Escape Filming Location - Chapter 7 - Instinct and Soul

The description from the script flashed through Qian Cang Yi’s mind in an instant.

Though being touched by the Dark Shadow wouldn’t be fatal, it would significantly affect his mobility.

He couldn’t let it touch him!

Qian Cang Yi twisted his body, bracing his hands on the desk, planting his feet on a more secure spot on the floor, and pulling his hands back.

The Dark Shadow brushed past his palm.

Even though his hand didn’t make contact, he felt a chilling aura. He stepped back several times to steady himself, a wave of fear washing over him.

After its failed ambush, just as described in the script, the Dark Shadow slid toward the window and slipped out through the gap.

A shadow darted past Qian Cang Yi-Hawkeye-his heavy footsteps echoing in the living room, then outside.

So fast!

Qian Cang Yi looked toward the living room and followed.

At the doorway, Hawkeye stood, scanning the surroundings.

“Any luck?” Qian Cang Yi asked.

“Nothing. It’s gone,” Hawkeye replied, frowning.

Qian Cang Yi stepped outside, searching around but finding no trace of the Dark Shadow.

The setting sun cast long shadows of the two on the ground.

“Earlier, I didn’t have time to warn you…” Qian Cang Yi recalled how Hawkeye had dodged the Dark Shadow.

“I saw it in your expression and eyes. Quick reflexes are crucial for an Actor,” Hawkeye said, dusting off his pants before heading back to the bedroom.

A few seconds later, he emerged with Li Ling’s diary, having read it, and closed it.

“Death Ritual…”

“The Village Head of Yuxi Village must know what the Death Ritual is.”

“You’ve seen the Dark Shadow. I suspect there are more than one.”

“Time is of the essence. We need to move faster.”

With that, Hawkeye looked toward the depths of Yuxi Village and set off again.

Every few steps, Qian Cang Yi couldn’t help but glance back, the feeling of being watched lingering, as if the Dark Shadow from Li Ling’s house was still trailing them.

“Hawkeye, what do you think that Dark Shadow was? Are the villagers of Yuxi Village missing, or are they dead?” Qian Cang Yi took a deep breath, clenching and unclenching his fists.

Hawkeye turned to him and said:

“I don’t know. Each Hell Movie is usually independent, with its own world and rules.”

“The ghosts from one movie don’t fit into another like ‘Death Ritual,’ but one thing is certain: if you’re afraid of the Dark Shadow, it means it’s dangerous.”

“For an Actor, instinct can be more reliable than accumulated experience.”

The sky began to darken as clouds gathered, casting Yuxi Village into shadow.

Hawkeye’s words made Qian Cang Yi realize something he’d overlooked.

For an Actor, every movie is a fresh start, meaning they must constantly adapt to new scenarios.

Unlike real-world actors, who don’t face life-threatening situations and can refuse roles, Hell Movie Actors have no such luxury.

“Experience isn’t as reliable as instinct?” Qian Cang Yi found this hard to believe.

Instinct, by definition, is an intuitive feeling, often seen as a guess without analysis.

Yet, instinct also refers to a special way of thinking formed by one’s profession, experience, knowledge, and innate abilities.

It sounds mystical, and in truth… it is quite mystical.

Qian Cang Yi thought Hawkeye’s mention of innate instinct leaned towards a primal, genetic survival mechanism.

A typical example: many people fear snakes upon first sight, despite never having encountered one before, as if it’s an ingrained fear.

Conversely, more dangerous animals like lions or tigers don’t evoke the same fear; many even find them endearing.

Even if this is true, it doesn’t fully explain Hawkeye’s words.

In the real world, at least in Qian Cang Yi’s twenty-plus years of life, he had never seen ghosts or other supernatural entities.

Hawkeye nodded but didn’t stop walking. He looked ahead and said:

“Experience only matters in a stable environment.”

“I’ve never encountered two identical movies unless it’s a sequel.”

“Each movie requires new adaptation.”

“Hell Movies don’t tell you which movie world is similar to another or how the ghosts will kill.”

“Of course, some ‘experiences’ like improving physical fitness and changing thought processes are still valuable.”

“You could say you become more accustomed to this lifestyle, if you can call it that.”

“So, if you face danger and don’t know how to react, trust your instincts. At least your soul wants to survive.”

As he spoke, a red lightning bolt twisted through the clouds above Yuxi Village.

Two seconds later, thunder rumbled.

“Soul? Does it really exist?” Qian Cang Yi’s eyes widened.

Before entering the Hell Movie, he was skeptical about such concepts, though not entirely dismissive.

The most famous soul-related notion is the 21 grams theory.

No matter your fear, it eventually arrives, and at that moment, your body becomes lighter by 21 grams.

In the early 20th century, a doctor measured the weight of dying patients on a special scale, noting a 21-gram loss after death.

The doctor speculated that this weight loss represented the soul.

However, the experiment lacked rigor and credibility.

Now, Hawkeye’s mention of the soul concept surprised Qian Cang Yi.

“Does it really exist?” Hawkeye repeated.

“Yeah, if souls exist, does that mean reincarnation is real too? So dying isn’t a big deal?” Qian Cang Yi asked, hopeful for an answer.

“Don’t know, maybe,” Hawkeye replied calmly, unfazed.

“Huh?” Qian Cang Yi was taken aback.

Logically, the existence of souls should be exciting, yet Hawkeye seemed indifferent.

Even if he already knew, the revelation should still be impactful, as the existence of souls could shake the world.

Hawkeye explained:

“I don’t know your view on souls, but in the movie world, if your body dies, you’re dead. Only in rare cases does the soul exist separately.”

“As for reincarnation, I don’t know. I haven’t died, so I said maybe.”

Looking up at the sky, concern in his eyes, Hawkeye continued:

“We need to hurry if you don’t want to find out about reincarnation firsthand…”

Qian Cang Yi kept pace with Hawkeye.