Tan Bazhang

Biodata

Name	Tan Bazhang (谭八掌)
Alias(es)	“Scourge of Wulong Mountain” 710
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Three Xuan Sect (Elder); Wulong Mountain
Occupation/Role	Rogue cultivator; iron-staff fighter
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 23: “Teaming Up” 23

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Qi Refining, fifth layer	29 253	His cultivation during the group's first successful operation against Lu Zi'an was later recalled as fifth-layer Qi Refining.
Qi Refining, seventh layer	211	Advanced by one layer after the year of fighting at Zhuoshui and began consolidating the new realm at Dragon Horse Waterfall.
Qi Refining, eighth layer (late Qi Refining)	255	Broke through under Liu Xiaolou's guidance after prolonged secluded cultivation.

Background and History

Tan Bazhang first meets Liu Xiaolou through a mistaken roadside robbery in Wuling Mountain. Having lost his travel funds to bandits, he attempts to earn money by targeting travelers while masked; Zuo Gaofeng recognizes him and stops the fight. Tan apologizes after learning Liu is Zuo's sworn brother, explaining that he was en route to meet relatives in Yuanling 23.

He joins Liu Xiaolou, Zuo Gaofeng, and Wei Hongqing in the pursuit of Lu Zi'an. During the night battle, a net traps Lu Zi'an and Tan strikes the captive cultivator with his iron staff, helping the group overcome a far stronger opponent 29. When the spoils are divided, he rejects a formation manual because he cannot understand it, choosing spirit stones and gold instead 31.

Tan is later conscripted by the Zhanglong Sect alongside Liu Xiaolou. The two are sent with Tiger-Head Flood Dragon to scout Wulong Mountain ahead of the conflict with the Qingyu Sect 63 64. He subsequently fights in the Zhuoshui campaign, personally kills a fifth-layer Badong bandit, and endures repeated injuries during the prolonged fighting 161. The war also costs him his fourth brother 193.

His pursuit of Guan Xingzhou's daughter results in his detention at Yue Mountain's Plum Breaking Sect. Bound by an Eight Forbidden Rope, Tan eventually recognizes that he had been chasing status beyond his place and resolves to return to Wulong Mountain to cultivate properly 137 142.

After later concealing himself for three years behind Dragon Flying Waterfall, Tan reveals a secret passage connecting it to Dragon Horse Waterfall. He returns because he misses Wulong Mountain and hears that Liu Xiaolou is in danger 709. By the time he reappears publicly, he holds an elder's waist token of the Three Xuan Sect and has received a pardon order from Tianmu Mountain 710.

Personality

Tan is frank, impulsive, and fond of direct solutions. He initially proposes confronting difficult opponents through overwhelming numbers or head-on ambushes, and he prefers staff fighting to subtle planning 73 134. His lack of interest in formation theory is equally direct: after briefly examining a formation book, he declares that it makes his eyes spin 31.

He is also sociable and deeply attached to his companions. He repeatedly checks on Liu Xiaolou during wartime, readily joins dangerous ventures when Liu asks, and refuses to blame Liu for the consequences of his own reckless pursuit on Yue Mountain 158 217 142.

His weaknesses include lustfulness and wishful thinking. He openly fixates on women such as Sister Qing and Green Pearl, and this tendency ultimately leads to his imprisonment. The experience leaves him more self-aware: he admits that he forgot his roots and wrongly believed he could rise into a prominent family through association alone 63 142.

Abilities & Skills

Iron Staff Combat

Tan Bazhang's primary fighting style centers on a hardened iron staff and aggressive close-range attacks.

• Strikes with enough force to injure Lu Zi'an through the latter's gathered true essence, though the recoil bruises Tan's forehead 29.
• Blocks above Liu Xiaolou's Three Xuan Sword to help absorb a Qi Refining Perfection opponent's strongest attack 215.
• Charges directly into combat after Liu Xiaolou reverses the battle in Yellow Wind Gully's tomb chamber 247.
• His direct style has limits against Foundation Establishment opponents; Lu Xiansheng casually sends him flying with a sweep of his sleeve 250.

Ambush and Field Combat

Tan is comfortable operating in dangerous, improvised environments.

• Uses a black mask during his initial attempted robbery in Wuling Mountain 23.
• Participates in the net-and-staff ambush that captures Lu Zi'an 29.
• Scouts Wulong Mountain with Liu Xiaolou and Tiger-Head Flood Dragon during the Zhanglong Sect campaign 64.
• Gains practical combat experience and spoils through the Zhuoshui campaign, where he repeatedly fights on the front lines 161 211.

Concealment and Local Knowledge

• Maintains an undetected hiding place behind Dragon Flying Waterfall for three years 709.
• Knows of a narrow secret passage linking the caves behind Dragon Flying Waterfall and Dragon Horse Waterfall 709.

Equipment

• Hardened iron staff — Tan's usual weapon, carried during the Zhanglong Sect conscription and used throughout his later battles 63.
• Black mask — Worn during his attempted roadside robbery in Wuling Mountain 23.

Relationships

• Liu Xiaolou — Sworn brother and close companion. Tan repeatedly joins Liu in dangerous work, receives Liu's support during his eighth-layer breakthrough, and returns to Wulong Mountain after hearing Liu is in trouble 23 255 709.
• Zuo Gaofeng — Friend and fellow Wulong Mountain cultivator. Zuo recognizes Tan during the Wuling Mountain misunderstanding and later fights beside him in major conflicts 23 215.
• Wei Hongqing — Acquaintance from Ghost Dream Cliff and fellow participant in the Lu Zi'an operation 23 71.
• Fang Buai — Junior Wulong Mountain associate. Tan helps arrange Fang's settlement after the Pai Sect disciple is displaced, and encourages Fang's reckless courage in battle 192 197.
• Daoist Hudu — Friend from Wulong Mountain. Tan's friendship with Hudu is one reason Liu Xiaolou feels connected to him 214.
• Guan Xingzhou's daughter — Tan's one-sided pursuit of her leads to his detention by the Plum Breaking Sect; her silent visit helps him abandon his delusions 137 142.
• Tan Sanzhang — His third brother. The two return together to offer sacrifice at their eldest brother's grave after settling a family vendetta 710.

Notable Quotes

“I'll beat you in the dark!” 23 29 161

“Since you've decided, then count me in. Nothing more to say.” 217

Trivia

• Tan's Xiangxi Tan clan is known for spicy braised pork. His cooking earns Liu Xiaolou's praise after he heavily seasons the dish with Cornus officinalis and Sichuan pepper 63.
• He is particularly susceptible to the smell of spirit rice, meat, and Bamboo Leaf Green spirit wine 63.
• He considers formation manuals unsuitable for him and prefers tangible rewards such as spirit stones and gold 31.