"With Xia Lan before us and Mo Dao Zu Shi after, one 3D and one 2D, our Xuanji is in danger."
"Alas, Xia Lan has already pressed Qin Shi Ming Yue to the ground with its generation-leading modeling and special effects."
"Now, Mo Dao Zu Shi is coming on strong, using a 2D+3D fusion method, and is beating Qin Shi Ming Yue again. Our Qin Shi Ming Yue has become third!"
"Third? You're truly optimistic!"
Director Guan sighed, his expression grim:
"If this continues, Qin Shi Ming Yue will drop out of the top five within a year, and within two years, there will be no trace of Qin Shi Ming Yue in the top ten!"
His words were a bombshell.
Drop out of the top five within a year!
Drop out of the top ten within two years!
For a moment, everyone in the room was dumbfounded, filled with disbelief.
Someone couldn't help but say:
"Director Guan, aren't your words a bit alarmist?"
"Exactly, even though our Qin Shi Ming Yue doesn't have much production funding. Its special effects, picture quality, and modeling are far behind Xia Lan and Mo Dao Zu Shi, but it was once the pinnacle of Chinese animation. How could it drop out of the top ten? What a joke!"
"Alarmist?"
"A joke?"
Director Guan smiled:
"You should know that Xingyi Media recently acquired a large number of high-quality IP copyrights, such as Gui Chui Deng, Dao Mu Bi Ji, Zhu Xian, Fan Ren Xiu Xian Zhuan, Dou Po Cang Qiong, Zhe Tian, Douluo Dalu, Tun Shi Xing Kong, Qing Yu Nian, and Jiang Ye. What do you think Chairman Wang bought these copyrights for?"
The Vice President's expression changed dramatically, and he slowly spoke:
"Given Chairman Wang's generous and powerful style, he will definitely turn all these popular web novels into animation, and they will all be S-class major productions, with special effects and modeling a generation ahead of Qin Shi Ming Yue, and aired in an annual series format!"
"Holy cow! If that's the case, our Xuanji's Qin Shi Ming Yue is still third? It really will drop out of the top five in a year and out of the top ten in two years!"
"It's over! It's truly over!"
"How do we fight this kind of opponent? We can't win, we can't fight!"
"These popular web novels already have incredibly high popularity, and Xingyi Technology is willing to invest heavily in production costs. Not to mention our Xuanji, even Bilibili, the stronghold of ACG, might be overwhelmed by Xingyi Animation and replaced by the Xingyi Video Platform."
"This..."
Everyone in the room fell silent.
The more they thought, the more terrifying it became!
This was not alarmist talk.
Given Wang Yi's style, it would certainly happen this way.
Xuanji CEO Shen Qianshan frowned deeply, sighing repeatedly:
"Director Guan is absolutely right. If this continues, we are simply no match for Xingyi Animation. For money, Xingyi Technology has plenty of it. For IP, Xingyi Animation has Meiyou Novel Network, so it doesn't lack high-quality IP, and it acquired so many SSS-class hit IPs from Qidian, so it lacks even less."
"For production teams, Ruosen itself was already exceptionally strong and was acquired by Xingyi Technology. The Xingyi Animation team built by Xingyi Technology itself is equally formidable. Everyone has seen the excellent quality of Mo Dao Zu Shi, with its 2D art style + 3D special effects, it's not just ordinarily powerful."
"For platforms, the number of paid members on Xingyi Video has already surpassed twenty million, developing rapidly, and it's only a matter of time before it overwhelms iQiyi, Youku, and Tencent Video!"
"Our Xuanji is simply no match for Xingyi Animation; even Bilibili, or even iQiyi, Youku, and Tencent Video, are no match."
"Our only way out is to completely abandon Youku and join Xingyi Technology! Even if it means being acquired!"
Upon hearing this, everyone in the room fell silent once more.
Changing course was no small matter!
Xuanji was initially supported by Youku when it was founded, and thus had always been part of the Youku ecosystem.
Including the first few seasons of Qin Shi Ming Yue, all were invested in by Youku and exclusively broadcast on Youku.
The relationship between the two parties was extraordinarily close.
But now, Youku was too unsupportive.
When Xuanji requested more funding, Youku flatly refused.
They even repeatedly delayed normal production funds.
It was an extraordinary pitfall!
Continuing to work with Youku, Qin Shi Ming Yue would fall out of the top ten Chinese animations from its former peak.
Xuanji would also drop out of the top five domestic animation companies!
The future was worrying.
But once they joined Xingyi Technology, it would be wonderful.
For IP, there was plenty of IP.
For funding, tens of millions for each, all the most exquisite modeling, the highest special effects, burning money like crazy!
For platforms, Xingyi Video's own platform had terrifying traffic and limitless prospects.
With Xingyi Mobile also providing support, there was absolutely no worry!
No matter how they thought about it, joining Xingyi Technology was more appealing.
Just look at Ruosen's situation.
Ruosen originally almost couldn't make ends meet, but since joining Xingyi Technology, it instantly became the number one Chinese animation production company.
Xia Lan's remake exploded across the entire network, Ruosen gained both fame and fortune, and year-end bonuses were so plentiful they got soft hands from counting them.
One should know that the year-end bonuses for Ruosen's ordinary employees exceeded those of Xuanji's management!
No comparison, no harm.
Everyone at Xuanji was envious and jealous!
Some even considered switching jobs!
Director Guan took a deep breath:
"CEO Shen has thoroughly analyzed the pros and cons. I support abandoning Youku and joining Xingyi Media. Furthermore, Chairman Wang had thought about recruiting us before, and we politely declined out of consideration for our many years of cooperation with Youku.
But who would have thought that despite Xuanji's great sacrifices, Youku was unsupportive, constantly delaying production funds. Our Qin Shi Ming Yue's next season has also had to be delayed repeatedly, leaving everyone to go hungry."
"Exactly, we must join Xingyi Technology. I love making animation, but work is to support my family, not to do charity with Youku."
"That's right, Ruosen was originally inferior to us. Now, Ruosen's employees in the same position receive three times our salary! And five times our year-end bonus!"
"I also agree. Joining Xingyi Technology is Xuanji's way out, and our way out."
For a moment, everyone expressed their support.
Every man for himself.
Previously, Xuanji rejected Xingyi Technology's high-paying offer for Youku's sake, but Youku ended up severely disadvantaging them.
They wouldn't increase funding, even complained that Xuanji was unsupportive, got crushed by Xia Lan, and their year-end bonuses were at the bottom.
Although the concept of PUA didn't exist in those days, everyone at Xuanji was disheartened.
Only a few individuals couldn't help but say:
"But our Xuanji's flagship work is Qin Shi Ming Yue. The copyrights for the first few seasons are all with Youku. Once we go to Xingyi Technology, Qin Shi Ming Yue will be ruined."
"This..."
Everyone fell silent.
It couldn't be said that they had no feelings for Qin Shi Ming Yue.
But following Youku all the way to a dead end would be even more miserable.
Director Guan sighed:
"Broaden your perspective a bit. Joining Xingyi Technology might indeed mean losing Qin Shi Ming Yue, but Chairman Wang has more high-quality IPs. We can ask for two, or even three, and directly create three hit series!"
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up:
"That's right, even without Qin Shi Ming Yue, there's still Dou Po Cang Qiong and Douluo Dalu. If we produce these two hit series, crushing Xia Lan would be no problem at all!"
"Exactly, the fame of these two web novels is even higher than Qin Shi Ming Yue, and they have complete storylines, so we just follow them to film, making it less difficult!"
"As for Qin Shi Ming Yue... alas, Mr. Wen passed away prematurely after only finishing the second draft of the second part. The remaining third to eighth parts only have partial outlines, and we have to complete them ourselves, which is extremely difficult."
"More importantly, we've made too many changes to the original work, completely overturning and expanding the story, plot, and character designs. The later outlines are basically unusable, which is equivalent to starting from scratch, and the workload is terrifying!"
"Yes, but adapting web novels like Douluo Dalu would be much easier; we just follow the original work."
"I think it's feasible. Abandoning Qin Shi Ming Yue can open up infinite possibilities for the future."
"Moreover, Qin Shi Ming Yue might not necessarily need to be abandoned. If Chairman Wang is willing to spend some money, he might still be able to buy back the copyrights for the previous few parts from Youku."
"That makes sense. If so, we could certainly continue to make Qin Shi Ming Yue, and even remake the previous few parts!"
"In short, joining Xingyi Media has a hundred benefits and no harm!"
"To hell with Youku, Xingyi Technology is much better!"
Seeing that no one had any objections, Shen Qianshan and Director Guan exchanged glances and immediately made a decision:
"Then it's settled. We'll book tickets now and depart for the Imperial Capital tomorrow!"
"Great!"
"Everyone, go back to sleep and get some good rest. Stop your current work for a bit, everyone gets two days off, and wait for our news."
Shen Qianshan said with a smile:
"If all goes well, we're about to start making new animation!"
Although Xuanji had bought the copyright for Qin Shi Ming Yue, the first three animated seasons and the ongoing fourth season were all signed with Youku, allowing only Youku to broadcast them exclusively.
Naturally, Wang Yi would not invest money.
Therefore, Xuanji had to start a new series.
This was also the reason why Xuanji made many new animations in his previous life but never had a sequel to Qin Shi Ming Yue for a long time—copyright issues!
It wasn't until Tencent later bought back the copyright that new works were released.
Early the next morning, Wang Yi arrived at Xingyi Technology Park and went straight to the Xingyi Animation department.
Upon seeing Wang Yi arrive, everyone stopped their work.
Wang Yi smiled slightly:
"The Mo Dao Zu Shi anime had a very successful start. I hope everyone continues to maintain this and strives for even greater success. If you all maintain the current standard, your department's performance this year will also be S-class!"
"Thank you, Chairman!"
A group of people got excited.
With S-class performance, there was hope for a six-month year-end bonus, a full half-year's salary!
Wouldn't they have to work their guts out?
For performance, they all had to work their guts out!
"But there's one thing to note: be faithful to the original work, don't drastically alter it. Fans of the original work are a double-edged sword. If you follow the original, fans will support it. Local modifications are fine, but once you drastically alter it too much and ruin the original, the backlash from fans of the original would be unimaginable."
"Yes!"
"We will keep that in mind!"
Everyone responded, firmly taking note.
Wang Yi knew clearly how many shows ruined the original work, leading to collapsed character designs, collapsed plots, and even the entire segment falling apart!
The root cause was that many screenwriters or directors felt they were much more capable than the original author, thinking the original author's writing wasn't good enough and that their drastic alterations were better, which resulted in ruining the original work.
There were indeed instances of highly successful drastic alterations, but they were few and far between.
For example, the first season of Yuan Long was much more exciting than the original, becoming famous in one go.
However, the second season collapsed due to changes...
Also, the anime adaptation of Cang Yuan Tu was very successful, directly becoming legendary!
In his previous life, Wang Yi, an uncle in his thirties, watched it with immense excitement.
But unfortunately, most screenwriters and directors lacked such ability; it was better to be faithful to the original.
Especially for popular web novels, drastic alterations carried too much risk; one wrong move and they could be cursed by fans of the original work and trend on hot searches.
Moreover, the outline and character designs of Mo Dao Zu Shi were already proven hits after market validation in his previous life.
To put it plainly, as long as it was produced faithfully, it would explode in popularity!
If problems arose from drastic alterations and it failed to become popular, that would be creating difficulties where none existed.
However, Mo Dao Zu Shi doesn't have many words, totaling around 35 episodes, so it can't be made into an annual series of hundreds of episodes like Douluo Dalu.
If an anime of this short length were to be broadcast all at once, the effect would be mediocre.
Once it's finished airing, the subsequent impact would weaken, and it would become outdated.
It would be better, like in his previous life, to divide it into three seasons and air them over three to four years.
This way, the popularity could be maintained for three to four years, maximizing its effect!
The first season would have fifteen episodes, with three episodes in the first week, followed by one episode per week, finishing in a total of thirteen weeks, or just over three months.
As for the second season, that would be decided next year.
But this would free up the Xingyi Animation team!
Another new 2D anime series would have to be arranged for Xingyi Animation to take over from Mo Dao Zu Shi!
In the future, Ruosen would primarily focus on 3D animation, while Xingyi Animation would focus on 2D animation + 3D special effects fusion.
Both teams would have their own strengths.
But what 2D anime should they find?
Wang Yi fell into contemplation, beginning to recall the hit 2D Chinese animations from his previous life.
In the field of 3D animation, Chinese animation was far ahead.
But in the field of 2D animation, Chinese animation was somewhat lacking; there weren't many high-quality 2D Chinese animations.
Wang Yi only remembered a few that left a deep impression:
Yi Ren Zhi Xia, Hu Yao Xiao Hong Niang, Wu Shan Wu Xing, Yi Nian Yong Heng, Ci Ke Wu Liu Qi...
Yi Ren Zhi Xia was excellent, adapted from a comic, but it only began serialization a few years later.
If it were to be made early, it would be difficult.
Because it hadn't finished updating, Wang Yi didn't know the subsequent plot.
The same went for Wu Shan Wu Xing; Wang Yi only remembered it being very exciting, but couldn't recall the specific plot...
The novel Yi Nian Yong Heng hadn't even started updating yet...
Ci Ke Wu Liu Qi hadn't started updating yet and also needed time to be produced.
The only problem was that the modeling standards in 2012 were too ugly!
Not only was Xia Lan's modeling ugly, but the first few seasons of Qin Shi Ming Yue were also ugly.
Current aesthetics were simply like that; they were unwatchable.
Wang Yi even wished he could personally draw some models to set an example for them, thereby improving their overall modeling standards!
However, Wang Yi's drawing skills were mediocre; he had only briefly learned a little in his childhood.
Unlike the post-2010 generation, who universally attended art tutoring classes, piano tutoring classes, Taekwondo, programming, robotics, and Olympiad math from a young age...
When Wang Yi was little, only children in urban areas would attend tutoring classes from a young age; only a few children in county towns would.
The post-80s/90s generation weren't as competitive; most children relied on themselves.
Unlike the post-2010 generation, whose homework had to be tutored by parents.
Parents even had to complete various types of homework for their children every week, and many parents didn't even know how to do them...
It can be said that parents of the 80s and 90s were fortunate; they had no idea how difficult it was to raise a child these days, which is why they so easily urged marriage and childbirth.
To improve the team's modeling aesthetic standards, Wang Yi thought of learning a little from Lin Shu in his free time, so he could draw some models as examples for Ruosen and others, letting them know what truly good modeling looked like, thereby raising the overall standard!
There was no other way; the modeling standard in 2012 was generations behind what it would be ten years later.
Lin Shu was the type who took drawing classes from a young age.
Although not formally trained, she was excellent and had won provincial awards.
When Xia Lan first came out, Lin Shu drew some of the female protagonists.
Her lifelike skill was good enough to be an original artist.
As long as the modeling standards of teams like Ruosen improved, animations like Yi Ren Zhi Xia and Ci Ke Wu Liu Qi could be replicated ahead of time and turned into anime!
But this all takes time.
On the other hand, Hu Yao Xiao Hong Niang could be done directly!
Wang Yi remembered that the comic Hu Yao Xiao Hong Niang was released around 2012!
He didn't know if it had been released yet, but if it had, he could directly poach it or buy out the copyright!
With this in mind, Wang Yi instructed the Xingyi Animation department to continue their efforts, then returned to his office, opened his laptop, and searched: "Huyao Xiao Hongniang."
But unfortunately, he couldn't find it.
"Could it be that it hasn't been released yet?"
Afterwards, Wang Yi searched for the original author, Hu Xiaoxin.
He also couldn't find it.
"No, Hu Xiaoxin was her pen name after switching jobs. Since Hu Yao Xiao Hong Niang hasn't been released yet, that's not the pen name."
Wang Yi continued his search: "You Yao Qi," and opened the You Yao Qi website.
After some searching, his eyes finally lit up: "Hu Li Tiao Jiao Shou Ce, by Xue Hua A!"
"That's right, it's this comic."
Wang Yi finally understood everything.
In 2010, Hu Xiaoxin, under the pen name "Xue Hua A," serialized Hu Li Tiao Jiao Shou Ce on You Yao Qi.
And Hu Li Tiao Jiao Shou Ce was precisely the script for Hu Yao Xiao Hong Niang.
In 2012, Hu Xiaoxin was invited to switch to a new platform and re-created Hu Yao Xiao Hong Niang based on Hu Li Tiao Jiao Shou Ce.
Everything aligned.
All he had to do was poach Hu Xiaoxin and have her create Hu Yao Xiao Hong Niang based on Hu Li Tiao Jiao Shou Ce.
Subsequently, Xingyi Animation could turn it into an anime based on the comic!
Perfect!
With this thought, Wang Yi quickly called Gu Qing.
"Chairman, you're looking for me."
Gu Qing said with a smile, knowing there was new work:
"Is it to sign celebrities or buy copyrights?"
Wang Yi waved his hand and showed his laptop to Gu Qing:
"I'm very optimistic about this comic, or rather, this author. Go contact them and invite them to serialize on Xingyi Comics!"
"Okay, Chairman, I'll go right away."
Gu Qing quickly left, then suddenly remembered a question:
"Chairman, our Xingyi Comics hasn't been established yet, has it?"
Wang Yi was momentarily speechless: "..."
"That's right, Meiyou Novel Network was established long ago, mainly focusing on the female-oriented channel, but of course, there's a male-oriented channel too."
"But the comic platform hasn't been made yet!"
The comic for Mo Dao Zu Shi was drawn by the Xingyi Animation team themselves; it hadn't been released on a comic platform.
Wang Yi waved his hand:
"It exists now. Have Ye Changpeng immediately establish Xingyi Animation!"
"No, you go to You Yao Qi again and ask them if they are selling. If they are willing to sell and the price is right, we will acquire them entirely. If the price is not suitable, then forget it."
"Okay, Chairman, I'll go right away."
With Gu Qing in charge of these matters, Wang Yi didn't need to personally negotiate each one; he just needed to oversee the overall situation.
You Yao Qi was an original comic website; Shi Wan Ge Leng Xiao Hua and Zhen Hun Jie both originated from You Yao Qi.
You Yao Qi initially developed well, but later became sluggish, the core creative team left, and after several changes of ownership, around 2020, it was acquired by Bilibili for 600 million.
After that, You Yao Qi ceased service and merged into Bilibili Comics.
If all went smoothly, Wang Yi wouldn't mind spending some money to acquire You Yao Qi and build Xingyi Comics.
With You Yao Qi's editorial team and original comic artists, coupled with Wang Yi's investment, Xingyi Comics could completely rise rapidly.
Combined with Xingyi Animation and Xingyi Video, it could entirely form an industry chain: original comic IP — animation incubation — Xingyi Video broadcast + satellite TV broadcast!
Or, adding Meiyou Novels and Xingyi Media, it would become a second industry chain: hit novel IP — comic incubation — animation incubation — film and television IP adaptation — Xingyi Video broadcast + satellite TV broadcast!
A one-stop industry chain, a perfect closed loop!
This matter was entirely feasible.
Of course, the premise was that You Yao Qi's asking price wasn't high.
In his previous life, it only sold for 600 million many years later.
Currently, You Yao Qi had just grown large, estimated to be only one or two hundred million, which Wang Yi could acquire with his eyes closed.
If the asking price was too high, then it would be meaningless.
He could just directly poach Hu Xiaoxin, sign her, and re-create Hu Yao Xiao Hong Niang.
Then, recruit editors, attract comic artists with heavy investment, and build his own comic platform.
It could be said that with You Yao Qi, Xingyi Comics would develop faster, but it wouldn't matter without it.
They would see the development situation then.
In the afternoon, Wang Yi, feeling bored, was about to go home to learn drawing from Lin Shu when Jian Ziyan suddenly came over:
"Chairman, Xuanji CEO Shen Qianshan and Chief Director Guan are here and wish to see you."
"They're here?"
Wang Yi smiled:
"Hehe, Xuanji must have been stimulated beyond endurance by Ruosen and Xingyi Animation; they couldn't hold on any longer!"
The last time Wang Yi sent Jian Ziyan to acquire Xuanji entirely, they still politely declined. Now, weren't they actively asking to be acquired?
Wang Yi couldn't help but laugh; in the face of absolute strength, everything else was insignificant.
However, Wang Yi wouldn't refuse this.
Just one Ruosen could make Xingyi Media immensely profitable; if Xuanji were added, it would be invincible!
He happened to have so many high-quality IPs, all annual series, and Ruosen was too busy to handle them all.
There was no other way; Xia Lan was already an annual series, and Ruosen's main manpower was all working on Xia Lan.
Although many people had been recruited previously, they were currently in training, and at most, one more new annual series could be launched recently.
To simultaneously push three series would require the second half of the year, or even the end of the year.
But with Xuanji, it would be easy; two more new series could be launched.
This way, Xingyi Animation would be invincible, and Xingyi Video could also critically strike Bilibili.
"Let them in."
Wang Yi waved his hand.
He certainly wouldn't turn away skilled individuals who could make money for him.
Soon, the two were invited into the reception room.
Looking at the calm and composed Wang Yi, Shen Qianshan's expression was complex.
He had worked hard and struggled for most of his life, but it wasn't as exciting as this person's mere decade or so!
No comparison, truly no comparison!
"Chairman Wang, I've long admired your reputation; it's an honor for Old Guan and me to finally meet you today."
Shen Qianshan said with a smile.
Director Guan nodded repeatedly:
"That's right, to be frank, we've long wanted to join you, Chairman Wang, but we were reluctant to let go of Qin Shi Ming Yue. Alas, the first few parts of Qin Shi Ming Yue were all invested in by Youku, and naturally, all were signed to Youku, including the latest fourth part."
Wang Yi smiled slightly:
"It's alright. It's excellent that you are willing to join Xingyi Media! As for Qin Shi Ming Yue, I'll send someone to communicate with Youku later to see if we can buy it back. If so, we'll invest funds to remake the latest fourth part, as well as the first three parts!"
"The first three parts remade too?"
Shen Qianshan and Director Guan were both excited.
This was truly approachable by billions!
"Thank you, Chairman Wang, thank you!"
(End of Chapter)