Han Lian smiled and said, "In that case, you'd better make sure this film gets released on time. Otherwise, all your efforts will have been for nothing."
"Don't worry. I'll protect my hard work. If you're interested, you could even make a cameo appearance." Yunxi suggested casually.
"Sure, let's see how things go!"
Their conversation reached Xun Kun's ears word for word. He had spent five years on Azure Star, and although those years had been non-stop, he had learned everything he needed to know.
While he was somewhat familiar with popular entertainment, he hadn't delved deep into it. Seeing his two companions so invested, Xun Kun extended his divine sense and read through the script Ran Xi had written.
He rubbed his temple when he found romantic scenes between him and Daphne in the script. Without hesitation, he quietly edited those parts, earning himself teasing looks from Ran Xi and Han Lian.
"Ahem. That character is based on me. I have to stay true to reality. I don't like her, so why write it that way?"
Yunxi smiled and countered, "Would you rather I write the real reason instead? Changing for the sake of a loved one would make more sense narratively."
"I don't care. I disagree." Xun Kun was firm.
Yunxi spread her hands. "Alright, but if the director changes the script, you're not allowed to interfere."
"I know."
The next day, Xia Mengmeng, with dark circles under her eyes, went to Director Lian Tao, who was shooting a new film next door, and handed him the script.
Lian Tao, who had helped launch Xia Mengmeng's career, gave her face. After skimming the script, he invited her for a private meeting and quickly decided to take on the film. Xia Mengmeng successfully secured the leading role.
Excited to share the news, she returned home after filming and was thrilled to find Master Ran Xi waiting for her.
"Master, Director Lian loves the script. He's already agreed to direct it and cast me as the female lead. They're looking for sponsors now!"
Yunxi slid a glass of water toward her.
"Congratulations. I hope this film premieres on schedule."
Xia Mengmeng didn't understand the weight of Yunxi's words. She clasped the glass excitedly, recounting her conversation with the director, already imagining herself standing on the highest stage.
Yunxi was only there to deliver a vial of Rejuvenation Elixir so Xia Mengmeng could embody her role perfectly. Once she saw her drink the water to soothe her dry throat, Yunxi took her leave.
With Lian Tao's support, Reincarnation entered production at full speed. Xia Mengmeng later realized her appearance had subtly rejuvenated. With a face full of youthful glow, she filmed the entire series, and even her co-stars privately asked her about her secret to staying young.
However, when Reincarnation was ready to air, it was blocked by the review board. Someone in the panel who knew of the reincarnation system's existence had broken out in a cold sweat after watching it. This was practically a documentary, exposing Azure Star's core secrets. There was no way they could allow it to air.
Xia Mengmeng received the rejection notice. She was upset, having poured her heart into this project. Just as she prepared to contact the director for a solution, she received a mysterious, unsigned text message:
"Don't worry. Three days from now at noon, the film will simultaneously air on all platforms. Your hard work will not be wasted."
Her suspicions confirmed, Xia Mengmeng immediately drove to see Director Lian, who was trying to get answers from the review board.
The person on the other end dodged questions, gave no real explanation, and hung up with a flimsy excuse. That was when Xia Mengmeng walked in.
Director Lian frowned. "You've heard the news too?"
"Yes, but don't worry, Director. The film will air on time." She lowered her voice as she spoke and showed him the anonymous message.
Lian Tao's eyes lit up. He too lowered his voice. "Is this source reliable?"
"Absolutely. This is from the script's original writer."
"She's got that much influence?"
"She has to."
"Alright then. We'll wait for Reincarnation to go live at noon, three days from now."
At that moment, Yunxi and her group were preparing to leave the Sack estate. After a month of carefully evading the estate's surveillance, they had finished setting up the third auxiliary array and were heading to the final location.
Han Lian glanced at Yunxi's deliberate preparations and teased, "Ran Xi, you've poured your heart into Reincarnation. I don't think I've seen you this dedicated to cultivation."
Yunxi chuckled. "Revealing the truth is my real goal. The Wei Lan family has been hunting us for years. They're becoming a nuisance. It's time I give them something else to worry about."
Yun Chen shook his head. Though he didn't approve of Ran Xi's high-profile plan, he didn't stop her either. It would buy them precious time.
Yunxi had recently advanced to the mid-stage of Divine Transformation, putting pressure on the other three. Drawing attention away from them was not a bad thing.
Three days later at noon, every entertainment channel and streaming platform on Azure Star simultaneously premiered Director Lian Tao's Reincarnation. The film sparked an immediate sensation. The comment sections were flooded with reactions.
Discussions about Reincarnation dominated the star network, and members of the "Extreme Death Sect" stepped forward to declare that this was the reason they had chosen "extreme death."
The film's ending left viewers shaken. The once-vibrant planet had become a dead star, devoid of life. What terrified those who knew the truth even more was the shadowy figure in the final frame: a creature birthed from dissipated souls.
Wei Lanlan recognized Master Ran Xi's handiwork immediately and ran to her grandfather, Wei Lansong, who was already in a crisis meeting after receiving calls from multiple families.
Daphne, after watching the film, confronted her father. "Father, this is real, isn't it?"
Sack frowned deeply but nodded.
Daphne pressed further. "Is my brother like that because his soul purification wasn't complete?"
"Yes."
Her lips trembled, but she forced out the question she most feared: "How many times have I been reincarnated?"
"This is your fourth."
The answer struck her like a blow. According to the film's logic, this was her final reincarnation. If she tried for a fifth, she would meet the same fate as her brother, and this time there wouldn't be a man like Xun Kun to save her.
"Father… will Azure Star truly become a dead star?"
Sack could only shake his head, unable to answer.
By now, Yunxi's group had completed the final auxiliary array, finishing their preparations five months earlier than Yun Chen had calculated.
After another round of divination, Yun Chen looked at his companions and said,
"It's time to activate the formation."