Gu Ziyi

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Gu Ziyi (顾子奕)
Alias(es)	“Bold Gu”; Saint Child; Acting Pope; Pope of the Heaven Dou Empire; Emperor of the Martial Soul Empire
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Quicksand Academy; Heaven Treasure Academy; Martial Soul Hall; Martial Soul Empire
Occupation/Role	Soul Master; talisman researcher; creator of the Self-Created Soul Ring method; ruler of the Martial Soul Empire
Status	Alive; Emperor of the Martial Soul Empire
First Appearance	2

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Level 10 / One-Ring Soul Master	2 6	Reached Level 10 after five years of cultivation; condensed his first Self-Created White Soul Ring rather than absorbing a Soul Beast ring.
Level 12	11	Reached Level 12 at age 12 despite possessing only Level 1 Innate Soul Power.
Level 16	41	Reached Level 16 after a year in Martial Soul Hall training.
Level 20 / Two-Ring Soul Master	44 47	Broke through at age 16 and condensed a second Self-Created Soul Ring.
Level 24	62	Gained four levels in six months after his Martial Soul fully awakened and through lingering Immortal Herb effects.
Level 30 / Soul Elder	64	Consumed the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid, broke the Level 30 limitation associated with Level 1 Innate Soul Power, and condensed his third Self-Created Soul Ring.
Level 39	69	Reached the brink of Level 40 before the Soul Master Competition.
Level 40 / Soul Sect	94 105	Broke through to Level 40 and defeated Level 54 Soul King Tang Hao using only the Golden Light Talisman.
Level 53 / Soul King	113	Advanced from Level 40 to 53 over two years; his fifth Soul Skill gained Ultimate Fire properties.
Soul Emperor	130	Displayed six Soul Skills, including the Immobilization, Red Lotus Fire, and Thunder Control Talismans.
Soul Sage	165	Had reached Soul Sage within several years of the Soul Master Competition and became Acting Pope.
Level 80 / Soul Douluo	166	Condensed a fifty-thousand-year eighth Self-Created Soul Ring and became the continent’s youngest Soul Douluo at age 29.
Titled Douluo-level combat power	167	Led an expedition with four Titled Douluos; his combat power was stated to match a Titled Douluo.
Super Douluo	220	Appeared as the Martial Soul Empire’s Emperor and was identified as a Super Douluo.
Nine hundred-thousand-year Self-Created Soul Rings	210	Bibi Dong was stated to be close to matching Gu Ziyi’s nine great hundred-thousand-year rings.

Background / History

Gu Ziyi is a transmigrator whose mature outlook shapes his pursuit of cultivation and Martial Soul knowledge. Born with only Level 1 Innate Soul Power, he compensated through saturated daily training, physical conditioning, and relentless study. At Quicksand Academy, his habit of questioning teachers about anything unclear earned him the nickname “Bold Gu.” 2

After reaching Level 10, he rejected the conventional practice of hunting Soul Beasts for rings. Instead, he condensed a White Self-Created Soul Ring, establishing the cultivation path that would define his career. His first skill confirmed that his Talisman Martial Soul was initially support-oriented, forcing him to adapt rather than abandon his ambitions. 4 6

At Heaven Treasure Academy, he befriended Tang Yuehua and Bai Lu. His research into advanced meditation techniques ultimately solved Tang Yuehua’s inability to cultivate, demonstrating both his theoretical ability and the unusual potential of his methods. 11 23

Gu Ziyi entered Martial Soul Hall by revealing that his Purifying Heart Mantra could accelerate Bibi Dong’s cultivation. Qian Xunji recognized the skill’s broader value in learning and combat training, accepted Gu Ziyi as his disciple, and provided him with extensive instruction and protection. 29 34 38

His discoveries later became institutional policy. Martial Soul Hall confirmed that other Soul Masters could replicate the Self-Created Soul Ring method if they had not already absorbed a Soul Beast ring, and that the Advanced Meditation Technique improved the process. Gu Ziyi eventually publicly demonstrated the method, after which Martial Soul Hall distributed manuals that reduced Soul Beast hunting across the continent. 61 144 147

Appearance

Gu Ziyi is described as handsome from his academy years onward. The Ice Fire Immortal Herbs tempered his appearance and gave him a markedly different temperament from his former self, to the point that Tang Yuehua initially could not recognize him. 2 72

• Possesses a distinctive, mature temperament. 2 72
• His appearance improved after consuming Ice Fire Immortal Herbs. 72
• Wields a Talisman Tool Martial Soul, which gained a faint white glow and Dao-like rhythm after his first ring was formed. 4

Personality

Gu Ziyi is diligent, intellectually curious, and unusually self-assured despite his low innate aptitude. He seeks knowledge actively, accepts criticism without inferiority, and approaches cultivation as a problem to be solved through research rather than tradition. 2 11 41

He is also strategic and cautious. He initially concealed the Self-Created Soul Ring secret, chose not to absorb a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring in order to preserve his chosen path, and advised against the risks of an immediate Sea God Island expedition. 4 89 134

His pragmatism can be ruthless. He abducted Xiao Tao after suspecting she was a transformed hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast, controlled the resulting Soul Bone weapon, and later killed Yu Xiaogang after Yu’s betrayal and attempt to harm Bibi Dong. 85 89 140

Abilities & Skills

Self-Created Soul Rings

Gu Ziyi’s defining innovation is condensing Soul Rings from his own Martial Soul rather than acquiring them from Soul Beasts.

• His first confirmed Self-Created Soul Ring was a Ten-Year Quality White Soul Ring. 4 11
• The method allows Soul Skills to arise in accordance with the user’s Martial Soul, providing exceptional control and flexibility. 144
• The technique can be replicated by other Soul Masters, but not by those who have already absorbed a Soul Beast Soul Ring. 61
• The Advanced Meditation Technique improves the quality and development of Self-Created Soul Rings. 61 147
• Gu Ziyi eventually condensed nine hundred-thousand-year Self-Created Soul Rings. 210

Talisman Martial Soul

His Tool Martial Soul manifests as talismans capable of producing support, offense, defense, control, and utility effects.

• Initially appeared plain, but gained white light and a Dao-like rhythm after the first Soul Ring. 4
• Fully awakened into a top-tier Martial Soul after his Immortal Herb gains. 59 62
• Its adaptable Soul Skills allow him to develop a single skill into numerous distinct applications. 105 144

Purifying Heart Mantra / Mind-Clearing Talisman

His first Soul Skill creates a talisman that clears distracting thoughts, calms the mind, and sharpens rationality.

• Can be applied to himself or others. 4
• Improves mental state in battle without directly increasing strength, speed, or Soul Power. 4
• Accelerates cultivation and assists with learning, Martial Soul theory, and combat training. 29 34
• Later referred to as the Mind-Clearing Talisman. 130 150

Purification Spell / Body-Cleansing Talisman

His second Soul Skill purifies the body and enhances the five senses.

• Removes dirt, dust, bloodstains, and grime from bodies and clothing. 45 96 97
• Can enhance Yue Guan’s senses during exploration. 53
• Its practical cleaning function caused female spectators to take particular interest in Gu Ziyi. 97

Golden Light Talisman

His third Soul Skill is an offensive and defensive talisman with extensive variations.

• Amplifies attack and defense, wards off evil, and can be used at range. 64
• Developed applications include the Golden Light Shield and Golden Light Sword Control Technique. 144
• Can manifest the Golden Light Dharma Idol, though the form consumes substantial Soul Power. 144
• Its versatility allowed Gu Ziyi to defeat Tang Hao, a Level 54 Soul King, while at Level 40. 105

Taiji Domain

Gu Ziyi possesses an Innate Domain focused on receiving, redirecting, and absorbing force.

• Allows him to neutralize attacks and weaken binding effects. 107
• Significantly enhanced his combat capability against Tang Hao. 105
• Helped him surpass Bibi Dong in sparring despite her higher Soul Power for a time. 113

Higher Soul Skills

By Soul Emperor level, Gu Ziyi had expanded his talisman repertoire considerably.

• Immobilization Talisman — fourth Soul Skill; demonstrated during Qian Xunji’s examination. 130
• Red Lotus Fire Talisman — fifth Soul Skill; carries Ultimate Fire and can threaten Soul Sages in direct clashes. 113 130
• Thunder Control Talisman — sixth Soul Skill; demonstrated during Qian Xunji’s examination. 130
• Soul-Seizing Talisman — eighth Soul Skill; directly attacks the enemy’s soul and is invisible and intangible. 166

Self-Created Talismans

Gu Ziyi can inscribe and create additional talismans beyond his ring-granted Soul Skills.

• Developed Windwalk Talismans and planned Invisibility Talismans for forest exploration. 44
• Uses Sealing Talismans to conceal Soul Beast aura. 172
• Created Teleportation Talismans that can summon consenting Soul Masters to a designated location. 203
• Practiced Healing, Enhancement, Soul Power, and Substitute Talismans. 151
• Attempted to reproduce ring-based Soul Skills on blank talismans for use where Soul Rings are restricted. 150

Blowing Up Soul Rings

Gu Ziyi learned and replicated the ring-explosion technique.

• Could use the method after observing Tang Chen’s Blowing Up Soul Rings. 156
• Initially withheld the technique from Bibi Dong. 158

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Blazing Peach / Peach Wood Sword — a mutated hundred-thousand-year Soul Bone longsword created when Xiao Tao became its Sword Spirit. 89 91
  • Peach Blossom’s Grace — life-saving and teleportation-oriented Soul Bone skill. 89
  • Blazing Peach Blossoms Fall from Nine Heavens — large-scale offensive Soul Bone skill. 89
• Xiao Bing — Soul Weapon Ice Sword created from the three-hundred-thousand-year Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion. 185
• Fragmented Map — map used to locate the Immortal Herb Lovesick Heartbreak Red in Sunset Forest. 53

Relationships

• Qian Xunji — mentor and adoptive teacher; accepted Gu Ziyi as a disciple, supported his research, and entrusted him with major responsibilities. 34 38 140
• Bibi Dong — senior sister, cultivation partner, and principal romantic partner; Gu Ziyi’s Purifying Heart Mantra aided her growth, while their relationship later became central to both their political and personal lives. 38 132
• Qian Daoliu — Grand Elder and Qian Xunji’s father; initially disappointed by Gu Ziyi’s aptitude but was impressed by his Self-Created Soul Rings. 47
• Tang Yuehua — former classmate and early lover; Gu Ziyi resolved her inability to cultivate, though their relationship was complicated by sectarian conflict. 23 72 193
• Bai Lu — former classmate and ally; Gu Ziyi advised her on combat tactics and later aided her Soul Ring absorption. 79 165
• Li Chanfei — Spirit Vulture Douluo and former protector; became Gu Ziyi’s lover and remained associated with him despite Bibi Dong’s awareness of their relationship. 61 134
• She Long — protector; initially dismissive of Gu Ziyi’s aptitude, then sincerely apologized after learning of the Self-Created Soul Ring method. 61 66
• Xiao Tao — transformed hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast who became the Sword Spirit bound to Blazing Peach. 85 89
• Xiao Wu — protected Soul Beast under Gu Ziyi’s guardianship; she can summon him through a talisman and trusts him deeply. 172 220
• Qian Renxue — Qian Daoliu’s granddaughter; Gu Ziyi tutors her in Martial Soul theory and spars with her. 163
• Tang Hao — longstanding rival; Gu Ziyi defeated him in the Soul Master Competition and later remained determined to capture or kill him. 105 203
• Yu Xiaogang — rival and eventual enemy; Gu Ziyi repeatedly humiliated him before killing him after his betrayal of Martial Soul Hall. 132 140

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early Academies

Gu Ziyi trained at Quicksand Academy, reached Level 10 through persistence, and created his first Soul Ring. He later attended Heaven Treasure Academy, where he formed ties with Tang Yuehua and Bai Lu and developed the advanced meditation method that enabled Tang Yuehua to cultivate. 2 4 11 23

Martial Soul Hall Disciple

He entered Martial Soul Hall by offering his cultivation-supporting talisman for Bibi Dong. Qian Xunji accepted him as a disciple, gave him elite instruction, and protected the secrecy of the Self-Created Soul Ring research. 29 34 38 61

Immortal Herbs and the Soul Master Competition

Gu Ziyi searched Sunset Forest for Immortal Herbs, used them to improve himself and Bibi Dong, then entered the Soul Master Competition. There, he exposed his combat potential by defeating Tang Hao despite a fourteen-level Soul Power gap. 53 59 64 105

Publicizing the Self-Created Soul Ring

After developing his power and status, Gu Ziyi publicly explained the Self-Created Soul Ring method and demonstrated the Golden Light Talisman’s numerous forms. Martial Soul Hall later sold the method and Advanced Meditation Technique, making his innovation widely available. 144 147

Acting Pope and Imperial Rule

Gu Ziyi became Acting Pope, formed a Pope’s Assistant Group to delegate administration, and later appeared as Pope of the Heaven Dou Empire before becoming Emperor of the Martial Soul Empire. 140 203 220

Soul Beast Alliances

He expanded his influence over Soul Beasts through a mixture of protection, coercion, and weapon creation. He concealed Xiao Wu and her mother’s identities, gained A Yin’s support, and transformed the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion into the Soul Weapon Xiao Bing. 172 185

Trivia

• Gu Ziyi’s Level 1 Innate Soul Power was once considered a near-insurmountable limitation; his rise past Level 30 broke that expectation. 64 94
• He deliberately chose not to absorb a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring, preserving his commitment to Self-Created Soul Rings. 89
• His practical Body-Cleansing Talisman became unexpectedly popular with female spectators during the Soul Master Competition. 97
• His Self-Created Soul Ring method reduced Soul Beast hunting after its public release. 147