Bai Yan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Bai Yan (白言)
Alias(es)	Sapi (disguise); Zhong Chu (disguised identity); “God of Slaughter” 142 290 481
Gender	Male 262
Affiliation	Great Yu Imperial Guard, Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau; later founder and Emperor of Great Chang 2 514
Occupation/Role	Imperial Guard officer; Company Commander; Deputy Battalion Commander; one of the Thirteen Imperial Guards; Thousand-Household Commander; Emperor 18 81 121 309 514
Status	Alive; remains at the Half-Step Void realm and has not yet broken through to Shattering Void 515
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Third-rate	1	Reached only through Bai Lizheng’s harsh training, medicine, and whipping despite poor innate talent.
First-rate	3	Revealed strength sufficient to overwhelm Ren Hong and Li Kaiyao, who had underestimated him because of his age.
Innate	9	Demonstrated True Essence projection, confirming his breakthrough.
Peak Grandmaster	77	Mastering the Nine Yang Divine Art transformed his True Essence and shattered the late-Grandmaster bottleneck.
Half-Step Heaven-Man	184	Reached after slaying the Ghost Venerable; his strength increased severalfold.
Heaven-Man Induction	334	Broke through from Half-Step Celestial after comprehending the Sacred Spirit Swordplay; gained a celestial body, Primordial Spirit, and Celestial Incarnation.
Half-Step Void	502	Learned the Great River Sword Intent and gained the ability to solidify space and imprison opponents. He remains unable to reach Shattering Void as of Chapter 515.

Background

Bai Yan began as the son of Imperial Guard Brigade Leader Bai Lizheng. Though his talent was considered poor, Bai Lizheng forced him to reach the third-rate realm through years of medicine and brutal training. After Liu Hu killed Bai Lizheng, Bai Yan swore vengeance at his father’s grave and entered the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau using his father’s Imperial Guard token. 1 2 262

After awakening his system, Bai Yan abandoned his former hesitation. He killed Ye Baili, attributed the death to Liu Hu, personally beheaded Liu Hu, and received the max-level Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms and Lightning-Fast Movement Steps as mission rewards. Ren Hong and Li Kaiyao became his first loyal subordinates after joining him in the cover-up. 4

His rapid rise was officially attributed to a supposed inheritance from a deceased expert, a fiction Bai Yan created to conceal the system and explain his abnormal mastery of numerous divine arts. Zheng Haihan accepted the explanation and continued to favor him. 82

Bai Yan later learned that he was descended from Prince Zhenping of the Bai Clan. The Southern Chen Bai imperial clan had exterminated his clan, turning his campaign against Great Chen into both a seizure of power and a blood feud. 452 459

Appearance

Bai Yan is described as an extraordinary-looking young man with ink-painted brows, an upright posture likened to a green pine, and eyes as cold as ancient ice. He is most often seen with a long saber at his waist. 128

• Wears Imperial Guard Flying Fish Robes while on official duty. 18 121
• Carries the distinctive Snow Drinking Saber, recognized throughout the martial world. 481
• Can alter his face, voice, build, habits, expressions, and mannerisms through the max-level Disguise Art. 110 148

Personality

Bai Yan is ruthlessly pragmatic. He sees no inherent distinction between righteous and demonic martial arts, judging them solely by how they are used. This outlook informs his use of the Talisman of Life and Death, the Soul-Shifting Art, disguises, and assassination. 46 451 478

He is openly ambitious rather than falsely virtuous. He joined the Imperial Guard for promotion, wealth, and access to power, and he does not pretend otherwise before Zheng Haihan. 87 Against enemies, he is vengeful and decisive: once someone threatens him, his subordinates, or Ye Lingdang, he is willing to eradicate entire factions and bloodlines to prevent future retaliation. 379 454 515

Despite his brutality, Bai Yan rewards loyalty, shares mission gains with his men, and protects those he considers his own. His generosity after the Flower Thief case won the absolute loyalty of his subordinates, while his caution around an unknown watcher stemmed from concern for Ye Lingdang’s safety. 14 262

Abilities & Skills

Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms

A max-level supreme Yang palm art acquired after avenging his father and killing Ye Baili. 4

• Uses techniques including Coiling Dragon Regret, Soaring Dragon, Dragon Appearing in the Field, and Double Dragons Taking Water. 78 260
• Repelled Grandmaster Meng Feixiong with a single Frosty Palm strike. 53
• Defeated Earth Ranking expert Xiao Renwu with one palm strike. 129
• Deflected a barrage of Armor-Piercing Qi-Destroying Arrows at the Imperial Palace. 172

Nine Yang Divine Art

A max-level internal cultivation art that transformed Bai Yan’s existing internal energy and True Essence into Nine Yang True Essence. 77

• Vastly increases the quantity and purity of his True Essence. 77
• Provides rapid energy recovery, powerful defense, automatic body protection, and reflection of external attacks. 77
• Grants immunity to poisons and counters cold- and yin-aspected internal energies. 77
• Purifies the mind, rendering the Fox-eyed Lady’s Heart-Bewitching Technique ineffective. 78
• Allowed him to survive Feng Muhe’s full-strength palm strike without his protective True Essence being breached. 290

Saber and Sword Arts

Bai Yan is feared for both his saber and swordsmanship; the Earth Ranking identified his Six Cold Frost Arts as a one-strike killing art. 193

• Three Gang Saber Art — Brought to consummate mastery early in his career; wiped out forty to fifty Demonic Cult members in a single strike. 9 43
• Six Cold Frost Arts — Uses techniques including Shocking the Hundred Li and Cold Blade, Icy Heart; its cold blade energy is capable of instant battlefield suppression. 104 276
• Sacred Spirit Swordplay — Comprehended to its peak, culminating in the Six-Annihilation Sword Twenty-Three. 334
• Heaven-Extinguishing Earth-Annihilating Sword Twenty-Three — Used to kill Heaven-Man Induction expert Yu Chi Feng with one sword strike. 498
• Myriad Swords Returning to the Source — Forms Sword Qi that can command swords, nourish the spirit, heal injuries, and protect his heart meridian. 343

Lightness Skills and Wind God's Leg

Bai Yan’s mobility combines the max-level Lightning-Fast Movement Steps with Wind God’s Leg. 4 135

• Moves quickly enough to kill multiple opponents before they can perceive his arrival. 30 100
• Wind God’s Leg adds offensive force to his speed, allowing him to attack while moving at full velocity. 135
• Can combine Wind God’s Leg, Lightning-Fast Movement Steps, and Sword Control Art to pursue fleeing Heaven-Man opponents. 491
• His speed increased dozens of times after his Heaven-Man breakthrough. 336

Disguise Art

A max-level disguise technique capable of perfectly replicating another person. 110

• Alters facial features, voice, physique, habits, gestures, and mannerisms. 110
• Can imitate even Zheng Haihan closely enough that his family could not detect the substitution. 110
• Enables precise control over expressions and micro-expressions, making Bai Yan a convincing actor. 148

Talisman of Life and Death and Soul-Shifting Art

Bai Yan uses these arts to break, interrogate, and control enemies rather than merely kill them. 46 451

• Talisman of Life and Death — A hidden weapon with variable yin-yang compositions; each variation requires a specific dispelling method. 46
• Uses the talisman to extract confessions and destroy an enemy’s resolve. 46 451
• Soul-Shifting Art — A max-level heart-seizing art that can alter perceptions, twist a target’s will, and turn them into loyal puppets. 451 478
• Controlled more than one hundred Great Chen officials and generals, including the four commanders of the Tiger Might Legion. 478
• Its large-scale use strains his mind, though his Heaven-Man Primordial Spirit allows him to maintain far more puppets than an ordinary Grandmaster could. 478

Celestial Incarnation and Spatial Suppression

Bai Yan gained Celestial Incarnation naturally upon entering the Heaven-Man Induction realm. 334

• Creates an autonomous clone capable of traveling and acting separately from his true body. 334 452
• Used an incarnation to infiltrate Southern Chen’s Upper Capital and assess the Bai imperial clan. 452
• At Half-Step Void, can solidify the surrounding void and imprison enemies within it. 502

Black Tortoise True Art

A max-level art obtained after exterminating the Southern Chen Bai imperial clan. 515

• Contains the Ten Strongest Martial Arts, each comparable to the Three Absolute Divine Arts or Six Cold Frost Arts. 515
• Includes advanced moves such as Invincible in Ten Directions, Slaughter in Ten Directions, Destruction in Ten Directions, and Ten Paths of Supreme Strength. 515
• Its ultimate mystery is the Heavenless Sword-Tiger Art. 515

Equipment

• Snow Drinking Saber — Sentient divine saber and Bai Yan’s signature weapon; kills without spilling blood and is paired with the Six Cold Frost Arts. 49 193 481
• Golden Silk Armor — Imperial reward for exposing the Azure Lotus Sect’s palace-assassination plot. 36
• Baoluo Gauze Robe — Defensive treasure tested by enduring Feng Muhe’s full-strength palm strike without damage. 290
• Flying Fish Robe — Imperial Guard uniform received upon becoming one of the Thirteen Imperial Guards. 121
• Taibao Token — Insignia bestowed with his promotion to the Thirteen Imperial Guards. 121
• Hundred-Avoidance Pills — Fifth-grade antidotal medicine; Bai Yan acquired three pills from the Scripture Pavilion. 18

Relationships

• Bai Lizheng — Bai Yan’s deceased father and an Imperial Guard Brigade Leader. Bai Yan joined the Investigation Bureau using his token and avenged him by killing Liu Hu. 2 4 262
• Zhao Guangli — Bai Lizheng’s longtime friend and fellow Brigade Leader; comforted Bai Yan after his father’s death and helped him enter the Imperial Guard. 2
• Ren Hong — Trusted subordinate who pledged service after Ye Baili’s death; later follows Bai Yan through his campaigns and political schemes. 4 480
• Li Kaiyao — Trusted subordinate and Ren Hong’s frequent partner; loyally carries out Bai Yan’s orders and accompanies him into Great Chen. 4 480
• Zheng Haihan — Superior, patron, and sworn “Third Brother.” He promoted Bai Yan repeatedly and trusted him with critical missions. 81 122
• Ye Lingdang — Bai Yan’s wife. He prioritizes her safety even when pursuing hidden enemies. 112 262
• Bai Shizhan — Bai Clan survivor and ally in the revenge against Southern Chen; assisted Bai Yan in preparing forces and restoring the Bai Clan. 452 500
• Unnamed Nine Kills hidden master — Peak Grandmaster who secretly protected Bai Lizheng, later watched Bai Yan and used Nine Kills’ assassination contract to test his strength. 262
• Emperor Shunying — Imperial benefactor who rewarded Bai Yan’s services and favored him after the palace rebellion. 36 179 196
• Southern Chen Bai imperial clan — The dynasty responsible for the Bai Clan’s extermination; Bai Yan eventually destroyed its remaining bloodline. 452 515

Story Role / Major Arcs

Rise in the Imperial Guard

Bai Yan entered the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau after his father’s death, avenged Bai Lizheng, and rose from a low-ranked recruit to Company Commander. His early successes earned Zheng Haihan’s notice and secured Ren Hong and Li Kaiyao as loyal followers. 2 4 18

Exposing the Azure Lotus Sect

By capturing a rebel tied to the Azure Lotus Sect, Bai Yan helped thwart a plot to infiltrate the Imperial Palace and assassinate Emperor Shunying. He later fought through the palace rebellion, slew the Ghost Venerable, captured Prince Xingtai, and was rewarded for saving ministers and helping the Four Symbols Legion enter the palace. 36 172 179 184 196

Fame in the Martial World

Wanji Pavilion placed Bai Yan fourth on the Earth Ranking at nineteen, publicly listing him as a peak Master while failing to recognize his true Grandmaster-level strength. He crushed Xiao Renwu, Murong Kuang, and the Bone-Corroding Young Lord, silencing accusations that his power came only from a mysterious Power Infusion. 120 121 129 135

The Demonic Cult and Jianghu Campaigns

Bai Yan repeatedly targeted Demonic Cult forces, Nine Kills assassins, corrupt officials, and martial-world factions. His massacres of the White Bone Sect and Heavenly Will Sect gave him a terrifying reputation as a “God of Slaughter.” 281 481

Celestial Breakthrough

After obtaining the Sacred Spirit Swordplay, Bai Yan broke through to Heaven-Man Induction, gaining a Primordial Spirit and Celestial Incarnation. His later swordsmanship allowed him to kill Yu Chi Feng, a Heaven-Man Induction expert, with a single strike. 334 498

Revenge Against Great Chen

Having learned his descent from Prince Zhenping, Bai Yan began dismantling Great Chen from within. He used Soul-Shifting Art to seize control of influential officials and generals, exterminated the Southern Chen Bai imperial bloodline, destroyed Great Chen, and founded Great Chang under the Everlasting Martial era. 459 478 514 515

Notable Quotes

“The martial world has always been about the survival of the fittest. Those who kill will be killed.” 78

“The reason I can be ennobled is because I have great skill and strength. These are all earned through my own blade, one kill at a time.” 197

“To kill you, I do not need to use my full strength.” 496