Act One: Senior Brother Gao Sheng Makes His Entrance

Song Shuhang: "Your sect is actually Daoist Religion?" So, this Foreign Monk is actually a foreign Daoist priest?

"Yes... Actually, before I came to China, I always hoped to become a high monk at Shaolin. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, I ended up joining Daoist Religion. But even now, I still have a heart that yearns for Buddhism," the Foreign Monk said with a determined expression.

He sighed halfway through his sentence, "Unfortunately, my master taught me swordsmanship, his mental cultivation methods were Daoist Religion, and the robes he gave me were also Daoist robes."

When Song Shuhang heard the Foreign Monk's words, he inexplicably felt a sense of kinship.

Unlike the Foreign Monk, he aspired to be a handsome Confucian School disciple or Daoist Religion cultivator. He wanted to practice swordsmanship—but by a twist of fate, his initial training was in Buddhist School, and the robe he received was a kasaya. He had almost no talent in swordsmanship, but his talent for knife skills was off the charts.

"I understand how you feel." Song Shuhang said with deep feeling, "I'm the opposite of you. I'm determined to become Confucian Sect practitioner or a Daoist Religion cultivator, but most of the cultivation methods I practice are Buddhist School, my specialty is swordsmanship, and what I obtained is Jade-Green Kasaya ... wait?"

When Song Shuhang arrived here, he paused for a moment.

The Foreign Monk's eyes lit up as he stood before him, and the two then exchanged a glance.

Then, the two quietly moved to a corner of the hall.

The Foreign Monk pointed to the handsome blue Daoist robe he was wearing and introduced it, "This robe was obtained by my master, Wuyinzi, during his youthful adventures. It's considered a rare item even among Second-Grade robes. It's woven from the silk of the spirit beast 'Golden Spider,' making it incredibly lightweight. Wearing it, one is impervious to swords and blades, and even without activating the defensive array, it can withstand bullets from small arms fire. And if the array is activated, one can move freely through a hail of bullets. In addition, this robe comes with a 'Tortoise Breath Formation,' which, when activated, protects one from the effects of poisonous fog! I named it the 'Golden Bell Shield Daoist Robe'!"

Fortunately, Wuyinzi didn't know this name, otherwise he would have been spitting blood.

Song Shuhang took out Jade-Green Kasaya from the 'Inch-Shrinking Bag' in his bosom and introduced it, "This kasaya is also Second-Grade, mid-level rare defensive kasaya, made of Jade Silkworm Silk from a spirit beast. It is impervious to water and fire, and impervious to swords and spears. Wearing it, even without activating its defensive formation, can stop small gun bullets. With the defense activated, you can move through a hail of bullets as if you were in an empty place! Not only that, it also has a combination lock anti-theft function. Once you put it on, you can't take it off without the password. Even the masters of the 'Empty Thieves' Sect' cannot unlock it!"

The two exchanged a knowing smile.

"Excellent, excellent!" The Foreign Monk clasped his hands together.

"Wonderful, wonderful." Song Shuhang smiled.

Then, without hesitation, the Foreign Monk took off his "Golden Bell Shield Daoist Robe" and handed it to Song Shuhang. Underneath the robe, he was wearing Buddhist Sect monk's robes... only missing a kasaya!

Song Shuhang also handed over the 'Jade-Green Kasaya' and told the Foreign Monk the password to unlock it.

The two completed a satisfactory transaction.

After the transaction was completed, the Foreign Monk asked curiously, "My benefactor, I've heard along the way that Mr. Jacob is coming to make a movie for someone... What is your relationship with the investor of this movie?"

"Well, I guess I'd say I'm an investor," Song Shuhang replied with a smile.

"My benefactor, do you need any extra roles in your movies? Could I play one too?" the Foreign Monk asked.

"You want to play a minor role?" Song Shuhang thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up.

He was about to play the role of the "Gao Sheng" senior brother. He had an idea in his mind... Once the show started, as long as his "acting skills were not good enough", he could pass the blame for the role of the "Senior Brother Gao Sheng to other fellow cultivators.

However, it's estimated that none of the senior members in the 'Nine Provinces Number One Group' would want to play this role.

In that case, the Foreign Monk's arrival was perfectly timed?

If he is unable to take on the role of the Senior Brother Gao Sheng, would Foreign Monk be a perfect replacement?

"No problem." Song Shuhang patted his chest and said to the Foreign Monk, "I'll try my best to get you a Big Horn when the show starts."

"Thank you, my benefactor," the Foreign Monk said excitedly.

Not far away, Venerable White stroked his chin, watching Song Shuhang and the Foreign Monk.

He overheard their conversation.

So... did Song Shuhang accept a bribe and then give this Foreign Monk a role? Wouldn't that be considered a quid pro quo?

Time flies.

All the fellow cultivators from the 'Nine Provinces Number One Group' who were preparing to participate have arrived.

The Medicine Master and Jiang Ziyan have also arrived, but I wonder if Mad Saber Three Waves... is still alive?

At this moment, most of the fellow cultivators were playing with the little wolf cubs belonging to the Snow Wolf Cave Master. The snow-white little wolf cubs were not yet able to transform into human form, and they were quite adorable.

Upon arriving, Northern River's Loose Cultivator asked, "Has it been confirmed that Song Shuhang will play the role of Senior Brother Gao Sheng?"

Fairy Lychee: "That's right, Song Shuhang's name is on the cast list."

Northern River's Loose Cultivator nodded, wondering whether he should discuss with everyone whether to prepare a wreath for Song Xiaoyou in advance.

******************************

2 PM.

Everyone has arrived, including ordinary members of the film crew and Song Shuhang's close friends.

After obtaining Song Shuhang's consent, the Venerable Spirit Butterfly's subordinates secretly released several 'Illusion Butterfly', which landed on Gao Moumou, his girlfriend Mei Yi, Tubo, and others.

With the Illusion Butterfly on their person, when filming, even if they see some cultivators using 'supernatural' methods, Gao Moumou others will automatically filter out those scenes.

That way, when filming, the senior members of the Nine Provinces Number One Group won't have to hold back.

Venerable White clapped his hands and said, "Then everyone, please follow me and prepare to board the Immortal Ark. We will head to the first filming location immediately to begin shooting the first scene of the movie."

Under the influence of the Illusion Butterfly, the ordinary people spontaneously translated the words "Immortal Ark" into "airplane." Furthermore, in their eyes, the several Immortal Ark all appeared to be transport planes.

The Immortal Ark started, transporting all the crew members and film equipment, and took to the air. Led by Venerable White, it headed to the first filming location.

3 PM.

After passing through a massive protective barrier, the Immortal Ark finally arrived at Venerable White's Vacation Manor.

Looking down from the sky, it was an incredibly beautiful medium-sized sect's headquarters.

It unfolds before people like a scroll painting.

Song Shuhang stood by the window of the Immortal Ark and looked down. "The scenery here is really beautiful."

The Venerable White stood beside him and smiled, "Indeed... and this is only the initial state after my repairs and restoration. This sect's residence must have been even more beautiful before it was abandoned. I wonder why this sect's residence was abandoned in the first place?"

"Perhaps some disaster has occurred? Or perhaps the sect has found a better place and relocated?" Song Shuhang said with a smile.

Looking down at the beautiful sect headquarters, a wish arose in his heart.

When he becomes powerful enough to protect his family and friends, he will raise some Spirit Stone, create a picturesque place like this, and then use a protective barrier to transform it into a paradise.

At that time, he will be able to bring his family and close friends to him.

Speaking of Spirit Stone... Song Shuhang suddenly remembered something.

Song Shuhang: "Senior White."

"What is it?" Venerable White turned around and saw Song Shuhang stammering, looking puzzled.

"It's like this, Senior White, could you lend me some Spirit Stone?" Song Shuhang asked. Next, Seven Cultivations might appear at any time and take him to see that wondrous being Everything Can Be Sold.

Currently, he only has the Spirit Stone he obtained after selling Horizon's Blood Demon Pearl. Although this is a huge fortune for him Spirit Stone, it seems too little and too meager when he goes to see that wondrous being Everything Can Be Sold.

Moreover, perhaps, at that wondrous place where 'Everything Can Be Sold,' one can find a treasure to cure 'Li Yinzhu's' Cold Illness.

According to the memories of Li Tiansu, there might be a chance to cure Li Yinzhu's Cold Illness in that Forbidden Land. However, Li Tiansu himself had never entered that Forbidden Land, and he couldn't be sure if he could find a way to save Li Yinzhu.

Therefore, Shuhang cannot place all his hopes on the 'Forbidden Land'; it would be better to make more preparations.

"You're short of Spirit Stone?" Venerable White smiled slightly. "How many do you need?"

Song Shuhang: "The more the better! Otherwise, if I miss out, I might regret it for the rest of my life."

"The more the better? I understand." Venerable White laughed, "Then after this film is finished, I'll take you to my other cave dwelling. All my Spirit Stone are stored in that cave dwelling."

"Thank you, Senior White," Song Shuhang.

Venerable White: "You're welcome."

"Do you want interest?" Song Shuhang asked—his straightforwardness had always been his greatest strength.

"Alright, then we'll charge you a little extra later," Venerable White chuckled.

The Immortal Ark slowly descended, and the [Jacob's Film Crew] had already begun their work.

With the help of the Venerable Spirit Butterfly's subordinate, Director Jacob arranged for the photography department to capture aerial shots of this 'fairyland' from various angles.

These overhead shots will be selected and edited into the opening sequence of the film after filming is completed.

The Immortal Ark landed, and the crew members carried out the equipment.

Led by Venerable White, the group arrived at the arena where the first scene of the movie script depicted 'Senior Brother Gao Sheng utterly defeats the protagonist Ling Ye'.

The Jacob's Film Crew got busy: props, lighting, cameras, set design, and so on.

Four o'clock in the afternoon.

Everything is ready.

Sound on... Camera on.

The actors are in position.

Song Shuhang and Venerable White each changed into a set of the Skycloud Sect -style robes provided by 'True Lord Ancient Lake Abbey'.

The protagonist [Ling Ye], played by Venerable White, is in position.

Song Shuhang, who plays the supporting male character [Gao Sheng], is now in position.

The character of the Skycloud Sect elder, [Eight-Armed Sword Saint], played by True Lord Ancient Lake Abbey, has taken his place.

Jiang Ziyan, who plays the senior sister [Murong Hua], has taken her place.

In addition, there were many ordinary disciples dressed in the Skycloud Sect beside the arena. This large group of ordinary disciples were played by subordinates arranged by Venerable Spirit Butterfly.

They will be the hardest-working and most respectable people in this production. They will handle most of the miscellaneous tasks and take on most of the extras and background characters.

The script supervisor took the clapperboard and snapped it shut.

Director Jacob exclaimed, "Action!"

Venerable White walked calmly onto the dueling platform. In the short time it took him to walk those few steps, Venerable White had already gotten into character.

At this moment, Venerable White had a strong, fearless, and indomitable expression on his face.

A light blue Daoist robe draped over his body, fitting him perfectly. Long black hair cascaded down his back; at this moment, Venerable White had become 'Ling Ye' from the script.

True Lord Ancient Lake Abbey stood at the edge of the arena, his face indifferent, his arms crossed. Just by standing there, he exuded an aura of 'fairness and impartiality'. True Lord was instantly immersed in his role.

No wonder he's a senior with such a rich life experience!

[It's about to happen!] Song Shuhang gritted his teeth.

Go ahead and do it. If the acting isn't good enough, we can just replace him with Foreign Monk.

Thinking about this, Song Shuhang felt a little calmer.

Before entering the camera's view, he took a deep breath to bolster his courage.

Then, with a cold smile on his face, he strode towards the arena and entered the camera's view!

Behind him were two lackeys of the Venerable Spirit Butterfly, who stayed close by.

"Hahahaha, Ling Ye, you've finally stopped hiding and dare to come and accept the challenge?" Song Shuhang sneered at the Venerable White in the arena.

Ling Ye, played by Venerable White, looked calmly at Song Shuhang. His acting was superb.

"Senior brother, we must teach Ling Ye a lesson today and show him what you're capable of!" Junior Brother Number 1 shouted.

"Yes, let's make sure he never dares to disobey you again, Senior Brother!" Junior Brother No. 2 added.

"Hmph." Song Shuhang, playing the role of 'Senior Brother Gao Sheng,' snorted lightly and continued, "Ling Ye, this time I'm going to beat you so badly you won't be able to get out of bed for a month."

After saying those lines... Shuhang felt a little uneasy.

Even though he knew it was all an act, Venerable White was simply playing the role of 'Ling Ye'.

But when faced with Venerable White's words, "I'm going to beat you so badly you won't be able to get out of bed for a month," I felt a little uneasy.

The lines were finished... The next scene featured Senior Brother Gao Sheng performing a spectacular 360-degree somersault onto the fighting stage.

So, following the script, Song Shuhang leaped high into the air with a flourish... and even did a 360-degree somersault mid-air.

That was a beautiful somersault.

However, it's unclear whether his legs were weak because he felt uneasy earlier, or if it was due to some other terrifying, unscientific, and unrealistic reason.

He was halfway through his somersault, almost landing on the ring, when suddenly he lost his balance and crashed hard onto the edge of the ring.

Thump~~

It looks like it's in a lot of pain.

The Venerable White on the opposite side. "..."

Song Shuhang: "..."

The True Lord Ancient Lake Abbey, arms crossed, said, "..."

"Cut!" Director Jacob called for a halt.