Dean Gong

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Dean Gong
Alias(es)	宫院长
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Nine Heavens Sword Academy
Occupation/Role	Dean; Sword Cultivator; instructor and mentor to Zhou Ling
First Appearance	258

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Late Golden Core; Three Realms, Four-Step Sword Cultivator	302	Prepares to use the Five Elements Sun Moon Sword Formation with Zhou Ling against Golden Core opponents in the Grand Academy Competition.
Nearing the Fourth Realm of Sword Dao	304	Gains an epiphany while practicing the Five Elements Sun Moon Sword Array with Zhou Ling and moves closer to condensing a Sword Heart.
Nascent Soul Tribulation	320 321	Seizes an enlightenment opportunity to undergo tribulation; passes the Mana Gate, Spiritual Sense Gate, Divine Soul trial, and Heart Demon trial.
Heaven-Grade Nascent Soul	322 323	Survives nine heavenly tribulations through her own Sword Dao cultivation, attaining a Heaven-Grade Nascent Soul and the Power of Five Elements Rules.
Fourth Realm Sword Domain	340	Defeats Dean Zhao during the Immortal City Competition with her Four Realms Sword Domain.

Background / History

Dean Gong is the dean of the Nine Heavens Sword Academy. During an academy competition, she recognizes Zhou Ling's potential to become a Five Realms Sword Cultivator and formally invites him to transfer to her academy. To demonstrate her sincerity, she gives him a Three Realms Sword Soul Stone containing her own Sword Intent and offers him an opportunity to teach at the academy. 258 259

After Zhou Ling joins the academy as an instructor, Dean Gong approves of his teaching ability and guidance of the disciples. 265 She later recruits him for the Grand Academy Competition, where Qingyun Immortal City's advancement depends on the academy's results. 302

Her collaborative cultivation with Zhou Ling becomes central to both their advancement. While practicing the Five Elements Sun Moon Sword Array, she initially makes errors that prevent the formation of the Sun Moon Sword Domain. Following Zhou Ling's sword intent eventually brings her an epiphany and advances her Sword Dao comprehension. 304

During the conflict around Anyang Immortal City, Dean Gong uses her battlefield enlightenment to attempt Nascent Soul tribulation. Zhou Ling guards the eastern side of the city during the process and observes her tribulation. 320 321 She ultimately attains a Heaven-Grade Nascent Soul and later gives Zhou Ling a wisp of her Five Elements Sword Dao Mysterious Silk Edict. 322 323

Personality

Dean Gong is direct in recognizing and cultivating exceptional talent. She actively recruits Zhou Ling, provides him with a personal Sword Intent resource, and trusts him with major academy competition responsibilities. 258 302

She is determined and self-reliant in cultivation. During her Nascent Soul tribulation, she elects to rely on her Sword Dao rather than external assistance, remaining composed through escalating elemental tribulations. 322

She is also competitive, particularly toward Dean Zhao of Yuhe Immortal City, whom she is determined to defeat during the Immortal City Competition. 338 340

Abilities & Skills

Sword Dao

Dean Gong is a high-level Sword Cultivator who progresses from the Three Realms, Four-Step level to the Fourth Realm of Sword Dao. 302 340

• Uses a Four Realms Sword Domain in combat. 340
• Possesses Moon Surges Sword Intent. 322
• Is considered capable of potentially advancing further through the Sword Dao after her Nascent Soul breakthrough. 304 323

Five Elements Sword Formations

She practices Five Elements-based sword formations with Zhou Ling and employs them against both tribulation lightning and powerful opponents.

• Five Elements Sword Formation — used to counter the Lightning Sword and Fire tribulations. 322
• Five Elements Sun Moon Sword Formation — jointly deployed with Zhou Ling; used against the Gold tribulation and in academy competition battles. 302 322 346
• Sun Moon Sword Domain — successfully condensed with Zhou Ling after repeated array practice. 304
• Moonlight Sword Domain — maintained during the battle against Yun Xuan. 346

Heaven and Earth Sword Strike

A decisive sword technique used to pass the final dual-attribute Gold-and-Fire tribulation during her Nascent Soul breakthrough. 322

Power of Five Elements Rules

Following her Heaven-Grade Nascent Soul breakthrough, Dean Gong gains control of the Power of Five Elements Rules. 323

• Grants her a Five Elements Sword Dao Mysterious Silk Edict. 323
• She gives Zhou Ling a wisp of this Mysterious Silk Edict, allowing him to strengthen his Five Elements Treasure Sword. 323

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Three Realms Sword Soul Stone — a sword stone containing Dean Gong's personal Sword Intent; gifted to Zhou Ling as part of her recruitment offer. 258 259
• Five Elements Sword Dao Mysterious Silk Edict — obtained following her Heaven-Grade Nascent Soul breakthrough; she gives a wisp to Zhou Ling. 323

Relationships

• Zhou Ling — Mentor, academy dean, competition partner, and fellow Five Elements Sword Formation practitioner. She recruits him to the Nine Heavens Sword Academy, supports his growth, and later acknowledges his assistance in her own cultivation progress. 258 302 304 321 323
• Dean Zhao — Rival dean from Yuhe Immortal City; Dean Gong holds animosity toward him and defeats him with her Fourth Realm Sword Domain. 338 340
• Dean Qi — Fellow dean who witnesses Zhou Ling's display of Man and Sword as One alongside Dean Gong. 261
• Dean Huang — Fellow dean who is shocked by Zhou Ling's Sword Dao talent. 261
• Lan Daobai — Instructor whose spar with Zhou Ling is encouraged by Dean Gong to refine Zhou Ling's Sword Dao. 331

Story Role / Major Arcs

Recruitment of Zhou Ling

Dean Gong invites Zhou Ling to join the Nine Heavens Sword Academy after identifying his potential as a Five Realms Sword Cultivator. Her Sword Soul Stone enables Zhou Ling to comprehend Man and Sword as One. 258 259

Nine Heavens Sword Academy Instruction

She oversees Zhou Ling's early work as an academy instructor and expresses satisfaction with his ability to identify flaws in, and improve, his disciples' sword arts. 265

Grand Academy Competition

Dean Gong partners with Zhou Ling for the instructor matches of the Grand Academy Competition. Their Five Elements Sun Moon Sword Formation is intended to secure a top-sixteen finish for Qingyun Immortal City. 302

Sword Array Epiphany

Training with Zhou Ling allows Dean Gong to condense the Sun Moon Sword Domain and gain an epiphany that brings her close to the Fourth Realm of Sword Dao. 304

Nascent Soul Tribulation

Dean Gong undertakes Nascent Soul tribulation after gaining enlightenment in battle. She passes the internal trials, withstands nine heavenly tribulations, and achieves a Heaven-Grade Nascent Soul through her Five Elements Sword Dao. 320 321 322

Immortal City Competition

As one of Qingyun Immortal City's leading combatants, Dean Gong defeats her rival Dean Zhao with a Fourth Realm Sword Domain. She later coordinates seamlessly with Zhou Ling in the Sun Moon Five Elements Sword Formation against Yun Xuan. 340 346

Trivia

• Dean Gong's recruitment gift directly contributes to Zhou Ling's comprehension of the Man and Sword as One state. 258 259
• Her Nascent Soul tribulation produces nine heavenly tribulations, marking her breakthrough as a Heaven-Grade Nascent Soul. 321 322
• She and Zhou Ling mutually advance through their array practice: Zhou Ling deepens his understanding of sword intents, while Dean Gong gains an epiphany in the Sword Dao. 304