Ye Ming

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Ye Ming (叶铭)
Alias(es)	Zhang Yuan; Ye Yun
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Yi Jian Palace; formerly associated with the Yaochi Sect expedition
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; former cowherd
Status	Deceased; killed by Jiang Lan 218
First Appearance	Chapter 46

Background / History

Ye Ming began with such poor talent that he was initially unable to cultivate. Under Old Ghost's guidance and through repeated fortuitous encounters, he eventually gained strength comparable to young prodigies despite his humble origins. Old Ghost considers Ye Ming's exceptional fortune unlike that of the many disciples he had guided before. 72 144

At the Blood-Colored Plateau, Ye Ming encountered Jiang Lan and became aware of his abnormal ability to absorb the blood-colored mist. He suspected that Jiang Lan might be an Innate Sage. 46

By the time of the events in Anyang City, Ye Ming was a cowherd carrying Old Ghost within him. He considered intervening to save Chu Chan from Jiang Lan, revealing a willingness to risk himself for a stranger. 70

Appearance

While using his original identity, Ye Ming is described as a young man. After being exposed, he relied on identity-changing techniques and disguises to evade pursuit.

• Used the appearance and identity of Zhang Yuan, an inner disciple of Yi Jian Palace. 98
• Later operated under the alias Ye Yun. 213 217
• Could replicate another person's appearance, limbs, soul aura, and memories through his disguise technique. 98

Personality

Ye Ming is ambitious, resourceful, and highly survival-oriented. He repeatedly pursues inheritances and rare opportunities even while hunted, including the Four Saints Ancient Heavenly Merit, True Lord Purple Cloud's inheritance, and the Heaven-Connecting Stele. 95 96 130

He is also capable of compassion: he initially considers rescuing Chu Chan despite the danger involved. However, continued framing, pursuit, and defeat at Jiang Lan's hands leave him fearful, discouraged, and increasingly consumed by hatred toward Jiang Lan. 70 96 144 217

Old Ghost's assertion that Ye Ming may be the “Protagonist of Heaven and Earth” restores his determination after a period of despair. 144

Abilities & Skills

Cultivation

Ye Ming rose from being unable to cultivate to possessing strength that could rival young prodigies. Following his recovery at Chenyu Sect, he gained enlightenment and neared the Seventh Realm, the Dharma Aspect Realm. 144 216

• Demonstrated sufficient combat ability to battle Sun Yi, a prodigy of the Crimson Bright Ancient Sect, while deliberately restraining himself. 120
• Possessed a blood seal that led others to identify or suspect him as a Blood Immortal Sect successor. 213
• His aura and techniques were recognizable to Ling Zhuyun despite his attempts at concealment. 95

Fetal Transformation and Body Snatching Art

A one-use life-saving secret technique obtained by chance. Ye Ming used it after his identity became untenable.

• Changed his appearance and body to match Zhang Yuan, an Yi Jian Palace inner disciple. 98
• Simulated the target's soul aura and acquired their memories. 98
• Did not alter Ye Ming's true soul; he remained Ye Ming beneath the disguise. 98
• The technique could only be used once. 98

Formations and Strategy

Ye Ming possessed expertise in formations, which led Ling Zhuyun and the Yaochi Sect to bring him to Purple Cloud Mountain. 86

• Impersonated an assassin's accomplice while planning to rescue a Yaochi Sect disciple. 72
• Attempted to exchange a peculiar stone for Shang Mingyu's aid against Jiang Lan. 114
• Used disguises, false identities, and opportunistic escapes to evade enemies. 74 98 120

Equipment / Items

• Sumire Ring — held Ye Ming's possessions, including ten ancient golden jade pills. 72
• Ten ancient jade pills — golden-yellow pills approximately the size of a baby's fist, containing powerful force. 72
• Fetal Transformation and Body Snatching Art — one-use disguise and identity-replacement secret technique. 98
• Protective jade talisman — activated during his escape from Ge Qixing and Xue Wuchen. 216
• Secret spatial-travel treasure — used to flee through the void after sustaining severe injuries. 216

Relationships

• Old Ghost — A remnant soul residing with and guiding Ye Ming. Old Ghost repeatedly advises him, aids his survival, and encourages his belief that he may be the Protagonist of Heaven and Earth. 70 72 96 144 216
• Jiang Lan — Ye Ming's principal enemy. Jiang Lan repeatedly frames and manipulates him, preserves him when useful as a scapegoat, later uses him as bait, and ultimately kills him. 96 113 153 218
• Ling Zhuyun — Initially protected Ye Ming and concealed information about him, but turned against him after Blood Immortal Sect members publicly identified him by name. 85 92 96
• Wang Yu — Saved Ye Ming after he fell unconscious into a mountain river and later attempted to help him escape from Chenyu Sect. Ye Ming fled without her. 216 217
• Chu Chan — Ye Ming considered rescuing her from Jiang Lan at the Drunken Immortal Abode. 70
• Shang Mingyu — Ye Ming sought to offer her the peculiar stone in exchange for assistance against Jiang Lan. 114
• Qi Heng — Ye Ming viewed Ling Zhuyun's suitor as a rival and wanted to prove himself in his presence. 86

Story Role / Major Arcs

Blood-Colored Plateau

Ye Ming encountered Jiang Lan amid the Blood-Colored Plateau's anomalies and suspected that Jiang Lan's extraordinary vitality marked him as an Innate Sage. 46

Drunken Immortal Abode

While attempting to rescue a Yaochi Sect disciple, Ye Ming disguised himself as an assassin's accomplice. His actions led to a confrontation in which Li Mengning frightened him into retreat. 72 73

He later impersonated Jiang Lan, creating further confusion around the assassination attempts and his connection to the Prime Minister's Heir. 74

Purple Cloud Mountain and Exposure

Ye Ming joined the expedition to True Lord Purple Cloud's cave mansion due to his formation knowledge. Jiang Lan publicly accused him of involvement in the Drunken Immortal Abode attack, though Ling Zhuyun initially defended him. 85 86

During the struggle for the grotto-heaven's opportunities, Blood Immortal Sect members addressed him as “Senior Brother Ye Ming” and claimed they had been instructed to assist him. The incident exposed his name before Ling Zhuyun and others, turning him into a suspected Blood Immortal Sect member. 96

Jiang Lan deliberately prevented Ling Zhuyun from killing Ye Ming at that time, considering him more useful alive as a scapegoat. 96

Zhang Yuan Identity

After his exposure, Ye Ming used the Fetal Transformation and Body Snatching Art on Zhang Yuan of Yi Jian Palace. He erased Zhang Yuan's memories, assumed his appearance and identity, and left his own original face on the unconscious disciple to confuse pursuers. 98

As Zhang Yuan, he continued seeking opportunities while attempting to avoid drawing attention to himself. 120 130

Framed Successor and Fugitive

Jiang Lan used the Myriad Transformation Blood Array and a Myriad Spirit Blood Puppet to frame Ye Ming for Blood Immortal Sect-related incidents. Evidence later placed Ye Ming in the Qianyuan Cave Realm, prompting the arrest of Yi Jian Palace members in the Imperial Capital. 140 143

Severely injured and in hiding, Ye Ming learned from Old Ghost that he might be the Protagonist of Heaven and Earth. He regained his resolve and came to see Jiang Lan as his greatest tribulation. 144

Chenyu Sect and Death

After recovering under Wang Yu's care, Ye Ming—using the identity Ye Yun—was pursued by Elder Xia Jin, Xue Wuchen, and Ge Qixing over his alleged Blood Immortal Sect connection. 213 216

When the Blood Immortal Sect attacked Chenyu Sect, Ye Ming tried to flee. He watched Jiang Lan rescue Ling Zhuyun and became consumed by resentment, believing Jiang Lan had stolen his beloved. 217

Jiang Lan pursued Ye Ming after the battle, killed him, and absorbed his fortune. 218

Trivia

• Old Ghost described Ye Ming's original talent as so poor that he could not cultivate. 144
• Ye Ming's first known disguise after his exposure was Zhang Yuan of Yi Jian Palace. 98
• He pursued the Heaven-Connecting Stele in Qianyuan Mansion but failed to obtain it when it escaped. 130
• Jiang Lan explicitly planned to use Ye Ming as bait to draw out Old Ghost's hidden arrangements. 153