The opening of China Entertainment Group gave Jay Chou a head-on confrontation

Chapter 966 GOAT
If you hadn't seen it with your own eyes, no one would have imagined that someone could achieve numbers surpassing those of the golden age during the global music industry crash of 2006.

The records listed on the celebratory posters represent more than just empty fame; they represent naked benefits—the kind that come with real money in hand.

Having laid the groundwork for four English albums and compounded the impact of the shooting incident, the average selling price of "25" is arguably the highest in Zhou Yi's career. Even if we shift the focus to the golden age of Western pop music, the price of "25" still represents the highest premium brought about by the star effect.

Even so, "25" still managed to sell a staggering number of copies in just 50 days, a number that is so astonishing that it makes one gasp in shock.

"This is outrageous! Even novels wouldn't dare write something like this. Is Zhou Yi even human? There are only about 180 countries and regions in the world, and he alone tops the charts in 120 of them?"

"The highest single album sales in history? What kind of incredible income is this? Is the Western music scene really that bad? Weren't they supposed to be amazing during the golden age?"

"Fun fact: Not every top singer in the golden age of Western pop music sold 30 to 40 million albums. Most sold 10 to 20 million, and selling more than 30 million was considered a guaranteed number one hit of the year."

“Artists like Michael Jackson and Pink Floyd have albums with sales exceeding 40 million, but their average selling price is not as high as Zhou Yi’s. Otherwise, Zhou Yi’s sales would definitely not have surpassed that.”

"I don't know that Ping or something. Michael Jackson? Didn't they say he sold over 200 million copies of one album?"

"That was just media hype that came out of the past after they took bribes. No singer in history has ever sold more than 100 million albums. Even Elvis Presley, an idol of a generation in Europe and America, has only sold more than 130 million albums in his entire career."

"Isn't this a bit disrespectful? It's just that Elvis died young."

"Then who made him die young? Was he forced to do drugs, drink alcohol, and lead a chaotic life by someone holding a gun to his head?"

"..."

Compared to the uproar in Europe and America, the domestic internet public opinion was more of a "welcome" sentiment, interspersed with occasional popular science explanations.

After all, this is about making money from foreigners.

Although the entire China region contributed over a million copies of "25" to the sales, this is negligible compared to the total volume.

Moreover, American media have reported that Zhou Yi made money from them and then brought it back to China for investment. Therefore, they are even more pleased to see the people of Europe and America criticizing him for aiding the enemy.

Netizens' emotions are often simple and impulsive.

In an era where writing urban web novels often involves fighting Japanese invaders and slaughtering Americans, and where over 90% of the characters in the Holy See are villains, the existence of a real man who can sweep away thousands of enemies abroad often evokes a stronger emotional response after each of his achievements.

"What's the average price of this Zhouyi (Book of Changes) hexagram 25? It's been over 50 days, the average price statistics should be available by now, right?"

"I don't know. Warner just announced it broke a record, but there's no definite confirmation. Let's wait for the statistical agencies in the US, like the IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry). With Zhou Yi's album being so explosive, they'll definitely be doing some data verification..."

In fact, it's not just people in China who are waiting for the average price statistics to be released; people abroad are also eagerly awaiting them.

Led by IFPI, various music associations and organizations rushed to release special reports on "25," seemingly vying for attention and following Warner Music's lead.

Among these, IFPI's average price statistics are the most conservative: an average price of $58 and a total sales volume of 35808824 units.

As the world's largest record label, due to the large statistical base, their average price is often lowered by some low-price regions, resulting in discrepancies between the final amount and the correct sales figures.

Unless the record company voluntarily discloses all the correct data.

But it's clear that Warner will not hand it over, nor is it necessary to hand it over.

Even so, according to the most conservative IFPI statistics, the global sales of the album "25" have exceeded $20 billion, surpassing the Beatles and Michael Jackson, making it the highest in history!

The average prices published by American companies such as Billboard and Vanity Fair are even more outrageous. It's unclear whether this is due to the US market inflating prices, but none of the US institutions have given an average price below $62.

Billboard, which was recently labeled as a "vanguard against Zhou Yi", estimated an average price of $65 for Zhou Yi's "25" at this stage, directly boosting the global sales of Zhou Yi's "25" to over $23 billion!

And this is just the sales figures.

Other revenue streams, such as global portrait rights income, would add at least $7000 million. This doesn't even include the output value of other upstream and downstream industries, such as the production and sales of peripheral products like posters, photos, calendars, dolls, keychains, and stickers related to the I Ching.

People in the industry chain can make money from the Zhouyi album and then drive consumption in other industries—step by step, leveraging other markets, truly achieving global dominance!

What's even more terrifying is that this was achieved amidst the global music market collapse of 2006—

To put it in a more dramatic way, it's like surpassing the gods with one's own power in the Dharma-ending Age!
Zhou Yi is single-handedly dragging the market up!

"Spike! Niubee!"

"Mom! Come out and see God!"

"Spike is the ultimate form that countless musicians dream of. He not only writes, composes, and arranges his own music, but he can also produce his own albums! I heard that when he chooses singers in his own country, he also prefers singers who can produce their own albums."

"That makes some sense. Rihanna has released two albums in two years, and I heard she'll release another one next year. That habit of releasing one album a year is very Spike-esque!"

"What's even more terrifying is Spike's output and quality."

"He's simply superman!"

"I never imagined that one day I could make this much money from an album I produced all by myself!"

"I want to tell my child that he must study music in the future!"

Yahoo!, MSN, Google, YouTube;

Images, text, videos, radio podcasts.

Countless online accounts and offline radio hosts, editors, reporters, and ordinary people are raving about the "25" report that has shaken their understanding in their own fields. The scarce words of praise keep appearing in their writings, programs, videos, and pictures.

The madness of the younger generation is beyond words—

In short: This is their era's idol!

The highest-earning singer in history has been born!

"The Polarization of the Music Scene as Seen Through Spike's New Album Sales"

"A Double Success in Reputation and Business: GOAT Spike Deserves Its Reputation!"

Global Music Emperor! Crowned Today!

《…………》

The overwhelming reports nearly drowned out the eyes of every European and American. Even the most indifferent passersby learned, under this level of bombardment, that Spike had transcended his time and set a record that was unprecedented and would never be repeated!

Warner Music's extravagant spending spree firmly linked the name "GOAT" with the I Ching. Countless industry insiders and those in the upstream and downstream supply chains who benefited from the I Ching revered it as a divine artifact, praising it to everyone they met.

They've been in the industry for so long, what kind of scenes haven't they seen? Answer: They've never seen anything like "25"!

"A single album is guaranteed to sell at least $20 billion! Holy crap! How much is that in RMB?!"

"To be conservative, according to IFPI statistics, if we use an exchange rate of 7.9, it would be over 160 billion RMB... right?"

"How much did you say?!?!?!?!"

"What the hell?! 160 billion RMB?!"

"My grass!"

"Your mother!"

"Zhou Yi is not a human being!"

The simplest form of foul language, the most extreme expression.

The old guys on Tieba, who were already showing signs of success, couldn't even type long sentences anymore. They'd never seen an album with such terrifying sales figures in their lives.

This is the kind of material you wouldn't even dare to dream about—

But now it has been realized in reality by the I Ching.

The key point is that it was earned within 50 days. That's making money faster than his mom selling ice cream, right?
It's safe now!
Earn 160 billion globally in 50 days! The I Ching creates a wealth myth!

Can a single album by Zhou Yi really rival Huang Guangyu, the head of Gome Electrical Appliances?!

In 2006, the most prominent entrepreneur in China was undoubtedly Huang Guangyu, chairman of Gome Electrical Appliances. His estimated personal assets of over 180 billion yuan had already secured him the title of the richest man in mainland China.

The mainland is not yet in an era where internet companies take turns dominating the rich list. Various industrial giants are rampaging across this land, creating their final glory.

With Zhou Yi himself making every effort to avoid disclosing his assets, the media can only infer his personal assets from the company shares they can find. And Zhou Yi's most valuable shareholding at present is undoubtedly his 13% stake in Warner Music.

This comparison made the media realize that, given this approach, Huang Guangyu might not be able to hold onto his title as the richest man next year.

The key point is that the cost of making money with the I Ching is incredibly low!
With a global market presence, he rakes in huge sums of money in the global record market every year with just one album. The only expenses he needs to pay are miscellaneous costs such as hiring musicians, MV directors, and actors' appearance fees, which are negligible compared to his income.

Huang Guangyu's leadership of Gome has been incredibly demanding and exhausting; the cost alone far surpasses that of Zhou Yi.

Although Zhouyi's 160 billion yuan fortune also requires profit sharing at each level of distribution channels, its popularity is undeniable in comparison.

Clicks and sales skyrocketed!
Just as the controversy was reaching a fever pitch both domestically and internationally, on October 11th, Zhou Yi, at the center of the media storm, even had the time to update a picture on his personal blog abroad—

A picture that no one had ever seen before.

The overall tone of the photo leans towards blue, with a solemn and majestic king statue sitting on a towering throne, flanked by Western-style...guards that Western viewers will immediately recognize.
From a ground perspective, a dozen or so tiny figures are kneeling respectfully on the ground, bowing in reverence to the statue of "Zhouyi" on the throne!
On the crown of that king statue, the four letters "GOAT" are particularly eye-catching!
"Did Spike draw some facial expression picture this time? Me—?"

Ok?
At first, many Western netizens who followed the I Ching blog thought they were seeing things, rubbed their eyes carefully, and looked again—

Fuck your God, Jesus, Mary!
It really was Spike's account that posted it?!
Many new fans who became fans through the album "25" stared blankly at their screens, while longtime fans were already celebrating.

"As expected of Spike! He always comes up with unexpected methods."

"Spike's painting skills have improved. Have you ever considered switching to painting portraits?"

"So arrogant, but I love it, hahaha!"

"That's how arrogant we should be! Losers should be thoroughly humiliated!"

"GOAT! Spike, you are the king!"

"..."

In an instant, the entire European and American news media were driven to near frenzy by Zhou Yi's initiative to initiate a group!
Unlike last time, this time more than half of the media outlets were clearly on his side, agreeing with his views and cheering him on.

Spike, who was 25 years old last year, facilitated the birth of the GOAT!

Because of the symbolic nature of the image, it was widely circulated and quickly cited by major media outlets after it was drawn by the I Ching, becoming yet another irrefutable proof of the I Ching's rampant misuse in Europe and America.

Of course, this also became irrefutable proof that he was ranked GOAT.

The explosive discussion directly swept through many young people's communities and groups, with the images constantly stimulating their eyes and reinforcing their stereotype that "the Book of Changes is the GOAT".

With one hand resting on the computer desk, Edgar looked at the screen and exclaimed in amazement, "What's going on in your head? How could you even draw this?"

"Draw more and practice more?"

"I thought you were going to talk about talent."

Zhou Yi, who had just finished reading the New York Daily, turned around in his chair and raised an eyebrow: "It's not that bad. It takes me much more effort to draw this than to write a song."

"..."

What are you mumbling about?

Forget it, I can't reason with unreasonable cheaters like you.

Thinking of his expertise in marketing, Edgar abandoned his idea of ​​showing off in front of Zhou Yi: "I think this picture of yours might not be as effective for marketing as the other one."

"?"

Are there any experts even more skilled than me?
Zhou Yi was now genuinely curious: "What diagram?"

"Your fans will help you improve it; the background image will still be yours."

Edgar Jr. chuckled mischievously as he recounted his story, which amused Zhou Yi.

As we all know, fan clubs are made up of die-hard fans, and there are quite a few extremists among them.

This time, after Zhou Yi posted the picture himself, some busybodies saved it and made some modifications, changing the image of him prostrating himself on the ground in a kneeling ceremony and adding the names of famous superstars in the history of Western music.

After it was posted, it spread so quickly that fans of many other singers, whether willingly or unwillingly, saw this utterly outrageous image.

Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, AC/DC, Pink Floyd, and other legendary musicians and bands—none of them escaped being reduced to the names of groveling figures!

(End of this chapter)