Xie Qingyun

Biodata

History

Xie Qingyun leads the Qingniao Institute, one of the Seven Forms Sect's institutes. Lin Sheng first meets her after choosing the relatively quiet Qingniao Institute; despite his lowest-grade bloodline assessment, she accepts him as her fifth personal disciple and arranges his initiation through Wei Yun. She considers his comprehension, diligence, and steady temperament more important than his poor initial evaluation. 128 129

She takes a personal interest in Lin Sheng's progress, guiding his Qingniao Chasing Star Finger cultivation, providing resources, and using her authority to secure him access to additional techniques from the sect treasury after he enters Blood Circulation. She supports his participation in resource-producing sect assignments because he lacks outside backing and needs avenues to gain cultivation resources. Later, she specifically secures him a profitable herb-producing assignment in Shui Guang Town. 129 179 182 207

During discussions over Yunshui Mountain's beast mines, Xie Qingyun opposes aggressive expansion beyond Great Cui Peak. She warns that competing for another peak could provoke stronger factions and gamble with the disciples' lives. Her opposition contributes to her strained relationship with Yuan Zhongfei. 148 159

When the White Dragon Gang targets Lin Sheng, Xie Qingyun refuses to dismiss the incident as a private grievance. She confronts the sect leadership over the threat, then rushes to protect Lin Sheng and Wei Yun when Shi Gu attacks them. Although she holds Shi Gu off with a secret technique, she is injured and must recuperate after Ouyang Bing forces Shi Gu to retreat. 159 161 162

After Lin Sheng completes his Great Cui Peak assignment, she rewards him with an additional hundred Azure Feather Pills and one hundred thousand taels. By this point, she regards his eventual entry into Bone Transformation as virtually assured, though she remains uncertain how far his bloodline potential will allow him to advance. 198

Following Crimson Whale Hall's destruction, Xie Qingyun urgently summons Lin Sheng and cautions her disciples against conflict with the Imperial Court. She also opposes Yuan Zhongfei's proposal to confront the authorities, warning that resistance could give Zhang Songbai an excuse to target the sect. When robberies later threaten sect properties, she sends Bai Qing and capable institute disciples to support Lin Sheng at Shui Guang Town rather than have Wei Yun abandon her own assignment. 199 200 201 207

During the Seven Forms Sect's internal crisis, she is deeply affected by the departure of many disciples—especially Xiao Yan, whom she had regarded like a daughter. Lin Sheng's decision to remain with the Qingniao Institute gives her comfort. She abolishes the distinction between the institute's remaining inner and outer disciples and offers to guide all of them personally. 211

Despite her own unease after the White Dragon Gang's destruction, she reassures her disciples that the Seven Forms Sect's long history, Ouyang Bing's reputation, and the Myriad Sect Alliance should offer protection. This reassurance temporarily restores calm within the institute. 213

Xie Qingyun later leads Qingniao Institute disciples during the sect's flight and subsequent attacks. Acting on Ouyang Bing's instructions, she evacuates toward Qingquan Mountain and joins Yu Zhao's Spirit Snake Courtyard survivors. She is badly wounded while protecting Bai Qing and fighting Song Changjiang, then continues traveling despite Bone Force damaging her body until Lin Sheng insists that Yu Zhao treat her injuries. 215 216 217 218

After three days of recuperation, her injuries are no longer a serious concern. When Yu Zhao argues against remaining with the ruined sect, Xie Qingyun refuses to abandon it and expresses confidence in its future with Lin Sheng. She subsequently accompanies the remaining disciples toward the Congyun Mountain Range. 220

In the Congyun Mountain Range, she continues coordinating the defense of allied sect members, responding to distress signals and fighting hostile martial artists herself. Even amid mounting danger, she places her trust in Lin Sheng's ability to protect their group. 234 236

During the coordinated assault on their camp, she kills a newly advanced Bone Transformation herb-gatherer leader but is later overwhelmed by Bai Yunhe, whose cultivation exceeds hers by two minor layers. Lin Sheng's arrival reverses the battle. After the subsequent confrontation with the Prefectural Office and its allies, she accompanies the survivors farther into the mountain range under his leadership. 234 238

After the group settles in Luoshui County, Lin Sheng seeks her out to test his improved Qingniao Chasing Star Finger. Although she uses Bone Force against his Qi force, he wins the exchange. She acknowledges defeat and observes that his force resembles that of the technique's founding ancestor while also possessing an unfamiliar quality capable of affecting the mind. 242 246

Appearance

Xie Qingyun is a beautiful woman appearing to be in her early thirties. She has a gentle face and mild bearing, though her Blood Essence is far stronger than her outwardly delicate appearance suggests. 128

• Usually wears a green robe with twin silver edges on the collar, marking her status as Qingniao Institute head. 128
• Her residence at the sect is called the Green Bamboo Courtyard. 140
• Keeps a simply furnished residence, with meditation cushions and a statue of the Qingniao Institute's Divine Form founder as its most notable feature. 165
• Her body develops feather-like hairs when she fully unleashes her power in battle. 161

Personality

Xie Qingyun is gentle and fair-minded. She does not reject Lin Sheng over his low-grade bloodline, instead judging him by his comprehension, temperament, and willingness to cultivate. She encourages her disciples without giving them unrealistic expectations. 128 129 162

Though she dislikes unnecessary conflict and accepts minor losses when necessary, she is fiercely protective when her disciples are threatened. Lin Sheng's conflict with the White Dragon Gang becomes her “bottom line,” prompting her to demand an explanation despite the danger of provoking a major force. 159

She is outwardly soft but inwardly resolute. Even after being defeated and surrounded by enemies, she refuses humiliation and prepares to make a final attack rather than surrender. 217

Her caution in sect affairs reflects concern for her disciples rather than indifference to the sect's future. She opposes risking their lives for uncertain territorial gains, prioritizes their survival during dangerous missions, and remains loyal to the Seven Forms Sect after its destruction. 148 181 220

Although she had been regarded as a genius in her youth, she openly acknowledges Lin Sheng's superiority after losing their spar. His ability to defeat her Bone Force with Qi force leaves her feeling somewhat defeated and makes her reflect on the extraordinary differences between talented martial artists. 246

Abilities & Skills

Bone Transformation Martial Arts

Xie Qingyun is a Bone Transformation martial artist whose Blood Essence greatly exceeds that of Blood Circulation practitioners. Her condensed power is referred to as Bone Force. She is specifically identified as a Third Layer Bone Transformation practitioner during the sect's flight. 128 216 246

• Has been in the Bone Transformation realm for many years and is considered a recognized expert in Linjiang Prefecture. 144
• Can kill Blood Circulation opponents with projected force; she eliminates two attackers while defending Bai Qing. 217
• Uses Bone Force in direct combat and can sustain extended high-speed movement despite serious injuries. 218
• Her strength is sufficient to lead an institute and fight other Bone Transformation experts, though she is disadvantaged against stronger opponents such as Shi Gu, Song Changjiang, and Bai Yunhe. 161 217 234
• Ranks outside the Seven Forms Sect's top five fighters at the time of Shi Gu's ambush, placing her toward the lower end of its institute heads in combat strength. 161
• Can extend her senses to watch for nearby enemies while guarding the camp. 236
• Her Bone Force is pure azure, more condensed and pure than Lin Sheng's dark-green Qi force during their spar. Nevertheless, his force's superior offensive properties allow it to pierce and disperse hers. 246

Qingniao Chasing Star Finger

The Qingniao Chasing Star Finger is her primary true technique. It emphasizes speed, agility, explosive bursts, and decisive strikes. 161 221

• Uses the technique to rapidly pursue fleeing enemies and deliver lethal attacks. 234
• Employs the Azure Bird Star Chaser killing move to pierce the chest of a newly advanced Bone Transformation opponent after pursuing him with her secret technique. 234
• Recognizes explosive power and agility as important qualities of the institute's force. She compares Lin Sheng's dark-green force to that of the ancestor who created the technique. 246
• Her bloodline is highly compatible with the technique, allowing faster progress than with defensive arts. 221
• The technique is less suited to direct strength contests, leaving her at a disadvantage against Song Changjiang's saber force. 217
• Explains that the technique alone has an upper cultivation limit of Bone Transformation Fifth Layer; further advancement requires cultivating additional true arts and performing Seven Forms Fusion. 222

Bloodline Release

When forced to fight at full power, Xie Qingyun can trigger a secret technique that intensifies her green aura and causes fine hairs across her body to become feather-like. 161

• Greatly increases her combat output against stronger enemies. 161
• Carries a physical cost; after using it to contend with Shi Gu, she is injured and requires pills and rest to stabilize. 162
• Allows her to temporarily hold her ground against the Fourth Layer Bone Transformation practitioner Song Changjiang, despite being one layer below him. Its limited duration prevents this from being a lasting solution to the difference in strength. 216
• Can also be used during pursuit, enabling her to leave trailing afterimages as she catches fleeing opponents. 234

White Elephant Town Mountain Art

Xie Qingyun practices the White Elephant Town Mountain Art as a secondary true technique, using it to supplement the offensive Qingniao Chasing Star Finger. 221

• Has cultivated the technique to the fourth layer. 221
• Its defensive focus is poorly matched to her bloodline, making her progress slower than with the Qingniao Chasing Star Finger. 221
• She teaches Lin Sheng that mastering multiple true techniques and using Seven Forms Fusion is necessary for higher cultivation breakthroughs. 222
• Explains that taking her secondary art to its limit would allow her to use Seven Forms Fusion to reach Bone Transformation Sixth Layer; advancing to the Seventh Layer would require another true art cultivated to its limit and another fusion. 222

Cultivation Guidance

As an institute head, Xie Qingyun provides practical and theoretical instruction to her disciples.

• Guides Lin Sheng through the Initiation stage of Qingniao Chasing Star Finger and assesses his cultivation potential. 129
• Explains latent bloodlines and interprets Lin Sheng's unusual physique changes as evidence of dormant bloodline potential. She cautions that this does not necessarily imply a dramatic improvement in his bloodline grade. 162
• Teaches the dangers of uncontrolled bloodline power and explains the Clear Mind realm as a requirement for progressing toward Divine Form. 201 202
• Lends Lin Sheng her blue-green waist token so he can consult restricted sect records concerning Clear Mind before entering Bone Transformation. 202
• Personally guides Bai Qing through her breakthrough to the late Blood Circulation stage. 232
• Explains the requirements for Seven Forms Fusion and Divine Form: at least four true arts must reach their limits, while the other three must reach Blood Circulation Peak before the final fusion. She also identifies the incomplete state of the Earth Dragon and Wind Gathering institutes' arts. 222
• Can assess unusual properties in another practitioner's force, identifying the explosive power, agility, and mind-affecting quality of Lin Sheng's Qi force during their spar. 246

Power Progression

Relationships

• Lin Sheng — Her fifth personal disciple. She accepts him despite his lowest-grade bloodline assessment, guides his cultivation, protects him from external threats, and increasingly values his talent and steady character. After the sect's destruction, she places considerable hope in his ability to preserve its future. He later surpasses her in a Qingniao Chasing Star Finger spar, which she openly acknowledges. 128 129 198 220 246
• Wei Yun — Her senior personal disciple and trusted assistant. Wei Yun handles Lin Sheng's initiation and often accompanies Xie Qingyun in institute affairs and combat. Xie Qingyun takes pride in her Bone Transformation breakthrough and trusts her growing ability to protect herself. 128 161 181 207
• Bai Qing — Her fourth personal disciple. Xie Qingyun protects and guides Bai Qing during several dangerous encounters. 140 217 232
• Zhao Kongfang — Her second personal disciple. She recognizes his talent but repeatedly urges him to focus more seriously on cultivation. Although initially permissive because of his Zhao family responsibilities and backing, she resolves to discipline him more carefully rather than let his talent go to waste. 181
• Xiao Yan — Her third personal disciple, whom Xie Qingyun regarded as both a disciple and a daughter before Xiao Yan left the institute. 181 211
• Ouyang Bing — Seven Forms Sect Master. He intervenes to drive away Shi Gu, but Xie Qingyun resents his decision not to pursue the White Dragon Gang expert. She later obeys his evacuation order, recognizing that preserving the disciples is necessary to preserve the sect. 162 215
• Yuan Zhongfei — Head of the Golden Origin Courtyard. Their relationship is strained; he shows bias against Lin Sheng because of his connection to Xie Qingyun. Their disagreements include whether the sect should compete for additional beast mines or resist the Imperial Court. Despite this, they later cooperate in defending the sect's survivors. 148 182 201 236
• Shi Gu — White Dragon Gang's Third Boss. He attacks Xie Qingyun's disciples and injures her during their confrontation. 161 162
• Yu Zhao — Spirit Snake Courtyard head and temporary ally during the sect's flight. He removes the Bone Force from Xie Qingyun's body after she is gravely wounded. They later disagree over remaining loyal to the Seven Forms Sect, and he departs while she stays with Lin Sheng. 216 218 220
• Song Changjiang — A Fourth Layer Bone Transformation enemy who gravely wounds her after she diverts her attention to protect Bai Qing. Lin Sheng kills him during the rescue of the sect survivors. 216 217
• Bai Yunhe — Golden Crane Sect expert who attacks the survivors for a reward. His superior cultivation and movement technique overwhelm her despite her secret technique, until Lin Sheng intervenes. 234

Notable Quotes

“If the bestial nature suppresses human nature, one will degenerate into a half-human, half-beast demon.” 201

“No matter what, I believe in Sheng'er.” 236

“If we cannot remain in Linjiang Prefecture, we can go elsewhere. The world is vast; there will always be a place for us. Senior Brother Yu, I understand what you mean, but no matter what, I will not abandon the Seven Forms Sect.” 220

“Sheng'er, I have lost.” 246

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