80: Ace agent, a gift from genius

The thrilling game with Karl Rothschild was like a powerful guiding star cast upon Lin Da's Hollywood journey, illuminating the path ahead and bringing unprecedented opportunities.

Back at the hotel, the first thing Lin Da did was open his email to check for the official signing invitation from CAA's ace agent, Allen Parker.

The email's wording was professional and sincere, clearly listing the various top-tier resources and development plans CAA could offer Lin Da. Every word revealed a strong interest in this “Oriental jade” and a determination to secure him.

Lin Da knew the position of CAA (Creative Artists Agency) in Hollywood and even the global entertainment industry. This was a true industry giant, with artists signed to it almost encompassing half of Hollywood. And Allen Parker was an ace agent within CAA, known for his sharp eye, powerful connections, and iron-fisted methods, having single-handedly made countless Hollywood superstars.

To gain his favor was undoubtedly to pave a golden, broad road for Lin Da's future development in Hollywood.

“System, is there anything I need to pay attention to in this signing invitation?” Lin Da murmured in his mind.

“Ding! [Hollywood Survival Guide (Beginner)] activated. CAA agency contract analysis in progress…”

“Analysis Result: This contract is a standard A-level contract offered by CAA for promising newcomers. The terms are relatively fair, and the resource allocation is high, fitting the host's current development needs. However, it should be noted that the clause regarding the choice of film and television projects within the next five years grants the agency significant control. It is recommended that the host fully communicate with the other party regarding this clause before signing to secure greater benefits.”

Lin Da nodded. The System's timely reminder was like a godsend. He knew that in Hollywood, agency contracts often concealed hidden traps, and a slight oversight could lead to becoming a pawn of capital.

He did not reply to the email immediately but decided to first inform Qin Mu Feng, Old Qin, and Chairman Li Shengshi of the good news and hear their opinions.

Both seniors were genuinely happy for Lin Da upon hearing the news and, leveraging their connections and experience in Hollywood, offered him some very valuable advice.

“Little Lin, CAA is a good platform, and Allen Parker is a capable agent,” Old Qin said earnestly over the phone, “However, you must also remember that an agency ultimately prioritizes profit. In cooperation, you must know how to leverage their strength, but also how to… protect yourself.”

Chairman Li Shengshi was even more direct: “Lin Laodi, you're a promising young man! That Allen Parker has a really sharp eye. For him to take notice of you means you truly have potential! You don't need to worry about the contract. I'll have my legal team in Los Angeles review it for you, ensuring you won't be at a disadvantage!”

With the escort of these two bigwigs, Lin Da felt even more at ease.

With the assistance of Chairman Li Shengshi's legal team, Lin Da and Allen Parker engaged in several rounds of friendly and professional communication regarding some key clauses in the contract. Ultimately, both parties reached an agreement and signed an agency contract that both protected Lin Da's rights and fully leveraged CAA's platform advantages.

From this moment on, Lin Da officially had his own top-tier Hollywood ace agent!

With the agency contract settled, Lin Da's mood was as bright as the brilliant California sunshine outside the window.

He knew he was another big step closer to that dazzling international stage.

And what he looked forward to most next was that… [Mysterious Grand Gift Package (Epic)]!

He took a deep breath and silently chanted in his mind: “System, open the [Mysterious Grand Gift Package (Epic)]!”

“Ding! [Mysterious Grand Gift Package (Epic)] opened! Congratulations to the host for receiving the following rewards:”

“1. [Golden Supporting Role Exclusive Skill – Character Essence (Beginner)] proficiency greatly increased! Successfully advanced to [Character Essence (Intermediate)]!”

“[Character Essence (Intermediate)]: The host can more quickly and deeply perceive and perfectly display the core characteristics and spiritual essence of any supporting role, making the character image more vivid and full, and greatly improving the character's fit with the plot and appeal. At the intermediate stage, it can significantly improve the final evaluation of all supporting role performances, and there is a high probability of triggering the ‘Soul Resonance’ effect (during performance, it can generate deep resonance with the character's soul, instantly bursting out performance energy beyond one's own limits, bringing a soul-level shock to the audience).”

“2. Special Item: [Hollywood Starlight Road (Navigation Map)] x1!”

“[Hollywood Starlight Road (Navigation Map)]: A mysterious map containing countless hidden opportunities and potential connections in Hollywood. After use, it can trigger a random ‘Starlight Guidance’ event based on the host's current development stage and goals, providing the host with an unexpected development opportunity or a crucial contact clue.”

“3. Permanent Passive Skill: [Language Mastery (Hollywood Slang and Industry Jargon)]!”

“[Language Mastery (Hollywood Slang and Industry Jargon)]: The host will automatically master a large amount of common Hollywood slang, industry jargon, and social unspoken rules, enabling them to more freely integrate into Hollywood's social circles and work environment, avoiding communication barriers caused by cultural differences.”

Character Essence advanced! Mysterious navigation map! And a permanent language mastery passive skill!

Lin Da's heart was once again struck by a series of surprises!

This epic gift package truly lived up to its name!

Especially the advanced [Character Essence (Intermediate)] skill, it was simply a divine artifact tailored for him! The “Soul Resonance” effect, just hearing the name, filled him with endless imagination.

And [Hollywood Starlight Road (Navigation Map)] was even more full of unknown temptations. An unexpected development opportunity or a crucial contact clue? This was undoubtedly a timely help for his current situation in Hollywood.

As for the permanent language mastery passive skill, it solved his worries about developing in Hollywood. He no longer had to worry about making a fool of himself because he didn't understand slang or industry jargon.

Lin Da felt full of power, and his Hollywood journey was filled with unprecedented confidence and anticipation.

Just as he was immersed in this immense joy, Emily's call came again.

“Mr. Lin, Director Marcus Lee asked me to inform you that tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, please be on time at the Burbank production base to attend the first full cast script reading and character analysis meeting for ‘the last silk road echo’.”

“At the same time,” Emily paused, with a hint of undetectable excitement in her tone, “the director also asked me to tell you that the… little ‘gift’ he prepared for you will also be officially revealed at tomorrow's meeting.”

Another “gift”?

Lin Da's lips curled into a meaningful arc.

It seemed that this ingenious director truly intended to carry on with the “surprises” to the end.

He wanted to see what unexpected challenges and opportunities awaited him tomorrow.

This Hollywood drama was getting more and more exciting!

Recalling the bits and pieces of filming before, it was not in vain after all.

That morning, sunlight streamed through the huge glass windows of the Burbank production base, spilling into the spacious conference room, where the aroma of coffee and a faint hint of tension permeated the air.

Here, the first full cast script reading and character analysis meeting for “the last silk road echo” was about to take place.

Lin Da arrived fifteen minutes early. He was dressed in simple, comfortable casual wear, with a gentle smile on his face. The newly acquired passive skill, [Language Mastery (Hollywood Slang and Industry Jargon)], made him feel less unfamiliar and more composed when facing the blonde, blue-eyed crew members speaking fluent American English around him.

In the conference room, some actors had already arrived. There were internationally renowned movie stars he had met a few times during signing, as well as some familiar faces he had only seen in movie magazines. They gathered in twos and threes, talking in low voices, the atmosphere lively and full of the unique focus of professional actors.

Lin Da's appearance did not cause much of a stir. Although he was highly favored by the director because of the character “An Si Yuan,” he was still an out-and-out newcomer in front of these “seniors” who had been toiling in Hollywood for many years.

He politely greeted a few actors who nodded to him and then found a relatively quiet corner to sit down, silently observing everything around him.

He noticed that these Hollywood actors, regardless of their fame, showed an almost demanding seriousness and dedication when dealing with scripts and characters. Most of their scripts were densely marked with various notes and insights using different colored pens.

This professional atmosphere filled Lin Da with secret admiration and strengthened his determination to shine on this stage.

At exactly nine o'clock in the morning, Director Marcus Lee walked into the conference room on time. Behind him followed several core producers and members of the screenwriting team.

“Good morning, everyone!” Marcus Lee still had that uninhibited artist's demeanor, with his signature smile on his face, “Welcome to the first script reading for ‘the last silk road echo.’ I know everyone has put in a lot of effort for this film. I hope that in the coming months, we can work together to create a… truly great work!”

His voice was full of passion and infectiousness, instantly igniting the enthusiasm of all the actors present.

The script reading officially began.

According to Hollywood custom, actors took turns reading their lines, and the director and screenwriters would occasionally interrupt to offer revisions or performance requirements as needed.

Although Lin Da was only a supporting actor, his understanding of the character “An Si Yuan” and his fluent and emotional English lines still left a deep impression on many people present.

Especially his newly acquired [Character Essence (Intermediate)] skill allowed him to more quickly and deeply perceive and perfectly display the core characteristics and spiritual essence of the character when portraying An Si Yuan. Every line he uttered seemed to carry An Si Yuan's unique sorrow and heroism, making people involuntarily immerse themselves in it.

Several times, after he finished a monologue full of inner struggle, the conference room fell silent for a moment, and even Director Marcus Lee's eyes flashed with a hint of undetectable emotion.

“Lin, your understanding of An Si Yuan has deepened a lot.” During the break, Marcus Lee specifically walked over to Lin Da, patted him on the shoulder, and said approvingly, “I can feel that you have completely integrated into this character.”

“Thank you, Director Li.” Lin Da smiled humbly, “It's because your script is so well written, giving me ample room for imagination.”

“Haha, you rascal, still so good with words.” Marcus Lee laughed heartily, then changed the subject, his eyes becoming mysterious, “By the way, Lin, that ‘little gift’ I mentioned to you before, it's time to reveal it now.”

Lin Da's heart skipped a beat. He knew that this ingenious director was up to something “tricky” again.

Marcus Lee took a precious-looking, long, slender object wrapped in black velvet cloth from his assistant behind him and solemnly handed it to Lin Da.

“Lin, open it and see.”

With a hint of curiosity and anticipation, Lin Da slowly peeled back the black velvet cloth.

Instantly, a dazzling cold light entered his eyes!

It was actually a… real, ancient-looking… Tang sword!

The blade was long and slender, with smooth lines. Although it had endured the years, it still gleamed with a chilling sharpness. The hilt was inlaid with exquisite jewels, and the scabbard was carved with intricate and mysterious Western Region totems.

This sword, whether from its material, craftsmanship, or the unique historical weight it exuded, was by no means an ordinary prop, but a… genuine antique! A priceless work of art!

“Director… Director Li, this… this is…” Lin Da was so surprised by the sudden Tang sword in front of him that he was speechless.

“This is a genuine Tang Dynasty battle sword that one of my collector friends acquired at a high price from a European auction.” Marcus Lee's face showed a triumphant smile, “It is said that its former owner was a famous Tang general, just like An Si Yuan, who was stationed on the western frontier.”

“I hope this sword can become a connection between you and An Si Yuan, transcending time and space.” Marcus Lee's eyes became serious, “I hope you can always keep it by your side, to feel the battles it once experienced, to listen to the heroic elegies it once carried. I believe it will help you… better understand and portray the character of An Si Yuan.”

Lin Da's heart was filled with an unspeakable shock and… emotion.

He knew that this Tang sword was not just a valuable gift, but also carried Director Marcus Lee's ultimate trust and expectation for him as an actor and for the character of An Si Yuan!

“Director Li,” Lin Da took a deep breath, his eyes firm, his voice resonant and powerful, “I… will never let down your profound kindness! I will certainly let the character of An Si Yuan, under the witness of this Tang sword, shine with the most dazzling brilliance!”

“Haha, good! I'm waiting!” Marcus Lee clapped his hands and laughed, his eyes filled with infinite anticipation for the future.

Just then, the System's prompt sounded again in Lin Da's mind:

“Ding! Detected that the host has obtained the special item ‘Blade of the Great Tang General (replica, with special historical aura)’ gifted by top Hollywood Director Marcus Lee. This item will have a significant positive impact on the host's portrayal of the character ‘An Si Yuan’!”

“[Road to Golden Supporting Role] advancement quest: ‘Hollywood Stepping Stone’, quest completion greatly increased! Quest rewards increased again!”

“New quest rewards: [Character Exclusive Weapon Mastery (Beginner)] skill activated (for ‘Blade of the Great Tang General’), [Acting Skill Breakthrough Card (Intermediate)] x1!”

“[Character Exclusive Weapon Mastery (Beginner)]: When the host uses a designated weapon for performance, they can more quickly master the weapon's characteristics and techniques, and perfectly integrate them with character emotions, greatly enhancing the realism and visual appeal of action scenes.”

New skills! New rewards!

Lin Da's heart pounded again!

He knew that Director Marcus Lee's “gift” was not just a surprise to him, but also an… excellent opportunity to deeply merge with the character's soul!

He gripped the heavy Tang sword in his hand, as if he could feel the iron and glory of that heroic era contained within it!

His Hollywood journey, because of this unexpected Tang sword, became even more anticipated and even more… full of infinite possibilities!