Zhang Xiaofan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Zhang Xiaofan (张小凡)
Alias(es)	Gan Bingpeng 125
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Qingyun Sect, Dazhu Peak; later joins the Demonic Cult/Ghost King Sect 44 158
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; disciple of Tian Buyi; Bai Ye's junior brother 50
First Appearance	Chapter 44

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Taiji Xuanqing Dao, First Layer	50	Breaks through after nearly a year in Qingyun Sect, aided by six months of drinking Bai Ye's energy-rich wine; the conflicting Daoist and Buddhist energies in his body had previously impeded his cultivation.
Yuqing Realm, Fourth Layer	80	Cultivates Daoist, Buddhist, and Demonic methods simultaneously.
Yuqing Realm, Fifth Layer	92	Reaches the fifth layer within five years of joining Qingyun Sect and proves evenly matched with Lin Jingyu.
Yuqing Realm, Seventh Layer	132	Breaks through while traveling to Mount Liubo.
Shangqing Realm (temporarily elevated)	148	Activates Taiji Xuanqing Dao, Great Brahma Wisdom, and Soul Eater together; his aura rises into the Shangqing Realm while protecting Tian Ling'er from the Kui Bull.

Background / History

Zhang Xiaofan is one of two child survivors of the Caomiao Village massacre. Song Daren and Bai Ye bring the survivors to Qingyun Sect, where Zhang Xiaofan eventually joins Dazhu Peak under Tian Buyi. 44

His early cultivation is unusually slow because Taiji Xuanqing Dao and Great Brahma Wisdom coexist in his body and repel each other. Bai Ye takes over his instruction, using unconventional daily drinking sessions to fill Zhang Xiaofan's opened acupoints with spiritual energy. Zhang Xiaofan reaches the first layer of Taiji Xuanqing Dao after six months under Bai Ye's guidance. 50

Bai Ye recognizes that Zhang Xiaofan possesses secrets, including Demonic Path cultivation, but tells him that using such techniques is acceptable if his heart remains aligned with the Orthodox Path. This acceptance becomes central to Zhang Xiaofan's belief that righteousness is determined by one's actions rather than a technique's origin. 50 54

Personality

Zhang Xiaofan begins as modest, uncertain of his talent, and deeply grateful to Bai Ye for seeing potential in him when others considered him slow-witted. He becomes increasingly confident as his cultivation progresses, but continues to regard Bai Ye as an unmatched senior brother and source of guidance. 50 93 117

He is resolute and protective in battle, especially when Tian Ling'er or Bi Yao are endangered. His conviction that good and evil depend on a person's intent—not whether they follow an Orthodox or Demonic path—puts him at odds with Qingyun Sect's strict orthodoxy. 126 149

The revelation that Grandmaster Puzhi caused the Caomiao Village massacre devastates him. Grief and rage push him toward demonic possession and eventually lead him to leave Qingyun Sect for the Demonic Cult in pursuit of vengeance. 157 158

Abilities & Skills

Threefold Cultivation

Zhang Xiaofan cultivates Daoist, Buddhist, and Demonic methods together, a path reinforced after discovering the Heavenly Book.

• Taiji Xuanqing Dao — Qingyun Sect's foundational cultivation method. 50
• Great Brahma Wisdom — Heavenly Sound Temple's supreme Buddhist art, represented by a swastika phantom when activated. 149
• Demonic cultivation — Draws upon the bloodthirsty power of Soul Eater and the Bloodthirsty Bead. 149
• His combined cultivation can dramatically raise his combat aura, though it exposes him to suspicion and backlash. 148 151

Heaven Severing Sword Draw

A sword-drawing technique Zhang Xiaofan learns after seeing Bai Ye perform it only once.

• Uses Soul Eater, formerly called his “Firewood Stick,” as the weapon for the technique. 93 94
• Defeats Lin Jingyu's Demon Slayer True Art in their Seven Peaks Tournament duel, though Zhang Xiaofan injures himself by diverting the attack to avoid killing Lin Jingyu. 94
• Later uses the technique to strike the Trapping Dragon Formation surrounding the Kui Bull. 148
• Its destructive force exceeds Zhang Xiaofan's expectations and requires careful control. 94

Soul Eater

The fused weapon formed from the Bloodthirsty Bead and Soul-Seizing Staff.

• A blood-refined Demonic Path artifact combining two supreme treasures. 125
• Emits blood-fiend energy capable of affecting its wielder's mind and soul. 149 151
• Causes nearby demonic creatures to recoil in fear. 128
• Can trigger a dangerous backlash when overused. 151
• Zhang Xiaofan insists that it is an Orthodox weapon when used to do good. 125

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Soul Eater — Fusion of the Bloodthirsty Bead and Soul-Seizing Staff; Zhang Xiaofan's primary weapon. 125
• Bloodthirsty Bead — Demonic treasure whose power Bai Ye can suppress; later fused into Soul Eater. 54 125
• Soul-Seizing Staff — Ancient soul-devouring artifact fused with the Bloodthirsty Bead. 125

Relationships

• Bai Ye — Senior brother and mentor. Bai Ye helps unlock Zhang Xiaofan's cultivation potential, accepts his threefold path, and remains the person Zhang Xiaofan believes understands him best. 50 149
• Tian Buyi — Master at Dazhu Peak. Initially disappointed by Zhang Xiaofan's slow progress; later angered by his Buddhist and Demonic cultivation, though their relationship remains emotionally significant. 50 149 158
• Song Daren — Senior brother who supports Zhang Xiaofan and later pleads for him when his secrets are exposed. 50 151
• Lin Jingyu — Fellow Caomiao Village survivor and rival. Their Seven Peaks Tournament duel ends with Lin Jingyu conceding defeat after being struck by Heaven Severing Sword Draw. 92 94
• Tian Ling'er — Senior sister whom Zhang Xiaofan protects from the Kui Bull, revealing his threefold cultivation to both paths. 148 149
• Bi Yao — Ghost King Sect disciple and later Zhang Xiaofan's lover. Their shared experiences in the Abyss of the Dead deepen their connection; her death drives him to seek Bai Ye's aid for resurrection. 123 158 211 214
• Wan Renwang — Ghost King Sect leader and Bi Yao's father. He recognizes Zhang Xiaofan's potential and hopes to recruit him to the Demonic Cult. 125 126
• Grandmaster Puzhi — The Heavenly Sound Temple monk whose actions are revealed to have caused the Caomiao Village massacre and Zhang Xiaofan's acquisition of Great Brahma Wisdom. 154 157

Story Role / Major Arcs

Joining Dazhu Peak

Following the Caomiao Village massacre, Zhang Xiaofan becomes a Qingyun Sect disciple. His apparent lack of talent is overturned after Bai Ye identifies the conflict between his Daoist and Buddhist energies and helps him reach the first layer of Taiji Xuanqing Dao. 44 50

Seven Peaks Tournament

Zhang Xiaofan's rapid growth shocks Qingyun Sect. He fights Lin Jingyu to a standstill, then uses Heaven Severing Sword Draw to win while deliberately preventing a fatal strike. 92 93 94

Abyss of the Dead

During the expedition through the Ten Thousand Bat Cave and Abyss of the Dead, Zhang Xiaofan encounters Bi Yao and becomes trapped with her in the Blood Drop Cave. There, he memorizes the Heavenly Book and gains greater clarity on the shared origin of Daoist, Buddhist, and Demonic techniques. 114 121 123

Mount Liubo and Exposure

At Mount Liubo, Zhang Xiaofan uses all three of his cultivation paths to save Tian Ling'er from the Kui Bull. His possession of Soul Eater and mastery of Great Brahma Wisdom are publicly exposed, creating conflict with Qingyun Sect and Heavenly Sound Temple. 148 149 150

Break with Qingyun Sect

After learning that Puzhi orchestrated the Caomiao Village massacre, Zhang Xiaofan's grief turns to rage. He rejects the distinction between Orthodox and Demonic paths and joins the Demonic Cult during its invasion of Qingyun Sect. 157 158

Bi Yao's Death and Resurrection Quest

Bi Yao sacrifices herself to save Zhang Xiaofan during the conflict involving the Kui Bull and Yellow Bird. Devastated, Zhang Xiaofan leaves the Ghost King Sect to seek Bai Ye's help. Bai Ye agrees to attempt her revival through Ghost Dao Arts, though his Heaven's Mandate Art can initially restore the dead for only one month. 210 211 214 215

Notable Quotes

“As long as one does good deeds, even if they walk the Demonic Path, they can still be considered a righteous person.” 126

“Jingyu, you didn't lose to me. You lost to the Heaven Severing Sword Draw.” 94

“With one word of letting go, you think the deaths of hundreds from Caomiao Village can be brushed aside?” 157