Lu Ming

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Lu Ming (陆明)
Alias(es)	Iron Mask Swordsman; Iron Masked Saber Master; Iron Mask Man 196 273 510
Species/Race	Human 338
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Wuji Sect; disciple of the Great Wheel Bright Venerable at the Great Wheel Bright Palace 518 466
Occupation/Role	Martial artist; saber and sword cultivator
Status	Active 661
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
First Layer of Inner Qi	5	Successfully began cultivating the [Heavenly Saber Art]; the exertion left him intensely hungry. 5
Sixth Layer of Inner Qi	17	His improved [Soaring Cloud Skill] allowed leaps of up to twenty meters in one stride. 17
Eighth Layer of Inner Qi	20	Defeated Zhen Qi Realm expert Li Chonghu through feints and the [Soaring Dragon Palm]. 20
Ninth Layer of Inner Qi	36	Had already killed two Zhen Qi Realm martial artists consecutively by this stage. 36
Middle Zhen Qi Realm	43	Reached the middle stage in under five months after entering the Wuji Sect’s Inner Sect. 43
Gang Qi Realm	94	Could freely manipulate Qi at range and pull large boulders after entering the realm. 94
Late Early-stage Gang Qi Realm	105	Advanced his cultivation method to the thirteenth layer and accumulated sufficient Aura Qi to approach the middle stage. 105
Mid Gang Qi Realm	124	Arrived at the Blood-Colored Pillar of Light as a mid-stage Gang Qi Realm cultivator. 124
Gang Yuan Realm	170	Broke through ahead of several leading prodigies, motivating rivals such as Su Xinghan to accelerate their own cultivation. 170
Late Gang Yuan Realm	260	Killed the Early Sea Transformation Realm Jade Snake Gentleman while still at this realm. 260
Peak Late Gang Yuan Realm	284	Evolved the [Cloud Water Heavenly Scripture] into the [Star River Wuji Technique]. 284
Sea Transformation Realm	324	Reached Sea Transformation Realm in less than two years after being at the Mid Gang Yuan Realm. 324
Peak Mid Sea Transformation Realm	435	Replenishment from dense Heaven and Earth Origin Energy elevated his cultivation after the Martial God Space trial. 435
Late Sea Transformation Realm	470	Used Bone Spirit Crystals to temper and open all of his bones, consolidating this cultivation. 470
Peak Late Sea Transformation Realm	489	Reached the peak after healing and absorbing the Crystal of Spirit Spring’s effects. 489
First Rotation Realm	494	Finished secluded cultivation and gained strength comparable to a peak Third Rotation expert when using Slaughter power alone. 494
Heavenly Human Realm	511	Forged a Destruction Sword Dao Spirit Body and broke through amid a continent-shaking lightning phenomenon. 510 511
Middle Heavenly Human Realm	550	Advanced after digesting insights gained from the battle before the Demon Alliance. 550
Upper Rank Human Venerable	642	After seven years of seclusion and growth, his Destruction Dao Body reached this realm and mastered Ash Extinction. 642
Quasi Earth Venerable	652	Advanced from peak Upper Rank Human Venerable and further developed the Way of Space. 652

Background

Lu Ming transmigrated into the body of a young beggar who had frozen to death. The original body’s memories revealed a world ruled by martial arts, and Lu Ming—already captivated by wuxia ideals—immediately resolved to cultivate. 1

His first resources came from an unnamed benefactor: clothes, ten taels of silver, and pastries. He used them to enter Shuofeng City, escape the poverty and danger surrounding his former life, and begin cultivation. 4 5

After realizing that independent cultivation left him exposed to stronger factions, Lu Ming chose to seek a sect’s protection, martial arts, and competition. He ultimately entered the Wuji Sect, rapidly rose through its Inner Sect rankings, comprehended the threshold of Saber Intent, and won its Inner Sect Grand Competition. 22 65

Appearance

Lu Ming is exceptionally handsome, with an aloof, refined temperament compared to “a solitary pine.” He frequently conceals his face with an iron mask while travelling or acting under an alternate identity. 180

• Wore an iron mask as the Iron Mask Swordsman and Iron Masked Saber Master. 180 273
• Possesses a tall, heavily built physique when activating Blood Essence and external martial arts; his muscles expand and his height exceeds two meters. 252
• His Bloodline Power can produce golden eyes, dragon-like shadows, and a fierce dragon might in battle. 270
• His sword and saber power are commonly recognized by their destructive and slaughterous auras. 203 512

Personality

Lu Ming is intensely determined and disciplined. From his earliest training, he endured painful physical conditioning without abandoning his goal, and he consistently treats cultivation as a long-term pursuit rather than a matter of talent alone. 8 27

In combat, he is notably calm. Even while outclassed in realm, he studies an opponent’s methods, exploits openings, and avoids unnecessary risks. His willingness to fight is paired with an awareness that haste, arrogance, and uncontrolled ambition can lead to failure. 20 27 270

He is humble about his accomplishments and generally uninterested in fame, rewards, or recruitment offers. He repeatedly declines hospitality and powerful factions’ invitations, while remaining willing to help people he considers connected to him or genuinely in need. 36 104 334

Qingqiu Lan Chen characterizes him as benevolent without being weak, kind without being naive, and exceptionally gifted. 338

Abilities & Skills

Saber Arts

Lu Ming began with the [Heavenly Saber Art], then developed into a saber specialist whose Slaughter Saber power became one of his principal paths.

• Learned the [Heavenly Saber Art] at the beginning of his cultivation. 5
• Used the fifth stance, Soul Slaying Style, to defeat Zongzheng Yunlou with a single strike. 59
• Comprehended and later perfected Slaughter Saber Intent, eventually condensing a Slaughter Saber Dao Nascent Soul. 136 294 300
• Reorganized his techniques into the [Slaughter Divine Saber] and [Light Divine Saber] branches of his [Divine Saber Techniques]. 535
• Uses [Mind-Intent-Qi Slaughter Divine Saber], which can be charged to attain Second Rotation-tier attack power. 463

Sword Arts

Though initially a saber cultivator, Lu Ming studied sword arts to learn universal martial principles and became equally formidable with the sword.

• Acquired and studied the peak Human-grade [Mystic Immortal Sword Art], which emphasizes speed and illusion. 69
• Received the [Profound Void Sword Technique] inheritance after comprehending a sliver of Spatial Profundity. 217
• Developed the Destruction Sword path, including All Phenomena Become Empty, Golden Radiance Assassination, Scorching Sun Across the Sky, and Dao Annihilation. 113 329 526
• Consolidated his techniques into [Destruction Divine Sword] and [Darkness Divine Sword] within his [Divine Sword Techniques] system. 535
• Can execute Divine Sword Control, sending the Heaven Weeping Sword through space to strike a distant target. 526

Intent, Profundity, and Spirit Bodies

Lu Ming’s exceptional combat power comes largely from cultivating multiple Intent and Profundity paths alongside several Primordial Spirits.

• Integrated Destruction into his Sword Intent, reaching thirty percent mastery; he also held forty percent Heaven-Shattering, Hegemonic, and Slaughter Saber Intent at the time. 136
• Perfected his Speed Artistic Conception and gained a sliver of Spatial Profundity. 217
• Advanced Wind Intent to ninety percent within the Divine Martial Secret Realm. 232
• Developed the Destruction Sword Dao Nascent Soul to the seventh tier of the Celestial Being level, enabling challenges against Mid-level Celestial Beings. 506
• Fused Eternal power into his spirit body after advancing his Eternal Primordial Spirit to the seventh tier. 528
• Integrated Slaughter Saber Dao Will into his body to form a Slaughter Spirit Body. 553
• Later demonstrated Destruction, Gold, Fire, Ice, Space, and the Law of Ice as core powers. 660

Physical Cultivation and Regeneration

Lu Ming maintains unusually powerful physical cultivation, reinforced through external martial arts, Blood Essence, dragon power, and regenerative techniques.

• Reached the fourth layer of the [Cave True Profound Technique], raising his physical strength to 30,000 jin. 104
• Uses the [Heavenly Origin Battle Body] principle to strengthen ordinary martial arts through the incomplete [Kunpeng Swallows Stars Technique]. 152
• Cultivated the first layer of the [True Undying Art], Blood Regeneration, greatly increasing his Blood Essence and regenerative ability. 251 261
• Reached at least the fifth level of the [Dragon God Heavenly Merit], gaining dragon-like power capable of contending with Sea Transformation Realm opponents. 270
• Tempered his bones with Bone Spirit Crystals, achieving Half-step Celestial Being physical strength and First Turn-level attack power. 470

Movement and Spatial Techniques

Lu Ming combines lightness skills, high-speed movement, and Spatial Profundity to evade stronger enemies and seize decisive openings.

• Practiced [Soaring Cloud Skill] during his Inner Qi stage. 17
• Obtained the Human-grade peak [Floating Shadow Skill] from the Stone Man Formation. 86
• Refined the [Dragon Riding Art] into [Dragon Hành Công] after defeating a Level 4 Ghost-faced Dove. 170
• Uses Crimson Sun Chasing Shadow, a short-burst movement technique several times faster than his full Dragon Form Technique. 196
• Uses Spatial Profundity offensively and defensively, including against True Man Qingwei and Bai Lesheng. 271 457

Forging

Lu Ming is capable of forging Divine Weapons.

• Successfully forged a Divine Weapon with Purple Gold Black Iron and Crystal Marrow from the Earth Core Fire. 624

Equipment

• Iron mask — Used to conceal his identity as the Iron Mask Swordsman. 180
• Wraith Blade — Saber used to execute Soul Slaying Style against Zongzheng Yunlou. 59
• Moon Shadow sword — Used while cultivating and wielding Destruction Sword Intent. 136
• Azure Dragon Saber — Taken after killing Zhan Cang Shangren. 329
• Heaven Weeping Sword — A powerful sword that protected Lu Ming during his Heavenly Human breakthrough and later enabled Divine Sword Control. 510 511 526
• Fierce Evil Saber — Regained its Extreme-Grade Divine Weapon status after absorbing power from the Evil King Hall Master. 518
• Lightning Spirit Pearl — One of the Four Symbols Pearls; used to comprehend Lightning Intent. 185 324
• Mysterious map — Gifted by Qingxi Village’s chief, Nie Zhao. 136

Relationships

• Old Man Zhao / Great Wheel Bright Venerable — Early mentor who taught Lu Ming the Soaring Dragon Palm; later revealed as the Great Wheel Bright Venerable and accepted Lu Ming at the Great Wheel Bright Palace. 18 466
• Dugu Mingri — Early acquaintance and fellow Shuofeng City prodigy; travelled with Lu Ming after witnessing his saber skill. 16 17
• Li Yishan — Former teacher of the Hegemon Saber technique; Lu Ming later returned with an improved version of the art. 59 170
• Jiang Ruoshui — Jade Luo Sect disciple and longtime acquaintance; she admires Lu Ming’s rise and hopes to meet him again. 84 343
• Xia Yue — Princess and travelling companion during the mysterious-map expedition; she learned Lu Ming’s identity beneath the iron mask. 175 180
• Fairy Miaoyin — Ally whom Lu Ming protected against Xuanjian Palace; accompanied him during his conflict with True Man Qingwei. 270 271
• Gu Mingzi — Lu Ming’s first acquaintance on the Luanfeng Continent; reunited with him and became his travelling ally. 324
• Zhao Lingzhu — Cultivation student whom Lu Ming guided in the Kunpeng Swallows Stars Technique and Rising Sun Divine Sword; he declined her request to become his formal master. 284 286
• Zhu Ningyun — Lu Ming’s wife; a talented Azure Cloud Sword Body cultivator who consistently supports his advancement. 359 449
• Qingqiu Luoli — Lu Ming’s partner; Qingqiu Lan Chen used their relationship to reject a proposed marriage alliance. 535 550
• Little Fox — Loyal spirit-beast companion that guards him during cultivation and protects allies in battle. 185 270
• Yiyue — Lu Ming’s first disciple; studies the Rising Sun Divine Sword under his guidance. 603

Story Role / Major Arcs

Shuofeng City and the Wuji Sect

Lu Ming escaped his life as a beggar, entered Shuofeng City, and began cultivating the Heavenly Saber Art. He gained local renown by defeating Li Chonghu across a major realm, then sought the protection and resources of a major sect. 5 20 22

Within the Wuji Sect, he rose from a low Inner Sect ranking to first place in the Grand Competition, earned Earth-grade martial arts, and established himself as the sect’s leading young saber prodigy. 65

Fengzhou Prodigy

Lu Ming travelled beyond Zhao Kingdom, acquired martial arts and inheritances in secret realms, and defeated opponents well above his cultivation. His victories in the Fengzhou Heavenly Pride Competition established him as the region’s foremost young genius. 86 113 157

His rapid breakthrough to Gang Yuan Realm placed pressure on rival prodigies, especially Su Xinghan, and became a central point of comparison throughout Fengzhou. 170

Iron Mask Swordsman

While exploring the Luanfeng Continent and surrounding seas, Lu Ming used the Iron Mask identity to pursue Slaughter Saber Intent, Destruction Sword Intent, and the Four Symbols Pearls. He defeated Sea Transformation Realm experts, acquired multiple inheritances, and became known for wielding saber and sword together. 203 217 273 329

Martial God Space

Lu Ming entered the Martial God Space, ranked first in its initial trial, and continuously fought in the Demon Slaying Battlefield and Cultivation Tower. His ability to defeat opponents who mirrored his own techniques brought him to the top of the Martial God Stele. 429 435 447 449

His expulsion from the Martial God Space became a continent-wide event and led him to the Great Wheel Bright Palace, where Old Man Zhao formally revealed his status and offered greater guidance. 466

Heavenly Human Rise

After forging his Destruction Sword Dao Spirit Body, Lu Ming broke through to the Heavenly Human Realm and repelled the possessing Heavenly Evil Venerable with the Heaven Weeping Sword. 510 511

He subsequently defeated the Evil King Hall Master, killed Upper Rank Demon King King Mingdu, and became regarded as one of the strongest figures below Venerable Rank in the Nine Provinces. 518 526 528

Beyond the Nine Provinces

Lu Ming’s growth continued across the Luanfeng Continent and the Dusk Graveyard. He entered the Human Venerable ranks, fought Evil Emperor-level opponents, and later advanced to Quasi Earth Venerable while developing multiple supreme powers. 642 652 660

Notable Quotes

“To deal with you, I only need my sword, and just one strike.” 351

“Since we were on the same boat, it was only right for me to act.” 113

“Worshipping me is useless. You need to strengthen yourselves.” 170

Trivia

• Lu Ming’s first known martial goal after transmigration was to pursue the chivalric ideal he had admired as a wuxia fan. 1
• He originally intended to join the Nine Heavens Sect, believing that he should enter the strongest available sect. 22
• He deliberately destroyed a statue erected in his honor at Qingxi Village because enemies unable to find him might target people associated with him. 170
• His early decision to study sword, palm, claw, fist, leg, and external martial arts drew criticism from observers who believed specialization was superior. 69 152