11: Tianlong casting

Li Xiuwu's other companies, Golden Culture and Hong Kong-based Giant Crocodile Investment—why hadn't they triggered a reaction from the system?

He carefully considered the differences between the two companies.

Was it because there were too few people when he visited? When Li Xiuwu went to Golden Culture, there were only three people: Xu Muyang and the Cool Fire Group.

Giant Crocodile Investment in Hong Kong was also a shell company; when he visited, there were only temporary accounting and legal staff.

'I can give it a try,' Li Xiuwu thought, considering the system's rules.

Coincidentally, Qiu Wanjun's recent investments hadn't been going well, so Li Xiuwu asked him to come over and set up a new internet enterprise.

Qiu Wanjun brought his team to the capital, and when they met Li Xiuwu, their faces were all smiles.

Their hard work during this period had paid off handsomely, with bonuses almost equivalent to two months' salary.

"Building an internet service and gaming platform?" Qiu Wanjun looked at Li Xiuwu in surprise.

"The primary focus will be investing in game development teams and acting as an agent for overseas games," Li Xiuwu explained the new company's main business direction to him.

In the next few years, game licensing would definitely be the most profitable industry.

Qiu Wanjun nodded, and the two discussed the details of the new company.

Within ten days, Dream Time, an internet enterprise funded by Hong Kong's Giant Crocodile Investment, was established in the Shangdi Information Building.

This company, Dream Time, was quite generous, directly renting an entire building as its office space and moving Zulong Studio into it, making it a subsidiary branch.

[Detected that the host has established a cultivation force in the cultivation world. Would you like to activate the Sect Power Auxiliary Array?]

As expected, once the company was established and its location and personnel were confirmed, the power aura activated.

Li Xiuwu studied the Sect Power Auxiliary Array, made a rough layout, and mentioned some overseas game titles to Qiu Wanjun.

Qiu Wanjun set off with his team once again to negotiate overseas game licenses.

In early August, during the casting auditions for Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, Li Xiuwu received notice to go and sign a performance contract for the role of Duan Yu.

He drove to the casting hotel for Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils located on the outskirts of the city.

As soon as he entered, he was recognized by a waiter.

"Student Li, the Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils crew is on the third floor. I'll take you there."

"Thank you."

The waiter led him upstairs but kept glancing at him, looking like he wanted to ask something but didn't dare to because of hotel regulations.

Li Xiuwu noticed the waiter's unusual behavior and roughly understood what he wanted to ask, but he pretended not to see it.

The third-floor corridor was packed with people.

[Top-tier Dual Cultivation Cauldron detected. System prompt: Getting close can accelerate cultivation. It is recommended that the host befriend them for future dual cultivation.]

[Top-tier Dual Cultivation Cauldron detected. System prompt: Getting close can accelerate cultivation. It is recommended that the host befriend them for future dual cultivation.]

[Top-tier Dual Cultivation Cauldron detected. System prompt: Getting close can accelerate cultivation. It is recommended that the host befriend them for future dual cultivation.]

Li Xiuwu's gaze followed the system's reminders: Chang'e, Mu Wanqing, and Azi.

In addition to these, there were many other prompts for high-quality cauldrons.

The entertainment industry was indeed a place where beauties gathered like clouds.

Hearing someone coming up, many people looked over.

"Li Xiuwu!" someone exclaimed.

Participating in the Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils auditions, it was impossible for them not to know Li Xiuwu after the recent stir he'd caused.

Some looked at him with admiration, some with envy, and others with hostility.

He had secured the role of Duan Yu, one of the main characters, which inevitably upset many people and sparked feelings of envy, jealousy, and hate.

Li Xiuwu frowned. He possessed a Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart and could sense the good or ill intentions of others. Generally, he chose to ignore various stray thoughts.

However, that one gaze full of hostility made him look back.

It was a long, horse-like face with some pits on it—the kind of face that could play Emperor Kangxi without any makeup.

"Who is he?" Li Xiuwu didn't know him, but for someone to harbor such great hostility, it must be related to the role of Duan Yu.

He memorized the face, thanked the waiter, and walked straight toward the room where the Yu Mins were resting.

He was here to sign a contract, not to audition, so there was no need to wait.

"Student Li, please wait a moment while I inform Director Zhang." The assistant guarding the door knocked and entered the audition room after seeing Li Xiuwu.

"Director Zhang, Yu Mins, Li Xiuwu is here. He's just outside the door."

The young girl who was auditioning stopped her movements and looked at the assistant in surprise.

Big Beard Zhang looked up and glanced at the others.

He noticed Zhou Xiaowen's furrowed brow. "Old Zhou, this is one of your Beijing Film Academy people. You can't give him the cold shoulder."

When Zhang Jizhong said this, Zhou Xiaowen's frown actually deepened.

He had a very stubborn personality, was strict with his work, and disliked those who used the back door.

Zhao Jian and Yu Min Yu kept their heads down. They didn't care about the casting; anyone could play the part.

However, signs of a power struggle had already emerged between Zhou Xiaowen and Zhang Jizhong.

Big Beard Zhang was the producer, and Zhou Xiaowen was the general Yu Min. The Beijing Film Academy faction occupied the vast majority of important positions in the crew.

Three out of four cinematographers and four out of five art Yu Mins were from the Beijing Film Academy. Big Beard Zhang needed the academy's network and resources, but he didn't want Zhou Xiaowen to hold all the power.

"I know." Zhou Xiaowen was stubborn, but he wasn't stupid. The president of the Beijing Film Academy had personally called him, asking him to look after this precious talent.

Zhang Jizhong looked at Zhou Xiaowen's expression with a bit of disappointment.

Although he had agreed to let Li Xiuwu play Duan Yu and had used his status as the top scholar of the college entrance examination for hype—drawing public attention to Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils—Big Beard Zhang still wanted to replace him.

A man named Ma was willing to give him money, and a man named Lin from across the strait had also offered very good terms.

Having used Li Xiuwu's top scholar title for hype once, Li Xiuwu no longer had much value to him.

"Let him in. Let's meet this top scholar of the college entrance examination," Zhang Jizhong said to the assistant.

"Director Zhang invites you in," the assistant said to Li Xiuwu outside the door after opening it.

Li Xiuwu nodded to him, stepped into the room, and scanned the Yu Mins while sensing the intentions behind their gazes.

Yu Min Yu and Zhao Jian were merely curious about him. Although Big Beard Zhang had a face full of smiles, his intentions were malicious.

On the contrary, the serious-looking Zhou Xiaowen had kindness in his scrutinizing gaze.

[Supreme Dual Cultivation Cauldron detected. System prompt: Getting close can accelerate cultivation. It is recommended that the host befriend them for future dual cultivation.]

In the direction of the system's prompt, Liu Yifei was holding a piece of paper, her face lighting up with joy upon seeing Li Xiuwu.

"Hello, Yu Mins. Hello, Teacher Zhou." Li Xiuwu composed his thoughts and greeted the Yu Mins.

Hearing Li Xiuwu's greeting, Big Beard Zhang's expression changed, showing some displeasure.

By greeting Zhou Xiaowen separately, Li Xiuwu had already made his attitude clear.

The others' eyelids twitched simultaneously as they looked at Big Beard Zhang; this man was not known for being magnanimous.

"Acting isn't easy, and the pressure is immense if you don't do well. Have you thought this through, Student Li?" Big Beard Zhang spoke with a chuckle. At his level, he didn't show his emotions on his face.

"Thank you for your concern, Director Zhang. I will work hard to do my best. If there are any shortcomings, I ask for your guidance, teachers." Li Xiuwu was neither humble nor arrogant. While he spoke of seeking guidance, he showed no particular reverence toward Big Beard Zhang.

His tone made Big Beard Zhang even more dissatisfied.

Big Beard Zhang was a major Yu Min in the mainland television circle and had a high opinion of himself. It had been a long time since an actor had spoken to him like this, especially a newcomer.

Did a newcomer really think that getting good grades meant they could make it in the entertainment industry?

He felt anger rising, but it wasn't appropriate to lash out at the moment.

Yu Min Yu and Zhao Jian also felt that Li Xiuwu was too arrogant. Even if he could secure such a resource once by relying on being the top scholar, would there be a second time?

The entertainment industry didn't care about academic grades.

Even Zhou Xiaowen frowned slightly. Although he disliked the atmosphere of the entertainment industry, one should still show proper respect to their seniors.

"Being an artist isn't easy. You'd better think carefully," Big Beard Zhang's voice was somewhat somber, carrying a hidden warning.

"Ahem." Zhou Xiaowen coughed. Li Xiuwu was the top scholar; even the Beijing Film Academy needed to coddle him.

He spoke in a kind tone he had never used in his life: "Your foundation is good. As for acting, we will provide plenty of guidance. Don't worry."

He shot a warning look at Big Beard Zhang. For this top scholar, the Beijing Film Academy had already made extensive preparations for the start of the semester.

If you scare Li Xiuwu into leaving the academy, you, Big Beard Zhang, can forget about working in this industry.

Big Beard Zhang could only suppress his displeasure. His mind whirled, and he said, "We happen to be auditioning right now. Why doesn't Student Li help out by playing a scene?"

He pointed directly at Liu Yifei, who was standing in the corner.

Zhou Xiaowen frowned and looked sharply at Big Beard Zhang. Although he didn't like people using the back door, Li Xiuwu was different.

"Sure," Li Xiuwu did not refuse.