Reverend Insanity Chapter 5: The First Human and 3 Gu, Hopes Awakening

A sudden hush descended over his surroundings. Countless gazes remained fixed upon him.

Things are getting progressively more intriguing, Fang Yuan mused internally with a smirk. Beneath the scrutinizing eyes of the crowd, he traversed the river and stepped onto the opposite bank.

He could sense a distinct weight pressing down on him. This burden stemmed from the spirit spring nestled deep within the flower field, which emitted such an abundance of primeval qi that it created an intense pressure.

However, small sparks of light soon began to rise from the blossoms beneath Fang Yuan’s feet. These shimmering dots enveloped his form before vanishing into him.

These are the Hope Gu, Fang Yuan thought to himself knowingly. Although the official in charge had kept silent, he understood the truth: every single flicker of light was a Gu known as the Hope Gu.

Ancient legends speak of the Hope Gu. In the dawn of time, when the world was naught but untamed wilderness, the first human emerged. He was known as Ren Zu, a figure who lived a grueling life sustained by raw flesh and blood.

A specific group of wild beasts dubbed 'Predicament' haunted him, as they found Ren Zu to be a delicious morsel.

Possessing neither the resilience of mountain stone nor the predatory fangs and claws of beasts, Ren Zu struggled to contest the Predicaments. His sustenance was scarce, forcing him to live in constant concealment. He languished at the very bottom of the natural order, barely clinging to his survival.

Eventually, three Gu approached him. They promised him, “Dedicate your life to us, and we shall carry you through these trials.” Ren Zu, having no other alternatives, accepted their pact.

First, he surrendered his youth to the largest of the three. That Gu, in return, bestowed upon him great strength.

Armed with this strength, Ren Zu’s existence transformed. His food sources became reliable, and he was finally able to defend himself. He fought with ruthless grit, crushing many Predicaments. Yet, he soon learned that strength was not the ultimate answer; it required careful cultivation and wisdom, not mere reckless expenditure—especially when faced with an entire horde of Predicaments.

Reflecting on this, Ren Zu sacrificed his prime middle years to the most beautiful among the three Gu. In turn, that Gu granted him wisdom.

With wisdom, Ren Zu learned to process his experiences. He discovered that wisdom was often more effective than raw power. By balancing both, he conquered obstacles that were once insurmountable, slaughtering many Predicaments and surviving through sheer tenacity.

However, nothing endures forever. Since he had sacrificed his youth and middle years to maintain strength and wisdom, Ren Zu inevitably aged. As he grew frail, his muscles withered and his mind slowed.

“Human,” the strength and wisdom Gu whispered, realizing his condition, “what else do you have to offer? You have nothing left for us.” They abandoned him.

Bereft of his power and intellect, Ren Zu found himself once again surrounded by Predicaments. Too elderly to flee and lacking the teeth to chew even the simplest fruits, he fell to the earth in despair.

At that bleak moment, the third Gu spoke, “Human, accept me. I shall help you evade these Predicaments.”

Weeping, Ren Zu replied, “Gu, I possess nothing else. My strength and wisdom have already forsaken me. I have only my remaining years left. While they are small compared to my youth, sacrificing them would end my life. Even so, if I keep them, I might live for a fleeting moment longer. You should leave; I have nothing to give you.”

But the Gu replied, “My needs are the most modest of the three. Human, your heart alone will suffice.”

“Then take my heart,” Ren Zu declared, “but what can you offer in return? If even the strength and wisdom Gu could not save me, what difference will you make?”

Compared to the strength Gu, this one appeared fragile, merely a tiny sphere of light. Unlike the wisdom Gu, it shone with a simple, dim white luster. Yet, as Ren Zu offered his heart, the Gu erupted with boundless radiance. The Predicaments shrieked in terror, “It is the Hope Gu! Withdraw! We are defined by our terror of hope!”

The Predicaments scattered. Ren Zu was left speechless, and from that day on, he learned to offer his heart to hope whenever he encountered a predicament.

At this moment, a stream of Hope Gu converged and flooded into Fang Yuan’s body. Driven by the external pressure, they instinctively gathered in his abdomen, three inches below his navel.

Fang Yuan felt the pressure start to wane. He pressed onward. With every step, more Hope Gu emerged from the flower sea to join the glowing core within him. The light intensified, prompting the official across the river to frown.

“The number of Hope Gu is lower than expected,” the elders observed from the shadows, their brows furrowing in disappointment. The clan head frowned as well. This was clearly not the mark of an A grade talent.

Fang Yuan pushed through the pressure, counting his steps. “Less than 10 steps indicate no cultivation aptitude. 10 to 20 steps mean D grade; 20 to 30 signify C grade; 30 to 40 denote B grade; 40 to 50 reach A grade. I have walked 23 steps so far.”

24, 25, 26… 27.

Fang Yuan tallied the steps in his mind. As he took his 27th, he heard a dull thud, and the light gathered between his kidneys reached its saturation point, bursting forth inward.

This eruption occurred entirely within his body, unseen by the onlookers. For Fang Yuan, the sensation was cataclysmic. His body hair stood on end, his pores locked shut, and his mind reached a state of extreme tension.

A moment later, his consciousness blanked out as his body felt weightless, as if drifting on clouds. His tension vanished, his pores opened, and his fine hairs relaxed.

Sweat coated his entire frame.

While the process felt prolonged, it concluded in a heartbeat. Fang Yuan lingered in a daze for a second before regaining his focus. He turned his attention inward, discovering that an aperture had manifested out of thin air between his two kidneys.

The Awakening Ceremony had been a success!

This was the path toward immortality!