Zhou Daya let out a soft chuckle. "Since I have already walked this road, let me share a bit of experience. When my mentor first took me in, he said something that stayed with me."
She folded her hands behind her back and looked at the young women one by one.
"He said that women like us, who can read and calculate, should not waste our abilities weaving cotton in factories. Especially in times like these. Illiteracy is everywhere. Most people cannot read a contract, much less keep accounts. Those of us who have learned characters are already considered rare."
The young women exchanged stunned glances.
That did not sound right at all.
Everywhere they had gone in the past, they had been treated as stained goods. Former courtesans, nothing more. Yet in Zhou Daya's words, or rather in her mentor's words, they were being described as valuable talents. As people with knowledge.
It felt unreal.
A faint warmth quietly spread through their chests.
Zhou Daya smiled at their reactions. "The professions I would recommend include management, accounting, and secretarial work in factories. You could also become performers at the Stars Performing Arts Agency, illustrators or designers for bookstores, or art teachers at schools."
She tapped her own chest lightly.
"And there is also my line of work. Journalism."
The girls blinked.
"Working in news is excellent. Dao Xuan Tianzun himself will teach you. Once you finish studying, you will be considered his direct disciples. People everywhere will show you respect."
She paused, then added with a casual shrug, "Although it can be dangerous. Especially if you become a war correspondent. You might be sent to the front lines at any time."
Several of the girls inhaled sharply.
Some had just been about to ask what journalism meant, but the moment they heard the words "front lines," they immediately swallowed the question.
Zhou Daya laughed softly. "Not everyone has to become a war correspondent. You could stay behind the lines and work as a news anchor. That is also a fine job."
She gestured as she spoke, clearly enjoying herself.
"Our mentor has also been planning new science and education programs lately. Things like the 'Shi Kefa Legal Enlightenment Series.' We will also teach cooking, dancing, and practical skills through the Immortal Treasure Mirrors."
The young women listened with blank expressions. Most of it sailed straight over their heads.
Zhou Daya could tell. She did not mind. Understanding would come later once they reached Gao Family Village. There was no need to rush.
Originally, she had boarded the ship to interview Zhu Piaoling about his travels. But after speaking with these girls, she quietly turned off her camera.
If she placed herself in their shoes, she knew she would hate having her past broadcast to the world. These girls would feel the same.
News was not meant to reopen old wounds.
So instead, she simply took on the role of guide and led them personally toward Gao Family Village.
Puzhou City, Wuxing Lake
Lao Nanfeng, Cai Lin, Chen Qianhu, a full troupe of actors, and several Western performers recruited through the church gathered around an editing tablet. They were watching fragments of the newly filmed Battle of Liaoluowan.
On the screen, Lao Nanfeng, playing the protagonist, stood opposite Cai Lin, who portrayed the female lead.
The scene was meant to show them talking on the deck of a ship with the vast ocean behind them. Unfortunately, filming on the open sea was impossible. Following Dao Xuan Tianzun's instructions, they had recorded everything in front of a huge sheet of green cloth.
Watching themselves perform emotional dialogue while standing before a flat green wall felt deeply awkward.
Chen Qianhu scratched his head. "Brother Nanfeng, can this really be used? It looks ridiculous."
Lao Nanfeng spread his hands helplessly. "Dao Xuan Tianzun told us to film it like this. I have no idea why. Let us check the next clip and see how it looks."
He switched the footage.
This scene showed Liu Xiang, the pirate leader, disguised as a comprador for the Dutch, speaking with Admiral Putmans of the Dutch fleet.
Naturally, Chen Qianhu was playing Liu Xiang. The admiral was portrayed by a rather handsome Western adventurer. To be fair, most people of the Heavenly Dynasty struggled to tell Western appearances apart. Blond hair and blue eyes were already enough to blur everyone together.
The adventurer leaned forward, studying the tablet with interest. He pointed at the screen and spoke in clumsy Mandarin.
"I believe I acted quite well. I sailed to the Great Ming aboard a large ship before, so I understand how one behaves while speaking on a deck. Still, this green background feels strange. I cannot imagine how such a film will be presented."
Before anyone could respond, the embroidered Dao Xuan Tianzun on Lao Nanfeng's chest suddenly spoke.
"Oh? You have already filmed several segments?"
The tablet abruptly lifted into the air. It floated upward, streaked toward the sky, and vanished into the clouds.
The entire group stared upward, frozen in place.
Several minutes passed in silence before the embroidered voice returned with a satisfied chuckle.
"Excellent work. You followed my instructions well. Since you filmed against a green background, leave the rest to me."
Lao Nanfeng still looked confused. "Dao Xuan Tianzun… how exactly will you process it?"
"That is none of your concern. You will see the results in a few days. Tell me, have you finished only dialogue scenes? What about the large naval battles?"
Lao Nanfeng straightened immediately. "Reporting to Dao Xuan Tianzun, we are prepared to film the battle scenes. The fleet is already arranged on Wuxing Lake. However…"
He hesitated.
"The lake is enormous. We cannot cover the entire background with green cloth. The cameras will capture the distant shoreline, farmland, and hills."
"That is simple," Dao Xuan Tianzun replied casually. "I have already prepared something."
As his voice faded, the sky darkened.
Something enormous descended from the clouds.
A colossal green screen dropped down and suspended itself over the center of Wuxing Lake. It stretched across the horizon like a massive curtain standing between heaven and earth.
Behind the assembled fleet, every trace of shoreline vanished. Only endless green remained.
The local actors erupted into cheers. They were excited but not entirely shocked. By now, they had grown somewhat used to Dao Xuan Tianzun's miracles.
The Western performers, however, stared with open mouths, completely overwhelmed by the divine spectacle.
Lao Nanfeng burst out laughing. "So this is the trick! Dao Xuan Tianzun is truly incredible! With this, the entire lake becomes our stage."
He clapped loudly.
"All actors to your positions! Why are you extras still staring like stunned chickens? Prepare to start filming!"
He kicked Chen Qianhu squarely on the backside.
"Liu Xiang, hurry and bring your pirate crew. It is time for you to die properly!"
Chen Qianhu jumped forward with a yelp. "I am not Liu Xiang! Stop calling me Liu Xiang!"
Lao Nanfeng waved dismissively. "Less whining. Get ready for the naval battle."
At his command, the entire cast sprang into action.
Soon, the reenactment of the Battle of Liaoluowan exploded into life.
Unloaded cannons thundered. Flintlock muskets snapped and cracked without bullets, filling the air with sharp bursts of noise.
Extras rushed across decks, clashing blades and sabers in chaotic melees.
The model Dutch tall ships provided by Li Daoxuan surged across Wuxing Lake, plowing through formations of smaller Ming vessels that swarmed around them like ants attacking a towering beast.
Lao Nanfeng, playing the hero, raised a massive saber and charged across the deck after Chen Qianhu.
"Traitor Liu Xiang, prepare to die!"
Chen Qianhu twisted his lips into a mocking grin.
"You are nothing but a fisherman. You are not even worthy of my blade."
The two men launched into a furious duel, both using genuine martial skill. Their movements were fast, precise, and dangerous, creating an action sequence that felt thrillingly authentic. Compared to the soft, stylized fighting performed by pampered young idols, this was raw and explosive.
Watching from above, Li Daoxuan was thoroughly entertained.