Reverend Insanity

Description

Links are NOT allowed. Format your description nicely so people can easily read them. Please use proper spacing and paragraphs.

Humans are the spirit of all living beings, Gu* are the essence of heaven and earth.

With his three views* unrighteous, a demon is reborn.

Former days are but an old dream, an identical name is made anew.

The story of a time traveler who keeps on being reborn.

A unique world that nurtures, refines, and uses Gu.

Spring Autumn Cicada, Moonlight Gu, Liquor Worm, Great Qi Golden Light Worm, Slender Black Hair Gu, Hope Gu…

And a great demon of the world that acts as his heart pleases!

A story of a villain, Fang Yuan who was reborn 500 years into the past with the Spring Autumn Cicada he painstakingly refined. With his profound wisdom, battle and life experiences, he seeks to overcome his foes with skill and wit! Ruthless and amoral, he has no need to hold back as he pursues his ultimate goals. In a world of cruelty where one cultivates using Gu – magical creatures of the world – Fang Yuan must rise up above all with his own power.

Note :

Gu are legendary venomous insects, often used in black magic practices. They can take on the form of several insects, usually snakes, crickets, worms, etc.

Three views = one’s world view, values of worth and philosophy on life.

Associated Names
One entry per line
Cổ Chân Nhân
Daoist Gu
Gu Daoist Master
Gu Zhen Ren
Master of Gu
RI
المبجل المجنون
เทพปีศาจหวนคืน (ไม่มีตอนจบ)
蛊真人
蠱真人
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Warlock of the Magus World (30)
The Human Emperor (13)
Zhanxian (12)
Dungeon Defense (12)
To Be a Power in the Shadows! (WN) (11)
Netheril’s Glory (11)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Grimdark Stories
  2. Best Novels I Read in years (Must read for you)
  3. Really Nice
  4. NO Romance
  5. all of my 5/5 novels

Latest Release

Date Group Release
09/19/02 Webnovel c90
11/01/19 Webnovel c39
11/01/19 Webnovel c38
11/01/19 Webnovel c37
11/01/19 Webnovel c36
11/01/19 Webnovel c35
11/01/19 Webnovel c34
11/01/19 Webnovel c33
11/01/19 Webnovel c32
11/01/19 Webnovel c31
07/17/17 Webnovel c9
07/17/17 Webnovel c8
07/17/17 Webnovel c7
07/17/17 Webnovel c6
07/17/17 Webnovel c5
Go to Page...
Go to Page...
Write a Review
331 Reviews sorted by


Pranefuji
Pranefuji rated it
December 1, 2019
Status: c409
I've read a good deal of this novel, and it's a mixed bag of an interesting world, with some real boring and uninspired attempts at writing an evil character. The story telling, action scenes, and characterization of people in general is acceptable. There hasn't been anyone I could particularly root for or thought was clever or interesting. The author really hates women unless they are perfect selfless jade beauties. I guess it makes it easier for the author to write mu*der scenes. The protagonist is written as a mysterious psychopath... more>> that cares solely about cultivation. The scenes of crowds commenting on the action are pretty poor, often just to highlight the wrong perspective of the sheep of the world. The scenes of internal monologue for some characters are ok, and make sense for their reaction to the events of the story.

The author pads his story with a lot of moralizing and just paper thin shitty philosophy and that kinda breaks the premise of the story for me. That being the 500 year old reborn immortal actions and outlook is one of wisdom from having lived out their evil and selfish philosophy. I wish they explored that better for this novel. It feels less like the thoughts as perspective of an evil character and more of the author personally stroking one out to individualism, specifically to the reader and smirking over their superiority over the sheep. It's very middle school.

A lot of eye rolling " being a jackass is really just the same as being benevolent, " comments etc.
"Anyone in power has to understand: Rules, laws, friendship and morals, these are all tools to squeeze out benefits. Leniency and conscience, cruelty and hatred, they are all the same." Fang Yuan laughed coldly in his heart." Presumably, Fang Yuan spent 100 years jerking it to Atlus Shrugged lol.

I feel like a real psychopath wouldn't bother explaining their evil justification to the audience. He probably also wouldn't be so obsessed and judgemental with the "s*upid"people not following his path of selfishness either. <<less
15 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
MrNobody1
MrNobody1
May 31, 2019
Status: c965
This is possibly the best Chinese novel I have read out of many. It's not cliche. The world is amazing - it feels like some place I'd like to visit - from the northern plains to eastern sea to the central continent and southern border. I feel like this novel would be what the world would be like if cultivation existed.

The MC is unrepentantly evil, and is entertaining to watch. The fables are amazing short stories that lead up to one of the most epic endings in a book I... more>> have ever read. (End of the second book). This is a profound novel where the MC has lived too long and seen much of the world. Now, all he wants is power. To become an immortal venerable. What's more interesting is his demonic path or philosophy.

Being an outsider or demon, he isn't constrained by fate. While people are saying that the concept of Gu is boring, it's pretty amazing when you get to immortal Gu. Fate is actually a Gu that was broken by a demonic venerable. And in the story, fate is being restored by the heavenly court. The fables are interesting when you actually meet the Gu in the stories - you actually get to see wisdom gu, attitude gu, immortal travel gu, failure gu, success gu etc. Again the world is so finely crafted.

This is a great novel, and I think its f*cking s*upid that people would rate dumb novels like release that witch or some romance novel higher than this. <<less
15 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
AlanJones
AlanJones rated it
January 10, 2018
Status: c2113
By far the best novel I've ever read!

Before you start reading the novel you need to be clear of one thing.

The author was tired of all those novels in which the MC has everything hand-kissed, effortlessly, with all the treasures falling from the sky, So he decided to create Daoist Gu.

Our protagonist is called Fang Yuan, after 500 years of pain, despair and suffering, he realized that wealth, women, power, nothing matters, everything is doomed to die according to time, the only thing that prevails above all else is the... more>> IMMORTALITY.

Knowing this what he seeks is immortality, no matter in what form, he will do all he can to achieve eternal life. Honor, glory, shame, humiliation, friendship, love none of this matters to Fang Yuan. If he is to get something he needs to kneel, he will do without hesitation, if to reach immortality it is necessary to abandon his human body, he will do without hesitation. This is the kind of character of Fang Yuan, he no cares about nothing but eternal life. If by chance did he die trying? It will be without regrets!

Knowing that the author will not make things easy for Fang Yuan, if you do not mind an MC who will not have an easy way by the front, you can try to read Daoist Gu.

Since the beginning of the novel, all the steps of Fang Yuan are planned, he is a unique manipulator, an actor worthy of oscar, and that is how he will do things. He will use his intelligence and his rebirth advantage to stay above everyone, of course, not all of his plans will work out.

The history and something superb, something to be admired. The author is putting a lot of effort into it, even to the point of having spent 1 month without writing why he did not know the best way to continue the story. He preferred not to write and plan step by step than write without ideas, and end up spoiling the end of his story.

I like the minor characters and the enemies of Fang Yuan. All are intelligent, have their own goals and ideals and are good at planning, especially their main enemies, the venerables!

In the future Fang Yuan will have many clones, it is a lot of fun to see him fool the whole world with his clones while they are acting as righteous and noble people.

It's worth giving a try. <<less
15 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Zythnel
Zythnel rated it
November 4, 2021
Status: c231
I really had high expectations for this because it keeps getting compared to Lord of the Mysteries but what I get is massive disappointment. Please don't lump this tr*sh to Lotm.

The MC is but a pretentious hypocritical mu*der hobo. He's a machine designed to get the best possible resource at any given place and time. He has zero depth as a character because he just trades literally everything for anything that benefits him.

The power system is utterly ridiculous they raise bugs to cultivate, that's right raising bugs.
14 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
seldomsolace
seldomsolace rated it
December 2, 2020
Status: Completed
Wow, the reviewers down below are so downright s*upid that it's laughable. They are equating, dark novel readers = depressed people. Imagine if reading a horror thriller next time makes you a mu*derer or an evil spirit. Somehow these people, I feel sad for their pathetic hardwired opinionating to anything which doesn't conform their norm or lifestyle. They can't just know what's fun and what's fun is infact this novel.

Take it with a grain of salt, if you like nancy-pancy romance and upright stories with happy-go-lucky MCs, just don't bother... more>> even reviewing here and gtfo even if you've read 60 chapters.

Sorry, the rant because some people review a dark novel bad because it's not a "light and shine" novel? Like, imagine not liking a science fiction novel because it's not Bible. What were you expecting exactly? The tags are obvious if anything.

Too much words wasted on these newbs. sighs If anything, any and all review I wanted to do has already been stated perferctly so by 5 star reviewers. This novel is a gem. Hands down the best novel there is on the site indeed. It takes but a little bit of realistic-pragmatism to know that the Gu world is set as a Dark Souls Boss Fight level kinda. I'd probably phrase the novel as such; a Player who completes Dark Souls on their first attempt but dying at the most only 4 times through the walkthrough. Yes, that sounds enormously difficult but that's how Fang Yaun speedruns to outshine the best record setters before his time.

Translation is to the point. Thanks to Skyfarrow and later Chibi who did an awesome job doing this over. You people get overshadowed by the so good a read that people forget you were there all along. And thanks to Gu Zhen Ren-sama for such an awe-inspiring novel. <<less
14 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Brohatter
Brohatter rated it
June 14, 2018
Status: c650
Awesome story, he is the most deserving of his demonic title, morality is questioned a lot if you like friendly MCs, not for the faint of heart, it's a work in it's own right, different from the many other novels with indecisive or lightweight characters that drag themselves with their own grandiose title, Fang Yuan is decisive to the extreme, he follows his own goal and is aware of what he has to do.
14 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Nian
Nian rated it
December 11, 2020
Status: c2103
Gu Zhen Ren is probably the author I respect the most, considering how well written Reverend Insanity is. Fang Yuan is such a heretical character, but his determination to achieve his dream of eternal life is so admirable that one can't help but feel insecure. He is willing to torture, pillage, and kill anyone that dares get in his way, yet I can't see him as an absolutely bad guy. Yes, he is willing to walk the path of a villain, but that is only because the world that Fang... more>> Yuan resides in grants no rewards to heroes.
This is unlike any transmigration novel, as the status of being from another world means being the enemy of every native human. Reincarnation is not an absolute cheat, as every action outside of the original flow of time creates unpredictable variables. The amount of scheming and manipulation that occurs in both the shadows and the light makes one wonder how much the author thought ahead in making his story.
The main character is also not overpowered, as he was born with a below average physique. It is clear that the factors that make him frightening is his boundless caution, willingness to sacrifice, and his numerous back up plans. However, it is satisfying to see how the more influential and powerful he becomes, the more badass he is able to become as he now has the ability to flex his strength.
However, the main reason why I believe this novel stands out from the average wuxia novel is the philosophy. The author seems to have analyzed the structure of our society, pointing out the flaws and mental barriers that we place when moving about. Our desire for reputation, the binds of love and filial piety. Fang Yuan spits on the face of those who try to maintain order and prestige, as he shows why being a demon can be more pure-hearted than being a righteous hypocrite.
I will not lie, when I was in middle school these concepts were beyond me, causing met to drop it before the 100th chapter. However, when in high school and deciding to give it another go, I was shocked by how much depth hid underneath each sentence, and how threatening such a mindset is. I overwhelming recommend this novel as it has given me the mindset to pursue a life with no regret. <<less
13 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Fort de Knox
Fort de Knox rated it
September 24, 2020
Status: c1948
The MC is different from drom typical chinese MC, he is ruthless but isn’t psycho, killing to him is just a means, he is cunning, meticulous but he isn’t invincible, sometimes his plan does not come in to fruition but it makes the story more realistic... and most importantly he doesn’t think with his d*ck.
13 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
ActuallyRight
ActuallyRight rated it
May 8, 2022
Status: c213
The peak fiction for underage pseudo intellectuals and edgelords. These novel panders to the worst kind of demographic as it pretends it's "philosophical" when in fact it's just fake deep. Aside from that, it has plenty of glaring issues and even a subpar novel even for Chinese standards.

1. Translations

2. The padding is probably the worst I've read in CN novels recently. Every chapter goes on and on with the repetition of the same paragraphs for the nth time. There's zero sense of subtlety and it treats it's readers as complete... more>> r3tards. This novel fails spectacularly with the "show and don't tell" test.

3. The premise... is garbage. It's about some 500 year old has-been grandpa playing God with little children with all his future knowledge. This kills all the tension as you know he's always the smartest guy in the room.

4. The power system. For the all the praise it gets, there's nothing unique about it. You basically replace Dao with raising bugs. The said bugs encompasses "everything" literally. This sets a bad precedent to allow the author to pull whatever ass-pulls he can think of as there's Gu for everything.

5. Characters, is the weakest part of this novel. The MC is a flat, mu*der hobo with a personality of a dull brick. Other characters are either complete psychopaths or a bunch of nobodies just to wank the MC. <<less
12 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
AnEmptySky
AnEmptySky rated it
April 29, 2022
Status: c2334
A classic of the Xianxia genre. One of the most, if not the most, fleshed out power system - creative and logical, structured but flexible - it's the foundational rock that holds the setting. At no point did I feel like things happened without explanation, everything is accountable within the power system. Yet, the diversity and near infinite possibilities of Gu enables many distinct and unique abilities.

As a character, the MC is already developed. If the conventional character's journey is likened to that of a race, MCs generally start fresh... more>> at the starting line, any belief or personality is susceptible to change before they reach the end. However, the MC has already reached his finish line. This novel is more of an epic that details his grand feats. His drive for immortality is not simply for longevity but absolute invincibility where nothing can threaten him. Not because he fears death, rather it's that within this world the author has created, it's the only thing worth striving for. He has already experienced everything the human experience has to offer, from wealth to poverty, from beauty to ugliness, from love to hate, from the ruled to the ruler, he's done it all. If this was in our world, then such a dream is a fantasy, it's fine to pursue power or material wealth however transient they are, but in this world a sliver of a possibility exists. As such, it's the one thing he can finally dedicate his life to. If everything is temporary, why not strive for permanence?

Thus, he's willing to do anything and everything for this illusory goal. From being righteous, to be being demonic, it's all a means to an end. His journey gives his life meaning, even if he dies it won't be regrettable. The MC often gets misunderstood as edgy, which to a degree is undeniable as he often goes against society's norms and rules, it's part of the reason why it got banned by the CCP in the first place. But instead, I offer an alternate perspective - while Machiavellian and callous, the MC is the epitome of individualism. Everything he does is for himself, he holds no faith or loyalty to others and is purely selfish. People may try to imitate this in our real world but that's flawed to begin with. In the MC's world, an individual can overwhelm the masses through pure violence but not in ours. Instead, what I think is worth learning from is the MC's mindset: the drive to pursue what you want, to not regret even if you perish in your journey, if you can look back and say that you did your absolute best, then it's a life well lived. <<less
12 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
ChasingZephyr
ChasingZephyr rated it
March 4, 2022
Status: Completed
In most Chinese web novels, we have a protagonist that pursues the Dao. Along the way, there are friendships. There are arrogant young masters. There are auction houses and rare materials to be auctioned. Tournaments. A great enemy from beyond. A love interest. Ok sorry, multiple love interests. All the kind that makes a cultivation novel, a cultivation novel.

On the other hand, examining Reverend Insanity is a difficult task. In some form, it is a cultivation novel with a protagonist that has a different approach to life. In other forms,... more>> it is a philosophical work on life and a satire on the Chinese government. It makes it one of the most distinctive novels I've read. And keeping this in mind, the book only gets better.

A lot of people have difficulty relating to the main character Fang Yuan at the start; I agree. He is basically an old, edgy and emo dude who feeds a girl to a bear for his benefits. Now I will not defend that simply because you really cannot. Thus simply put: I'll tell you that the book gets better. Perhaps it was because the author never wanted Fang Yuan to be the protagonist. But he changed his mind. And begun writing the story differently.

So when does it get better? Volume 5. That is when the crucial plot comes in play. We have the big faction that controls the personification of Fate. We have characters that are overpowered yet written well enough that you would like them. We actually see Fang Yuan's background. How he came to be. Why he is who he is. And we see that he isn't necessarily evil. Simply put, the idea the author is trying to convey, isn't Fang Yuan being an evil mf who likes to commit evil for fun. He does it because that is the quickest way to his goal: eternal life.

Hence the philosophical approach to life. What does it mean to be alive? What are morals? What is justice? Why do you live? The novel makes you question these themes. Specifically, what is fate? Now I might be trying to sound deep and coming off like an idiot. But seriously. This book makes me think more than an English class ever did. Speaks a lot really on the education system.

So my advice? Ignore the reviews that hasn't read up to around a thousand chapters. Because that is the point where it gets epic. There are schemes. There are huge battles. There are tear-jerking moments. And of course, the novel is banned in China. Want to know why? Read it...

Signing off, if you dislike the relatively nihilistic view of life. The indifference to the idea of love or "true good", I do not recommend the novel. But if you want a different perspective? Do read it. <<less
12 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Bugai-sha
Bugai-sha rated it
December 12, 2021
Status: Completed
There are some boring parts in the middle, and the author was forced to abandon it because it was banned in China, but overall it is the best web novel I have ever read.

The plot is very deep and very well thought out, with very few plot holes (some plot holes do exist but they don’t retract the readers from the wonderful reading experience). The protagonist is unique. Although I completely disagree with the protagonist’s worldview / way of life, I can’t help but admire him and cheer for him.... more>> This is the power of this amazing story, it makes you empathize with and cheer for a completely unlikable and downright evil character.

I personally like this novel more than some of the best out there of the same kind like Lord of the Mysteries, and of other kinds like Release that Witch and The Second Coming of Gluttony etc. <<less
12 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
tistorm
tistorm rated it
March 19, 2021
Status: c2301
I have read tens and hundreds of novel, while most of them are like RI, they have not ended yet and you need to read the latest translation every few days. Reverend insanity is still the number 1 of them all.

I remember looking at the resume at least 5 time before starting to read it. simply because I didn't understand what the hell was ''Gu''. the verify brief introduction present it as an insect of sort and reading a story with insect was just weird to me. But still that... more>> badass picture... tags and excellent review made me start to read it. It was the best f******* decision I made ^^'.

The complexity and intricacy of the story is at a level I have never seen, still have not found anything that can come close to it. Keep in mind that there is 2300 chapters translated. this novel IS a masterpiece but you have to read more than 50 or only 100 chapters. If you only read a bit it is still one of the best novel but unlike most other it keeps getting better and better. Once you've read as far as I did, I am telling you it will become your number 1 novel as well.

You might also need to use your brain a little here, you might think that there is a lot of information missing, or inconsistency with the information you have and believe that the story is full of hole or doesn't make sense. Because you have gotten used to the kind of author who will just give you all the answer and explanation in the background while the MC are obvious and you happily continue to read eagerly waiting for the MC to get to know the same information you have received and take fun in trying to guess is reaction and follow up. Well, in RI you feel lost because the readers is actually the one who knows nothing. as long as you've not read past the fate war there is still a huge load of information you are missing and a lot of things you don't know. (and after it, hehe well lets say we have come to a good understanding of the rank 1 to 8 and we are discovering the level 9.) In general the MC will know things and will reveal them to you at a good moment for the story. It would suck for him sit down after being reborn and explain to you everything he got to know in his 500 years of life before. But if you are really cleaver you will pick up quite a good amount of clues that may help you to guess his future action. It always make a lot of sense once you get the explanation afterward and go back to those clues. And for me a story that can keep a strong logic and development from first chapter to the end is very very rare.

Spoiler

There is a huge game of chess being played over millenniums with only 10 player in it, playing against each other and the world over the different Era. Even dead they are still playing. Every being under that legendary rank 9 are pawns. And so is our MC. It take a ''long time'' until as a reader you will be able to clearly read that, but there are clues and red flag everywhere when you know it.

[collapse]

As far as I know the novel is currently banned and the author can't continue to release the story, but even so you should still read it. I mean if you can read a novel that is currently being written with even less than 1000 chapters released you don't know either if you will get the ending anyway. So unless you only start reading a story if the end is already written and available. Definitely still read what is out there :) for RI.

Good point of this novel : Everything - With the only condition that you at least can enjoy the best cultivation novel. if you only read lovely / Romance novel with the cliché rich man going after the pitiful woman with a terrible family well I am glad to say thanks god that you won't find this in reverend insanity :D <<less
12 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
TywadS
TywadS rated it
August 28, 2020
Status: c1800
If you don't like the protagonist you won't like the novel, but I feel like I do need to clear some misconceptions that other reviews have, our MC does have emotions "he has abundant emotions he does not lack anything. Even though he pursues strength, he is not obsessed with it. What drives him to do this is his goal. This goal is deeply ingrained in his heart, not only three lifetimes, even after a hundred lifetimes, it cannot be eradicated." Our MC pursues immortality because of the splendour of... more>> the goal, there is no proof that immortality exists in the Gu world, but our MC pursues it anyway. Just because he pursues immortality doesn't mean he fears death or failure, in fact the action of pursuing immortality and defying fate is in itself self destructive. But he finds that only with such a grand goal can his life have any meaning. It's also important to take notice that the reviews of people who have read a lot of the novel differ greatly from those who haven't. I've seen some reviews stating that the MC needs to grow up when in reality he's already a fully developed character with nuanced and interesting philosophies. <<less
12 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Thorren
Thorren rated it
August 22, 2018
Status: c446
Ok to start with I really like the world set up and the use of Gu. It is very creative and one of the combat systems that I have enjoyed the most out of the different novels I read. The way that characters utilize different combinations and different Gu to create entirely different combat styles was great.

Now for the thing that I did not like so much. The author prides himself on making a dark and ruthless character that has no moral qualms and would literally sell his own grandma... more>> for a quarter... he actually does much worse to his clan. However, sometimes Fang Yuan is just cruel for cruelties sake. It doesn't gain him anything and actually complicates his life. For instance,
Spoiler

when traveling through the mountains and Fang Yuan is trying to get close to Shang Xin Ci he kills her guardian because he said he thought there was a small chance that Bai Ning Bing may plan something with him. He then has to go through this long plan to force a guy that uses zombies to kill everyone else in case someone saw him kill the guardian for no reason.

[collapse]
There was no point to it and it complicated his life. The author frequently says that he is honest with his actions. When he wants to kill someone he kills them when he wants to steal he steals. However, the author seems to repeatedly have Fang Yuan go way out of his way to basically be a demon, no matter how inconvenient it is for him. By trying so hard to write a dark character the author has made a guy who is basically a blood-thirsty psychopath.

Oh and I just got to where
Spoiler

Fang Yuan convince a young girl he is a hero, fall in love with him and when he agrees to marry her she is so happy right up through the point where he stabs her in the chest with a knife. The girl is still so in love with him that when he does this she says that she understands that she was getting in his way and would give him all her Gu to help him. All she wanted was a hug while she died. He just stood there like a bastard. This whole part pissed me off because the whole reason she had to die was that when he randomly teleported it just so happened to be right next to this sweet young girl who ran away to avoid a forced marriage. It was so unnecessary. I knew that she was going to be killed off, but she herself was an unnecessary addition for no good reason.

[collapse]
It really annoyed me. She was not necessary to the story in any way except providing one more opportunity for the author to demonstrate how dark his writing can be. I enjoy a good anti-hero story, but just the evils that the author writes in for basically no reason makes the whole story much less enjoyable than it could be if Fang Yuan was someone who only killed when needed and didn't so often go way out of his way to be evil. <<less
12 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Amss
Amss rated it
August 22, 2018
Status: --
what an edgy novel.

This novel doesn't disappoint in evil, the MC is one of the cruelest MCs on NU and has a ton of bodies to show for it. The MC uses everyone around him and kills without batting an eye. There is no one that the MC truly cares for other than himself and maybe that is founded in his character but he also manages to be one of the hot-blooded evil MCs I've read about. He kills not out of necessity but for no reason at all leaving... more>> many loose threads, some of which may be deadly were it not for his thick plot armor. One example from earlier chapters is Wang da, the demonic cultivator who had a grudge against the MC for killing his entire family. Bearing a grudge against the MC, the demonic cultivator sets out to kill him but was trumped when the MC found one of his bases and discovered the conspiracy. Not mentioning how convenient it all was, when Wang Da discovered his family had been killed, did he not maybe think that his bases may have been compromised, is he so s*upid as to not think of that. The MC conveniently always has the upper hand and he is constantly doing outrageous sh*t that get looked over by other, seemingly wise, people because "He knows how to play the system". <<less
12 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
ninthlite
ninthlite rated it
June 25, 2017
Status: v1c33
Refreshing to read a xianxia that is not about a self righteous hypocrite. He does what he wants and uses force to do it. He has no moral qualms about anything.
12 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Alex Woods
Alex Woods rated it
June 30, 2021
Status: c2200
I have read more than 500 novels both western and asian but I have never seen something like it.

First thing first this novel is not for everyone. If you still enjoy face slapping, young masters then do yourself a favour and don't read the novel.

But if you are sick and tired of all the clinches and are looking for a novel with good plot, insane plot twists then you are welcome here.

As people who have read famous western novels know that many parts of the novel might be boring, may... more>> not deliever the kicks but you have to be patient. This novel is just like that. You have to be patient, very patient. If you dont like some aspects of the novel read more.

Honestly I didnt like the novel much till 700 or so chapter. I began to love it with a passion after 1200 chapters.

Dont read any spoilers of the novel. As you progress forward you will find plot twists and schemes like you cant even imagine.

The author is a guy who will kill the MC if it means making the plot better. MC will suffer, an not always have an easy time. But one of the things I love about Fang Yuan no matter whoever tries to drag him dowm he will always rise wish not just s*upid usual determination but with schemes and plots.

This world is a limited, resources are limited, even large sects have limited resources. So people have to use their brain for advancement in cultivation. At immortal level fights use up resources so people try to avoid hot blooded fights and use their brain.

Here people get smarter as the cultivation increases. No one is s*upid. MC sometimes gets outsmarted.

I wont say more read it and persist. <<less
11 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Everlasting_Chaos rated it
April 6, 2021
Status: c2335
*This review was written by a user Lkheir on web novel, but it perfectly suited my thoughts. So why do I have to write again? Lol Nevertheless, here we go.

Reverend Insanity is an absolute masterpiece, an example of just about everything good in xianxia, taken to its peak. If you have even a vague interest in the genre, RI is a must-read by all means - even if you do dislike some aspects of it.

What makes RI so outstanding is primarily the plot, structured into distinct 'volumes'. (Though the ones... more>> marked as "1" and "2" here on Webnovel are actually the same volume) The novel starts off somewhat slow, but over the course of each volume slowly builds up to an absolutely massive climax in the last 30-40 chapters of a volume, the likes of which I have not found in ANY other web novel out there - and very few print book series for that matter!

That may sound like an exaggeration, but the first couple of turning points are amazing beyond words - unbelievably intense and unpredictable - yet so incredibly well set up and foreshadowed, with surprisingly few plot holes considering the sheer scale.

And that, in a regular-release piece of ambitious action fantasy is a very impressive achievement.

At its core, RI is a classic xianxia novel, with a 'relatively' traditional cultivation system, clad in the cover of 'gu' - magic insects that form the basis of not just the power system, but society on the whole, from street lights to letters, to houses. While certainly a unique take on cultivation, with some other interesting twists I won't spoil, it's still very much a xianxia, the internal cultivation remains much the same, and many traditional elements, such as dao paths, pill refining, heavenly tribulations, inheritances, blessed lands, and so forth do appear, though often with different names.

Our main character, Fang Yuan, is not only a reincarnator, but originally a transmigrator as well. Don't put too much focus on the latter, but the fact is, this is his third rodeo, and he certainly acts like it. He is mature, driven, and logical. Unlike many reincarnation novels, our hundreds-of-years-old MC does not act like a naive teenager with plot-convenient 'past knowledge' that is only used as deus ex machina, no, Fang Yuan is very much an experienced adult, callous, scarred, hardened, and cynical after his past life.

And while I certainly consider this a good thing, it's also one of the key points that will turn some people off RI.

Because Fang Yuan is not a hero. He is not an anti-hero. He is not neutral. He is EVIL, to the core who has reached the peak stage of budhism. Not your prideful, arrogant villain, your crazed maniacal slaughterer-for-fun, or your edgy brooding git, thank god. But he is cold, cruel, calculating, and utterly amoral. He is a manipulative double-crosser who knows when to act nice for his own benefit. There is no wholesomeness to be found, and very little comedy, this story is DARK and cruel, with virtually no exception.

And don't expect this to change much. While Fang Yuan is a fairly interesting character, he's already a grown man with hundreds of years of experience - there is not much character growth to be found.

Most side characters are fleshed out enough to seem like realistic, grounded people, with their own ideals, beliefs, and motivations, even quite minor characters. There are some characters which receive significantly more characterisation, and remain relevant throughout the story, and very few are entirely forgotten. But ultimately, this is not a story with more than one main protagonist.

The author does not do what oh so many other authors do, in trying to write an intelligent MC by making all other characters utter morons. No, not only is our main character well and truly intelligent, so is just about everyone else. There are extremely few incompetent characters, even throw-away villains, minor characters, and lunatics are generally intelligent and rational, with very little of the clichéd blind arrogance or utter s*upidity so common in xianxia works.

Of course, while characters are generally intelligent, they are still limited by perspective, circumstance, pride, and rules/standards, and certainly, make many errors and poor decisions from an omniscient point of view. What sets our MC apart is not that he is all that more intelligent, but that he is experienced, amoral, and shameless - without the slightest care for pride, rules, or reputation.

And another thing that sets RI apart from many other novels, be they xianxia or not, is that there is absolutely no romance. Zero. Zilch. We have one, perhaps two minor characters with an adoration towards Fang Yuan, but, as one would expect of intelligent characters when faced with a cold, loveless killer, they don't ever bring it up, and merely keep at a distance.

One of the central recurring themes in RI is the idea of individuals versus organised groups. While with a fair bit of bias, seeing as our MC very much stands for the former, this is portrayed in a rather grey sense, with deceit, abuse and corruption, contra caring, love, and fairness being portrayed on both sides. For the most part, the author seems to write from a fairly open-minded perspective, which can very much be a breath of fresh air.

And another praiseworthy aspect is that our MC, while certainly evil, and a complete psychopath, is by no means a hypocrite. He knows full well that he is evil, and makes no attempt to seek a moral high ground - if it gets him to his goal, he has no qualms with being in the 'wrong', and does not attempt to justify his actions. There are no rose-tinted glasses here.

The world itself has a very strong foundation, with clear and distinct world-building, history, rules, and organizational structures - everything 'makes sense', and this is something that really sets RI up for greatness. There is in-universe mythology that permeates through the story, often founding the basis for not just cultivation, but beliefs, ideals, and ways of thought as well. I do, however believe that it is important to see it as such, as much like real-world mythology, it is simplified, over-exaggerated, and metaphorical - which makes perfect sense for abstract stories passed down over countless years.

While I praise it to high heavens, and it is one of the extremely few novels I will ever give a perfect score, there is still no such thing as a perfect novel.

It can absolutely be polarizing to a lot of people, Fang Yuan is definitely not everyone's type of MC, the serious tone doesn't ever really go away, and it is still ultimately a xianxia - which some people will like and others not.

And while basically unavoidable, the lulls between climaxes can feel unbelievably slow. They are undeniably important, as they are dense to the point of bursting with foreshadowing and set-up, but by god can it be slow. The fourth (fifth on Webnovel) volume in particular really drags on, and while the pay-offs may be worth it, getting there can be a slog, especially once caught up and reading chapters as they are translated.

Besides the novel itself, the translation is excellent, with the occasional slip-up here and there, but a reasonable pace and consistently good quality. There is very little to complain about here.

Ultimately, I believe that beyond the plot, what makes RI so bloody good is an incredible consistency. Characters are consistent in their actions and beliefs, the power system is well-founded, with the vast majority of power-ups making perfect sense - in fact, just about everything in the story just makes sense.

Very little feels shoehorned in, little is left out, ignored, or unexplained, and there is an incredible amount of foreshadowing and build-up.

And this is why I believe that while it may not be a perfect novel, RI achieves what it sets out to achieve. There is no such thing as a flawless or universally appealing novel, but for what it is, RI is downright fantastic. Even if you do dislike aspects of it, even if the genre does not interest you, at least the first 400 chapters or so are absolutely worth a read for the quality alone. Said quality does not decay beyond that, but the story does slow down quite significantly, and if you already weren't interested it may be hard to tough it out between the climaxes. <<less
11 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
ShayatX
ShayatX rated it
November 19, 2020
Status: --
This is a review to all the people probably scrolling past and wanting to know if they should read it or not after reading mixed reviews.

The answer is, a most definite YES! I'll explain why but before..

Disclaimer: This novel isn't for edgelords (since they saw Ruthless MC in tags, muhh), wannabe elitists (who think they are know it all) and s*upid inept imbeciles (because they lack the necessary brains to comprehend this beauty, sorry to be straightforward). If you think you're any of the above, don't bother. You'd... more>> just review it with 1 star and wimp away.

Now then, first and foremost. MC has emotions, rather lots of them. Don't let those half wit reviews tell you otherwise. He has so many damn emotions that he actually has transcended them. MC, infact is what makes the novel. Ofcourse all novels revolve around their MCs, but this novel in particular is what it is because MC's interactions, his perception to life, his philosophies are so realistic and intricate, you'd wonder if he is a Buddha and you're reading a gospel guide to become an achiever, believer.

That also means there's no character development. This novel has no character development at all. You might say he's the same apathetic and mu*derous selfish fool but he's that way because no matter how many lifetimes he lives, his intrinsic nature, his ideals, his way of life brings it back to square one. The only thing he seeks thrill and worth to be alive for is to seek Eternal Immortality. Else, he'd consider himself no better than a pile of ash. This unfettered, unbridled personality filters him out from the casuals.

There are so many equally smart or cunning characters in this Dog-eat-Dog world that even at an apex one can't say quiet confidently that they're the best.

The cultivation is the most unique there is. Nothing comes close in all the 50 or so cultivation novels I've read. There are 'Gu' insects. They are the fragments of the Great Dao in this world. A cultivator without Gu or its essence are just shells, no matter if you're the most supreme entities in this world; the Venerables.

Imagine a Gu as an alphabet in the dictionary. A single alphabet can have thousands of fonts. Two alphabets together can make a 2 letter word. Three, a bigger word. These alphabets can also be used with other alphabets of another language. And there are hundreds of such languages. Now add numbers like you would in your quadratic equations. Yes, yes. I know it is complex but this is the only most suitable analogy I could come up with. It is heavy, unfathomable but it is worth it. No way is it repetitive or an info dump. The Gu World is always researching and discovering new means of cultivation with the 'Gu'. Favourite catchphrase, "There are no powerful Gu, only powerful Gu Masters."

Also, there are no s*upid pills, swords, lucky encounters, martial arts booklets, AI, modifiers, lucky charms, spells, magic, mana, divinity, silver spoon kind of bullsh*t here. Everything Fang Yuan achieves is with metel, schemes, bribery, finance, sugar-talks, plots and blood. He also loses on many occasions. That's how tough this world is.

World building and political situation in the 5 continents and 2 'heavens' is almost infinite. To give a scale, a single continent is like a size of 10 Earths iirc. And one heaven is many times bigger than all the continents combined. And there are 2 of such 'heavens'. This gives us many topographies, resources, humans, variant humans, Immemorial Beasts of all kinds and species.

There are equally many illustritious characters. Everyone of these can become a MC in their own right. They're all very well written.

Miscellaneous, there's also another stroy going on parallel in the novel called the 'Legends of Ren Zu'. Consider it as a Bible of the Gu World. It provides the cultivators to come with wisdom, insights and inspirations. Very 'inception' kinda way of going about it but it is absolutely a gem. Some readers might consider them fillers but they are like a breath of fresh air, giving another layer of richness and flavour to the novel.

This novel is so rouge and unrelenting, Chinese Govt. Had to ban it. Its one major arc emphasised on seeking freedom and breaking away from the shackles of a system. Props to the author. This author has left behind the others by a mile. Imho, this novel could be considered a great fantasy on the global stage. Not just as a xianxia but as an awesome read.

So just read it on Webnovel or download them epubs already! Have fun. <<less
11 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Leave a Review (Guidelines)
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.