Reverend Insanity - Perpetual Motion

Time passed like water through fingers - felt, but impossible to grasp.

He cultivated endlessly, burning through primeval stones like a fever through strength. Yet like the deepest parts of the sea, his surface remained undisturbed. He watched fate's strings pull both the willing and the unwilling along their paths, for a puppet dances the same whether it loves or hates its role.

Qin observed as events unfolded. Fang Yuan rejected the class president position, choosing instead to continue bleeding his classmates dry.

The merchant caravan returned bearing whispers of death - Fang Yuan stood accused of killing the leader's brother, but emerged untouchable, clean as a snake fresh from its molt. 

He played his part well, joining the chorus of envy when Fang Yuan's "luck" struck again: a Liquor Worm from rock gambling, elevating the C-grade's cultivation speed to match the blessed.

When the time came to choose their second gu, Qin selected a Bronze Skin gu with practiced humility. 

"You shall be fast and I shall be sturdy," he told Chi Cheng, his friend, his brother in all but name.

He remained hidden, but like rot in wood, his strength grew and kept on growing.

Time flowed on, the strings pulled taught.

Until one bright summer day, when the first thread - worn thin by secrets - finally broke.

.

.

.

The summer sun blazed mercilessly, mountain winds carrying waves of heat across Qing Mao Mountain, which seemed to steam under the scorching air.

In the blink of an eye, June was drawing to its close.

"Gu Yue Fang Zheng!" The academy elder's voice rang out through the classroom.

Fang Zheng rose from his seat and approached the elder, feeling his classmates' admiring gazes follow his every step.

Under their watchful eyes, he received a heavy bag of primeval stones.

"Fang Zheng, you're the first to advance to upper stage. This is your well-earned reward," the academy elder said warmly, placing a hand on Fang Zheng's shoulder. "Keep up the excellent work."

Fang Zheng acknowledged with a grunt, excitement dancing across his features. He clutched the money bag tightly as he returned to his seat, emotion swelling in his chest.

'I've finally done it,' he thought, eyes gleaming. 'First to reach upper stage. Do you see that, big brother? I've finally surpassed you at something!'

His gaze swept over to where Fang Yuan lay sprawled across his desk, deep in sleep. The previous night had been grueling - killing another wild boar, returning to use the White Boar Gu for body enhancement, then employing the Liquor worm to refine his primeval essence. He'd spent until dawn nurturing his aperture with upper stage primeval essence. After hurriedly consuming breakfast and rushing to class, exhaustion had claimed him immediately. Even a Gu Master's cultivation couldn't substitute for proper rest.

'Hmph, whether you acknowledge it or not, this is reality. Big brother, I've finally overtaken you! This is just the first time - there will be more to come!'

Fang Zheng clenched his fists. This victory held profound meaning for him, like a ray of light finally breaking through the dark clouds that had long shrouded his heart. Though the light was thin, it filled him with hope and determination.

"Can't believe I lost to that Fang Zheng," Gu Yue Mo Bei grumbled from his seat, arms crossed in frustration.

"That's the power of an A-grade talent," Gu Yue Chi Cheng said darkly. His recent cultivation had made him acutely aware of talent's advantages. Despite his grandfather Gu Yue Chi Lian's support and his own relentless efforts, he still lagged behind Fang Zheng.

'If I had a Liquor worm along with grandfather's help, I might stand a chance against him,' Chi Cheng thought bitterly. 

"Those cursed Fang brothers! The younger one has A-grade talent dominating us all, while the C-grade elder brother somehow has a Liquor worm. Why do they hoard all the fortune?"

Whispers spread through the classroom:

"Fang Zheng reached upper stage first."

"Of course - he's A-grade talent."

"Even Mo Bei, Chi Cheng, and Fang Yuan couldn't match him. This is Fang Zheng's moment."

"Meanwhile, Fang Yuan wastes his Liquor worm, sleeping through classes. He should just give it to someone who'd appreciate it."

The discussions continued, filled with envy and helpless indignation, as the academy elder called students one by one to collect their allowances.

"Silence!" 

The elder's hand struck the table, instantly quieting the room. 

"You've all mastered your second Gu worm, and some have even reached upper stage. After half a year of dedicated training and establishing your foundations, it's time for wilderness training. Real battles aren't against stationary scarecrows or wooden puppets waiting to be struck.

"The mid-year examination will commence in three days, mandatory for all students! Your task: hunt wild boars. Results will be measured by collected boar teeth, with higher quantities earning better scores. Each tusk can be exchanged for ten primeval stones afterward. Group hunting is permitted."

The announcement sparked immediate commotion.

"Finally, the mid-year exam!"

"Every year has mid-year and final exams - the timing's right."

"The content changes yearly - this time it's boar teeth."

"What about those of us with D-grade talent or Gu unsuited for combat?"

"That's why group hunting is allowed. We can collaborate and share the teeth!"

"Ten stones per tusk is beyond generous - market value is twenty per stone!"

Reactions varied widely - excitement, anxiety, eagerness, and strategic planning. Even Fang Yuan stirred slightly.

'It's different,' he mused. 'Last time it was wildlife honey collection. Is this the butterfly effect?'

A butterfly's wing-beats could trigger a distant storm. Small changes in initial conditions led to drastically different outcomes.

His rebirth had already altered much. In his previous life, he'd fallen behind Fang Zheng's group. Now he dominated the student rankings. He'd never encountered Jia Jin Sheng before, let alone killed him or discovered the Flower Wine Monk's deeper inheritance.

These changes, like butterfly wings, had begun reshaping events. The altered exam was just the first visible sign.

'If I keep changing things, will history become unrecognizable? Will that negate my rebirth advantage?'

Though outwardly calm, Fang Yuan wrestled with internal uncertainty. But he quickly steadied himself.

'What's done is done. I must adapt and grow stronger. Even if events diverge completely, I won't let such concerns slow my progress!'

'Did I lack courage in my past life because I couldn't see the future? No - even in a world of thorns, I'll carve my own path through blood and steel!'

He contemplated selling his stored boar fangs but dismissed the idea. The political climate made it too risky. For what? A mere hundred primeval stones?

'The stones aren't important - this change could help reshape my image.'

Current wealth required secrecy. Exposing the Flower Wine Monk's inheritance could prove fatal.

His position was precarious - an outsider among classmates, viewed by superiors as an uncontrollable, bitter, intelligent but cold C-grade talent.

This image of disloyalty was dangerous. Clans, like all organizations, prized loyalty above all - to clan, country, leaders, loved ones, friends.

As his power grew, leadership's concerns would only increase. They might even resort to force, leaving Fang Yuan reactive rather than proactive.

He despised passivity, preferring tight control. Recent events had forced him to rely on external strength, building a protective facade.

Now stronger, he needed to evolve this image, appearing to embrace the clan system - but gradually, to avoid suspicion.

This integration would be superficial. His secrets demanded freedom and independent operation.

The mid-year exam offered an opportunity.

'I'll start with the extortion angle,' Fang Yuan thought, his plan crystallizing.

Yet unknown to him, other schemes were also taking shape in the shadows.