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Lemnian Hollow, the filming location of Legend of the Tiger Warrior!
Arden and Yixuan hid in the shadows. Neither of them planned to show themselves; they were only quietly observing.
"That new kid… you know, the production assistant—be careful when carrying the equipment."
The cameraman instructed Ju Fufu, then muttered softly, "I already told the director not to hire child labor… what if the equipment gets broken?"
"…"
Eavesdropping from the side, Yixuan and Arden struggled hard to hold back their laughter.
"I already told you, I'm just short!"
Ju Fufu flushed red and retorted loudly.
"Yes, yes, sure!"
But whether Ju Fufu was a child or merely short didn't seem to matter—either way, it didn't change the fact that she was small.
"We've got new people joining the crew today. Come on, come on… let's welcome them!"
Before filming began, the director held a small welcoming ceremony for Astra Yao and Ju Fufu, partly to boost morale and inspire confidence among the cast and crew.
As a big star, Astra Yao's popularity went without saying. As for Ju Fufu… her cuteness won over most people as well—though there were exceptions.
"Director, one mountain can't hold two tigers!"
Originally, he had been the sole lead. Now a 'Young Tiger Hero' was suddenly added, along with an eye-catching superstar. Cang Huang, who played the 'Tiger Hero,' was clearly displeased.
Cang Huang was also a tiger Thiren. He had starred in many martial arts dramas and had a certain reputation in New Eridu, though he had already retired. Legend of the Tiger Warrior! Would be his comeback work.
"Haha… it's fine, it's fine. Everyone says I don't really look like a tiger anyway, hahaha…"
Not wanting the atmosphere to turn awkward, Ju Fufu tried to smooth things over.
"The acting world is pretty cruel. Newcomers replacing veterans happens all the time."
Astra Yao stepped in to back Ju Fufu up, subtly mocking the idea that the other party should have retired already.
"Big Sis Astra!"
With Arden not around, Ju Fufu moved closer to Astra Yao. She wasn't very good at dealing with these kinds of open and hidden barbs.
Couldn't everyone just get along happily?
"Don't worry."
Evelyn mimicked the way Arden usually comforted Ju Fufu, patting her on the shoulder.
"Mm."
With Astra Yao and Evelyn there, Ju Fufu's mood improved significantly.
"Ahem! Time to talk about the filming content."
The director pulled the topic back on track. "Today's story takes place during the journey where the Tiger Hero and the Young Tiger Hero go in search of the demon-suppressing artifact, the Demon-Subduing Bell…"
To play to Ju Fufu's strengths, the director arranged mostly action scenes for her.
Unlike before, when she had broken extras' bones while 'upholding justice,' this time Ju Fufu held back considerably.
"CUT!"
"Hiss~~ ha~~"
After this scene wrapped, the director looked as if he were high on inspiration, wearing an intoxicated expression.
"Did you all… smell it?"
"Uh…"
"What?"
Whether it was Cang Huang or Ju Fufu, both looked utterly confused at the director's sudden episode.
"Light passes through Ether, etching unique traces onto the film."
The director remained immersed in his fantasy. "Flowing through the air is the fragrance known as 'story'!"
"Sigh~ Figures. There's a reason you've always made trash films."
Cang Huang commented with emotion.
"Eh? Director, did you only make bad films before?"
Ju Fufu looked shocked.
"Bad films… no wonder I've never heard of him."
Astra Yao also muttered quietly.
As a rising star in New Eridu, she had more or less interacted with most well-known directors—and this one? She had zero impression of him, which said a lot.
"What do you mean trash films?!"
The director immediately bristled. "They were merely overlooked gems, unappreciated by discerning eyes!"
"Forget it. You wouldn't understand even if I explained. Prepare for the next scene."
Another action scene beating up extras followed.
"Phew…"
Just when Ju Fufu thought they were about to wrap up—
Ding-ling-ling~~!
The sound of the Demon-Subduing Bell rang out in the distance, and along with it came Ethereals tainted by Miasma.
"Is this… also the director's arrangement?"
With some doubt, Ju Fufu swung Hu Wei, smashing it into the charging Ethereals.
Even strengthened by Miasma, fodder Ethereals were still just fodder. Ju Fufu cleared them out in no time.
Not far away, Arden—observing from the shadows—slightly frowned.
"Shifu!"
"I know."
Both of them sensed it clearly: these Ethereals were definitely not arranged by the director. There was another source behind them.
"CUT!"
"That was amazing!"
The director showed no concern at all over the sudden appearance of the Ethereals. Instead, he was utterly captivated by Ju Fufu's combat performance. "As expected of the 'Tiger' from Divine Tiger Companions! I can already foresee it… we'll deliver an epic action sequence to the long-dormant martial arts film market!"
Is it really that exaggerated? This kind of action scene is pretty common in movies and dramas made by Suibian Film & Media Company, isn't it?
Ju Fufu only thought this to herself and wisely didn't say it out loud.
"Director, this place is very dangerous. We must evacuate the Hollow immediately."
Ju Fufu offered the most sensible suggestion.
Low-level Ethereals posed no threat to her, but the director and crew were ordinary people—encountering Ethereals would be extremely dangerous for them.
"Miss Fufu is right! Director, if she hadn't accepted the invitation, the one 'perfectly acting' alongside those Ethereals just now would've been me!"
Cang Huang showed lingering fear.
Unlike Ju Fufu, he was just an actor—not a real hero.
"But… doesn't that just prove my keen eye for tigers?"
The director clearly had no intention of evacuating immediately. "Miss Fufu, I know this request may be a bit much… but could I ask you to cooperate and finish today's final shot while also protecting everyone?"
"This… alright."
Ju Fufu wasn't good at refusing people—this time was no exception.
The last scene, huh? With Sister Evelyn around, nothing should go wrong.
While Ju Fufu was filming the final scene, Arden and Yixuan moved into action, secretly searching for the source of the Miasma.
"There really is a problem!"
At a site where Miasma was concentrated, Arden found traces of deliberate human setup.
"This sneaky style… could it be…"
Yixuan felt a sense of familiarity.
"Yeah."
Arden nodded. "It's hard not to think of the Exaltists' handiwork… but targeting a film crew—what's their objective?"
"No rush. Let's keep observing in secret. Those guys will definitely reveal themselves."
"Agreed."
Even with traces of the Exaltists appearing, both Arden and Yixuan remained relatively relaxed.
With Yixuan, Ju Fufu, and Arden all present, the three of them together could handle even a disaster on the scale of the Fall of the Old Capital. They didn't believe the Exaltists could stir up much trouble in front of them.
This was the confidence that came from overwhelming strength.
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