Reverend Insanity: The Gacha System

"Fang Yuan, you are being used as a pawn by the Venerables."

Fang Yuan's eyes sharpened as he stared at Fang Zhi. "What do you mean by that?"

"It means you are being used by the Venerables to destroy the Fate Gu." Fang Zhi's gaze remained steady.

Fang Yuan pondered silently, his mind racing. "Why would the Venerables use me as a pawn? Is it for their revival? That makes sense—without the Fate Gu's destruction, no one can be revived. Wait, does that mean they all know about my rebirth? Was the Spring Autumn Cicada given to me deliberately?"

"Yes," Fang Zhi confirmed, "what you thought is correct. The Spring Autumn Cicada was given to you by Red Lotus, and Heaven's Will helped ensure your rebirth."

"Why would Heaven's Will assist in destroying the Fate Gu, which it created?" Fang Yuan asked, curiosity lacing his tone.

"Because Heaven's Will and the Venerables have different motives, though they are intertwined," Fang Zhi explained. "Heaven's Will is using you to stop Spectral Soul, while the Venerables are using you to destroy Fate Gu. In your previous life, Spectral Soul succeeded and created the Sovereign Immortal Fetus Gu, transforming himself into a complete otherworldly demon.

Heaven's Will orchestrated your rebirth to prevent that outcome and to ensure the destruction of the Sovereign Immortal Fetus Gu. However, the Heavenly Court's Venerables oppose the destruction of Fate Gu. Only the other Venerables support your mission. You will understand this fully in time. For now, do you have any questions before I hand over the inheritance?" Fang Zhi's voice remained calm as he leaned back.

"How do you know so much about the Venerables' plans?" Fang Yuan asked, his gaze sharp and cold.

"Because I am a Venerable's clone too. Next."

"I knew it. This guy must be a clone of them; otherwise, he couldn't know so much about the Venerables' plans," Fang Yuan thought as he observed Fang Zhi.

"So, you're a clone? That means my father wasn't really you, right?" Even though it was a redundant question, he asked anyway, still formulating what he truly needed to ask.

"Yes and no. I'm the one who did the deed of your birth, not your original father. He was already dead. Don't waste time on trivial questions. I know you don't care about your father or have any emotional attachments, so let's move quickly. The formation you activated will alert Heaven's Will. We need to finish our business fast."

"Then, what clone are you?" Fang Yuan asked Fang Zhi, his voice calm but sharp.

"Well, I am the clone of Chaos Demon Venerable."

Fang Yuan felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing the name. Although fear did not consume him, he understood the gravity of it. He had heard of this Venerable when he first ascended to immortality.

"The most enigmatic Venerable," Fang Yuan thought. "Why would he help me? Is it because he's an otherworldly demon? No... If he were directly part of the plan, he wouldn't have revealed this much to me. There must be another reason. Sigh, Venerables are beyond comprehension, born with talent and wisdom far superior to others." His thoughts spiraled as he pondered the mystery surrounding the Chaos Demon Venerable.

"So, the Chaos Demon Venerable's real name is Li Ti-" Fang Yuan was about to speak the name, but his mouth was abruptly silenced as Fang Zhi covered it with his hand.

"Don't say that name. If you do, you will die," Fang Zhi warned, his tone grave. "Ordinary people can say it without consequence, but for those who truly understand the Chaos Demon Venerable's name and its power, speaking it aloud triggers a death curse. It was his final killer move, cast upon the entire Gu world." Fang Zhi slowly removed his hand from Fang Yuan's mouth, his gaze heavy with caution.

Fang Yuan asked another question, "So, what do you want in return for the inheritance? I don't think anything is free in this world."

"Of course, nothing is free. All my master wants is for you to become a Venerable. That's it," Fang Zhi said with a light smile as he looked at Fang Yuan.

Fang Yuan nodded slightly. "Okay, I accept the inheritance." Even though he knew the offer was dangerous, he couldn't let this opportunity slip through his fingers.

"That's good," Fang Zhi said, his smile deepening. "The inheritance is already embedded within your soul; it just needs to be awakened."