I am Really a Superstar

Three days.

Five days.

The Japanese side was no longer saying anything.

The attention surrounding the Japanese cartoons showing in China had become very low-key. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to be high profile, but that this had become a solo by The Legend of Qin. There was nothing more they could do to regain the attention of the people.

On the streets.

In the alleys.

Online.

There was no longer any talk about the Japanese cartoons.

Instead, the discussions were now focused on their own Chinese cartoon.

A lot of people were worried that The Legend of Qin would get canceled. After all, Zhang Ye had a very notorious history. He had a record of doing this, and it was even an extreme case where seven of his comic series got castrated and went on hiatus! Many people were ill at ease. But their worry did not come to pass. On the contrary, it felt as though Zhang Ye felt fired up like a warrior. His average release rate hit almost five episodes a week. Miracle Animation Studios were also working around the clock to achieve this output. The employees were clocking so much overtime their eyes turned red. No one took a break as they invested all their time into the production of this animation. Everyone was giving the project their all!

200 million views!

250 million views!

300 million views!

A video game adaption was announced!

Plans for a movie version were initiated!

The animation was nominated for all the Chinese animation awards!

The Legend of Qin kept growing stronger as it became very popular. It was so popular that it was brutal. It was so popular that it was earth-shattering. The popularity and exposure of the animation in China had soared to the extreme. What did it mean by soaring to the extreme? It meant that there was nothing else beyond that. All of the websites, forums, and news outlets in the country were flooded with the mention of this unprecedented domestic animation. Miracle Animation Studios had truly created a miracle this time!

In the end, even the citizens of the other Asian countries were alarmed.

Japan.

“Nani?”

“China has a national cartoon?”

“Even Martial King could not win against it?”

“How is that possible!”

“Zhang Ye is the director of that cartoon?”

“Why is he everywhere!”

“Motherfucker, is he planning to go against us all his life?”

“This damned eunuch, he’s so infuriating!”

“Let’s fight back!”

“The problem is that we can’t fight back!”

Korea.

“Did you hear? The Japanese cartoons are getting thrashed in China!”

“Are you for serious?”

“Yeah, just have a look at the news in China and you’ll know.”

“Aren’t Japanese cartoons the leader in Asia?”

“How can there be anyone challenging them?”

“There is, and it’s that Zhang Ye who’s doing so!”

“Pfft! Why is it him again!”

Although the restriction order on Zhang Ye was still active, a lot of things could not be hidden from the public. Zhang Ye’s social relations weren’t that good, nor did he have much of an appeal and influence in Asia. A lot of people might even get furious at the very mention of him, but the attention on him was at such a level that not even most of the Asian S-listers would come close to it. There was just too much attention given to him. Upon hearing this shocking news, the Asian people were speechless. They had never seen someone who could cause this much trouble before. And this guy was also way too capable as well. Some people might not be able to cause a commotion even if they wanted to, but Zhang Ye? Just a simple move from him was enough to stun the world!

He had sneaked behind enemy lines!

Messed with the Japanese cartoon industry!

Canceled his comics!

And now, he was targeting the Japanese cartoons again?

Who could think of something like that?

Who could do something like that?

This was also a fucking skill of some kind!

…

The animation was broadcast to the anticipation of everyone.

Zhang Ye’s popularity was growing higher by the day.

The majority of his popularity came from within China. Although his popularity in China had peaked and he was already at the top, it was still possible to churn out a little bit more of it. Moreover, this was another one of Zhang Ye’s crossovers into a different field where he could freely try out something entirely new. With a larger crowd of people learning about him, the amount of popularity it brought was naturally not little. And with the rise in Zhang Ye’s domestic popularity, it subsequently boosted his Asian popularity a little.

There was still a bit more to go!

Just a bit more to surpass the person in front!

The staff of Zhang Ye’s Studio kept an eye on the Asian popularity rankings update every day!

He was getting closer and closer to the Japanese celebrity in third place on the Asian A-list!

…

Today.

It was the last episode of The Legend of Qin.

This was the first season’s finale of The Legend of Qin.

“Has it ended?”

“Not yet!”

“Why did it finish so quickly!”

“Keep airing it!”

“I really want to watch the second season now!”

“It’s so good! This is a milestone production of the domestic animation industry!”

The people, the industry, and the media were all praising it!

At this time, Miracle Animation Studios announced a piece of news. The second season of The Legend of Qin would start production at the end of the year and be broadcast next year. But when the second season’s production team was announced, the eagle-eyed fans immediately noticed that the director for the second season was not going to be Zhang Ye!

“Ah? Where’s Face-smacking Zhang’s name?”

“Why isn’t he directing the animation anymore?”

“Pfft, he ran off again?”

“I knew it! This fellow is always going around doing things haphazardly. He’s dipped his toe into a dozen different fields, but when has he ever stayed for long in any of them?”

“This fellow has always fled after the fight is over! He never hangs around for long!”

“But it’s also true. How will Zhang Ye have the time to keep making the animation every day? Now that our domestic animations have gained traction, and the sponsors have turned their attention back here, Zhang Ye has completed his mission.”

“No matter what, it’s all thanks to him this time.”

“Yeah, the people of the Chinese cartoon industry have got him to thank for this.”

“Teacher Zhang is indeed talented. He can even save an industry in the doldrums!”

“Damn, look, Zhang Ye’s Asian popularity score is almost catching up to the person ahead!”

“Ah? He’s almost in third place?”

“Yeah, he’s unknowingly closed in!”

“Yeah, I remember that he was still quite far behind previously.”

“I wonder if he can leapfrog that celebrity by today.”

“This cartoon has won Zhang Ye quite a few fans. No matter what, it blows off so much steam! China should be where our own animations flourish, after all. That’s only logical.”

“Teacher Zhang has done us proud this time!”

Zhang Ye’s mission ended here. It was not because he had quit, but that he really had no time to do it. As for the rest of the plot, story, and characters of The Legend of Qin, he had written them out in advance for Sun Xiaobei. This was the last thing he could do for them. The rest was up to themselves. Whether Chinese animation productions could make a name for themselves would have to be an effort on the part of the entire industry. The only thing that Zhang Ye could do was to start the initiative and bring over the successful experiences from his previous world to them.

…

That same night.

The celebratory feast was held.

Everyone from the production team attended.

Yao Jiancai, Xu Meilan, Xiaodong, Fan Wenli, and the other big names were also invited by Zhang Ye. It was a lively party and everyone was eating together.

The animation came to a conclusion.

The celebratory feast ended.

Zhang Ye “retired” after completing his mission.

…

At night.

The Asian Celebrity Rankings Index was updated.

Zhang Ye’s popularity rose again.

And with this rise, he surpassed the Japanese celebrity who was in third place by taking his spot after jumping from his original fourth place on the Asian A-list. Zhang Ye had finally advanced to the top three to become one of the top celebrities in Asia and reached his highest career ranking up until now!

Two people were still ahead of him!

He was another step closer to reaching the summit in Asia!