112: Immortal legend, eternal light and shadow (end)

When the name “Lin Da” echoed like a thunderclap across every corner of the globe through the live broadcast of the Oscar nominations announcement ceremony, the early morning in Los Angeles was destined to be sleepless.

In the luxurious apartment hotel suite in Beverly Hills, Allen Parker's characteristic calm and composure, typical of a top agent, had long been replaced by uncontrollable ecstasy.

He waved his fists like a child, tears of excitement glistening in his blue eyes, repeating non-stop: “We did it! Lin! We really did it!”

Lin Da was also somewhat dizzy from this sudden and immense surprise.

He could clearly feel his heart, which had long been as still as an ancient well, now beating wildly at an unprecedented speed.

Oscar! Best Supporting Actor nomination!

This was not just a personal honor, but also… the highest recognition… for his almost obsessive love and dedication to the art of acting across two lifetimes!

He not only conquered Hollywood with his strength but also, with his performance, earned a place for Chinese actors on the highest stage of world cinema… a place that would make the whole world take notice!

And just as he was immersed in this immense joy and glory, the “Immortal Legend System 1.0” in his mind, which had just completed its “Ultimate Epic Version Update,” timely presented him with… an SSS+++ level heaven-defying gift that could change his future destiny!

“Ding! Congratulations to the Host for successfully receiving this year’s Oscar Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his outstanding performance in the Hollywood epic production ‘the last silk road echo’! Causing a global sensation in the film industry!”

“The first link in the core mission chain of [Immortal Legend System 1.0]: ‘Immortal Prologue—Call of Oscar’ has been perfectly achieved!”

“Final Mission Evaluation: SSS+++ (The Host has not only successfully obtained an Oscar nomination but has also demonstrated unparalleled personal charm and industry influence globally, establishing an immortal monument for Chinese actors on the international stage, and gaining unexpected immense prestige and… legendary opportunities.

The character ‘An Si Yuan’ he portrayed has become a cinematic classic and possesses the absolute strength to contend for the Oscar Best Supporting Actor award!)!”

“Mission Reward Distribution: Legend Value +50000 (Over-completion bonus 20000 points), Immortality Value +30000 (Over-completion bonus 10000 points), [Legendary Soul (Advanced)] skill proficiency greatly increased! Successfully advanced to [Legendary Soul (Grandmaster Level)]!

[Aria of Light and Shadow (Intermediate)] skill proficiency greatly increased! Successfully advanced to [Aria of Light and Shadow (Advanced)]! [Mysterious Gift Package (Immortal Level · High Tier)] x1!”

Legendary Soul directly advanced to Grandmaster Level! Aria of Light and Shadow also increased to Advanced! And that massive amount of Legend Value and Immortality Value! And… an even more anticipated “Immortal Level · High Tier” Mysterious Gift Package!

Lin Da’s heart pounded wildly again!

He knew that the system’s gift this time was simply… outrageously generous!

“System!” Lin Da suppressed his excitement and silently chanted in his mind, “Open the [Mysterious Gift Package (Immortal Level · High Tier)]!”

“Ding! [Mysterious Gift Package (Immortal Level · High Tier)] has been opened! Congratulations to the Host for receiving the following heaven-defying gifts:”

The first reward instantly made Lin Da’s eyes light up!

“1. New Active Skill: [Stage of Destiny (Elementary)]!”

“[Stage of Destiny (Elementary)]: The Host can actively activate this skill when participating in any major awards ceremony, press conference, or… critical occasion that can affect his destiny.

Once activated, the Host will enter the ‘Stage of Destiny’ state for a short period (Elementary level lasts 20 minutes), during which personal charm, eloquence, wisdom, adaptability, and… ‘protagonist’s luck’ will be greatly enhanced, making it easier to control the pace of the entire event, guide public opinion, and have a certain chance to trigger the ‘Favor of Destiny’ effect (at critical moments, gain unexpected noble assistance or… excellent opportunities that can turn the tide).

Cooldown: 30 days.”

Stage of Destiny! Protagonist’s Luck! Favor of Destiny!

Lin Da’s eyes burst with incredible brilliance!

He knew that this skill was simply a “Awards Season Artifact” for him to contend for the Oscar and even conquer the world film industry in the future!

With it, he would be… invincible on any stage that attracted worldwide attention!

The second reward was a… special item full of “human touch”—

“2. [Zhou Xingxing’s “King of Comedy” Soul Fragment (Unique · Inheritance)] x1: A soul fragment that embodies Host’s good brother Zhou Xingxing’s unique talent in comedy creation, the core spirit of ‘mo lei tau,’ and… his purest love for the art of cinema.

Upon use, the Host can choose to gift it to Zhou Xingxing, helping him achieve a… transformative soul enlightenment on his path of comedy creation, and having a certain chance to unlock his hidden ‘King of Comedy’ potential.

Note: This item is unique; once gifted, it will be bound to Zhou Xingxing’s soul and cannot be separated.”

Zhou Xingxing’s “King of Comedy” Soul Fragment!

Lin Da’s eyes instantly welled up.

He knew that the value of this reward for Zhou Xingxing was simply… immeasurable!

This was not just an item, but more like a… maximum affirmation and… strong support from a higher dimension for his deep brotherly affection!

The third reward was a… tangible leap in “hard power”—

“3. [Legendary Stardust] +10000 points!”

Ten thousand points of Legendary Stardust!

Lin Da looked at the “Legendary Skill Tree” on the system interface, which was as dazzling as a vast galaxy, and his heart was filled with pride.

He knew that these ten thousand points of Legendary Stardust were enough for him to light up several powerful legendary exclusive abilities, providing stronger assistance for his future “Immortal Legend Path”!

And the last reward was an ancient and mysterious bronze fragment—

“4. [Clue to a Legendary Script · Fragment C] (Special Item): An ancient bronze fragment engraved with unknown hieroglyphs and mysterious star maps, seemingly a key clue to a long-lost legendary script that could change the landscape of world cinema.

Collecting more fragments may unlock a… mythical original script tailored for the Host, capable of leaving an immortal mark in world film history.

Fragment C hint: ‘When the oriental lion plays the glorious melody in the Oscar hall, when the hometown "salted fish turn over battle plan" to become king in the world of mo lei tau, the symphony of destiny will play… a magnificent movement about dreams, about redemption, and also about… a brand new era, at the intersection of Eastern and Western light and shadow.’ ”

Clue to a Legendary Script! The third fragment!

And the content of the hint actually… closely linked his destiny with Zhou Xingxing’s!

An indescribable warm current and… even firmer fighting spirit surged in Lin Da’s heart!

He knew that his life was already closely tied to Zhou Xingxing, to those he cherished, and… to this era.

His “Immortal Legend Path” was destined not to be lonely!

Just as he was immersed in this immense joy and emotion, Allen Parker’s call came again, his tone carrying a professional calm, and also a hint of… imperceptible gravity:

“Lin, we’ll celebrate later.

Right now, we need to… immediately enter battle mode!”

“The Oscar nomination is just the beginning.

The real war has just begun!” Allen Parker’s voice became exceptionally serious, “I just received the complete list of the other four nominees for this year’s Oscar Best Supporting Actor award.

Every single one of them… is a tough nut to crack!”

“There’s Leo Russell, the godson of the legendary veteran actor Al Pacino, who was highly praised for his role as a mob elder in Martin Scorsese’s new film; there’s Benedict Evans, the pillar of the British Shakespearean theater company, who delivered a groundbreaking performance in the Coen brothers’ dark comedy; there’s Ethan Hope, a powerful mid-career actor who stunned audiences with his portrayal of a Tower Keeper in the independent film ‘lost lighthouse’ and swept various film critics’ awards; and… last year’s Oscar Best Actor, Daniel Craig, who received rave reviews for perfectly recreating a generation’s music maestro in the biographical film ‘The Last Waltz’!”

Every name represented the pinnacle of acting in Hollywood and even the world film industry!

“Lin,” Allen Parker’s voice was filled with gravity, “The next two months will be the most difficult and crucial two months of your acting career.

We need to attend countless public relations dinners, accept interviews from the most discerning media, and engage in… silent battles with those… Oscar judges who hold the votes!”

“And our first battle,” Allen’s tone paused, with an undeniable decisiveness, “is… tomorrow morning, an exclusive interview with America’s highest-rated and most… “notorious” flagship talk show—‘Barbara Walters’ Deep Dive Interview’!”

Barbara Walters!

Lin Da’s pupils suddenly constricted!

This legendary queen of journalism, known for her sharp and incisive questioning style and… her powerful aura that could make countless politicians and celebrities “shed tears” in front of her, her interviews were hailed as… “Hollywood’s ultimate test”!

Lin Da knew that what he was about to face would be a… truly tough battle!

A… king’s battle that would determine the success or failure of his Oscar journey!

And he was ready!

To meet that… first, and most difficult… peak showdown of his immortal legend!

......

The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles was dazzling with starlight, attracting worldwide attention.

The air was filled with the fragrance of champagne, the rustle of silk from haute couture gowns, and… an ultimate excitement of cinematic dreams that could make billions of viewers worldwide hold their breath.

The 97th Academy Awards ceremony was grandly held here.

Lin Da sat quietly in the front row of the guest seating, beside him were his top agent Allen Parker and Director Marcus Lee of “the last silk road echo”.

He was dressed in a black velvet tuxedo custom-made for him by a top Italian luxury brand, with a platinum brooch designed by a renowned Chinese designer inspired by an ancient Tang sword, glinting with understated yet sharp light under the brilliant illumination.

He was one of the most anticipated focal points of the night.

With his “god-level” interpretation of the tragic and heroic Eastern hero “An Si Yuan” in “the last silk road echo”, Lin Da not only swept all the Best Supporting Actor awards in this year’s Hollywood awards season’s preliminary races but also, with an unparalleled momentum, successfully entered the final nomination for the Oscar Best Supporting Actor award!

This was not just his personal glory, but also… an unprecedented… historical breakthrough for Chinese actors, and even all Asian actors, in Hollywood, a land once filled with prejudice and barriers!

“Lin, don’t be nervous.” Allen Parker looked at Lin Da’s calm profile and couldn’t help but whisper, although his own palms were already secreting fine beads of sweat from nervousness, “We have done our best.

No matter the outcome, you… are already a legend.”

Lin Da smiled faintly, turned his head, and looked at the ace agent who had escorted him all the way and strategized for him, his eyes filled with gratitude and… a composure and calmness that transcended his age.

He knew that Allen was telling the truth.

But he also knew that the “Little Golden Man” so close to him was not just a personal honor for him, but also carried… his purest belief in the art of acting from his two lives, and… his heavy promise to the late “Da Shu” to clear his name!

Just then, on the stage of the awards ceremony, the lights suddenly dimmed.

On the huge LED screen, clips of the five nominees for this year’s Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, performing wonderfully in their respective films, began to play.

Leo Russell’s deep, introverted, and awe-inspiring image of a gang elder in Martin Scorsese’s new film…

Benedict Evans’s wild and ironically subversive performance in the Coen Brothers’ black comedy…

Ethan Hope’s lonely, oppressive, and soul-stirring Tower Keeper in the independent film “Song of the Isolated Island”…

And… last year’s Oscar Best Actor Daniel Craig, in the biographical film “The Last Waltz,” perfectly recreated a music master who amazed all…

Every role was a classic!

Every actor represented the top acting level in today’s world cinema!

And when An Si Yuan appeared on the screen, clad in broken armor, holding a broken blade, on a battlefield where the setting sun was like blood, gazing at his homeland in the east with eyes burning with unyielding flames, and slowly falling…

The entire Dolby Theatre fell into a… heartbreaking silence.

Countless audience members, regardless of gender or skin color, couldn’t help but have red eyes.

It was a… cross-cultural and cross-linguistic compassion for a hero’s demise, admiration for the brilliance of human nature, and… a spiritual resonance with the immortal character created by Lin Da!

When the nomination clips finished playing, the presenter—a legendary Hollywood actress—slowly opened the envelope in her hand, which carried countless expectations and dreams, with her magnetic voice, and the whole world seemed to hold its breath.

Lin Da’s heart, at this moment, also involuntarily began to beat faster.

He slowly closed his eyes, and in his mind, the interface of the [Immortal Legend System 1.0] and the prompt “Officially embark on… the path of an immortal legend!” clearly reappeared.

He knew that his life was about to usher in… the most crucial and most… brilliant turning point!

“And the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor goes to…”

The presenter’s voice, with a hint of undetectable… surprise and admiration, echoed in the silent theater and, through television signals, reached every corner of the world—

“For his epic and tragic portrayal of the character ‘An Si Yuan’ in the film ‘the last silk road echo’… the young actor from Hua Nation—”

“Lin Da!!!”

Boom!!!

When the two words “Lin Da” resonated throughout the Dolby Theatre like a sudden clap of thunder, the whole world erupted!

Thunderous applause and cheers, like surging tides, instantly engulfed Lin Da!

Allen Parker jumped up from his seat, excitedly incoherent, and gave Lin Da a big bear hug: “Lin! Lin! You did it! You really did it! Oscar Best Supporting Actor! My God! This is simply… simply an… immortal legend!”

Director Marcus Lee and Jack Reynolds also walked forward excitedly, embracing Lin Da tightly, their eyes filled with pride and joy.

Lin Da, surrounded by the crowd’s embrace and blessings, slowly stood up and bowed deeply in all directions.

His eyes were already wet with hot tears.

But the smile on his face was even more… dazzling than the brilliant starlight outside the window!

He walked with steady and firm steps, one by one, onto the… Oscar stage, which symbolized the highest honor in world cinema!

He took the heavy, golden “Little Golden Man” from the hands of the legendary actress!

At that moment, he knew that he was not only accepting the award for himself, but also… for his most beloved “Da Shu” in his previous life, and for all the “Golden Supporting Actors” who, like “Da Shu,” had silently toiled and dedicated their lives to the art of cinema, receiving that… long-overdue honor and… recognition!

He stood before the podium, his gaze calmly sweeping over the faces below, filled with excitement and blessings.

The [Word Spirit (Advanced)] skill was fully activated at this moment, and his gentle yet magnetic voice, through the microphone, clearly resonated throughout the entire venue, and… spread to every corner of the world:

“Thank you very much to the Oscar jury for their affirmation, thank you to all colleagues in the ‘the last silk road echo’ crew, thank you Director Marcus Lee, thank you Jack Reynolds, thank you Allen Parker, thank you to all my friends who supported and helped me…”

“But today, the two people I want to thank most are… two people who are crucial to me.”

He paused, a deep sense of remembrance and… a hint of imperceptible sadness flashing in his eyes:

“One is my senior and my mentor, his name is Wu Mengda.

He used his entire life to show me what it means to be a… true ‘Golden Supporting Actor.’

He made me understand that there are no big or small roles, only… the actor’s dedication or lack thereof.

Da Shu, today, I have received this trophy for you.

I hope you can see this moment in heaven.”

“The other one,” Lin Da’s lips curved into a gentle smile, his eyes filled with infinite anticipation for the future, “is my brother, and my… ‘King of Comedy,’ his name is Zhou Xingxing.”

“Xing Zai, I know you must be watching the live broadcast.

I want to tell you that your dream will definitely come true too.

I’m waiting… for a day in the future when I can stand on this stage and personally present you with… the Best Director trophy!”

“Finally, I want to say,” Lin Da raised the Little Golden Man high in his hand, his gaze firm and his voice strong and powerful, “this award belongs not only to me, Lin Da, but also to… all filmmakers who silently toil and never give up on their dreams!”

“Thank you everyone!”

The moment his words fell, the entire Dolby Theatre once again erupted in thunderous applause and cheers!

Everyone was deeply moved by Lin Da’s sincere and touching acceptance speech, full of power and emotion!

Meanwhile, far away in China, in that humble rental house, Zhou Xingxing was already hugging the television, crying like a child.

He knew that his life, because of Lin Da, this “immortal legend” of a brother, was… destined to be extraordinary!

[End of Book]

Postscript

When the Oscar spotlight slowly dimmed, Lin Da’s legend had just begun.

He did not stop because of a “Best Supporting Actor” Little Golden Man.

He unhesitatingly gifted the [Wheel of Destiny (Unique · Core Hub · Fragment · Two)], which was filled with mysterious power, and the [Parallel Time-Space · King of Comedy’s “One-Day Experience” Invitation Letter (Unique)] to his best brother—Zhou Xingxing.

He knew that Zhou Xingxing’s comedic talent was the most precious treasure of this era.

And he, Lin Da, was willing to be his… most solid backing, his most tacit… Golden Supporting Actor.

A few years later, the nonsensical comedy film “"salted fish turn over battle plan",” directed by Zhou Xingxing and supervised and guest-starred by Lin Da, swept the globe as a dark horse, not only breaking the box office record for Chinese-language films but also allowing audiences worldwide to experience the unique charm of Eastern comedy.

Zhou Xingxing also became famous overnight, becoming the hottest talented director in the Chinese film industry.

As for Lin Da, he embarked on an even more magnificent “Immortal Legend Road.”

He starred in Director Victor Antonioni’s art film “lost lighthouse” and successfully won the Best Actor award at the Cannes International Film Festival for his role as the “Tower Keeper”!

He then starred in HBO’s epic limited series “chinatown stories” and successfully brought home both the Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor for his role as “Chen Ajiu”!

He also collaborated with legendary Hollywood director Steven Spielberg, starring in the epic production “The Last Aristocrat,” adapted from [Script of Destiny (Fragment)], which tells the story of “the fallen aristocrats of an ancient Eastern country searching for lost glory and redemption amidst the glitz and sin of the West.”

And with this film, he undoubtedly ascended to… the throne of Oscar Best Actor!

He founded his own film company and, together with Zhou Xingxing, created one classic work after another… that were both full of Eastern wisdom and had an international perspective.

Their names became a double guarantee of box office and critical acclaim, and… profoundly influenced the values and aesthetic tastes of a generation.

He utilized the [Legendary Path · Epic Script Customization (Beginner)] function to tailor one excellent work after another, capable of going down in history, for himself and for talented but overlooked Chinese actors.

He even… with the help of the [Immortal Legend System 1.0], truly… to a certain extent, used light and shadow to influence and… change certain directions of the real world.

Many years later, when Lin Da had long achieved fame and success, becoming an immortal legend in the world of cinema, a… truly “King of Cinema,” he chose to… quietly retire.

Some say he went to travel the world.

Others say he returned to the small town where he started, opened a small acting studio, and taught young people with acting dreams for free.

But only Zhou Xingxing knew that his Lin Da… was always there.

On a sunny afternoon, Zhou Xingxing, with his newly won Oscar for Best Director, came to a cemetery on the outskirts of Beijing.

He gently placed the gleaming golden trophy before a tombstone engraved with the words “Wu Mengda,” his voice choked with emotion, and also with a hint of… relieved laughter:

“Da Shu, do you see? We… both did it.”

“Lin Da said he owed you, and he got it back for you.”

“And what I owe him, I will spend my life… passing on.”

The lingering glow of the setting sun stretched the shadows of the two Little Golden Men very long, as if… transcending time and connecting the past and the future.

And Lin Da stood on a nearby hillside, watching this scene, a relieved smile on his face.

In his ears, the system’s cold yet infinitely tempting prompt seemed to echo again:

“[Immortal Legend System]… new plane detected… new legend… about to begin…”

Lin Da smiled faintly, his gaze turning to the distant sky, which appeared even more magnificent under the setting sun’s afterglow.

He knew his path was still very long.

And he was always… on the road.

Because he was an actor.

A… National Golden Supporting Actor.

An… Immortal Legend.