This is what an immortal should be like

Chapter 212 This is not a script!

Seeing Liu Hongyu and Zhuang Lin walking together, especially seeing Zhuang Lin's attire at this moment, brought back memories for Zhou Xianglin.

It feels like only a few years have passed, yet it feels like a lifetime ago.

"Uncle Zhou, we just watched part of the rehearsal that wasn't obscured on the boat, it was amazing!"

Liu Hongyu offered a frank compliment, while Zhuang Lin smiled and looked at Zhou Xianglin, who was still in a daze.

"Director Zhou, it's been a long time. Do you still remember me?"

Zhou Xianglin smiled, shook his head slightly in the face of the situation, and quickly walked closer to the two. Seeing Zhuang Lin's appearance, he addressed him as he had done after the plan was finalized.

"Master Zhuang is asking a question he already knows the answer to, Hongyu, you've given me quite a surprise!"

Because he met Zhuang Lin, Zhou Xianglin temporarily held back many things he had planned to say to Liu Hongyu. After a brief greeting, the three of them were about to go backstage to talk.

However, Zhuang Lin thought the stage had a good view and there was no cold wind today, so the three of them ended up sitting on the edge of the stage, facing the night view of West Lake and chatting.

Actually, it was mainly Zhuang Lin and Zhou Xianglin who were talking, while Liu Hongyu, who was originally one of the main liaisons, seemed to have become a mere background figure.

Just like when old friends who haven't seen each other for years meet again, besides asking about each other's recent situation, the first thing they talk about is definitely the things that left the deepest impression on each other back then. And for Zhuang Lin and Zhou Xianglin, this was naturally the plan to break through the illusion back then.

However, Liu Hongyu has long since recovered from his illness, and the three of them no longer have so many taboos regarding the Breaking Illusion Plan.

Zhou Xianglin also revealed a lot of information that was not in the files that Liu Hongyu had access to, mainly the private exchanges between Liu Shih-hao and him, which allowed Liu Hongyu to feel the fatherly love and concern that was separated by time and space.

While the three were chatting, several staff members near the stage came over. Seeing the three sitting and chatting, they asked each other a few questions out of curiosity.

"Are there still actors who haven't left?"

"Which show is this? She's seizing the opportunity to get closer to Director Zhou!"

As a renowned director, Zhou Xianglin has many aspiring actors who want to get close to him. Therefore, Zhuang Lin and Liu Hongyu, dressed in ancient costumes, were seen as actors deliberately staying to find an opportunity to interact with the famous director.

The staff, used to it, also shouted something.

"Director Zhou, we're done filming. Shall we take a boat back for a late-night snack?"

The three people at the edge of the stage turned around and glanced back when they heard this, and Zhou Xianglin smiled and declined.

"I'm leaving with two old friends today, you two go home first!"

Upon hearing this, the staff members guessed who the two actors were, but without giving it much thought, they left immediately.

The area around the stage was quieter, with only a few people cleaning up. There were also fewer tourists by West Lake, as it was already late at night.

However, Zhou Xianglin was in high spirits because there were so many facts from back then, and so much to talk about.

"By the way, after the Breaking Illusion Project ended, Master Zhuang never returned to Hidden Immortal Valley, right?"

When Zhou Xianglin suddenly asked this question, Zhuang Lin remained calm and noncommittal, while the former, having already decided on the answer, continued speaking on his own.

"I went to look for Hidden Immortal Valley later, but it was like a joke from God. When I went there, I couldn't find it, and I didn't have that much time to waste."

"Sigh, if it weren't for the many people who went through that period with me, sometimes I would feel like it was just a dream."

In a significant portion of the protected area, the magnetic field appears to have become disordered, making it impossible for compasses to find their way and even affecting helicopters. They attribute this to crustal movement and geomagnetic changes.
However, Zhou Xianglin didn't need to talk about these things at this time. He just reminisced about the past and expressed his regrets.

"In the past two years, I've increasingly felt my energy waning. I want to leave behind some more good works, but I feel somewhat powerless."

After meeting Zhuang Lin, Zhou Xianglin truly encountered a close friend he hadn't seen in a long time. He had many friends, but many of his close friends were in the entertainment industry, and he didn't want to show his weakness or fatigue. Perhaps only Zhuang Lin could help him confide in him.

Zhuang Lin listened more and spoke less, and Liu Hongyu didn't say a word the whole time. It wasn't until this moment that Zhou Xianglin finally poured out his heart.

The West Lake Grand Stage appears to sway slightly with the wind and waves. It is a huge semi-fixed and semi-suspended stage, which obviously takes into account the dismantling work later.

The swaying of the stage at this moment seemed to mirror Zhou Xianglin's state of mind—calm yet with its own ups and downs.

"By the way, after saying so much, I haven't asked you, Master Zhuang, in detail yet. Although I know you're definitely not short of money now, with your qualifications, are you interested in entering the entertainment industry?"

"Hey Uncle Zhou, didn't you want Shen Qingyou?"

Liu Hongyu said with a smile, and Zhou Xianglin responded frankly.

"Hey, why not ask Master Zhuang?" After listening for so long, Zhuang Lin understood Zhou Xianglin's current state of mind and condition. Based on his previous understanding of him, Zhuang Lin no longer hesitated to speak.

"Director Zhou, would you like to go back to Hidden Immortal Valley for a visit, and perhaps collaborate on some special films in the future?"

"Of course I want to go back! But even if I found it after going through great lengths, what's left there now? Only ruins and desolation. What I can't return to isn't Hidden Immortal Valley, but the past—the passion that was once there is gone."

Zhuang Lin glanced at Liu Hongyu beside him, who couldn't help but smile.

"Hidden Immortal Valley may not be desolate and dilapidated, and Director Zhou, your past passion may not be lost forever. There are some things I'd like to ask you to do; perhaps inspiration will come naturally after experiencing them!"

Zhou Xianglin looked at Zhuang Lin with slight surprise, only to see that the latter seemed very serious, while Liu Hongyu next to him couldn't suppress his smile.

"Master Zhuang, what do you mean by this?"

Zhuang Lin smiled but did not answer immediately.

"Director Zhou just mentioned being hungry, which is quite a long story. Now, let me tell you a story as well."

As he spoke, Zhuang Lin glanced at Liu Hongyu beside him and continued with a playful yet unchanged smile.

"This story begins with a man who was considered mentally ill but was destined for greatness."

The story Zhuang Lin told was just the beginning. Zhou Xianglin subconsciously looked at Liu Hongyu. It was obvious who the so-called "chosen one" and "mentally ill person" were referring to. Liu Hongyu's expression at this moment also carried a sense of emotion and relief.

However, as the story continued, the look of surprise on Zhou Xianglin's face became more and more obvious, because a considerable part of the content was similar to his previous recollections, which was clearly the Breaking Illusion Plan, or rather, the other side of the Breaking Illusion Plan.

Having decided to integrate himself into a unique part of history in this world, Zhuang Lin no longer had any ideological constraints.

That's right, I am a reclusive immortal cultivator, and I am waiting for the chosen one. My teaching in a rural primary school is also predestined, and the Breaking Illusion Plan is not as simple as you think.

All of this was obviously revolutionary for Zhou Xianglin. He listened to Zhuang Lin's narration with a look of astonishment, his eyes wide the entire time.

Moreover, Zhuang Lin's story was so bizarre and captivating that Zhou Xianglin, though astonished, did not interrupt and listened to the entire story from beginning to end.

After a while, Zhou Xianglin belatedly realized what was happening, snapped out of his reverie, and couldn't help but clap softly.

"Brilliant! Brilliant! This is truly a great script!"

Clearly, the story was too exaggerated and outrageous, and Zhou Xianglin had already assumed that it was fabricated by Zhuang Lin.

"Master Zhuang, your thinking is indeed boundless and full of imagination. How about this, if you don't want to be a real artist, you can be my screenwriter!"

"Hahahahahaha."

Liu Hongyu laughed first, then looked at Zhuang Lin.

"Master, Uncle Zhou really doesn't believe it!"

"That's true, after all, seeing is believing!"

As he spoke, Zhuang Lin stood up from the edge of the stage, looked at the sky in a certain direction, and then looked back at Zhou Xianglin, who was still sitting there.

"Director Zhou, it's getting late, how about you come with us?"

Liu Hongyu had also gotten up and helped Zhou Xianglin up, who subconsciously glanced at his watch.

"Hey, it's almost two o'clock, it's getting late. Okay, let's go together. Which hotel are you staying at? Let's find a place to grab a late-night snack together?"

As night deepened, the stage lights were turned off, and the cleaning staff had all left without anyone noticing.

Zhuang Lin smiled without explaining. With a flick of his sleeve, a gentle breeze arose, and mist began to rise over West Lake. The mist was very light and gradually rose onto the stage, reaching the feet of the group.

"Hongyu, protect your Director Zhou!"

"Your disciple obeys! Uncle Zhou, please don't panic. I will naturally protect you!"

As he spoke, Liu Hongyu channeled a stream of spiritual energy into Zhou Xianglin's hand, which he was supporting. The latter felt a refreshing warmth rising within his body, flowing through his meridians and internal organs, and protecting his heart. However, before he could react, he suddenly felt his feet lighten, and he was lifted into the air, rising into the sky with the two people beside him in a gust of wind.

Then, with a flash of sword light, the three figures disappeared into the horizon, leaving only the thin mist rising from West Lake below.

Perhaps a few screams and shouts could still be faintly heard on the horizon.
(End of this chapter)