Yellow Dog

Biodata

Background / History

Yellow Dog first appears as a Dark Star emissary operating from Tongming Academy. He confirms the organization’s personalized emblems, provides Lin Sheng with the Three Corpses Soul Severing Palm, and introduces him to the local mission board. 78

Before handing over the manual, he warns Lin Sheng that a previous talented practitioner died after reaching minor mastery, his body dissolving into foul water. He tries to recommend safer alternatives, but ultimately respects Lin Sheng’s choice while disclaiming responsibility for the consequences. 78

After Yangping Town’s destruction, he explains that Long Zilu and the Dragon Demon Army suppressed the Phantom Demon Beast outbreak, while emphasizing the immense human cost of activating the Blood Demon Array. 98 99

Lin Sheng later hires Yellow Dog to escort Lin Hong, Xie Guilan, Old Zhou, Xiao Shi, and Wang Dehai from Tongzhi County toward Linjiang Prefecture. Yellow Dog accepts the task, supplies intelligence on Guo Feng and the Yuanyang Beast Sect, and eliminates pursuers along the route. 107 108 114

The initial escort fee is two thousand taels. Yellow Dog changes his appearance for the journey and unsuccessfully offers to reduce the fee in exchange for Da Huang. During the trip, he explains bloodlines, true techniques, and the major powers of Linjiang Prefecture, encouraging Lin Sheng to seek a suitable sect rather than spend years accumulating Dark Star merit points for a true technique. 107 108 116 117 118

When the remnants of the Phantom Demon Beast pursue the convoy through the possessed bandit Du Long, Yellow Dog reveals his Flood Dragon transformation and holds the creature back, allowing Lin Sheng to escape and warn nearby towns. 121

Yellow Dog subsequently catches up with the convoy in tattered clothing, pale and exhausted. He reports that he badly wounded the creature opposing him, leaving only a wisp to escape, but expended considerable reserves in doing so. He identifies the enemy as a demon seed rather than a complete Phantom Demon Beast and recommends reporting it through Dark Star after reaching Linjiang Prefecture. Lin Sheng offers additional compensation. Upon arriving in the city, Yellow Dog identifies Shuitian Pavilion as the local branch and leaves to attend to his own affairs. 123

Yellow Dog remains a recurring Dark Star contact after the escort. He secretly helps move Lin Sheng’s family, shares intelligence on Linjiang Prefecture and the front-line war, and later transports the family to Tiannan Prefecture despite the danger posed by Lin Sheng’s wanted status. 221 248

For the journey to Luoshui County, he receives one thousand merit points and also escorts Cao Ying and Cao Luan. His organizational work in Tiannan includes searching for someone from Sky Rainbow Pavilion who possesses the secrets of the Shock Beast Army; Qi Ning is also expected to participate in this mission. 248

After Qi Ning orders the relocation of Dark Star’s compromised base, Yellow Dog travels with Golden Leopard to meet Lin Sheng. He delivers Lin Sheng’s Blazing Star Emissary token, a Blood Summoning Treasure Pill, the fragmentary Heavenly Snake Bone Changing manual, and a letter from Thousand Faces. He then explains the secret art’s dangerous history and the disastrous outcomes suffered by earlier practitioners. 272 274 276 277

He is betrayed and incapacitated by Golden Leopard during the Imperial Court’s assault on the Dark Star’s Tiannan stronghold. Lin Sheng removes the poison, after which Yellow Dog guides him to Gancao Town, also translated as Licorice Town, and takes responsibility for the rescued Dark Star members while Lin Sheng heads for Prefecture City. 279 280 281

During the rescue, Yellow Dog identifies Lin Sheng to the other members as the newly appointed Blazing Star Emissary, Lord Ghost Face, and distributes antidote pills. Golden Leopard’s betrayal particularly troubles him because the two had worked together for many years and Golden Leopard had once saved his life. 280 281

Yellow Dog later appears in Fulong City, where he learns of Lin Sheng’s arrival and investigates the stronghold. Suspecting that the matter involves Gong Wei, he urgently informs Qi Ning, prompting her to intervene. 302

Before Lin Sheng departs on the mission through East Sea Prefecture toward Southern Qi, Yellow Dog meets him alongside Qi Ning. He recognizes Da Huang despite its changed appearance and realizes that the dog has become a Spirit Beast. 314

He is later among the familiar companions who arrive aboard a small merchant vessel on the Eastern Continent, reuniting with Lin Sheng alongside Qi Ning, Lan Man, and Da Huang. 515

Appearance

Yellow Dog usually appears as a thin, gaunt old man with a wrinkled, somewhat lecherous face. He habitually carries and smokes a pipe. 114 248

• Emaciated build and withered hands. 114 116
• Often wears a smile that others find unsettling. 114
• Commonly seen with a pipe, exhaling thick smoke. 114 117
• Uses a Flood Dragon transformation in battle, taking on a scaled, rejuvenated humanoid appearance. 121
• Changes his appearance when traveling to make himself difficult to recognize; his escort disguise is noticeably more shriveled than his ordinary appearance. 108
• In his Spirit Flood Dragon Transformation, his body expands, blue-green scales cover his skin, and his aged features become those of a handsome, slender middle-aged man. His pupils become brownish-yellow vertical slits. 121

Personality

Yellow Dog is worldly, talkative, and highly practical. He readily accepts paid work and openly discusses merit-point compensation, yet he repeatedly fulfills dangerous assignments for Lin Sheng and the Dark Star. 107 221 248

He enjoys food, smoking, teasing Da Huang, and collecting valuables from defeated enemies. His crude humor and greed coexist with strong loyalty to his organization and concern for its members. 114 119 121 280 281

He is knowledgeable about cultivation, bloodlines, regional factions, and Dark Star affairs. He generally treats Lin Sheng as a promising junior, offering advice while expressing growing astonishment at Lin Sheng’s rapid rise. 116 117 221 280

His bargaining often involves appeals to friendship or exaggerated complaints about his losses. After the demon-seed encounter, his distressed expression immediately gives way to praise when Lin Sheng offers compensation. 98 107 108 123

Despite his mercenary habits, he is unwilling to let murderous bandits escape when he encounters them. He also shows open disdain for the authorities’ willingness to sacrifice remote settlements for Prefecture City’s security. 99 118

Golden Leopard’s betrayal reveals his attachment to old companions: even after being rescued, he is visibly desolate at discovering that a colleague who once saved him had become an Imperial Court agent. His immediate priorities nevertheless become the endangered stronghold and the possibility that Qi Ning and Lan Man are walking into a trap. 280

Abilities & Skills

Flood Dragon Transformation

Yellow Dog can use Spirit Flood Dragon Transformation, assuming a scaled humanoid form that greatly increases his combat capability against threats beyond Lin Sheng’s strength at the time. 121

• Uses Profound Flood Dragon Gang Sha, manifested as destructive green light. 121
• Tore Du Long’s black-scaled, Phantom Demon Beast-possessed body apart, though its black mist enabled it to reform. 121
• His displayed strength surprised Lin Sheng and was clearly above the Blood Circulation realm. 121
• Lin Sheng later assesses him as a late-stage Bone Transformation martial artist. 248
• Can partially transform an arm, causing it to swell, develop dark-green scales, and become a claw capable of pulverizing a reinforced stone door. 119 120
• Badly wounded the Phantom Demon Beast demon seed he fought, although a wisp escaped and the battle substantially depleted his reserves. 123
• Lin Sheng considers him no weaker than Shi Hui, the Formless Sword, and among the strongest martial artists within the Bone Transformation realm. 248

Extreme Speed and Lethal Combat

Yellow Dog fights with exceptional speed, precision, and decisiveness.

• Killed numerous bandits, including Muscle Forging practitioners, with single strikes. 118
• Pursued and captured the fleeing bandit leader Du Long. 118 119
• Escaped Du Long’s poison- and mechanism-filled secret chamber unharmed. 120
• Intercepted Guo Feng’s pursuing men before they could reach Lin Sheng’s convoy. 114
• Destroyed concealed crossbow mechanisms before breaking out of Du Long’s secret chamber. 119
• Can rapidly search defeated enemies for valuables, identifying the stronger martial artists among the corpses. 114 119

Bloodline and Cultivation Knowledge

Yellow Dog is an experienced source of martial-world information.

• Explains the origins and effects of bloodline talent and Blood Pills. 116
• Identifies the Situ Family, Tianxiang Sword Sect, and Yuanyang Beast Sect as Linjiang Prefecture’s three major powers. 117 118
• Warns Lin Sheng about the risks and history of the Heavenly Snake Bone Changing technique. 277
• Provides intelligence concerning the Blood Demon Array, Phantom Demon Beast, Shock Beast Army, and Dark Star’s internal situation. 99 248 280
• Explains Dark Star’s rank and merit-point requirements for obtaining true techniques, as well as the dangers of choosing an unsuitable true technique and later attempting to change cultivation methods. 117
• Describes the importance of mind and spirit in higher cultivation, particularly the risk of qi deviation when attempting to reach Divine Form without sufficient spiritual attainment. 120
• Explains Bone Transformation as a fundamental alteration of the body’s natural endowment, improving its ability to absorb Heaven and Earth Vital Energy. 120

Perception and Bloodline Examination

• Notices subtle changes in Lin Sheng’s qi and blood as he approaches a breakthrough. 115
• Can send a nearly imperceptible force through another person’s body to investigate bloodline power. His examination of Lin Sheng detects no bloodline, leading him to consider the possibility of an exceptionally faint or dormant one. 116
• Recognizes that Da Huang is not an ordinary dog before its later evolution, and subsequently identifies its advancement into a Spirit Beast. 113 314

Poison Expulsion and Disguise

• Expels poison from Lin Sheng’s third-level Three Corpses Soul Severing Palm through his own qi and blood, forcing corrosive black liquid out through his fingertips without using an antidote. 119
• His ability to purge that poison exceeds what Lin Sheng expects of an ordinary Blood Circulation practitioner. 119
• Can alter his appearance for travel and covert escort work. 108
• Is not immune to all poisons: Golden Leopard successfully numbs and immobilizes him with poison and an additional application of force. Lin Sheng must remove the poison, and the remaining force temporarily leaves Yellow Dog unable to use even thirty percent of his strength. 279 280

Cooking

Yellow Dog is an accomplished field cook, especially with beast meat.

• Roasts Spirit Beast meat during the journey to Linjiang Prefecture. 115
• Uses a small porcelain bottle of seasoning to enhance his roasted meat. 115
• Describes his roasted spotted leopard as his “signature skill.” 114
• Receives enthusiastic praise from Wang Dehai for both his cooking and martial ability. 115

Power Progression

Equipment / Items

• Dark Star emblem — bears a faint cloud pattern identifying him within the organization. 78
• Pipe — frequently smoked and carried at his waist. 114 116
• Porcelain seasoning bottle — used while roasting meat. 115
• Wine gourd — carried at his waist and used while eating roasted meat. 115
• Antidote pills — distributes these to the rescued Dark Star members at the Gancao Town stronghold. 281

Relationships

• Lin Sheng — Dark Star associate, employer, and trusted junior. Yellow Dog escorts Lin Sheng’s family, gives him intelligence and cultivation advice, and is later rescued by him after Golden Leopard’s betrayal. Lin Sheng trusts him enough to reveal that he killed Zhou Xingwen and He Lanjian. Yellow Dog later helps maintain contact in Fulong City and reunites with him on the Eastern Continent. 107 116 221 280 302 515
• Da Huang — Lin Sheng’s dog. Yellow Dog repeatedly teases and frightens Da Huang, while also showing unusual interest in acquiring it. He recognizes its unusual nature and is astonished when it later becomes a Spirit Beast. 108 113 114 121 314
• Golden Leopard / Old Leopard — longtime Dark Star colleague who betrays and poisons Yellow Dog while serving the Imperial Court. Golden Leopard once saved Yellow Dog’s life, making the betrayal particularly painful. 272 279 280
• Qi Ning / Thousand Faces — a Blazing Star Emissary whose movements and missions Yellow Dog helps coordinate. He reports Lin Sheng’s unexpected arrival in Fulong City to her when he suspects Gong Wei is involved. 248 279 302
• Hong Ye / Red Leaf — fellow Hidden Star Emissary rescued during the attack on the Gancao Town stronghold. Yellow Dog checks on him and the other survivors and provides antidote pills. 281
• Wang Dehai — member of Lin Sheng’s household whom Yellow Dog protects during the escort. Wang Dehai especially admires his roasted meat and openly praises his martial skill. 108 115
• Lan Man — fellow Dark Star member whose safety concerns Yellow Dog after Golden Leopard’s exposure. They later appear together with Qi Ning at the Eastern Continent reunion. 280 515

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Dark Star introduction — Gives Lin Sheng the Three Corpses Soul Severing Palm and access to Dark Star missions. 78
• Escort to Linjiang Prefecture — Protects Lin Sheng’s family, defeats bandits, and educates Lin Sheng about bloodlines and the prefecture’s powers. 107 108 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121
• Phantom Demon Beast encounter — Reveals his Flood Dragon transformation to confront the monster attached to Du Long, badly wounds the demon seed, and later rejoins the convoy before reaching Linjiang Prefecture City. 121 123
• Linjiang and Tiannan intelligence work — Secretly escorts Lin Sheng’s family and keeps him informed of regional and wartime developments. 221 248
• Blazing Star appointment and cultivation deliveries — Delivers Lin Sheng’s new token, cultivation resources, and the Heavenly Snake Bone Changing manual, then explains the art’s dangerous history. 276 277 279
• Dark Star betrayal crisis — Is poisoned by Golden Leopard, then helps Lin Sheng respond to the Imperial Court’s assault on the new stronghold. 279 280 281
• Fulong City contact — Alerts Qi Ning to Lin Sheng’s arrival and the apparent involvement of Gong Wei. 302
• Departure toward Southern Qi — Meets Lin Sheng before his mission and recognizes Da Huang’s evolution into a Spirit Beast. 314
• Eastern Continent reunion — Arrives by merchant vessel with Qi Ning, Lan Man, and Da Huang and reunites with Lin Sheng. 515

Trivia

• Yellow Dog’s Dark Star emblem has a cloud pattern, while Lin Sheng’s has a crescent-moon pattern. 78
• He tried to bargain for Da Huang by offering to reduce the escort fee by five hundred taels; Lin Sheng refused. 108
• He was poisoned after searching Lin Sheng’s toxin-corroded victims for valuables. 119
• Despite arriving late to search the defeated bandits, he obtained roughly one-third of the spoils. 119
• His attempt to inspect Lin Sheng for visible bloodline characteristics creates an awkward misunderstanding among the traveling party, forcing him to explain his intentions. 115
• When Lin Sheng describes Da Huang’s evolution as merely having “grown a little” from eating well, Yellow Dog privately objects that the dog has actually become a Spirit Beast. 314