Chapter 226: Divine Sword Controlling Lightning True Technique

Generally, during filming, movies strictly keep scripts, plots, and stills confidential, but from time to time they release some information, attracting media attention and leaving an impression on the audience.

What is often used is naturally the gossip about the male and female leads.

However, Jiang Heng rarely uses this trick; the sole selling point and label of his films is special effects.

Moreover, since there is currently no second director in China who has made a critically acclaimed and commercially successful special-effects blockbuster, the audience's first thought when thinking of special effects is Jiang Heng; this concept is almost binding.

Therefore, Jiang Heng's films domestically have no publicity worries, so he naturally cannot be bothered to use hype tactics.

But what he never expected was that, shortly after the filming of Zhu Zion began, rumors of his romance with Jing Tian started to spread.

First someone leaked it on Tianya Forum, then some small media reported it, and after that it spread everywhere, causing an uproar.

But don't be fooled by the lively media reports—no intimate photos of Jiang Heng and Jing Tian were captured; the so-called evidence is mostly rumors and speculation from alleged crew members.

The first piece of evidence is that Jiang Heng treats Jing Tian too well, choosing an actress who can't act as the female lead and jokingly investing hundreds of millions of dollars, making him practically the first person in the Chinese-language entertainment industry to do so.

Secondly, Jiang Heng's temper is too good; Jing Tian almost every scene needs the director to explain and demonstrate the acting, whereas with anyone else he would have already started scolding.

Yet Jiang Heng patiently lectures and teaches; if one said there was no relationship between them, nobody would believe it!

Then, someone leaked it on Tianya Forum.

They said Jing Tian became the female lead not because she was dating Jiang Heng, but because she had financial backing—tens of millions of dollars invested—and no one could criticize her as just a rookie actress!

However, although this leak is close to the truth, few people believe it; audiences prefer to see gossip about Director Jiang.

Young, wealthy, and a big director—why not stir up a bit more gossip?

We should learn from Elder Brother Cheng Long!

At Hengdian, the Zhu Zion crew has finished indoor scenes, packed up their equipment, and is preparing to go out for location shooting.

The first stop is Longhu Shan, where they will film the battle at Grass Temple Village.

Since Bi Yao is not involved, Jing Tian doesn't need to join the crew for over ten days.

Da Tian Tian has been away from the capital for too long, so she plans to go back home for two days before returning to the crew.

Before departure, he generously treated the entire crew to hot pot.

Consequently, everyone thanked him, especially the minor actors and staff, who secretly whispered that if Jing Tian were with Director Jiang it wouldn't be bad—at least this boss lady is very generous and willing to spend money.

Jing Tian naturally also knows about the rumors outside, and she feels delighted.

She wanted to ask Jiang Heng if he knew, but feared he might say something unpleasant, leaving her inevitably a bit uneasy.

Moreover, with many people and mixed eyes in the crew, opportunities for privacy are few, so she dares not ask randomly.

Da Tian Tian, preoccupied, temporarily left the crew without mention, but said the Zhu Zion crew would first go to the base of Longhu Shan, then to the prearranged village to film the Grass Temple Village battle scene.

This is the film's opening first major action scene, which the book describes as very exciting.

Many people were drawn to the book solely because of this scene.

But when filming the previous incarnation's The Legend of Qing Yun, who knows what the crew was thinking—although Puzhi Dashi is obviously a monk, they dressed him as a Daoist, which is practically asking for criticism.

As for the fight scenes, there is nothing worth seeing—Puzhi the monk didn't even use the Six Syllable Great Bright Mantra.

Moreover, after all, they were dressed as Daoists; using the Six Syllable Great Bright Mantra would have seemed even more out of place.

However, in Jiang Heng's version, this opening scene must follow the original—not only must the Six Syllable Great Bright Mantra be filmed, but also that super-exhilarating, super-cool Divine Sword Controlling Lightning True Technique must be perfectly interpreted.

The audience must feel that the opening fight scene is worth the ticket price.

On set, crew members busied themselves with preparations; Zhao Wenzhuo, who plays Puzhi Dashi, looked at his storyboard in hand and felt moved.

Director Jiang's work is too meticulous; the storyboard is drawn like a comic, showing exactly what posture, gestures, and eye expressions he should use.

Beside him, Yu Rongguang, who plays Cangsong Daoren, is also a skilled veteran actor with top-notch martial arts.

While watching, they praised, "Director Jiang's standard is so high he could become famous as a cartoonist even if he didn't make movies—look at this close-up, tsk tsk, let's hope we nail it in one take!"

"I definitely have no problem!" Zhao Wenzhuo said proudly.

"Then I have even less problem!" Yu Rongguang laughed, "I really am looking forward to this movie—the Divine Sword Controlling Lightning True Technique shot hasn't been this cool in Chinese cinema yet; appearing in it, I've made it worthwhile!"

Zhao Wenzhuo listened, thought it over carefully, and indeed it was true.

In The Magic Lotus Lantern, there is also a scene of heavenly thunder striking, but it is the seal of Peach Mountain that is taking effect.

The Divine Sword Controlling Lightning True Technique has mortals summon heavenly thunder to strike opponents, yet he happens to be the one who gets struck.

"Hey!" Zhao Wenzhuo sighed helplessly and laughed.

Yu Rongguang patted his shoulder and smiled, saying, "Act well—this will become a classic shot etched into film history!"

Zhao Wenzhuo thought and said, "That's for sure!"

After a while the sky darkened, both had their auras bound, and filming officially began.

Yu Rongguang, playing Cangsong Daoren, had a child tucked under his arm; Zhao Wenzhuo, aided by his aura, flew over and clashed with Yu Rongguang.

These movements were designed by Yuan De, their main characteristic being swift and fierce.

Next they filmed Puzhi the monk being poisoned by the seven-colored centipede and his dialogue with Cangsong Daoren; for the two it wasn't difficult, and they cleared it in one take.

Then came the shot of Puzhi the monk performing the Six Syllable Great Bright Mantra; the script describes: Puzhi lets out a loud shout, his robes billow, he exerts force with his left hand, the jade prayer beads snap, a dozen or so clear, translucent beads spin in the air, each emitting a green light, floating before him.

Among them, a deep purple bead fell straight down; Puzhi flipped his palm, caught it in his hand, formed the left and right water pot seals with both hands, opened his eyes wide, his body faintly glowing gold like a golden arhat descending, and uttered syllable by syllable: "Om, ma, ni, pad, mi, hum."

For Zhao Wenzhuo, who has performed the Great Heavenly Dragon, Great Net Dharma Spell, and Mahayana Buddhas…, this shot is extremely easy, and he cleared it in one take as well.

Of course, Zhao Wenzhuo filmed the version without special effects on site; it looked a bit awkward, but the momentum was spot on, and the cast and crew still admired him.

"Teacher Zhao Wenzhuo is amazing—no wonder he's a veteran actor, he performed really well!"

"Yeah, it's a shame martial arts films have declined; otherwise he'd deserve the lead role." A few staff members muttered quietly.

Afterwards, Yu Rongguang's portrayal of Cangsong Daoren dressing as a black-clad figure was filmed.

But see him draw his back sword with a swish, let out a low grunt, grip the sword formula, step on the Seven Stars, take seven steps, and the sword suddenly thrusts skyward, murmuring:

"Nine Heavenly Mystic Chambers, transform into divine thunder. Majestic heavenly might, I draw it with the sword!"

In post-production, there will be a close-up of the sword.

At the same time, there will be roiling dark clouds, rumbling thunder, flashing lightning, and raging winds.

Zhao Wenzhuo let out a startled cry, "Divine Sword Thunder Control True Manual, are you a disciple of the Qingyun Sect?"

(End of chapter)