Chapter 23: 23 King of Involution Stars!
Seeing this return message, Zhang Guangmu suddenly felt that the atmosphere was strange.
Could Big Bald Head be trying to take him in as a son?
Zhang Guangmu shuddered, sent a Mooncake sticker to muddle through, and hurriedly @-mentioned Li Xiaoxiao and Director Qian in the group.
It was just a summons, with nothing added afterward.
"Li Xiaoxiao Who Was Cried On: Don't count on Director Qian's red envelope—there's no chance! I just got word that Director Qian was arrested not long after messaging you. He's currently at the Police Station drinking tea! Funny.jpg"
Such a situation was perfectly normal.
Zhang Guangmu had actually expected it.
After all, the construction of Subconscious Film Worlds was subject to strict classification standards.
Worlds possessing Supernatural Power had to be reported in advance. The world setting and cast list could only begin filming after passing review.
In Endless Food Bag, the Super Recovery everyone possessed was a typical example of Transcendent ability.
It was impossible for someone in the Real World to be shot with a whole magazine, undergo surgery, sleep for a night, and then recover.
This had originally just been a hidden setting created by Director Qian. But after Zhang Guangmu discovered it, he not only used it deliberately—he used it extensively!
Once the film's popularity rose, Director Qian's illegal world settings could no longer stay hidden.
A fine was standard procedure, merely the beginning. Poor Director Qian Yiyuan would probably have to spend at least several months in prison. He likely wouldn't be getting out anytime soon.
However...
For Director Qian Yiyuan, going to prison was nothing unusual. He had plenty of experience. Returning there was like returning home—perhaps he would even be overflowing with inspiration and write some excellent new works.
After all, the outside world was too restless for him to calm down.
"Changhe Guangmu: Got it. Hope he's all right. Mooncake pondering.jpg But... @Li Xiaoxiao Who Was Cried On, good brother, did you forget something?"
Li Xiaoxiao seemed to have been lurking in the chat all along. He quickly sent three messages: "Crying without tears..."
"Good brother, no need to say more. I already know what you want to say."
"But the problem is, I'm just as broke as you are."
"That's absolutely true!"
"My family has money, but it all belongs to that man. None of it is mine!"
Seemingly realizing that his words might be spreading negative energy, Li Xiaoxiao immediately withdrew the last message and shifted the topic at lightning speed.
"@Changhe Guangmu, by the way, I heard you've been trying to get cast in a new film recently?"
"In your last film, you were tortured and even performed Self-Sacrifice, yet you somehow didn't develop any psychological trauma..."
"Have you fully recovered by now?"
"I heard that the Real Director will begin filming a new production in a few days. If you're in suitable condition, I can try to help you get a new role!"
"Although it'll most likely be a nameless Extra, having a role is still better than having none, right?"
"Maybe you can make a comeback this time just like in Endless Food Bag, rise to the top, and earn another excellent rating!"
"I believe in your abilities!"
Imitating what Zhang Guangmu had said in Endless Food Bag, Li Xiaoxiao quickly concluded: "Bucket Xiaoxiao keeps his word! Serious face.jpg"
Just from reading that passage, Zhang Guangmu knew that Li Xiaoxiao's relationship with his father was probably rather poor.
The image of a rebellious teenager who had fallen out with his family instantly took shape in Zhang Guangmu's mind.
However, when he heard that Li Xiaoxiao could help him get a new role, Zhang Guangmu's eyes lit up.
He was now a one-star Subconscious Actor. His base pay alone was one hundred Dragon Shields, and if he performed even slightly well, he could earn more!
"Real Director..."
Zhang Guangmu fell into thought. "That nickname should refer to that director surnamed Sun, right?"
"If I remember correctly, that man's commercial films have always done well in both results and reputation. His attention to detail is exceptional, and his rate of bad reviews remains relatively low."
In the Xuanlong Empire, malicious review manipulation was illegal. Once the AI big data detected signs of it, the relevant people involved had to go sit in prison. The efficiency was extremely high.
Therefore, directors with low career bad-review rates generally had genuine skills of their own.
Zhang Guangmu immediately latched onto the topic. "Xiaoxiao good brother! You really are reliable at crucial moments!"
"Then it's settled!"
"I'll be counting on you to make the connection for this new film!"
"Other people get one film every six months, while I get a new role every week!"
"Before becoming a Subconscious Film Emperor, I'll take on the identity of the King of Involution, defeat the other competitors, and ascend to the divine throne!"
In the Xuanlong Empire, the vast majority of people lived without any pressure. Even relying solely on social welfare, they had no problem eating their fill and staying warm.
But...
Class stratification was just as severe in the Xuanlong Empire.
If Empire citizens wanted to advance, they basically had to rely on Subconscious Films. Only by working as actors, directors, screenwriters, or crew members could they achieve Class Promotion!
In Zhang Guangmu's view, the most interesting part was...
Every year, the Imperial Royal Family held a Subconscious Film Festival that people jokingly called The Path of the Great Emperor. The event claimed to involve everyone and announced that anyone could sign up to act.
In reality, that wasn't the case.
At the very least, those who were too young had to wait several more years. They could not pass the review.
As for those without even a one-star rating, it was basically impossible for them to register. Even if they succeeded, they would be assigned cannon-fodder roles with a chance of turning things around infinitely close to zero.
In Zhang Guangmu's view, The Path of the Great Emperor was equivalent to the ancient Imperial Examination and the modern Gaokao—a single-plank bridge crossed by thousands upon thousands of soldiers and horses.
Every year, some people used it to soar into the heavens, while others fell to pieces, ruined their reputations, and even chose to take their own lives because they could not withstand the psychological pressure.
The profession of Subconscious Actor had immense competitive pressure, and the involution was severe.
But...
Compared with other industries, the treatment of Subconscious Actors was absurdly good!
Every star-rated Subconscious Actor enjoyed all kinds of privileges.
Take Zhang Guangmu, for example. Before he appeared in Endless Food Bag, if he wanted to leave Shangyang Commandery and travel far away to look for a role, he had to wait in line for half an hour before boarding a flying car.
After acting in the film and being rated as an Empire one-star Subconscious Actor, Zhang Guangmu no longer even needed to cut in line. He could directly use the exclusive channel for Subconscious Actors without waiting a single second.
So...
Most Subconscious Actors lived very comfortably. Under normal circumstances, Empire-certified star-rated Subconscious Actors had no need to accept roles frequently.
Screenwriters needed time to write scripts.
Directors needed time to construct Film Worlds.
Ordinary actors weren't as desperate for money as Zhang Guangmu. Most arranged their schedules with production companies in advance, or pursued perfection, waiting for a good script and several excellent scene partners.
The members of the Endless Food Bucket Group all knew that what Zhang Guangmu had just said was certainly nonsense.
Even if he didn't care about his reputation and was willing to make bad films for quick money, it was still unlikely that he could make one film a week.
The industry's competitive pressure was right there.
Newly initiated Subconscious Actors, even if they wanted to fight desperately and exchange their youth and health for success, could only find ways to work harder in other areas—for example, honing their abilities and developing toward a fixed Subconscious Sequence.
Take the warrior sequence. First, one had to possess "courage" in reality. That was a talent, and although it could be cultivated later, very few people could accomplish it. Second, one needed to master formidable unarmed and weapon-based combat skills.
Only after a Subconscious Actor had gathered these three "necessary pieces of the puzzle" and accumulated a certain number of representative works would they generally be judged qualified for the warrior sequence.
As for increasing the frequency of accepting roles...
One role a month was more or less the limit that the King of Involution types could achieve.
If the frequency of appearing in Subconscious Films was too high, then even if an actor dared to accept the roles, a director might not dare to use them.
If an actor developed a mental disorder or Split Personality from accepting roles too frequently and something went wrong, the responsible director would definitely be invited to the Relevant department for tea.
Professions related to Subconscious Films all carried risks. Among them, being a director was an especially high-risk occupation.
After closing the chat group, Zhang Guangmu felt refreshed and was no longer as anxious as before.
Even the NBA in the twenty-first century had people playing Brother Basketball. He could make Brother films too!
So what if he relied on friends to get roles?
That was called having extensive connections!
Three days later, Zhang Guangmu was picked up by a private vehicle and taken out of Shangyang Commandery to the filming location.
There was no audition.
The filming of Subconscious Films did not require one.
During the process, Zhang Guangmu did not spend even half a Dragon Shield. The production crew covered the travel expenses.
A one-star Subconscious Actor still received this bit of welfare in a major production.
After getting out of the car, Zhang Guangmu raised his head and saw a skyscraper stretching straight into the clouds.
The building had no logo or signage. Its entire body displayed four colors—gray, silver, blue, and white—giving it an intensely futuristic appearance. He had no idea how many floors it had; even when he looked as far as he could, he couldn't see the top.
"Zhang Guangmu! Over here!"
A familiar voice sounded nearby. Zhang Guangmu looked over and saw Li Xiaoxiao waving at him from the entrance.
He hurried over. "You even came to pick me up personally? Good brother, that's really loyal of you!"
Li Xiaoxiao wore a look of disgust. "Don't flatter yourself. I just don't want to be worked to death by someone like you, so I accepted this film too."
Zhang Guangmu blinked and mocked him. "So you really are a connection hire?"
Wasn't this kid on bad terms with his father?
Could this be the legendary double standard?
When he needed help, he called him "good dad," but when he didn't need him, he called him "that old man" every other sentence?
"Don't talk nonsense!"
Li Xiaoxiao became embarrassed and furious, punching him directly. "You really do love spouting nonsense!"
"I'm an Empire-certified two-star Subconscious Actor, after all. I've also had several works with decent performances, and I'm one of this year's Seven Stars. Do you think everyone is a complete newcomer like you?"
The term "supernova" was also known as the Seven Stars. A new group was selected every year.
Naturally, Zhang Guangmu knew this.
The so-called Seven Stars were not selected by the audience based on online popularity. Instead, the list was calculated by the Empire's Super AI Intelligence. It completely disregarded the fame of new-generation actors and ranked them solely according to the overall quality and quantity of their works.
Although Li Xiaoxiao's personal ability was fairly strong and his performance before Endless Food Bag had always been excellent, the number of films he had made was not an advantage at all.
Among the seven supernovas, Li Xiaoxiao ranked sixth, which was far from secure.
If this awkward middle position happened to coincide with the renewal of the supernova list around the New Year, there was still a considerable chance that someone would replace Li Xiaoxiao.
That was why Li Xiaoxiao had said those things earlier.
He was genuinely worried that ruthless competitors and Liver Emperors from his cohort would work him out of his spot.
After all...
The title of Seven Stars was awarded only to that year's newcomers. Missing the opportunity meant missing it forever.
Moreover, the title was far more than something that merely sounded good!
"Understood."
As Zhang Guangmu spoke, he suddenly asked, "How long until the New Year?"
Li Xiaoxiao took two steps back, narrowed his eyes, and watched him warily. "What for?"
"Are you asking for New Year's money again?"
After giving the miser a disdainful look, Zhang Guangmu answered his own question. "Looks like I won't make it in time for a third film."
"At least there shouldn't be any problem after I finish this film."
Hearing this, Li Xiaoxiao, whose tastes matched Zhang Guangmu's perfectly, finally caught up with his train of thought. "I think I understand what you mean..."
"You're not planning to squeeze into this year's Seven Stars list, are you?"
Li Xiaoxiao couldn't help laughing.
These two chapters were six thousand words!
Ho ho ho~
Ran Lengguang really has been working hard lately. In the past, this would absolutely have been three updates...
If I added more on top of that, wouldn't it become ten thousand words a day?
Thanks to Where is my dried fish for rewarding Mooncake with a fried chicken drumstick (100 points)!
Thanks to Don't Grab My Pine Nuts for rewarding Zhang Guangmu with a fried chicken drumstick (100 points)!
Thanks to Moyu Xingyuan for rewarding Zhang Guangmu with a fried chicken drumstick (100 points)!
Thanks to LZHI for the 100-point reward!
Thanks to You Mingyunsheng for the 100-point reward!
Thanks to One Says One for rewarding Su Qiangwei with a fried chicken drumstick (100 points)!
Thanks for the support!
Hehe (▽)~
See you tomorrow, everyone!
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