33: Who is the mantis?

The cold text message, like a basin of cold water in the deep night, poured over his head.

Lin Da looked at the naked threat on his phone screen, his eyes showing no fear, but instead igniting a more fervent fighting spirit.

Voluntarily withdraw?

How ridiculous!

Lin Da had lived two lives; what storms had he not seen?

Did they think such underhanded intimidation would make him give up an opportunity he had worked so hard to gain?

That was simply a pipe dream!

“System, how do I use the [Qi Chang Control (Beginner)] skill?” Lin Da silently asked in his mind.

“[Qi Chang Control (Beginner)]: The host can, before entering a performance state or in daily life, guide their spiritual power to activate their latent Qi Chang.

At the beginner stage, one can choose from three basic Qi Chang modes: ‘Intimidation,’ ‘Affinity,’ and ‘Focus.’ Simply mentally recite the skill name and select the mode to activate it; it continuously consumes a small amount of spiritual power.”

Intimidation, Affinity, Focus.

A knowing smile curved Lin Da’s lips.

It seemed this new skill could be used not only for performance but also in daily life.

He took a deep breath, slowly closed his eyes, and silently chanted in his mind: “Qi Chang Control - Focus.”

Instantly, an indescribable coolness spread from his mind, as if all Random Thoughts and negative emotions were washed away.

His spirit became highly concentrated, and his perception of the outside world became sharper.

Very good.

When Lin Da opened his eyes again, his gaze had returned to its usual calm and confidence.

He did not reply to the threatening text message, nor did he investigate the mastermind.

He knew that the most important thing now was to perform well in tomorrow’s big scene.

He would use his strength to crush all schemes and tricks!

The next day, when Lin Da walked into the studio, he clearly felt that the atmosphere was different from usual.

In the air, there was a faint tension and… hostility.

Sun Hao and Zhang Yang, as well as the few young actors around them who usually liked to fawn over the powerful and belittle the weak, all looked at him with strange eyes, full of schadenfreude and an eagerness to watch a good show.

It seemed that the threatening text message was not groundless.

Some people really didn’t want him to have an easy time.

Lin Da, however, seemed oblivious to all this, his face still maintaining that calm and composed expression.

He just quietly walked to his spot and began to prepare for the upcoming shoot.

The first scene today was a monologue where Wei Zhongxian, in a secret chamber, learns that a protégé he personally promoted has betrayed him and colluded with the Donglin Party, intending to impeach him.

He struggles internally and finally decides to kill him.

This scene involved extreme emotional shifts, encompassing both the anger and heartache of betrayal, and the coldness and decisiveness after weighing the pros and cons, demanding extremely high levels of inner acting and explosive power from the actor.

“Lin Da, are you ready?” Director Zheng Guofeng’s voice came, carrying a hint of imperceptible concern.

He had obviously also sensed the discordant undercurrents in the crew.

“Director Zheng, I’m ready.” Lin Da nodded, his eyes firm.

“Good!” Director Zheng Guofeng looked at him deeply, “I believe in you!”

As the clapperboard fell, filming officially began.

Wei Zhongxian, played by Lin Da, stood alone in the dim secret chamber.

He held a secret letter filled with the betrayer’s crimes, his knuckles slightly white from gripping it tightly.

There was no expression on his face, but in his eyes, it was as if turbulent waves were surging.

He slowly closed his eyes and silently chanted in his mind: “Aura Control - Intimidation.”

An invisible aura, carrying a hint of coldness and oppression, subtly emanated from him.

The entire set of the secret chamber seemed to become even darker and more oppressive due to the change in his aura.

Behind the monitor, Director Zheng Guofeng’s pupils suddenly contracted!

He could clearly feel that Lin Da’s entire “presence” had changed!

He was no longer the calm and introverted newcomer from before, but a true powerful eunuch who held absolute power over life and death, with deep thoughts and emotions that were not easily revealed!

This change was not just on an acting level; it was more like a… a chilling aura emanating from within!

Lin Da slowly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with the pain of betrayal and disbelief.

“Why… why betray our family?” His voice was hoarse, with a hint of suppressed choking, “Our family treated you well…”

His hand trembled slightly uncontrollably, and the secret letter in his hand rustled accordingly.

The despair and heartache of being stabbed in the back by the most trusted person were portrayed vividly, making the staff present feel a tightening in their hearts.

However, after only a few seconds, the pain and vulnerability in his eyes receded like a tide, replaced by a chilling coldness and ruthlessness.

“Since you chose to betray… then don’t blame our family… for being ruthless!”

His voice was like it came from the netherworld, devoid of any emotion.

He abruptly crumpled the secret letter in his hand and threw it fiercely to the ground, a decisive murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

At that moment, he was no longer the humble and cautious old eunuch in front of the late emperor, but a true “Nine Thousand Year Old” who controlled the lives and deaths of others!

He slowly walked to the desk, picked up a brush, and wrote a bloody “Kill” character on a blank piece of Xuan paper.

The brushstrokes were strong, penetrating the paper!

Throughout the entire process, Lin Da had no unnecessary lines or exaggerated movements.

But the cold, ruthless, and decisive aura emanating from him made the temperature of the entire studio seem to drop by several degrees.

Everyone was completely awestruck by his performance!

Sun Hao and Zhang Yang, in particular, turned pale, their palms sweating.

Their so-called “momentum,” which they were so proud of, was simply like a firefly competing with the bright moon in front of Lin Da’s true “aura”— vulnerable!

For the first time, they felt that the gap between themselves and Lin Da was no longer just on an acting level, but a… a mastery of the role and an understanding of the realm of performance!

“Cut!”

Director Zheng Guofeng’s voice carried a hint of uncontrollable excitement and… a touch of lingering fear.

He had truly been frightened by Lin Da’s performance just now!

That bone-deep chill, that intimidating presence that commanded respect without anger, even made him, a director accustomed to grand scenes, feel a bit rattled.

“Lin… Lin Da…” Director Zheng Guofeng took a deep breath, trying to calm his agitated emotions, “You… you just now… were terrifying!”

He paused, his eyes filled with incredible surprise: “Your Wei Zhongxian is not just ‘alive,’ you are simply… Wei Zhongxian himself!”

This evaluation was undoubtedly the highest praise a director could give an actor!

Around them, thunderous applause erupted again.

This time, in the applause, besides admiration, there was more… awe!

Lin Da slowly disengaged from the role, and the cold aura around him dissipated.

He once again showed his gentle and humble smile to Director Zheng Guofeng and the staff present.

But at this moment, no one dared to underestimate this young actor anymore.

Sun Hao and Zhang Yang, in particular, turned ashen; they knew that their previous petty actions, their threats and warnings, had become a complete joke in the face of Lin Da’s absolute strength.

They were like mantises trying to stop a chariot, while Lin Da was the unstoppable war chariot!

Just then, Lin Da’s phone vibrated again.

It was still a text message from the unknown number, but the content was even more concise and… frantic than before:

“Lin Da, you are very good.

But remember, there are some people you can never defeat.

Just wait and see!”

Lin Da looked at this text message, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

It seemed that some people truly wouldn’t give up until they hit a wall.

If that was the case, then he would play along with them!

He wanted to see, in this game of power, who was the true mantis, and who was the oriole waiting for its chance!