Gu He

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Gu He
Alias(es)	Pill King; Gu Ling; Pill Venerable; the Dou Qi Continent's number one alchemist 4 121 412 517
Species/Race	Human 338
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Yun Lan Sect (formerly chief alchemist); Gu Ling Pavilion (Pavilion Master); Pill Fire Pavilion (deputy pavilion master); Pill Tower and Small Pill Tower 1 121 469 513
Occupation/Role	Alchemist, cultivator, faction leader, Pill Gathering judge 24 121 524
Status	Alive; advances to Dou Di and later leads his companions to the Great Thousand World 676
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
One-star Dou Wang, middle stage	2	His confirmed starting cultivation after transmigrating; the Devouring Flame gives him a means to purify pill energy for cultivation.
Peak nine-star Dou Wang	12	Reached through three months of refining Magic Cores and pills, then deliberately stopped using external assistance before the major breakthrough.
Dou Huang	20	Breaks through after two months of cultivation while the Devouring Flame refines accumulated pill energy.
Two-star Dou Huang	45	Has stabilized this realm and strengthened his soul power by roughly ten percent.
Six-star Dou Huang	48	Uses eight Spirit Dou Pills to reach this level while refining sixth-grade medicine.
Mid-stage seven-star Dou Huang	86	Refines the Green Lotus Core Flame, heals his meridians, and absorbs the residual power of a Recovery Pill.
Nine-star Dou Huang	120	Refines an Imperial Pill and Spirit Dou Pill to reach the peak of the Dou Huang realm.
One-star Dou Zong	159	Faces three-star Dou Zong Old Man Eagle Mountain shortly after his breakthrough.
Peak two-star Dou Zong	193	Consolidates his cultivation and begins touching the threshold of three-star Dou Zong.
Five-star Dou Zong	230	Returns to the Jia Ma Empire after his time in the Black Corner Region.
Seven-star Dou Zong	268	Absorbs refined Fire Beads and other energy-rich materials, crossing from six-star to seven-star in a short period.
Peak Dou Zong	299	Fully masters his Dou Qi and enters seclusion to seek a Dou Zun breakthrough.
One-star Dou Zun	311	Successfully enters the Dou Zun realm; four months later, he remains at this stage despite steady cultivation.
Peak three-star Dou Zun	351	Reaches the peak of the third star while preparing for the Myriad Sects Convention.
Half-Saint	475	His strength becomes sufficient for the Pill Tower’s three giants to regard him as an equal.
Intermediate Half-Saint	515	Advances during a year focused on high-level alchemy and cultivation.
Peak one-star Dou Sheng	524	Reaches the verge of two-star Dou Sheng within months, alarming the Small Pill Tower’s Great Elder.
Two-star Dou Sheng	547	Breaks through again and removes a hidden Soul Token planted by the Soul Hall Master.
Seven-star Dou Sheng	597	Refines the Nine Profound Golden Lightning for nearly ten days, triggering both a cultivation breakthrough and a leap in soul power.
Peak eight-star Dou Sheng	615	His unretracted aura overwhelms the enormous Nine Profound Golden Lightning.
High Half-Emperor	664	Refines three clumps of Heavenly Flame essence and defines the initial, middle, and high levels of the Half-Emperor realm.
Dou Di	676	Refines Tou She Ancient Emperor’s inheritance and prepares to enter the Great Thousand World.

Background

Gu He transmigrates into the injured body of the Pill King Gu He after the original body suffers backlash from a failed attempt to become a sixth-grade alchemist. The body’s memories reveal that its former owner won the previous Alchemist Tournament and became the Yun Lan Sect’s chief alchemist. Rather than accept the original Gu He’s expected fate, the transmigrator resolves to change it through cultivation, alchemy, and careful interference with future events 1.

His early advantage is the Devouring Flame, which removes pill toxins while converting medicine into purer—if reduced—energy. This allows him to accumulate cultivation far more safely than ordinary pill users and shapes his strategy of becoming strong enough to control his own future 2.

Appearance

After awakening, Gu He is dressed in an ancient long robe marked by blood from his alchemical backlash. His ordinary appearance is not described in detail, but he frequently conceals it while travelling 1.

• Uses an Ice Silkworm Mask that alters his facial features and cools his mind. 6
• Changes into a plain green robe and carries an unmarked sword when posing as a travelling cultivator. 6
• Is widely recognized by the emblem and attire associated with the Pill King. 4

Personality

Gu He is pragmatic and intensely self-directed. Having died once before transmigrating, he is particularly wary of danger; he conceals his cultivation, avoids revealing trump cards, and treats information about the original timeline as an advantage to be protected 23 74.

He prefers alchemy to needless fighting and considers pill refinement the path most suited to him. Nevertheless, he refuses to remain weak or soft-hearted in a world where strength determines survival, becoming increasingly decisive against enemies and threats to those under his protection 91 511 563.

His care is most evident toward his disciples and allies. He provides cultivation resources, protection, and individualized guidance, while still setting limits when they are not ready for dangerous challenges 14 246 247.

Abilities & Skills

Alchemy

Gu He begins as the Jia Ma Empire’s renowned Pill King and rises from a sixth-grade alchemist to a ninth-grade pill refiner.

• Successfully refines a sixth-grade Spirit Dou Pill on his first public attempt. 35
• Produces high-grade sixth-grade Sect Breaking Pills, which can improve a peak Dou Huang’s chance of entering Dou Zong. 143
• Refines seventh-grade pills such as the Plain Heart Pill, whose completion summons Pill Lightning. 270 271
• Refines eighth-grade pills capable of drawing up to Nine-Colored Pill Lightning, earning recognition as the continent’s foremost alchemist. 513 517
• Refines a Ninth-grade Profound Pill that draws energy across ten thousand li and withstands Black Demon Lightning. 633
• Uses public pill refinement to establish authority, heal civilians, and demonstrate the value of his faction. 122 123

Devouring Flame and Heavenly Flames

Gu He’s flame-based cultivation is the foundation of his rapid growth and alchemical versatility.

• Devouring Flame — purifies pill toxins and converts medicinal power into usable energy, enabling unusually rapid accumulation. 2
• Green Lotus Core Flame — he nurtures its formation with Fire Pattern Pills, collects it with the Green Lotus Seat, and ultimately refines it into his Fighting Qi. 64 81 86
• Uses the Green Lotus Core Flame to refine Magical Beast corpses, burrow through rock, produce flame sword qi, and improve his combat endurance. 134 160 222 246
• Refines the Life Transformation Fire and later gathers further Heavenly Flame energy to advance as a Half-Emperor. 242 664

Soul Power and Spatial Control

Gu He’s soul strength often allows him to challenge opponents above his Fighting Qi realm.

• Uses soul perception to scout hazardous environments and monitor large areas while cultivating. 9 64
• His seventh-grade-alchemist soul power can contend with a Dou Zong-level opponent. 74 92
• Uses soul force to suppress enemies, erase residual consciousness in Magic Cores, manipulate Pill Lightning, and temporarily control Chen Huo’s body during refinement. 311 562 563
• Later possesses an Emperor Realm Soul stronger than those of Gu Yuan and Hun Tiandi. 671
• Employs Space Channels and space manipulation for pursuit, escape, travel, and battlefield control. 338 359

Sword and Movement Techniques

Gu He develops direct combat methods to compensate for his initially limited battle experience.

• Thousand Flame Sword Qi — condenses Fighting Qi into numerous sword energies; after reaching Dou Zong, the technique can incorporate powerful azure Heavenly Flame sword qi. 46 160
• Profound Gang Spirit Splitting Sword — practiced by both Gu He and his Shadow Clone; eventually reaches at least five condensed formations. 206 330
• Whirlwind Dragon Step — an Earth-grade movement technique. Its first stage, Whirlwind, grants rapid wind-propelled movement and resolves a longstanding speed weakness. 207
• Five Rounds of Fiery Law — an Earth-grade advanced technique learned from Heavenly Fire Venerable; temporarily fuses five flames into a destructive five-colored flame. 351 353

Puppetry

Gu He uses lightning-resistant puppets to support alchemy and combat.

• Earth Demon Puppet — absorbs Pill Lightning and reaches the aura of a seven-star Dou Zong. 271
• Sky Demon Puppets — crafted from Dou Zong corpses, souls, and Magical Beast Magic Cores; they can absorb lightning and potentially grow to the Dou Zun level. 515
• Creates numerous Sky Demon Puppets from the corpses obtained in the Bodhi Cave Mansion and equips Chen Huo with one during the Pill Gathering. 563

Physical Strength and Half-Emperor Body

Gu He strengthens his body through rare bloodlines and later manifests a specialized giant form.

• Refines Ancient Phoenix Blood Essence, raising his physical strength to roughly the level of a six-star Dou Zun. 330
• Tests his enhanced techniques and concludes that his combat strength has nearly doubled. 461
• Activates the Half-Emperor Body, transforming into a thousand-zhang giant whose physical force threatens other Half-Emperors. 671 672

Alchemical Progression

Alchemical Level / Achievement	Chapter	Notes
Sixth-grade Alchemist	24, 35	Announces his breakthrough and successfully refines a sixth-grade Spirit Dou Pill.
Seventh-grade Alchemist	77	Uses soul power comparable to a peak Dou Huang while confronting Queen Medusa.
Eighth-grade Alchemist	394, 401	Refines eighth-grade pills and develops the practical foundation of an eighth-grade alchemy grandmaster.
Eight-Colored Pill Lightning	513	Passes the Small Pill Tower assessment by refining an eighth-grade pill that summons Eight-colored Pill Lightning.
Grandmaster-level Seven-Colored Pill Lightning	481	Explains that Seven-colored Pill Lightning marks a qualitative leap in pill spirituality.
Peak eighth-grade / Nine-Colored Pill Lightning	517	Refines a pill that summons Nine-Colored Pill Lightning and is publicly named the continent’s number one alchemist.
Ninth-grade Profound Pill	633	Refines a Ninth-grade Profound Pill that survives Black Demon Lightning and attempts to escape.
Ninth-grade Golden Pills	676	Refines Golden Pills to strengthen his family and allies before leaving the Dou Qi Continent.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Ice Silkworm Mask — disguises his face by subtly altering his features. 6
• Storage Rings — possesses top-tier rings from his time as Yun Lan Sect chief alchemist and routinely uses them to transport medicines, techniques, wealth, and equipment. 1 24
• Green Lotus Seat — used to collect the Green Lotus Core Flame and later assists his Dou Zun seclusion. 81 299
• Myriad Beasts Cauldron — a top-tier alchemy cauldron used to refine more than a hundred pills at once. 242
• Earth Demon Puppet — a lightning-absorbing combat puppet strengthened by Pill Lightning. 270 271
• Sky Demon Puppets — advanced puppets intended as bodyguards and defenses against high-grade Pill Lightning. 515
• Tianlin Token — grants him free access to Yao Kongzi’s Tianlin Courtyard. 466

Relationships

• Xiao Yi Xian / Little Doctor Immortal — Gu He accepts her as his first disciple, protects her from exploitation, provides cultivation resources, and later marries her. 14 17 676
• Caiyi / Queen Medusa — initially a dangerous adversary and strategic partner; she assists him against Old Man Eagle Mountain, later travels and fights beside him, and becomes one of his wives. 160 353 676
• Yun Yun — an early acquaintance from the Yun Lan Sect who later becomes one of Gu He’s wives. 29 676
• Qing Lin — disciple under Gu He’s protection; he tailors her training, provides pills, and entrusts her care to Hai Bodong when necessary. 95 246 247
• Zi Yan — ally whose rapid advancement is aided by Gu He; he helps settle her on East Dragon Island and later cooperates with her in major campaigns. 598 664
• Hai Bodong — trusted ally and caretaker for Qing Lin during Gu He’s absences; Gu He also refines the Calamity Breaking Pill needed to counter Hai Bodong’s seal. 90 95
• Heavenly Fire Venerable — ally and Pill Fire Pavilion associate who provides techniques and receives pills and Yang Ling Paste from Gu He. 351 461 463
• Chen Huo — friend, guide in Sacred Pill City, and alchemical peer; Gu He secretly assists him in winning the Pill Gathering. 403 481 563
• Xuan Kongzi — Pill Tower giant, mentor-like supporter, and strategic partner against Soul Hall interference. 408 554
• Yao Kongzi — senior alchemical collaborator who shares knowledge, resources, and access to Tianlin Courtyard. 440 466 547
• Gu Te — Gu He’s younger brother, a third-grade alchemist obsessively devoted to collecting rare treasures. 257
• Zi Jing — Gu He’s missing Dou Huang-level Purple Crystal Winged Lion King servant; recovering her becomes one of his stated priorities. 130 207
• Xiao Yan — Gu He actively tries to alter the circumstances that would strengthen Xiao Yan, but later regards him with only limited interest. 43 554

Story Role / Major Arcs

Rebirth and the Small Valley

Gu He awakens as the Pill King after a failed sixth-grade refinement nearly kills the original body. He leaves the Imperial Capital in disguise, settles near Qingshan Town, and uses the Small Valley to cultivate, refine medicine, and establish control over his new identity 1 6.

He encounters Xiao Yi Xian, accepts her as his disciple, and begins reshaping events that originally would have centered on Xiao Yan. His cultivation rises from peak Dou Wang to Dou Huang while he builds a store of high-grade pills 12 14 20 48.

Desert and the Green Lotus Core Flame

Gu He enters the Tagor Desert under the identity of Han Feng to approach the Snake People. He confronts Queen Medusa, locates the Green Lotus Core Flame, and eventually refines it despite severe meridian damage and intense pain 74 81 86.

The flame strengthens both his alchemy and his Fighting Qi, while his repeated encounters with Queen Medusa establish the basis for their later cooperation 92 160.

Gu Ling Pavilion and the Black Corner Region

After reaching nine-star Dou Huang, Gu He establishes authority in Twilight City under the alias Gu Ling. He publicly refines pills, administers the city, eliminates faction leaders who challenge his rules, and develops Gu Ling Pavilion into a force that draws the attention of the entire Black Corner Region 121 122 123.

He acquires the Sect Breaking Pill recipe, advances to Dou Zong, and defeats or eliminates powerful rivals such as Old Man Eagle Mountain and Old Ghost Demonic 130 159 222.

Central Continent and the Pill Tower

Gu He travels to the Central Continent in search of Heavenly Fire Venerable and enters the Pill Tower’s sphere of influence. He refines high-level medicine, learns from Chen Huo and Yao Kongzi, gains Xuan Kongzi’s support, and joins the Small Pill Tower after refining an Eight-colored Pill Lightning pill 386 401 440 513.

His successful refinement of a Nine-Colored Pill Lightning pill makes him famous across the continent as its number one alchemist, bringing both commissions and the attention of Soul Hall 517.

Pill Gathering and Dou Saint Ascension

As a Pill Gathering judge, Gu He works with Xuan Kongzi to prevent Soul Hall from manipulating the competition. He secretly assists Chen Huo’s refinement and sabotages a Soul Hall participant’s Pill Lightning, ensuring Chen Huo’s victory 554 562 563.

During this period, Gu He rises from Half-Saint to Dou Sheng at a pace that unsettles even the Small Pill Tower’s elders. He later reaches seven-star Dou Sheng by refining the Nine Profound Golden Lightning 524 547 597.

Half-Emperor War and the Ancient Emperor’s Cave Mansion

Gu He consolidates alliances with the Yan Clan, Lei Clan, Primordial Void Dragon Clan, and Nine Netherworld Nether Python Clan as the Hun Clan searches for the Ancient Emperor’s Cave Mansion. After refining Heavenly Flame essence, he becomes a high Half-Emperor and takes a leading role in the final conflict 664.

He battles Hun Tiandi using Yellow Springs Heavenly Wrath, his Emperor Realm Soul, and the Half-Emperor Body. After obtaining the Ancient Jade, he leads the allied experts into the Ancient Emperor’s Cave Mansion in pursuit of the Dou Di realm 671 673.

Finale

Gu He destroys the remaining danger of the Heavenly Tomb, marries Caiyi, Little Doctor Immortal, and Yun Yun, and has three children. He strengthens his allies and lineage with Ninth-grade Golden Pills, refines Tou She Ancient Emperor’s inheritance and twenty-three Heavenly Flames, and reaches Dou Di 676.

Decades later, after several of his companions also advance to Dou Di, Gu He leads them through the planar passage to the Great Thousand World 676.