novellhall Chapter 254 Vishan Empire Lineage or Void Lineage [5000]
Chapter 254 Vishan Empire Lineage or Void Lineage [5000]
Chapter 253 Vishan Empire Lineage or Void Lineage [5000]
March 15th, 4 AM.
The filming location in Yushu, Qinghai, was still shrouded in darkness, but the exterior areas of Kamar-Taj were already as bright as day.
A dozen high-powered lights illuminated the outlines of the antique-style buildings, and the roar of the generators carried far across the silent plateau.
Chen Xun, wrapped in a thick down jacket and holding a cup of hot coffee, stood behind the monitor.
He's already dressed in his costume!
A crimson monk's robe.
Three layers inside and three layers outside.
But at an altitude of over 4,000 meters, this thickness is still not enough to keep out the chill of the early morning.
"Chen, get ready!"
Director Yates' voice came through the walkie-talkie, accompanied by static.
Chen Xun put down his coffee and walked to the center of the venue.
Today is the first day of operation.
This is the first shot of the Ancient One.
Young Yao meditated in the snow and sensed the breath of Vishanti for the first time.
It's a very simple scene.
But it's important for the whole movie.
This single scene can set the tone for the entire film.
Action!
'
The clapperboard snapped shut.
Chen Xun sat cross-legged in the specially laid artificial snow and closed his eyes.
The wind blowing across the plateau carries a real chill.
He adjusted his breathing and got into the zone.
Memories of countless meditations in the instance automatically surfaced, and the body naturally found a state of "emptiness".
One minute, two minutes —
The camera slowly zooms in.
Yates stared at the monitor, holding his breath.
In the picture, Chen Xun's expression is as calm as a frozen lake, but his eyelashes tremble slightly, revealing his inner turmoil.
Sunlight streamed through the ridgeline, the first rays falling directly on his face, like some kind of divine revelation.
"Cut!"
Yates called for a halt, but didn't speak immediately.
He watched the replay three times, then looked up, his eyes shining: "Perfect! One take!"
The staff on site breathed a sigh of relief, and some people applauded.
Chen Xun stood up and shook the snow off his body.
Dorje jogged over and handed him a hand warmer: "Chen, you seemed to have really entered a meditative state just now."
"It's just acting convincingly."
Chen Xun smiled and took the hand warmer.
The warmth from his palm brought some feeling back to his frozen fingers.
He opened the panel.
[Ancient One: Shadow of Vishanti Project Review]
Current progress: 30%
[Today's shooting completion rate: 1/48]
[Single Scene Performance Rating: S]
Director's satisfaction rating +5
Teamwork +3
[Overall rating upgraded to B+]
[Reward: Trendsetting progress +1% (current total 8%)]
The progress bar has increased by another 1%!
Chen Xun turned off the control panel and walked towards the temporary rest area.
Christine was already there, dressed in Tibetan girl's clothing, having her makeup touched up by the makeup artist.
Her first scene was an hour later.
The girl Karuru was running under the temple corridor when she bumped into Yao, who was meditating.
Are you nervous?
Chen asked.
"A little."
Christine took a deep breath: "This dress is so heavy!"
She tugged at her heavy Tibetan robe, which was covered with hand-embroidered patterns.
You'll get used to it.
Chen Xun sat down next to her and turned on his phone.
Marvel's official Twitter account posted its first behind-the-scenes footage ten minutes ago.
An aerial photograph showing a panoramic view of the Kamar-Taj complex in the morning light.
The caption was simple: "Day 1".
The post was shared over 10,000 times.
The comments section was buzzing: "They've already started filming? That was fast!"
"The set design is fantastic! It captures the essence of the place!"
"We want more behind-the-scenes footage!"
"Where are Chen Xun and Christine? I want to see!"
Chen Xun switched to the alternate account he had agreed upon with Marvel.
The Ancient One crew posted a new message: "First day of filming, sharing a little tidbit from the crew: the meditation posture in Ancient One is called the Seven-Point Posture, which is the basic sitting posture in Tibetan Buddhism."
Key points: Keep your back straight, form a mudra with your hands, and touch the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth. Practicing this can improve lower back pain (personally tested and effective).
#BehindTheAncientOne##CrazySorcererTrainingClass#
The accompanying picture is a still from the scene he just filmed.
This tweet received an even stronger response than the official one.
"Really? It can relieve lower back pain?"
"I have a herniated disc in my lumbar spine, let's give it a try."
"Chen Xun personally demonstrating? Is that considered a perk?"
"So you're learning meditation before even watching the movie?"
Twenty minutes later, the tweet was retweeted by several health and wellness bloggers, and its popularity continued to rise.
Chen Xun smiled and turned off his phone.
This is the marketing strategy he agreed upon with Marvel.
Continuously output value-added content.
Let the audience receive some tangible benefits while they wait for the movie.
For example, health tips.
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The morning's filming went smoothly.
Kristen's first scene was filmed in three takes, and the last one was perfect.
She perfectly captured the impulsive yet curious nature of the young girl Karuru.
The scene of the Tibetan robe fluttering in the wind while running is beautiful.
During the lunch break, Chen found Sangjie.
"Master, may you teach the calming breathing technique you taught last time publicly?"
Sanjay was drinking butter tea when he looked up and asked, "You want to teach the audience?"
"Yes, but I will explain that it is non-profit, just sharing. Many people are under a lot of pressure and have insomnia, so it may be helpful."
Sanjay thought for a moment: "Okay! But we need to explain the source clearly."
"This is a basic breathing technique in Tibetan Buddhism. It's not magic or a magic cure. Practicing it won't do any harm, but don't expect it to cure all diseases."
"clear!"
In the afternoon, Chen Xun posted a second message using the "Ancient One Crew Daily Life" account: "Sharing a secret to maintaining condition on the high plateau: calm breathing method."
「步骤：1.坐直，放鬆；2.吸气4秒，心里默念清」；3.屏息4秒，默念净」；4.
Exhale for 6 seconds, silently repeating "still"; 5. Repeat for 5 minutes.
Source: Basic Tibetan Buddhist Practices, shared with authorization from Sangye, the Tibetan Studies Consultant for the production team. Caution: Pregnant women and those with heart conditions should practice with caution. #CrazyCourseForDharma #StableBreathing
This tweet completely ignited the discussion.
An hour later, the calming breathing method became a trending topic on Twitter.
Three hours later, a netizen posted: "Tested and effective! I've suffered from insomnia for years, but after practicing for ten minutes, I actually fell asleep!"
Five hours later, several accounts verified as doctors or psychologists began discussing the scientific principles behind this breathing technique.
Deep breathing can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which can indeed help you relax.
When he finished work that evening, the head of Marvel's marketing department called Chen Xun, his voice excited: "Chen! The content you posted today generated more discussion than the content we bought for a million dollars! Feige said that this 'Sorcerer Crash Course' series will continue, with two to three updates per week!"
"it is good."
Chen Xun hung up the phone and opened the control panel.
[Knowledge-based content output]
Public participation has increased significantly.
[Audience expectations +10]
[Project's overall rating upgraded to A—]
[Reward: Trendsetting progress +3% (current total 11%)]
The rating has improved from A-.
Chen Xun put his phone away with satisfaction.
Filming proceeded as planned for the next two weeks.
The Ancient One crew's daily account is kept updated:
Here's a simple tutorial on five basic hand gestures, emphasizing that you shouldn't strive for perfection, but rather for inner peace.
This article introduces the principles of skylight lighting in Tibetan architecture, includes tips for optimizing lighting in modern homes, and reveals the formula for the high-altitude energy bars specially made by the film crew.
Netizens expressed their desire to DIY.
They even posted a clip of Jackie Chan teaching members of his stunt team Tai Chi, with the caption: "Master said the circle in Tai Chi and the ring in magic are connected in principle."
Each piece of content sparked a lot of discussion and derivative works.
One netizen created a GIF tutorial on hand seals and added the caption: "I practice this while slacking off at work, and my boss thinks I'm thinking."
Insomnia groups have listed calming breathing techniques as one of the "top 3 methods to try".
Some home renovation bloggers have used the principle of skylights to renovate their own attics.
The most outrageous thing is that a professor at a university's medical school actually organized a small-scale study to verify the effect of the calming breathing method as an adjunct treatment for anxiety disorders.
The initial results were surprisingly positive.
"It seems we've inadvertently created a cultural phenomenon."
During a break in filming, Yates scrolled through his phone with a complicated expression: "Now some people online are calling me the 'Master Director,' saying our crew is the most health-conscious crew in Hollywood."
Chen Xun smiled: "This isn't a bad thing; at least the audience remembers us."
"It's more than just remembering!"
Yates shook his head: "Yesterday an investor asked me if a meditation app could be made to accompany the movie after its release, and he was willing to invest money."
"I can consider it."
Chen Xun said earnestly, "If the movie is successful, the derivative value of this IP will be huge."
That afternoon, they were filming the first scene between Gu Yi and Karuru.
During their youth, the two secretly learned advanced hand seals in the scripture hall, only to be caught red-handed by their master.
This scene requires portraying the tacit understanding between childhood sweethearts and the thrill of secretly doing naughty things.
Chen Xun and Christine have great chemistry.
After all, in real life, couples can tell what the other is thinking with just a glance.
The filming went smoothly, and we got it right in just two takes.
But during the third reshoot close-up, an attribute ball fell onto Christine.
[Childhood Sweetheart Sentiment +15]
After absorbing the information, Chen Xun gained some subtle insights.
How to use subtle gestures to show closeness without being ambiguous, and how to use eye contact to convey a sense of conspiracy to do something bad together.
These details were very helpful for subsequent filming.
That evening, Chen Xun sorted through the day's findings in his temporary dormitory.
Regarding attribute balls, besides the one dropped by Christine, there's also the one dropped by Jackie Chan: [Grandmaster Aura +20].
The [Action Design Overview +18] dropped from Yuen Woo-ping.
[Director's Narrative Rhythm +12] dropped from Yates.
The data on the panel kept increasing.
[Performance Rating: B+]
Director's satisfaction rating: A—
Teamwork: B+
[Audience Expectations: A]
Overall Rating: A— (Steady upward trend)
The progress of [leading the trend] has already increased to 15%.
Next, Chen Xun will collaborate with Marvel to continue releasing various content.
The latest news, in particular, about identity verification has caused a huge stir online.
This inspiration came from Chen Xun's experience of identifying which district he belonged to in "The Hunger Games".
The official account posted a simple black and white line drawing.
It depicts two opposing symbols.
On the left is the Eye of Vishanti, composed of golden lines; on the right is a void vortex, twisted in dark purple.
The accompanying text consisted of only one sentence: "Do you believe in light, or in emptiness?"
Within ten minutes of being posted, it had been forwarded over 50,000 times.
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The comments section was immediately divided: "I believe in the Ancient One! Light is eternal!"
"Karuru is right! Freedom is above all else!"
"Only kids make choices, I believe in both (doge emoji)."
"So, is this considered the official platform forcing fans to take sides?"
Marvel's marketing department was monitoring the data, and when Jessica, the head of the department, called Chen Xun, her voice was trembling: "Chen, your tweet got over a million views in three hours, and the topics of Vishanti and the Void have made it to the global trending list."
"As expected."
Chen Xun answered a phone call during a break in filming, still wearing his costume: "The 'Hunger Games' system of choosing districts works everywhere; people are naturally inclined to take sides."
"So, what's next—"
"Issue an official announcement to launch the Mage faction plan."
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"Fans can register on the Marvel website, choose to join either the Vishanti faction or the Void faction, and receive a virtual identity card."
"We will release different content based on the faction later. For example, the Vishanti faction will teach defensive hand seals, and the Void faction will teach how to relax quickly, without mentioning destructive power."
Jessica laughed, "Understood! I'll arrange it right away!"
Three days later, the Marvel website was updated.
The homepage displays two entrances: the glittering golden Vishan Emperor's Sanctuary and the dark purple, surging Void Secret Palace.
You need to take a test first after clicking in.
This is a psychological tendency questionnaire that Marvel commissioned a psychologist to conduct.
Do you believe rules are meant to be followed or broken?
When a loved one faces a terminal illness, would you choose conventional treatment or try unknown methods?
The test results provide a suggested faction, but allow for free choice.
After selection, the system generates a unique identity card: name (randomly generated Tibetan name), faction, rank (from apprentice to mentor), and unique handprint symbol.
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This new gameplay has fans going crazy.
"My analysis suggested choosing Void, but I'm going to choose Vishanti anyway! Rebellious!"
"I got the Voidwalker High-Tier ID card! Screenshot and showing off!"
"How can I level up quickly? Waiting for an answer online!"
"Any offline meetups? Looking to find like-minded teammates!"
Even more amazing, Marvel also launched physical merchandise at the same time:
Faction T-shirts, handprint symbol badges, and even limited-edition "Stabilizing Breathing" meditation mats —
It comes in two colors: Mount Vega Gold and Void Purple.
The meditation mats sold out within two hours of the pre-sale link going live.
Yates stared at the backend data, dumbfounded: "We're not just making a movie now, we're running a cult?"
"It can be considered a cultural community."
Chen Xun corrected him: "At least those breathing techniques and hand gestures can actually help people relax, which is better than fans spending money on meaningless things."
"Top of the rankings."
"That's true."
The craze spread to the filming location as well.
The production assistants wore ethereal T-shirts, the lighting technicians wore Vishanti badges, and even the assistant who brought Jackie Chan water showed off his "Vishanti Mentor" ID card.
"You guys are making it look quite convincing."
While taking a break, Jackie Chan was scrolling through his phone when he saw his stunt team members posting their affiliations in a group chat. He was both amused and exasperated: "Should I choose one too?"
"Brother, you don't need to choose."
Chen Xun smiled and said, "You are my master, transcending all factions."
"That's true."
Jackie Chan put down his phone and said seriously, "How's the preparation for my first scene this afternoon?"
Everything is ready!
2 PM, Kamar-Taj Main Temple.
This scene marks the master's first appearance.
Ancient One and Karuru failed to learn advanced hand seals and were caught red-handed by their master.
Instead of punishing him, the master demonstrated the correct hand seals and explained under the moonlight that the essence of magic is service, not domination.
The set is complete. The oil lamps on the octagonal pillars are lit, and light sources simulating moonlight stream down from the specially made skylight, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Jackie Chan changed into his costume.
It wasn't a fancy monastic robe, but a simple, faded monk's robe. His hair was gray, but his back was straight.
He stood in the center of the hall, closing his eyes to rest.
Yates shouted, "Get ready!"
The clapperboard clicked.
"Action!"
The camera pulls away from the horrified faces of the Ancient One and Karuru, slowly turning towards the palace gate.
Master stood there, backlit by the moonlight, his expression unreadable.
But the atmosphere of the entire space changed instantly!
A sense of stability, like that of a mountain, filled the entire venue.
He walked in slowly, his footsteps very light, but each step felt like stepping on a heartbeat.
Jackie Chan didn't use any exaggerated body language; he simply walked up to the two children and looked down at them.
His eyes held reproach, but even more so, compassion.
"You want to learn this?"
He stretched out his hand, and his fingers naturally formed a complex hand seal.
It's a version modified by Jackie Chan himself, incorporating the starting posture of Tai Chi and Tibetan hand seals.
hum~
The props, when used together, triggered a faint sound effect, simulating the flow of energy.
Strangely, everyone present actually felt as if the air vibrated.
Although it was an illusion, one could clearly feel that Jackie Chan had become one with the character of his master at that moment.
Chen Xun stared at Jackie Chan's hand and saw two golden attribute orbs fall:
[Grandmaster Aura Manifestation +25]
[Instructional performance's impact +20]
He absorbed it silently.
My mind was suddenly filled with many thoughts.
How to convey the greatest aura with the smallest movements, build tension in the master-disciple relationship with eye contact and tone of voice, and demonstrate the depth of the role in the teaching process.
"Cut!"
Yates called for a halt, but did not speak immediately.
He stared at the monitor for a long time, then looked up, his eyes shining: "Jackie Chan, was that handprint you just made impromptu?"
Jackie Chan stretched his wrists: "The script was too rigid!"
"I thought that a master should teach children in a more tactful way, so I added a touch of Tai Chi."
"Perfect!"
Yates slapped his thigh excitedly: "The feeling of following the natural way just came through! Chen, Christine, your reactions were also great, the mix of fear, respect, and curiosity was so real!"
Chen Xun and Christine exchanged a glance.
Their reactions were genuine because Jackie Chan's aura had truly intimidated them.
After a few more close-up shots were filmed, the scene was successfully completed.
That evening, the official account of the Ancient One crew updated with the latest content: "Today's little secret on set: Jackie Chan, who plays Master, improvised a hand gesture during filming, incorporating elements of Tai Chi and Tibetan Buddhism."
"The director said this is a perfect embodiment of the Tao and nature. Magic and martial arts are all interconnected at the highest level."
#CrazyCourseForMasters##Master'sWisdom#
The accompanying image is the outline of Jackie Chan making a hand seal.
This tweet has sparked another heated discussion: "Jackie Chan can also leave handprints?"
"Big Brother is truly a master; he makes every role he plays seem real!"
"So this counts as a crossover fusion? Tai Chi + magic?"
"I need instructional videos! I want to learn!"
Meanwhile, the faction data on Marvel's official website surged again that night.
Among newly registered users, the proportion choosing the Visanti system has increased significantly.
The master's appearance caused the Light faction's popularity to skyrocket.
[Campaign marketing strategy effective]
[Fan engagement exceeds threshold]
[Project's overall rating upgraded to A]
[Reward: Trendsetting progress +5% (current total 20%)]
The rating has been raised to A!
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