Chapter 42: Filming

"Alright! Get ready for the take!" All the actors were in position.

"Action!" With Director Lu's command, filming began.

"Brother Qitian! Brother Qitian, where are you?" Feng Changge was terribly worried, persistently calling out and searching.

Ruan Wushuang and Ye Mochen scanned their surroundings, vigilant for any potential danger.

Rustling noises abruptly pierced the stillness of the deep forest, sharp and unnerving, sending chills down their spines.

Hearing this, Ruan Wushuang sensed trouble and shouted, "Form ranks!" The students responded swiftly, organizing themselves into battle formation.

A black flood dragon plummeted from the sky with a roar, veiling the bright moon like a shroud of darkness. Its stench carried for miles, its hideous form monstrous.

Among the students, some had never witnessed such a spectacle. Someone gasped and fainted from fright, supported by those at their side.

Ye Mochen observed, frowning in thought. The beast seemed to be targeting them. Exchanging a glance with Ruan Wushuang, he nodded toward Zuo Jiangye, then charged at the dragon.

Ruan Wushuang, attuned to Ye Mochen's intent, spun toward her subordinates and barked, "Quick! Retreat toward the Netherworld exit!"

"No! We can't abandon the Lord!" one young, hot-blooded student protested, his sword nearly unsheathing itself with his fervor.

Ruan Wushuang's expression hardened, her tone icy, "That's an order! Retreat immediately!"

The student, deflated, complied, hoisting the unconscious girl beside him as the main force rushed toward the exit.

Feng Changge's heart was still with Qitian and she was reluctant to leave.

"Changge, hide yourself well!" Ruan Wushuang could only spare this warning before turning to join the fight.

Ye Mochen and Ye Yi now faced the dragon head-on.

To display its power, the reeking dragon opened its bloody maw and howled skyward, the sound echoing through the valley, shaking the earth.

"Sword of Xuan Yuan, come!" Ye Mochen stretched out his hand, and a dazzling blue light flashed—the ancient sword, shrouded in profound energy, appeared in his grip.

Unafraid of the dragon's fury, Ye Mochen’s face remained impassive. In a blink, he was by its side, driving the sword deep into its flesh. The beast roared in agony, spewing Netherworld fire, growing ever more frenzied.

Ye Yi circled to its other flank, waiting for an opening.

Ruan Wushuang stealthily climbed a hillside, her Frost Bow emanating icy energy.

Seizing the moment, she spun and leapt into the air, facing the dragon head-on. Her eyes were cold, her movements decisive and swift.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

Three frost arrows shot from her bow in an instant, streaking through the air and piercing the dragon’s body.

With a thunderous crash, the colossal creature collapsed before it could utter a final cry.

Ruan Wushuang’s eyes gleamed, her lips curling into a slight smile. Indeed, her power had increased greatly of late.

"Cut!" Director Lu nodded with satisfaction. "Excellent take. Everyone was in the zone—keep it up."

"Thank you, Director!" The girl who’d 'fainted' sprang to life. The actors, affirmed by the director, were all elated.

Lin Xi exited the scene, lowering the 'Frost Bow' prop, which Lu Yuxiu took from her to set aside.

Lu Yuxiu gently massaged her hand, mindful of the prop’s weight.

"You’ll need to give it your all next scene—be careful not to get hurt," Lu Yuxiu cautioned her.

"I know!" Lin Xi replied with a helpless laugh. She felt like a child being fussed over.

Wen Jin teased them with a grin, "You two are too much!"

"Hahaha! Yes, think about us poor singles for once!" Jiang He chimed in.

The other actors exchanged knowing glances at the pair. Lin Xi folded her arms, pretending not to care, drawing laughter from everyone.

"Alright, break’s over! Next scene—get ready!" Director Lu called them back to work.

"Action!"

The sky was dark, the moon dimmed, and a cold wind lifted the hem of Ruan Wushuang’s robe.

"Wushuang, be careful!" Ye Mochen was ever watchful for her safety. He was the first to sense something amiss, darting to her side and enveloping her in a shield of profound energy.

But he left himself exposed—his back vulnerable to the shadowy figure lurking behind.

A heavy blow landed—Lu Yuxiu received the full force of the attack from the man in black.

Cradled in his arms, Ruan Wushuang felt his body shudder violently. Her heart clenched; she dropped her Frost Bow, frantically reaching for his face.

"Mochen!" she cried, seeing his complexion darken, his lips turning purple.

Poison! How could it act so quickly?

Only a venom parasite could—no, impossible. The venomous parasite had been extinct for a thousand years.

"Hahaha! You guessed right—it is the parasite!" A black-clad figure emerged from the shadows, wrapped head to toe so not an inch of skin showed.

Behind him, a group of similarly dressed subordinates, clearly prepared.

No one noticed Feng Changge, who had been standing aside, now gaping in shock and stumbling backward.

"Who are you!" Ruan Wushuang tensed instantly.

The man in black laughed maniacally, "He shielded you! He’s doomed! He’s as good as dead! Within half a day he’ll die in agony, his bones and blood devoured by countless parasites!"

As Ye Mochen fell, Ruan Wushuang’s hair turned white in an instant, her black tresses merging with the moonlight—pure and luminous.

"Why! Why did you harm him!" Her voice was a wail of anguish, her gaze locking onto the man in black, tears of blood streaming from her eyes.

Such soul-crushing sorrow, a torment beyond words.

"Heaven-Shaking Roar!" Ruan Wushuang unleashed a furious cry, profound energy surging wildly around her as she struck at the black-clad man.

Suddenly, thunderclouds gathered, lightning split the sky, and rain poured down in torrents without warning, as if the heavens themselves were about to collapse.

The man in black barely withstood the onslaught, his subordinates collapsing to their knees behind him. All present stared in shock at the scene before them.

"Cut!" Director Lu’s voice yanked everyone back to reality.

Applause broke out among the assistant directors, crew, and extras.

"That was amazing!" "Lin Xi’s acting is so immersive!"

"Good job! That’s a wrap for today!" Lu Jin stood up from his chair, stepping forward to clap Lin Xi on the shoulder. "You have real talent—even without me giving you special direction, you bring it to life."

Lu Yuxiu was dabbing Lin Xi’s face with tissues when she was praised. She grinned openly. "Of course I do!"

"Hahaha!" Lu Jin laughed heartily. "Not exactly modest, are you?"

Lin Xi raised her chin proudly, a smile on her lips.

Lu Yuxiu’s eyes also brimmed with joy as he quietly took her hand.

Their fingers intertwined, and in the chill of winter, his palm was warm—like a living heater, sending a current of warmth straight to Lin Xi’s heart.

Perhaps it was because they worked together daily, but she had grown used to his presence. Now, the thought of him not being by her side left her inexplicably empty.

She realized she couldn’t do without him anymore.

The two intense night scenes were finally complete.

"Director Lu, how was I?" Jiang He flipped off his black cap, bounding over with a grin.

"Everyone did well. Good work!" Lu Jin couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of Jiang He bundled up. "Go get some rest—tomorrow we continue from this scene."

But Lin Xi wasn’t about to let the director send everyone off so easily. She mischievously hid behind Lu Yuxiu, pinching her nose as she called out,

"If you can’t sleep, stay behind—Director Lu is treating us to a midnight snack!"

Wen Jin muffled a laugh with her hand.

"Yeah!" The extras and crew cheered at the prospect.

Lin Xi tugged on Lu Yuxiu’s robe, trying to hide behind him.

Lu Yuxiu shielded her firmly, casting a sidelong glance at his father—this one was untouchable; do as you see fit.

Lu Jin shook his head with a helpless smile. What else could he do? Treating the crew was a must.

"Xiao Jiang, order a hundred late-night meals—my treat," Lu Jin instructed Jiang He with a grand gesture.

"On it!" Jiang He pulled out her phone to place the order.

It was already eleven o’clock; everyone waited for their food, finally relaxing after the intense shoot. They slumped in their chairs on set, closing their eyes to rest.

Lin Xi and Wen Jin leaned their heads together, quietly recuperating, though Lin Xi’s excitement still hadn’t faded. She fiddled with her phone, visibly energized.

Clip, clip, clip—leather shoes on the floor broke the silence of the set.

Many crew members looked up. Lin Xi turned as well, her eyes widening in surprise as Gu Yao approached under the moonlight.

"Fourth Brother?" Lin Xi blinked, astonished. "It’s so late—what are you doing here?"

Gu Yao glanced at Wen Jin, her cheeks rosy in sleep, and answered softly, "I called her several times but she didn’t pick up. I was worried."

"Oh, we were just filming," Lin Xi said, realization dawning.

"Right! And you told me Wen Jin wasn’t coming tonight!" Lin Xi suddenly remembered, almost leaping up.

"Shh!" Gu Yao quickly stopped her as Wen Jin frowned in her sleep, still leaning on Lin Xi.

Lin Xi immediately dared not move. Her urge to scold her brother was forgotten in concern for Wen Jin.

Gu Yao crouched down, gently brushing Wen Jin’s hair from her face, his eyes full of affection.

"Sweetheart," he called softly, delicately gathering her from Lin Xi’s shoulder into his arms.

"Ugh..." Lin Xi shivered at his endearment—far too mushy.

"Mm..." Wen Jin rubbed her eyes, still half asleep.

Seeing this, Gu Yao sighed in relief and carried her in a princess hold back to the makeup room, closing the door behind them.

The crew exchanged knowing glances, pretending not to have seen. They’d all noticed over the past year that Gu Yao and Wen Jin had something special; now, it seemed even more so.

The entertainment industry is a complex arena of fame and profit, where news travels fast. Within minutes, rumors would circulate throughout the circle. Everyone was savvy and discreet—knowing well but keeping their mouths shut.

In this business, everyone is bound by mutual interest. If you deliberately reveal someone’s secret, your peers will blacklist you as untrustworthy and of poor character.

Gu Yao’s open display was a declaration—one, to assert his claim and ensure Wen Jin was respected; two, because he had the confidence to do so, knowing few would dare cross him.

Lin Xi mused that even in love, her fourth brother lived boldly and true to himself—something she genuinely admired.