Chapter 345

The premiere of "White Snake: Origins" was set for February 5, a Friday. The reason it wasn't scheduled for the weekend is that those two days happened to be the Little New Year in both the south and north.

Although Jiang Heng didn't pay much attention to holidays, he also didn't want to disturb others' reunions, so the premiere was rare to be scheduled on a workday.

As for the time, it was arranged for 2 p. m., with Jing Tian walking the red carpet together to accept interviews.

After so many premiere ceremonies, the so-called media interviews and producers' behind-the-scenes stories basically follow a fixed promotional formula.

Accordingly, the audience cares more about this segment, and the film's main creators and attending guests have grown accustomed to it.

In private, they discussed more about the currently hot-release Avatar, which is truly extremely popular.

Because the film's 3D effects are exceptionally outstanding, surpassing those of Lion Camel Ridge.

Even compared to Havoc in Heaven, which is touted as ushering in a new era of global 3D cinema, it still holds its own.

Moreover, some bloggers who usually praise foreign productions claim that the content shown in Havoc in Heaven is too illusory, whereas the Pandora world depicted in Avatar feels more like a real place.

They also claim that Havoc in Heaven only had an earlier release date; if it were released in the same window as Avatar, it would surely lose to the latter.

The attending guests naturally wouldn't go on and on, yet they all kept marveling at Avatar's super shocking impact.

Lu Qian even said with a very emotive tone, "The era of 3D special effects has truly arrived."

If they don't transition to shooting effects-heavy blockbusters, they will surely have no place in the commercial film market going forward.

Jiang Wen asked, "What are you preparing to film?" Lu Qian replied he was still looking for a script, but in fact he had already set his sights on Ghost Blows Out the Light; however, the rights and financing weren't settled, so he naturally didn't dare speak rashly.

Soon after, the main feature began. After the dragon logo and the Outstanding Rising Film Company logo, the first thing to meet the audience's eyes was a peach tree; after a breeze, petals were blown aloft.

One petal dancing in the frame revealed, through its trajectory, a lush valley, a waterfall flying down, and clear, tranquil lake water—scenery beautiful and pleasing, like a paradise beyond the world.

Many female viewers felt at this moment as if their hearts were about to melt.

"How beautiful! I really want to travel to this place!"

"This probably isn't filmed on location, right?"

"Definitely not—where in reality could there be such a gorgeous place?"

"Director Jiang Heng truly understands art and composition too well!"

"Every frame could be used as a wallpaper!"

As the audience chatted, the big screen showed a huge white python slowly moving among the rocks; bright sunlight poured down in a column from an opening above, and peach-blossom-like fine rain fell slowly, making the picture beautiful as a dream.

The audience didn't know how to describe it in words, merely letting out continuous hissing and huffing inhalations.

A white flash behind the stone, Jing Tian's Bai Xiao, wearing a white gauze long dress with a hairband, slowly rose amid the sky-full "peach blossom rain," murmuring incantations while constantly forming hand seals.

The audience in the hall instantly became excited, with many shouting, "Jing Tian's portrayal is so beautiful—I really love it!"

"Director Jiang shoots so well!"

"It's because the young lady has a good foundation!"

Although Warring States suffered a double collapse in box office and reputation, Jing Tian's fan count didn't drop; once White Snake: Origins officially releases, surely more people will become her fans.

On the big screen, Jing Tian and Zhao Liying were in the water, exposing their fair shoulders; the latter then approached, placing both hands on Jing Tian's shoulders and leaning her head against them. Young viewers felt an itch in their hearts, secretly exclaiming delight.

"Xiao Qing's bun-like face looks truly adorable!"

"She's clearly handsome, alright!"

"It's very good-looking!"

Aesthetic differences exist between genders; most girls think Zhao Liying very good-looking, while most boys consider her merely cute.

The plot continues; Bai Xiao's breakthrough fails, yet she doesn't know where her inner demon lies. Xiao Qing gives Bai Xiao a hairpin, only then learning it contains sealed memories. Afterwards, the four characters "White Snake: Origins" appear as the title, followed by another uplifting prelude piece.

The main story begins five hundred years ago.

In the late Tang dynasty, as the world teetered toward chaos, demons and monsters roamed the human realm. The National Preceptor, Taiyin Zhenren, ordered the populace to catch snakes to aid in cultivating Daoist arts.

On a huge official ship, soldiers patrolled while maidservants lined up to carry things. Jing Tian's Bai Xiao, disguised as a maid, walked at the rear of the procession.

She seized the moment when those around were off guard, swiftly darting into hiding; coupled with a slight frown, her style turned somewhat playful.

The young lady leapt up and down, silently and extremely swiftly taking down several fully armored soldiers. Though the scene was obviously bloody, it inexplicably carried a hint of humor.

"I really am liking Jing Tian more and more!"

"Her portrayal of Bai Xiao is just too cute!"

But she soon became flustered, for after failing to assassinate the National Preceptor, she was chased everywhere by a little Daoist with his face covered in white cloth, who waved his hand and unleashed several yellow talismans.

"This move is obviously that of a card master!"

"Director Jiang really does like League of Legends!"

The action style of White Snake: Origins continues as before, remaining swift and fierce.

Many high-difficulty moves, Jing Tian naturally cannot perform, but there are stunt doubles.

Meanwhile, Zhang Jin, who plays the little Daoist, is himself an expert, so his fighting looks very impressive.

But see the little Daoist casting a spell, scattering a hundred-odd yellow talismans in midair arranged in formation; with a single wave of his hand, six of them shot like flying knives at Bai Xiao, who nimbly dodged them, the talismans stabbing into the ship's planks like daggers, leaving the on‑site audience anxious for Bai Xiao—clearly not on the same level!

Bai Xiao was indeed no match; she was quickly knocked into the water. When she awoke, she found herself in a farmhouse.

She quickly jumped out of bed, assuming a defensive stance with a tense expression, but she wasn't in danger—she had been rescued by the farmhand Xu Xuan.

Well, it's yet another very clichéd hero‑saves‑the‑beauty trope.

Although it's a bit cliché, it really works.

In A Chinese Ghost Story, Ning Caichen rescued the little fox spirit Nie Xiaoqian wounded by Xiahou, and she fell for him without hesitation; here, however, the plot is evidently more tortuous.

Because Xu Xuan first needed to help Bai Xiao recover her memory, he and her dudou accidentally fell off a cliff, but Bai Xiao stepped in and saved them.

Only then did he realize that the girl he saved, beautiful as a fairy, actually knew magic.

Could she be a demon? But given her beauty, it no longer matters.

Even the audience in the hall felt that the girl on the big screen, leaping and jumping toward the cliff, dressed in white like snow with flowing sleeves, full of immortal aura, was beautiful enough to intoxicate.

Upon finding a wooden compass, Bai Xiao regained part of her memory, recalling her master's assassination order and the mission's failure.

Seeing Xu Xuan that she had gone blank and remained silent for a long while, he stepped behind her and patted her shoulder.

Xiao Bai instinctively swung his hand and struck out; Xu Xuan, holding the umbrella, fell off the cliff. Xiao Bai went to the cliff edge to look, and the oil-paper umbrella imbued with magic power lifted Xu Xuan into the air.

Xu Xuan happily grabbed Xiao Bai and brought her along; Xiao Bai was initially displeased, waving a hand to gather magic power intending to strike. But seeing the scenery below like a painting, Xiao Bai was momentarily dazed.

The mountains were covered in red leaves, green grass, white petals, and protruding strange peaks; even more beautiful was the two flying low overhead, causing countless petals to rise like smoke and dust, gorgeous and splendid.

"Holy shit, this scene is too beautiful!"

"More romantic than Titanic!"

"It's gotta be Director Jiang; as another love-effects blockbuster, compared to this, 'A Chinese Ghost Story' is just trash!"

(End of chapter)