I Forged the Myth of the Ancient Overlords
Chapter 173 - 173 172. Im just telling the truth_1

Chapter 173: 172. I’m just telling the truth_1 Chapter 173: 172. I’m just telling the truth_1 The film entries for this festival were basically all candidates, and there weren’t many full-length films to begin with, just a few. Most of the awards that they should have gotten were already more or less in hand.

According to Zhang Yuefan’s balance theory, anyone could win an award.

Lu Ban, though, wasn’t in a hurry.

His goal was to win an award; what kind of award didn’t matter. What puzzled him just now was truly why he didn’t win the Best Visual Effects award, not any mocking insinuation.

Now, having snagged the Best Actor award, and with the movie’s box office earnings already surpassing ten million, completing the mission was more than manageable—winning a few more awards might just improve the mission’s evaluation.

“…The above are the nominated works for this Yannan University Student Film Festival. Now, please welcome our festival jury member, Director Tao Ming, to announce the winner of the Best Film grand prize.”

Director Tao Ming was also an elderly man with graying hair, having directed several classic films. Although he no longer directed, he was still active as a producer in various projects.

He ascended to the stage and opened the envelope. Upon seeing the content, his expression turned somewhat unsightly.

“…And the Best Film of this Yannan University Student Film Festival goes to ‘Cry’.”

As soon as he spoke, the background changed to a scene from Lu Ban’s movie. However, it didn’t quite fit with the festive stage; all these scenes were somewhat gloomy and horrifying. Especially since the majority of the audience had seen the film, the imagery brought back those terrifying memories, giving them PTSD.

Lu Ban was slow to react, and it was only after Zhang Yuefan nudged him that he went up to the stage to receive the trophy from Director Tao Ming.

“Uh, thank you to the jury. Since it seems my earlier acceptance speech didn’t quite satisfy everyone, I’ll keep it short this time, and that’s that.”

Lu Ban said simply and got down from the stage after receiving the award.

“…”

The atmosphere turned awkward for a moment.

Director Tao Ming was the first to start applauding. He had a word with the MC before the situation was smoothed over.

“You’re really something,” said Zhang Yuefan to Lu Ban as he came down the stage.

“I feel like I should keep a distance from you. I’ve never seen anyone offend all the judges on their first time on stage.”

“I was just speaking the truth,” replied Lu Ban.

“You can’t just go around telling the brutal truth…” Zhang Yuefan said, looking embarrassed.

“But hey, it looks like those judges aren’t too upset after all. Does having talent really allow one to do as one pleases?”

“As long as the movie is entertaining and fun, that’s what counts. Award ceremonies are all for show,” said Lu Ban, nonchalantly placing the two trophies aside.

“Heh, you know, if it weren’t for your earlier behavior, I’d definitely think you were being pretentious,” uttered Zhang Yuefan sheepishly.

…

The award ceremony broadcast was quickly shared online.

Lu Ban’s unorthodox actions instantly sparked controversy.

In community discussions, opinions about him were divided into two camps.

[Lu Ban, this director is quite interesting, not following the beaten path. Indeed, I also think his movie should have won Best Visual Effects. There must be some rigging in the judging!]

[If we’re saying it like it is, if “Cry” doesn’t get the Best Special Effects award, what business do other movies have getting it? That one about the college entrance exams, I can’t even see any special effects in it at all. Is this just a random decision?]

[I have an uncle who dined with the members of the awards committee. He mentioned it seemed the committee thought the film’s scenes were all shot in real locations, and so it wasn’t proper to give it the special effects award; that’s why they gave it to another movie.]

[Although I haven’t watched the movie yet, I don’t think a horror movie could be all that great. It’s just about scaring the faint-hearted, and I would really object if it got the Best Movie award.]

[Mainly because other movies either portrayed the confusion and hesitation of contemporary youth or focused on social issues, but his movie is just a horror film, meaningless!]

[I think those who are praising the movie online might all be paid trolls. How can there possibly be a horror film that scares people to the point they dare not leave the cinema? That’s just exaggerated!]

[I heard that some talent agencies boost their star’s popularity this way, they first generate hype, then get their star an award to gild their image, and then package them off to make appearances in other movies. It’s ridiculous!]

[No way, no way, nobody actually gets so scared by a horror film that they wet themselves, right? You guys are too timid!]

[I heard that starting next month, “Cry” will be released in cinemas nationwide. Then we can go see for ourselves how scary the movie really is!]

There were those who felt Lu Ban truly deserved more awards and weren’t pleased on his behalf, those who hoped Lu Ban would quickly produce a second movie to prove himself, and also those who thought Lu Ban was overrated and too hyped.

The divide mainly hinged on whether people had seen Lu Ban’s movie or not.

The vast majority of those who had seen the movie supported Lu Ban, while those who hadn’t harbored various doubts.

Actually, it’s quite normal. Even if someone raves about how amazing something is, if you haven’t seen it with your own eyes, you’re definitely going to be skeptical.

Then there are some people who become more suspicious the more others praise something.

Anyway, Lu Ban’s movie is about to be released in theaters nationwide, and everyone will be able to go to the cinema and see for themselves. This debate is sure to come to a conclusion eventually.

Having left Yannan University, Lu Ban finally returned to his warm home.

He placed the two trophies in the cabinet in the living room and turned on the television.

The TV was showing news about the cruise ship “Star Cluster,” which had encountered a storm and a fire. This particular cruise ship had hundreds of Jiangcheng citizens aboard, so the local news had been continuously tracking the story.

Fortunately, when the fire broke out, the majority of the passengers were in hotels at the port, and only a handful of crew members were on the ship, so there were no significant casualties.

However, the idea of hundreds of people stranded on a small island in the Pacific Ocean during a raging storm, with Pohnpei Island unable to receive support from the outside world, was deeply unsettling.

After the news broadcast ended, Lu Ban saw that the text on the television twisted into the shape of the System.

A string of characters appeared as if they were ice crystallizing, forming the icy words of the System.

[Make one movie: 1/1]

[Earn a box office: 10,000,000/10,000,000 Yuan]

[Win an award at any popular film festival: 1/1]

[Congratulations, you have completed the professional development mission]

[Now beginning the settlement]

[Mission Exploration Degree: 83%]

[Mission Completion Status: Stunning]

[As you take advantage of the moment, you’ve created a legend that is both critically acclaimed and commercially successful. Your name will surely be inscribed in the annals of history. Celebrate, for this small step of yours is a giant leap for entertainment!]

[Earned Silence Points: 7900 Points]

[Settlement completed]

[Excitement and thrill are the eternal pursuits of people. Only when humans, accustomed to a sense of security, are placed in peril, does their true nature emerge. By exploring these, you’re doing exactly as you should]

[Please complete the task to receive your rewards.]