Loken Water Tank was finished.
After all.
After the great battle between Lucas Reeve and the Ancient God of Flame's fragment, the body of Loken Water Tank's head, Loken Williams, was a miserable, charred wreck. Although there were surveillance cameras in the laboratory, since Raythean Industries was the first to enter, their special operations team had already watched the footage countless times.
And the horrifying combat footage of Lucas Reeve and the fragment left an incredibly deep impression on the members of the special ops team. The surveillance recordings were immediately deleted and transferred directly into the hands of Raythean Industries' chairman.
After Jessica's father finished watching the recording.
He remained silent for a long, long time.
He didn't recognize the red-haired girl; she hadn't appeared at the family dinner a month ago. But since she had contacted his daughter first, it meant she must be very close with his daughter, a friend.
As the chairman of Raythean Industries.
One of the richest men in the world, how could he not know some of the secrets of this world.
A god....
At this thought.
A conflicted expression appeared on his usually calm and composed face for the first time. It was hard to imagine that this great figure would ever have such a headache.
He was gratified.
His daughter was becoming more and more mature, even getting involved with a legendary god. But he was also a little afraid. As a father, he was worried about his daughter's safety. After some simple deliberation, he decided to personally visit his daughter's residence in a few days to meet this god.
Due to the Loken Water Tank incident.
Rhine Lab's stock fell considerably. Some investors, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire, chose to withdraw their capital and stop investing in Rhine Lab. Moreover, the public outcry this time was simply too massive; even Rhine Lab couldn't suppress it. After all, Raythean Industries was deliberately fanning the flames from behind the scenes. No one would mind causing trouble for a competitor they disliked. On the contrary, they would revel in it. If they could disgust their rival into a state of collapse, that would be for the best.
However, that possibility was almost zero.
Due to the fermenting public opinion.
For the past two days, the people of Columbia had been pointing their fingers directly at Rhine Lab. The military, which had originally been cooperating with Rhine Lab, immediately distanced itself, drawing a clear line. In fact, the Columbian military was also furious this time.
The military had spent so much money investing in the [Flame Demon Project], and poof... after the experiment was completed, the test subject somehow ended up with Raythean Industries. Then, after being duped by Parvis, they invested in Loken Water Tank's Infected Organ super-modified human project.
This time, the military was very satisfied with the experiment's cost, forgave Parvis, and once again invested an astronomical sum of money for Rhine Lab to continue their efforts in researching super soldiers for the military. And yet... just as they were about to succeed, Loken Water Tank blew up, and all the test subjects were gone... including all the research data!
Splat.
That astronomical sum of money had fallen straight to the bottom of the sea. Last time with the Flame Demon Project, it was just the test subject that was lost; the experimental data was still there. As long as the data existed, they could create another one. But this time, not only were there no test subjects, there was no data either. It was truly like a stone sinking into the ocean, without even a ripple.
The military was furious, but there was nothing they could do.
As for the military faction backing Raythean Industries, they were overjoyed.
Raythean Industries had thwarted its rival twice. It was truly gratifying. With a grand wave of the hand, they signed another huge order for a new batch of weapons. Only Raythean Industries itself knew that it had nothing to do with them. It was purely the young miss's competence. Both times, it was the young miss who had handed the credit to Raythean Industries on a silver platter. And because of this, Jessica's father used the opportunity to make his case, and the shareholders who had previously been pessimistic about Jessica all shut their mouths and said no more.
After finding the fragment.
Their mission in Columbia was complete. However, since it had been a long time since he had seen Jessica, Lucas Reeve decided to stay at her place for a while before embarking on a new journey.
And during these days.
Lucas Reeve, Surtr, and Jessica often visited Rosmontis in the hospital.
Upon learning that Rosmontis's parents were both gone, Jessica decided to adopt the cute and sensible little girl, which would also add another playmate for Ifrit, Shamare, and Ceobe.
These days.
No matter how reluctant Lucas Reeve was.
He also participated in the filming of Nian's movie as the male lead.
On the film set—
For the first time, Nian felt that filming could be this simple. In just one month, they had already shot 80 percent of the film. What kind of divine speed was this? Almost all the shots were done in a few takes. This was simply genius-level acting. Of course, this was just Nian's own opinion.
As a professional film crew, they had shot countless blockbusters. This was the first time in their lives they had felt so lifeless. Anyway... just shoot. They were already numb. Who knew you could make a movie like this?
"OK!!"
Nian, wearing a director's vest and sitting under a sun canopy, held a megaphone and shouted towards the center of the set.
"Alright! Next scene, the final battle of the Yan Tianshi Fu's World Martial Arts Tournament. Female lead Surtr versus male lead, Lucas Reeve."
At this moment.
In the center of a massive arena, Surtr, dressed in classical Yan attire, was facing off against Lucas Reeve, who was dressed in men's clothing.
According to the original script.
Who should play the role of the scumbag male lead who broke off the engagement... this was a huge problem. After all, it seemed that all her close companions were female. Lucas Reeve was the only male soul. As for having a woman dress as a man, they could only ask Franka, but Franka's figure was simply too curvaceous; there was no way she could play a man.
And so.
Jessica thought of Lisa.
She specially sent someone to bring Lisa back from Siracusa, so that Lucas Reeve could use a Shikigami to materialize himself. Moreover, since more than two months had passed, Lucas Reeve had spent a bit of Prayer Power to strengthen the soul intensity within Laevatain, successfully separating a tiny bit from it, allowing his consciousness to move in and out freely.
So.
For this movie.
Lucas Reeve needed to play two roles.
Surtr's guardian spirit and the scumbag male lead who broke off the engagement.
"Places, everyone! All departments, get ready!"
Nian stood up, raised the clapperboard high in her hand, and then swung it down sharply.
"Action!"
The cameras started rolling. The sound of the wind whistled under the effect of the wind machines. All around them were green screens, ready for a crowd of onlookers to be keyed in during post-production.
Then.
Surtr looked at Lucas Reeve with an incredibly cold gaze and said, "Lucas Reeve, it's time for us to make a clean break! Thirty years the river flows east, thirty years the river flows west, do not bully a young girl for being poor! You cannot imagine how powerful I am now."
Who knows how many NGs Surtr had on this line. In the end, Nian had no choice but to bribe her with a truckload of ice cream to get her to agree.
"Jie jie jie..."
Lucas Reeve let out a sinister laugh: "You think a little scumbag like you can defeat me? I, Lucas Reeve, am invincible."
Then, Lucas Reeve turned around. His snow-white robes were ethereal. In the howling wind, his handsome face was like that of a banished immortal.
"At the zenith of immortals, proud in this world; where I, Lucas Reeve, am, there is heaven."
Off-set, Jessica silently complained, "These lines... did Miss Nian write them? They're so weird..."
Franka nodded, "Who knows..."
"Hmph! You're courting death!!"
Surtr snorted coldly.
"Come forth, my power!!"
The giant Laevatain emerged from the magma behind Surtr. The crew members' eyes widened, full of disbelief.
This...
This.....
Nian didn't care. She would just use her power to wipe the crew's memories every day anyway.
"Insignificant tricks!"
Lucas Reeve snorted coldly, "Lightning Tornado Chop!!"
Then, his body turned into lightning and clashed fiercely with Laevatain.
Jessica: "What... what... so many things to complain about in that move name..."
Franka: "Indeed..."
However, this great battle ultimately ended with Lucas Reeve's defeat.
Lucas Reeve was heavily injured, lying on the ground with a haggard expression. His body was stained red with blood, and his eyes were glazed.
"I lost...."
Surtr snorted coldly, "You lost!"
"That's great..."
"???"
"Actually... I've liked you all along... from the very beginning..."
Lucas Reeve began to recite the lines from the script. Breaking off the engagement was just to motivate her; all her fortuitous encounters were things he had arranged for her, and so on.
In a flash.
Surtr's face turned red. Who knew if it was acting or if she was genuinely blushing.
Meanwhile, Jessica, on the side, was going crazy!!
Sob sob sob!!
How could this be!!!
Franka patted Jessica on the head and teased, "Don't be angry. According to the script, Lucas Reeve's expression is fake. He's just after Miss Surtr's Divine Bone and deliberately put on this act. In the story, you, Jessica, are Lucas Reeve's rich childhood sweetheart. You provided all of his cultivation resources, and he even got into the Tianshi Fu using your family's slot."
Wuwu~
This most crucial scene between Lucas Reeve and Surtr, a full ten minutes long, was actually filmed in one take.
Nian stood up and applauded loudly.
"Marvelous, simply marvelous! Mr. Reeve, Miss Surtr, you are absolute cinematic geniuses. The future Best Actor and Actress awards are definitely yours."
As for the film crew on the side, they were already numb.
The following scenes were the wedding.
Lucas Reeve and Surtr get married.
However, on their wedding night, Lucas Reeve's true nature was revealed. He restrained Surtr and brutally dug the Divine Bone out of her body. Unreconciled, Surtr was then reincarnated. End of part one.
All the subsequent filming continued for another half a month.
Finally, all the scenes were shot. Since Lisa had come over, she was also given a lot of scenes. Shamare, Zumama, the High Priest, Ifrit, Silence, and Ceobe were also given many scenes.
A true "All-Star Cast".
Nian then handed the footage over to a renowned special effects team.
Since she couldn't wait to see it.
With Jessica's extravagant investment, several major special effects companies in Columbia worked together. In just ten days, they rushed out all the effects for the two-hour movie. For rendering, Jessica borrowed Raythean Industries' world-class computer, which was normally used for weapons development.
The process from the end of filming to review and then to release usually takes a considerable amount of time, but thanks to Raythean Industries, there was no need to wait at all.
The final cut came out the same day, passed review the same day, and could have an emergency release that same night.
To make Nian's dream of being a director come true.
Jessica had also gone to great lengths. After all, the divine weapon Nian had given her was simply too precious, a truly priceless treasure.
Finally, on an auspicious day.
The movie "Yan's Number One Sword God" was released in major cinemas across Columbia.
And as the director and main cast.
Everyone rushed to the cinema to see the very first premiere.
The story began with a loud voice booming, "Celestial Master Power, third stage."
Surtr, dressed in a classical Yan robe, walked out of her family compound dejectedly. Behind her, Franka, also in classical Yan attire, ran after her, shouting.
"Sister Surtr! Don't be discouraged! I believe you are the strongest genius!"
However.
Before she could finish her sentence.
Liskarm, as Lei Jue, emerged from the crowd. As the most powerful genius in the clan, she immediately mocked Surtr.
Surtr snorted coldly and left haughtily.
Franka glared at Lei Jue and resolutely followed Surtr. This scene filled the eyes of Lei Jue, played by Liskarm, with immense anger. Lei Jue had been innocent childhood friends with Franka since they were young!! To think that her love was stolen away by this adopted child, Surtr!
Then the plot shifted.
To a corner.
While Surtr was resting, the voice of Laevatain, controlled by Lucas Reeve, suddenly came from within her, telling her that it had been absorbing her power all these years. As thanks, it would become her sword and was determined to train her into the number one god under heaven!
It was at this moment.
As Surtr's former fiancé, Lucas Reeve made his entrance.
"Hmph! Miss Surtr, I have been accepted into the great Yan's Celestial Master Vocational and Technical College. My future is limitless. As a good-for-nothing, you are no longer worthy to be my wife. Besides, I am already engaged to Miss Jie, the daughter of the capital's richest man. With the wealth of the Jie family, I will surely ascend to godhood from this day forward!"
Then.
Lucas Reeve threw down a letter of divorce and left with a flourish.
Surtr also cursed furiously.
Thirty years the river flows east, thirty years the river flows west, do not bully a young girl for being poor.
The scene changed again. Surtr began to cultivate desperately. With Laevatain's help, her strength grew by leaps and bounds. She even defeated Lei Jue with a single punch in the family martial arts competition.
And the Celestial Master Vocational and Technical College was the top institution in Yan; getting in was no easy task.
Afterwards, Surtr began a long journey of training and tempering. Along the way, she met all sorts of help, such as a beautiful girl from a primitive tribe, Zumama, who got a pet, the High Priest; she saved Rosmontis, Shamare, Lisa, Ifrit, and other cute little ones, and even met the silly dog Ceobe on the road.
The protagonist's party grew larger and larger.
Later, she finally got into the Celestial Master Vocational and Technical College.
Only after getting in did she realize that although it looked like a college, the competition was fierce. The students inside formed cliques and fought for resources. Among them, the most powerful were the Penguin Gang, led by Miss Exu, and the God Association, led by Lucas Reeve. Later, with her unparalleled talent, Surtr was noticed by a teacher played by Nian, who had white hair covering her eyes and mouth, and was taken in as her last and favorite disciple.
Her cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds.
Finally, in the World Martial Arts Tournament two years later, she successfully defeated Lucas Reeve. Later, after facing Lucas Reeve's confession, she married him, only to have her Divine Bone dug out, and was then reincarnated.
After watching the entire movie.
Nian was nothing but thrilled. She couldn't wait to go back to Yan and show the movie to her sister.
As for the movie's reception...
It was okay, the special effects were okay, but the acting was too cringey, cringey beyond belief. So the rating was naturally not very high.
Barely passable.
A rating of 3.8.
Which was a lot higher than Nian's previous films, so it was an improvement.
Originally, Lucas Reeve thought Nian would immediately return to Yan to show off to her sister, but unexpectedly, she didn't. Instead, she stayed at Raythean Medica to research various armors and weapons with Lucas Reeve.
However.
She added a new daily routine: re-watching the movie she made. Every time she watched it, she felt a sense of accomplishment. She was even... already preparing to submit it to this year's Columbia Film Festival.