk jade suit, and the 'friendly support' from other guests present, approximately 10 billion."
As Ying Chen tallied his accounts, everyone present twitched at the corners of their mouths.
What "friendly support"?
It was clearly robbery and extortion!
But these thoughts were only in their minds; none dared to speak them aloud.
"Good heavens, I've suddenly earned over twenty billion! Is making money this easy in this era? Why do others say it's so difficult?"
Ying Chen showed a puzzled expression.
Looking at Ying Chen's expression, everyone present wished they could slap him.
Of the people present, only a select few could even afford twenty billion!
And these were the upper-class individuals of Hong Kong; for ordinary people, such figures were beyond even their wildest dreams!
Did he say making money was difficult?
Ying Chen's attitude was truly an outrage to all!
"Alas."
Just as everyone was filled with envy and resentment, Ying Chen let out a sigh.
"Twenty billion looks like a lot, but in reality, it's just so-so. Buy a few heavenly and earthly spiritual herbs, a few top-grade magic artifacts, and it's gone."
"I still need to find a way to earn more!"
"..." Everyone's faces collectively darkened, feeling like they could eat Ying Chen alive.
Only He Chongxu nodded in agreement, as if Ying Chen's words had struck a chord with him.