Liu Ling

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Liu Ling (柳翎)
Alias(es)	Eldest Disciple; Senior Disciple; Guild Master of the Mercenary Guild
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Gu He; Misty Cloud Sect / Yun Lan Sect; Mercenary Guild
Occupation/Role	Alchemist; cultivator; founder and leader of the Mercenary Guild
First Appearance	2

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Two-star Dou Zhe	3	His cultivation when Gu He examined his status after accepting him as a disciple.
Five-star Dou Zhe	3	Reached after Gu He transmitted seven days of cultivation to him.
Nine-star Dou Zhe	36	Advanced from six-star to nine-star Dou Zhe through power transmission and Anointment; his physical endurance was still limited.
Dou Shi	78	Broke through after enduring special training in a wooden tub filled with Blood Burning Powder.
Five-star Dou Shi	80	Stabilized after absorbing the energy from another empowerment.
Eight-star Dou Shi	135	Gu He's power transmission and Anointment pushed him through multiple stars.
Peak nine-star Dou Shi	136	Endured a half-day cultivation transfer and crossed from six-star to peak nine-star Dou Shi.
Dou Ling	304	Reached the Dou Ling realm during his trial in Stone Desert City.
Peak nine-star Dou Ling	333	Gu He raised him from the early Dou Ling stage to the peak of the realm, then tasked him with breaking through to Dou Wang on his own.
Peak seven-star Dou King	419	Reached this level after refining the Green Lotus Core Fire and receiving further power transmission.
Five-star Dou Emperor	481	His alchemy-focused cultivation, supported by the Divine Fire Art, brought him to this stage.
Five-star Dou Zong	520 527	Gu He's transmission raised him from seven-star Dou Emperor through several breakthroughs to five-star Dou Zong.
Three-star Dou Zun	687	Advanced from nine-star Dou Zong to three-star Dou Zun; the Divine Fire Body Tempering Chapter greatly improved his capacity for transmitted energy.
Nine-star Dou Zun	775 784	Reached this level after absorbing the Three Thousand Yan Yan Fire; later stood alongside Little Doctor Immortal as a nine-star Dou Zun.

Background / History

Liu Ling was Gu He's personal and first disciple at the time Gu He awakened the Disciple System. He began as a Second-Grade Alchemist with two-star Dou Zhe cultivation, but Gu He immediately gave him the seventh-grade Nether Soul Art and began strengthening him through repeated power transmissions and Anointments. Liu Ling responded with intense gratitude, vowing to repay his master's kindness. 3

Early in his training, Liu Ling's body could not bear prolonged empowerment. Gu He consequently subjected him to painful body-tempering regimens using Blood Burning Powder and Crimson Flame Spirit Liquid. The training strengthened his meridians and allowed him to endure increasingly greater cultivation transfers. 36 78 79

He initially became jealous when Little Doctor Immortal rapidly surpassed him in cultivation. After Gu He explained the existence of extraordinary physiques, Liu Ling admitted his fault, abandoned his arrogance, and became more determined to improve through his own effort. 52

During his trial in Stone Desert City, Liu Ling became the leader of the city's foremost mercenary group, reached the Dou Ling realm, and became a Fifth-Grade Alchemist. Although Gu He summoned him back after the trial, Liu Ling asked to remain outside longer, having become attached to his life and responsibilities there. 304

Liu Ling later founded the Mercenary Guild to organize mercenaries and protect their interests. His goal was to create a force whose influence could eventually rival the Pill Tower. The Guild expanded across the Northwest Continent and the northern region of the Central Continent, becoming a first-rate power under his leadership. 541 713 733

Appearance

Liu Ling is a tall, straight-built young man with a handsome, sharply defined face. He first appears in an alchemist's robe and is described as being in his early twenties. 2

• Handsome enough to regard himself as notably attractive before meeting Gu He in his altered state. 2
• Has worn a strange mask, which initially made Qing Lin wary of him. 135
• Can project the imposing pressure of a Dou Zong expert despite speaking in a relaxed, approachable manner. 589
• During the completion of the Adamantine Glazed Body, he can transform into a nine-zhang golden giant. 835

Personality

Liu Ling is deeply respectful toward Gu He and consistently treats his master's teachings, techniques, and gifts as invaluable. He is eager for special training and empowerment even when it causes severe pain, viewing hardship as the price of keeping pace with his fellow disciples. 3 78 136

He was initially proud of his progress and jealous of Little Doctor Immortal's cultivation talent. Gu He's reprimand changed his outlook: Liu Ling recognized the vastness of the continent and resolved to rely on diligence rather than arrogance. 52

As he matured, Liu Ling developed substantial ambition and leadership ability. He sought to establish a continent-wide sanctuary for mercenaries rather than merely lead a local group, while still recognizing that an organization required powerful experts to endure. 532 541 687

He is protective of those close to him, particularly Yue Mei and his junior sisters. He helped Yue Mei's tribe pursue relocation, brought her into the Yun Lan Sect, and considered himself responsible for protecting weaker companions during dangerous journeys. 531 533 835

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Liu Ling is an exceptionally gifted alchemist whose rank rose alongside his cultivation.

• Began as a Second-Grade Alchemist. 3
• Became a Third-Grade Alchemist, though Little Doctor Immortal's equal advancement initially shocked him. 135
• Completed Gu He's trial as a Fifth-Grade Alchemist. 304
• Was recognized as a Sixth-Grade Alchemist by the Charming Snake Tribe. 532
• Reached the threshold of a Seventh-Grade Alchemist and successfully refined a seventh-grade pill. 481
• Advanced his Soul Realm to the early Spirit Realm, qualifying for Eighth-Grade Alchemist status. 714
• Refined an eighth-grade pill while directly dispersing its three-colored Pill Lightning with Dou Qi handprints. 716
• Won the championship of the Pill Gathering. 761

Divine Fire Art

Gu He taught Liu Ling the High-grade Heaven-tier Divine Fire Art to support the absorption and use of the Green Lotus Core Fire. Gu He ordered him to keep the technique secret until he could stand at the continent's pinnacle. 335

• Greatly improves cultivation speed. 481
• Includes the Divine Fire Body Tempering Chapter, which tempers the body and soul through an innate flame. 520
• Allowed Liu Ling to absorb unusually large amounts of Gu He's transmitted cultivation. 520 687
• Supported the refinement of impure energy from the Heavenly Demon Blood Pool. 834

Heavenly Flames

Liu Ling possesses and uses multiple powerful flames.

• Purple Eagle Flame — Accepted from Gu He only after being assured that his master possessed another Heavenly Flame. 4
• Green Lotus Core Fire — An Exotic Flame ranked nineteenth; used to temper his body, improve his cultivation capacity, and assist his alchemy. 334 419 754
• Three Thousand Yan Yan Fire — Absorbed in the Star Domain, raising him to nine-star Dou Zun. 775
• Destiny Divine Flame — Used to refine the corrosive energy of the Heavenly Demon Blood Pool. 834

Heavenly Demon Puppet Secret Art

Gu He taught Liu Ling the Heavenly Demon Puppet secret art because his alchemist background suited its refinement process. 334

• Refines living people into thought-bearing puppets controlled by the caster. 334
• A completed puppet can be strengthened through Pill Lightning produced by seventh-grade or higher pill refinement. 334
• Liu Ling successfully refined a Heavenly Demon Puppet of his own. 481
• Its full potential is stated to become especially useful once Liu Ling reaches the Dou Emperor realm and becomes a Seventh-Grade Alchemist. 334

Adamantine Glazed Body

Liu Ling cultivated the Heaven-tier Low-grade body-refining Dou Technique Adamantine Glazed Body despite its intense pain. 827

• Uses the Heavenly Demon Blood Pool's energy to strengthen his body after refining away its corrosive impurities. 834 835
• Reached completion after absorbing most of the blood pool's energy. 835
• Enables a transformation into a nine-zhang golden giant. 835

Soul Techniques

Liu Ling's alchemy is supported by advanced soul cultivation.

• Nether Soul Art — Seventh-grade soul power cultivation secret technique bestowed by Gu He. 3
• Soul Snatching Technique — One of the soul secret arts he mastered by the time he left for Stone Desert City. 190
• Soul Devouring Technique — Another soul secret art in his arsenal. 190
• His Spirit Realm soul allowed him to sense the cultivation of powerful opponents and supported his qualification for eighth-grade alchemy. 625 714

Dou Techniques

• Purple Sun Art — Intermediate Earth-tier cultivation method taught by Gu He. 36
• Blazing Flame Palm — Mysterious-tier Advanced Dou Technique. 80
• Wind-Stepping / Wind-Treading Footwork — Mysterious-tier Advanced movement technique taught with Gu He's cultivation insights. 81 82
• Leopard Step — Mysterious-tier Advanced movement technique used in the Yun Lan Sect Inner Sect Competition. 177
• Extreme Yang Finger — Mysterious-tier Advanced Dou Technique; Liu Ling used it to defeat Qu Xiang in a single strike while holding back most of his strength. 177
• Vermilion Bird Seal — Earth-tier Advanced Dou Technique. Its power is immense, but it consumes large quantities of Dou Qi and should only be used in life-or-death situations. 190

Equipment / Items

• Dragon Soul Cauldron — An alchemy cauldron received from Gu He. 36
• Longevity Pearl — Emergency healing item containing dense life force. 190
• Shapeshifting Pill — Seventh-grade pill Gu He gave him; Liu Ling used it to help Yue Mei attain human form. 520 532
• Void Jade Talisman — A means of requesting Gu He's aid during emergencies. 527
• Amethyst Winged Lion King cub — His demonic beast companion; it had reached the fourth tier by the time Liu Ling left for Stone Desert City. 190

Relationships

• Gu He — Master and benefactor. Liu Ling is Gu He's eldest disciple and received his foundational soul technique, cultivation method, Heavenly Flames, combat arts, and repeated empowerment from him. 3 335 687
• Yue Mei — Romantic partner from the Charming Snake Tribe. Liu Ling obtained a Shapeshifting Pill for her, escorted her into the human world, and supported the Snake People's proposed migration. 527 532 531 533
• Little Doctor Immortal — Junior sister and early source of rivalry. Liu Ling's jealousy of her cultivation became respect and motivation; they later fought alongside one another and she congratulated his Adamantine Glazed Body completion. 52 333 835
• Qing Lin — Junior sister. Liu Ling welcomed her with Third-grade Qi Replenishing Pills and later worked alongside her in the Mercenary Guild. 135 714
• Xiao Jin — Companion and protector. Xiao Jin secretly guarded Liu Ling during his Stone Desert City trial and later accompanied him on Guild-related journeys. 304 541
• Queen Medusa — Yue Mei's queen and an initially hostile figure. Liu Ling entered Snake People territory to find Yue Mei and remained wary of Medusa's superior strength. 527
• Yun Yun — Gu He's wife. Liu Ling sought her counsel when bringing Yue Mei to the Yun Lan Sect and arranging the Snake People's migration plan. 531
• Mercenary Guild members — Liu Ling's followers and subordinates. Their loyalty supported the Guild's rise into a major regional force. 532 713

Story Role / Major Arcs

Gu He's Eldest Disciple

Liu Ling begins as Gu He's sole disciple and a Second-Grade Alchemist. He becomes the primary early recipient of Gu He's teachings, cultivation transmissions, and experimental rewards from the Disciple System. 3

Special Training and Inner Sect Competition

Repeatedly pushed beyond his limits through body tempering and empowerment, Liu Ling rapidly advances from Dou Zhe to Dou Shi. He later demonstrates his combat ability in the Yun Lan Sect Inner Sect Competition, defeating Qu Xiang with a restrained Extreme Yang Finger. 36 78 177

Stone Desert City Trial

Sent to Stone Desert City, Liu Ling builds a mercenary force, reaches Dou Ling, becomes a Fifth-Grade Alchemist, and meets Yue Mei amid conflict with the Snake People. His trial reshapes his priorities, making him reluctant to immediately return to the sect after succeeding. 297 304

Yue Mei and the Snake People

Liu Ling returns to the Snake People to offer Yue Mei a Shapeshifting Pill and a place in the human world. After her transformation, he assists with plans to relocate the Snake People toward the Monster Beast Mountain Range and brings Yue Mei to the Yun Lan Sect. 527 532 531 533

Founding the Mercenary Guild

Motivated to give mercenaries an organized force comparable to the Pill Tower's role for alchemists, Liu Ling establishes the Mercenary Guild. His leadership expands its influence through the Northwest Continent and into the Central Continent's Northern Region. 541 589 713

Pill Gathering Champion

Liu Ling enters the Alchemist Conference to bring honor to both the Mercenary Guild and Gu He. He demonstrates Eighth-Grade Alchemist ability, wins the Pill Gathering championship, and earns the opportunity to attempt the subjugation of the Three Thousand Yan Yan Fire. 714 716 761 762

Three Thousand Yan Yan Fire and Later Growth

After surviving the Star Domain and absorbing the Three Thousand Yan Yan Fire, Liu Ling reaches nine-star Dou Zun and gains recognition from Pill Tower experts. He subsequently cultivates the Adamantine Glazed Body to completion using energy from the Heavenly Demon Blood Pool. 775 827 834 835