82: The road to becoming the best actor, the layout of the ace

The Hollywood sun was still dazzlingly bright.

Lin Da stood on the terrace of the wrap-up celebration for “the last silk road echo,” holding a glass of champagne, his gaze fixed on the shimmering Pacific Ocean in the distance, his heart already churning with immense waves.

“Actor Emperor Road System…”

The system’s cold yet infinitely tempting prompt ignited a blazing fire in his heart, making his entire soul tremble.

From an unknown extra to a golden supporting role famous throughout the capital, and now… poised to embark on the “actor emperor road” leading to the pinnacle of world cinema!

All of this felt like a bizarre yet incredibly real dream.

“Ding! The golden supporting role system upgrade is complete! The new Actor Emperor Road System is officially activated!”

“System interface updating… mission module resetting… reward mechanism optimizing…”

“Congratulations, Host! You have successfully activated Actor Emperor Road System Version 1.0!”

As a series of system prompts sounded, Lin Da felt as if a new, even more immense and vast energy had been injected into his mind.

He eagerly opened the refreshed system interface.

The previously somewhat minimalist interface now appeared more refined and… grand. The main color scheme had changed from the previous dark gold to a deeper, more noble purple-gold.

The mission module also transformed from the “Golden Supporting Role Road” to the grander and more challenging “actor emperor road Mission Chain.” Each mission pointed towards higher honors and a broader stage.

The reward mechanism had also undergone a drastic change. In addition to the regular Acting Points and reputation, it now included more high-end and practical rewards such as “international influence,” “character depth customization authority,” and “exclusive team building opportunities.”

And what thrilled Lin Da the most was undoubtedly the SSS-grade evaluation reward he received in the “Hollywood Stepping Stone” advanced mission of the “Golden Supporting Role Road”—the “Mysterious Gift Package (Legendary)!”

This was a “Legendary” gift package!

Lin Da took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, and silently willed, “System, open the Mysterious Gift Package (Legendary)!”

“Ding! The Mysterious Gift Package (Legendary) has been opened! Congratulations, Host, you have received the following rewards:”

“1. Actor Emperor Aura (Primary) (Passive Skill): When the Host portrays a protagonist or core character, their personal charm and presence will be significantly enhanced, making it easier to gain deep recognition from directors, producers, and audiences, and there is a certain chance to trigger a ‘Protagonist Moment’ effect at critical times (instantly raising one’s performance limit, showcasing stunning performance beyond usual standards).”

“2. Script Insight (Advanced) (Passive Skill): When the Host reads a script, he can instantly discern the script’s core value, potential risks, and the character’s shaping potential and award-winning potential, and can accurately judge the script’s market prospects and artistic achievements.”

“3. One-Time Perfect Performance Card (Protagonist Exclusive) x1: Can be used to designate a critical scene when portraying a protagonist. After use, it will guarantee that the Host achieves the perfect ‘man-role unity’ performance in that scene, with a high probability of creating a classic scene that will go down in film history.”

“4. Special Item: International Film Industry Pass (Unique) x1: A pass imbued with mysterious power. The holder will more easily gain opportunities to participate in top international film festivals, connect with top international filmmakers, and star in international A-list productions. Note: This item is unique, non-replicable, and non-tradable.”

Actor Emperor Aura! Script Insight (Advanced)! Perfect Performance Card! And… International Film Industry Pass!

Lin Da’s heart exploded as if a nuclear bomb had been dropped into it!

This Legendary-grade gift package was simply… inhumane in its generosity!

Every single reward was heaven-defying!

The Actor Emperor Aura would make it easier for him to shine in protagonist roles, even triggering an effect like “Protagonist Moment,” which sounded incredibly awesome.

Script Insight (Advanced) even gave him a divine tool for choosing scripts! In this age of information explosion and uneven script quality, being able to accurately judge a script’s value was undoubtedly key to an actor’s success.

The One-Time Perfect Performance Card (Protagonist Exclusive), though only for one use, could help him create classic scenes that would go down in film history at critical moments! This was practically a nuclear weapon for his bid for the Actor Emperor throne!

And the International Film Industry Pass (Unique) filled him with infinite imagination for his future international development!

Lin Da felt his body surge with power, and his confidence and anticipation for the future “actor emperor road” were unprecedented.

Just as he was immersed in this immense joy, his new Hollywood ace agent, Allen Parker, approached with two glasses of champagne, smiling.

“Lin, congratulations, the filming of ‘the last silk road echo’ has successfully concluded.” Allen Parker handed one of the champagne glasses to Lin Da, a professional smile on his face, his eyes filled with admiration and expectation for this new Eastern star.

“Thank you, Allen.” Lin Da took the glass and lightly clinked it with his, “And thank you for your help during this time.”

“It’s my job.” Allen Parker took a sip of champagne, then changed the subject, his tone becoming a bit more serious, “Lin, your performance in ‘the last silk road echo’ has already attracted the attention of many Hollywood producers and directors. Next, we will face more choices and… challenges.”

He paused, a gleam flashing in his eyes: “I’ve already screened several excellent projects for you. There’s a male supporting role in a big commercial production, a male lead in an independent art film, and even… an audition invitation for an S-grade drama funded by Netflix.”

“However,” Allen Parker’s tone carried a subtle hint of gravity, “before you make a choice, I hope you understand that the road in Hollywood is far more complex and… brutal than you imagine.”

“I know.” Lin Da nodded, his eyes calm and firm, “But I am ready.”

Allen Parker looked at Lin Da’s confident and composed eyes, secretly praising him. This young man was indeed different.

“Very good.” Allen Parker smiled slightly, “So, Lin, tell me, what is your next goal?”

Lin Da’s gaze turned towards the distant Pacific Ocean, which appeared even more magnificent under the setting sun, a confident curve on his lips, his voice quiet but filled with undeniable power:

“My goal is that… little golden man… symbolizing the highest honor in the film industry!”

Oscar Actor Emperor!

Allen Parker’s pupils sharply contracted!

He knew that this young man from the East, his ambition, was far… grander than he had imagined!

And a new, even more magnificent legend was about to slowly unfold in his hands!

“My goal is that… little golden man… symbolizing the highest honor in the film industry!”

Lin Da’s resounding words, filled with undeniable power, were like a depth charge dropped into the calm Pacific, genuinely shaking Allen Parker, an ace agent accustomed to the ups and downs of Hollywood.

Oscar Actor Emperor!

These four words, for any actor, represent the ultimate dream of their acting career, a distant starry sea. And coming from the mouth of a new Eastern actor who had just emerged in Hollywood, it seemed even more… overreaching, even arrogant.

However, when Allen Parker met Lin Da’s eyes, which burned with a fierce flame and were filled with determination and confidence, he, by some strange impulse, felt no trace of mockery or disdain.

He saw in this young man a kind of… almost obsessive persistence, a courage to declare war on fate, and… an unfathomable potential.

“Oscar Actor Emperor…” Allen Parker murmured, a complex light flashing in his eyes. He had been in the industry for decades, had made countless superstars famous, and had seen too many dreamers who harbored the dream of becoming an Actor Emperor but ultimately left the stage in disappointment.

He knew how difficult and brutal this path was.

“Lin,” Allen Parker took a deep breath, his tone becoming unusually grave, “Do you know what you’re saying?”

“I know.” Lin Da nodded, his eyes calm and firm, “I know this path is very difficult, even more difficult than any path I’ve walked before. But I believe that as long as I’m willing to work hard, as long as I can continuously improve myself and continuously create characters that move people’s hearts, one day, I will stand on that stage.”

His words contained no grand pronouncements or deliberate emotional manipulation, yet they carried a convincing power.

Allen Parker looked at Lin Da, silent for a long time.

He suddenly laughed, a laugh that was somewhat relieved, and also somewhat… excited.

“Good! What a Lin Da!” Allen Parker patted Lin Da’s shoulder hard, his eyes filled with admiration and… a subtle hint of madness, “I, Allen Parker, like working with ambitious and daring madmen like you!”

He paused, his tone becoming decisive: “Since your goal is the Oscar, then from today onwards, what I plan for you will not only be Hollywood commercial blockbusters, but also those… award-contending works… that can leave a strong mark on the artistic hall!”

“Those projects I mentioned to you before are just appetizers.” Allen Parker’s eyes gleamed shrewdly, “A male supporting role in a big commercial production can help you quickly accumulate popularity and commercial value in Hollywood. A male lead in an independent art film will give you the opportunity to challenge more profound and complex roles, hone your acting skills, and contend for awards.”

“As for that S-grade drama funded by Netflix…” Allen Parker smiled slightly, “That will be an important step for you to gain global recognition and build a broader audience base.”

He paused, his tone becoming even more mysterious: “Moreover, I also have a… more challenging and more tempting project that I am currently trying to secure for you. If we can successfully get it, it will undoubtedly be a… qualitative leap for your Oscar bid!”

Lin Da’s heart thumped again. He knew that once Allen Parker, this ace agent, decided to act, it would certainly be thunderous and earth-shattering!

“Allen, thank you.” Lin Da said sincerely, “I will not let down your trust.”

“Don’t thank me.” Allen Parker waved his hand, “I’m just a businessman. What I value is your potential and… your future value. You just need to remember that from today onwards, you are no longer fighting alone. Behind you, there’s me, there’s CAA, there’s the entire top team in Hollywood, escorting you!”

Lin Da nodded heavily, his eyes filled with infinite yearning for the future.

After bidding farewell to Allen Parker, Lin Da returned to his apartment.

He knew that his life was about to embark on a new, even more magnificent journey.

He opened the refreshed Actor Emperor Road System.

Looking at the “actor emperor road Mission Chain” in the mission module, each pointing towards higher honors and a broader stage, Lin Da’s heart was filled with fighting spirit.

He carefully studied the two passive skills he had just acquired: Actor Emperor Aura (Primary) and Script Insight (Advanced).

The Actor Emperor Aura would make it easier for him to gain recognition when playing a protagonist, and even trigger an effect like “Protagonist Moment,” which sounded incredibly awesome. This would undoubtedly be a huge help for shaping the male lead roles he was about to challenge.

And Script Insight (Advanced) was even more of a treasure to him. In this age of information explosion and uneven script quality, being able to accurately judge a script’s core value, potential risks, and the character’s shaping potential and award-winning potential was simply a golden finger for an actor’s success!

As for the One-Time Perfect Performance Card (Protagonist Exclusive) and the International Film Industry Pass (Unique), he carefully put them away. He knew that these two special items would play an unexpected role at critical moments in the future.

Just as he was immersed in planning for the future and comprehending his new skills, his phone suddenly rang.

It was an unfamiliar international number.

Lin Da’s heart stirred slightly, and he answered the call.

On the other end of the line, a slightly aged but robust English male voice came through:

“Hello, is this Mr. Lin Da?”

“Yes, speaking. May I ask who is calling?”

“My name is David Green.”

David Green!

Lin Da’s pupils sharply contracted!

Wasn’t this one of the core producers of “the last silk road echo,” the veteran Hollywood bigwig who had asked him sharp questions at the “welcome banquet”?

Why would he suddenly call him?

Could it be… something had gone wrong with “the last silk road echo” again?

Lin Da’s heart couldn’t help but tighten slightly.