Chapter 36 2/2

Most of these extras were experienced and part of the special effects team. The fact that the film crew had gone to such lengths to bring in so many people for training already made them feel proud. Seeing the immortal palaces now, they realized what true extravagance meant.

It wasn’t just because they were part of the special effects team, earning higher incomes compared to regular extras. It was also the hope of being seen.

With the brand-new “sect attire” and not just a mix of “accessories and artifacts,” along with half a month of training in manners and fighting scenes, it indicated that their faces would be visible on the big screen when the movie was released.

And although special effects were generally better than regular extras in various aspects, they didn’t earn much. Most couldn’t afford lessons in manners and martial arts. Now, with collective training under professional guidance, it was like getting free lessons.

Extras weren’t limited to playing a single role. If someone performed well and caught the eye of the directing team, they might be given additional roles. For instance, at this moment, Sheng Quan, standing on the railing and watching the extra training below, noticed someone outstanding.

“The one at the back, practicing with a sword, wearing the attire of the Panxin Sect. Give him more action scenes.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Xiangwan picked up the telescope (the sect was too large and tall; they needed this to see the far training platform) and quickly found the figure Sheng Quan praised because he did stand out among the extras.

Just the posture while practicing with the sword was impressive. Additionally, to make the action look natural during filming, extras practiced in sect attire and headgear. With a glance, this young man truly had the appearance of a Panxin Sect disciple and seemed skilled in combat.

His control over the crew was undoubtedly strong. Identifying him, Yu Xiangwan even knew his name:

“He’s called Yuan He. The martial arts director mentioned him to me, saying he has a high talent in martial arts, works hard, and has an excellent physique. If you like him, do you want to sign him with the company?”

Yuan He…

Sheng Quan didn’t expect that, with just a casual point, she would identify a character from the original text.

Yuan He was indeed a martial arts genius. In the entertainment industry, where appearance was crucial, he might not fit the muscular type, but his slender and well-proportioned physique looked great on camera. Even though he didn’t appear to be the explosive, muscular type, he conveyed a powerful impact in action scenes.

In the novel, he appeared at the age of twenty-five or twenty-six. Looking at him now, he was probably around eighteen.

The novel only mentioned that Yuan He, at the age of thirty, retired due to hidden injuries sustained from filming martial arts scenes in his youth. Was this the “youthful time” mentioned in the legend?

Since he was a familiar face, Sheng Quan remained calm when encountering “characters from the novel.” After all, *Starlight* was an epic ensemble novel with a multitude of characters. In just this round of auditions for cultivators, she had already seen several.

She had also checked the cast list. Excluding those who hadn’t joined yet, among the large group brought in by Xu Man, five had appeared in the novel. It wasn’t surprising to see Yuan He as one of the special extras.

Her focus now was on another matter: “[Open Laughter], is everything arranged over there?”

Dong Zhu, standing nearby, hurriedly replied, “Yes, Director Sheng, the company has negotiated with them. They’ve agreed to cooperate with us, and the specifics are being discussed now.”

“Good.” Sheng Quan leaned on the railing, watching the massive training platform paved with “jade stones,” where the extras in neat sect attire were practicing with swords. “Place the previously designed maze at each entrance. Now, we wait for the guests to arrive.”

*** 

*[Open Laughter Friends]* is a currently popular variety show that combines recording and live broadcasting. Guests must cooperate with the production team to complete various tasks, and due to its novel and interesting planning, frequent interaction with the audience, and guests’ boldness, it has gained some popularity. Eu Zheng is one of the guests who has gained some recognition due to the show.

In this episode’s recording, the production team set up a major task: hiding “treasures” all over the city of Magic Capital. All guests must search for them based on the clues provided. During the search, they can livestream to ask the audience for help.

However, the “treasures” were not exclusive to the guests like Ou Zheng; the audience could also find them. If an audience member found a “treasure” outside, the guests had to figure out a way to obtain it from them.

Task completion wasn’t crucial for playful variety shows like theirs. They weren’t a competitive show like the one next door. As long as the humor quotient was high and the audience enjoyed seeing his scenes, that would be a victory.

Ou Zheng understood how to amplify audience emotions. After briefly explaining the rules to the audience, he started running across the city with the cameraman.

While running, he bantered with the audience in the live chat:

“I don’t know what the production team was thinking—the entire Magic Capital! Even with clues, look at the description they gave—’a road that looks like a butterfly’s eye.’ What kind of description is that? Magic Capital is so vast, with so many roads. How am I supposed to find a butterfly road?”

“And you, those who gave fake addresses! Don’t let me catch you! The audience in my live chat might have already helped find them. Why are they all making fun of me? Stop laughing! If I lose, you guys will also lose face.”

The audience in the live chat burst into laughter. With interaction and problem-solving, Ou Zheng’s humorous comments entertained the audience. As time passed, more and more viewers joined, eagerly anticipating whether Ou Zheng could find the “treasure.”

After receiving audience tips, Ou Zheng opened the map and hailed taxis to locations marked with three butterfly-like symbols.

At the first location, a dog park, after being warmly greeted by the dogs, he had to announce that there was no “treasure” there.

At the second location, as Ou Zheng approached, he saw a vast area cordoned off tightly.

“When did they start building here? It wasn’t like this when I came last time.”

Audiences from all directions were actively discussing

“Cordoned off so tightly, explore it!”

“This place looks familiar. I think it was under construction when I came last time.”

“Besides some buildings, there’s nothing else around here. Is this landmark also wrong?”

“Zheng, don’t hesitate! Explore it!”

“Explore it!!!”

Due to Ou Zheng’s nature of “checking out every leaf he sees,” most of the live chat viewers were encouraging him to explore.

Ou Zheng naturally agreed, saying, “Okay! Let’s explore it!”

Seeing him about to go in, the barrage immediately began to frighten him.

“Such a large area is fenced off, and there’s barbed wire outside. Maybe it’s a military zone.”

“Spread the word; Ou Zheng is about to get caught!”

“Hahaha, don’t scare Ou Zheng. He’s hesitating already.”

Ou Zheng hesitated, not about his actions but about whether entering this place would be considered trespassing. Seeing that the cameramen following him didn’t object, he cleared his throat confidently.

“Who’s hesitating? I, Ou Zheng, am bold and daring. I won’t hesitate, whether or not this barbed wire is electrified. Wait a moment, let me go around and see if I can find an entrance.”

After searching for a while, he did find an entrance. As he entered, he felt that something was amiss: “Why does this place seem like a maze?”

“Be confident. Remove the’seem like,’ and it’s a maze.”

“It looks like Ou Zheng is lucky this time; he found the right place.”

“This is definitely set up by the production team. Who has nothing better to do than create a maze in a place like this?”

“A Zheng A Zheng, charge!”

At this moment, viewers were still excitedly shouting slogans, curious about what challenge the production team had prepared for Ou Zheng.

Encouraged by the audience, Ou Zheng continued walking, muttering to himself, “This maze is too big. I’ve been walking for so long and still haven’t found my way out. What if I can’t find the exit?”

“If I’m really lost, remember to report me to the police.”

“Is the production team spending so much money? Such a huge maze just to trap me. They must be really rich.”

The audience started to find it a bit boring.

“Why hasn’t he found the way out?”

“Looking at the time, it’s been fifteen minutes.”

“The production team really went all out this time.”

“Is Ou Zheng really unable to get out?”

“Exit! I see the exit!”

Not only were the viewers excited, but Ou Zheng also became thrilled. Holding his phone, he rushed forward.

After rushing out, he stared at the incredibly vast and majestic layers of palaces and the giants patrolling in front of each palace, armed with various weapons and standing three meters tall. He stood there in shock.

Viewers watching the live broadcast were as stunned as he was.

“What, what is this?!?”