Chapter 48: Shooting a Movie (1)
Zenith Heaven Emperor, having witnessed Shuhang's triumphant transcendence of his tribulation, found himself immersed in a period of relative calm. The days flowed by without any major disruptions, allowing him to focus his attention on the finalization of the extraordinary script he had co-authored with Gao Moumou and Daoist Priest Horizon occasionally helping out.
Oh, how the script had taken shape! It bore a resemblance to the original, but it possessed an essence uniquely molded by the combined creativity of the trio. The characters breathed with life, the plot twisted with unexpected turns.
With the script in his hands, Zenith Heaven Emperor felt a surge of anticipation. He knew that the time had come to entrust it to his disciple Shuhang and Venerable White, who would take on the role of the main character. And so, with a flourish, he presented the completed script to his junior brother.
"Junior Brother, feast your eyes upon this masterpiece!" Zenith Heaven Emperor exclaimed with dramatic flair. "Within these pages lies a tale that shall captivate the hearts of all who witness it. I bestow upon you the honor of bringing Ling Ye, the main character, to life!"
Venerable White's eyes twinkled with intrigue as he accepted the script.
As the script found its way into Venerable White's hands, Zenith Heaven Emperor turned his attention to another matter, an important document to be sent to the Nine Provinces (1) Group. It contained a list of available characters, their descriptions, and the corresponding positions within the script.
With great care, Zenith Heaven Emperor ensured that the document reached each member of the Chat Group, who eagerly awaited their assigned roles. Excitement rippled through the group as cultivators and mortals alike eagerly scanned the available positions, envisioning themselves as heroes, villains, and quirky side characters.
But as the members delved deeper into the document, a sense of confusion began to grip their hearts. Within the list of characters, a section stood out, stating that some roles were unknowingly occupied by (Secret).
Curiosity getting the better of Northern River's Loose Cultivator, he decided to inquire about it. "Excuse me, fellow Daoists. I couldn't help but notice that some of the character positions are marked as being occupied by Secret. Can anyone enlighten me on this matter? What are these mysterious positions?"
"Mysterious positions, you say?" queried Su Clan's Sixteen, her brows furrowing with curiosity. "What could this mean? Are there hidden roles within the script, waiting to be revealed?"
Zenith Heaven Emperor, who had anticipated this very reaction, chuckled with delight. "Ah, fellow daoists, fear not. The Secret positions hold a surprise of their own. They are characters shrouded in mystery, destined to emerge at the most opportune moments, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the story."
After stating this, he continued with his explanation, "Those positions marked by 'Secret' are not available for choosing at the moment. We have some surprises in store for you, and we're keeping those positions hidden for now. Even those cultivators who know about them don't know what they will be doing yet."
Confusion swept through the Chat Group as the cultivators tried to make sense of Zenith Heaven Emperor's enigmatic statement. Messages flew back and forth, filled with both excitement and curiosity.
"But... but what could these secret positions be?" asked True Monarch Yellow Mountain, his message laced with intrigue.
"I bet they're super special roles that will have a major impact on the plot!" chimed in Drunken Moon, his excitement palpable.
The Chat Group became abuzz with speculation, each cultivator sharing their wild theories about the mysterious Secret positions. Some believed they might be legendary figures from ancient times, while others thought they could be powerful cultivators from other realms. The possibilities seemed endless.
Zenith Heaven Emperor chuckled to himself, thoroughly entertained by the reactions of the cultivators. It was a joy to witness their excitement and imagination run wild. Little did they know, he had something truly remarkable in store for them.
On the next day all those wanting to play a role in the movie met up with Zenith Heaven Emperor, White and Shuhang to finalize the role allocation.
In the end, the major roles ended up like this:
Venerable White as Ling Ye – the main character
Song Shuhang as Gao Sheng – Ling Ye's evil senior apprentice brother who bullies him non-stop.
Thrice Reckeless Mad Saber as Ling Ye's lackey
Purple Mist as Murong Hua – Ling Ye's senior apprentice sister and first love interest.
Medicine Master as Feng Chuanzi – Murong Hua's husband in an arranged marriage.
Fairy Lychee as Ling'er – a spirit ghost and Ling Ye's second love interest.
True Monarch Fallout as The leader of Void Cloud School.
Scholar Drunken Moon as Evil Bright Moon – Demon Commander-in-Chief
White Crane as Fan Bai – main character's best friend and drinking buddy. He is actually a woman pretending to be a man.
Young Master Phoenix Slayer as Heaven Devouring Cat – The guardian divine beast of the Void Cloud School who later finds the main character, becoming his guardian beast.
Doudou as Infernal Demonic Dog – The divine beast from the faction of the demons.
Zenith Heaven Emperor as the Heavenly Emperor – The leader of the mysterious Heavenly Court that makes a trade with the fourteen characters that are still kept secret, which leads to the secret character's appearance.
Although most members were still curious who these secret characters were, they did not question Zenith Heaven Emperor anymore and decided to wait for him to reveal it to them.
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With roles assigned and anticipation bubbling within the Chat Group, the time had come to bring the extraordinary script to life. And what better place to commence this cinematic journey than in the tranquil confines of Venerable White's holiday residence?
Zenith Heaven Emperor, Song Shuhang, Venerable White, and the rest of the cast gathered on the scenic grounds of the residence. They were greeted by an air of excitement and an array of cameras, props, and equipment.
As the crew busied themselves with setting up, Zenith Heaven Emperor marveled at the attention to detail and the sheer scale of the production. It was as if their script had manifested into a living, breathing world before their very eyes.
"Behold, my friends! We stand on the precipice of greatness," Zenith Heaven Emperor declared, his voice resonating with enthusiasm. "We shall capture the essence of our characters and transport our audience to realms both familiar and extraordinary!"
And so, the cameras started rolling, capturing every nuance of the scenes unfolding before them. Song Shuhang, in his role as Evil Senior Brother, executed intricate fight sequences, constantly pummeling Senior White with an unrelenting barrage of blows, much to the amusement of the onlookers.
"Place your bets, place your bets! How long will Shuhang survive before meeting his demise, because of what he did to Senior White?" exclaimed Northern River's Loose Cultivator, donning a mischievous grin. "I say he won't last more than a day!"
The others laughed and joined in the friendly banter, eager to stake their predictions. One by one, they placed their bets, their voices filled with jest and camaraderie.
"I bet he'll make it through today, but tomorrow his luck will run out," said True Monarch Yellow Mountain, his voice laced with mirth.
"I beg to differ! Shuhang is tougher than he looks. He'll survive for at least three days," countered Young Master Phoenix Slayer, his eyes twinkling with confidence.
The group erupted in laughter, each member convinced that their prediction held the key to Shuhang's fate. Meanwhile, on the set, the fight sequences continued, with Shuhang unleashing an unrelenting barrage of blows upon Senior White.
Song Shuhang, fully immersed in his role as Senior Brother Gao Sheng, displayed remarkable skill and agility as he executed intricate fight sequences. His punches, kicks, and mystical techniques were met with graceful dodges and counterattacks from Senior White, who played his part with an equal measure of skill and finesse.