"This actor, you may begin your performance," a bearded assistant director said.

Jiayi felt even more nervous than before!

The man sat behind the audition panel, staring directly at her!

Her little heart was pounding thump thump, and her little head was starting to feel dizzy.

Performing in front of so many authorities in the film industry was nerve-wracking enough, and now there was the added pressure of Huo Zhenyang.

She felt like she was about to suffocate.

The first action of the performance was to draw the Peach Wood Sword from behind with a reverse grip, but she was so nervous she couldn’t even pull the sword from her back.

With great difficulty, she finally drew the Peach Wood Sword.

Just as the man’s intense gaze fell on her, her hand went limp in a most disgraceful manner, and the entire Peach Wood Sword slipped from her palm—

Clang, it fell to the ground!

Inside the audition panel, a group of people frowned and began to murmur.

The bearded assistant director with a temper slammed the table, "What’s going on? Can’t act? Or didn’t you read the script beforehand?"

Jian Meiyi snickered with satisfaction. She had been holding onto a stomach full of anger from a few days ago, and now felt it was deserved. Not a professional actor, yet daring to act; she didn’t dare to deal with her herself, but someone else was willing to give her a lesson.

The directors in the crew were all very strict. If Jiayi didn’t have real talent, she would surely be scolded day in and day out.

Haha, would Huo Zhenyang still be able to protect her 24/7 then?

Although Ye Yongning really liked Jiayi and was the biggest director of "Demon-slaying Chronicle," he might protect Jiayi, but Ye Yongning wasn’t present for every scene, and there were so many other assistant directors responsible for filming!

Thinking about Jiayi being reprimanded so severely by these assistant directors every day, Jian Meiyi felt elated.

Jiayi was also startled by the director slamming the desk with his outburst and hurriedly apologized, "I’m sorry, I’m a bit nervous, my hand slipped."

As she spoke, she went to pick up the Peach Wood Sword.

The bearded assistant director was notoriously impatient, and he often scolded actors fiercely on set. In serious cases, he even resorted to hitting those less famous actors. Seeing her clumsy appearance made his expression even more displeased, turning to Ye Yongning:

"Director Ye, I’ve heard that this newcomer was highly recommended by you. It’s not that I’m going against you, but our ’Demon-slaying Chronicle’ is a multi-billion dollar movie meant to reach an international audience. Even a minor role is under scrutiny, and having such a novice actor, I’m afraid, will ruin our movie and your hard-earned reputation in the film industry, Director Ye."

The others murmured among themselves as well.

"I don’t think there’s any need to continue the audition, she clearly isn’t qualified for the role of the Taoist Nun. Let’s move on to the next person."

"Yes, you’re right, this little actor isn’t professionally trained and has no acting experience at all. I really don’t think she’s cut out for film acting."

"Agreed. Let’s replace her."

...

Although Ye Yongning wanted to defend Jiayi, after all, "Demon-slaying Chronicle" wasn’t just his work alone. He couldn’t abuse his status as a well-known director to prevent others from expressing their opinions.

Jiayi had never been publicly reprimanded like this before.

Everyone’s eyes on the set were focused on her, and she felt a twitch in her nostrils, a sour bitterness; her mental defenses were on the verge of collapse.

The girl’s body trembled slightly, her eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings, her large almond-shaped eyes red as if she were a pitiful little thing singled out by the teacher and made to stand in front of the whole class.

At the back of the audition panel, in the center, Huo Zhenyang’s eyes glinted, a coolness added to his handsome face. He turned slightly, casting a glance at the bearded assistant director.

"So noisy."

Two firm words, tossed into the film set—like a thunderclap—they interrupted everyone’s harsh criticism and ridicule of Jiayi.

Several assistant directors and producers swallowed their words when they saw the annoyance and disgust on Huo Zhenyang’s face.

Noisy? Huo Zhenyang finds it noisy?

The man’s words were as cold and sharp as a blade, "I don’t think she has any problem. To criticize before the performance even starts, is this the style of the Demon-slaying Chronicle crew? If so, I regret my investment this time, and I’m somewhat remorseful about it."

How could they leave the film’s major investor dissatisfied? What if he pulled out his investment?

The group of assistant directors all clamped their mouths shut and glanced at the assistant director with dissatisfaction, signaling him not to provoke Huo Zhenyang further.

The assistant director with the goatee muttered unwillingly, "What I said was the truth."

Huo Zhenyang gave a cold glance like an icy blade towards the assistant director who was seemingly looking for trouble, then pointed decisively and spoke:

"In the Demon-slaying Chronicle crew, I do not wish to see this gentleman’s presence."

Everyone was shocked.

Was he about to have the assistant director removed from the crew?

Everyone already heard that Huo Zhenyang was ruthlessly decisive; indeed, there was no tolerance for dissent in his eyes.

But, with the major financier having spoken, who would dare to argue?

Ye Yongning gave the assistant director a glance and then nodded toward the security guards at the door.

Without a word, two security guards approached, grabbing the assistant director by the arms and escorting him outside.

The assistant director had not imagined to his dying breath that merely criticizing a minor actor could cost him his position.

The assistant director with the goatee remained stunned, as he was pulled out by the security guards.

Encountering such a capricious investor was rare, yet not particularly strange in the entertainment industry.

A dozen or so seconds later, the film set returned to calm from its state of surprise, the noise slowly subsiding.

Ye Yongning cleared his throat as if nothing had happened, "Alright, let’s start the audition now."

Jiayi was already spirited, bracing herself. She couldn’t let others look down on her, but more importantly, she couldn’t let Huo Zhenyang see her as a joke.

"Action"—

The stage was set with an antiquated charm.

The Taoist Nun, dressed in a green gown, lifted her slender arm, bent her elbow back, and slowly drew her long sword from her back. With a heroic exorcism move, she slashed forward, twirled her body, and executed a flowing, graceful sword flower. Her energy surged like a rainbow, pointing to the ground as if she were practicing martial arts.

Even though they were simple martial art movements, they instantly captured the directors’ hearts, the allure shifting entirely to the stage where the Little Taoist Nun was performing.

It seemed this newcomer actress had indeed worked hard and came well prepared.

It was fortunate they didn’t listen to what that assistant director had said earlier about sending her away; they might have missed out on a suitable actor!

Next to her, an old Taoist Priest stroked his long white beard, laughing heartily, "Changle, your exorcism sword gets better day by day. In a few more days, you shall be able to replace your master and go down the mountain alone to exterminate demons. Seeing your progress brings me great joy."

Changle was the name of the Little Taoist Nun.

The Little Taoist Nun placed down the Peach Wood Sword on her back, walked up to the old Taoist Priest, lifted her delicate little face, and recited her lines with vivid expression:

"Master, I don’t want to go down the mountain alone. I wish to stay by your side always, even if I descend the mountain to slay demons, I want to do it together with Master!" 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Huo Zhenyang’s eyelashes flickered, casting a shadow down, well well, this Little Kitten still has some tricks up her sleeve.