Chapter Nine: The Trophy Actress of Modern Society’s Faux Heiress (9)

Three days later, Xian Du joined the crew, and Director Wei personally introduced her to the lead actors.

Their gazes varied—curious, appraising, disdainful...

Xian Du knew that everyone now viewed her as an even bigger insider than before. Such prejudice wouldn’t dissipate overnight; it was better to wait and slowly dispel misunderstandings through interaction with the leads.

Since Lian Zheng was a character who accompanied the heroine Zhu Yan’s growth, most scenes were set at the Qingyun Sword Sect. Coincidentally, the crew was currently filming at that location. As soon as Xian Du arrived, she was whisked away for makeup and to reshoot her costume photos.

“Alright, look this way! Wind machine on the skirt, please!” the photographer instructed.

Xian Du wore a flowing dress of emerald bamboo gauze, her hair elegantly tied up with a dark green ribbon, light and graceful. The breeze stirred the hem, making the bamboo pattern sway gently, evoking freshness and boundless vitality.

Cradling her sword, Xian Du followed the photographer’s directions to pose.

“Okay, now we’ll shoot some behind-the-scenes footage. Please perform a few continuous movements based on your understanding of the character while we film a short video.”

Xian Du nodded in acknowledgment.

“Action!”

With the sword held firmly in her right hand, she traced arcs with her wrist, executing a simple inward and outward sword flourish. Then she lowered her head, extending her left hand sideways, spun and flipped the sword in a graceful maneuver. She crouched with a forked step, swung the sword, rose, rotated the sword in her palm, placed the back of the blade behind her back, lifted it, turned, and finally laid the sword flat across her chest—the Cloud Sword finishing stance.

After ending the pose, she stood still and noticed everyone staring at her in stunned silence. Confused, she asked, “Is this move not acceptable? If not, I can switch to another technique.”

The photographer snapped out of it: “Ah? Cough, this set of moves is great, no need to change!”

Those around her nodded in agreement.

Reviewing the video, the photographer saw the woman’s fluid swordplay, so skillful it appeared effortless and natural...

She was truly a swordsman from the world of immortal heroes!

After finishing the costume photos and behind-the-scenes shots, Xian Du sat beside the set, reading the script while observing others’ performances, making efficient use of her time.

[Host, you’re amazing! Even sword dancing… But I remember you didn’t cultivate magic. Did you secretly practice somewhere I don’t know about?]

Xian Du took a sip of water, turned the page of the script without much thought, and replied, “Oh… that. People do all kinds of things when bored, especially a ghost who’s been around for tens of thousands of years like me. It’s just something to pass the endless time.”

Wang Cai’s admiration for his host soared yet again. If his cat form were here, Xian Du could almost see the little cat’s eyes sparkling.

The next scenes were simpler—depicting the heroine Zhu Yan and Lian Zheng fleeing to the Qingyun Sword Sect to become disciples.

But since they couldn’t spend their entire lives in this world, to quickly accomplish Task Two and make a name in film history, every performance moment had to be seized and all scenes treated seriously, aiming to stand out.

Thus, Xian Du earnestly studied the character Lian Zheng: from the grand backdrop of the entire novel to the inner thoughts behind each of Lian Zheng’s actions, she meticulously pondered everything. The script was densely annotated.

“Teacher Jiang, we’re ready to shoot,” a crew member reminded her.

“Okay, I’m coming,” Xian Du said, setting down the script and handing her water cup to Jin Li to prevent any malicious poisoning incidents.

————

The Canxing Studio was still in its infancy. Although Xian Du had already signed on for Task Two, her agent Huo Ying was very busy—handling various procedures, negotiating collaborations, and scouting promising newcomers.

Huo Ying wanted to attend the shoot in person but couldn’t spare the time, so she entrusted Jin Li, the studio’s partner, to assist and supervise.

“Relax, we’ve prepared so much, it’ll definitely go well!” Jin Li put away the cup and encouraged Xian Du.

She had witnessed Xian Du’s dedication and had great confidence in her.

“Mm.”

Xian Du followed the staff to the set, where Director Wei stood beside the two leads explaining the scenes.

The actress playing Zhu Yan, Yu Siyu, was a current rising star known for portraying strong-willed characters. Playing Zhu Yan was within her comfort zone.

Director Wei introduced Xian Du, “This is Jiang Xian Du, who plays Lian Zheng! Xian Du, these are our female lead Yu Siyu and male lead Bo Yue.”

Both leads looked at Xian Du. Unlike Yu Siyu’s curious gaze, Bo Yue’s eyes were more complicated.

“Hello, Senior Yu!” Xian Du bowed slightly in respect.

“Hi, hi!” Yu Siyu greeted warmly, shaking Xian Du’s hand.

“Hello, Senior Bo,” Xian Du nodded but quickly looked toward Wei Lai, missing Bo Yue’s attempt to shake her hand.

Bo Yue reached out, hoping to mirror Yu Siyu’s gesture, but after Xian Du’s brief greeting, she immediately turned away, seemingly avoiding him. He awkwardly withdrew his hand, feeling a sting of bitterness.

Wei Lai gave instructions on acting and positioning to the three leads: “If there are no questions, let’s begin.”

All three nodded, but Bo Yue’s gaze lingered on Xian Du.

Wei Lai moved beside the director’s monitor: “Three, two, one, action!”

The demon race had slaughtered an entire village, leaving only Zhu Yan and Lian Zheng alive.

Zhu Yan had long heard that the Qingyun Sword Sect was the pinnacle of righteousness in the world. She had already planned to apprentice there; after this calamity, her resolve only grew stronger.

Accompanying Zhu Yan, Lian Zheng endured hardship and exposure to the elements. They finally reached the Qingyun Sword Sect on the last day before registration closed.

Applicants faced three trials: Heart, Path, and Sky—testing character, morality, and talent respectively.

Unlike other sects that judged disciples by talent, Qingyun Sword Sect emphasized cultivating personal integrity. Passing the first trial granted outer disciple status, while the next two elevated one to inner disciple and then direct disciple.

Though the threshold seemed lower, the first trial was the toughest: set on the thousand-step platform before the sect’s main gate. Each step increased the physical pressure. Trialists were given a teleportation talisman; if overwhelmed, tearing it would transport them to the mountain foot, signifying failure and allowing voluntary withdrawal.

Reaching five hundred steps was passing; only the current leader of the cultivation world, the Jade Purity Venerable, completed all thousand steps. Most candidates—eight or nine out of ten—failed at this stage.

“Lian Zheng, hold on! Almost at five hundred steps!” Zhu Yan urged, pulling the sweat-drenched Lian Zheng upward, with just over thirty steps left.

Unlike the pure and resolute Zhu Yan, Lian Zheng, a demon girl who had lived on the edge since childhood, struggled greatly with the heavenly steps. The Qingyun Sword Sect’s location was one of the most spirit-rich places in the cultivation world, hostile to the demon energy Lian Zheng cultivated. Demons faced several times the pressure humans did ascending the steps.

This explained why Qingyun Sword Sect accepted many disciples but worried little about demons infiltrating—they couldn’t even pass the first trial.

“I’ll hold on!” Lian Zheng gasped through clenched teeth, drenched in sweat.

She gripped Zhu Yan’s hand tightly, struggling to stand straight. Despite trembling legs, she stepped with Zhu Yan onto the five hundredth step.

Lian Zheng collapsed on the steps, speaking hoarsely, “Don’t worry about me... I’ll be an outer disciple to accompany you. You keep going—I’ll wait for you at the apprenticeship ceremony.”

“...Okay.” Tears welled in Zhu Yan’s eyes. Watching Lian Zheng tear the talisman and vanish, she wiped her tears fiercely and resumed climbing.

...

“Pfft—” Teleported away, Lian Zheng found a secluded spot and finally spat out the blood she had been suppressing in her throat.

The heavenly steps’ power was tremendous; her internal organs felt like they’d been twisted apart.

After steadying her breath and confirming no blood stained her body, she returned to the crowd.

Time flowed differently inside and outside the trial arena. By the time Lian Zheng arrived, Zhu Yan had already been selected as the Jade Purity Venerable’s direct disciple.

Zhu Yan became the second person in a century to complete the thousand steps, attracting the venerable’s attention. Her righteous heart and top-tier talent naturally garnered the sect’s focus.

Watching Zhu Yan led away, hearing the crowd’s admiration, Lian Zheng staggered into the shadows and collapsed.

“Cut!” Wei Lai shouted through the megaphone. “Take a break. Tonight we’ll film the heroine’s training at the Jade Purity Palace. Those without scenes can rest!”

Xian Du went to the water sink, rinsed her mouth, and spat out residual blood.

Jin Li handed her a tissue, praising, “You were amazing! I overheard the director and screenwriter complimenting you. They said your attention to detail was excellent, especially the stair-climbing scene. The sweat on your forehead was so realistic, no makeup water used, and your complexion was pale as paper. They even suspected you had a sudden illness. Honestly, I was shocked too.”

“Really? That means my hard work hasn’t been in vain,” Xian Du wiped her mouth, tossed the tissue, and laughed with Jin Li. “Don’t praise me too much; I might get arrogant!”

After removing makeup, Xian Du and Jin Li prepared to leave but were stopped by Bo Yue.

“Brother Yue!” Jiang You’an arrived carrying a thermal lunch box, seemingly there to deliver food to Bo Yue.

Bo Yue glanced at Jiang You’an once, then turned to Xian Du with a troubled expression.

Without even changing out of his costume, Bo Yue said, “Sorry, Xian Du, I didn’t know You’an would turn out like this—not only exposing our engagement to the media but also replacing your role... I’m truly sorry.”

“Mr. Bo, I’ve said before, I don’t want to get involved in your affairs—but only as long as you don’t cross me!” The wind picked up, dusk settling in. Xian Du wrapped her coat tighter, wanting to leave early. “I’m clear about my grudges and won’t confuse the accounts.”

She glanced at Jiang You’an, whose gaze was icy, as if she wanted to tear Xian Du to pieces, fingers nervously fiddling with the yarn cover of the lunch box.

“Compared to someone like me who’s irrelevant, Mr. Bo, you should care more about Miss Jiang. After all... she’s your fiancée now.”

Xian Du nodded, then got into the car with Jin Li to return to the hotel.

Bo Yue stood in place, emotions tangled, unsure what to do next.