[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-all-rounder-artist":3,"chapter-all-rounder-artist-all-rounder-artist-chapter-1414":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","All-rounder Artist",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1270802,1699,"Chapter 1414: 1168: Imperial City PK","all-rounder-artist-chapter-1414",1414,"\u003Cp>Chapter 1414: Chapter 1168: Imperial City PK\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>August 7th!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just one day left until the premiere of “Kung Fu Hustle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blue Star’s 38th-ranked director from Zhong Continent, Liu Xing, hosted the premiere event today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the world’s eyes were watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Liu Xing’s promotional efforts weren’t as extensive as Xian Yu’s, his reputation as the highest-ranked director of the August release slots carried weight. His latest film “Imperial City,” a multi-million-dollar spectacle, had garnered countless endorsements from Zhong Continent celebrities, making audience expectations sky-high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially in Zhong Continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless movie fans eagerly entered the theaters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These days, so many people in the Zhong Continent film industry have been recommending ‘Imperial City’ that my anticipation is off the charts!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liu Xing’s films are always impressive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After all, he’s ranked 38th on Blue Star’s film charts!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you think ‘Imperial City’ can outperform Xian Yu’s movie?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course it can. Don’t be fooled by Xian Yu’s extensive marketing. At the end of the day, quality matters most in cinema—promotion merely affects the initial box office.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Online discussions were lively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A clever move from Liu Xing, releasing his film one day before ‘Kung Fu Hustle,’ aiming to seize an early lead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m choosing ‘Kung Fu Hustle’!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That may be so, but many people in Qin Continent are heading out to watch ‘Imperial City’ today as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After all, Liu Xing is a big-name director from Zhong Continent. No need to turn this into a regional rivalry—there’ll also be considerable support for ‘Kung Fu Hustle’ from Zhong Continent when it premieres.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With promotions this strong, I feel ‘Kung Fu Hustle’ will still put up a good fight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is truly turning into a head-to-head battle. ‘Kung Fu Hustle’ ramped up its marketing efforts to the max, yet Zhong Continent has countered with a strong offensive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liu Xing’s films are nearly guaranteed hits—this won’t be easy for Xian Yu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Precisely because it’s tough content-wise that Xian Yu worked so hard on promotions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I compared the past works of Liu Xing and Xian Yu. Overall, Liu Xing undeniably has the upper hand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rankings don’t lie.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xian Yu doesn’t necessarily need to win; as long as he doesn’t lag far behind, it can still be considered a victory, given the ranking disparity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Various continents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Major theaters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moviegoers were steadily pouring in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the premiere venue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xing personally invited countless Zhong Continent celebrities to amplify the celebrations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid roaring cheers, the film “Imperial City” officially began screening!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The curtains parted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The movie instantly plunged viewers into the clash of two armies on an ancient battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Emperor leads the campaign personally!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To stabilize the realm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Follow me to kill!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The craftsmanship of a top-tier director was unmistakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right from the start, the horrors of warfare were vividly rendered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is a film centered on an ancient Crown Prince’s struggle for succession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>War serves as a backdrop to intensify the mood while introducing the fabricated historical setting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A decisive victory in battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The realm pacified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the journey back to the capital, the aging emperor, injured during the campaign, sets off a feud over the Crown Prince position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Resentments and tensions unfold in cycles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the protagonist, the least favored Prince, seeing no hope for securing the Crown Prince’s throne, stakes everything on a palace coup!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the Imperial City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Climactic battles follow one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, the seasoned emperor proves his dominance, crushing his unfavored youngest son through unparalleled strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What I give, you may take. What I don’t give, you cannot seize!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aging, white-haired emperor brutally subdues the protagonist, leaving him on the brink of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the protagonist is dragged off to the execution grounds,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>his imperial consort mother is sentenced to die by hanging with a white silk ribbon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s a tragedy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor himself had seized the kingdom through rebellion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The protagonist merely followed his father’s footsteps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cyclical fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The difference is, the protagonist dies, and the eldest Prince ascends the throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final shot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second Prince gazes fiercely with wolf-like ambition!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The screen cuts to black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Post-screening discussion exploded online.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A top-tier director’s commercial film—it’s on a whole different level compared to assembly-line productions. A cycle of power and tragedy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That final shot was magnificent!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This kind of open-ended conclusion is the most thought-provoking. The Imperial City’s throne may still have much blood to spill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In ancient times, illegitimate ascensions always led to turmoil.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even fathers and sons can turn against each other in the face of the throne.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was incredibly gripping. The protagonist’s death was heart-wrenching, yet deeply impactful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The visual effects were outstanding, though I felt the film focused too much on lavish visuals and epic grandeur while its narrative seemed relatively weak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was expecting a nine, but it gave me less than eight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liu Xing delivered the usual standard—not particularly surprising, but definitely leagues better than most films.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It feels like he aimed for both box office success and critical acclaim, but balancing the two costs him a bit. Regardless, the box office should do exceptionally well—even just for the grand spectacle, it’s worth watching.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some loved it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some felt it was average.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overall, it’s a ticket-worthy film. Even critics wouldn’t dare call it a flop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Blue Star’s 38th-ranked director,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xing’s film fairly reflected his standing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And on the Starry Sky platform,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the film’s ratings quickly emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too many people were submitting scores!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By around 3 PM,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the score had stabilized at 7.7.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Starry Sky platform, a common rule of thumb is that films scoring over 7 are very much worth seeing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially for commercial cinema, scoring 7.7 is no easy feat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the scoring ceiling for commercial films is inherently lower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At night,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the global box office rankings were updated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Blue Star’s immense market, the chart featured around two hundred movies—some still screening, others debuted on the same day as “Imperial City.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In real-time calculations, “Imperial City” unsurprisingly claimed the top spot!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prior number one, which had reigned for thirteen consecutive days, was dethroned by Liu Xing’s latest release.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>celebration erupted in the movie’s creators’ group chat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re number one!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First-day crown!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our strategy worked, releasing one day earlier than ‘Kung Fu Hustle’ to dominate the market!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, though the reception was a bit lower than expected—I thought we’d hit eight points. Still, this score isn’t far off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Director Liu, you’re incredible!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was a bit nervous before, but now there’s nothing to worry about. ‘Kung Fu Hustle’ won’t be stronger than us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xian Yu is probably regretting not changing the release date now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’d want to change it too if I were him. Competing in the same slot makes the box office battle insanely intense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s too late to change now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The arrow is nocked and must be let loose!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“‘Kung Fu Hustle’ premieres at midnight tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To celebrate, I propose that our crew attend the midnight premiere of ‘Kung Fu Hustle.’ Some said we’re inadvertently promoting it—let’s show them just how magnanimous we are!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xing, brimming with confidence, chimed in: “Tonight’s my treat. Let’s head out as a crew to catch ‘Kung Fu Hustle’ and contribute a few tickets to its box office!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xing’s confidence was well-justified!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even before the day ended, the box office for “Imperial City” continued to climb!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Starry Sky platform was abuzz with reviews!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All other films released during the same period were thoroughly overshadowed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Media outlets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>News reports followed one after another:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liu Xing’s New Film Takes Off!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liu Xing Made a Brilliant Preemptive Move Against ‘Kung Fu Hustle’!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liu Xing Secures Market Ahead of Rival’s Terrifying Marketing Blitz!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xian Yu’s Film Faces Stiffest Competition Yet!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A Regal Feast from Liu Xing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xing proved to global audiences:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blue Star’s rankings don’t exaggerate—in fact, this 38th-ranked worldwide director deserves every bit of his acclaim!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Liu Xing couldn’t shake some lingering regrets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The film didn’t represent a personal breakthrough, serving merely as a showcase of his usual expertise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>for a filmmaker—especially someone like Liu Xing, a seasoned veteran of decades—it is rarely easy to step beyond one’s established benchmarks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chuckling softly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xing confidently ordered his assistant to buy midnight tickets for “Kung Fu Hustle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By 11:00 PM,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he and his crew had already arrived at a major cinema in Zhong Continent.\u003C\u002Fp>",1409,"2026-06-05T16:38:55.479Z",1,"novelbin.me","c0e96f5451592c5b96815e26783cd2d779cbafc7b51879088b6ad6c199555432","all-rounder-artist-chapter-1415","all-rounder-artist-chapter-1413",1668,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fall-rounder-artist-cover.jpg"]