Chương 7: Light after Darkness

(I've edited Chapter 1 because of an issue with the wish mechanism. Initially, it allowed for unrealistic requests, such as attaining supreme status in all paths or immediately becoming Rank 10. NOTE: These changes have no impact, so there's no need to read the chapter again. The primary focus of the chapter was simply to know the three things the protagonist received before his rebirth.)

I'd appreciate it if you could share your thoughts on my fanfiction in a review. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to mention them. Additionally, I'd like to clarify that fans of Reverend Insanity hold a special place in my heart—they are, in my view, 'higher beings' compared to fans of other novels.

(I think I deserve more power stones for this speech)

.........

"Kill Tie Ruo Nan."

Fang Yuan's cold command echoed through the blessed land, his voice unwavering, carrying a weight that sent a chill down the spines of those present.

"Hehehe, Fang Yuan," Tie Ruo Nan forced a laugh, trying to mask her fear. "You are not the blessed land's master, thus the land spirit will not obey your commands. The others won't be far behind either. Today, your loss is certain." Despite her confident words, her heart pounded, betraying the unease she felt in the presence of Ba Gui, the land spirit.

But before she could utter another word, the land spirit moved with terrifying speed. In the blink of an eye, its immense power was unleashed. Without hesitation, Ba Gui's spectral hands struck her chest with precision, crushing her heart in a single, brutal motion. A sickening crack echoed through the air, and a gaping hole formed in the center of her chest.

Tie Ruo Nan's face twisted in disbelief. She glanced down, her body trembling, unable to comprehend the sight before her. Blood gushed from the wound, staining her robes. Her mind raced, but no words came. Her body was failing her, and she could feel her life slipping away.

Her wide, disbelieving eyes met Fang Yuan's cold, calculating gaze. His lips curled into a sinister smile, one that only deepened her despair. She had underestimated him—underestimated his ruthlessness, his ability to control even that which should have been beyond his reach.

Her smile was gone, replaced by shock and terror. And then, she collapsed.

Bai Ning Bing stood still, like a frozen statue, her usually calm and cold demeanor shattered by the shock of what she had just witnessed. Her icy blue eyes were wide with disbelief, locked on Tie Ruo Nan's lifeless body crumpled on the ground, a gaping hole in her chest.

She had known Fang Yuan was ruthless, but this—this was on another level. Her mind raced to comprehend how he had commanded the land spirit, something that should have been beyond his control. Tie Ruo Nan, a formidable figure in her own right, had been effortlessly crushed in mere moments.

"What just happened?" she thought, her heart pounding. She had never felt this way—this gnawing sense of fear that crept up from deep within. Fang Yuan's control over the situation, his ability to turn an impossible scenario into a decisive victory, left her shaken.

Bai Ning Bing clenched her fists, trying to regain her composure, but the icy fear remained. She couldn't deny it—Fang Yuan had become something beyond even her understanding.

The four elders stood frozen in place, eyes wide with horror. They had not expected this. Their minds struggled to process what they had just witnessed, paralyzed by the swift and brutal display of Fang Yuan's power. Fear gripped their hearts, uncertainty clouding their judgment.

None of them moved. None of them dared.

…

Fang Yuan moved his gaze towards Bai Ning Bing.

"She can't be killed yet," he thought, his mind already calculating. "She still holds value for me. As for the rest..." His eyes flicked past the four elders without a second glance. "Using the remaining Immortal Essence on them is a waste."

He smirked slightly. "Better to conserve it for an emergency. I'm confident there's no danger, but it's always better safe than sorry."

Bai Ning Bing stood motionless, her heart weighed down by despair. Yet, when Fang Yuan's cold gaze left her, a fleeting sense of relief washed over her. But she knew better than to feel safe. To him, she was just another piece in his intricate game—valuable for now, disposable when the time came.

The four elders, on the other hand, stood paralyzed in fear, uncertain of their fate. They exchanged glances, but none dared to move or speak. The air felt suffocating with the oppressive weight of Fang Yuan's dominance over the situation.

Fang Yuan turned towards the land spirit Ba Gui.

Fang Yuan finally turned to Ba Gui, the land spirit. The ancient spirit looked pitiful, broken-hearted and withering.

"It's time," Fang Yuan said flatly.

Fang Yuan's expression remained indifferent as he looked at the crumbling figure of Ba Gui. The land spirit, despite its sorrowful and broken state, still had some use to him. He couldn't afford to let it vanish just yet.

Ba Gui looked up, its voice weak. "What do you want me to do?" it asked.

Fang Yuan chuckled softly. "Ba Gui, do you recall the third section of the second chapter of The Legends of Ren Zu?"

The land spirit froze, trying to understand Fang Yuan's intention. "You mean... No, that won't work," it stammered. "There are two conditions still unmet. First of all,, we need the light of glory from the immemorial era."

Fang Yuan chuckled with satisfaction, his eyes gleaming with cold triumph. He raised his hand and pointed to the ceiling of the hall. "The light will come here!"

Inwardly, he recalled the turn of events. Everything is going even better than I anticipated. Nothing unexpected has occurred, and with Chou Jiu's orders to block all Gu Masters outside until his death...

He smirked, thinking, With this, all his value can be fully extracted before he expires.

…

Fang Yuan knew, thanks to his knowledge from Reverend Insanity and the memories stored in the A.I. chip, that rebirth could alter the plot.

The concept of the butterfly effect meant that rebirth could indeed change some aspects of the narrative. However, historical inertia played a significant role.

Many major events were the result of conflicts that accumulated over time, awaiting only a trigger point. Even without the original trigger, a new one would inevitably arise.

Such changes were not easily influenced or altered by a single individual alone.

…

Outside the main hall.

Xiao Mang was fighting with Ying Ming and flew to the sky.

Rank four, gather light Gu.

Rank five, extreme light Gu.

Rank five, river under the sun Gu.

Killer move — Torrential Light Stream!

A cascading river of blinding light surged down upon the battlefield. The waves of radiance were fierce, turning the entire scene white. Everyone shielded their eyes, unable to withstand the intense light.

The grand river of light crashed into the hall, shattering the roof as it poured towards Fang Yuan.

"The Light of Glory of the Immemorial Era!" the land spirit cried out in shock.

Indeed, Torrential Light Stream was a formidable light path killer move, recreating the ancient Light of Glory.

Fang Yuan laughed loudly, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He activated his Bone Wings Gu and Liquid Metal Gu.

From his back, a pair of long, wide black wings unfurled, while the liquid metal enveloped his body, offering protection. The metal then spread to his wings, shimmering with dazzling golden light.

Fang Yuan flapped his wings and ascended directly into the river of light!

Having previously killed numerous Rank five Gu Masters collecting many movement Gu besides the ones he refined, he activated them all. With all his power, he battled against the waterfall's flow, climbing higher and higher.

As he emerged from the hall, a chorus of astonished gasps and murmurs erupted.

"What is that?"

"It's flashing with golden light, and it looks like a giant bird!"

"No, it's a person!"

"What is he doing?"

To Fang Yuan, the world was a vast sea of whiteness. His primeval essence was rapidly depleting from the strain of activating so many movement and defensive Gu.

"Land spirit, now—Divine Travel Immortal Gu!"

Immediately, the Divine Travel Immortal Gu appeared in his palm.

"Let's begin the refining," Fang Yuan declared with an excited laugh.