Chapter 19: The Fallen Young Prodigy

Just as Qin Jiuyao was about to turn around, his body jolted, and his head slowly rotated back. The expression on his face resembled that of someone who had just heard his junior sister, Liu Zhi Yue, declare that she was going to retire from cultivation to return home and marry. It was one of disbelief!

"Brother Leo, are you serious about this?" he trembled as he asked, struggling to contain his excitement, as if he could already see thousands of spirit stones beckoning to him.

"But didn't you say your technique could not break the 'Yuan Yang?'"

Leo smiled. "Yes, that's true."

"I never said I was going to use the real thing in action!"

Qin Jiuyao looked somewhat confused. "So you mean…?"

"Borrowing the position; do you understand what that means?"

"You just want to use me as a gimmick to sell the film, making everyone think I'm the lead role, right?"

"I can make a brief appearance at the start, and then when the main part begins, you can switch to someone else. Just make sure 'my' face doesn't get shown!"

Leo described his idea, and Qin Jiuyao's expression gradually shifted from confusion to surprise, and then to joy, brightening up entirely.

"Right! Brother Leo, you're a genius!"

"I never expected you to have such ideas; not joining our Hecang Sect is truly a waste!"

Leo chuckled, taking it as a compliment.

Before crossing over to this world, he had been a seasoned otaku in Blue Star, with considerable appreciation for related works. Unexpectedly, it could also be useful here; indeed, knowledge is never a crime.

Accepting Qin Jiuyao's request would not only yield significant wealth to pave the way for Reyna's cultivation but also lower the public's perception of him, Leo! A notable prodigy taking to the screen—what a stark contrast!

The realm of cultivation would no longer be excessively in awe or fearful of him, and perhaps even harbor some hatred. Some might even think that his victory over Wu Chi depended on some unscrupulous means. This was precisely what Leo wanted; he needed to survive!

He didn't care about what others thought; in this life, he was likely to be opposed to the Justice League, which represented all the legitimate Dao cultivation sects. Instead of pretending to be virtuous, it was better to be direct as a villain. As long as Reyna stood by him, that was enough!

"So when do we start filming? I'll notify Sister Yue right away!" Qin Jiuyao said excitedly.

"No rush. As the director, you should first figure out what's to be filmed and find an actor who matches my build. After that, let me know so I can shoot a few scenes."

"Professional!" Qin Jiuyao gave a thumbs up.

"If this project succeeds, I'll split the profits sixty-forty with you!"

With grand ambitions in mind, Qin Jiuyao eagerly left. It seemed he truly loved the film-making career.

Leo returned to his room, guarding the glowing cocoon that Reyna had formed, taking pills to quietly heal his injuries. The next day, Qin Jiuyao came knocking again, informing Leo that everything was ready and just waiting for the main star to show up!

On the way to the shooting location, Qin Jiuyao chattered incessantly. "After I got home last night, I pondered hard about how to maximize the hype around you, the young prodigy?"

"Eventually, I concluded that the answer was—candid filming!"

"In the eyes of the public, you don't seem like the kind who would do such things. If you come in with a self-introduction, it would definitely come off as forced, causing the audience to doubt the authenticity of the footage."

"But if it's candid filming! Hehe… then it's exciting!"

"Candid angles would naturally inject authenticity into the work, satisfying everyone's curiosity! This recording sphere will definitely sell like hotcakes!"

Leo was silent; Qin Jiuyao's reasoning was indeed on point, proving he was quite skilled.

Reaching another small courtyard, Liu Zhi Yue and another young man were already in position. Following Qin Jiuyao's instructions, Leo filmed a few introductory scenes before excusing himself to go home and keep Reyna company.

Qin Jiuyao was a strict director, while Liu Zhi Yue was a dedicated actress.

That night, as Leo sat on the bed, lovingly touching the glowing cocoon that Reyna had transformed into, a particular recording sphere project began to spread throughout the Hidden Hermit Valley...

"Vulgar and filth!" Ya Ni exclaimed as she sent the recording sphere flying from her hands, a flush appearing on her delicate face, her brows furrowed in anger.

The small girl beside her bent down in horror, bracing for her mistress's wrath.

"Miss, please calm down. You asked me to pay attention to this Leo, and someone just delivered this to me…"

"What kind of lowlife could possibly defeat A Chi?!" The thought of such a character defeating her junior brother Wu Chi only intensified Ya Ni's fury. "He must have used some malevolent technique, or there's an old fart from the Spirit Machine Pavilion backing him, otherwise it's absolutely impossible!"

"I need to see my master!"

Ya Ni jumped up, throwing her pristine sleeve in a huff, angrily seeking her master.

At the same time, similar incidents were unfolding across various locations in the Hidden Hermit Valley. Countless self-cultivators who had begun to closely follow Leo after that battle suddenly learned of the circulated recording sphere. And it was being sold by Hecang Sect's Qin Jiuyao.

Inside a tavern filled with cultivators, many self-cultivators began to screen this footage, filled with curiosity and confusion.

"This shot is so shaky; what's with the focus on the bed?" The screening began, and the recording sphere's image shook as a man placed it on the table. Upon standing up, his face appeared on screen.

"This is Leo, right? What is he up to?!"

Next, the female lead made her appearance.

"Hey! That's Liu Zhi Yue from Hecang Sect; I know her!"

After chatting with Liu Zhi Yue for a bit, the two began to disrobe.

Silence fell in the tavern for a moment before erupting into a cacophony!

"What the hell is this?!"

"I thought it was going to be footage of the young prodigy battling, but instead, it turns out to be this!"

"Hey, prodigy, how could you fall into such depths? Hecang Sect, you are despicable!"

All the cultivators expressed their disbelief and lamented over Leo's decision to engage in such actions, feeling shocked and regretful!

"He's only about fifteen or sixteen; at such a young age, he's already lost his Yuan Yang… I predict his future will be tough." An older cultivator stroked his beard and sighed, and others who heard this nodded in agreement.

"The Hecang Sect is truly shameless! Brother Leo, a young prodigy, actually seduced him with beauty!" Another young cultivator, who had once seen Leo as a role model, now felt his resolve waver.

"Why not tempt me? Is it just because I'm not seen as a prodigy?"

"Are you all done gawking? Quickly turn it off; there are still female Daoists present!" someone shouted.

"Turn it off? No way; let me watch!" a female cultivator shouted boldly, continuing to watch the intimate scene unfold.

Some remained silent, finding the footage rather suspicious.

Immediately after the initial dialogue and disrobing, the female and male leads transitioned into the main plot, but before that, Leo briefly exited the scene.

Upon returning, however, he never showed his face; instead, he knelt on the bed while his head perfectly stayed out of frame.

Everyone in the tavern was engrossed in the emotions of the moment, so they didn't dare to voice refutations. People tend to believe what they wish to believe, and most had adopted a curious stance regarding Leo's foray into such territory.

After seeing this shocking footage, self-cultivators quickly began to gossip, discussions heating to a fevered pitch.

Leo, the young prodigy who had defeated his opponent by crossing a significant realm, gradually acquired a new title…

**"The Fallen Little Immortal!"**