The sun rose over the peaks of Qing Mao Mountain, announcing the start of a new day. But for the young man staring at his reflection in the mirror, it wasn't just the start of a day—it was the beginning of an entirely new life. A life whose terrifying details he had read in the novel Reverend Insanity.
William, a university student and former soldier, had been transmigrated to become Gu Yue Chi Chen.
The name was not foreign to him. In the novel, Chi Chen possessed innate "Divine Strength," with physical capabilities far surpassing his peers. The Gu Yue clan, especially his ambitious family, held massive expectations for him. They confidently anticipated he would awaken an A-grade talent during the upcoming Awakening Ceremony to lead the clan toward glory. But William knew the bitter truth—a truth that would shatter the clan's hopes and turn his life into a hell of ridicule and disdain.
Just like Fang Yuan, the original protagonist, Chi Chen actually possessed...
He stood before the mirror in silence, contemplating his new body with thoughtful eyes. He was barely ten years old, yet his internal world was vastly different. The mind of a young man from another world inhabited this small frame.
He observed his features calmly. He wasn't strikingly handsome, nor was he ugly. An ordinary face that could pass through a crowd without leaving a trace. Natural eyes, a straight nose, and a calm mouth devoid of any clear expression. His wild black hair hung behind him.
His body, however, was different. He was taller than his peers, and his build was unusually solid. His muscles weren't bulky, but they were undeniably there.
"Ah... today, the martial arts training begins."
William looked into the mirror, lost in thought as his maid dressed him. He wasn't originally from this world, but a student forced by life to become a soldier to afford his university tuition, only to be transported into the world of Reverend Insanity.
The maid adjusted his collar slightly, pulling him out of his trance as she said softly, "Young Master, everything is ready."
"Oh."
He nodded without many words and headed outside. The air was crisp. He glanced around quickly as he walked through the stone corridors, moving naturally until he reached the martial arts arena. The arena was vast, its floor hard and prepared for training. Some children were already there, practicing or chatting, but his gaze didn't linger on them.
Only one person caught his attention. A man stood in the center of the arena, his posture upright and his gaze sharp. William approached with steady steps and stopped before him.
"Father."
"Mm."
Chi Fan did not waste words. He glanced at his son and said,
"Let's begin with the Horse Stance."
"Understood."
He planted his feet slowly, spreading them shoulder-width apart, then began lowering his body as his father indicated. It was his first time attempting the Horse Stance in this body, yet he fought to maintain his balance.
"Lower."
He gritted his teeth and sank deeper until his thighs were nearly parallel to the ground. At first, it seemed simple... but after only moments, the weight began to pool in his legs.
"Keep your back straight."
He corrected his posture quickly. Sweat began to bead on his forehead, and his breathing grew slower and heavier. He wanted to lift his body, just a little...
Only to hear his father's voice:
"Don't move."
He endured for about fifteen minutes.
"Stand up."
Once the Horse Stance was over, his father gestured without comment, ending the first exercise. He didn't grant him much time to rest, saying immediately:
"Running. Ten laps around the arena."
Gu Yue Chi Chen set off without hesitation, maintaining a steady pace. His steps were rhythmic, his feet striking the ground in a repetitive beat as he circled the arena again and again.
After the laps, he stopped before his father, who continued: "Punches. One hundred times."
He raised his fists and began. A straight punch, then the next, maintaining the motion without interruption. His strikes were simple, focusing on directness and quick recovery. His father corrected the angle of his arm and the stability of his shoulder.
"Don't swing your arm. Strike directly."
He continued the repetitions until he completed the required number.
"Kicks."
He moved to the next drill without pause. Raising his leg, he executed front kicks one after another, maintaining his balance. Every movement was identical, repeating in the same form, while his father corrected his knee height and the stability of his supporting foot.
"Raise the knee first... then extend the leg."
The training continued in this rhythm—running, punches, kicks—each with a set number, with no change in pace or style. The training was punctuated only by short instructions and direct corrections.
Eventually, Gu Yue Chi Chen finished the final set of exercises under his father's supervision. The movements stopped, and silence fell over the arena, with no further comment other than a slight gesture indicating the end of the session.
"Alright, we are done for today."
Soon, the maid arrived with other servants and led him quietly away from the training grounds. He moved to his private wing, where everything had been prepared in advance.
A table was set before him with various dishes—eggs, rice, pork slices—designed to support the body after physical exertion. The food was specifically chosen to allow for rapid recovery.
Afterward, he was taken to a warm bath filled with a blend of medicinal herbs. Steam rose gently as the water enveloped his body, helping to relax his muscles and soothe the strain of the exercises.
Following the bath, a specialist took over, massaging his body with medicinal oils. The movements were precise and organized, focusing on the joints and muscles that had been under pressure.
From then on, the days continued in a cycle of routine... until the day of the Awakening finally arrived.