Duke Lu

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Duke Lu
Alias(es)	Lu Yue
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Wutong Temple; Gao Liu City
Occupation/Role	Former head of the Twelve Temple Priests of Wutong Temple; Temple Priest; cultivation scholar and mentor
Status	Deceased; his soul later appears in the Underworld 742
First Appearance	Chapter 8

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Primordial Spirit formed	242	Lin Lei deduces that Duke Lu had already formed a Primordial Spirit after he used Spirit Refining power to bolster Lin Yan's saber strike; the newly formed spirit was too weak to reconnect with his aging body. 242 243
Spirit Refining Realm	244	His Primordial Spirit returns to his body after Lin Yan offers incense, completing his ascent and making him one of Gao Liu City's Spirit Refining cultivators. 243 244

Background

Lu Yue was born in Gao Liu City and left for Phoenix Perch Prefecture City in his youth. There, a fortuitous encounter led him onto the Temple Priest path. He eventually became one of the Twelve Temple Priests of Wutong Temple and later their head. At seventy, he returned to Gao Liu City to retire; the six great inner-city families and the Prefectural Governor's Mansion formally received him at the East Gate. 8 27

Despite his standing, Duke Lu rejected gifts, banquets, and attempts to curry favor from Gao Liu City's powerful factions. To escape the constant visitors, he moved to a small courtyard in Lin Jiang Ward in the outer city. 26

He became interested in Lin Yan after intervening in Zhou Kui's attempt to discredit the newly appointed Banner Bearer. Duke Lu recognized both Lin Yan's concealed cultivation and his dangerous prominence, then deliberately connected Lin Yan's public identity to the identity of “Impermanence” to make communication and protection easier. 8 9 27

Appearance

Duke Lu is an elderly, bearded man whose ordinary domestic manner contrasts with his political and spiritual influence. In later years, his body becomes notably frail due to age and the limitations of his Temple Priest cultivation path. 8 264 653

• Usually strokes his beard while considering a matter or speaking at length. 8 27
• Lives simply in a small Lin Jiang Ward courtyard rather than among the inner city's elites. 26
• His physical body is weak in close combat even after reaching Spirit Refining, as he did not enter the Dao through martial arts. 264

Personality

Duke Lu is principled, perceptive, and blunt. He refuses to let prestige or wealth dictate his actions, dismissing visitors who disturb his reading while still recognizing that Gao Liu City's growing social order reflects a degree of prosperity. 26

He has a sharp understanding of people, especially Lin Yan. Rather than demanding every secret, he judges Lin Yan by whether he remains just and protective of ordinary people. He repeatedly guides Lin Yan toward caution without trying to strip away his independence. 27 59

His concern for the common people ultimately leads him to oppose the Sacred Land's plan to replace Gao Liu City's population and leadership. He considers the resulting fear, unrest, and damaged faith among the people to be a grave error. 248 250

“The outside world claims you are a bloodthirsty killer with a fearsome reputation. But deep down, I believe you are someone who hates evil as if it were your enemy, upright and just.” 59

Abilities & Skills

Temple Priest Lore and Cultivation Research

Duke Lu possesses extensive knowledge of Eerie Objects, Demonic Evils, cultivation history, and the distinctions between cultivation paths.

• Identified the Jiazi Taisui as a special Eerie Object that can accumulate flesh, Malevolent Energy, and Spirituality into a deity-like living entity. 86
• Helped establish detailed distinctions within the Essence Refining Realm for future generations. 87
• Studied the hidden dangers of Anomalous True Qi and explored a new route from Qi Refining toward Godhood. 223
• Determined that Inner Scenery must be created before attempting Qi Refining to Godhood. 224
• Compiled battle reports and accurately analyzed Lin Yan's tactics, combat instincts, and mastery of saber arts. 95

Healing and Talisman Craft

Duke Lu is capable of treating grave injuries and using spirit talismans for protection, sealing, and empowerment.

• Restored Lin Yan after his near-fatal collapse with thirty-six medicinal treatments, nine high-grade pills, and twelve spirit talismans, replenishing depleted Blood Essence and vitality rather than merely treating wounds. 85
• Prepared specialized medicinal baths, including one requiring Flood Dragon Scale Horse scales. 86
• Gifted Lin Yan an Evil-Suppressing Talisman containing the aura of the Phoenix Tree Mother Goddess, capable of repelling evil entities and intimidating monsters. 29
• Used spirit talismans to seal his courtyard before discussing dangerous cultivation knowledge. 223

Spirit Refining Mana

After reaching the Spirit Refining Realm, Duke Lu wields mana with mystical supportive effects rather than relying on direct martial combat.

• Used a Spirit Refining “word of encouragement” to dramatically strengthen Lin Yan's saber strike, allowing it to sever Lord Liu's roots. 242 243
• His mana carries a “words become reality” effect, making it especially valuable for assisting human cultivators. 385
• Initially possessed only three strands of mana, described as three arrows fired from a great bow. 264
• Used an arrow of mana to create a protective barrier around his carriage, reducing falling stone to dust. 264
• Limit: His frail body leaves him vulnerable at close range; newly achieved Spirit Refining did not grant him the physical strength of a martial-path Spirit Refiner. 250 264

Strategy and Political Maneuvering

Duke Lu plans for multiple outcomes and uses his reputation, knowledge, and alliances to protect his allies.

• Publicly received Lin Yan in his true identity to give the inner-city factions a controlled, incomplete impression of his background. 27
• Created a new identity arrangement to let Lin Yan take credit for defending Gao Liu City and killing the Bear Demon without exposing his secrets. 28
• Prepared several responses to the Sacred Land's pressure and used evidence of attempted murder to force the First Seat True Person into negotiation. 248 249 251
• Chose to protect Han Zheng and Lu Tang despite the Holy Land's demands for their punishment. 205 207

Items & Works

• Spirit Talismans — Used to seal locations, reinforce allies, and help non-owners temporarily wield powerful weapons. 223 236
• Evil-Suppressing Talisman — A Phoenix Tree Mother Goddess talisman given to Lin Yan. 29
• Azure Point Spirit Attachment — A booklet given to Lin Yan to help control the Two-Winged White Ape; its final pages record Duke Lu's Mechanical Puppet Arts insights. 113
• Rock Bottom Mountain — An Eerie Object Duke Lu had previously subdued. 266
• Final Word Manifestation legacy — A gift containing Duke Lu's mana, intended to bridge Yin and Yang when burned. 709 742

Relationships

• Lin Yan — Disciple and principal protégé. Duke Lu guides his identities, cultivation research, political choices, and public rise; Lin Yan later serves as Duke Lu's Dao Protector. 27 223 264 742
• Lin Lei — Formally announced as Duke Lu's final disciple. Lin Lei's knowledge of Duke Lu's cultivation becomes vital during the failed Spirit Refining crisis. 242 243
• Lu Tang — Personal bodyguard and Dao Protector. Duke Lu saved Lu Tang after his dismissal and imprisonment, earning his enduring loyalty. 59 242
• Han Zheng / Commander Han — Longstanding associate who trusts Duke Lu to protect and advise Lin Yan; Duke Lu later refuses to abandon him to the Holy Land. 8 9 205
• Lu Changsheng — Duke Lu's true disciple and the Great Temple Priest of Wutong Temple. Their relationship becomes strained by Lu Changsheng's schemes and manipulation. 251 653
• Ninth Temple Priest — Student and loyal defender during Duke Lu's house arrest. 207
• Phoenix Tree Mother Goddess — Her fortuitous encounter shaped Duke Lu's Temple Priest path and contributed to the unusual properties of his mana. 385
• Central Ghost Emperor — Captor and torturer of Duke Lu in the Underworld, using him as leverage against Lin Yan. 741 742

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Lin Jiang Ward intervention — Stops Zhou Kui's accusation against Lin Yan and confirms Lin Yan's reinstatement as Banner Bearer. 8
• Lin Yan's identity protection — Establishes “Lin Yan” as a subordinate identity connected to Impermanence, giving Lin Yan a safer public network. 27 28
• Eerie Lamp and Jie Jin investigations — Investigates the merged Life-Buying Money and Eerie Lamp threat, traces Jie Jin's possible involvement, and warns Lin Yan about escalating dangers. 69 71
• Cultivation reform — Leads discussions on Essence Refining classification, Qi Refining's flaws, Inner Scenery, and a safer route toward Godhood. 87 223 224
• Sacred Land conflict — Endures house arrest for protecting Han Zheng and Lu Tang, then uses his Spirit Refining breakthrough to challenge Sacred Land envoys and defend Gao Liu City's people. 207 248 250
• Spirit Refining breakthrough — Risks his life to assist Lin Yan against Lord Liu's roots, nearly loses his Primordial Spirit, and ultimately ascends to Spirit Refining after incense offerings guide him back. 242 243 244
• Jie Jin ambush — Is targeted for assassination shortly after his breakthrough; his limited mana and weak body leave him reliant on Lin Yan's intervention. 264 266
• Final years and Underworld ordeal — Falls gravely ill in old age, dies, and later reappears in the Underworld, where he endures torture without surrendering his resolve. 653 741 742