Chapter 84: The End of Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber

Sitting down silently on the chair, Li Luo focused on Gao Yuanyuan’s performance ahead.

Yet inside, he sighed quietly.

The call he’d just received was from Zhang Zhongzhi, who expressed regret and said the role of Duan Yu had already been given to Lin Zhiying; out of respect, he chose to inform Li Luo in advance.

He also hoped Li Luo would not leak the news.

Though somewhat disappointed,

Li Luo accepted the outcome.

Unless one brings funding—and substantial funding—most actors cannot avoid losing such auditions.

At the end, Zhang Zhongzhi comforted him a few words, solemnly promising there would surely be future opportunities to collaborate.

Li Luo naturally responded with polite thanks.

This call officially marked his exit from the race for Duan Yu.

Before he knew it, it was August.

As the cast of The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils made their collective debut, the rumors fully dispersed; yet the Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber crew had no interest in gossiping about Li Luo’s rejection, fully immersed in the intense post-production work.

As one actor after another finished their scenes, September arrived swiftly.

Having started filming in late March and enduring five months of shooting, Li Luo, who had just become a second-year student at Beijing Film Academy, now faced his final scene.

Inside the cave set.

A large group of people let sweat continuously trickle down their cheeks but dared not turn on the fans beside them.

Afraid of disturbing the two actors in front.

“Wuji, our first meeting was at Green Willow Villa.”

Jia Jingwen, dressed in a red dress, walked forward with her hands behind her back, glanced at the stone wall ahead, then turned back playfully: “Then we fell into the dungeon together—just like this situation now!”

Li Luo walked up slowly and chuckled with nostalgia: “Not at all alike!”

“Huh?”

Jia Jingwen looked puzzled.

“Sit down.”

He pointed to a stone bed covered in straw, a faint smile on his lips.

“What for?”

Jia Jingwen bit her lip, glaring fiercely.

The camera shifted.

Li Luo reached out with both arms, pinning her onto the stone bed, then knelt down, lifted her left leg, and in Jia Jingwen’s startled cry, swiftly kicked off her long cloth boots, grinning up at her:

“Now it’s just like the dungeon in Green Willow Villa.”

“What are you doing?”

Jia Jingwen gasped, trying to pull her foot back.

She was genuinely afraid.

But Li Luo gripped her ankle firmly, pressed two fingers together, and laughed as he prodded her sole.

His fingers also brushed lightly along the way.

“Hahaha!”

“Let go! Let go right now!!!”

“Stop tickling!”

As expected, Jia Jingwen burst into laughter, rolling helplessly on the stone bed.

“Cut.”

Lai Shuiqing sighed and called stop.

Li Luo’s performance was fine; last time when they filmed the foot-tickling scene, Jia Jingwen had laughed so hard tears flew, and they’d spent over an hour to get one take.

“Hahaha.”

“Li Luo, let go quick!”

“Haha~”

“It’s already cut!”

Jia Jingwen, tickled senseless, pounded the wooden prop bed, kicking her foot wildly, trying to break free.

“I won’t let go.”

Remembering how last time such a simple scene took over an hour, Li Luo kept his hands moving: “It’s fine—laugh more now, so you won’t break character later!”

“Director!”

Jia Jingwen, tears streaming from laughter, begged for outside help: “Save me!”

“Hahaha.”

Sitting in the director’s chair, Lai Shuiqing calmly smoked, as if he heard nothing; other crew members busied themselves with their tasks, pretending nothing was happening.

Minutes passed, and Li Luo endured a barrage of punches and kicks.

Filming resumed.

As lines were delivered, the two sat on the stone bed, Li Luo pulling Jia Jingwen into his arms from behind.

As a period romance, this was the maximum allowed intimacy!

Kissing scenes? Don’t even think about it.

After a heartfelt conversation, Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min embraced in the center of the cave; the large overhead lighting slowly brightened, casting a gentle glow over them, while the camera quietly pulled back.

In the frame, both faces shone with pure happiness.

Holding the Tiger Pounce Goddess.

Yet Li Luo felt no ulterior thoughts.

The weather was already scorching, and the overhead lights beat down like a furnace.

“Enough.”

Lai Shuiqing nodded, thumb raised high: “Congratulations, Li Luo—your scenes are finished!”

“Phew~”

Both, overwhelmed by heat, exhaled in unison and pushed each other away with mutual disgust.

“Let’s go outside!”

Lai Shuiqing wiped sweat from the back of his neck and called out to everyone.

At his signal, most crew members rushed out of the studio; Li Luo shook off his clothes and followed quickly.

“Splash~”

The moment he saw the outside light, countless water jets exploded over him.

The sensation—bone-chilling cold.

Water poured from above, splashing everywhere.

“Damn!”

Li Luo wiped his face, spotted Du Yun laughing and running off, and flipped him the middle finger: “You’ve got guts—don’t run.”

No sooner had he spoken than another bucket of water slammed over his head and face.

“Congratulations on finishing your scenes.”

Gao Yuanyuan, waiting outside, grinned broadly; after splashing him, she noticed the dangerous glint in Li Luo’s eyes, dropped the plastic bucket, and turned to flee.

“Don’t even think about it.”

The next instant, her arm was firmly seized by Li Luo.

That strength—

She couldn’t resist it at all.

With a scream, Gao Yuanyuan was yanked in front of him.

“I still have scenes!”

This commotion startled Jia Jingwen, who tried to dodge the next attack.

“Come here, you!”

Li Luo moved swiftly, grabbing her too.

“Congratulations on finishing your scenes~”

Amid cheers, over a dozen people hiding outside hurled pots, pans, ladles, and buckets at the three, sending a storm of water flying across the studio entrance.

They’d planned to prank Li Luo.

Instead, they became the targets themselves.

Bucket after bucket of water came, Gao Yuanyuan couldn’t escape, so she kept diving into that guy’s arms, shrieking nonstop.

Jia Jingwen kicked Li Luo hard in anger, shielding her face with both hands.

When the water settled, all three were soaked to the bone.

Amid bursts of laughter,

Led by Lai Shuiqing, the rest of the crew lined up one after another to congratulate Li Luo.

Having worked together so long, they were bound by fate.

Just a joke—no one was angry; Li Luo now welcomed every embrace, closing this chapter with warmth.

After the wrap banquet and farewell drinks,

Early the next morning.

Li Luo picked up his luggage, got in the car, and returned to Beiying Community; it had been half a month since his last visit, and dust had settled thickly on the furniture in the apartment.

He wasn’t in a hurry to clean up.

Dragging his weary steps, he collapsed onto the living room sofa.

Looking at the quiet house, he thought of something and summoned a screen before his eyes.

【Li Luo】

【Constitution: 73】

【Charisma: 73】

【Performance: Beginner, Experience 485/1000】

【Physique: Beginner, Experience 332/1000】

【Dialogue: Beginner, Experience 396/1000】

【Mastered Skills:】

【Long Fist (Expert) Seven Stars Sword Art (Expert) Horseback Riding (Expert)】

Over the past few months, the stats on his panel had changed dramatically—not because leveling up granted growth, but as his data increased, his understanding of acting deepened alongside it.

As for performance alone, he wasn’t yet a seasoned veteran.

But he could certainly be called an experienced actor!

Satisfied, he closed the panel, rubbed his throbbing hangover-head, and fell into a deep sleep on the sofa.

Thank you to the pure and kind Brother Bai Bai for the 500 coins!

The update schedule will be adjusted.

It will now be updated during the day.

Thank you all.