Mu Hongcai

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Mu Hongcai (牧鸿才)
Gender	Male
Age	Ten when introduced as an Heir Apparent candidate 192
Affiliation	Marquis Zhongxin's Estate
Occupation / Role	Cultivator; candidate for Heir Apparent, later appointed Heir Apparent of Marquis Zhongxin 192 297
First Appearance	Chapter 192

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Mid Divine Spirit Realm	193	Initially among the weakest Heir Apparent candidates; Mu Yuan identifies that Mu Yongyan's concealed Peak Mid Divine Spirit Realm cultivation exceeds his own. 193
Peak Late Divine Spirit Realm	224	Reaches this level after Mu Yuan's guidance and intensive training with An Xiuxiu, preparing to challenge Mu Xiujie. 224
Sky Fusion Realm	225	Reveals a breakthrough during his arena match with Mu Xiujie, gained through month-long training and Nourishing Origin Pills refined by Mu Yuan. 225
Peak Early Heaven Melting Realm	297	Reaches this level after several further months of training under Mu Yuan; his cultivation is considered sufficient for the imperial assessment of Marquis Zhongxin's heir. 297

Background / History

Mu Hongcai is one of more than a dozen collateral-branch candidates selected to compete for the position of Marquis Zhongxin's Heir Apparent. As the youngest candidate and the least powerful, he was bullied after arriving at the estate. Mu Yuan secretly rescued him, causing Hongcai to become loyal and obedient to him. Because Mu Yuan initially had no interest in the succession, Hongcai eventually joined Mu Xiujie's faction instead. 192

Mu Yanghui's attempt to ambush Mu Yuan breaks Hongcai's relationship with Mu Xiujie's faction. After learning that Mu Yongyan had helped plot against Mu Yuan, he rashly challenges Mu Yongyan to an arena match despite being unaware of the gap between their cultivation. 192 193

Personality

Mu Hongcai is fiercely loyal to Mu Yuan and reacts strongly to anyone who targets him. His first challenge to Mu Yongyan is driven as much by anger over the scheme against Mu Yuan as by personal ambition. 193

He is excitable, outspoken, and prone to acting before fully considering the consequences. He openly mocks Mu Xiujie, eagerly celebrates Mu Yuan's victories, and initially underestimates the danger posed by stronger opponents. 195 196 230

Despite his impulsiveness, Hongcai possesses determination and courage. He continues fighting even when overwhelmed by Hall Master Liu's Sky Fusion Realm pressure, forcing himself to break through the suppression with a spear strike. Mu Yuan recognizes this refusal to yield as the heart of a true powerhouse. 211

Abilities & Skills

Cloud Splitting

Cloud Splitting is a single spear move from the high-grade Spirit-tier Sky Breaking Spear Art, temporarily taught to Hongcai by Mu Yuan as his trump card. Though it appears to be an ordinary thrust, it concentrates overwhelming spear intent into one decisive strike. 194

• Initially used to defeat Mu Yongyan, whose cultivation was above Hongcai's. 194
• After a month of training, its power grows enough to tear through Mu Xiujie's attack, break his inner armor, and defeat him with one strike. 226
• The technique emphasizes offense as defense; Hongcai uses relentless spear pressure rather than relying on passive defense. 194 225

Spear Combat

Hongcai's primary combat style centers on direct, aggressive spear techniques.

• Uses a long spear as his main weapon in arena battles. 194 225
• His attacks become faster and more forceful as his battle with Mu Xiujie continues, allowing him to suppress a more experienced Sky Fusion Realm opponent. 225
• Can force a path through a mid-stage Sky Fusion Realm expert's oppressive aura, though the exertion leaves him unable to continue fighting. 211

Cultivation Training

Mu Yuan oversees Hongcai's rapid growth, while An Xiuxiu serves as his daily sparring partner for a month. 197 208

• Endures repeated close-combat sparring sessions with An Xiuxiu, often being beaten unilaterally while Mu Yuan provides guidance. 208 214
• Benefits from Nourishing Origin Pills refined by Mu Yuan during his push from the Divine Spirit Realm into the Sky Fusion Realm. 225
• Continues seeking Mu Yuan's instruction even after becoming a Sky Fusion Realm cultivator. 213 285

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Long spear — Hongcai's primary weapon and the medium through which he performs Cloud Splitting. 194 225
• Inner armor — Protects him from a chest-caving palm strike delivered by one of Chang Shenghong's associates. 229

Relationships

• Mu Yuan — Protector, mentor, and closest supporter. Mu Yuan saved Hongcai from bullying, taught him Cloud Splitting, arranged his training, and supports his succession to the Heir Apparent position. 192 194 197 238
• An Xiuxiu — Sparring partner and harsh training partner. She helps train Hongcai daily at Mu Yuan's request, repeatedly pushing him beyond his limits. 197 208 214
• Mu Xiujie — Rival for the Heir Apparent position. Hongcai defeats him with Cloud Splitting, turning the succession contest from a two-way struggle into a three-way contest. 224 226
• Mu Yongyan — Former faction associate and enemy. Hongcai challenges him after learning of his part in the plot against Mu Yuan and defeats him with his newly learned spear move. 193 194
• Mu Haoyu — Fellow Heir Apparent candidate who withdraws from the competition and supports Hongcai against Mu Xiujie and Chang Shenghong's interference. 232
• Mu Yaowei — Marquis Zhongxin. He recognizes Hongcai as a viable successor and reports his appointment as Heir Apparent to the Great Wei Kingdom's court. 238 297
• Chang Shenghong — External adversary whose entourage injures Hongcai and attempts to interfere with the Marquis Zhongxin Estate's succession. 230 232

Story Role / Major Arcs

Defection from Mu Xiujie's Faction

After Mu Yanghui attacks Mu Yuan, Hongcai breaks with Mu Xiujie's faction and confronts Mu Yongyan over the plot against Mu Yuan. Although initially suppressed by Mu Yongyan's superior cultivation, he uses Cloud Splitting to reverse the match and win. 192 193 194

Challenge to Mu Xiujie

Encouraged by Mu Yuan, Hongcai accepts the possibility of becoming Heir Apparent and agrees to challenge Mu Xiujie after one month. Mu Yuan arranges for An Xiuxiu to train him daily, while Hongcai endures intense cultivation and combat practice. 196 197 208

At the arena, Hongcai reveals his Sky Fusion Realm breakthrough and gradually overwhelms Mu Xiujie. He finishes the match with an improved Cloud Splitting strike, defeating Mu Xiujie in one blow and establishing himself as a serious successor candidate. 225 226

Heir Apparent Appointment

After Mu Xiujie's collusion with Chang Shenghong disqualifies him and Mu Haoyu withdraws, Mu Yuan formally endorses Hongcai as the successor he will support. Mu Yaowei subsequently reports Hongcai's appointment to the court. 233 238

The appointment is approved by the Ministry of Rites. Hongcai is required to travel to the imperial capital for an assessment testing the literary and martial qualifications expected of a Marquis's heir. 297

Trivia

• Hongcai initially believes he has no realistic chance at becoming Heir Apparent because Mu Xiujie and Mu Haoyu had already reached the Sky Fusion Realm. 196
• He is highly knowledgeable about Conglong City's famous figures and enthusiastically explains An Xiuxiu's reputation to Mu Yuan. 196 197
• Mu Yuan considers Hongcai young, highly moldable, talented, and good-hearted—qualities that make him suitable to inherit Marquis Zhongxin's Estate. 238