Getting stronger and stronger starting from Marvel.

Chapter 83 Only taxes and death are inevitable

Today, bookstores across the country are swarming with readers eager to buy "Everyone Has Skills to Practice," and for a time, Amelia Cardboard is in high demand.

However, the number of books could not keep up with the demand, and in just one afternoon, there were no books left to buy.

Even with book production companies printing at full capacity, they still couldn't keep up with the people's overwhelming demand.

But the problem was immediately solved by the wisdom of the working class, as secondhand pirated books began to appear openly in front of bookstores.

Because books can be copied, people who bought them quickly took pictures of the contents page by page and then sold the digital versions at half the price or even less than the original price.

Before long, with the ability of electronic piracy to reproduce infinitely, the once sought-after genuine White Night books immediately became deserted. If nothing unexpected happens, at least several billion dollars will evaporate due to the loss of genuine copies.

Bai Ye's pirated books achieved the feat of going abroad and spreading throughout the world in just one day.

At that moment, at the gathering, Vice President Rodriguez said to Bai Ye with a regretful expression, "Mr. Bai, it's foreseeable that piracy of your books is rampant. Would you like us to cooperate with the IRS to help combat this piracy crime?"

"Piracy? That's certainly a problem." Bai Ye smiled noncommittally. "I just don't know if they're interested in my next book."

"The next book?" The eyes of the people around immediately lit up. Given the terrifying effect of this book, could the next one bring something extraordinary?

"That's right, my next book, 'Everyone Can Practice Skills 2.0,' will be more than 200% better than this one in terms of both lifespan extension and strength," Bai Ye said.

200%!!!

Everyone present gasped for breath; the effect was terrifying.

"200%, is it really possible to achieve this level?" Rodriguez said incredulously.

"Of course, it is expected to extend human lifespan to 300 years, but this book is still being written," Bai Ye said, his gaze inadvertently falling on the number 200 million years in the lifespan column on his panel.

"Then you should hurry up and write it! What are you doing here drinking with us? Is wasting time fun?"

Everyone present wanted to become a reader urging for more updates and lock Bai Ye in a dark room, but they couldn't do so because of Bai Ye's strength.

Bai Ye naturally saw through their thoughts. In fact, this so-called "Everyone Has Skill to Practice 2.0" had far surpassed the original Zixia Divine Skill in terms of technique.

This is the known optimal energy circulation route that he derived from himself, based on the original technique and his 4.1 spirit attribute, while maintaining the same internal energy as Zixia.

If version 1.0 was a weaker version of Zixia, then version 2.0 is an enhanced version of Zixia Divine Skill.

Bai Ye plans to push the "Everyone Has Skills" update to version 12.0 within the next year, which means releasing a new version every month.

The current 2.0 is an enhanced version of the Zixia Divine Skill. In the future, there will be Zixia Advanced Version, Zixia Ultimate Version, Ultimate Version S, SS, SSS, and so on.

According to his estimation, once his spiritual attributes bring him comprehension and analytical abilities a year later, he might be able to deduce Yue Buqun's Zixia Divine Skill into a cultivation technique that can extend lifespan by a thousand years.

At the scene, Bai Ye's words were broadcast live online, immediately causing a huge uproar. Some people looked at the books they had just bought and began to regret it, wondering if they had bought them too early and wished they had bought pirated electronic copies.

"Mr. Bai, how long will it take for version 2.0 to be released? For the future of all mankind, please make sure you take good care of your health," Rodriguez said with concern.

"It may take half a month to a month to publish, but before that, there is something I need to ask of you."

"Whatever it is, as long as it's reasonable, I can go to Congress to legislate specifically for you," the Vice President said, patting his chest.

Bai Ye didn't say it directly, but instead said indirectly, "Mr. Vice President, in the future, everyone will definitely use my 'Everyone Has Skill' training program, right?"

"Of course, this is a groundbreaking book, and I'm even considering adding it to the school curriculum," the president said matter-of-factly.

"Theoretically speaking, everyone should buy my book, right?"

"This..." Rodriguez hesitated, "Theoretically, that's correct, but you also know that piracy is unstoppable."

"Since piracy is unstoppable, why not just transfer the money directly from everyone's bank account to me?" Bai Ye finally revealed his true colors.

Rodriguez gasped, "Mr. Bai... this, this isn't quite right."

"Isn't it good? The whole world wants to read my books and practice my techniques, so shouldn't they be paying me royalties? I'm already losing money selling them for $15 a copy, so why should I be exploited by piracy?"

Bai Ye smiled and said, "From both a moral and legal standpoint, it shouldn't be difficult to tax a book based on a price of $15 per book and the global population."

Bai Ye's words stunned Rodriguez. Good heavens, with over 60 billion people in the world, forcibly charging each person $15 for books? You really dare to dream of that.

If it weren't for the 2.0 issue, Rodriguez wouldn't have bothered with Bai Ye's suggestion at all; it was simply wishful thinking.

But this $15 is just the initial version. There's a super-enhanced 2.0 version coming up. If he disagrees and Bai Ye doesn't release it, then his term as vice president will be over.

"This...this..." Before the live broadcast, Rodriguez, drenched in sweat and trembling, said, "I am just the Vice President of the United States; I have no authority over other countries."

"Then you can talk about it. Let each country manage its own citizens and collect taxes on books," Bai Ye said with a smile.

"Then, those who have already bought the original book are at a loss," Rodriguez tried to salvage the situation.

"It's okay, every genuine book has anti-counterfeiting certification. As long as you provide proof, you can get a tax refund later."

Bai Ye smiled, his 1.4-inch height making him instantly likable, but in the Vice President's eyes, Bai Ye's face resembled that of an ugly capitalist.

"Okay... alright, you're right. I'll discuss this with Congress when I get back," Rodriguez said helplessly, looking down.

Only then did Bai Ye reveal a satisfied smile.

What's his is absolutely his. He can give it away, but letting someone else take advantage of him is worse than being killed.

It is foreseeable that from today onwards, whenever anyone is born on Earth in the Marvel universe...

From the moment he was born, he would owe White Night $15 for books in his bank account.

To truly combat piracy at its source.

As Franklin said: There are only two things in the world that are inevitable: taxes and death!

(End of this chapter)