Reverend Half Insanity (Beta version | Reverend Insanity Fan-Fiction)

The elder's voice booms through the cavern, sharp and commanding. "Alright, listen as I call your names. Those who are called must walk through this river to the opposite bank. Walk as far as you can. The further you go, the better your talent is for cultivation."

The youths exchange nervous glances, their hearts pounding in anticipation. The elder's eyes scan the crowd, and he shouts the first name. "Chen Bo!"

A lanky youth steps forward, his face pale but determined. He steps into the river of flowers, the water rising only to his kneecaps. As soon as his feet touch the water, he feels an invisible pressure, like an unseen wall blocking his path. The flowers at his feet glow faintly, emitting a weak white light. The light swirls around him, seeping into his body. For a moment, the pressure eases, and the wall feels softer. He forces himself forward, taking three shaky steps before the pressure becomes unbearable. He stops, panting, unable to move further.

The elder sighs deeply, his voice heavy with disappointment. "Only three steps. No talent to become a Gu Master." He calls the next name, and the process repeats.

One by one, the youths step into the river. Some manage ten to nineteen steps, earning them a D-grade talent. Others push themselves to twenty to twenty-nine steps, achieving C-grade talent. The atmosphere grows tense, each step a measure of their future.

Then the elder shouts, "Gu Yue Mo Bei!"

A tall, confident boy steps forward. He strides into the river, his movements steady and deliberate. The flowers glow brighter as he walks, the light swirling around him like a halo. He takes thirty-six steps before stopping, his face calm but his chest heaving from the effort.

The youths on the riverbank gasp, their eyes wide with awe. The elder's face breaks into a rare smile. "Good, Gu Yue Mo Bei, B-grade talent!"

Fang Zheng, watching from the sidelines, smirks devilishly. His mind races with schemes. "Mo Bei, the successor of the Mo Faction, one of the most powerful factions in the Gu Yue clan. He has a sister, doesn't he? She's crucial for my plan. I'll use him to get close to his grandfather, the leader of the Mo Faction. Once I'm in, his sister will be my next target. And then, the entire Mo Faction will dance in the palm of my hand. Heh heh heh."

His laughter grows louder, drawing a sharp look from Fang Yuan, who taps his shoulder and whispers urgently, "Fang Zheng, quiet! The elder will get mad at us."

Fang Zheng stifles his laughter, but his eyes gleam with mischief. He's already plotting his next move.

The elder calls another name. "Gu Yue Chi Chen!"

A slender boy steps forward, his expression calm but his hands trembling slightly. He walks into the river, the flowers glowing brightly as the light enters his body. He takes thirty-six steps, matching Mo Bei's performance, before stopping.

The elder's voice rings out with excitement. "Another B-grade talent!"

Fang Zheng's smirk widens as he watches Chi Chen. His mind churns with dark thoughts. "Chi Chen! Chi Chen! You're the key to controlling the Chi Faction. Heh heh heh. I know your secret—your talent is only C-grade, but your grandfather used some method to make you walk thirty-six steps. Ha! Your Chi Faction is already in my grasp."

His eyes gleam with triumph as he glances at Fang Yuan, who gives him a wary look. Fang Zheng's mind is a whirlwind of plans, each more devious than the last. The river of flowers flows on, its surface shimmering with light, but beneath the surface, the currents of ambition and deceit run deep.

The cave pulses with an electric tension, every breath heavy, every heartbeat echoing like a drum in the suffocating silence. The air feels alive, crackling with anticipation, as if the very walls are holding their breath, waiting for destiny to unfold. The elder's voice roars like a thunderous tiger, each name he calls out reverberating through the cavern and into the souls of those gathered. The river of flowers glows faintly, its soft light flickering and dancing across the faces of the young ones, casting shadows that seem to whisper secrets of the future. Their eyes are wide, a storm of hope and fear swirling in their gazes, each one grappling with the weight of what this moment could mean for their lives.

Then, the elder's voice cuts through the stillness, sharp and commanding, "Gu Yue Fang Zheng!"

Fang Yuan's face freezes, his body trembling uncontrollably. His chest tightens, his breath coming in short, shallow gasps, as if the air itself has turned to stone. His mind races, a whirlwind of doubt and desperation. What if he fails? What if I fail? The questions claw at him, gnawing at the edges of his resolve. Beside him, Gu Xianer is practically vibrating with excitement, her energy a stark contrast to his inner turmoil. She grabs his arm, her voice bursting with energy, "Fang Zheng, it's your turn! Go, quickly!" Her grip is firm, her eyes shining with unwavering faith, but Fang Yuan feels none of it. He tries to steady himself, his voice shaky and thin as he gives advice to Fang Zheng, "Just… just believe in yourself. Don't be nervous." But his words are hollow, empty reassurances that even he doesn't believe. His hands are shaking so badly he can barely clench them into fists, the weight of his fears pressing down on him like a mountain.

Fang Zheng, though, is a picture of calm. His face is serene, his steps deliberate and confident, as if he already knows what's coming. He moves forward, each step firm and purposeful, his presence commanding the attention of everyone in the cave. The river of flowers seems to come alive for him, its glow intensifying with every step he takes. The light wraps around him like a living thing, pulsing and shimmering, as if the river itself is bowing to his presence. The closer he gets to the opposite bank, the brighter the light becomes, until it's almost blinding. The cave feels like it's holding its breath, the tension so thick it's suffocating, every eye fixed on Fang Zheng, every heart pounding in unison.

Fang Yuan watches, his heart pounding so hard it feels like it might burst. His body is still trembling, but Gu Xianer is practically bouncing with excitement. She grabs his hand, her voice a thrilled whisper, "Brother, didn't I tell you? We have high talent! Look at Fang Zheng!" Fang Yuan nods faintly, his eyes glued to Fang Zheng. He counts each step, his lips moving silently, praying for his brother's success. Please, please let him make it. Let this be the start of something better for all of us. The thought is a desperate plea, a fragile hope that he clings to like a lifeline.

Then, Fang Zheng reaches the opposite bank. He tries hard but can't take another step. The elder's voice erupts, booming with joy, "Forty-three steps! A-Grade talent!"