Yan Xingci

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Yan Xingci (言星辞)
Alias(es)	Song Kingdom's most wanted criminal; Young Master Yan 515 519
Species/Race	Human 515
Gender	Male 515
Occupation/Role	Martial artist, sword cultivator, and alchemist 516 651
Status	Active 655
First Appearance	Chapter 515

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
First-class martial artist	515	Reached the First-class realm at age eighteen, establishing his reputation as the Song Kingdom's foremost martial arts prodigy.
Top expert	516	Had surpassed the First-class realm three years earlier; possesses the complete Star River Sword Canon, profound internal energy, and insight into Heaven and Earth Momentum.
Peerless Master	534	Reached the peak of the mortal martial way after five years of studying the Martial Way General Outline, integrating it with the Star River Sword Canon and more than three hundred martial arts.
Qi Refining Layer 3	550	Reached the third layer after three months of cultivation, aided by his fire-element Heavenly Spiritual Root.
Qi Refining Layer 7	562	Advanced four further layers within another half-year.
Foundation Establishment Early Stage	569	Broke through with a Foundation Establishment Pill provided by Li Chengjie.
Foundation Establishment Late Stage	640	Solidified a pure, stable foundation while Li Chengjie was away.
Golden Core Late Stage	651	Became a late Golden Core alchemist while studying pill refinement at Tianbao Pavilion.
Golden Core Peak	655	Broke through after receiving Master Lakong's guidance.

Background / History

Yan Xingci was once celebrated as the Song Kingdom's greatest martial arts prodigy. He entered the First-class realm at eighteen and became Imperial Advisor Xiao Qianshan's godson at twenty-three, enjoying status and influence in the capital. 515

Three years before his encounter with Li Chengjie, Xiao Qianshan defiled and murdered Yan Xingci's sister and fiancée, then poisoned Yan Xingci when he sought revenge. Yan Xingci survived, abandoned the Imperial Advisor, and became a fugitive rather than allow the victims' names to be further disgraced. 516

During his years as a wanted man, he killed the leaders of the Fierce Tiger Gang, fought three Imperial Guard commanders without injury, robbed tax silver, and distributed it to disaster victims. The Imperial Advisor placed a bounty of one hundred thousand taels on him, dead or alive. 515

Appearance

Yan Xingci is a tall, slender young man with exceptionally handsome features, sharp brows, bright eyes, and a high-bridged nose. He initially appears in a faded blue shirt with loosely tied hair and later favors white clothing. 515 535

• Carries an ancient long sword with an unidentified scabbard. 515 534
• Often wears a faint, lazy smile. 515 518
• His eyes carry weariness and insight beyond his apparent age. 515
• At the Peerless realm, his sword intent is described as sharp, imposing, and brilliant. 535

Personality

Yan Xingci presents himself with relaxed confidence, speaking lazily even when confronting armed enemies. Beneath that composure lies intense grief and a deeply rooted hatred of Xiao Qianshan, whom he considers responsible for destroying his family. 515 516

He is observant and politically informed, understanding the Song Kingdom's divide between Xiao Qianshan's rule and Prince Rui's western territories. He is also protective of Prince Rui and refuses to retreat when An Changling threatens him. 518 526 544

After learning of the Cultivation World, Yan Xingci becomes intensely curious and ambitious. His initial impatience at slow progress gives way to steadier cultivation after guidance from Gao Chen and Master Lakong. 525 550 583

Abilities & Skills

Star River Sword Canon

Yan Xingci's principal martial inheritance is the Star River Sword Canon, a top-tier Song Kingdom sword art that combines sword qi, internal-energy circulation, movement techniques, and combat instincts. 516

• His swordplay and movement technique were already masterful at the Top expert realm. 516
• He can evade coordinated attacks by moving through the weakest points in an opponent's defense. 516
• After reaching the Peerless realm, he can release sword qi capable of cleaving a large rock from a distance. 534
• His sword intent earns recognition from the Peerless Master Dugu Lie. 535

Heaven and Earth Momentum

Yan Xingci's martial understanding reaches beyond ordinary mortal techniques, allowing him to sense and borrow natural momentum without spiritual energy. 516

• Reads the direction of wind and flow of water to improve movement and attacks. 516
• Uses surroundings and timing to turn an enemy's position into a disadvantage. 516
• His insights allowed Li Chengjie to recognize that the pinnacle of martial arts could touch the power of Heaven and Earth. 516

Martial Way General Outline

Long Yuan entrusted Yan Xingci with the Martial Way General Outline to broaden his sword-focused training and prepare him for a breakthrough beyond the Top expert realm. 524

• Encourages integrating multiple martial disciplines rather than relying solely on swordsmanship. 524
• Yan Xingci spent five years studying it alongside his own knowledge and hundreds of martial arts. 534
• Its teachings helped him reach the Peerless Master realm. 534

Fire-Element Cultivation

Yan Xingci possesses a fire-element Heavenly Spiritual Root, a single-attribute aptitude that grants unusually rapid cultivation progress. 543

• Li Chengjie gave him the fire-attribute Blazing Sacred Fire Art, which can be cultivated to the Golden Core stage. 543
• He advanced from a mortal martial artist to Qi Refining Layer 3 within three months. 550
• He later reached Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivation. 569 651 655
• Li Chengjie identifies the sword-cultivator technique Myriad Sword Art as particularly suitable for him. 620

Alchemy

Yan Xingci studies pill refinement at Tianbao Pavilion in Bright City. 651

• Refines top-tier second-grade pills with excellent color and luster. 651
• Is considered close to refining third-grade pills despite only several years of training. 651
• His progress attracts the attention and favor of Tianbao Pavilion manager Yang Guoliu. 651

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Ancient long sword — Yan Xingci's longtime weapon; it remains at his side after he reaches the Peerless realm. 515 534
• Star River Sword Canon — Complete martial inheritance that forms the core of his swordsmanship. 516
• Martial Way General Outline — Long Yuan's manual for integrating martial disciplines and pursuing the peak realm. 524
• Blazing Sacred Fire Art — Fire-attribute cultivation technique given to him by Li Chengjie. 543

Relationships

• Li Chengjie — Rescued Li Chengjie and Gao Chen from Imperial Guard custody; later becomes Li's junior brother and cultivation companion. Li provides Yan Xingci with his first cultivation technique and Foundation Establishment Pill. 517 543 569
• Gao Chen — Fellow traveler and senior brother figure in cultivation. Gao Chen reassures Yan Xingci when he becomes impatient with his early progress. 518 550
• Prince Rui (Jiang Rui) — Trusted ally and ruler of the Song Kingdom's western territories. Yan Xingci values his safety and returns to protect him when An Changling attacks the palace. 526 544
• Xiao Qianshan — Former adoptive father and Yan Xingci's principal enemy; Xiao murdered Yan's sister and fiancée, driving Yan's betrayal and quest for revenge. 516 533
• Long Yuan — Mentor who recognizes Yan Xingci's extraordinary talent, gives him the Martial Way General Outline, and establishes the five-year pact for the ancient-ruins expedition. 524
• Master Lakong — Spiritual mentor whose Chan teachings help Yan Xingci understand that cultivation requires cultivating the heart. 583 654
• An Changling — Former acquaintance living under Prince Rui's protection. Yan Xingci confronts him when he betrays and attacks Prince Rui. 526 544
• Yang Guoliu — Tianbao Pavilion herb-shop manager who cultivates goodwill with Yan Xingci because of his connection to Li Chengjie. 651

Story Role / Major Arcs

Imperial Guard Rescue

Yan Xingci intercepts Wang Tieshan's convoy after hearing that it is escorting two alleged “devils” to Xiao Qianshan. He defeats the guards with overwhelming martial skill, allowing Li Chengjie to break through to the First-class realm and join the battle. 515 516 517

Journey to Prince Rui's Territory

After freeing Li Chengjie and Gao Chen, Yan Xingci guides them west toward Prince Rui's orderly and prosperous domain. He explains the Song Kingdom's political situation and introduces them to Prince Rui at Pingyang City. 518 526

Five-Year Pact and Peerless Breakthrough

Yan Xingci accepts Long Yuan's invitation to explore ancient ruins after five years of preparation. During that period, he studies the Martial Way General Outline and reaches the Peerless Master realm. 524 534

Entry into the Cultivation World

Following the lifting of the Witch Curse land's seal, Yan Xingci learns that he has a fire-element Heavenly Spiritual Root. He accepts the Blazing Sacred Fire Art from Li Chengjie and begins cultivation. 542 543

Bright City Alchemist

Yan Xingci continues advancing through the cultivation realms while refining pills at Tianbao Pavilion. By this period, he is a late Golden Core cultivator and a top-tier second-grade alchemist. 651

Notable Quotes

“But you Imperial Guards should have heard my name.” 515

“When I see that beast's dog, I can't help but want to hit it.” 516

“Brother Li, I want to see the outside world too! I want to fly on a sword too!” 525

“Cultivation is cultivating the heart.” 583

Trivia

• Yan Xingci was already a Top expert in his early thirties, a level Long Yuan considered exceptionally rare among younger martial artists. 524
• His Heavenly Spiritual Root is fire-element, making him especially suited to fire-attribute cultivation methods. 543
• He initially regarded Qi Refining Layer 3 after three months as slow progress, prompting Gao Chen to call him a “monster” for advancing so quickly. 550
• Despite his martial reputation, he remains modest about his alchemy and refuses gifts he believes he has not earned. 651