novellhall Chapter 18 Self-Generation!
Chapter 18 Self-Generation!
Chen Xun quickly seized the opportunity and stuffed the other unopened package into Qiang Ge's hand as well:
"Brother Qiang is amazing. My name is Chen Xun, and I'm also an actor. I have an audition in a few days that requires some action skills. I've been practicing on my own without any good results, so I wanted to learn from you guys and get a feel for the basics."
"actor?"
A younger stuntman next to him raised an eyebrow:
"Judging from how hard you were moving boxes yesterday, I thought you were a new stagehand."
Brother Qiang lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said slowly:
"If you want to learn something real, you can't just look at it; you have to memorize it physically."
He pointed to the center of the film set.
"See those markings on the ground? When we move around later, you can follow along and mimic the movements. Pay attention to how our waist, legs, and core coordinate when we exert force."
"Don't be afraid of looking awkward. All movements look awkward at first."
"Understood! Thank you, Brother Qiang!"
Chen Xun was overjoyed, knowing that the cigarettes he had given away had not been in vain.
For the next while the martial arts performers sparred in front, he would mimic their moves from behind.
As Qiang Ge delivered a clean and swift roundhouse kick, sending the prop dagger flying from the villain's hand, Chen Xun watched intently every detail of his hip twist, turn, and leg swing. A green orb of light then fell to the ground.
[Physical Attributes - Coordination +2]
absorb!
He mimicked that movement, feeling like a clumsy robot.
But after the attributes were integrated, the muscles seemed to have a faint memory, and the awkward feeling seemed to lessen a little the next time they tried.
During a break, he approached the young stuntman, offered him water, and humbly asked for his advice:
"Brother, that side fall just now, I noticed you landed on your shoulder first. Was there some kind of technique involved?"
Seeing his sincere attitude, the young stuntman was happy to offer guidance: "Your observation is quite keen. This is called 'balance' or 'dissipating force.' Landing with a hard impact can easily lead to injury. Look, like this..."
He gave a simple demonstration, showing a rapid roll in the shoulder and back muscles the moment of contact with the ground.
A gray orb of light fell: [Physical Attribute - Force Dissipation Technique +1].
absorb!
Chen Xun felt that his understanding of being beaten had deepened.
He then found another martial artist who was skilled in ground grappling techniques. Seeing that he was offering cigarettes and water and was very friendly, the martial artist gave him some pointers on simple joint control and break-out techniques.
Although it was only the basics, with each careful explanation and demonstration, gray orbs of light would fall down:
[Physical Attributes - Control +1]
[Physical Attributes - Reaction +1]
……
Chen Xun was like a greedy sponge, frantically absorbing these valuable experiences summarized from actual combat, experiences not found in textbooks.
On his attribute panel, the numbers in the [Limbs] section were jumping at an unprecedented speed:
[Limbs: Lv0 (58/100)]
In just two days, it almost doubled!
Although he hasn't broken through yet, he can clearly feel the changes in his body.
In the past, I could think of the movements, but my body couldn't.
Now my body seems to have been injected with some instinctive reactions. Although I'm still not very skilled, at least I know which direction to exert force in.
"Kid, you've got good comprehension!"
Qiang Ge watched Chen Xun patiently practice a simple blocking and counter-attack move over and over again, and nodded:
"The problem is that the foundation is too weak, and the core strength is insufficient. There are no shortcuts to this; you have to train!"
Chen Xun wiped his sweat, panting heavily:
"Brother Qiang, I understand! It's just that time is tight and the task is heavy, so we can only learn the basics first and get through the audition."
"A Hollywood audition?"
Brother Qiang raised an eyebrow, then immediately understood:
"That's normal! They don't care how long you've practiced, as long as it looks right on camera. Come on, I'll teach you a shortcut."
Qiang Ge pulled Chen Xun aside and taught him a few impressive-looking moves that actually didn't require much strength or basic skills.
For example, how to use angles and editing points to make an ordinary straight punch look powerful.
How to create the illusion of agility by using quick steps and turns.
"Remember! In Hollywood, looking like you can fight is often more important than actually being able to fight!"
As Qiang exhaled smoke rings, he shared his insights from years of experience in this industry:
"Unless you're going for the stunt double or a character actor role!"
Chen Xun was overjoyed and memorized these camera techniques.
This was practically tailor-made for someone like him who was eager for quick results in a crash course.
When he finished work in the evening, Chen Xun felt as if his legs were filled with lead, and his muscles ached all over, but he was extremely excited.
He took out his last bit of cash, wanting to treat Brother Qiang and the other stuntmen to a simple meal, but Brother Qiang waved him off.
"Alright, kid, as long as you have the will, that's enough! It's not easy for anyone in this line of work."
Brother Qiang patted him on the shoulder:
"I can see you're someone who puts in the effort. Let's work together again sometime. Remember! To succeed in Hollywood, just being a good fighter isn't enough; you have to show them what makes you special."
Exhausted, with a head full of action points and a surge of physical attributes, Chen Xun boarded the bus back home.
He touched his still slightly sore shoulders, having just absorbed the latest [Force Relief Technique].
Although the process was tough, even a bit self-torturing.
But this tangible, perceptible progress made him feel incredibly grounded.
Over the next few days, Chen Xun completely transformed into a spendthrift on set.
With the help of two packs of Marlboro cigarettes and his humble attitude of seeking advice, he practically became a fixture in that Republican-era film crew.
The stuntmen saw that he was indeed hardworking and not unintelligent, so they gradually treated him as one of their own and gave him more guidance.
"Waist! The power comes from your waist! Not from swinging your arms like a turtle!"
Qiang Ge watched Chen Xun imitate a hook punch and couldn't help but correct him, giving him a slap on the lower back.
Chen Xun grimaced as he adjusted his center of gravity, feeling his core muscles screaming in protest.
But just as he followed the instructions, twisting his waist and thrusting his shoulder to channel the power outwards!
A green orb of light fell from his body and was instantly absorbed by him!
[Physical Attributes - Core Power +2]
Chen Xun was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed.
It seems that practice under extreme focus can also generate attributes!
This discovery motivated him even more!
He stuck to the stuntmen like a piece of chewing gum; when they were rehearsing, he would be there to mimic their movements!
While they rested, he went over to offer them water and cigarettes, and also asked them about the details he hadn't understood earlier.
The young stuntman even started teaching him some simple moves and how to react in response to his opponent to make the fight look more realistic.
"Yes, yes, when I throw a punch, you sidestep to block, then grab my wrist in the same motion, yes, that's the feeling! It has to be fast and accurate!"
The young stuntman spoke while simultaneously mimicking Chen Xun's movements.
As Chen Xun successfully executed a smooth parry and counter-attack combo, orbs of light simultaneously appeared beneath the feet of both of them:
What dropped from the stuntman was [Physical Attribute - Cooperation +1].
Chen Xun himself received a blue [Physical Attribute - Move Combination +3]!
Blue is rare!
It's still self-produced!
Chen Xun suppressed the urge to roar to the sky and quickly absorbed the energy.
An understanding of how movements should be fluid and seamless, and how power should flow continuously, surged into his body, elevating his understanding of combat to a new level.
On his attribute panel, the experience points in the [Limbs] section were accumulating at an unprecedented rate:
[Limbs: Lv0 (72/100)]
[Limbs: Lv0 (85/100)]
[Limbs: Lv0 (96/100)]
……
A breakthrough is just one step away!