Kaoshan Sect

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Kaoshan Sect (靠山宗)
Type	One of Cloud Province's Four Great Sects 122
Location	Cloud Province; its mountain gate and main territory lie amid a fortified mountain range, and it maintains a Prefecture City stronghold 141 239
Affiliation	Formerly part of the Yunzhou Defense Alliance alongside the other great sects and major lineages 287
Occupation/Role	Martial sect, regional military power, and governing force in areas under its control 208 310
Status	Active; politically weakened by the war with the Imperial Court but still led from its Qinghe Prefecture headquarters 297 313
First Appearance	“Seeking a Backer: Kaoshan Sect” 122

Background and History

Kaoshan Sect is a centuries-old martial sect known for its steady style, formidable defenses, strict rules, and emphasis on heritage. Despite its standing among the Four Great Sects, it spent decades being suppressed by Bitao Sect and Chiyan Valley, leaving it at the bottom of Cloud Province's major sect hierarchy. 122 249 265

Twenty years before Wang Yuan's admission, Zheng Shan was an Inner Disciple of Kaoshan Sect. He left after an irreconcilable ideological conflict with Elder Li Wanjun of the Punishment Hall, then founded Panshi Fist Academy in Gaoye City. Zheng retained his sect identity mark and his relationship with Elder Mu of the Scripture Hall. 122 123

After Wang Yuan killed Bitao Sect Elder Danxia and several disciples, Zheng Shan sent him to Kaoshan Sect with a letter and Elder Mu's Ink Jade Token. Wang Yuan passed the Dragon Gate Test with the Dragon and Tiger Phenomenon, demonstrated transcendent comprehension, and was accepted as a Core Disciple. 123 164 166 168

Wang Yuan's rise transformed the sect's fortunes. His victory at the Yunzhou Martial Gathering made Kaoshan Sect the leading sect in Cloud Province, securing major shares of provincial tribute, martial archives, military equipment, official appointments, and cultivation resources. 263 265

Following the gathering, Sect Master Situ Lie appointed Wang Yuan as the sect's Dao Child and designated successor. Wang Yuan later received the Daoist name Xuanyuan Daoist Son and the Xuanyuan Daoist Courtyard as his permanent cultivation ground. 265 266

During the Imperial Court's invasion of Cloud Province, Kaoshan Sect joined the Yunzhou Defense Alliance and guarded the eastern pass. Its forces suffered severe losses during the defeat at Heng Ridge, and Situ Lie was later gravely wounded fighting Imperial commander Chen Xuanli. 287 297 303

Organization

Leadership and notable members

Individual	Position	Notes
Situ Lie	Sect Master	A Peak Viscera Refining, Half-step Grandmaster who leads the sect's military and political affairs. He was severely wounded during the war against the Imperial Court. 195 303 313
Qin Xuanyue	Vice Sect Master	Led Kaoshan Sect's delegation to the Yunzhou Martial Gathering. 248 249
Elder Mu	Elder of the Scripture Hall	A prestigious elder who values talent, protected Wang Yuan through Zheng Shan's token, and granted him Nine Heavens Mountain. 123 168 169
Elder Li Wanjun	Elder of the Punishment Hall	Zheng Shan's former ideological opponent; he later resented Elder Mu's support and resources for Wang Yuan. 123 171
Wang Yuan / Xuanyuan Daoist Son	Dao Child	The sect's sole Daoist Son, successor to its martial lineage, and foremost younger-generation disciple. 265 266
Tie Zhan	True Disciple	One of the “Kaoshan Three Fiends,” known as the Saber Fiend. 213 214
Luo Qingxuan	True Disciple	One of the “Kaoshan Three Fiends,” known as the Sword Fiend. 213 214
Zheng Shan	Former Inner Disciple	Left the sect two decades earlier and later sent Wang Yuan to seek Elder Mu's protection. 122 123

Disciple ranks

• Outer and Inner Disciples — ordinary sect disciples; Inner Disciples may wear the sect's cyan fitted uniforms. 176
• Core Disciples — elite disciples with access to a personal dwelling, monthly pills, Elder's Lectures, and the first three floors of the Scripture Repository. 169
• True Disciples — high-ranking disciples granted elder-level resource allocations, broader access to the Scripture Repository, and military authority. 214
• Dao Child — the sect's martial successor, elevated above ordinary disciple ranks and entrusted with its inheritance and future. 265 266

Sect Doctrine and Cultivation Arts

Kaoshan Sect favors a “steady and upright” martial path built on solid foundations, measured conduct, durability, and sustained combat power. Its techniques are associated with mountain-like stability, weight, defense, and endurance. 122 167

Bedrock Force

Bedrock Force is a foundational cultivation art associated with Zheng Shan's lineage. Elder Mu describes it as the prerequisite and simplified form of Nine Heavens Mountain. 168 169

Nine Heavens Mountain

Nine Heavens Mountain is one of Kaoshan Sect's foundational arts. Its early layers were granted to Wang Yuan because of his Bedrock Force foundation. 169 171

Layer	Force	Function
First Layer	Mountain Base Force	Builds a stable and powerful foundation through repeated Vital Blood tempering. 171
Second Layer	Mountain Collapse Force	Converts accumulated foundation into explosive destructive force. 171
Third Layer	Mountain Range Force	Produces sustained, cyclical Force Power for prolonged offense and defense. 171 197

Recruitment and Training

Dragon Gate Test

Kaoshan Sect's entrance examination begins at Dragon Gate Plaza and evaluates prospective disciples in two primary areas: bone aptitude and comprehension. 163

Test	Method	Significance
Bone aptitude	Candidates activate the Bone Testing Stone using a specific force method. 163	Measures capacity for Force Power, Vital Blood circulation, and future potential.
Artistic meaning	Candidates interpret the Mountain Intent Flowing Water Diagram. 165	Tests insight into martial intent, stability, flexibility, circulation, storage, and release.
Force discernment	Candidates observe Kaoshan Force Changing Fist. 165	Tests perception of hidden Force Power changes and applications.
Fragmentary supplement	Candidates reconstruct the incomplete Bedrock Force method. 165	Tests cultivation theory, deduction, and the ability to identify flaws.

Personal grudges do not disqualify an applicant unless they have violated Kaoshan Sect rules or caused trouble on sect grounds. This principle allowed Wang Yuan to continue his examination despite accusations from the Zhao Family. 164

Training sites and resources

• Scripture Hall — overseen by Elder Mu; houses sect records, cultivation knowledge, and inherited connections. 168
• Scripture Repository — Core Disciples may access its first three floors, while True Disciples may select manuals from its first five floors. 169 214
• Intent Refining Tower — preserves Martial Dao Imprints left by generations of Kaoshan experts; Wang Yuan used it to stabilize Mountain Range Force. 197
• Earth Vein Spirit Eye / Earth Vein Blood Pool — rare cultivation rewards available through high performance in sect competition. 169 195
• True Inheritance Hall — a residential area of private courtyards reserved for True Disciples. 214
• Xuanyuan Daoist Courtyard — Wang Yuan's isolated cultivation peak, which gathers the surrounding mountains' Vital Blood. 266

Military and Political Influence

Kaoshan Sect fields organized martial forces, including the Kaoshan Army and Iron Cavalry. Its Dao Child may mobilize up to one hundred Kaoshan Army members, while major operations can involve hundreds of elite soldiers. 208 214

• The sect deployed five hundred elite soldiers under Wang Yuan, Tie Zhan, and Luo Qingxuan to exterminate the Zhou Family after it was accused of colluding with the Imperial Court. 208
• Its public return with five hundred Iron Cavalry and the severed head of Imperial general Xie Guang was intended as a display of sect power. 213
• During the Yunzhou Defense Alliance's formation, Kaoshan Sect was assigned to guard Cloud Province's eastern pass against the Northern Border cavalry. 287
• After Situ Lie's injury and the alliance's collapse, rival local factions attempted to seize Kaoshan Sect's authority over Qinghe Prefecture City's defenses and grain reserves. 310
• Wang Yuan's breakthrough and execution of Tie Hengshan forced the Three Great Families to submit, restoring the sect's control over the city. 311 312 313

Major Conflicts

Bitao Sect rivalry

Kaoshan Sect and Bitao Sect occupy neighboring territories with overlapping resources and longstanding grievances. Their rivalry intensified after Kaoshan Sect accepted Wang Yuan despite his killing of Bitao Sect Elder Danxia. 168 249

Bitao Sect's humiliation at the Yunzhou Martial Gathering, combined with Wang Yuan's rise, further escalated the conflict. Kaoshan Sect formally declared a blood feud against Bitao Sect elder Liu Canglan after his public attempt to frame Wang Yuan. 263

Yunzhou Martial Gathering

The Yunzhou Martial Gathering determined the redistribution of Cloud Province's martial resources. Kaoshan Sect entered the event as an underdog with few elite younger disciples capable of challenging the other great sects. 234 240

Wang Yuan became undefeated champion, overturning Kaoshan Sect's long-standing political weakness. The sect gained:

• Fifty percent of provincial martial tribute, including body-tempering herbs and spirit medicines. 263
• Priority access to refined-steel weapons, military sabers, and protective armor. 263
• First selection of three mid- to high-grade martial manuals from the Martial Vault. 263
• Thirty percent of martial instructor posts, academy teaching rights, and official martial recommendations. 263
• Priority over fertile martial land, stipends, and attendant funding. 263

War with the Imperial Court

Kaoshan Sect opposed the Imperial Court's advance into Cloud Province after the Zhou Family's alleged collaboration with imperial forces. 208 215

The sect joined the six-power Yunzhou Defense Alliance, but the alliance's army was crushed by Xiao Jin and thirty thousand Northern Border iron cavalry. Situ Lie withdrew surviving Kaoshan forces into the Old Forest rather than allow the sect to be annihilated. 287 297

Relationships

• Panshi Fist Academy — Zheng Shan's academy in Gaoye City; Wang Yuan's admission created a renewed connection between the academy and Zheng Shan's former sect. 123 168
• Bitao Sect — neighboring rival sect and principal enemy following Elder Danxia's death, the Yunzhou Martial Gathering, and the feud with Liu Canglan. 170 249 263
• Chiyan Valley — one of the Four Great Sects and a fellow member of the Yunzhou Defense Alliance. 122 287
• Tingyu Tower — one of the Four Great Sects; competed against Kaoshan Sect at the Yunzhou Martial Gathering and later joined the provincial alliance. 122 249 287
• Imperial Court — hostile political and military power whose Northern Border cavalry inflicted major losses on Kaoshan Sect and its allies. 215 297
• Qiyun Manor, Iron Banner Sect, and Green Willow Association — local factions that exploited Situ Lie's injury to challenge Kaoshan Sect's authority in Qinghe Prefecture City. 310 313