Chapter 131: The Immortal Sword: Speculations on Beauty

After two weeks of script readings concluded.

In mid-December, "Immortal Sword I" officially began filming at Hengdian World Studios.

On the first day of filming, Tang Ren invited numerous media outlets, and reporters from all over arrived in droves.

Director Li Guoli, along with Cheng Chen, Liu Tianxian, Yan Danchen, and the rest of the main creative team, launched the opening ceremony.

Originally, according to Cai Yinong's initial plan, a low-key opening would have sufficed.

After all, the actors weren't particularly famous; staging an overly grand opening might lead to embarrassment if the show later flopped.

But with Cheng Chen's involvement, Cai Yinong swiftly shifted tactics, determined to make every media outlet aware of "Immortal Sword I."

Cai Yinong proved herself a seasoned veteran, just as she had hoped.

Leveraging Cheng Chen's fame, "Immortal Sword I" became a sensation even before airing.

At the same time, Tang Ren didn't merely ride on Cheng Chen's coattails without contributing.

Tang Ren also used the opening ceremony of "Immortal Sword I" to promote Cheng Chen's concert.

Mutual benefit—both sides gained advantages…

"Cheng Chen Strongly Joins Immortal Sword Filming"

"Cheng Chen Reveals Concert Is Fully Prepared, Awaiting Debut"

"Asian Superstar's New Drama: China's First Game-Adapted TV Series Begins Filming"

"Cheng Chen's First Concert Is Imminent: The Most Anticipated Concert of This Year"

Even the earlier online backlash following the poster leak was washed clean by media praise.

Public sentiment shifted from widespread criticism to anticipation and optimism.

Of course, original fans still criticized as they always had.

After all, this group were diehard game fans.

Only time will tell if opinions change once the drama airs…

Under Director Li Guoli's leadership, everyone held the opening ceremony in the Gang Sheng style.

Cheng Chen stood among the crowd, solemn-faced, bowing respectfully in all four directions.

In his past life, he had regarded such rituals with utter disdain.

But after experiencing the unimaginable event of "rebirth," he no longer dared to be so casual as before…

"Great deities of the cosmos, I don't know which of you granted me a second chance.

I will cherish this life, thank you, thank you…"

Cheng Chen murmured under his breath, though no sound escaped his lips.

Yet this moment was still captured by the reporters present…

After the opening ceremony, all cast and crew took a group photo for keepsake.

After the photo session, Cheng Chen greeted everyone and left the set.

As the lead, Cheng Chen had a heavy and substantial share of scenes.

But he had previously requested time off from Cai Yinong and Li Guoli.

He had informed them he would be very busy in December, preparing for his concert and other matters.

With advance notice, Director Li Guoli said nothing.

Quietly, he rescheduled all of Cheng Chen's December shooting scenes to later dates…

Although Cheng Chen left the set quietly, he was still spotted.

"He left on the very first day of filming, and the director didn't say a word—being a big star really is great."

Liu Pinyan, just fifteen this year and playing Anu, pouted, her large eyes brimming with envy.

"Don't think too much about it, focus on acting—you'll become a big star someday too."

Jiang Xin, aged twenty, smiled at Liu Pinyan.

Jiang Xin graduated from Yu Province Art Vocational College and had been involved in film and television productions since childhood.

If counting her acting career, she had been in the industry for about a decade, yet remained consistently obscure.

It wasn't until last year, when she portrayed Mu Wanqing in "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," that she finally gained minor fame.

Like Chen Shasha (Chen Zihan), she was one of those actresses with both talent and looks.

Unfortunately, she never became widely known—though Jiang Xin was fortunate; after appearing in "Empresses in the Palace," she won widespread attention.

Her subsequent role in "Ode to Joy" propelled her to stardom, earning her the White Jade Orchid Award for Best Actress at the Modu Television Festival.

"Alright, by the way, Xixi, didn't you say Cheng Chen was your scene partner during the audition? How's his acting?"

Liu Pinyan, holding Liu Tianxian's hand, asked curiously.

Their ages weren't far apart; Liu Pinyan was mischievous and lively, while Liu Tianxian was calm, composed, and graceful.

As the saying goes, plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum each have their admirers—both looked utterly pleasing to the eye.

During the script readings, the three had gotten along well, with Jiang Xin acting like an older sister to them.

"Uh… Teacher Cheng's acting is excellent, but… he just looks a bit intimidating."

Liu Tianxian paused, then spoke slowly.

"Ah!"

At Liu Tianxian's words, Jiang Xin and Liu Pinyan were both startled.

"That can't be right—he was so nice during the script readings, even bought us snacks.

He seemed so friendly—I didn't find him scary at all."

Liu Pinyan added from beside her.

Jiang Xin nodded, looking puzzled at Liu Tianxian.

Liu Tianxian shook her head and said:

"I don't know either, it's just… when he acts, he gives off a fierce vibe, like… uh, like a villain."

She had wanted to say "crazy," but thought it was bad to speak ill of someone behind their back, so she changed it to another word.

"Now that you mention it, I remember—before, I heard from a friend that Cheng Chen had an argument with the director while filming Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre."

"But it was dropped later. Hearing Xixi say this, could he be a tyrant on set?"

Jiang Xin suddenly spoke up.

"No way…"

Liu Pinyan felt her idol collapse with a "boom."

"You guys think, what if while he's acting, he suddenly takes a dislike to us…"

"It probably won't happen—the director definitely won't just sit back and let it happen."

Liu Pinyan said slowly.

"Too naive. A big star like Cheng Chen, even the director will give him leeway."

"Besides, wasn't it said he's also an investor in our drama?"

"If the director angers him, he can just replace the director!"

As an older sister who had been through it, Jiang Xin said with concern.

"Then… we should probably avoid him from now on."

Liu Pinyan said pitifully.

"Mm."

Liu Tianxian and Jiang Xin nodded in agreement.

Thus, the three women began filming Immortal Sword I with trembling hearts…

It wasn't unfair for Liu Tianxian to overthink it—Cheng Chen had just finished playing Chen Ge in the previous drama.

He had just wrapped up Chen Ge's storyline in the Kung Fu set.

Every day on set, he immersed himself completely in Chen Ge's world.

Even though he had tried hard to shake off Chen Ge's shadow while playing Li Xiaoyao, it had been over three months of acting.

How could there be no trace left? And to Liu Tianxian's eyes,

Cheng Chen became a domineering villain in performance…

…

"Achoo! Achoo!"

Cheng Chen sneezed several times in the car.

Driver Shi Qiang glanced at him through the rearview mirror.

"I'm fine—probably just a cold…"

Cheng Chen waved his hand at the driver.

Shi Qiang was a newly hired driver for Xinghuo Entertainment, a strong and sturdy man who, besides being a driver,

also served as Cheng Chen's bodyguard and assistant—a highly reliable partner.

After returning to the hotel, Cheng Chen began packing his luggage while practicing singing.

The concert date was drawing nearer, and Tianhai Records had already begun preliminary promotion.

After entering December, the promotional efforts grew even stronger.

At today's opening ceremony, several reporters had asked him about the concert preparations.

This was a joint goal achieved by Tianhai Records and Tangren Film and Television.

But Cheng Chen wasn't leaving the set because of the concert.

He was going to receive an award!

…