Kang De

Biodata

Power Progression

Kang De’s growth is documented through acquired powers, enhancements, and techniques rather than a named sequence of cultivation realms.

Background / History

Kang De spent his first twenty years as an ordinary Earthling. His father, Kang Jinzhu, worked on engineering projects in Africa, while Kang De lived with his mother, Teacher Li. She introduced him to racing and extreme sports, including skiing, climbing, rappelling, and skydiving. Her practical lessons also included knowledge of arson and explosives that later helped him survive in another world 22 503.

He spent roughly a year isolated in the Holy Seal Archipelago, strengthening himself with Black Beast crystals and practicing with its unusual animal inhabitants. Without proper instruction, he concentrated on throwing axes, crossbows, and firearms rather than attempting to master combat archery. His encounters with Princess Tina and Cleveland eventually drew him out of isolation and into the Goth–Moon War 7 43 49 64.

Although frequently identified as Cathayan because of his appearance and language, Kang De repeatedly distinguishes Cathay from his actual homeland. He retains a strong attachment to China and explicitly identifies his upbringing—not his supernatural powers—as the foundation of his values 79 290 670.

Appearance

Kang De has Eastern features and short black hair, with an appearance that initially leads otherworlders to assume he comes from Cathay 8 75 383.

• Early presentation: Clean skin, carefully groomed facial hair, unfamiliar clothing fabrics, and good health make him appear wealthy to Tina and observers at the docks 8 75.
• Later changes: Xiaoman notices a slightly darker complexion, subtle physical changes, and a much greater change in his confidence, posture, and bearing 114.
• Right eye: Develops a shifting, kaleidoscope-like pattern after the Crimson Scroll’s awakening 161.
• Differing impressions: Stella does not find him conventionally handsome, but is struck by his resolve and compassion; Dairila considers him exceptionally attractive among humans 383 888.

Personality

Kang De’s moral boundaries are rooted in his parents’ teaching and modern Chinese education. Even after prolonged isolation, he refuses to take advantage of an unconscious Tina because he wants to return to his parents with “clean hands.” He continues to regard himself as an ordinary person with desires, laziness, impulsiveness, and selfishness rather than a saint 7 427.

Isolation leaves him suspicious of strangers and aware that his mental state has deteriorated. Cleveland initially sees dangerous instability beneath his self-control, while Kang De later becomes disturbed by how naturally he considers manipulation and killing. Warfare deepens this conflict: he worries that his values and sense of belonging are shifting toward the other world 17 75 83 202.

He is protective of the vulnerable but capable of extreme retaliation. Cleveland’s sacrifice becomes a lasting guide to his conduct, especially his anger at injustice and willingness to help people who resist oppression. He nevertheless distinguishes ordinary loyalty to one’s homeland from betrayal of a personal oath, and can accept the former while punishing the latter ruthlessly 392 588.

His irreverence extends to nobles, monarchs, and his own family. He dislikes hereditary privilege, rejects kneeling among his followers, and supports cooperation across racial and national boundaries. At home, his formidable public reputation does not prevent his parents from teasing and outmaneuvering him 24 630 661 736.

Abilities & Skills

Power of the Fire Thief

Extracts Elements from matter and magic, then applies them elsewhere. Kang De builds his fighting style around combining this inheritance with Earth’s industrial products rather than pursuing the previous Fire Thief’s predominantly physical approach 71 503.

• Material destruction: Can annihilate objects through Extraction, including weapons and siege equipment 13 135 207.
• Property transfer: Extracts a blade’s sharpness and surrounding flames to enhance a throwing axe 135.
• Magical cancellation: Can dismantle spells, but must actively recognize and react to them; it is not a permanently active defense 73.
• Extraction from living beings: Has extracted powerful elves during the war; soul extraction is also identified as an available interrogation method 531 811.

Enchanting

Reconstructs elemental arrays or uses white-fog Elements to create fantasy-derived items 19 35.

• Copied enchantments: Reproduces effects without the conventional training, materials, or magical foundation expected of an enchanter 19.
• Random creations: Can transform suitable objects into items resembling those from Earth’s fiction, though outcomes are uncertain 35 71.
• Battlefield supply: Develops enchanted ammunition and studies ways to improve entire units rather than relying solely on his own fighting strength 178.
• Material limits: Excessive enchantment can destroy an item. One powerful flaming-axe attack kills a Black Beast but shatters the axe 23.
• Production limits: Repetitive, concentration-intensive work restricts his output, and he initially lacks expertise in matching enchantments to material properties 178.

Space–Time Manipulation

The Crimson Scroll and his developing authority over the White Mist World enable travel, accelerated action, and spatial attacks 202 376.

• World travel: Moves between Earth, the White Mist World, and the other world 13 114.
• Teleportation: Sets teleportation points and transports himself with Horus during successive attacks 202 308.
• Firepower deployment: Opens Phase Gates to bring weapons fire from the White Mist World into an ongoing battle 530.
• Attack redirection: Sends a falling object through a portal into Zhuerban instead of allowing it to strike the elven camp 481.
• Home-ground advantage: Can manipulate space and time against enemies brought into the White Mist World, including forcing them to strike themselves 608.
• Limits: Some rule-changing privileges work only inside the White Mist World. Deep-sea pressure also affects Phase Gate deployment 377 768.

Enhanced Physique and Axe Combat

Crystal enhancement, Dou Qi, and alchemical potions give him strength, perception, and speed far beyond an ordinary human’s 73 91 186.

• Throwing: Devotes much of his island training to throwing, especially axes 8.
• Close combat: Initially fights through direct, forceful attacks rather than a formal martial system 10 186.
• Technical improvement: Receives a Phoenix King’s axe technique from Tagelise 291.
• Early weaknesses: Superior physical abilities do not initially compensate for his lack of skill against experienced warriors such as Lost. He also lacks experience fighting groups, making Hong San’s protection especially valuable 91 186.

Modern Weapons and Combined-Arms Warfare

Uses firearms, artillery, vehicles, aerial attacks, enchantments, and spatial movement as parts of a single military system 308 359 424.

• Precision fire: Enhanced vision, time acceleration, spatial perception, and a mental link with Horus allow him to direct tank-cannon fire into a fast-moving melee 531.
• Artillery: Personally operates heavy guns alongside alchemical puppets and employs grouped bombardment 359 847.
• Strategic destruction: His forbidden spells annihilate five Dragon Banner formations at Valentan and nearly destroy the elven expeditionary force at Danfeng Lucerne 381 424.
• Constraints: Powerful magical defenses can reduce the effectiveness of conventional weapons. Large attacks also risk unacceptable collateral damage, including tsunamis 649.

Paradox Element Control

Possesses an unusually strong affinity for the Paradox Element and can identify and extract it from infected people 556.

• Sees contamination as purple specks within bodies 556.
• Treats infected fleet personnel through brief physical contact, such as a handshake or a pat on the shoulder 556.
• Clears aberrant corrosion from Lily after Cuixisi wounds her 532.

Driving and Survival Skills

His mother’s instruction and island experience provide practical skills beyond supernatural combat 22.

• Drives cars and motorcycles, including carrying Cleveland over rough island terrain 22.
• Uses improvised incendiaries, explosives, and modified tools 8 22.
• Improves his cooking and calligraphy through sustained practice during isolation 8.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Axes — His signature weapons, used for close combat, throwing, and elemental enhancement. Tina later recovers an axe from Glittering Sand; he gives it back to her during their reunion 8 135 389.
• Early survival arsenal — Shotgun, pistol, nail gun, Molotov cocktails, homemade flashbangs, pepper spray, throwing knives, and a stun baton 8.
• Crimson Scroll — Divine artifact supporting time acceleration, spatial powers, teleportation points, and control over the White Mist World’s time anchor 202.
• Horus — Transforming mechanical companion who serves as transportation, combat support, and a fire-control partner. Can detach his protected core to assist Kang De as an exoskeleton 310 419 531.
• Shadow Lone Walker Set — Enchanted stealth equipment with temporary invisibility, silent movement, detection suppression, and a bracer-generated atmospheric shield 320.
• Centurion War Armor — Armor equipped with a frost sprayer; can transform into a massive bronze sphere for attacks 377.
• Potions and spell scrolls — Carries enhancement potions and magical scrolls as supplementary combat resources 106 320.
• Divine Ring of Stellar Authority — Reacts violently during his intimate encounter with Malegith, who suppresses its attack with Phoenix Flame 675.

Relationships

• Tina — Princess of Goth and his romantic partner. Her openness helps counter his distrust of strangers. They discuss marriage, but she declines to set a date before victory over the Star Palace 49 75 844.
• Cleveland — Initially attacks him through a misunderstanding, then becomes his friend and combat instructor. His death profoundly shapes Kang De’s later life and sense of responsibility 9 74 392.
• Hong San — Follower, adviser, and battlefield partner. Covers weaknesses in Kang De’s fighting style and pledges to help accomplish his goals even if those goals do not include saving Cathay 186 427.
• A Xing — Close island companion who comes to his aid at Valentan. She later tries to make him recognize her as a girl rather than only as a gorilla 222 389.
• Horus — Mechanical companion who addresses him as “Father.” Their mental connection supports coordinated combat, although Horus also meddles in his romantic affairs 389 419 531.
• Xiaoman — Close companion on Earth who supports his continued involvement in the other world. Their relationship attracts romantic assumptions, though she denies that he is her boyfriend 247 437 681.
• Lily — Dragon girl, covenant partner, and intended instructor in Dragon Language Magic. Her advice helps persuade him to distinguish ignorant rioters from deliberate instigators 463 555.
• Dairila — Elven ruler and romantic partner. Their relationship survives wartime suspicion; she forgives him and asks him to earn elven trust by fighting the Star Palace and making amends 387 629 808 888.
• Malegith / Parrot — Island companion and previous Phoenix King. Fears that he might disappear without farewell, kisses him, and publicly declares him her man 675.
• Kang Jinzhu and Teacher Li — His parents. Their moral instruction anchors his identity, while his mother’s practical lessons contribute directly to his survival skills 7 22 670.
• Leona — Ally associated with the Vidal Chamber of Commerce. Worries about his safety and rebukes him for risking his life 174 202.
• Grand Duke Reknos — Tina’s father and an increasingly strained political ally. Supplies resources for the Broken Isles crisis but clashes with Kang De over nobles and Goth’s future 612 844.
• Otto II — Emperor whose hostility develops into an unusual mixture of admiration, curiosity, and protectiveness. Agrees to attend the Distant Harbor summit and assist him, while hoping Kang De will transform the world 918.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Holy Seal Archipelago

• His first attempts to communicate with Tina include demonstrating his phone’s camera, video, and music functions. Cleveland’s men mistake him for her abductor, provoking a violent confrontation 9.
• He later plans the ambushes and diversion that allow the Gothians to capture the elven warship Wings of Wayne. Cleveland credits him as the operation’s greatest contributor 42 64.
• Tina witnesses his inheritance at the Fire Thief Altar and believes his demonstrated enchanting abilities represent only part of its potential 49 70.

Glittering Sand and Cleveland’s Death

• A bounty offering silver and a knight’s squire position turns townspeople against Kang De and Cleveland. Lister, a young beggar who initially promises secrecy, betrays their hiding place 92.
• After Cleveland’s death, Kang De confronts Lost using the knight’s Dou Qi. His destruction of Glittering Sand exposes the Empire’s plot against the Goth delegation and becomes a defining part of his reputation 106 741.
• His continued involvement in Goth begins with a promise to Cleveland and develops into a responsibility toward others killed or trapped by the war 247.

Valentan and Danfeng Lucerne

• Mayor Nick offers concessions for the Vidal militia and Heaven and Earth Society in exchange for Kang De and Hong San helping defend Valentan 174.
• The elves demand that Valentan surrender Kang De or face extermination. He continues defending the city, while A Xing arrives with reinforcements 202 222.
• His victories at Valentan and Danfeng Lucerne make him a continental power, with artillery, aerial attacks, and forbidden spells breaking major elven forces 381 424.

Earth, Comora, and Tacitus

• When his father is trapped in Africa, Kang De travels through Senegal toward Comora, bringing weapons and Horus while still facing the other world’s war 310 387.
• He kills Little Bob, defeats ancient undead, and obtains Tacitus. A French and American air strike instead supplies the weapon that secures his victory 443.
• His actions bring intense publicity on Earth. King Chakat II publicly invites him to receive a title and share royal responsibilities in Comora 437.
• Later confrontations expose government-backed extraordinary operatives to the scale of his power 469 470.

Distant Harbor and the Broken Isles

• After the Distant Harbor riots, he compels the city’s rulers to punish the organizers and orders surrendered fleet commanders to form the Traitor Suppression Society 555.
• He leads endangered naval personnel through the Broken Isles without abandoning a ship’s crew, winning loyalty through protection, supplies, and evacuation efforts 605.
• His stated objectives expand to rescuing tens of thousands of survivors, confronting the deep-sea threat, and uniting the world against the Star Palace 612.
• Distant Harbor becomes an independent political base. He establishes a shogunate, annexes the Broken Isles, and begins negotiating with nations as a state leader rather than solely as a powerful individual 795.

Conflict with the Established Order

• He increasingly opposes nobles who abuse commoners and ultimately demands that Reknos choose between defending the old nobility and supporting a different future for Goth 612 844.
• The Cathayan empress grants him the title Duke of Qin alongside numerous military, scholarly, and religious appointments. Several major powers recognize the title through diplomatic congratulations 797 811.
• During the war with the Council, he treats wounded soldiers and prisoners and uses food and invitations to surrender alongside military pressure 875 882.

Star Palace War and Griffin’s Execution

• His confrontation with Cuixisi leads him into the River of Origin and culminates in opening the way for the Grewind Swarm to return to the mortal world 532.
• He considers using a temporary pact with the Star Palace and Earth’s faster passage of time to prepare for war, despite the separation this would impose on his companions 888.
• After returning from battle with the God of the Star Palace, he executes Griffin Williams before the assembled armies. He first promises to protect Griffin’s family and subordinates; witnesses regard the execution as the end of an era 909.

Negotiations with Otto II

• Otto II offers assistance without demanding material compensation, expressing a desire to see Kang De change the world—whether through fidelity to his ideals or a darker centralized order 918.
• Kang De rejects the emperor’s disturbing reasoning but continues the discussion. Otto agrees to attend the Distant Harbor summit and temporarily abandons his insistence on becoming Kang De’s father 918.

Notable Quotes

“Because I’m going home, and when I see my parents again, I want to embrace them with clean hands.” 7

“Ultimately, negotiations... are a negotiation of strength.” 8

“I’m an Earthling, I’m Chinese, and I’m Han. The foundations of my character and values were laid in my childhood and youth, before I awakened my powers.” 670

“No kneeling.” 661

Trivia

• His father’s declaration that “the Kang family used axes” becomes a recurring justification for his preferred weapon 22.
• The island animals laugh at his early enchanting demonstrations because they remember a previous Fire Thief capable of extracting volcanic magma and unleashing it through devastating physical attacks 17 503.
• The Brotherhood places him in its Book of Life, permanently refusing assassination contracts against him—a protection also extended to major sovereigns 320.
• Exaggerated Cathayan propaganda attributes divine mandates and legendary accomplishments to him. Star Palace agents mistakenly treat these stories as reliable intelligence 794.