While in Hollywood, I used Taoist magic to quell American terrorism.

Now, apart from the newly acquired "Five Elements Thunder Prison", all his spells are of the fifth level.

To advance from level five to level six, one needs 100 million merit points.

To advance from level six to level seven, 1000 million is required.

After thinking it over, Cao Kun decided to spend 1100 million to upgrade the "Five Thunder Orthodox Method" to the seventh level.

His merit points were reduced to 6442300.

Then, he spent 500 million merit points to upgrade "Soul-Suppressing Dao Sound", "Qimen Dunjia", "Talisman Technique", "Summoning God Technique", and "Shrinking the Earth to an Inch" to the sixth level.

Finally, he spent 1111100 merit points to upgrade "Five Elements Thunder Prison" to level six.

Therefore, his attributes are as follows:

Host: Cao Kun

Constitution: Innate Thunder Spirit Body

Cultivation level: Ninth-rank Grand Celestial Master

Cultivation Technique: Taiqing Shenxiao Jue

Body Refining Technique: Purple Heaven Thunder Dragon Body Refining Technique (Fourth Level)

Skills (Spells):

Ziwei Zhenyuan Bell: Fivefold

Soul-Suppressing Dao Sound: Sixth Level

Taiqing Sword Technique: Fifth Level

Five Thunder Orthodox Method: Seven Levels

Qimen Dunjia: Sixfold

Shrinking the Earth to an Inch: Sixfold

Five Elements Thunder Prison: Six Levels

Binding Spirit Rope: Fivefold

Talisman Technique: Sixfold

Qi Observation Technique: Level 5

Summoning Divine Art: Sixfold

Weapon Forging Technique: Level 5

Alchemy: Level 5

Nine-Character Secret Technique: The Formula for the Character "Lin"

Big Dipper Mantra

Purification Mantra

Purification Mantra

Purification Mantra

Golden Light Divine Mantra

Merit points: 331200

………………

Time flew by and it was already the end of June 2006.

The air in Los Angeles is sweltering, but the media frenzy in Hollywood is even hotter.

Warner Bros.' $2.7 million blockbuster "Superman Returns" is about to hit theaters.

Cao Kun invested $1000 million in "The Devil Wears Prada," a collaboration with Fox, which competed with "Superman Returns" in the same release window.

Following closely behind, in mid-July, his other big-budget production, "Hancock," will also be released.

Hollywood media and film critics almost unanimously criticized Cao Kun.

"Using a chick flick to crash into Superman? That's suicide."

"Hancock? A homeless Superman? That's a desecration of superhero culture."

Some betting companies have even offered odds that Cao Kun will lose everything this time.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Will Smith made no attempt to hide his sarcasm:

"Some people win a few times by luck and then think they understand movies."

But luck is worthless in the face of absolute industrial strength.

"Superman Returns" will teach him a lesson.

As for "Hancock"... there's a reason I threw that script in the trash back then.

Despite the overwhelming criticism, Cao Kun's villa remained completely calm.

Peter Berger, practically bubbling with anxiety, said, "Boss, should we reschedule? Avoid going up against Superman?"

Cao Kun was holding scissors and pruning a bonsai that had just been imported from China.

"Need not."

Cao Kun snapped a branch off: "Let the bullets fly for a while. We'll wait and see what happens."

6 month 28 day.

The highly anticipated "Superman Returns" is playing in more than 4000 theaters across the United States.

Warner Bros. was full of confidence and even booked a celebration banquet in advance.

However, when the first set of data came back, everyone's jaws dropped.

North American opening day box office: $2100 million.

This figure would be a blockbuster for a low-to-medium budget film, but for a mega-project with a budget of 270 million and a marketing budget of over 100 million, it's a disaster.

Then, the opening weekend box office results came in: $5253 million.

Total box office revenue in the first five days: $8400 million.

Professional box office agencies quickly lowered their forecasts: North American total box office may struggle to break $2 million, and global break-even will be extremely difficult.

Warner's stock price immediately fell.

The media's stance changed instantly.

"Dull, boring, and lacking in originality."

"We don't need a Boy Scout who just poses in the sky."

"Hollywood's most expensive dud."

……

July 30, Los Angeles.

Premiere of "The Devil Wears Prada".

On the red carpet, spotlights flashed wildly.

Anne Heather made a grand entrance as the finale, arm in arm with Cao Kun.

With the help of the elixir and nourishment, Annie exuded confidence and her skin glowed white.

Although she plays a rookie just starting out in the workplace, she exudes an overwhelming queen-like aura when she stands there.

Reporters swarmed around him, their cameras practically shoving into Cao Kun's face.

"Mr. Cao! The box office performance of 'Superman Returns' is below expectations. What are your thoughts?"

"Was this what you expected?"

Are you still optimistic about the market for superhero movies?

Cao Kun stopped, took the microphone, and faced the numerous cameras with a calm expression.

"That's not surprising."

Cao Kun spoke calmly and clearly, his voice carrying throughout the entire venue:

Audiences are tired of the kind of superheroes who are perfect, only know how to save cats, and have no moral flaws.

Those characters, enshrined like deities on an altar, are too fake and too boring.

The reporters were excitedly taking notes; this was big news.

Cao Kun then changed the subject: "So, I brought 'Hancock'."

A drunkard, swearer, vandal, and destructive bastard superhero hated by the public.

This is a completely different Superman character, with flesh and blood, and flaws.

I believe he will definitely bring a refreshing experience to the audience.

The scene erupted in uproar.

This is the premiere of "The Devil Wears Prada," and this guy is openly promoting another movie?

A Fox executive standing nearby twitched at the corner of his mouth, but dared not show it because Cao Kun was a major investor.

Anne Hathaway wasn't angry at all; instead, she turned her head to look at Cao Kun, her eyes full of smiles.

Cao Kun seemed to have just remembered the important matter of the day, and added:

"Of course, today's main characters are Anne and Meryl."

"The Devil Wears Prada" is an excellent workplace film about growth and choices.

Anne's performance in the film is worth a movie ticket.

Reporters complained that GG played too hard.

But the effect was immediate.

The next day, Cao Kun's remarks dominated the headlines.

"Eastern Producer Blasts Traditional Superman!"

Tired of the perfect hero? Hancock might be the cure.

Viewers who were initially disappointed by the dull plot of "Superman Returns" were instantly piqued.

A bastard Superman?

It sounds... kind of interesting?

The popularity index of "Hancock" skyrocketed overnight.

As night deepened, the air in the bedroom of the villa in Beverly Hills was still thick with the lingering heat.

A long "transfer ceremony" has just ended.

Anne-Hathaway lay on Cao Kun like a lazy cat, her fingers unconsciously circling his chest, her breathing still a little rapid.

"bite."

The phone screen on the bedside table lit up.

Cao Kun reached for his phone, glanced at the emails on the screen, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"The data is out."

Annie suddenly raised her head, her big eyes instantly filled with tension and anticipation, not even noticing the slipping sheets.

"How much?" Her voice trembled slightly.

"North American opening day box office: $1080 million," Cao Kun stated calmly.

"My God!"

Annie gasped and sat bolt upright, completely unable to believe her ears.

It's important to understand that this is a workplace comedy with a female protagonist, not a blockbuster filled with special effects.

With over 10 million views on its opening day, this means an extremely impressive opening weekend, and it may even set a record for films of the same genre.

The previous film, "Hitch," could perhaps be attributed to Will Smith, but she relied on luck.

In this film, she truly carries the torch.

Now, she definitely has the ability to carry the box office.