Kang Tianchen

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Kang Tianchen (康天辰)
Alias(es)	Lingbao Heavenly Venerate 290
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Chengtian Martial Arts School; Psionic Research Institute / Old Technique Research Department 46 64 213
Occupation/Role	Martial arts coach; Old Technique researcher
Status	Active 290
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Background and History

Kang Tianchen previously worked in the Old Arts Department of Qingzhou Psionic University. He participated in the development of Chengtian Tai Chi Fist, a revised ancient Tai Chi system intended to mobilize psionic energy. The research involved repeated experimentation and correction, and some volunteers damaged their Dantians during the process. 46

As Old Technique research declined and became subordinate to psionic-energy research, Kang Tianchen left the institute and became a coach at Chengtian Martial Arts School. He and fellow researcher Zhang Bairen retained their belief in the Old Technique despite its apparent lack of a path beyond the lower realms. 64 132

During Li Changqing's assessment, Kang Tianchen initially doubted that the D-Class applicant could pass, but was startled when Li broke through his limits and sprinted the final portion of the weighted run. Though Li failed the assessment, Kang Tianchen recognized his potential and personally offered him another route into the school through Chengtian Tai Chi Fist. 2 3

Appearance

Kang Tianchen has a muscular, well-defined build. He is seen in a gray T-shirt during training and later wears an old-fashioned Zhongshan suit. 5 54

• Uses a small staff to correct students' posture and pressure points during instruction. 4
• His completed Tai Chi routine can produce a stream of white vapor that travels several meters. 4

Personality

Kang Tianchen is candid, demanding, and deeply invested in his students' progress. He corrects Li Changqing bluntly during training, yet repeatedly provides practical support—registering him at the school, purchasing medicine, securing opportunities to view psionic items, and devising match strategies. 4 5 17 37

His confidence in Li grows from cautious optimism into fierce pride. Even when others view Li's matches as unwinnable, Kang Tianchen insists that his student can create miracles. 49 51 He remains protective of Li even when threatened by the Blue Star Martial Arts Association, attempting to keep his student out of the investigation. 121

Abilities & Skills

Martial Artist Cultivation

Kang Tianchen is a Mid-Rank Nine-Star Martial Artist by the time of the Blue Star Martial Arts Association's attempt to arrest him. 121

• His Blood Essence was previously sensed as unstable, likely around Lower-Rank Three-Star or Four-Star, with part of it remaining dispersed throughout his body rather than fully condensed. 22
• He can complete all twenty-four forms of Chengtian Tai Chi Fist with sustained, dragon-like Qi and Blood circulation. 4
• His breath can condense into white vapor capable of crossing several meters. 4

Chengtian Tai Chi Fist

Kang Tianchen is one of the developers and a principal instructor of Chengtian Tai Chi Fist, an Old Technique derived from Tai Chi's twenty-four forms and adapted to mobilize psionic energy. 3 46

• Teaches students to use intent to stabilize the mind and direct the body: “Subdue the restless monkey, tether the galloping horse.” 3
• Explains the relationship between consciousness, psionic energy, physical fatigue, and bodily control. 4
• Corrects Li Changqing's movement details personally while using instructional recordings to teach the forms. 4
• His Tai Chi served as the foundation for Li Changqing's subsequent Old Technique path. 40 41

Old Technique Research

Kang Tianchen continues researching Old Techniques, mythological records, Dragon Veins, Kunlun, and paths beyond conventional martial arts cultivation. 64 133 141

• Worked with Zhang Bairen to revisit their teacher's notes after Li Changqing proved that Old Techniques could reach higher realms. 141
• Protects research materials concerning Old Techniques and Kunlun from the Blue Star Martial Arts Association. 120 121
• Participates in the study of Qi after Li Changqing captures a sample from Earth; he notes that Qi cannot be measured even through gravitational effects. 188

Mentorship of Li Changqing

Kang Tianchen personally gives Li Changqing a second chance after the latter fails Chengtian Martial Arts School's assessment. He demonstrates Chengtian Tai Chi Fist, explains its twenty-four-form structure, and begins Li's instruction. 3 4

He supports Li's early training with school registration, access to the Psionic Supply Store, and five medicinal vials intended to strengthen Qi and Blood. 5 17 He later calls Li back to the school to view a Psionic Stone Carving, though he initially believes Li simply fell asleep rather than comprehending it. 21 23

During the Rong City Youth Cup, Kang Tianchen researches Li's opponents, develops strategies, and grows anxious when Li refuses to follow his cautious plans. Li's rapid victories restore Kang Tianchen's pride in Chengtian Martial Arts School. 37 38

Kang Tianchen repeatedly seeks access to the Psionic Stone Tablet for Li and eventually entrusts the tablet to him in a psionically protected case until the Youth Cup finals. 39 42 46 After Li wins the championship, Kang Tianchen accompanies him to register as a Martial Artist and prepare for the Seedling Plan assessment. 53 54

Conflict with the Blue Star Martial Arts Association

The Blue Star Martial Arts Association targets Kang Tianchen and Zhang Bairen for their Old Technique research. Enforcement officer Xie Li attempts to arrest Kang Tianchen on accusations of spreading rumors against Psionic Ascension and tries to seize the laboratory's documents. 120 121

Kang Tianchen refuses to surrender the materials and argues that the Association's warrant does not override the Psionic Research Institute's authority over its Class B laboratory. 121 Li Changqing intervenes, subdues Xie Li and his subordinates, and protects Kang Tianchen from arrest. 121

Later Role

Following Li Changqing's victories and the revival of Old Techniques, Kang Tianchen returns fully to research. He acknowledges that he can no longer guide Li in martial arts directly, but resolves to assist by investigating old cultivation paths and myths. 133

As Li Changqing becomes Earth's foremost defender, Kang Tianchen remains one of his most steadfast supporters. Before Li enters Kunlun to seek a way to confront the Taiwei Civilization, Kang Tianchen repeats the faith he showed during Li's early competitions: “Changqing, I believe in you.” 213

When Li later discovers that history has been altered and asks about Sun Wukong, Kang Tianchen has no memory of the figure or the legend. 240

Identity

Kang Tianchen is ultimately revealed to be Lingbao Heavenly Venerate. When Li Changqing addresses the revelation, Kang Tianchen confirms that either name is acceptable. 290

Relationships

• Li Changqing — Student and the prodigy who revives Kang Tianchen's faith in the Old Technique; Kang Tianchen teaches him Chengtian Tai Chi Fist and supports him throughout his rise. 3 41 132
• Zhang Bairen — Former Old Arts Department colleague and fellow researcher; they preserve and reexamine their teacher's Old Technique materials together. 64 141
• Hou Chengtian — Hall master of Chengtian Martial Arts School; Kang Tianchen persuades him to support Li and secure access to the Psionic Stone Tablet. 39 45 46
• Huang Xuan — Former student and Li Changqing's senior brother; Kang Tianchen continues to supervise his cultivation and pushes him to learn from Li. 23 42 71
• Chen Danqing — Li Changqing's other mentor; Kang Tianchen later works alongside the broader Old Technique lineage connected to Chen's investigations and Kunlun. 53 83