Ma Liang

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Ma Liang was born into the influential Ma Lineage of the Great Moon Kingdom. His mother died while he was young, and his eldest sister, Ma Zhen, became one of his closest caregivers. His maternal aunt, Liu Ying, also helped raise him and taught him to read and write before marrying into the Bai Clan in Jiangnan 277 719.

Ma Zhen entered the Great Moon imperial household as a noble consort through a marriage alliance. Recognizing that she was unhappy, Ma Liang promised to become powerful enough to take her away from the palace and let her choose her own life 277.

Despite pressure from his relatives to enter the Cloud Firmament Sect, Ma Liang chose the Vast Heaven Sect. He placed first in his recruitment year, achieving “double-ten talent” in the first round and leading the second assessment as well 96 280. His early conduct was much less disciplined than his results: on his first outing with Chu Xinghe, he disregarded orders, earning the Grand Elder’s private assessment that he possessed courage but lacked strategy 1654.

Appearance

• Distinctive face: Repeatedly described as unusually plain or ugly, often through comparisons to a donkey. His recognizable appearance becomes a subject of both ridicule and imitation 1720 1831 1941.
• Ghostly presence: Can appear surrounded by dense Ghost Qi and ancient ghosts, as during his arrival at the Bai Clan estate 721.
• Samsara manifestation: Upon receiving the Divinity Seed, briefly develops one black eye and one white eye, with a Gate of Reincarnation between his brows. His eyes return to normal when the power withdraws 1901.
• Silver-white hair: Originally has black hair, which turns silver-white when he burns his life force defending Chu Xinghe. The white hair remains during his subsequent recuperation 2063 2106.
• Dharma Aspects: His life and death aspects resemble him, allowing three Ma Liangs to appear together 2189 2192.

Personality

Ma Liang’s defining loyalty is to Chu Xinghe. He proudly calls himself his senior brother’s foremost confidant, credits Xinghe for his opportunities, and interprets even scolding or dismissal as affection and instruction. His ambition is to become Grand Elder and support Xinghe as sect leader, not to compete for the leadership himself 147 310.

He is resourceful, persistent, and willing to sacrifice his reputation to complete a task. Where others question Xinghe’s seemingly unreasonable instructions, Ma Liang assumes that he has not yet discovered the correct solution. This makes him an effective administrator—and a recurring obstacle to Xinghe’s private attempts to make the sect lose resources 955 1774.

His greatest development is his willingness to examine his own mistakes. Once quick to rage, he learns to prioritize assignments over provocation and to distinguish discipline from personal hostility. As an inspector, he reprimands powerful disciples without favoritism, but apologizes when he is wrong; after mistakenly scolding a Frigid Ice Palace disciple, he returns that same night to apologize 378 1654.

His sister’s fate leaves him deeply hostile to coercive marriage alliances. Although he rejects the Ma Lineage after its abandonment of him, he still offers to prevent its members from starving, while refusing any closer reconciliation 404 1442.

Abilities & Skills

Ghost Arts and Grand Formations

Commands ghosts through the Fengdu inheritance and, later, Ghost Valley 280 682.

• Formation eye: Personally serves as the center of the Fengdu Grand Formation, directing its ghosts and the Ghost Emperor 243 280.
• Ghost Emperor: Fields a powerful combatant whose strength, when formation-empowered, surpasses that of an ordinary Martial Emperor 243.
• Resource amplification: Feeds spirit stones into the formation to sustain or sharply increase its power 280 281.
• Containment: Uses ghosts to surround sites, seize personnel, and force hostile factions to surrender offenders 354 678.
• Soul-Devouring Formation: Uses it during the Great Moon confrontation to uncover the murder of his sister and her child 279.
• Early weaknesses: Lightning arts severely damage the formation. Before his later upgrades, dependence on Spectral Power also makes specialized anti-ghost methods especially dangerous 281 1070.
• Deployment limitation: Recognizes that an assassin as fast as An Lan could kill him before he activates the formation 367.

Materialized Soul Warriors

Uses the Evil God’s Spirit Eye, wielded by She Meng, to overcome the restrictions of ordinary ghost bodies 1070.

• Restores enhanced ghosts to the strength they possessed before death, rather than leaving them at their reduced ghost cultivation 1070.
• Recovers their original racial powers and cultivation techniques instead of limiting every spirit to Spectral Power 1070.
• Draws on Ghost Valley’s ancient battlefield population for melee combat, ranged attacks, formations, poison, assassination, spirit-beast summoning, and Evil Spirit Clan arts 1070 1071.
• Envisions replacing a purely ghost-powered formation with a Four Continents Grand Formation incorporating the abilities of many races 1070.
• Could kill a Martial God with his enhanced ghost army even before reaching that realm personally 2189.

Samsara Divinity and the Gate of Reincarnation

Wields authority over life, death, and reincarnation after fusing with the Samsara Divinity Seed 1901.

• Spirit command: Makes wandering spirits submit through samsara authority itself; treasures become supporting tools rather than necessities 1901.
• Attribute reversal: Converts his specters between life and death attributes, rendering most conventional anti-ghost treasures and formations ineffective 1903.
• Remaining counters: Chu Xinghe’s Haotian Sword Casket and Evil Repeller remain exceptions to his resistance against counters 1903.
• Growth requirement: Initially cannot fully wield the Divinity; the seed must mature alongside his cultivation into a complete Gate of Reincarnation 1900 1901. His Divinity later advances with his soul, but he has not yet mastered the reincarnation state formed by fusing life and death 2187 2206.
• Samsara of Myriad Tribulations: Burns life force and cracks his Divinity Seed to revive fallen spirits and maintain a defensive army. Further burning his soul leaves him and the seed near collapse 2063.
• Power of vitality: Accelerates the growth of living things. It can modestly increase cultivators’ cultivation speed, though the Grand Elder stops his tests on fellow disciples 2206.
• Artifact-spirit reshaping: Proposes using vitality and death together to transform mechanical bodies’ artifact spirits from death to new life, as part of a collaborative project 2211.

Two Dharma Aspects

After reaching Martial God, Ma Liang manifests a life aspect and a death aspect from his soul, both resembling his original body 2189 2190.

• Independent thought: Both aspects can think independently, although their minds originate from and remain under the control of his true body 2192.
• Combat strength: Tests show that the two additional Ma Liangs possess fighting strength nearly equal to the original’s 2193.
• Vulnerability: A seriously injured aspect loses its ability to fight, and a killed aspect perishes. Damage to a Dharma Aspect can also reduce its owner’s cultivation, potentially causing a fall from Martial God 2193.
• Future potential: Elder He speculates that Ma Liang might eventually form two Divinities; this remains a possibility rather than an established attainment 2194.

Administration and Commercial Strategy

Combines practical problem-solving with aggressive bargaining on the sect’s behalf 955 1648.

• Industrial production: Organizes ghosts to mass-produce inexpensive pills, allowing the sect’s commercial network to defeat the Zhou Medical Hall’s price war 211.
• Negotiation: Willingly uses his low outer-disciple rank and lack of concern for personal dignity as bargaining tools 307 1648.
• Inspection: Handles palace inspections and cooperation with subordinate sects under the Grand Elder’s authority 677 1654.
• Recruitment: Judges temperament as well as talent and rejects candidates whose conduct fails his standards 955.
• Opportunity recognition: Identifies profitable applications for abilities such as Zang Ling’s removal of waste spiritual residue 1473.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Fengdu Token — Ancient supreme treasure inherited through Chu Xinghe and the original foundation of Ma Liang’s fighting strength. The Great Sage customizes his cultivation arts around it. Ma Liang later surrenders it to become Ghost Valley’s formation foundation 280 678.
• Soul-Devouring Banner — The genuine implement required to summon ghosts from Ghost Valley; An Ying cannot reproduce this function merely by copying Ma Liang 1158.
• Chu Xinghe’s brocade pouch — Contains a message telling him to take down whoever is responsible for his family’s murder and promising to shoulder the consequences 279 280.
• Spirit stones — Fuel the Fengdu Grand Formation; Ma Liang expends his entire available reserve when resisting Ling Su 280 281.
• Dragon Heart Pills and Tiger God Pills — Used during his recovery. Dragon Heart Pills repair and strengthen his soul, while Tiger God Pills push his body toward the Martial God realm 2187.

Relationships

• Chu Xinghe — Senior brother, benefactor, and object of unwavering loyalty. Ma Liang repeatedly frustrates Xinghe’s resource-loss schemes while believing he is fulfilling his intentions; his willingness to die protecting Xinghe ultimately moves even his exasperated senior brother 310 1774 2063 2070.
• Grand Elder / First Elder — Mentor who teaches him fairness, restraint, and self-reflection, then selects him as a future successor. His guidance emphasizes helping disciples grow rather than using rules solely to punish them 677 1654.
• Yan Shoujing — Becomes Ma Liang’s master following his promotion to personal disciple. Ma Liang continues to regard him as his teacher after losing that formal status 211 295.
• Ma Zhen — Beloved eldest sister. Her murder, together with that of her child, drives his assault on the Great Moon imperial palace 277 279.
• Liu Ying — Maternal aunt and mother figure who raised him for part of his childhood. They reunite tearfully after fifteen years apart 719 721.
• Bai Jingyan — Younger female cousin. His appointment as chief examiner leads relatives to approach her for recruitment favors 1941.
• Ma Lineage — Estranged birth family. Its refusal to support him against Ling Su ends his identification with the lineage; he later treats the sect as his true home 281 404 719.
• Ouyang Ling — Partner in an aggressive debt-collection campaign, including a threat to ruin the Departing Fire Sect young master’s reputation 304 307.
• An Lan — Companion on Xinghe’s inspections. Ma Liang respects his assassination skills and learns to keep an assignment above the temptation to retaliate against an insult 354 367 378.
• Zang Ling — Collaborator whose Heart-Devouring Power purifies Ma Liang’s spiritual energy. Ma Liang identifies its broader use as a service for cultivators 1470 1471 1473.
• Yue Ling — Traveling companion who praises his character over his appearance. Ma Liang admits that he likes her, without claiming a deeper relationship 1837 1905.
• Tantai Jing — A dangerous potential counter to his earlier ghost-based methods, but later the person who prevents his self-destruction and takes over the defense of Chu Xinghe 1070 2063.
• Gu Mingchao — Sect leader who attempts to take Ma Liang as his second personal disciple; objections from the elders lead instead to another nominal demotion 1901 1902.
• Origin Ancestor — Advises Ma Liang to accept the Buddha Domain’s request concerning cursed Star Ghost corpses and reveals that he has become the World Seal’s seal spirit. Ma Liang regards his intervention as Chu Xinghe’s backup plan 2349.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early Service and Fengdu City

Ma Liang interprets a three-day ordeal in wind and snow as Chu Xinghe’s test of perseverance. His reprimand of wavering recruits prompts successive breakthroughs in their states of mind. He immediately credits Xinghe, reinforcing the belief that his senior brother deliberately arranged the result 96.

Entrusted with Fengdu City, Ma Liang treats the assignment as a central part of Xinghe’s plans rather than an exile. His research eventually puts the formation’s ghosts to work refining low-grade pills. Their cheap, abundant output overwhelms the Zhou Medical Hall and earns him promotion to Yan Shoujing’s personal disciple 138 147 211.

Revenge in the Great Moon Kingdom

A letter from Ma Zhen’s maid reports his sister’s death under suspicious circumstances. Ma Liang carries her coffin into the capital and discovers that Empress Tian Wenxin poisoned both Ma Zhen and her newborn child 277 279.

With Xinghe’s written assurance of support, he attacks those responsible and fights Tian Qingquan through the Ghost Emperor. Ling Su’s arrival reverses the battle: his lightning-based Nine Heavens Soaring Cloud Seal devastates the formation and nearly kills Ma Liang. Watching his relatives choose self-preservation over defending him, Ma Liang abandons his identification with the Ma Lineage 279 280 281.

Chu Xinghe intervenes and imposes a public punishment that helps settle the confrontation without a sect war. Ma Liang becomes a permanent outer disciple, but his influence and access remain intact. The outer disciples recognize him as their undisputed senior, while the sect continues to regard him as Xinghe’s trusted aide 283 287.

Debt Collection and Sect Inspections

Ma Liang initially struggles to recover unpaid debts, then joins Ouyang Ling in a campaign whose methods prioritize repayment over dignity. At the Departing Fire Sect, their threat of public scandal forces the sect master to liquidate assets and settle the debt 303 304 307.

He subsequently accompanies Chu Xinghe and An Lan on an unannounced inspection of southern businesses. His ghosts secure Rong City’s meteorite iron mine, and he later obtains Xie Songlin’s recorded promise that the Cloud Firmament Sect will not reclaim the Silver Star Mountain Range if Vast Heaven clears it. Despite a deliberate insult about his sister, he completes the assignment rather than losing his temper 354 378.

Ghost Valley and Family Reunion

When told that the Fengdu Token must become Ghost Valley’s formation foundation, Ma Liang hands it over despite believing that losing it could destroy his future. The resulting upgrade gives him command of Ghost Valley and resolves his anxiety about falling behind the sect’s rapidly advancing disciples 678 682.

A later letter from Liu Ying brings him to the Bai Clan estate. After an ancient ghost stops Zhang Zekui from striking her, Ma Liang reveals himself as her nephew and Ghost Valley’s master. He kills Zhang Zekui but releases the other Heroic Martial Ancestor disciples—a restraint Chu Xinghe identifies as evidence of his growth 719 721.

Expanding Responsibilities

Samsara Inheritance and Entry into Leadership

At Peak Ninth Rank, Ma Liang receives the Samsara Divinity Seed. Its developing life-and-death authority removes his dependence on treasures for commanding spirits and neutralizes most of his former counters. The acquisition attracts widespread envy because it gives him a path toward becoming a Main God 1900 1901 1902 1903.

The Grand Elder subsequently arranges a chair for him at a leadership meeting, publicly signaling his entry into the Holy Land’s higher ranks. No elder objects: the recognition reflects both his Divinity Seed and his extensive service to the sect 1922.

His appointment as recruitment chief examiner transforms Haotian City’s behavior. Candidates imitate his plain appearance, residents circulate denunciations of the Great Moon imperial family, and applicants even change the surname Ma to avoid association with his estranged lineage 1941.

Defense at the Source of Fear

While Chu Xinghe absorbs the Fire of Nirvanic Rebirth, Ma Liang helps hold back the Lord of Fear’s Shadow Ghosts. He forcibly evacuates the mortally endangered Ji Moran, then remains after the other exhausted defenders withdraw through the Nightmare Realm 2063.

Ma Liang burns his life force, soul, and Samsara Divinity to revive spirits and maintain the final defensive line. With his seed cracking and his strength collapsing, he prepares to detonate himself. Tantai Jing interrupts the self-destruction, sends him into the Nightmare Realm, and takes his place guarding Xinghe 2063.

He survives with serious injuries to his body, soul, and Divinity Seed. So many disciples visit him during recovery that the Grand Elder moves him to the outer sect for quiet recuperation, following Elder He’s recommendation of rest and miraculous medicines. He remains under orders to recuperate afterward 2086 2106.

Recovery and Martial God Breakthrough

Ma Liang later resumes sect business, appearing beside the Grand Elder for negotiations and taking part in problems involving the Strength Barbarian Evil Spirits and the Artifact Refining Palace 2113 2146 2179.

At the Beast Taming Palace, Ma Liang strains to decipher why Chu Xinghe has sent him and others there, then suddenly collapses. Elder He explains that Xinghe’s prescribed regimen of ten Dragon Heart Pills daily has stored power in Ma Liang’s soul, while Tiger God Pills have pushed his body toward Martial God. Elder He attributes the breakthrough of Ma Liang’s soul and Samsara Divinity to the repeated strain and strengthening of his soul during this period; Xinghe privately denies having planned the result 2185 2187.

Ma Liang breaks through from Ninth Rank to Martial God. When he initially finds no Dharma Aspect in his spiritual world, he searches his soul instead, producing two aspects representing life and death. The three Ma Liangs can think and act separately, though the true body retains control 2189 2190 2192.

News of his breakthrough and two Dharma Aspects changes how cultivators across the Four Continents regard him, drawing attention to his combat strength as well as his administrative skill. Hoping to keep him from interfering elsewhere, Chu Xinghe orders all three Ma Liangs to remain at the Beast Taming Palace; they begin discussing the supposed hidden purpose behind the order 2194.

Mechanical Bodies and the Star Sea Abyss

Ma Liang studies his powers of vitality and death and proposes applying both to mechanical bodies. In the collaborative plan, Ouyang Ming would forge compatible artifact spirits, Douding’er would select and raise demonic beasts, Man Sheng would provide bloodline and totem blessings, and Mu Bai would supply pills. The three Ma Liangs would then reshape the artifact spirits from death to new life 2206 2211.

During the war between the Buddha Domain and the Star Sea Abyss, Little Buddha asks Ma Liang to transport cursed Star Ghost corpses to the Four Continents for purification. The elders disagree over the danger, and Ma Liang seeks Chu Xinghe’s guidance. Xinghe, who says Ma Liang controls the Star Gate, refuses to decide and tells him to ask someone knowledgeable. The Origin Ancestor then urges Ma Liang to accept and proves that he has become the World Seal’s seal spirit. Both interpret Xinghe’s refusal as a hint that they should cooperate 2349.

Notable Quotes

“One day, I, Ma Liang, will rise above others. One day, I'll take you away from that imperial palace and let you pursue the life you want.” 277

“All the dirty and tiring work will be mine... I'll make proper arrangements for anything Senior Brother Xinghe can't conveniently do himself.” 310

Trivia

• “Divine Dagger Ma Liang” is figurative: Chu Xinghe imagines a story about Ma Liang receiving an immortal’s dagger and accidentally stabbing him in the back—a joke about Ma Liang repeatedly making the sect prosper against Xinghe’s intentions 365.
• An upgraded metaphor: After Ma Liang’s simultaneous breakthroughs, the narrative describes his “divine dagger” as upgraded to an Azure Dragon Crescent Blade 2187.
• His appearance becomes fashionable: After his rise, examination candidates deliberately make themselves look plainer or uglier to appeal to him 1941.
• His old pill enterprise does not remain intact: By a later stage, the Fengdu Grand Formation has lost its pill-refining ability; Ma Liang responds by promising to develop other uses rather than accept a loss for the sect 295.