Douluo Continent: This Tang San is different

Chapter 166 The Protection Fee Scandal

When Qin Ming drove the royal carriage back to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the gate was already full of teachers and students of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, including Emperor Xue Ye, Prince Xue Xing, Xue Qinghe, Xue Beng, and the three members of the teaching committee.

Clearly, this was to receive Zhu Zhuqing from the Star Luo Empire—

"Welcome Miss Zhu Zhuqing to the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, to forge an alliance between our two nations and to facilitate cooperation between us..." Emperor Xueye launched into another long-winded speech.

Tang San, Xiao Wu, Guang Ling, and the others from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy couldn't stand the atmosphere and left early.

After the six-month exchange ended, Qin Ming didn't make many arrangements for the remaining six months, letting Tang San and the others cultivate or conduct research on their own.

A floating volleyball court was also built in the lake of Tiandou Royal Academy. This novel competitive sport attracted many noble children to try it out.

However, their skills were too poor, and they often fell into the water, resulting in a poor gaming experience.

So, some noblemen thought it over and moved the venue from the lake to land, removing the swaying suspension bridge and replacing it with flat ground.

The real volleyball was born!

Only then did the noble students truly enjoy themselves.

However, for Yu Tianheng and the others, this simplified game was not difficult at all and did not provide much training effect. It was not worth mentioning. Swinging volleyball on water was still more effective in training their balance and control of their soul power.

Meanwhile, Tang San himself, along with Guang Ling, bought a large workshop in Tian Dou City that manufactures life-related soul tools. He purchased raw materials, set up an assembly line, and began producing soul tool cameras and soul tool photography boxes.

Then, Tang San went to the Tian Dou Newspaper and, using his status as a student of the Tian Dou Royal Academy, paid a small fee to spread the news about the Soul Guidance Camera and Soul Guidance Video Camera widely.

Following that, Tang San had Guang Ling, in his capacity as his disciple, write a theory on the manufacture of soul-guided cameras and soul-guided video cameras, and marked it with the concept of "patent".

In other words, the soul guidance patterns on the soul guidance camera and soul guidance video camera are exclusive to Tang San and Guang Ling. If anyone dares to imitate them without their permission, they can demand compensation from the other party, or even request the Spirit Hall to enforce the law and protect their intellectual property rights.

Tang San also emphasized the importance of protecting intellectual property rights: encouraging innovation, sparking inspiration, and promoting the development of soul guidance technology, etc.

Of course, all of this is just speculation.

If you want the Spirit Hall to help protect you, you must pay a certain fee.

Everyone has a long-term vision, but people need to eat, so they still need to focus on tangible benefits; otherwise, everything is meaningless.

therefore.

After Guangling finished writing all the content, Tang San did not let her hand it over to Ma Xiunuo immediately. Instead, he found Ning Rongrong again and asked her to contact Ning Fengzhi, expressing his willingness to authorize the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to achieve the same cooperation as before with the cheongsam.

The moment Ning Fengzhi obtained the Soul Guidance Camera and Soul Guidance Photography Box, he learned of their strategic value and did not want Tang San to sell them.

But that's why Tang San bought a workshop first.

These two soul-guided devices do have strategic significance, but since everyone has them, their strategic significance for reconnaissance and information recording has diminished.

When Ning Fengzhi found Tang San, soul-guided cameras and soul-guided photography boxes were already circulating in the market. Moreover, he couldn't forcibly buy Tang San and Guang Ling's soul-guided workshops, or suppress them... after all, Rongrong was somewhat biased towards Tang San.

Helpless, Ning Fengzhi had no choice but to make the arrangements.

With the Soul Guide Camera and Soul Guide Photography Box, Tang San asked Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, Huo Wu, Ye Lingling, Zhu Zhuqing and others to wear cheongsams so he could record videos and take photos of them.

This promoted both the Soul Guide Camera and the Soul Guide Photography Box, as well as the cheongsam.

In no time, the entire Tiandou City knew about the cheongsam, the soul-guided camera, and the soul-guided photography box.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's promotion of cheongsams over the past six months was less effective than those exquisite and dazzling photos.

Within just one month, the sales of cheongsams, soul guide photography boxes, and soul guide cameras reached 20 million. Excluding the share that had to be given to Tang San, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's net income in that month exceeded 40 million gold soul coins, surpassing the net income of an ordinary year.

"Forty million gold soul coins, in a month!" When Sword Douluo learned of this, he felt like he was living in a dream. "That Tang San is truly a talent."

"I never expected that combining a cheongsam, a soul-guided photography box, and a soul-guided camera would be so valuable. Moreover, the sales of our original life-related soul-guided devices have greatly increased after being promoted through photography." Ning Fengzhi stroked the soul-guided camera, his face full of disbelief. "This thing actually has such a great use... However, the most important thing is Tang San's brain. That's the real deal—easy to spread and convenient to record."

Bone Douluo picked up the soul-guided photography box and took several photos of the area outside the hall, exclaiming, "This is true public announcement!"

Sword Douluo said, "However, there is also a problem. The soul guidance patterns inside the soul guidance photography box and soul guidance camera are relatively simple and the structure is not complicated, so it is easy for people from the lower four sects to imitate them."

"This is a problem." Ning Fengzhi understood that he couldn't stop others from imitating and pirating. It was manageable in Tiandou City, but he couldn't do anything about things outside Tiandou City or even in the Star Luo Empire.

The force capable of influencing the conflicts across the entire continent is the Spirit Hall.

But the Spirit Hall doesn't concern itself with commercial disputes...

"Dad, look, the latest issue of the Martial Soul Newspaper!" Ning Rongrong ran into the living room conference room and handed the Martial Soul Newspaper to Ning Fengzhi.

"Truly a genius!"

Ning Fengzhi's eyes gleamed.

According to the Spirit Hall newspaper, Tang San and his disciple "Zhu Ri" (pen name) have developed a soul-guided camera and a soul-guided photography box. They have also applied to the Spirit Hall for the intellectual property rights concept proposed by Tang San. In return, the Spirit Hall will pay the Spirit Hall 10 million gold soul coins annually to protect the intellectual property rights of Tang San and "Zhu Ri" related to the soul-guided camera and soul-guided photography box, and prohibit others from imitating or collaborating with them at will.

If anyone dares to imitate this, Tang San and "Chasing the Sun" can demand compensation from the relevant personnel or forces with whom they have a conflict of interest. If the other party is unreasonable, they can ask any branch of the Spirit Hall to help enforce the law and uphold justice.

This is equivalent to paying money (protection fees) to the Spirit Hall in exchange for their services.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's decision to share profits with Tang San is essentially an indirect way of giving money to the Spirit Hall. In the future, when Spirit Hall members encounter members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, they will also provide them with more convenience.

Wonderful!

Although this approach cannot completely prevent small workshops from counterfeiting and imitating, Ning Fengzhi doesn't care about the profits of those small workshops.

What he valued was—

Tang San relied on his so-called intellectual property rights to form a chain of interests with the Spirit Hall.

For powerful forces, only interests matter; everything else, whether alliances or oaths, is meaningless and unreliable.

But the real benefits, those gold soul coins measured in tens of millions, are extremely tempting.

Therefore, Ning Fengzhi also ordered someone to write an application for the intellectual property rights of various life soul guides within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's industries, and provided relevant evidence to show that they were invented by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

"Dad, isn't this a bit too much?" Ning Rongrong knew that the soul guide patterns of those life soul guides were left over from ancient times, but were collected by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. To say that they were invented by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, isn't that a bit... shameless?

"Sigh, the profits are too great, so I have no choice." Ning Fengzhi is unwilling to have other forces compete with him for the exclusive rights to the product. Besides, after this issue of the "Martial Soul Gazette" is published, other sects and families will also apply for intellectual property rights. If he acts like a gentleman, he won't get a single drop of the profits.

However, Ning Fengzhi believed that the Spirit Hall would choose their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

The reason is simple: the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School possesses the most comprehensive and largest collection of information on life-related soul tools. A single sect can provide the Spirit Hall with nearly 500 million gold soul coins annually, which is far more convenient than cooperating with other smaller sects, forces, or businesses…

···

Inside Wuhun City.

Bibi Dong looked at the huge pile of intellectual property application documents following those of Tang San and Guang Ling, feeling quite overwhelmed—that kid Tang San had really increased her workload.

However, these things are really profitable. For every application for a life-saving soul tool approved, the Spirit Hall earns ten million gold soul coins every year. With so many applications, the income is more than a hundred billion.

Even excluding the large number of overlapping revenue streams, the company still generates nearly 10 billion yuan in revenue annually.

This is more than five times the amount of Gold Soul Coins that circulate annually between the two great empires.

Accordingly, once the intellectual property rights were established, she also had to make arrangements to ensure that the Spirit Hall personnel throughout the mainland were aware of the specifics and then enforce the law.

Bibi Dong found Tang San's explanation of intellectual property rights protection very reasonable.

When someone painstakingly designs something, only to have it easily imitated by others without the person gaining any benefit, it will inevitably greatly diminish their creative enthusiasm, leading to a slowdown in the emergence of new things.

However, the annual protection fees for intellectual property rights also need to be adjusted based on the function of the invention.

Products like soul-guided cameras cost at least ten million each year.

Instead of non-soul guide devices, the price ranges from one hundred to one hundred thousand gold soul coins.

After all, some unusual weapons can also be very useful.

"Teacher, a lot of applications from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School have some overlap with applications from other forces. Whose applications should be removed?" Hu Liena, who was helping Bibi Dong sort through the applications, took out two documents applying for intellectual property rights for the Soul Guiding Lamp.

"Remove the application from those who are not from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School." Bibi Dong made the final decision. After all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had the most applications, making it easier for the Spirit Hall to collect the money in the future, without having to go to so many places.

"Understood." Hu Liena nodded, took out the documents from the applications for the same intellectual property rights that weren't related to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, and threw them into the trash can beside her...

···

"Intellectual property rights? That guy surnamed Tang really knows how to stir things up."

Inside the Haotian Sect.

The elders received the "Martial Soul Report" that Tang Yuehua had sent to the sect, and they chuckled coldly.

"They're just some weird and ingenious techniques!"

"Not worth mentioning."

"Give the Spirit Hall money? Ten million? That's insane!"

"This is what the weak are like; they can only pray to the Spirit Hall for protection."

Listening to the teachings of the elders of the Haotian Sect, the Haotian disciples nodded in agreement.

Tang Xiao did glean something from the "Martial Soul Report," but having spent so many years within the sect, his thinking had become somewhat rigid, and he couldn't grasp the key points. However, he was certain of one thing: this Tang San was absolutely exceptionally intelligent.

Because Yuehua did not tell the people in the sect about Tang San's identity, after all, Tang Hao was a sinner of the Clear Sky Sect, and Tang Yuehua did not want her son to be insulted by the people of the Clear Sky Sect.

Inside the Moon Pavilion.

Tang Yuehua put down the "Martial Soul Report" and said to Tang Hao sitting opposite her, "Xiao San's ability to make money is truly astonishing. Even Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School might be ashamed of himself. Moreover, he has formed a relationship of interest with the Spirit Hall and is protected by the Spirit Hall simply by relying on the concept and interpretation of intellectual property rights."

"It's just a minor trick." Tang Hao didn't take it seriously; he only believed in power.

"Sigh, you're still the same as before, looking down on everything except strength." Tang Yuehua sighed and asked, "Second Brother, how's your injury?"

"Six months ago, after receiving treatment from Xiao San and recuperating for another six months, I've almost fully recovered." Tang Hao clenched his fist, feeling his body's condition, and was somewhat excited.

If he could, he would declare war on the Spirit Hall directly: He, Tang Hao, the Haotian Douluo, has returned!

"What are your plans for the future?" Tang Yuehua asked. "You've severed ties with your lover and haven't seen him for six years. It's normal that he doesn't acknowledge you. Do you want me to...?"

"No need." Tang Hao's tone turned serious. "He already has the power to protect himself, I don't need to keep an eye on him secretly. As for that rabbit... never mind."

He had seen Xiao Wu's current situation and wondered how she had managed to conceal the aura of a soul beast. With Tang San's intelligence, he must have guessed it and probably wouldn't take any risks.

Therefore, he doesn't need to pay too much attention.

However, this matter cannot be told to Tang Yuehua.

Tang Yuehua's face darkened as she realized that she could not gain her second brother's complete trust because her soul power was only level nine, and she could not enter the real world of soul masters.

Unconsciously, she remembered the method Tang San had told her that might allow her to break through to level ten—

Do we really have to give up everything Yuexuan has built and abandon all the pride taught by Haotian Sect?

"Next, I'm going to the City of Slaughter," Tang Hao suddenly said.

"Why go there?" Tang Yuehua asked in surprise. "Didn't you already obtain the God of Slaughter Domain? What's the point of going to a place like that, full of fallen ones?"

"If the God of Slaughter Domain wants to evolve, slaughter is the best choice. I have no psychological burden when I kill the people there." Tang Hao's words were full of indifference.

In fact, the various Spirit Halls are also good places to vent one's anger, but it's not advisable to cause trouble right now; one should focus on breaking through one's existing cultivation level first.

"Only in a place like that can I quickly cultivate to level ninety-nine."

"Ah Yin has been stolen, and I can't find her. So, I can only hope to break through to a higher realm and then go look for her again."

Before Tang Yuehua could react, Tang Hao vanished from her sight. His speed was so fast that ordinary people couldn't even react in time.

When the power reaches a certain level, its speed will inevitably be high as well.

The classification of Soul Masters, in most cases, only applies to low-level Soul Masters. At the Title Douluo level, even a support-type Soul Master's speed, strength, defense, and Soul Power are far beyond the reach of ordinary people…

···

The Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex family.

Looking at the Spirit Hall's reply, Yu Yuanzhen realized that none of the applications for intellectual property rights to the life-related soul tools had been approved, and knew that they must have been taken by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

"Hmph, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School really won't even give us a drop of soup. But is the Spirit Hall so desperate for money that it doesn't even give my Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Clan any face?"

Yu Luomian thought for a moment and said, "It's probably because our family's main source of income is not selling life-saving soul tools."

"That's true. In the past, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was the one selling the life-related soul tools in the entire Tiandou region." Yu Yuanzhen nodded. "Losing this much is nothing. Just consider it as giving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School face."

"But what else is there for us to apply for?"

Yu Luomian tentatively asked, "The family's medicinal bath recipe?"

"Have you lost your mind?" Yu Yuanzhen even suspected that Yu Luomian had become stupid from missing his daughter too much. "Can this kind of family treasure be sold?"

The medicinal bath recipe of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex family is the foundation for disciples within the sect to surpass other Soul Masters.

Even if other families want to buy it, they can only buy the finished powder. The corresponding formula and proportions will never be revealed, as it is one of the foundations of a sect.

"Brother is right. However, just because we don't sell doesn't mean other families won't. We have sold a lot of finished medicinal powder for bathing to other families. There may be many talented people in their families who can analyze some of it. If they turn around and blame us, and the Spirit Hall gets involved, we might be in the wrong."

If the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Clan had multiple Title Douluos, they would naturally be no match for the Spirit Hall.

However, the organization with the most Title Douluo is the Spirit Hall.

Moreover, in Yu Luomian's view, the prescription could not be considered the foundation of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex family.

Don't you usually sell finished medicine powder to others as well?

That's not much different from publishing the prescription.

If we tell the Spirit Hall, it will save others from secretly studying it.

Moreover, the medicinal bath recipe of their Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex family is most effective for those who possess the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex Martial Soul.

Furthermore, they can acquire large quantities of medicinal herbs, making it difficult for others to imitate them; they can only purchase finished medicinal bath powders from them.

After all, even a skilled cook can't cook without rice.

Just like whale glue, everyone knows it's a good thing, but after the whale glue on the market is bought up, how many people dare to go to the unfathomable ocean?

Even ordinary whales live in the deep sea and are difficult for even titled Douluo to catch.

Similarly, they first buy up all the medicinal materials for making medicinal baths on the market, then apply for approval, and then open the Blue Electric King Medicinal Bath business. If they set the price higher, wouldn't they be able to recover their costs?

With more money, one can purchase more precious resources that are not available on the market.

For example: Wannian Whale Glue.

Yu Luomian believed that as long as the money was high enough, someone would definitely bring out the secret treasured ten-thousand-year-old whale glue.

"I'll think about it." After listening to Yu Luomian's analysis, Yu Yuanzhen hesitated, but he was already tempted. However, he still needed to observe the situation first.

Then, the Huo family was the first to apply.

Huo Wu discussed it with her family and took out the Huo family's medicinal bath recipe. With Tang San's introduction, she went to the Spirit Hall of Heaven Dou and applied for a patent.

Platinum Cult Leader Salas knew that Tang San was the master of spirit theory, and the Pope had even dispatched a Soul Douluo to protect him (Ling Yuan had already returned from hunting spirit beasts and officially become a Soul Douluo), so naturally he dared not neglect him...

(End of this chapter)