Ling Muzhu

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Ling Muzhu (凌沐竹)
Alias(es)	Yinmingzi; A'Zhu; Zhu'er
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Female
Age	35 at her introduction 168
Affiliation	Xuantian Sect; Tianqing Peak
Occupation/Role	Xulingzi's Daoist acolyte and female attendant; cultivator; Lin Le's Dao companion
First Appearance	Chapter 168

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Qi Refining, Eleventh Layer	168	Her cultivation when she first meets Lin Le at Tianqing Peak.
Qi Guiding Realm	170	Her cultivation falls after the first attempt at the Heaven and Earth Yin-Yang Union Art overwhelms and injures her.
Qi Refining, First Level	171	Breaks through after Lin Le reshapes and strengthens her foundation.
Foundation Establishment	174	Reaches Foundation Establishment on the journey to Baihong Kingdom; succeeds in Star Picking and forms the Jade Phoenix Martial Body with thirteen Martial Bones.
Foundation Establishment, Five-City Pass	184	Cultivates in Baihong Pond under Lin Le's guidance, beginning the recovery of her hidden Dao Body.
Golden Core	185	Forms her Golden Core and manifests four Innate Divine Abilities.
Golden Core, Second Rotation	187	Her cultivation is identified as Golden Core Second Revolution.
Golden Core, Sixth Rotation	188	Advances three rotations through successful cultivation of the Heaven and Earth Yin-Yang Union Art with Lin Le.
Golden Core, Ninth Rotation	198	Stabilizes at the Ninth Rotation alongside Lin Le after their month in Jiujiang City.
Golden Core, Ten Turns	200	Completes her Golden Core foundation; her Dao Body fully revives and her Dao Treasure awakens.
Aperture Opening, Third Stage	253	Reveals that she had concealed her Aperture Opening cultivation.
Out-of-Body, Eighth Stage	279	Can contend with a Spirit Transformation cultivator despite being a major realm lower.
Spirit Transformation	286	Successfully breaks through after two months of closed-door cultivation.
Spirit Transformation Perfection	330	Reaches perfection after several years of cultivation alongside Lin Le and Miaoxi.
Body Integration	331	Advances with Miaoxi after enduring successive lightning and inner-demon tribulations.

Background / History

Ling Muzhu was born prematurely as one of twin daughters after her parents fled an arranged marriage and pursuit. Her father, a sword cultivator, died protecting the family, while her mother died from exhaustion after the birth. The twins were separated for safety: Ling Muzhu was raised by Aunt Jia and her husband, while her sister was taken away by an unknown nun. 195

Her weak constitution left her abnormally prone to sleep as a child; by age six, she was awake for only two hours out of every twelve. Jian Xuanzi, her father's sworn brother, eventually found her and took her to seek treatment. Xulingzi later took her in, and she became his Daoist acolyte on Tianqing Peak. 190 195

When Lin Le arrives at Tianqing Peak, Ling Muzhu is an Eleventh-Layer Qi Refining cultivator. He saves her from a vine demon near his chosen cave mansion, beginning their association. 168 Xulingzi subsequently identifies their opposing Yin and Yang constitutions and orders them to cultivate the Heaven and Earth Yin-Yang Union Art, ostensibly to resolve Ling Muzhu's “stone maiden” condition and produce an heir for his benefactor. Ling Muzhu initially resists the arrangement on moral grounds but feels bound by loyalty to Xulingzi, whom she regards as a father. 169 174

After their first cultivation attempt severely injures her and reduces her cultivation, Xulingzi assigns Lin Le to guide her advancement. Lin Le teaches her body refinement, Dao Induction, and cultivation methods, accelerating her recovery and laying a foundation for her later breakthroughs. 170 172

Appearance

Ling Muzhu retains a youthful appearance despite being thirty-five when introduced. She is noted for her fair, porcelain-like complexion, long black hair, refined features, and an unusually mature, voluptuous figure. 168

• Her eyebrows are compared to distant green mountains, while her eyes are described as rippling autumn water. 168
• She commonly wears purple robes or ruqun while serving on Tianqing Peak. 168
• Her appearance gains an otherworldly, sacred quality after reaching Foundation Establishment. 175
• Her eyes turn silver-blue after forming her Golden Core. 185

Personality

Ling Muzhu begins as sheltered, gentle, and strongly influenced by mortal ethics. She is uncomfortable with Xulingzi's demand that she dual cultivate with Lin Le, and her initial fear of ghosts and violence reflects her limited experience beyond Tianqing Peak. 169 177

She is loyal and dutiful, initially choosing to remain on Tianqing Peak despite knowing this makes dual cultivation with Lin Le unavoidable. Her loyalty is not blind forever: after learning more about Xulingzi's intentions and her own past, she grows increasingly wary of him. 174 189 190

Traveling with Lin Le broadens her outlook. Her first killing troubles her, but she learns the necessity of decisiveness in the cultivation world. After a month-long trial, she concludes that human nature contains both good and evil, becoming less naïve and more resolute. 178 215

She remains compassionate and respectful even as her power rises. She hesitates to disturb the resting place of an Ancient True Immortal's daughter, cares deeply for Tianlu, and shows concern for ordinary people suffering under unequal conditions. 234 253 287

Abilities & Skills

Profound Yin Dao Body

Ling Muzhu possesses a hidden Yin-aligned Dao Body, initially mistaken for a Treasure Body. Its recovery manifests as the Myriad Marvels Moon Yin True Realm anomaly: an immortal palace, laurel tree, moon disk, and silver radiance associated with exceptional comprehension. 184 185

• Greatly improves her cultivation speed and comprehension of the Way. 198 209
• Fully revives after she reaches Ten-Turn Golden Core. 200
• Allows her to enter shared epiphanies with Lin Le and, later, her twin sister Miaoxi. 205 286
• Her Yin nature and Jade Dew can nourish Lin Le's physique, comprehension, and Bone Structure. 188

Innate Divine Abilities

Upon forming her Golden Core, Ling Muzhu manifests four Innate Divine Abilities. 185

• Mysterious Eye — Silver-blue eyes that perceive the true nature of things and see through deception. 185 193
• Osmanthus Fragrance — Relieves mental fatigue and stimulates vitality when inhaled. 185
• Phoenix Feather Garment — A luminous phoenix-like garment that wards off evil and resists hostile spells. 185 193
• Heavenly Bell Sound — A bell-like soul attack effective against plague spirits and similar entities. 185 197

Ice and Sword Arts

Ling Muzhu develops into a capable sword cultivator despite initially lacking combat experience.

• Uses the Jade Phoenix Sword to destroy a concealed black needle and sever the attacker’s attached divine sense. 193
• Advances her ice spell to Grand Perfection, freezing Jiang Hanfei's limbs and magical power. 198
• At Out-of-Body Eighth Stage, defeats a winged tiger enhanced by an Out-of-Body bloodline and can contend with Spirit Transformation opponents. 279 280

Cultivation Methods

• Nine Profound Plain Heart Scripture — Her primary Yin-root cultivation method; can lead directly to the Nascent Soul Realm. 172
• Grand Yin Dao Profound Palace — A soul-refinement diagram cultivated to the Realm of the Five Senses when Lin Le begins teaching her. 170
• Grand Phoenix Body Refinement — A body-refinement art tailored for her by Lin Le; grants her a Blood Essence veil and first-limit Martial Master attainment shortly after she begins. 170
• Dao Induction — Taught by Lin Le to strengthen her orthodox cultivation foundation. 172
• Heaven and Earth Yin-Yang Union Art — Her dual-cultivation method with Lin Le; its successful use dramatically accelerates her cultivation and strengthens their spiritual connection. 188 216
• Spirit Rain Technique — A Creation-aligned refinement of the Cloud Rain Spell that produces special spirit water and forms a domain-like circulation of Heaven and Earth Qi. 272

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Jade Phoenix Sword — Natal sword used for sword energy, pursuit, and precise spell-breaking attacks. 193 200
• Crescent Blade — One of her three natal artifacts. 200
• Clear Mirror — One of her three natal artifacts. 200
• Xuanpin Silver Moon Bottle — Dao Treasure awakened when her Dao Body fully revives; holds reflections of the three natal artifacts in its moonlit water. 200
• Tianlu — A contracted spirit beast she treats protectively and heals when injured. 287

Relationships

• Lin Le — Initially her junior brother and cultivation instructor after Xulingzi places her under his guidance. Their bond develops from awkward attraction and mutual instruction into a devoted Dao-companion relationship; she chooses to stand with him against Xulingzi. 168 170 179 189
• Xulingzi — Tianqing Peak master and her adoptive father figure. She serves as his Daoist acolyte and initially trusts his authority, but later doubts his motives after learning that he intends to use her and Lin Le as “Great Medicine.” 169 174 189
• Miaoxi — Her biological twin sister, separated shortly after their premature birth. Their linked Dao Bodies enable shared epiphanies, and they later cultivate together and reach Body Integration together. 195 205 313 331
• Aunt Jia — Her childhood caretaker, who raised Ling Muzhu after her parents’ deaths and later reveals the truth of her birth and separation from Miaoxi. 195
• Jian Xuanzi — Her father's sworn brother, who found her at age six and sought treatment for her debilitating condition. 195
• Tianlu — Her contracted spirit beast; she feeds, heals, and affectionately cares for it. 287 290

Story Role / Major Arcs

Tianqing Peak

Ling Muzhu meets Lin Le when he joins Tianqing Peak and is saved by him from a vine demon. Xulingzi then makes her central to his plan for the Heaven and Earth Yin-Yang Union Art, forcing her to confront the conflict between her morals, obligation, and growing feelings for Lin Le. 168 169

Baihong Kingdom Journey

While traveling with Lin Le, Ling Muzhu reaches Foundation Establishment, learns to navigate the world beyond the mountain, and witnesses the consequences of demonic sect activity and corrupt local powers. She makes her first kill against a Sacred Heart Sect spy and later confesses her love for Lin Le. 174 178 179

Dao Body Recovery

Her Dao Body begins awakening at Baihong Pond, where the Myriad Marvels Moon Yin True Realm anomaly appears. She reaches Golden Core, manifests four Innate Divine Abilities, and later fully revives her Dao Body and awakens the Xuanpin Silver Moon Bottle at Ten-Turn Golden Core. 184 185 200

Search for Family

A reunion with Aunt Jia reveals that Ling Muzhu is one of twins and that her parents died while fleeing persecution. She learns of Miaoxi’s existence, later connects with her through shared enlightenment, and finally reunites with her at Mount Yumeng. 195 205 313

Later Cultivation

Ling Muzhu continues accompanying Lin Le through the Northern Cao Dynasty, develops strength sufficient to challenge higher-realm opponents, contracts Tianlu, and advances to Spirit Transformation. She and Miaoxi subsequently endure their tribulations together and enter the Body Integration Realm. 279 286 287 331

Notable Quotes

“I only gained one realization: human nature contains both good and evil.” 215

“Okay, I'll accompany you.” 189

Trivia

• Ling Muzhu enjoys bathing and maintains the habit even though she can cleanse herself with spells. 170 215
• She enjoys cooking, though her first fish dish for Lin Le lacked salt. 176
• Tending plants and flowers is one of her regular hobbies, which leads to her comprehension of the Spirit Rain Technique. 272
• Despite her initial lack of martial training, her postnatal Jade Phoenix Martial Body possesses thirteen Martial Bones. 174