Fang Buai

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Fang Buai (方不碍)
Alias(es)	Xiaofang / Little Fang
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Three Xuan Sect; formerly the Xiangnan Pai Sect, Third Branch
Occupation/Role	Sword cultivator; mountain-gate guard and field agent for Qianzhu Ridge
Status	Alive; last seen recuperating after exhausting his Red Fire Escape Technique against heavenly fire 793
First Appearance	191

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Qi Refining, third layer	191	Fought on the Zhuoshui front despite his low cultivation; later arrived at Wulong Mountain after his master’s death.
Qi Refining Perfection	550	Defended the Three Xuan Sect’s mountain gate against Guan Li, a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Foundation Establishment	631	Returned from Lingnan after successfully establishing his foundation.
Foundation Establishment completion	821	His skill reveals cultivation equal to Yuan Huazi’s Foundation Establishment completion.

Background

Fang Buai was a disciple of the Xiangnan Pai Sect’s Third Branch and the student of Hong Er. He fought at Zhuoshui while only at the third Qi Refining layer, repeatedly taking the front line; he claimed to have wounded a fourth-layer cultivator there. His master died during the campaign, after which Fang was ostracized by the Pai Sect and left for Wulong Mountain alone. 191 195 549

Unable to secure a dwelling amid the influx of postwar cultivators, Fang occupied Liu Xiaolou’s cave at Qianzhu Ridge. Once Tan Bazhang explained his circumstances, Liu gave him lodging at Half Pine Flat and silver for living expenses. Fang thereafter treated Liu as a senior, resolved to repay the aid, and made himself useful to Qianzhu Ridge. 191 192

He initially had no cultivation resources and worked nine days harvesting spirit rice at the Zang estate, earning two spirit stones and thirty catties of spirit rice. He tried to give one spirit stone to Liu Xiaolou in gratitude; Liu accepted it only to return it, stressing that Fang’s cultivation was the basis for his future. 211

Personality

Fang Buai is blunt, intensely practical, and far more comfortable drawing his sword than handling negotiations or political errands. He openly admits that complicated missions exhaust him and asks Liu Xiaolou not to assign him such work again. 640

His defining trait is reckless loyalty. He repeatedly places himself between stronger enemies and his allies, whether to protect Qianzhu Ridge, stall an opponent for Liu Xiaolou’s formations, or hold the Three Xuan Sect’s mountain gate. He does not regard minor wounds as a reason to retreat. 195 220 550

Despite his ferocity in battle, Fang is diligent and grateful. He took on guard duties without being ordered, worked for cultivation resources rather than expecting charity, and continued to honor his deceased master after reaching Foundation Establishment. 199 211 632

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship

Fang is a sword cultivator whose style centers on direct, relentless offense. His attacks carry heavy sword intent, and he is willing to strike first even when facing opponents far above his realm. 549 699

• Uses man embracing sword, wrapping himself in sword light to launch high-speed charges; this is distinct from the higher sword-cultivation state of “sword embracing man.” 246 572
• Defeated Qi Refining Perfection cultivator Wan Jianxin at the Three Xuan Sect’s gate. 549
• Pressured Foundation Establishment cultivators Huang Song and Fang Shuheng with consecutive sword strikes and Fire Escape repositioning. 699 563
• Cannot reliably overcome major realm gaps; stronger Foundation Establishment opponents can predict his movements or overpower him once his true essence is depleted. 543 550 563

Fire Escape Technique

While lost in Wushan, Fang discovered an inaccessible cave bearing an incantation that allowed him to store fire essence in his Sea of Qi. He developed it into the Fire Escape Technique. 510

• Constructs a Fire Element Barrier around himself and can move instantly within its range.
• At the technique’s second level, he could form the barrier five or six times before exhausting his true essence. 510
• Expanded the barrier from roughly two zhang to three zhang after cultivating with Heavenly Lightning Fire. 523
• Used the technique to evade Guan Li’s killing blow and to escape Xin Chengda’s formation through its Life Gate. 550 543
• The barrier is not actual flame; it is a fire-element movement domain. 510

Pai Sect Insect Arts

The Pai Sect commonly practices corpse-driving and insect control, and Fang incorporates insects into his sword light. 196

• His apparent sword light can conceal swarms of bees that fire dense volleys of stingers at an opponent. 196
• He has used a piercing sword-flower sound to lure small snakes from the bamboo forest. 200

Cultivation Methods

Fang practices the Morning Rosy Cloud Qi Eating Method, a breathing exercise from the Yin Yang Scripture that leaves him feeling physically invigorated. 549

Equipment

• Long sword — Fang’s primary weapon; used for his man-embracing-sword charges and insect-infused sword light. 196 549
• Mid-grade, mid-tier flying sword — Obtained in Wushan after he was hired to assist in a duel; capable of cutting through ordinary bamboo but only leaving shallow cuts on Liu Xiaolou’s Bamboo Demon. 546
• Spirit Leopard Bone Flute — A flute borrowed from Liu Xiaolou to practice swordplay against a Spirit Leopard soul shadow. 547

Relationships

• Liu Xiaolou — Benefactor, senior, and sect master. Liu gave Fang lodging at Half Pine Flat, entrusted him with missions, provided cultivation guidance, and later celebrated his Foundation Establishment. Fang is fiercely loyal to Liu and Qianzhu Ridge. 191 199 631 633
• Tan Bazhang — Fellow Zhuoshui veteran who introduced Fang to Liu Xiaolou and helped him settle on Wulong Mountain. Tan appreciates Fang’s aggressive combat style. 191 196
• Zhou Tong — Martial nephew within the Three Xuan Sect. Fang trains and encourages Zhou, shares meals and wine with him, and helps him recover after encounters with spiritual entities. 547 548 549
• Hong Er — Fang’s deceased Pai Sect master, identified by Wan Jianxin. Fang’s loss of this master at Zhuoshui led directly to his departure from the Pai Sect. 191 549
• Wan Jianxin — An old acquaintance from Xiangnan who recognized Fang as Hong Er’s disciple. Their confrontation ended with Wan acknowledging Fang had surpassed his master. 549
• Song Axi — South Sea Sword Sect cultivator whose advice aided Fang’s post-Foundation Establishment cultivation; Fang later sought the chance to test swords in the South Sea Sword Pavilion. 633

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Zhuoshui aftermath — Arrives at Wulong Mountain as an orphaned, ostracized third-layer Pai Sect cultivator and becomes Liu Xiaolou’s dependent at Half Pine Flat. 191 192
• Qianzhu Ridge guard — Stops unknown visitors, escorts guests, runs errands, and protects the mountain path with sword drawn. 198 199 216
• Five Sons Peak dispute — Charges Qi Refining ninth-layer Zhang Shihua, is poisoned by stone mushroom arts, and is cured by Liu Xiaolou. 196
• Early joint operations — Serves as Liu Xiaolou’s forward attacker, enduring severe injuries to create openings for formation-based counterattacks. 220 250
• Yellow Wind Gully — Demonstrates man-embracing-sword combat in the tomb battle and aids Liu Xiaolou’s group in reversing the fight. 246
• Sect defense — Uses Fire Escape and sword attacks against Guan Li while refusing to abandon the Three Xuan Sect’s mountain gate. Lord Xingde and Seventh Mistress Zhou ultimately join him against Guan Li’s Miraculous Sound Illusion Conch. 550
• Foundation Establishment — Travels to Lingnan to seek a Foundation Establishment opportunity, returns successful, and honors his master with roast-geese offerings at the tomb. 620 631 632
• Wufu Village raid — Reveals heavy sword intent in his duel with Huang Song and helps capture numerous enemy cultivators after the battle turns. 699 701
• Changshan Sword Sect visit — Gives practical sword-training advice to the disciples who successfully acquire flying swords during the Sword-Worship Ceremony. 713

Notable Quotes

“Since it concerns our Qianzhu Ridge, it concerns me as well. My cultivation is insufficient, but I have rich combat experience.” 195

“Come on!” 550

Trivia

• Fang’s Foundation Establishment training under Song Axi involved learning the South Sea method of roasting geese, including using true essence at his fingertips as a True Essence Qi Sword to remove feathers. 632
• Wan Jianxin initially believed Fang’s reckless sword style would prevent him from living past three years. 549
• Fang’s solution to a chaotic formation with no enemy or target is simple: find the formation core and break it with one sword strike. 692