Chapter 21: Movie

The setting sun, the yellow sand, the blood-red light; the scene was vast, bleak, and solemn, like a blood-stained painting.

“Soldiers, the enemy is before us! Are you willing to follow me to storm the royal court, to carve our names upon the Wolf’s Lair Mountains!”

A heroic voice resonated. A knight clad in blood-cross heavy armor pointed forward with his sword. The mount beneath him was not a renowned warhorse, but a world-shocking blue dragon wreathed in purple lightning. Several Soul Chains connected them, a spell’s flash shone in the dragon’s eyes filled with bloodthirst, a fierce aura surged, reaching up to the highest heavens!

A Dragonrider!

Blue Dragons, a species of the Five-Colored Dragons, naturally could not compare to holy-ranked Dragons like the Dawn Dragon “Morning Duck” or the Light Dragon “Surpassing Radiance”. But they were among the most outstanding and formidable beings below the holy rank!

Moreover, answering his call like rolling spring thunder were a full eighty-eight Dragonriders!

Among them were crimson dragons charging with flames, white dragons enveloped in frost, golden dragons shining with golden light, and jade-green dragons shimmering with jade radiance. The Dragons formed a massive flock, their gathered Dragon’s Aura piercing straight into the sky. The heavens seemed to crack and collapse, forming a terrifying vortex over a hundred meters wide.

The words “earth-shattering” would not be an exaggeration!

— The Dragonrider Corps “Blood Staining the Yellow Sands”, led by the “Second Dragon Rider” Huo Qubing of the Great Han Empire!

Then, blade glints and sword shadows, the clash of arms and armored steeds, an epic painting unfolded, breathtaking and awe-inspiring, stirring the blood!

After a while, the images gradually dimmed and the light faded away. A pair of wide eyes shone with a faint gleam in the darkness.

My goodness, this, isn’t this a movie?

The sight before him left Li Yi dumbfounded, his throat dry, speechless for a long time.

“Well? This, I created it. It’s called the ‘Thousand Illusions Array’, the only one on the Nine Provinces Continent!” Wang Sheng had been a bit apprehensive, carefully observing Li Yi’s reaction. Now he felt complacent, his eyes narrowing into a smile. “This thing will flourish in my hands!”

“Flourish?” Li Yi wondered. “You mean…”

“The neighbor of Dawn Cliff is Dusk Capital — Chang’an. It’s filled with countless wealthy merchants, officials, and nobles!” Wang Sheng, having a grand plan in mind, revealed his intention. “If we can sell this in Chang’an City, we’re bound to make a huge profit!”

“I see…” Li Yi nodded, understanding. He then asked, “And this ‘transaction’ you mentioned, what is it?”

Understanding the other’s scheme, a hint of wariness arose within him instead. He never believed in things that fell from the sky.

“The energy source for this Thousand Illusions Array is chargeable crystals.” Wang Sheng noticed Li Yi’s defensiveness but didn’t mind, continuing his explanation. “Chargeable crystals require a Mage to charge them. My magical cultivation is rather poor, so I need a Mage dedicated to charging… Don’t worry, it won’t take much time, and you’ll get a full ten percent of the profits!”

“Ten percent?” Li Yi frowned.

“Don’t refuse yet,” Wang Sheng waved his hand, looking like “don’t be impatient”. “First, ten percent is already a lot. Second, I’ll keep your secret…”

“Secret?” Li Yi’s face darkened, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and his heart beat violently.

Could it be the secret of being a transmigrator, or has the Heavenly Prophecy Ring been exposed?

In that instant, an inexplicable killing intent rose in Li Yi’s heart.

“Your meditation technique is not the Turtle Breathing Technique, and it’s quite extraordinary, isn’t it.”

Wang Sheng’s next words, however, calmed Li Yi down.

Meditation Art?

“Your Meditation Art, devouring elements so powerfully, with your strength alone it actually stirred everything, disturbing the — ‘Void Lung’!” Wang Sheng said with conviction, a sense of sympathy in his expression. “Denying it is useless. I oversee all the arrays in the entire Star Radiance Tower. I barely needed any investigation to find the traces…”

Oh? Is the Alligator-Resting Art really that terrifying? Disturbing the “Void Lung”? That’s a Super Magic Array!

Li Yi didn’t know he had caused such a commotion. Hearing this, he was secretly amazed and his heart palpitated.

“Also, not only will I keep your secret, I can also help you cover it up. I can even help you advance further!” Thinking Li Yi was still hesitating, Wang Sheng felt it was time to add fuel. Gritting his teeth, he quickly added.

“Help me? How would you help me?” Li Yi was somewhat puzzled.

“Have you heard of the Star-Slaying Cannon?” Wang Sheng’s fat body leaned in, his voice lowered, speaking mysteriously.

“Of course! The top weapon of the Star Radiance Tower, who doesn’t know it?” Li Yi nodded. The Star-Slaying Cannon, opposite the “Nebula Shield”, was the Star Radiance Tower’s strongest offensive method, reputed to — blast stars to pieces!

“The Star-Slaying Cannon’s operation is very costly. Besides regular maintenance, it needs to be soaked in an environment rich with elements. For this, there is a dedicated element source called the ‘Star-Slaying Knot’. I can make a small manipulation…” At this point, Fatty Wang leaned even closer, lowering his voice further. “I can connect your Meditation Chamber’s conduit pipe directly to the ‘Star-Slaying Knot’!”

Li Yi shuddered, took a sharp breath, and couldn’t speak.

“You have that ability?”

After a long pause, his voice was dry as he spoke.

“Of course! All the arrays in Star Radiance Tower, big and small, as well as the mobile golems ‘Worker Ants’ responsible for maintenance and renovation, I have the final say!” Fatso’s eyes narrowed into slits, a little pride within them.

“Don’t you fear my meditation might affect the Star-Slaying Cannon? If something goes wrong, it’s a big deal…” He was certainly tempted, but Li Yi couldn’t help asking.

“You’re overthinking it…” Fatty found it somewhat amusing, giving Li Yi a look. “Do you know the scale of element absorption of the ‘Star-Slaying Knot’? You’re merely a Spell Apprentice. Even if you go all out, it’s just a drop in the bucket. It can be replenished in minutes.”

Li Yi nodded, finally reassured.

Once reassured, his mind grew active. His eyes slightly shifted as he began to think.

“Your transaction, I can agree to it.” Li Yi toyed with the Crane-Luan Brush, its glow reflected in his eyes. “But, the terms need to be revised. I want fifty percent!”

“Fifty percent!” Fatty jumped up as if a poker had burned his behind, looking utterly aghast.

“Hear me out first,” Li Yi had expected this reaction and said with a smile. “I have another function — writing scripts! I guarantee that with scripts I write, the sales will increase by tenfold or more!”

“Are you kidding me?” Wang Sheng let out a scoff, his face full of disbelief.

“Have you done market research? Where is your main consumer group concentrated? And what do they love to watch the most? Do you know any of this?”

Li Yi’s series of questions left Wang Sheng stunned; he couldn’t speak for a while. “Market research? What on earth is that?”

“Take your story for example. If targeting love-struck young ladies, should Huo Qubing’s image be masculine or delicate? Should the plot be heroic and tragic or sentimental and lingering? If targeting men, is a more heroic image better, or is an underdog’s counterattack more appealing? These are all things to consider.”

Wang Sheng’s confidence deflated completely. He scratched his head and said quietly, “Currently, it’s mainly aimed at young people, to be blunt, young masters from wealthy families…”

“Then what are the interests of these playboys? What do they like to watch?” Li Yi pressed on, thinking to himself: The life of a dandy, perhaps like the trope of a son born into privilege but overcoming adversity…

“From what I know, because it’s close to Dawn Cliff, the men in Chang’an City are very interested in magical cultivation.” The fatty thought for a moment. “Many of them lack the innate conditions to cultivate themselves. The more they can’t have it, the more they desire it.”

“Then, let’s see… I have a script you can try. Its name is… ‘A Mortal Cultivates’, hmm… ‘A Mortal Cultivates Demonic Arts!'” Li Yi gave it a little thought, stammering halfway through.

“Is this story long?” Fatty asked doubtfully. “If the response is good, I plan to show it for a long time…”

“Believe me, the story is quite long.” Li Yi nodded, speaking with utmost sincerity.

“Fine. But if your story doesn’t meet the requirements, then we must stick to the old way — ten percent!” The fatty’s eyes shifted; he clearly had a clever plan.

“Alright! But your arcane energy conduit needs to be completed quickly. You know, the Martial Display is in about half a month…”

“Of course!”

Hands shook, sealing a deal.

…

After two days of Li Yi’s constant urging, the arcane energy conduit was set up.

Night fell.

Li Yi returned to his Meditation Chamber. Carefully closing the doors and windows, he spread out his mental ripples, confirming no one was around before removing a brick from a corner.

Instantly, from the gap in the brick, a visible Elemental Tide gushed in, misting the surroundings!

Li Yi took a comfortable deep breath, observed for a moment more, and nodded with satisfaction.

This was the first time meditating in the environment of the “Star-Slaying Knot”. He couldn’t help feeling some anticipation.

His body leaned forward, coiled like a dragon, crouched like an alligator, a flickering electricity in his eyes. He quietly closed them.

Alligator-Resting Art!