Chen Heng

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Chen Heng (陈衡)
Alias(es)	Chen Mingheng / Mingheng
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Spiritual Root	Fifth-grade mid-level Water-Fire Spiritual Root
Affiliation	Chen Family; Jade Spring Artifact Pavilion; selected for direct entry into the Azure Profound Sect Outer Sect
Occupation/Role	Qi Refining cultivator; artifact refiner; Chen Family representative and market-town artifact refiner
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Third Layer of Qi Refining	1	His cultivation when chosen by lot for the Chen–Luo Family contest; he had cultivated for six years.
Body-refinement breakthrough	2	Sacrificed a Great Strength Arm-Reaching Ape through the Sacrificial Ritual of Holding Talismans, gaining Force Piercing Thousand Jin and instantly condensing two complete Divine Ape Spirit Marks.
Ten Divine Ape Spirit Marks	3	Reached 100,000 jin of strength and the limit of the incomplete Fiery Eyes Water Ape Transformation.
Fourth Layer of Qi Refining	9	Used a Spirit Clearing Pill after the Little Bamboo Peak contest; entered Mid Qi Refining.
Peak Fourth Layer of Qi Refining	14	Reached the realm’s peak while practicing artifact refinement and benefiting from Water-Fire Harmony.
Fifth Layer of Qi Refining	19	Refined a hundred-year Frost Condensing Grass after preparing his foundation and stabilizing his Water Fire Defense Scripture.
Peak Fifth Layer of Qi Refining	36	More than half a year later, his accumulated cultivation naturally reached the peak of the fifth layer.
Sixth Layer of Qi Refining	36	Refined spiritual mist suited to his Water-Fire cultivation and broke through.

Background / History

Chen Heng was born a concubine-born disciple of a Chen Family branch line. His parents died early, leaving him to live in a small wooden house at the foot of Jade Spring Mountain; without a spiritual root, he would not have been permitted to remain there at all. At fifteen, he awakened memories of a previous life on Azure Planet after being struck by lightning. In that life, he had been an orphaned salaryman whose death followed forced unpaid overtime. 1

Soon after awakening those memories, Chen Heng was selected by lot as the Chen Family’s early Qi Refining representative in its life-or-death contest with the Luo Family over Little Bamboo Peak’s spirit-mine rights. Believing the family had effectively sent him to die against Luo Yuyan, he resolved to survive by any means and initially planned to leave the clan afterward. 1 3

The mysterious Profound Mirror that appeared in his sea of consciousness changed his prospects. Its Sacrificial Ritual of Holding Talismans allowed him to sacrifice Yao Beasts for Lu Qi enhancements, which he used to develop his body refinement, elemental control, and cultivation speed. 1 2 12

Chen Heng defeated Luo Yuyan at Little Bamboo Peak through a concealed Mysterious Iron Dagger in his staff and a feigned defeat, securing the Chen Family’s victory. The result earned him entry into the family genealogy as “Mingheng,” resources, Green Bamboo Lodge, and eventually the Azure Profound Golden Token for direct Outer Sect entry. 9 10 17

Before entering the sect, he was assigned to the Jade Spring Artifact Pavilion in Southern Foothills Market. His refining work increased the pavilion’s reputation, while his involvement with Luo Yu Lei’s cave-dwelling expedition brought him wealth, secret techniques, and Wen Ning’s service. 20 24 26 33 36

Appearance

At sixteen, Chen Heng had grown taller and more mature than in his earlier years. His formerly delicate appearance had developed into a resolute face. 14

• Usually composed and unassuming in bearing.
• Has a lean, agile build rather than the burly physique expected of a body-refinement cultivator. 7
• Later described as having clear features, rosy lips, white teeth, and a good physique. 38
• Often carries or uses water-and-fire aligned magical artifacts.

Personality

Chen Heng is cautious, pragmatic, and strongly driven by survival. Having experienced death in his past life and neglect in his current one, he distrusts empty goodwill and prioritizes concrete resources, cultivation progress, and escape routes. 1 3 41

He remains calm under pressure and favors preparation over direct confrontation. His victory over Luo Yuyan relied on a hidden blade and deliberately feigned defeat; he similarly exploited Luo Yu Lei’s greed rather than openly confronting the Luo Family. 10 16 31

Despite his ruthlessness when necessary, Chen Heng is not needlessly cruel. He spared Luo Yu Lei to avoid alerting the Luo Family’s Foundation Establishment ancestors and accepted Wen Ning as a servant after she made a Dao Oath rather than killing her. 33

He is disciplined in cultivation and craftsmanship, repeatedly emphasizing stable foundations over reckless breakthroughs. His response to Chen Xingyun’s warning about Luo Yuyan shows his confidence: regardless of an enemy’s advantages or backing, he intends to shatter the target before him. 18 19

Abilities & Skills

Sacrificial Ritual of Holding Talismans

A secret technique bestowed by the Profound Mirror. Chen Heng sacrifices Yao Beasts with incense, demonic souls, vital blood, and spiritual energy to receive Lu Qi tailored to the sacrificial beast’s traits. 1 2

• The sacrificed beast’s type, realm, and characteristics determine the resulting Lu Qi. 2
• Force Piercing Thousand Jin came from a Great Strength Arm-Reaching Ape. 2
• Water-Fire Harmony came from a mid-stage first-tier Water-Fire Twin-Headed Snake. 12
• Lu Qi can enhance comprehension, talent, physique, spiritual roots, or potentially produce divine abilities, though Chen Heng’s documented gains are physical strength and elemental control. 1

Force Piercing Thousand Jin

A Lu Qi enhancement that grants extraordinary arm strength, vigorous blood energy, and a temporary explosive increase in power. 2

• Doubles the effects of practicing and comprehending body-refinement techniques while active. 2
• Enabled Chen Heng to rapidly improve Fiery Eyes Water Ape Transformation and condense Divine Ape Spirit Marks. 2
• In combat, it enhances his strength and agility; he used it against Luo Yuyan with ten Divine Ape Spirit Marks active. 6
• Its body-refinement technique is incomplete, limiting him to ten Divine Ape Spirit Marks. 3

Water-Fire Harmony

A Lu Qi enhancement granting natural control over water and fire, allowing the two elements to coexist and reinforce one another. 12

• Greatly improves control and flexibility when casting the Verdant Water Barrier. 12
• Reduces the Flame Heart Finger’s mana cost, increases casting speed, and improves its power. 12
• Allows surrounding water- and fire-element spiritual energy to merge into a cultivation vortex. 12
• Raises his cultivation speed to approximately that of a cultivator with a seventh-grade upper-tier Water-Fire Spiritual Root. 12

Fiery Eyes Water Ape Transformation

Chen Heng’s body-refinement method, cultivated through Divine Ape Spirit Marks and closely aligned with his staff technique. 2

• Enhances physical strength, flexibility, agility, and resilience. 6 7
• Chen Heng cultivated it to Great Accomplishment with Lu Qi assistance. 11
• Its incomplete inheritance prevents advancement beyond the Mid Qi Refining stage and caps him at ten Divine Ape Spirit Marks. 3

Water Fire Heaven-Reaching Staff Technique

A complete Qi Refining-level staff combat art and Chen Heng’s main offensive technique. 2

• Rivers First Boil — produces a surging water-wave staff force capable of resisting dense sword attacks. 6
• Water Curtain Cloud Roll — forms a rotating water-air barrier that blocks and redirects attacks. 6
• Reached Great Accomplishment, with its water-and-fire impact described as comparable to many first-order top-grade spells. 7
• Was central to his duel with Luo Yuyan and synergizes with his Water-Fire true essence. 6 7

Water Fire Defense Scripture

Chen Heng’s core cultivation method, though initially only possessing its upper volume. 2 10

• Produces separate water- and fire-element streams of true essence, which can clash outside compatible techniques. 10
• Its Mid Qi Refining spells are Flame Heart Finger and Verdant Water Barrier. 11
• Through later study and Water-Fire Harmony, Chen Heng learned to use water-fire contact and fusion for greater propulsion and more dexterous true-essence control. 19
• The lower volume is held by the Luo Family, who refuse to release it due to an old feud over Water Fire Superior’s inheritance. 10 43

Artifact Refining

Chen Heng is an accomplished first-tier artifact refiner whose water-fire control supports unusually precise work. 13 23

• Studied the Chen Family’s refining inheritance, including the Chen Family Record of Artifact Refining. 13
• Successfully upgraded the Water-Fire Cudgel into the mid-grade first-tier Ruyi Water-Fire Cudgel. 14
• Crafted a three-pattern mid-grade first-tier treasure fan within five days, humiliating Luo Yu Lei and increasing the Jade Spring Artifact Pavilion’s prestige. 25 26
• Extracted high-grade first-tier Sand-Sinking Profound Iron from a damaged ancient artifact using spiritual water and careful control. 24
• Derived an unfamiliar water-wood defensive artifact pattern from a damaged shield. 28
• Refined the high-grade first-tier Crimson Vine Armor at the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining. 29

Soaring with the Wind

A wind-based evasion technique acquired from Luo Yu Lei’s storage bag. 37

• Uses Chen Heng’s water-fire true essence to resonate with ambient wind spiritual energy. 37
• Initially grants a sensation of bodily lightness and a faint connection to airflow. 37
• He can learn it without major conflict with his existing cultivation method, but true flight requires further practice. 37

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Profound Mirror — mysterious consciousness-bound mirror that grants the Sacrificial Ritual of Holding Talismans and bestows Lu Qi after sacrifices. 1
• Ruyi Water-Fire Cudgel — upgraded mid-grade first-tier version of his original Water-Fire Cudgel; can spew fire and water and adjust its size. 14
• Mysterious Iron Dagger — hidden inside his original staff; used to defeat Luo Yuyan after feigning defeat. 10
• Water-Fire Treasure Gourd — mid-grade first-tier auxiliary artifact that stores and releases spiritual water and earth fire. 21
• Crimson Vine Armor — high-grade first-tier defensive armor carrying a water-wood defensive pattern. 29
• Azure Profound Golden Token — grants direct entry into the Azure Profound Sect’s Outer Sect and symbolizes the Chen Family’s investment in him. 17 19
• Transmission Jade Slip — protection and communication item given by Ancestor Chen Tianrui. 31
• Nameless broken jade — an incomplete jade fragment that reacts to Water-Fire Harmony and later merges with a second piece. 28 44
• Water Cloud Hood — high-grade first-tier flying and defensive artifact Chen Heng refined for Wen Ning. 43

Relationships

• Uncle Fu — Chen Heng’s elderly servant and Spirit Planter. Initially assigned to watch him, he becomes a trusted attendant who acquires sacrificial beasts, manages his spiritual fields, prepares Spirit Cuisine, and gathers information. 2 10 12
• Chen Xingyun — Foundation Establishment elder and major patron. She chooses Chen Heng over Chen Minghao for the Azure Profound Golden Token, provides resources and warnings, and values his adaptability in life-and-death combat. 17 18
• Luo Yuyan — rival from the Luo Family. Chen Heng defeated her at Little Bamboo Peak through a concealed dagger and feigned defeat; she later challenges him to a three-year rematch at the Azure Profound Sect’s disciple intake. 10 18
• Wen Ning — servant and dual-cultivation partner. She survived the Water Wood Hermit cave-dwelling incident by feigning death, swore a Dao Oath to Chen Heng, and later develops affection and dependence toward him. 33 34 41 42
• Chen Xing Shan — shopkeeper of the Jade Spring Artifact Pavilion. He supervises Chen Heng’s market-town posting, recognizes his refining ability, and supports his work. 22 24 29
• Chen Tianrui — Chen Family Foundation Establishment ancestor and second-tier artifact refiner. He favors Chen Heng’s refining talent, offers guidance, and gives him a transmission jade slip. 31
• Luo Yu Lei — Luo Family adversary and Luo Yuyan’s brother. He unsuccessfully challenges Chen Heng’s artifact refinement, later falls into Chen Heng’s cave-dwelling scheme, and loses his possessions. 25 26 31 33
• Chen Shi Shi — refining apprentice at Jade Spring Artifact Pavilion. He admires Chen Heng and improves rapidly while assisting him. 23 44

Story Role / Major Arcs

Little Bamboo Peak Contest

Chosen as a disposable-looking early Qi Refining representative, Chen Heng uses the Profound Mirror’s first Lu Qi boon to prepare for Luo Yuyan. He withstands her superior Wind Origin Sword Canon with body refinement, staff techniques, and talismans before defeating her through the staff’s hidden dagger. 1 2 6 10

Recognition and Azure Profound Sect Quota

The Chen Family rewards Chen Heng for securing the mine contest and formally records him in its genealogy. His cultivation, artifact refinement, self-discipline, and combat adaptability lead Chen Xingyun to grant him the Azure Profound Golden Token over the more naturally talented Chen Minghao. 9 16 17

Jade Spring Artifact Pavilion Posting

Sent to Southern Foothills Market for family duty, Chen Heng becomes a key artifact refiner at the Jade Spring Artifact Pavilion. He restores valuable material from a damaged artifact, defeats Luo Yu Lei’s public refining challenge, and helps raise the pavilion’s reputation and order volume. 20 22 24 26 29

Water Wood Hermit Cave Dwelling

Chen Heng recognizes a hidden layer in a beast-skin map and allows Luo Yu Lei’s greed to draw attention away from himself. After entering the cave dwelling, he defeats Luo Yu Lei, accepts Wen Ning’s Dao Oath, and discovers inheritances connected to Water Wood Hermit and the Azure Water Empress. 31 33 34 35

Black Market and Return to Jade Spring Mountain

Chen Heng uses Ghost Alley’s Wu Wen Tower to dispose of Luo Family goods and acquire water-fire cultivation resources. After dual cultivation with Wen Ning improves his realm, the Chen Family recalls him to prepare for Azure Profound Sect entry; he then assists with Jade Spring Town’s spiritual-root testing and survives the beginning of the Emerald Smoke Valley ambush. 40 41 43 44 50

Notable Quotes

“After the contest, I'll just find a way to leave the Chen family and cultivate on my own.” 1

“No matter what advantages the opponent has, or what their background is, the staff in my hand is my reliance; the enemy in my eyes is the target I will shatter.” 18

Trivia

• Chen Heng’s Water-Fire Spiritual Root is considered mediocre, but Water-Fire Harmony raises his cultivation speed to a level comparable to a seventh-grade upper-tier Water-Fire Spiritual Root. 2 12
• He was initially selected through the same lottery process that he suspects was designed to sacrifice unsupported concubine-born descendants. 1 20
• His victory over Luo Yuyan caused his status in the Chen Family to change from overlooked collateral descendant to rising star. 9 17
• He shares the “Heng” generational character with Chen Heng’an, the first newly discovered cultivator of the Chen Family’s Heng generation. 49