Reverend Insanity: The Gacha System

The air in the arena crackled with anticipation as the Gu Master overseeing the competition stepped forward, his voice ringing out clearly. "Next match: Li Tianhuan versus Han Jingwei!"

Li Tianhuan rose from his seat, his expression calm but focused. The murmurs in the crowd grew louder as he made his way to the stage. His opponent, Han Jingwei, was already standing in the arena, his tall frame exuding confidence. Han Jingwei was a Rank 2 Initial Stage Gu Master, known for his skillful use of Illusion Path Gu worms. His dark robes fluttered lightly in the breeze, and his sharp eyes scanned Li Tianhuan with a faint smirk.

"Let the match begin!" the Gu Master declared, stepping back to give them space.

Han Jingwei wasted no time, activating his Mirage Distortion Gu. The air around him shimmered, and his figure seemed to split into three identical copies, each one moving in a different direction. The illusions were seamless, their movements perfectly synchronized, making it nearly impossible to discern the real Han Jingwei.

Li Tianhuan didn't flinch. He activated his own Mirage Gu, creating multiple duplicates of himself that mirrored his every motion. The stage was suddenly filled with phantoms, each weaving and shifting through the space, a chaotic dance of illusions.

Han Jingwei's voice echoed from all directions, taunting. "Impressive, but let's see how long you can keep up."

The copies of Han Jingwei launched coordinated attacks, streaks of energy flying toward Li Tianhuan's illusions. Two of his duplicates dissipated under the onslaught, but the real Li Tianhuan remained hidden among the remaining phantoms, his position impossible to pinpoint.

Li Tianhuan analyzed the battlefield with a sharp mind. "He's trying to flush me out by overwhelming my illusions,"

He activated his Mist Veil Gu, enveloping the stage in a dense fog that blurred the lines between reality and illusion. The crowd murmured in surprise as the battlefield disappeared into the swirling mist, leaving only vague silhouettes of the combatants visible.

"Elder Yan Shu, be ready. The plan is about to begin in three breaths," Li Tianhuan said, his voice calm and deliberate as he transmitted it directly to Elder Yan Shu.

[Flashback]

The study was dimly lit, with shelves of ancient tomes lining the walls and a faint scent of aged parchment lingering in the air. Yan Shu sat behind a wooden desk, his posture regal yet relaxed, as he regarded Li Tianhuan with a discerning gaze.

"Li Tian," Yan Shu began, his tone measured and deliberate. "I have watched your progress closely. Your aptitude is promising, come join my faction."

Li Tianhuan's expression remained steady, but his eyes glinted with a hint of defiance. "Elder Yan Shu, I know I have good aptitude with a promising future. You don't need to tell me."

Yan Shu paused for a moment, then broke into a deep laugh. "You are just a frog in the well," he said, his tone sharp and cutting. "What do you know about this world? You're merely a B-grade talent child at Rank 1."

Li Tianhuan's gaze turned cold, his voice calm yet carrying an edge that sent a chill through the air. "Me? I know everything about this world... and about you too."

"Hmph, who do you think you are, to court death in front of a Rank 5?" Yan Shu sneered as he released the oppressive aura of his Rank 5 cultivation. The room seemed to tremble under the weight of his power.

But Li Tian remained silent, a cold smile forming on his lips. "Then can you kill me? No, you can't. If you do, the other three elders will gang up on you. And let's not forget… your granddaughter is in my hands."

Yan Shu's eyes narrowed sharply. "What do you mean my granddaughter is in your hands? Even though she may love you, she won't go against my word."

"Oh, that's interesting. Then is she fake?" Li Tianhuan said with mock curiosity. His smile deepened as he called out loudly, "Yueqing, can you please come here? Your grandfather is calling."

Moments later, Yan Yueqing stepped into the study, her face flushed with a soft blush as her eyes landed on Li Tianhuan. Her movements were hesitant, but her gaze carried a mix of curiosity and shyness as she approached. "Grandfather, you called for me?" she asked, her voice gentle yet uncertain, stealing a quick glance at Li Tianhuan before looking away, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of red.

"Does what he said true?" Yan Shu asked, his voice sharp and demanding.

Yueqing hesitated but then nodded firmly. "Yes, Grandfather, I love him. I can do anything for him."

Yan Shu's face darkened. "Do you know what he is saying? He is threatening our family."

Tears welled up in Yueqing's eyes as she replied, "I don't care, Grandfather. He is the person I love. If you do anything to him, I will kill myself."

"You... you!" Yan Shu stammered, his anger evident but his words faltering in the face of her resolve.

Li Tianhuan stepped forward, his tone calm yet tinged with mockery. "Ooh, Xi Qing," he said softly, opening his arms as Yueqing began to cry. "Come here. Your grandfather doesn't know anything about love. He only cares about power and views us all as tools." He pulled her gently into his chest, comforting her as she sobbed. He cast a cold glance at Yan Shu, who could only glare back in silence.

"Okay, now don't cry," Li Tianhuan said softly, rubbing Yueqing's hair. "Go back for now. I will meet you again. I have something important to discuss with your grandfather." He gently guided her out of the study, her sobs quieting as she nodded and left the room.

Within seconds, Li Tianhuan returned to the study, his expression now steeled. Yan Shu's face had darkened further, frustration and anger evident in his furrowed brows and clenched fists. Yet, despite his fury, the elder remained silent. 

Li Tianhuan clapped his hands sharply, the sound echoing through the tense study. "Now then, Elder Yan Shu, should we discuss?" he said, his tone laced with confidence. He dragged a wooden chair from the side of the room to the center, the legs scraping audibly against the floor. With deliberate ease, he sat down, crossing one leg over the other. One hand rested on his chin while the other casually gripped the armrest, his gaze fixed on Yan Shu with a cold, mocking smile. He looked every bit a king addressing a subject, his presence dominating the room.