Reverend Insanity
Chinese xianxia novel by Gu Zhen Ren
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Reverend Insanity (Chinese: 蛊真人; pinyin: Gǔ Zhēn Rén) is a Chinese xianxia novel written by Gu Zhen Ren (蛊真人). It was serialized on the online platform Qidian from 22 June 2012 until its termination in May 2019, totaling 2,333 chapters plus an epilogue. In May 2019, the novel was banned in mainland China for allegedly "promoting unhealthy values of violence, cruelty, and extreme individualism" and was removed from all major domestic platforms. The author has released no new chapters since the ban.[1]
Plot
During a final battle against the Gu Immortals and most of the righteous factions, Fang Yuan activates the Spring Autumn Cicada Gu, reversing time and returning his soul 500 years to his fifteen-year-old body on Qing Mao Mountain.
Reborn with complete memories and centuries of experience, Fang Yuan pursues eternal life without moral constraints. He manipulates clans, orchestrates massacres, and betrays allies when expedient. Using foreknowledge of inheritances, heavenly tribulations, and the eventual convergence of the Five Regions, he rapidly ascends while having only one objective: reaching eternal life.
Setting
The Gu World is built around Gu, sentient parasitic insects, each granting exactly one unique ability. Examples include Moonlight Gu (projectile attacks), Spring Autumn Cicada (time reversal), and Fate Gu (destiny manipulation). Cultivators do not gain power directly; they must locate, refine, nurture, and combine Gu inside their aperture. Resources are finite, leading to constant conflict.
Cultivation is divided into nine ranks, with rank 6 marking the divide between mortal Gu Masters and immortal Gu Immortals. The world consists of five major regions: Southern Border, Northern Plains, Eastern Sea, Western Desert, and Central Continent, initially separated by regional walls.
Characters
Fang Yuan: Fang Yuan (古月方源, Gu Yue Fang Yuan, lit. Ancient Moon Fang Yuan) is the protagonist of Reverend Insanity.
Publication history
The novel was first published on Qidian on 22 June 2012. Serialization continued until May 2019, when it was forcibly discontinued following a government ban.[2]
Translations
An official English translation was published on Webnovel beginning in 2019, but was discontinued around chapter 1,000 in 2021. Unofficial fan translations covering all 2,333 chapters remain available online.[3]
Censorship
In April 2018, Reverend Insanity was officially banned in mainland China and removed from all major domestic platforms. Chinese authorities cited concerns about the novel "promoting unhealthy values of violence, cruelty, and extreme individualism." No new official chapters have been released since the ban, though the author has published other works.[4][5][6]
Adaptations
Reception
Outside China, the novel has been praised by readers and critics for its detailed world-building, long-term foreshadowing, and morally ambiguous protagonist. International readers frequently rank it alongside other popular Chinese web novels such as Lord of the Mysteries and Warlock of the Magus World. Within China, the novel remains officially condemned and inaccessible on legal platforms.[9]