19 Return!

Just hearing that rough and heroic voice, Zhang Guangmu knew who was talking to him.

He turned around and indeed saw a huge bald head.

It was Zhao Zhengrong, the actor who played the role of Boss Zhao, the first generation leader of the Changhe Survivor Camp, in the film "Endless Food Bag," and a senior with the nickname "Newcomer Crusher"!

The other party was tall and burly, with firm and full muscles glistening with oil, piled on his body like steel armor, stretching the black Tang suit he was wearing. He was like a humanoid Gundam, ten times more imposing than in the movie, clearly a tough guy with a long-term fitness habit.

No!

Such a perversely muscular tough guy couldn't be explained away by a simple "has a fitness habit"!

To forge a physique that makes the audience feel he could tear apart tanks with his bare hands, one would have to maintain a masochistic lifestyle year after year!

Innate talent, scientific diet, professional logistics team, schedule precise to the minute, ultra-high-intensity training...

Too many factors, you'd need a checklist to explain the details.

People with empty pockets simply couldn't maintain such a powerful physique!

Zhang Guangmu couldn't help but gasp inwardly.

No wonder Director Qian weakened this character's state in the film...

Otherwise, with his monstrously powerful physique, small-caliber bullets wouldn't be able to penetrate his body.

If he hadn't been weakened, Boss Zhao could have directly crushed Chu Fan amidst a hail of bullets, leaving no room for Zhang Guangmu to show off his skills.

So...

The reason why the famous "Newcomer Crusher" Zhao Zhengrong met such a hasty end was found – it was all Director Qian's fault, directly nerfing Boss Zhao from T1 level to T5 level.

With such a negative effect, if Boss Zhao could still defeat the Plot Protagonist Chu Fan, it would truly be a ghost's work!

Before, during filming, Zhang Guangmu thought that if he upgraded his [Imperial Body Forging Technique] to level 2, he might be able to go toe-to-toe with Zhao Zhengrong.

Now, looking at the other man, and then at his own scrawny arms and legs, he suddenly realized that there was indeed a tiny gap between them.

"A ruthless man..."

Praising the other party inwardly, Zhang Guangmu grinned and said cheerfully, "Brother Zhao, you've already seen my profile?"

"It's nothing, really. I have a genetic disease, but there's no need to wear a long, bitter face."

"I'm still young, and my death at 25 is still a long way off."

"Besides, Radiation Sickness isn't an incurable disease; it can be treated with surgery, right?"

The main reason he dared to say such things was because he had a cheat.

Zhang Guangmu knew his place.

Compared to other Subconscious Actors, he was mediocre, with no advantages other than a high pain tolerance.

The only reason he dared to speak so arrogantly was the existence of the Book of Acting.

Boss Zhao looked at Zhang Guangmu. "So, your next goal is to work hard at acting and save up enough for the surgery..."

Mid-sentence, Zhang Guangmu decisively snatched the final interpretation of the topic. "That's right! My next goal is to become a Subconscious Film Emperor!"

Zhao Zhengrong, who had been led astray, twitched his mouth and looked at Zhang Guangmu with an expression that said, "Are you kidding me?"

Someone who wasn't even a one-star...

Alright! Because he had contributed an excellent work, Zhang Guangmu was now a one-star Subconscious Actor recognized by the Empire!

But so what? He was still worlds away from being a Film Emperor!

This youth truly had courage...

Unaware of Zhao Zhengrong's strange gaze, Zhang Guangmu was full of confidence at this moment.

Getting cured was just a small goal.

A mere fifty thousand Dragon Shield for surgery? That was something anyone with hands could do!

A true man aims for the stars!

He, Zhang Guangmu, was destined to become a Subconscious Film Emperor!

"Hoo..."

Zhao Zhengrong quickly adjusted his mood and raised an eyebrow. Unfortunately, he had no eyebrows, and his bare brow ridge twitched, giving him the terrifying appearance of a condemned man. "I think I understand now why you acted the way you did in 'Endless Food Bag'."

"Qian Yiyuan, Li Xiaoxiao, and Chu Fan all have a very high opinion of you."

"Seeing you in person now..."

"You are indeed someone worth befriending."

His teeth were neat and white, completely different from the yellow-toothed image in the movie. He looked clean and sharp, giving the impression of boundless energy.

Zhang Guangmu was stunned when he heard this.

Director Qian's appreciation was understandable. After all, the film 'Endless Food Bag' seemed to have turned out well because of him. Apart from the disappointment of the personal fans of certain washed-up celebrities, most of the audience liked it. The positive reviews were high, and the word-of-mouth was gradually spreading.

Li Xiaoxiao's attitude was also somewhat understandable. After all, they were brothers who had shot at each other on the battlefield. The friendship between men was sometimes that pure.

Chu Fan had a high opinion of him?

Zhang Guangmu was completely bewildered.

Could that person have developed a complex from being abused?

Hostage complex?

Had he developed Stockholm Syndrome?

This was a psychological illness; he needed to get treatment quickly!

While Zhang Guangmu was baffled by Chu Fan's attitude, Zhao Zhengrong, from a professional standpoint as a seasoned Subconscious Actor, seriously assessed the youth before him.

Firstly, the youth's temperament was unstable, and his subconscious type was difficult to solidify. Having only acted in one film, it was hard to judge his subconscious strength and type for now. It could only be said that his potential was high, and he had a promising future.

Secondly, in terms of appearance, Zhang Guangmu was quite distinctive within the acting circle, where handsome men and beautiful women were a dime a dozen.

His features were regular, his contours clear, and his eyes pure. He was a natural for acting.

Originally, Zhang Guangmu's handsomeness wasn't a significant advantage in the industry.

The key was...

Due to a genetic disease, Zhang Guangmu's skin had a sickly pale complexion. It also made the capillaries in the thinner areas of his skin exceptionally visible, with the corners of his eyes always slightly reddened, making him look as if he had been crying. He appeared like a crystal vase that would shatter at the slightest touch.

With this added detail, he possessed a unique facial characteristic.

Finally, from Zhao Zhengrong's perspective, if Zhang Guangmu's personality wasn't so "special," he could easily achieve success by taking on more roles as pitiful, tragic characters.

"If you need anything, just call me in the group chat."

Zhao Zhengrong collected his thoughts and nodded to Zhang Guangmu, "I'll help you as much as I can where I'm able."

With that, he turned and left decisively.

The Bald Strongman, whose physique was like a small mountain, strode with powerful steps, creating a gust of wind as he moved.

Zhang Guangmu was almost knocked off his feet by the wind.

"Sigh, this sickly body... it's really underperforming!"

Zhang Guangmu was very dissatisfied with his current health status. "Next time I get 'Usable Ability Points,' I must add them to the [Imperial Body Forging Technique] to strengthen my body."

While others like Boss Zhao had directors weaken their character templates when acting, he was the complete opposite.

He didn't know when he would reach Boss Zhao's level...

The good news was, just as Zhang Guangmu had predicted, the points added through the [Book of Acting] were not only effective in the Film World but also in the Real World.

He could clearly feel that he had mastered firearms shooting skills that would normally take a normal person at least ten years of training!

And...

Certain body parts related to firearms also underwent subtle changes.

For instance, hand stability was enhanced.

Vision also improved slightly compared to before, making distant objects appear clearer.

Adding points through the "Book of Acting" clearly didn't just provide experience and knowledge; it could also affect the body simultaneously!

"If only I had ten thousand Available Ability Points, then... never mind, no more dreaming."

Zhang Guangmu immediately cut off his own fantasy, deciding to stay grounded and proceed one step at a time.

Withdraw money, buy cat food, and take the flying car home!

For a journey of over a thousand kilometers, the fare cost one Dragon Shield.

A month's supply of cat food cost one Dragon Shield.

A treat for himself also cost one Dragon Shield.

After getting off the Magnetic Levitation Flying Car, Zhang Guangmu walked along a tree-lined path filled with pastoral scenery, unable to resist complaining again about the Empire's distorted prices.

Survival necessities were almost free, while everything related to enjoyment had inflated to a point that made normal humans recoil in fear.

Take, for example, the candied hawthorn skewer Zhang Guangmu was currently eating...

It only had three bright red hawthorns and a bit of syrup, yet the seller dared to charge him one Dragon Shield, unafraid of consumers reporting them to the relevant authorities for consumer rights protection.

Was this eating for enjoyment? No, it was the feeling of heartache!

Along the way, all that met the eye were standardized Poplar cabins with one bedroom and one bathroom, and lush pine forests.

When the wind blew, the air was filled with the scent of grass and trees.

Zhang Guangmu happily finished his candied hawthorn and, having just walked through "Songmu Street," arrived at "Poplar Street."

Just as its name suggested, the residential houses on both sides of this street were all single-room Poplar cabins with only one bedroom.

And the place where Zhang Guangmu lived was such a small ten-square-meter house.

Arriving at his doorstep, he raised his personal terminal, which resembled a black jade bracelet, and a blue light emanated from the wooden door.

A mechanical voice immediately sounded in Zhang Guangmu's ear: "Household 001, welcome home! Household 002 has been waiting for you for a long time!"

Every time he came home, Zhang Guangmu couldn't help but want to complain.

Does the Xuanlong Empire lack that bit of black technology for house building?

No!

The Empire lacks nothing; it has merely created a "Treatment Grading System" in every aspect of life, providing citizens with the motivation to work hard and strive upwards.

"Meow!"

Household 002, with its messy fur, stood proudly on top of the bookshelf, small bleeding wounds faintly visible on its body.

It glanced at Zhang Guangmu, then turned its head and flung a dark, lumpy object in front of the Household 001.

Two chapters today, over 6200 words! Hmph!

I've gotten stronger!

Thanks to Sprite Chicken for the reward of 122 points!

Thanks to The masses who love to eat sweet potatoes for the reward of a chicken drumstick to Zhang Guangmu!

Thanks to Swimming Fish 6 for the reward of 100 points!

Thanks to Where is my dried fish for the reward of 100 points!

Thanks for the support!

(▽)!

Little friends, see you tomorrow! (Super loud)