Reverend Insanity: Golden Beast

Jin Xu awoke with a sense of both exhilaration and exhaustion—the raw thrill of reaching rank two initial stage mingled with the constant ache of a body still bearing the scars of past battles. Today marked a pivotal moment in his journey: the moment when his teacher would help him elevate his gu from rank one to rank two. He could feel the subtle pulse of new potential in his vital gu, the Titan Bronze Gu that had carried him through countless trials. As he sat up on the cold stone floor of their secluded training chamber, he recalled the weight of every lesson and every loss that had brought him here.

Later that morning, his teacher—a stern man whose eyes held centuries of hard-won experience—approached him with a nod of approval. "Jin Xu," he said in his measured tone, "your progress is remarkable. Today, we refine your gu. You have advanced to rank two initial stage; now it is time to let your true cultivation journey begin." His words, both congratulatory and commanding, stirred a fierce determination in Jin Xu. He knew that every refinement was a step closer to transcending the limitations of his mortal body.

Under his teacher's careful guidance, they spent the better part of the day focusing on the intricacies of refinement. With steady hands, his teacher helped him channel his primeval essence into his gu. One by one, the tools of his survival—his offensive gu, his defensive gu, and even his movement gu—were transformed. Jin Xu watched in awe as the rough, unrefined energy of each gu smoothed into a more potent, concentrated form, each now glowing with the vibrant luster of rank two. It was as though every particle of his being had been sharpened by the very fires of adversity.

When the process was complete, his teacher placed a weathered hand on his shoulder. "This is only the beginning," he said softly. "Now that your gu have reached rank two, your true cultivation journey is set to commence. But listen well, for time is a luxury we do not have."

His voice grew grave as he continued. "Every ten years in the Northern Plains, a terrifying natural disaster—a blizzard of shocking fury—ravages this region. The very elements here conspire against us, and if we linger too long, we will be swallowed by the storm. We must leave the Northern Plains soon, before the next cycle begins."

The weight of his words settled in Jin Xu's chest. He had grown accustomed to the harsh, frozen beauty of the Northern Plains, yet the thought of its inevitable destruction made his heart race with both fear and urgency. "But teacher," he demanded, his voice cracking with a mix of anxiety and defiance, "why can't we take our place in the Imperial Court? Why must we always flee from disasters instead of standing our ground?"

His teacher regarded him with eyes that were both compassionate and unyielding. "The Imperial Court, with its endless competitions and political intrigues, is not our path—not yet. They will recognize you in time, and I, too, would have preferred for you to ascend further to rank three before joining that arena. Besides," he added with a wry smile that barely concealed his contempt, "that competition exists solely to strengthen the control of the Giant Sun descendants over the Northern Plains. It is not a place for a cultivator seeking true power and freedom."

Jin Xu frowned, feeling the sting of injustice. The thought of bowing to a mere political tool, even if it promised prestige, was abhorrent to him. "Then where do we go?" he asked, his eyes narrowing as he considered the choices. "We cannot linger here, but the Southern Border is far too distant from the Northern Plains. That leaves only the Eastern Sea, the Central Continent, or the Western Desert."

His teacher's gaze sharpened as he leaned closer. "And what region do you believe is most appropriate for your cultivation, Jin Xu?"

Jin Xu paused, weighing the options carefully. Deep inside, he already knew the answer. "The Central Continent," he replied firmly. "It offers an abundance of resources for those on the Metal Path—rich deposits of rare ores and refined minerals that can enhance our gu beyond measure. The Eastern Sea is dominated by water path resources, and the Western Desert is choked with the harsh energy of the fire path; neither aligns with the path that I cultivate."

A moment of silence passed between them as his teacher absorbed his words. Finally, he nodded in quiet approval. "You have chosen wisely," he said, his tone softening. "The Central Continent is not only rich in metal resources, but it is also a region where the sect system is well established. Here, the discrimination among regions is not as severe, and cultivators are given the opportunity to grow without the oppressive hierarchy you might find elsewhere."

Curiosity, tempered with the hope of belonging, stirred within Jin Xu. "Will we join a sect then?" he asked, his voice laced with cautious optimism. The idea of being part of something greater—a community that could help guide his progress—was enticing, though he knew well that his journey was ultimately his own.

His teacher's lips curved into a slight smile. "Perhaps," he admitted. "I have a friend in the Central Continent, a cultivator from a minor sect who has agreed to help us if we arrive in time. He understands the hardships of starting from nothing and will provide us with guidance and support as you continue to refine your abilities."

The prospect of having an ally in a new region sparked a light of hope within Jin Xu. He imagined the bustling cities and ancient sects of the Central Continent, a place where the rich veins of metal energy could be harnessed to their fullest potential. The idea resonated with everything he had ever dreamed of—transforming his frail existence into something indomitable, something as unyielding as the metal he so revered.

As the day drew to a close, a heavy silence settled over their humble quarters. His teacher and he prepared for their journey. By tomorrow, they would leave behind the harsh, frozen expanse of the Northern Plains for a new land brimming with opportunity—and danger. They packed their few belongings and, with hearts both heavy and hopeful, retired for the night. Lying on his sparse cot, Jin Xu replayed the events of the day in his mind.

He thought back to the moments when his gu had transformed, glowing with the promise of newfound strength, and to the intense, almost brutal lessons of the battlefield. He remembered every scar and every triumphant strike. His teacher's words, echoing through the quiet darkness, urged him to embrace the harsh truths of cultivation: that power is won through struggle, that no one, no matter how mighty, is ever truly invincible, and that the world rewards those who seize destiny with both hands.

He closed his eyes, letting the weight of his new responsibilities settle into his bones. Tomorrow, they would leave the Northern Plains behind. He would venture into the unknown regions of the Central Continent. And above all, he would continue to refine his talent, no matter how mediocre it might seem at present.

In the solitude of the night, as sleep finally began to claim him, he vowed to himself: he would never allow the calamities of the world or the cruelty of fate to crush his spirit again. He would transform every hardship into strength, every loss into the fuel of his ambition. He was Jin Xu—the last survivor of the Jin Tribe—and he would carve his own destiny, forging a path so unbreakable that even the heavens would have to take notice.

The silence of the room was punctuated only by the steady rhythm of his heartbeat and the distant whisper of wind outside—reminding him that time was fleeting, and every moment was a precious step toward the future he was determined to claim. He drifted into sleep with a single thought: tomorrow, a new chapter would begin, and with it, the promise of power, the embrace of new allies, and the opportunity to leave behind a world that had once been so cruel.

In that quiet darkness, he clutched the memory of his teacher's guidance and the warmth of the newly refined gu within him. He could almost see the sprawling landscapes of the Central Continent—rich, vibrant, and waiting to be tamed. And he knew that as long as he kept moving forward, no natural disaster, no blizzard, and no oppressive regime could ever hold him back.

That night, as he lay in a restless sleep, he promised myself that no matter what challenges lay ahead, he would fight with every ounce of strength in his body. he would leave the Northern Plains and journey toward the Central Continent, where my destiny awaited. For now, though, he surrendered to the quiet hope that tomorrow would be the beginning of something extraordinary—a new chapter in his life where he would no longer be the last survivor, but a rising force destined to claim my rightful place among the greats.