Filming for "Dawn of the Mountains and Rivers" is nearing its end, and a climactic scene—a battle of acting skills between Ling Yichen and Jun Moran—has become the focus of attention for the entire crew and even the entire ancient entertainment industry. This scene is not only a concentrated display of their performances in the drama, but also a peak contest of their respective strengths.

The crucial scene is set in the magnificent imperial palace. Chu Xiao, framed by a villain, faces charges of treason, while Ye Lin, his close friend and comrade-in-arms, is entrusted by the emperor to interrogate him. The atmosphere in the hall is heavy, with civil and military officials standing on both sides, their eyes all focused on the two figures in the center of the hall.

Ling Yichen's Chu Xiao, though bound by chains, still stands tall, his eyes filled with defiance and anger. He knows his innocence, but this sudden turn of events fills him with resentment at the injustice of fate. Jun Mo Ran's Ye Lin, with his cold expression and official robes that accentuate his authority, is actually torn between his trust in his close friend and the inviolability of imperial orders and the complexities of the court.

With the director's command, filming officially began. Ling Yichen took the lead, his eyes blazing as he stared intently at Jun Mozhan, his voice trembling slightly yet resolute: "Ye Lin, we know each other well, do you really believe I would betray my country?" This simple sentence, through Ling Yichen's nuanced tone, perfectly conveyed Chu Xiao's grievance, resentment, and accusation against Ye Lin. His body leaned slightly forward, as if trying to break free of his chains and rush towards Ye Lin to prove his innocence; the clanging of the chains seemed to be a cry for justice for his grievance.

Jun Mo Ran frowned slightly. He didn't rush to answer, but instead paced slowly, each step seemingly carrying a heavy burden. His gaze shifted between Ling Yi Chen and his expression: suspicion, inner turmoil, and a deep-seated trust. After a pause, he spoke, "Chu Xiao, the evidence is irrefutable. How can you expect me to believe you?" Jun Mo Ran's speech was slow, his tone steady yet tinged with helplessness, perfectly capturing Ye Lin's dilemma between his official position and personal feelings. His hands clenched slightly, revealing his inner tension and suppressed emotions.

Ling Yichen sneered, his laughter echoing through the hall, tinged with self-mockery: "So-called evidence is nothing but a conspiracy by villains. You, my dearest friend, were so easily deceived." His expression instantly shifted from anger to disappointment, the light in his eyes dimming slightly. This rapid change in emotion astonished the staff present. Ling Yichen skillfully used facial expressions and body language to perfectly blend Chu Xiao's inner pain and disappointment with Ye Lin's attitude, allowing the audience to truly feel the character's heartbreak.

A flicker of pain crossed Jun Mo Ran's face, but he quickly concealed it. He raised his voice: "Chu Xiao, stop making excuses. If you are truly innocent, produce the evidence." At this moment, Jun Mo Ran's eyes sharpened. He took a step forward, his aura suddenly intensifying, displaying Ye Lin's authority as an interrogator. However, his subtle movements, such as his slightly trembling fingers, revealed his inner unease. He didn't want to truly confront Chu Xiao, but the situation forced him to do so.

The two exchanged words like swords flashing in the hall, each line brimming with intense emotion. Ling Yichen, in his performance, constantly drew strength from Chu Xiao's memories. He recalled the days fighting alongside Ye Lin, their shared ideals—memories that occasionally brought a flicker of tenderness to his eyes, only to be quickly replaced by anger and disappointment. His performance was so nuanced and detailed that the audience could almost see the emotional turmoil deep within Chu Xiao's heart.

Jun Mo Ran was completely immersed in the role of Ye Lin, deeply aware of Ye Lin's difficult situation. He had to appear impartial and selfless before the officials while maintaining his trust in Chu Xiao. By controlling his breathing, speech, and expressions, he precisely conveyed Ye Lin's inner conflict and struggle. In his scenes with Ling Yi Chen, he was able to keenly capture the changes in the other's emotions and respond appropriately, making their performances a seamless and captivating dance.

As the plot unfolds, the emotional conflict between the two intensifies. Ling Yichen suddenly breaks free from his chains and rushes towards Jun Mozhan. His movements are swift and decisive, his eyes burning with rage: "Ye Lin, if you condemn me today, you will be associating with villains. Do you live up to our oath?" This sudden action startles everyone present, but Ling Yichen remains completely unaffected. He is fully immersed in the character's emotions, perfectly portraying Chu Xiao's despair and resistance.

Jun Mo Ran was startled by Ling Yi Chen's actions, but he quickly recovered, dodging to the side and subduing Ling Yi Chen with a swift counterattack. Their bodies pressed tightly together, their breaths mingling, their eyes meeting, and time seemed to freeze. In that instant, they conveyed complex emotions through their eyes: anger, helplessness, trust, and reluctance. This silent yet powerful performance brought the atmosphere on set to its peak.

The surrounding actors and crew were completely captivated by their brilliant performance, seemingly forgetting their own existence. The director, sitting behind the monitor, stared intently at the screen, a satisfied smile on his face. He knew this scene would become a classic moment in the entire series.

In the final act of this acting duel, Chu Xiao was thrown back into prison. Ye Lin watched his departing figure, her eyes filled with pain and confusion. Ling Yichen dragged his heavy steps, each step seemingly carrying a sense of helplessness against fate and a longing for friendship. Jun Mo Ran stood motionless for a long time, his figure appearing lonely and desolate in the hall.

The moment the director yelled "Cut!", thunderous applause erupted throughout the theater. The actors crowded around, praising Ling Yichen and Jun Mo Ran's performances.

"Your acting is absolutely superb! I was completely immersed in the scene watching from the sidelines, feeling like a lowly official in the palace witnessing this thrilling interrogation," one of the actors exclaimed excitedly.

“Yes, this scene will definitely become a classic. You two portrayed the characters’ emotions so well that I couldn’t tell if you were acting or if there were really two people experiencing these things,” another actor chimed in.

Ling Yichen and Jun Moran exchanged a smile. They knew that the success of this acting duel was not only their personal glory, but also the result of the entire crew's joint efforts. Through this scene, they gained a deeper understanding of each other's acting styles, adding a most dazzling touch to the drama "Dawn of the Mountains and Rivers." This acting duel, which caused a sensation in the ancient entertainment industry, will also become an indelible milestone in their acting careers, allowing them to move forward hand in hand more firmly in the future, embracing more challenges and opportunities.