Xuan Gu

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xuan Gu (玄骨)
Alias(es)	Xuan Gu Shang Ren; Old Man Xuan Gu
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xuantian Divine Cult; later accompanies Zhang Tie's group
Occupation/Role	Guardian of Divine City; cultivator of the Incense Godhood Path; guide to the Nether Emperor's Immortal Mansion
First Appearance	Chapter 839

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Mahayana	842	Revealed as a Mahayana cultivator while discussing the Heavenly Dao and joining Zhang Tie's plan to forcibly open a route to the Immortal Realm.
Golden Immortal	875	Captured without a fight by San Mu; later assists Zhang Tie in pursuing the Nether Emperor's inheritance.

Background / History

Xuan Gu claims to be an outsider rather than a native of the realm. In a past Secret Realm expedition, he formed a temporary alliance with Han Li to compete for a rare treasure, but was killed in the ensuing conflict. His soul later awakened attached to a suitable skeleton in an unfamiliar world, where he rebuilt his cultivation through the Incense Godhood Path. 841

As the power behind the Xuantian Divine Cult and Divine City, Xuan Gu confronts Zhang Tie after Zhang destroys the city's defensive formations. He opens a massive spatial rift and draws Zhang into the void for a direct battle. 839 840

During the battle, Xuan Gu attempts to suppress Zhang through faith power, Karma Fire, the Myriad Souls Banner, and a Divine Kingdom Domain. Zhang withstands these measures with his soul strength, Chaos Divine Thunder, and Law of Strength, forcing Xuan Gu to abandon the confrontation. 840

After learning that Zhang is Han Li's fellow disciple and another outsider, Xuan Gu proposes peace. He later reveals his resentment toward the Heavenly Dao, which he believes treats cultivators as nourishment, and agrees to cooperate with Zhang's plan to break into the Immortal Realm. The two bind their agreement with exchanged soul blood. 841 842

Following the failed world-breaking effort, Xuan Gu is captured by San Mu and brought before Zhang. He returns Zhang's soul blood, then offers intelligence concerning the Emperor's Spring, the Eight Desolations Pagoda, Star Tokens, and the Emperor's Order in exchange for continued involvement in Zhang's expedition. 875 876

Xuan Gu subsequently guides Zhang's group toward the Emperor's Order using the Eight Desolations Pagoda. He accompanies Zhang through the Yellow Springs Road, is frozen by its dangers, and is later restored through the Time Sandglass's power. 881 882 883

Within the Heavenly Illusion Reincarnation Blood Spider's domain, Xuan Gu is trapped inside a blood cocoon until Zhang severs the threads binding him. He later identifies star power as a possible means to restrain the spider and recognizes the potential significance of a connection to the outer realms. 886 887

Appearance

Xuan Gu is initially manifested as an ancient old man in grey robes whose presence seems intertwined with the surrounding world. His appearance carries a majestic yet sinister pressure. 839

• Often described with a withered or pale body, reflecting his skeletal rebirth and Incense Godhood cultivation. 841 842
• His manifestation can shift from a distant phantom to a solidified physical form. 839 840
• Later appears as a white-haired old man when captured by San Mu. 875
• His eyes are frequently associated with cold light, soul fire, or intense calculation. 876 887

Personality

Xuan Gu is highly pragmatic and survival-driven. After failing to overpower Zhang, he quickly shifts from hostility to negotiation, reasoning that two outsiders have no need to destroy each other over the affairs of a foreign realm. 841

He harbors profound resentment toward the Heavenly Dao and is willing to risk his life for a route beyond its control. This desperation drives his willingness to support Zhang's world-breaking plan and later to attach himself to Zhang's expedition for the Nether Emperor's inheritance. 842 875

He is also secretive and opportunistic. Xuan Gu withholds information until it benefits him, such as his knowledge of the Emperor's Spring, the Eight Desolations Pagoda, Star Tokens, and the Emperor's Order. Zhang openly regards him as exceptionally cunning and remains prepared to soul-search him if necessary. 875 876

Abilities & Skills

Space Law

Xuan Gu possesses advanced control over spatial power.

• Tears open a spatial rift hundreds of zhang wide to challenge Zhang Tie in the void. 839 840
• Can project a phantom presence before solidifying into a physical form within the void. 839 840
• His cultivation allows him to move and battle in the dangerous void within the realm. 840

Incense Godhood Path

Xuan Gu rebuilt his cultivation through the Incense Godhood Path after his soul attached itself to a skeleton in the current realm. 841

• Draws on the faith and prayers of countless beings as a source of divine might. 840
• Employs Karma Fire and malevolent souls against spiritual and soul-based defenses. 840
• Projects a Divine Kingdom Domain to suppress opponents' power and law comprehension. 840
• His external faith-based suppression fails against Zhang's refined soul and Law of Strength. 840

Inherited Knowledge

Xuan Gu possesses inherited memories concerning the Nether Emperor's Immortal Mansion and its hidden mechanisms.

• Identifies the Emperor's Spring as the condensed essence of dissipated cultivator souls rather than a natural spring. 875
• Explains that the Eight Desolations Pagoda can potentially free its holder from a world's legal constraints and permit travel through myriad realms. 875
• Provides information on Star Tokens, the Emperor's Order, Yellow Springs Road, and the Hall of Yama. 875 876 882
• Recognizes the Altar of Inheritance and associates its divine-beast statues with Time and Space inheritances. 892

Formation and Treasure Guidance

Xuan Gu is capable of operating or guiding the use of the Eight Desolations Pagoda's foundation.

• Determines the direction of the Emperor's Order with the pagoda foundation. 881
• Uses inherited knowledge to guide Zhang through the Yellow Springs Road. 882
• Assists Zhang in navigating inheritance locations despite the limits of his own memories. 892

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Myriad Souls Banner — A soul-based treasure used during his battle with Zhang Tie. 840
• Eight Desolations Pagoda foundation — A component associated with freedom from a world's restrictions; Xuan Gu operates it after Zhang entrusts it to him. 875 881
• Soul blood pact — The mutual oath binding Xuan Gu and Zhang Tie during their world-breaking alliance; later returned after the plan concludes. 842 875

Relationships

• Zhang Tie — Initially adversaries after Zhang attacks Divine City; later allies bound by a soul-blood oath. Xuan Gu provides intelligence and guidance, while Zhang consistently treats him with caution. 839 842 875 876
• Han Li — Xuan Gu's former temporary ally in a past Secret Realm struggle. Han Li's apparent death was followed by Xuan Gu's rebirth in another world. 841
• San Mu — Zhang Tie's subordinate who captures Xuan Gu without a fight and later brings him before Zhang. 875
• Zhao Santian — A member of Zhang Tie's group who witnesses Xuan Gu's guidance and discusses Zhang's refinement of the Emperor's Spring with him. 880 881
• Xie Fanghua — Travels in the same group during the search for the Emperor's Order and openly displays impatience with Xuan Gu's methods. 881