Chapter 69: Warm-up Exercise

The vehicle swayed and bumped, kicking up a cloud of dust before stopping.

“Thud~”

A series of door slams echoed as Huang Sheng and the others gazed in awe at the scene before them: dozens of vehicles—buses, minibuses, and cargo trucks—were parked at the foot of the mountain.

Packed tightly before their eyes.

The assistant director was directing laborers to carry crates of props up the mountain.

To film the siege of Mingjiao Peak, they had over a hundred extras alone, not to mention all the logistics staff; feeding, watering, and managing so many people in a single day cost well over a hundred thousand yuan.

Without serious capital, no one dared play this game.

Before long, several male classmates also jumped excitedly out of the minivan.

“Let’s go.”

Li Luo led the way up the mountain path: “Another ten minutes or so and we’ll reach the set.”

Today was already the second day of shooting.

They were familiar with the route.

Under his guidance, the group chatted and laughed as they climbed upward.

A few young, attractive girls in short skirts appeared among the wild hills, drawing the attention of the assistant director, who immediately grabbed a crate and scurried after them—only to be shouted back by the assistant director.

Li Luo burst out laughing.

When the group began to sweat slightly, they finally reached a valley.

Three sides were rocky cliffs, dotted with lush, low shrubs and piles of rubble from excavation, giving it a faint resemblance to Mingjiao Peak.

In the center, the prop team had erected a broad, low altar.

Five-colored flags were planted around it.

Colorful tents stretched out in the shade, teeming with people; though it was only just past seven in the morning, the sun had already begun to bite—no one could avoid seeking shelter from the heat.

“Li Luo.”

A loud call rang out as Lai Shuiqing and Yuan Bin hurried over together.

Beijing Film Studio was a solid reputation.

Even in their busiest moments, they came over to say hello.

“Director Lai.”

“Director Yuan.”

Li Luo stepped forward and introduced them: “This is my homeroom professor, Huo Xuan, and a few of my classmates.”

“Welcome, welcome!”

Lai Shuiqing gripped Huo Xuan’s hand and shook it vigorously: “Welcome, Professor Huo, to our Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber set! I want to thank you!”

“Director Lai, you’ve gone to too much trouble.”

Huo Xuan didn’t hesitate and smiled: “But I don’t understand why I’m being thanked?”

“For raising such an outstanding student!” Lai Shuiqing laughed heartily and slapped Li Luo’s shoulder hard: “You’ve given us such an excellent actor—isn’t that your doing?”

“Exactly, exactly.”

Yuan Bin added a few words of praise, helping to elevate Li Luo’s standing.

“You flatter me.”

Li Luo waved his hands quickly, insisting he didn’t deserve it.

Sensing their genuine admiration, Huo Xuan’s expression grew deeply satisfied.

When the student excels,

the teacher gains face.

The other students behind them had bright, shining eyes.

Just moments ago they felt nothing, but now, with both director and action choreographer praising him, Li Luo’s figure seemed to tower above them—he was someone they normally could never reach.

Bian Xiaoxiao watched her close friend chatting easily with a major director.

Her thigh muscles tightened involuntarily.

Though the weather was scorching,

moisture quickly spread.

“Little Li, come here.”

After exchanging pleasantries with Huo Xuan, Lai Shuiqing waved over his assistant: “Ah Luo has a busy day today—you’re responsible for looking after his teacher and classmates. Don’t let anything go wrong.”

Today was the big day; they had plenty to handle.

Huo Xuan quickly expressed understanding.

After shaking hands with everyone, the two directors departed quickly.

Under Li Luo’s lead, the group continued toward a large tent in the corner; many characters were scheduled to appear today, and the tent was filled with tightly packed chairs for actors to rest.

Inside the tent, many were already seated.

Seeing Li Luo arrive with a group, they all stood up.

“Good morning, Professor Huo.”

Jia Jingwen stepped forward first, grinning at Huo Xuan: “Li Luo told us you were coming to visit—these are all juniors and classmates, right?”

Chen Zihan and Lin Jing, who played Ding Minjun, followed closely behind.

Prince Ye Jing and others weren’t idle either; at least five or six actors from Beijing Film Studio were present.

Jia Naiming and the others were quick-witted.

Without needing much introduction, words like “Senior, Senior Sister” spilled out naturally.

At this moment, Huo Xuan stepped forward—he had studied at Beijing Film Studio in 1978, began teaching there in 1980; this was real seniority, nothing like that fake chef could match.

Most of them had taken his classes.

As Huo Xuan recounted amusing old stories, laughter erupted continuously; everyone reminisced about bygone days.

Other actors weren’t idle either.

Rarely did such a lively event occur; soon the tent turned into a grand exchange gathering among different schools.

“Professor Huo, you all chat first.”

Li Luo checked the time and told his teacher: “I’m going to change clothes.”

Today there’s a lot of fight choreography.

He needed to warm up thoroughly beforehand.

“Go ahead.”

Huo Xuan signaled it was fine.

He brought them to observe and learn, not to disrupt the set’s work.

Li Luo shot a quick glance sideways, grabbed his backpack, and headed behind the tent, vanishing in seconds.

The familiar greeting made Bian Xiaoxiao’s heart race.

This was a film set.

Thinking of it made her palms sweat and her steps instinctively retreat—right now, the crowd was noisy; one or two fewer people wouldn’t be noticed.

Once she took the first step, the second and third came easily.

Her yellow floral short skirt soon vanished from the tent.

Outside, colorful tents and makeshift makeup rooms sprawled everywhere, like a small maze.

Bian Xiaoxiao nervously licked her lips, glancing left and right.

“Shhh~”

A soft whistle sounded nearby.

She turned quickly and saw Li Luo standing beside a tent.

One ahead, one behind.

They swiftly wove between the tents.

Bian Xiaoxiao thought of what was coming next; her steps grew unsteady. Just as Li Luo turned a corner, his figure vanished before her eyes—she hurried forward.

As she rounded the corner, her arm tightened.

Before she could make a sound, she was pulled into a small tent filled with swords, spears, and halberds.

Seeing Li Luo’s mischievous grin, she exhaled in relief.

“Hurry.”

“Hurry up.”

They spoke the same words almost simultaneously.

Isn’t that the saying—two hearts beat as one?

Bian Xiaoxiao cast a sultry glance, spun gracefully, her floral skirt swirling, both hands gripping a staff resting on the weapon rack, her waist bending supplely downward.

With that motion,

her full hips lifted, forming a perfect, curvaceous silhouette.

“How’s that?”

Turning back, she flicked her tongue along her red lips: “My body training these past weeks wasn’t wasted, right?”

Though she wasn’t wearing heels, her legs were still long and elegant.

Inside the tent crammed with swords, spears, and halberds,

there stood a perfect cannon mount—alien among the ancient weapons, yet it made Li Luo’s heart swell with delight.

"Huh~"

He let out a heavy breath.

Listening to the faint footsteps outside.

No more hesitation.

As an excellent martial arts actor, he knew well the importance of warming up before filming.

He immediately straightened and stepped forward.