Yang Heng

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Yang Heng (杨恒)
Alias(es)	Second Fool
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Age	Sixteen by bone age 89
Affiliation	Medicine King Gang; formerly the Hundred Herbs Pharmacy 26 86
Occupation/Role	Former apothecary apprentice; Medicine Garden guard captain; alchemy student; privately designated future Alchemy Hall Master 129 153 155
Cultivation	Mid Qi Refining Stage 170
Status	Alive 186
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Body Tempering Realm	10	After a month of the Marrow Cleansing Pearl's daily nourishment, could lift 300 jin one-handed, travel 50 li without tiring, and defeat seven or eight ordinary people.
Early Blood Strengthening Realm	49	Broke through using the fully charged Marrow Cleansing Pearl. His Blood Essence was duck-egg-sized and his strength approached 2,000 jin—far beyond ordinary new entrants.
Late Early Blood Strengthening	76	Reached the verge of the middle stage after converting consumed medicinal resources into Blood Essence with the Pearl's assistance.
Mid Blood Strengthening Realm	83	Refined two Blood Augmentation Pills through the Pearl; Blood Essence more than doubled, while his skin membrane and bones strengthened.
Late-Middle Blood Strengthening	117	Advanced through daily Blood Nourishing Pills and a constant meat supply while stationed at the Medicine Garden.
Late Blood Strengthening Realm	118	Consumed 43 Blood Nourishing Pills and three Replenishing Yuan Pills to complete the breakthrough.
Peak Blood Strengthening Realm	130	Digested nearly 500 pounds of Wind Wolf flesh and blood, then refined its Blood Essence.
Early Qi Refining Stage	130	Tempered his exceptionally condensed Qi and Blood into Inner Strength, producing 120 strands of Qi.
Mid Qi Refining Stage	170	Advanced after consuming the Vermillion Fruit; his Inner Strength, physique, senses, and meridians all improved.

Background

Yang Heng is a transmigrator whose soul merged with that of the original owner. Before his rise, he was known as “Second Fool,” a pharmacy apprentice routinely beaten, exploited, and robbed by Li Kui; Li Kui’s abuse was the direct cause of the original owner’s death. 2 135

The Marrow Cleansing Pearl transformed his circumstances. Its daily effect let him absorb food efficiently and quietly strengthen his body, while a full charge cleansed his marrow and bones, improving both his physique and aptitude. His sudden transformation drew the attention of the pharmacy’s apprentices and Shopkeeper Chen. 5 6 7 19

Appearance

Yang Heng’s appearance changes markedly after repeated marrow cleansing and body-tempering cultivation. He develops from a thin, rough-skinned apprentice into a tall, broad-backed youth with a sturdy, martial build. 6 19 103

• Bright, spirited eyes and smooth, firm skin after his first transformation. 6
• Bronze-toned skin, bulging muscles, and a robust physique after the Pearl’s first full cleansing. 19
• Broad shoulders, strong back, strong waist, and large frame—traits Li Tiansheng considers ideal for hard-body cultivation. 103 104
• Jade-like, faintly luminous skin after completing the first layer of Pebble Body. 144
• Regularly alters his facial features, complexion, demeanor, height, and aura through the Disguise Technique. 76 150

Personality

Yang Heng is intensely driven by self-preservation. His early mistreatment and awareness of the martial world’s dangers make him prioritize strength, resources, escape routes, and concealment. He avoids exposing his true cultivation unless necessary and treats even favorable circumstances with caution. 5 43 84 131

He is disciplined in cultivation, repeatedly enduring exhaustion and pain to improve his foundation rather than relying solely on rapid advancement. He balances this seriousness with a strong appetite and a desire to enjoy the comforts denied to him in his previous life. 18 26 42 115

Yang Heng can be ruthless toward enemies, as shown by his killing of Chen Tong and the Wang Brothers, but he values useful allies and repays information or service with trust and resources. He accepted Lai Er as a subordinate, entrusted him with intelligence work, and protected him after an ambush. 56 115 164

Abilities & Skills

Marrow Cleansing Pearl

A mysterious treasure that continuously improves Yang Heng’s body and enables his extraordinary advancement.

• Assists digestion, allowing him to absorb food completely and gradually strengthen his physique every day. 6
• Accumulates energy from nutrition; ordinary pharmacy meals yielded about 0.1% daily, while nutrient-rich dried pork charged it more quickly. 5
• At full charge, releases energy that cleanses marrow and scours bones, enhancing Yang Heng’s constitution, senses, and cultivation talent. 19 55 143
• After Yang Heng gained control over it, it could absorb roughly 80% of the energy from consumed cultivation resources. 76
• Its repeated transformations elevated his talent from mediocre to one considered “one in ten thousand” by Elder Li. 89 132

Blood Essence and Physical Strength

Yang Heng’s Blood Essence reserves, physical durability, and recovery consistently exceed those of martial artists at the same cultivation level.

• His initial Blood Strengthening breakthrough gave him Blood Essence comparable to three newly advanced martial artists. 49
• At Mid Blood Strengthening, his total Blood Essence rivaled that of an ordinary peak Blood Strengthening martial artist. 83 84
• Can direct Blood Essence to reinforce his limbs, increase his striking force, protect his body, and alter his appearance. 36 43 60
• Possesses heightened danger perception, allowing him to sense approaching threats before they strike. 20 31
• His skin membrane could resist ordinary blades before he began cultivating a dedicated body-refining art. 43

Vajra Fist

An Intermediate Martial Art and Yang Heng’s principal offensive technique. It is a fierce, yang-dominant fist art that emphasizes complete focus and overwhelming force. 17 36

• Reached the Proficient realm after sustained practice. 21 36
• Entered Minor Accomplishment during Enlightenment, improving his bones, punching speed, and skin membrane. 42
• Reached Major Accomplishment before his duel with Yan Qing. 64 101
• Vajra Pestle Strike — First major killing move learned through intensive training. 44
• Vajra Pull — A practical grappling technique used to seize targets or treasures. 55
• His deeper understanding of Vajra Intent later transformed his Inner Strength into sharp, forceful Vajra Strength with special effectiveness against yin and cold energies. 150

Movement and Concealment Techniques

Yang Heng cultivates movement arts both for combat positioning and escape.

• Levitation Technique — A Beginner Martial Art that progressed from Beginner to Proficient, then Major Accomplishment. It allows long leaps, aerial redirection, rapid evasion, and reduced stamina expenditure. 28 36 85 150
• Inch Step — Reached Minor Accomplishment within a month; improves close-range mobility but heavily drains Mental Energy when used at full intensity. 76
• Disguise Technique — Alters his facial structure, build, skin tone, demeanor, height, and aura through Blood Essence control. 76 150
  • Minor Accomplishment could deceive a martial artist one realm above him. 76
  • Major Accomplishment lets him complete a disguise within a breath and evade recognition even from acquaintances. 150

Pebble Body

An Advanced Martial Art derived from the Boulder Body Cultivation Method. It tempers Yang Heng’s skin, flesh, and later muscles into a true defensive body-refining art. 104 115 117

• Its first layer uses Inner Strength to temper the skin membrane and flesh, with painful purification of bodily impurities. 144
• Completing the first layer dramatically strengthened his physical power and produced smooth, jade-like, highly resilient skin. 144 145
• His defense allowed him to endure the Wind Wolf’s green needle attacks without injury. 126
• Began cultivating the second layer, which tempers the muscles and can be accelerated by Origin Stones. 175 176

Alchemy

Yang Heng possesses exceptional alchemy aptitude, aided by his enhanced Mental Energy and repeated marrow cleansing.

• Learned under Alchemy Hall Master Zhu Xuan using an Alchemy Furnace gifted by Elder Li. 155 156
• Successfully refined Blood Qi Pills on his third attempt, then completed five consecutive successful refinements after recovering from a failure. 159
• Refined six Rejuvenation Pills, which can heal injuries suffered by Qi Refining martial artists. 177
• Zhu Xuan considers him an exceptional prodigy and personally trains him as the intended future head of the Alchemy Hall. 152 159

Mental Cultivation

Yang Heng’s merged soul, Enlightenment experiences, and marrow cleansing give him extraordinary Mental Energy. 87

• His Mental Energy is stated to rival that of a peak Organ Tempering martial artist. 175
• Acquired the incomplete two-layer Great Sun Observation Heart Sutra in exchange for a Visage Stabilizing Pill. 171 172
• Cultivated the Innate True Scripture to the Beginner stage and condensed a wisp of Innate True Qi. 177 178

Blue Light Spot

A mysterious blue mark on Yang Heng’s right shoulder whose origin and purpose remain unclear.

• Released ice-blue flame that burned Yin Gu when he tried to seize Yang Heng’s body. 148
• Its activation alerted Elder Li to Yang Heng’s danger, forcing Yin Gu to flee. 149
• Later began drawing energy from Yang Heng’s body and strengthening itself. 170

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Marrow Cleansing Pearl — His central cultivation treasure, responsible for digestion enhancement, energy accumulation, and marrow-cleansing transformations. 5 6 132
• Vajra Fist Manual — Intermediate martial art manual containing cultivation guidance up to the Iron Bone Realm. 17
• Boulder Body Cultivation Method — Advanced body-refining manual; Yang Heng received its first volume, later possessing the first two levels. 104 115
• Alchemy Furnace — Given by Elder Li for Yang Heng’s alchemy training. 155
• Origin Stones — Rare cultivation resources that accelerate Pebble Body training; Yang Heng used one and later won another through auction bidding. 176 186
• Great Sun Observation Heart Sutra — Incomplete mental cultivation manual containing its first two layers. 172

Relationships

• Li Kui — Former fellow apprentice and primary bully; he exploited Yang Heng, stole his wages, and was responsible for the original owner’s death. 2
• Shopkeeper Chen — Pharmacy shopkeeper and martial artist who interrogated Yang Heng over his sudden transformation; later fought Yang Heng while unable to recognize his disguised identity. 7 60
• Lai Er — Former Black Wind Stronghold man in black who submitted to Yang Heng; now serves as his assistant, informant, and subordinate. 56 76 115
• Wang Fei — Medicine King Gang External Affairs Hall member who guided Yang Heng during recruitment, warned him about Zhao Tie’s hostility, and became one of his closest allies in the gang. 86 98 101
• Elder Li Deng — Yang Heng’s master and a Mortal Transformation Realm martial artist. He publicly supports Yang Heng but secretly intends to take Yang Heng’s body to extend his own life. 89 155 177 178
• Zhu Xuan — Alchemy Hall Master and Yang Heng’s alchemy mentor; recognizes Yang Heng’s talent and supports his future position in the hall. 152 156 159
• Li Tiansheng — Medicine King Gang Leader who recognized Yang Heng’s physique and rewarded him with the Boulder Body Cultivation Method. 103 104
• Zhao Tie — War Hall Master who resents Yang Heng for being accepted by Elder Li after Zhao Tie’s nephew was rejected; arranged Yan Qing’s unfair challenge and repeatedly obstructed Yang Heng. 98 185
• Yan Qing — Late Blood Strengthening martial artist defeated by Yang Heng in the recruitment contest; later became fearful and submissive after Yang Heng’s return from the Wind Wolf incident. 98 101 139
• Dong Hao — Medicine Garden deputy captain who introduced Yang Heng to the garden’s operations and truthfully reported Yang Heng’s actions during the Wind Wolf attack. 117 129
• Steward Hua — Heavenly Treasure Pavilion steward who assists Yang Heng with rare-item transactions and provides information about auctions. 133 176 186

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Apothecary apprenticeship — Endures Li Kui’s abuse, discovers the Marrow Cleansing Pearl’s effects, and begins transforming from a powerless apprentice into a Body Tempering martial artist. 2 5 10
• Qingyang Town growth — Learns Vajra Fist and Levitation Technique, uses disguises to gather resources, and gains Lai Er’s submission after defeating him. 18 28 55 56
• Medicine King Gang recruitment — Enters the gang as a sixteen-year-old Mid Blood Strengthening martial artist, becomes Elder Li’s disciple, and defeats Yan Qing despite Zhao Tie’s scheme. 85 89 98 101
• Medicine Garden assignment — Leads guards, cultivates Pebble Body, and holds off the Wind Wolf so others can escape; the gang presumes him dead afterward. 117 126 129
• Hidden breakthrough and return — Survives in a cave, reaches Qi Refining, returns under concealment, and becomes publicly known for protecting the Medicine Garden. 130 150 151
• Alchemy and resource pursuit — Begins formal alchemy training, acquires the Great Sun Observation Heart Sutra, advances to Mid Qi Refining, and competes with Zhao Tie for Origin Stones. 155 172 177 186

Notable Quotes

“Who am I? Guess?” 60

“Pebble Body first layer, achieved!” 144