new story: Tokyo Relics: Only I Can See the Abnormal Equipment
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The auctioneer's voice cut through the room. "This Dodge Challenger was donated by Mr. Cassius . Custom build gifted by Vin Diesel himself after wrapping Fast 5 — V8, full modifications, under five thousand miles."
Murmurs spread fast.
"Starting bid: five million."
The room went still for half a second, then bidding took off.
"Five point one!"
"Five point two!"
"Five point five!"
Young mainland entrepreneurs were the loudest. They weren't necessarily car guys, but this was Cassius's car and Vin Diesel's gift — instant conversation piece. Bidding at Jackie Chan's birthday party also meant showing respect to both men at once.
"Six million!"
A middle-aged man in a tailored suit jumped in hard. Cassius recognized him — big internet company founder and serious car collector.
The price kept climbing.
Cassius stayed calm on the outside, but inside he felt the rush. He'd known the car had value. He just hadn't expected it to hit this high.
[Charity Donation Event Triggered]
[Positive Public Image Boost Acquired]
[Media Attention Rising]
[Reputation in Chinese Entertainment Circles Upgraded]
Fresh attribute orbs dropped around him. He quietly pulled in [Business Instinct +8] from the internet mogul and [Risk Assessment +10] from another bidder. His mind sharpened. Commercial logic felt cleaner, more instinctive.
"Ten million!"
The gavel slammed. "Sold!"
Applause rolled through the hall.
Cassius was satisfied. That number was way above the car's real worth. In Hollywood it might have gone higher, but here his name didn't carry Jackie's weight yet — and he had zero interest in stealing the spotlight.
Jackie pulled him onstage under the hot lights.
"Say something!"
Cassius took the mic and looked out at the crowd. "This car meant something to me. Vin gave it to me after Fast 5 — proof I'd found my footing in Hollywood. Turning it into real help feels better than letting it sit in a garage. Thanks to Jackie for the chance, and thanks to everyone who bid."
He bowed and stepped down to louder applause.
The auction rolled on. Jackie's own signed leather jacket from Rush Hour sparked the wildest bidding and finally sold for eleven million to a Hong Kong tycoon.
When it was over, Jackie took the stage, voice thick. "Tonight we raised over seventy million RMB. Every cent goes to children's education, disaster relief, and animal protection — especially the anti-poaching work I've supported for years."
He wiped his eyes. "I'm sixty. I don't want gifts. I just want to do some good. Thank you, old friends. Thank you, Cassius. Thank you to every donor and bidder. Because of you tonight, a lot of kids' lives are about to change."
The whole room stood and clapped.
Media headlines hit within minutes.
Jackie Chan's 60th Becomes Charity Night — Over 70 Million Raised
Cassius Donates Dodge Challenger, Sells for Ten Million
Zhao Benshan's Heart Sutra Calligraphy Moves Jackie to Tears
Weibo's top three trends belonged to them.
Comments were overwhelmingly positive. Cassius's follower count jumped another half million overnight.
Later, in a quiet corner, Jackie pulled him aside. "Thanks for the car. But if you regret it, I can—"
"No need," Cassius said. "It's better this way."
Jackie studied him, then nodded. "All right. Business talk. I read the script. I'm in for the Master role."
Cassius felt the knot in his chest loosen.
"But I have conditions," Jackie continued. "Shoot my scenes in a tight block — two months max. I want a say on the fight choreography. The style needs some Eastern flavor, not straight Hollywood. Market rate pay, plus a cut of Asian box office."
"Done," Cassius said immediately. "We're bringing in Yuen Woo-ping's team. Marvel's already drafting the contract. We can lock details next week in LA."
Jackie grinned. "Good. You're not one of those kids who gets famous and forgets where he came from. Keep going. Make us proud."
They talked another half hour before Cassius caught the late flight back to LA.
The next morning at six he was in the garden with Sangye and Dorje. Morning mist still hung over the grass.
Sangye opened his eyes. "Hand seals are the outer work. Visualization is the inner work. Without the inner foundation, the seals are just empty gestures."
He guided Cassius through imagining a lotus in perfect detail — color, layers, dew drops on the petals.
Cassius didn't have to invent anything. The instance memories surfaced on their own. He described the exact shade, seven layers, and the precise spot of one dew drop.
Sangye went quiet for a long moment, then simply said, "Continue."
By the end of the session Dorje looked stunned. Cassius described snow-capped peaks and rushing streams with photographic clarity after a single try.
"Rest this afternoon," Sangye told him, patting his shoulder. "This kind of work drains the mind."
After breakfast Cassius headed to Marvel headquarters for the big production meeting.
The conference room was packed — David Yates, Kevin Feige, art director Linda, set designer Tom, cinematographer James, VFX supervisor, and several new faces.
They were debating Kamar-Taj locations. Tibet was off the table. Candidates: Nepal, Qinghai, or Banff in Canada.
Cassius looked at the photos and spoke up. "Qinghai."
Everyone turned.
"Altitude's right. The sky has that same deep blue with a hint of purple you only get on the plateau. Local temples give us real reference material. Logistics are easier than Nepal."
He kept going, describing eight-sided pillars, rammed-earth floors, traditional lighting systems, and even the rotating scripture-wheel design for the library.
Tom stared at the quick sketch Cassius drew. "You should be designing sets, not just acting in them."
Cassius smiled. "Just an idea."
He pushed for quality over spectacle — practical details that would feel authentic and could be reused for future Doctor Strange projects.
Feige made the call. "Increase the set budget fifteen percent. Focus on the interior details. Linda, take a team to Qinghai in two weeks and bring me a solid plan."
After the meeting Yates pulled him aside. "You impressed me today. Most actors pitch ideas for their own character. You're thinking about the entire visual language of the film."
"I just want the project to be the best it can be," Cassius said.
Back in his car the system updated.
[Project Evaluation Updated]
[Current Progress: 15% — Pre-production]
[Audience Expectation Rising]
[Reward: Trendsetter +3%]
A week later Marvel's official Twitter dropped the announcement.
"The Ancient One: Shadow of Vishanti is officially in production. Large-scale location shooting will take place in China's Qinghai province. Starring Cassius , with a special appearance by Jackie Chan. Hollywood's first major production of this scale in China's western highlands."
The tweet exploded. Weibo went wild.
#TheAncientOneShootsInQinghai
Comments ranged from shock to pride. "Hollywood's actually filming in Qinghai?" "Cassius pulled this off?" "Jackie as the master? Let's go!"
Local Qinghai users were already offering locations and asking about background work. The project was moving — and it was happening on home ground.