The audition room was much larger than Jin Taoran expected.
Bright filming lights hung from metal frames above. Cameras were set up at different angles, quietly recording every movement on the stage.
A long table sat at the far end of the room where several people were seated.
The director.
Two assistant directors.
A casting manager.
And several producers.
All of them were watching the stage with serious expressions.
When Jin Taoran entered, their eyes immediately shifted toward him.
The director glanced down at the name written on the audition list.
"Jin… Taoran?"
His tone held mild curiosity.
Because that name had appeared in the trending scandal two days ago.
The casting manager leaned closer and whispered quietly.
"He's the one Aurora recommended."
The director raised an eyebrow.
Aurora Entertainment rarely recommended unknown actors.
If they did, there was usually a reason.
The director looked back at Jin Taoran.
"You're early."
Jin Taoran bowed politely.
"Good morning, Director."
The director nodded toward the center of the stage.
"Position."
Jin Taoran walked forward calmly.
Behind the stage lights, the air felt slightly warm. The cameras were already pointed toward him, waiting to capture every detail.
The director leaned back in his chair.
"You know the scene?"
"Yes."
"Good."
The director tapped the table once.
"Begin."
For a moment, the room fell completely silent.
Jin Taoran stood alone on the stage.
No costumes.
No battlefield.
No special effects.
Just an empty room.
But that was the challenge of auditions.
A real actor didn't need elaborate sets to create a scene.
The moment Jin Taoran closed his eyes, the system interface appeared.
Character Memory Simulation
Target: Liang Wei
Activate?
He activated it immediately.
The battlefield returned.
Wind rushed through the air.
Dust filled his lungs.
Clashing steel rang across the battlefield.
Jin Taoran inhaled slowly.
When he opened his eyes again, they were no longer the calm eyes of a modern actor.
They were the eyes of a soldier.
"Your Highness!"
His voice echoed through the audition room.
Strong.
Urgent.
Even the producers sitting at the table straightened slightly.
The director leaned forward.
Because Jin Taoran had not begun the scene with exaggerated acting.
Instead, he began with movement.
Two quick steps forward.
His shoulders tense.
His breathing heavy.
As if he had been fighting for hours already.
The assistant director whispered quietly,
"He understands the situation of the battlefield."
The director nodded slightly but said nothing.
On stage, Jin Taoran's gaze shifted to an invisible person standing behind the cameras.
The prince.
The one he was protecting.
"Stay behind me!"
His voice carried real urgency now.
Not theatrical.
Real.
Then—
The invisible arrow struck.
Jin Taoran's body jerked slightly.
His hand moved instinctively to his chest.
His breathing became uneven.
But he didn't collapse immediately.
Instead, he forced himself to stay standing.
Because Liang Wei would not fall while the prince was still in danger.
The casting manager whispered,
"He's holding the tension well."
But the director's eyes narrowed slightly.
He was watching something deeper.
The emotion.
Jin Taoran's performance didn't feel rehearsed.
It felt… remembered.
As if the actor had truly experienced the battlefield.
On stage, Jin Taoran took a step back.
His legs trembled.
He finally dropped to one knee.
The moment felt painfully slow.
Because he was fighting to stay alive.
Then his eyes lifted.
The prince was still there.
Still watching him.
The determination in Jin Taoran's gaze softened.
A small smile appeared.
Exhausted.
But proud.
"Your Highness…"
His voice had changed again.
Weaker.
But filled with loyalty.
"Please… live."
The assistant director quietly rubbed his arm.
He had seen hundreds of auditions.
But something about this performance felt strangely real.
Jin Taoran continued.
"Restore… our home…"
The final word left his lips softly.
Then his body collapsed forward.
The room fell silent.
No one spoke.
The cameras continued recording.
Jin Taoran remained on the ground for a few seconds.
Then he slowly stood up.
He bowed politely.
The audition was finished.
The director didn't speak immediately.
He looked down at his notes.
Then he looked back up at Jin Taoran.
"What agency did you say you were from?"
"Aurora Entertainment."
The director chuckled quietly.
"So that rumor online…"
Jin Taoran remained calm.
"It was false."
The director nodded once.
"I assumed as much."
He leaned back in his chair.
Then he turned toward the other judges.
"What do you think?"
The assistant director spoke first.
"His emotional control is excellent."
The casting manager nodded.
"And his movements felt natural."
Another producer added,
"He doesn't overact."
The director tapped his pen against the table.
Then he asked Jin Taoran another question.
"How long have you been acting?"
"Five years."
That answer made several judges look surprised.
Five years?
Then why had they never heard of him before?
The director studied Jin Taoran's face carefully.
Then he smiled slightly.
"You remind me of someone."
Jin Taoran blinked.
"Who?"
The director chuckled again.
"Lu Cheng."
The entire table became quiet.
Because comparing a rookie actor to the most famous actor in the country was not something people said lightly.
But the director continued calmly.
"The way you build emotion slowly."
He pointed at the stage.
"It's similar."
Jin Taoran felt slightly surprised.
Because the truth was—
Lu Cheng had just corrected his performance an hour ago.
The director waved his hand.
"Alright."
He looked at the casting manager.
"Next actor."
Jin Taoran blinked.
That was it?
No result?
But auditions rarely gave immediate answers.
He bowed politely again and walked toward the exit.
The moment he stepped outside the audition room, several actors waiting in the hallway looked up.
One of them asked immediately,
"How did it go?"
Jin Taoran smiled slightly.
"I finished."
Another actor scoffed.
"That fast? You must have been terrible."
Jin Taoran didn't argue.
He simply walked past them.
Because he knew something they didn't.
The performance he had just delivered…
Was the best he had ever given.
Downstairs in the lobby, Lu Cheng was waiting.
Leaning casually against a pillar, checking something on his phone.
When he saw Jin Taoran walk out of the elevator, he put the phone away.
"Finished?"
Jin Taoran nodded.
"Yes."
Lu Cheng studied his expression.
"You don't look disappointed."
"I don't feel disappointed."
Lu Cheng raised an eyebrow.
"Confident?"
Jin Taoran thought for a moment.
Then he answered honestly.
"I did my best."
Lu Cheng stared at him for a few seconds.
Then he smiled faintly.
It was a rare expression.
Almost amused.
"That's good."
Jin Taoran tilted his head slightly.
"You think I passed?"
Lu Cheng didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he looked toward the upper floors of the building.
As if listening to something far away.
Then he said calmly,
"The director is currently arguing with the producers."
Jin Taoran blinked.
"What?"
Lu Cheng's lips curved slightly.
"They want a more famous actor for the role."
Jin Taoran sighed quietly.
"That makes sense."
But Lu Cheng shook his head slightly.
"The director disagrees."
Jin Taoran looked up.
"Why?"
Lu Cheng's eyes glinted faintly.
"Because he believes the audience will remember the soldier more than the prince."
Jin Taoran froze.
Lu Cheng pushed himself away from the pillar.
"Let's go."
"Where?"
"Training."
Jin Taoran blinked again.
"The audition result isn't even out yet."
Lu Cheng walked toward the exit.
Without looking back, he said calmly,
"If you wait for results before improving…"
His voice echoed through the lobby.
"You'll never reach the top."
Jin Taoran smiled slightly.
Then he followed.
Outside the building, the city moved as usual.
Cars passed.
People walked.
No one knew that somewhere inside the entertainment industry…
A completely unknown actor had just taken his first real step.
And soon—
Everyone would know his name.