A top star in the Chinese entertainment industry, but also a Taoist priest.

Fang Xu changed his words quickly, from "I contacted" to "my sister contacted," which had a completely different meaning. Fang Ying is the vice president of Huace Croton, and her personal call to the artist management department carries a completely different weight.

Chen Shouyi understood this implication and smiled slightly.

"In that case, I'll have to trouble you, Benefactor Fang."

"No trouble at all!" Fang Xu waved his hands repeatedly. "Master, you think too highly of me! To be honest, with your qualifications, there are plenty of companies that would want to sign you. It is my honor that you chose Huace."

Seven parts of what he said was genuine, and three parts were just for show. But it was said sincerely.

Chen Shouyi smiled and picked up his teacup. Fang Xu quickly followed suit.

"In that case, I will await good news."

"Don't worry, Taoist priest, I've got it covered!"

The two cups touched lightly in mid-air.

Chen Shouyi took a sip of tea, put down the cup, and was in a very good mood.

He came to this meal today simply to see what Fang Xu was seeking. He never expected it to be this kind of illness, and he certainly didn't expect the other party to agree to sign the contract so readily.

The idea of ​​joining Huace was not something he came up with on a whim.

The system's task is clear: to accumulate the power of the people and revitalize the tradition.

Relying solely on performing rituals and feng shui consultations, no matter how far word of mouth spreads, has limited influence. It spreads from one person to ten, from ten to a hundred, but at most, only people within the circle know about it.

But if he could appear on screen and be seen by millions or tens of millions of people, that would be a different story.

What is the power of will? It is a person's intention, attention, and trust.

The audience of a hit TV series is more than the number of worshippers he can wait for in a Taoist temple for ten years.

Moreover, he had studied it.

Although Tangren Media has cast him in their new drama "Legend of Nine Tails Fox," the company's momentum has indeed been declining in recent years, and the new talents they've been promoting are lacking in quality.

Huace is different. With shows like "Love O2O" and "Eternal Love," they are all future blockbusters. Their scale is not on the same level as Tangren Media.

More importantly, none of the artists under Huace Media are truly top-tier stars capable of carrying viewership ratings; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them misfits.

The pond is big, but there are few fish, so he has more opportunities when he jumps in.

As for whether he can actually act in the role—Chen Shouyi isn't worried about that at all.

His face was already quite good-looking, and after cultivating the "Yellow Emperor's Inner Landscape Cultivation Technique," his body was cleansed by spiritual energy, and his skin, temperament, and spirit all improved.

Acting skills can be learned, but some things cannot be learned.

Moreover, he doesn't really want to become a veteran actor or a movie star. His goal is very clear—to play a few memorable roles, increase his popularity, and expand his influence.

The rest, let nature take its course.

Setting down his cup, Fang Xu visibly relaxed. His illness was resolved, and he had accepted the Taoist priest's request; the purpose of the meal had been successfully achieved.

He's a decisive person; once the matter is settled, he doesn't dawdle and immediately takes out his phone.

"Master, let's add each other on WeChat. Send me the temple's bank account number, and I'll arrange for someone to transfer half of the donations tonight."

Chen Shouyi glanced at him, took out his phone from his sleeve, and showed him the QR code to scan.

Fang Xu scanned the QR code, added the account, and completed the process in one go. After Chen Shouyi approved the request, he browsed through his favorites and sent over the payment account information for Zifu Temple.

"I will write down the prescription for the medicinal herbs tonight and send it to you via WeChat," Chen Shouyi said. "After you have purchased all the herbs according to the prescription, please come to me for acupuncture."

"Okay!" Fang Xu glanced at his phone, forwarded the account to his assistant, and sent a voice message:

"Xiao Ma, arrange to transfer 500,000 to this account tonight, with the note 'for offerings'."

After he finished speaking, he showed Chen Shouyi the screen of his phone, as if to say, "Don't worry, it's all arranged."

Chen Shouyi nodded. Fang Xu was indeed efficient and didn't procrastinate.

"Then please wait for my news, benefactor. Once the medicinal herbs are all purchased, let's set a time for me to administer your first acupuncture treatment."

"Alright, alright!" Fang Xu said "alright" three times in a row, unable to contain his smile. "Daoist Master, shall we call it a day? I'll take you home."

Chen Shouyi didn't stand on ceremony. He got up and straightened his Taoist robe. Fang Xu opened the door first, and the two of them left the private room one after the other.

The bamboo in the courtyard rustled in the night breeze, and the lanterns of the private restaurant cast a dim yellow light.

Fang Xu escorted Chen Shouyi to the door, then quickly said something to the valet before turning to Chen Shouyi:

"Master, the carriage is coming soon, please wait a moment."

Chen Shouyi stood at the door, the night breeze blowing, causing the sleeves of his Taoist robe to sway slightly.

Fang Xu stood to the side, hesitating several times before finally unable to hold back.

"Master Daoist."

"Um?"

"That gold needle you mentioned—" he gestured, "doesn't it hurt?"

Chen Shouyi glanced at him.

"I'll prepare a ginseng slice for you when the time comes, so you won't feel pain when you bite into it."

Fang Xu's face twitched.

When the car arrived, Fang Xu personally opened the car door, helped Chen Shouyi into the car, gave the driver a few more instructions, then stepped back and bowed to Chen Shouyi inside the car.

"Take care, Taoist priest!"

Chen Shouyi nodded slightly.

-----------------

"Master, are you really going to sign with an entertainment company?"

After listening to Chen Shouyi explain his plans, Shouzhu couldn't hold back any longer. He plopped down on the edge of the bed, his eyes wide open.

Chen Shouyi slowly unscrewed his thermos and blew on the floating goji berries.

"What, it's not allowed?"

"It's not that it's impossible, it's just... Master, you're a Taoist priest. It just doesn't feel right to think about a Taoist priest becoming an actor."

"What are you being so awkward about? It would be a shame if your master didn't become an actor."

Shouzhuo opened his mouth, but couldn't find any words to refute it.

Master's face is truly stunning.

"Besides," Chen Shouyi said, picking up his phone and editing the recipe as he spoke.

"How far can the things passed down by our ancestor be spread if we, master and disciple, just stay holed up in the mountain? If you go out and tell people about the Wenshi School, eleven out of ten people will have never heard of it."

"So, Master, what do you mean...?"

"Entering the world is also a form of spiritual practice," Chen Shouyi said casually. "If you're on TV, the whole country will see it. When people become interested in Taoism, they'll naturally come looking for you. It's much better than you standing at the mountain gate handing out flyers."

Shouzhuo scratched the back of his head: "But didn't you always tell me that our Wenshi School cultivates a path of detachment from the world, emphasizing purity, few desires, and detachment from worldly affairs?"

After Chen Shouyi finished typing the last few names of the medicines for Fang Xu, he clicked send, then put his phone face down on the coffee table and looked up at Shouzhuo.

"Shouzhuo, I have a question for you."

"Why."

"What does it say on the plaque above our Taoist temple's gate?"

Shouzhuo replied without hesitation: "Zifu Temple."

"What about the smaller print on the side?"

Shouzhuo paused for a moment, thought for a long time, and then asked uncertainly, "...Imperial construction?"

"Yes, the Zifu Temple was built by imperial decree." Chen Shouyi said calmly, "Do you know what 'built by imperial decree' means?"