King of Involution, Seven Stars

Chapter 23: 23 King of Involution · Seven Stars!

Seeing this reply message, Zhang Guangmu suddenly felt the atmosphere was a bit strange.

Could the Big Bald Head still want to take him as a son?

Zhang Guangmu shivered, sent a mooncake emoji to play it off, and quickly @Li Xiaoxiao and Director Qian in the group.

It was a simple summon, with no additional words.

[Li Xiaoxiao Who Was Cried On]: Don't expect any red envelopes from Director Qian, no chance! I received news that Director Qian was arrested not long after he finished messaging you. He's drinking tea at the police station right now! [Funny.jpg]

This kind of situation is quite normal.

Zhang Guangmu had actually anticipated it long ago.

After all, the Subconscious Film World construction had strict grading standards.

Worlds with transcendent powers had to be reported in advance, and both the world construction and the actor list needed to be approved before filming could begin.

In "Endless Food Bag," the Super Recovery ability that everyone had was a typical transcendent ability.

It was impossible for someone in the Real World to recover after being shot by a burst of bullets just by having surgery and sleeping.

Originally, this was just Director Qian's hidden setting, but Zhang Guangmu not only consciously used it after discovering it, but also used it extensively!

Once this drama gained traction, Director Qian's non-compliant world settings could no longer be hidden.

Fines were standard procedure, and that was just the basic. The poor Director Qian Yiyuan would have to stay in jail for at least a few months and probably wouldn't be out anytime soon.

However...

For Director Qian Yiyuan, going to jail was commonplace. He was very experienced, and returning there felt as familiar as going home. Who knows, he might even have a burst of inspiration and write excellent new works?

After all, the outside world was too impetuous, which was not conducive to him calming down.

[Changhe Guangmu]: Understood, hope he's okay. [Mooncake Pensive.jpg] But... @Li Xiaoxiao Who Was Cried On, good brother, did you forget something?

Li Xiaoxiao seemed to have been lurking, and quickly replied with three messages: "I want to cry but have no tears..."

"Good brother, no need to say more, I already know what you want to say."

"But the problem is, like you, I'm also a pauper."

"This is true!"

"I have money at home, but all the money belongs to that man, not me!"

As if feeling that her words might be a bit negative, Li Xiaoxiao immediately withdrew the last message and quickly changed the subject.

"@Changhe Guangmu, right, I heard you've been trying to get new roles recently?"

"Your last play involved torture and self-sacrifice, yet you didn't seem to have any psychological trauma..."

"Have you completely recovered now?"

"I received news that the 'Real Director' is starting a new drama in a few days. If your condition is right, I can help you secure a new role!"

"Although it's highly likely to be an unnamed Extra, having a role is better than nothing, right!"

"Who knows, maybe this time you can make a comeback like in 'Endless Food Bag' and get another excellent evaluation!"

"I believe in your abilities!"

Li Xiaoxiao, imitating Zhang Guangmu's speech from "Endless Food Bag," quickly concluded: "Food Bucket Xiaoxiao, my word is my bond! [Serious Face.jpg]"

Just from this message, Zhang Guangmu could tell that Li Xiaoxiao's relationship with his Dad was probably not very harmonious.

The image of a rebellious youth clashing with his family instantly formed in Zhang Guangmu's mind.

However, upon hearing Li Xiaoxiao could help him get a new role, Zhang Guangmu's eyes lit up.

He was currently a one-star Subconscious Actor, with a base salary of one hundred Dragon Shields. If he performed a little better, he could earn even more!

"Real Director..."

Zhang Guangmu fell into thought: "This nickname should belong to that director surnamed Sun, right?"

"I remember that person's commercial films always had good results and reputation, with extremely meticulous details and a low rate of negative reviews."

In the Xuanlong Empire, malicious review manipulation was illegal. Once detected by AI big data, the involved parties would be sent to prison. The system was highly efficient.

Therefore, directors with a low rate of negative reviews in their careers generally possessed some real talent.

So Zhang Guangmu quickly seized the topic: "Xiaoxiao, my good brother! You're reliable at crucial moments!"

"It's settled then!"

"I'm counting on you to connect me with the new play!"

"Others take six months for one role, I'll take a new role every week!"

"Before becoming the Subconscious Film Emperor, I will eliminate other competitors as the King of Involution and ascend to the throne!"

In the Xuanlong Empire, the vast majority of people lived without pressure. Even relying solely on Social Welfare, having enough to eat and wear was not a problem.

However...

Class solidification was also severe in the Xuanlong Empire.

For Empire citizens who want to advance, their primary path is through Subconscious Movies, engaging in related work like actors, directors, scriptwriters, and crew members to achieve social mobility!

In Zhang Guangmu's opinion, the most interesting part is...

The Imperial Royal Family hosts an annual event, colloquially known as "The Path of the Great Emperor," a Subconscious Film Festival. This event claims to be open to all citizens, stating that anyone can sign up to participate.

However, this is not entirely true.

Those who are too young, for instance, must wait a few more years; they cannot pass the age review.

And individuals without even a one-star rating will find it extremely difficult to register. Even if they manage to register, they will be assigned cannon fodder roles with a near-zero chance of success.

In Zhang Guangmu's view, "The Path of the Great Emperor" is akin to the ancient Imperial Examination and the modern Gaokao – a thousand soldiers crossing a single-plank bridge.

Every year, some people soar to success through it, while others are utterly ruined, their reputations shattered. Some even choose to end their own lives due to the unbearable psychological pressure.

The acting profession in the Subconscious Film industry faces immense competition and severe internal strife.

But...

Compared to other industries, the compensation for Subconscious Actors is outrageously high!

Every star-rated Subconscious Actor is bestowed with various privileges.

Take Zhang Guangmu as an example. Before he participated in "Endless Food Bag," if he wanted to leave Shangyang Commandery to find a role elsewhere, he had to wait in line for half an hour before boarding a Flying Car.

After acting and being rated as a one-star Subconscious Actor by the Empire, Zhang Guangmu didn't even need to cut in line. He could directly use the exclusive channel for Subconscious Actors and didn't have to wait a single second.

Therefore...

Most Subconscious Actors live very comfortable lives. Generally, Empire-certified star-rated Subconscious Actors don't need to take on jobs frequently.

It takes time for scriptwriters to write scripts.

It takes time for directors to construct Film Worlds.

Regular actors, unlike Zhang Guangmu who was in urgent need of money, usually arrange their schedules with production companies in advance, or they might be meticulous, waiting for a good script and a few excellent co-stars.

The members of the [Endless Food Bucket Group] all know that what Zhang Guangmu just said was definitely nonsense.

Even if he didn't care about his reputation and was willing to film bad movies for quick money, it was unlikely he could complete one movie a week.

The industry's competitive pressure was evident.

Newly entered Subconscious Actors, even if they wanted to work themselves to the bone, trading their youth and health for a chance to make it big, could only find ways in other aspects. For example, by honing their skills and developing towards a specific Subconscious Sequence.

Take the [Warrior] Sequence, for instance. First, in reality, one must possess "Courage," which is a talent or trait. Although it can be cultivated later, only a very few can achieve it. Second, one needs to master formidable unarmed and armed combat skills.

A Subconscious Actor, after assembling these three "necessary puzzle pieces" and having a certain number of representative works, is usually deemed a qualified [Warrior] Sequence actor.

As for increasing the frequency of taking roles...

One role per month or so is about the limit for those who are truly competitive.

If the frequency of participating in Subconscious Films is too high, even if the actor dares to take the role, the Director might not dare to use them.

If an actor were to go insane or develop a split personality due to taking roles too frequently and something went wrong, the responsible Director would definitely be invited for tea by the Relevant department.

Professions related to Subconscious Films all carry risks, and among them, being a Director is a high-risk occupation.

After closing the chat group, Zhang Guangmu felt much better, no longer as anxious as before.

Even the NBA in the 21st century has the phenomenon of playing Brother Basketball, so he could also make Brother Films!

What's wrong with getting roles through friends?

This is called having a wide network!

Three days later, Zhang Guangmu was picked up by a special car from Shangyang Commandery and arrived at the filming location.

There was no audition process.

Filming of Subconscious Films doesn't require that.

During this process, Zhang Guangmu didn't spend a single Dragon Shield; the crew covered his travel expenses.

This is a perk for a one-star Subconscious Actor in a large crew.

After getting out of the car, Zhang Guangmu looked up and saw a Skyscraper that pierced the clouds.

This building had no LOGO or any markings. Its entire body was colored in gray, silver, blue, and white, giving it a highly futuristic feel. He didn't know how many floors it had; even looking as far as his eyes could see, he couldn't spot the top.

"Zhang Guangmu! Over here!"

A familiar voice sounded from not far away. Zhang Guangmu followed the sound and saw Li Xiaoxiao waving at him from the entrance.

He quickly walked over: "You came specifically to pick me up? Good brother, that's loyal!"

Li Xiaoxiao's face was full of disdain: "Stop flattering yourself. I don't want to be worked to death by guys like you, so I took this role too."

Zhang Guangmu blinked and retorted: "So you're just a connection-seeker, huh?"

Didn't this kid have a bad relationship with his father?

Could this be the legendary double standard?

Calling for his good dad when he needs help, but calling him an old man when he doesn't need him?

"Nonsense!"

Li Xiaoxiao was ashamed and angry, and punched him directly: "You guy, you just love talking nonsense!"

"I'm an Empire certified two-star Subconscious Actor, I've had a few works with good performances, and I'm one of the seven Supernovas this year. Do you think everyone is a pure newcomer like you?"

The term Supernova is also known as the [Seven Stars list], and a new batch is replaced every year.

Zhang Guangmu naturally knew this.

The so-called Seven Stars list was not chosen by the Audience online based on Popularity, but was a list calculated by the Empire's Super AI Intelligence. It completely disregarded the fame of the New generation actor, and only judged based on the overall quality and quantity of their works.

Although Li Xiaoxiao's personal strength was strong, and apart from the "Endless Food Bag", his previous performances had always been excellent, his number of films was not advantageous.

Among the seven Supernovas, Li Xiaoxiao ranked sixth, which was not safe.

This awkward position, if it happened during the New Year when the Supernova list was refreshed, Li Xiaoxiao's possibility of being replaced was quite high.

That's why Li Xiaoxiao said those words just now.

He was genuinely worried about being squeezed out of a spot by the Ruthless persons and Liver Emperors of the same period.

After all...

The title of [Seven Stars] was only given to the Annual newcomer, and if you missed it, you missed it forever.

Moreover, this title was by no means just a nice-sounding name!

"Understood."

Zhang Guangmu said, and then suddenly asked: "How long until the New Year?"

Li Xiaoxiao took two steps back, squinted his eyes, and guarded: "What for?"

"Still want New Year's money?"

Giving this Miser a look of disdain, Zhang Guangmu answered his own question: "It's probably too late for the third film."

"At least, after finishing this film, there should be no problem."

Hearing this, Li Xiaoxiao, who shared the same taste as Zhang Guangmu, finally followed his train of thought: "I think I understand what you mean..."

"You're not thinking of squeezing into this year's Seven Stars list, are you?"

Li Xiaoxiao couldn't help but laugh.

These two chapters are 6000 words!

Ho ho ho~

Ran Lengguang has indeed been working hard lately. In the past, this would have been a solid three chapters...

If I add more on top of this, wouldn't that be ten thousand words a day?

Thanks to Where is my dried fish for rewarding One Mooncake with One Chicken drumstick (100 Points)!

Thanks to Don't Grab My Pine Nuts for rewarding Zhang Guangmu with One Chicken drumstick (100 Points)!

Thanks to Moyu Xingyuan for rewarding Zhang Guangmu with One Chicken drumstick (100 Points)!

Thanks to LZHI for the 100 Points!

Thanks to You Mingyunsheng for the 100 Points!

Thanks to One Says One for rewarding Su Qiangwei with One Chicken drumstick (100 Points)!

Thanks for the support!

Hehe (▽)~

Little Friends, see you tomorrow!