Xiao Ran

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Ran (肖染)
Alias(es)	Li Jingqi; Zhenye; Plum Blossom Daoist
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Jingqi Pavilion; The Company (external personnel); Qiankun Alliance (temporary); Underworld
Occupation/Role	Corpse Stitcher; Corpse Receptionist; Nether Envoy; Law Enforcement Envoy overseeing Yin and Yang
Status	Active
First Appearance	15

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Corpse Stitcher Curse Mark and Tiger Fist	15	Uses the Curse Mark and Li Shang's Tiger Fist to defeat Xiao Jiahui's gang.
Skillful Hands, Empty Pockets	36	Uses the Calamity Suppressing Token to acquire Mei San's six-year pickpocketing skill.
Scholar, advanced E-class Profession	172	Purchases Book Boy and Martial Monk Curse Marks; advances to Scholar, with Strength reaching 20 and Physique 30.
Martial Monk → Iron Body, D-class Profession	215–216	Uses Muscle Opening and Spirit Bestowal Curse Marks, Spirit Rhinoceros Incense Burner, and Eight Treasures' Liquefaction privilege to advance.
Extraordinary Power / Weapon Master	216	Eight Treasures' Enlightenment upgrades Unrestrained Rampage; all martial arts rise one rank, and each Extraordinary skill grants +5 Strength.
Nether Envoy	269	Upgraded Calamity Suppressing Token grants the Nether Envoy identity, Evil Warding Seal, and Demon Suppressing Incantation.
Dao Attainment in Blade Techniques	430–432	Beheads the ghost king, breaking the obstacle to his Blade Dao; Tai Hua blesses his blade.
Law Enforcement Envoy	438	Appointed by decree of Great Emperor Dongyue Tianqi Rensheng; receives the Dragon Banner and authority to oversee Yin and Yang.
C-class Professional	583	His upgraded token manifests a Nether Envoy phantom; his mental power supports combat capabilities beyond an ordinary newly promoted C-class Professional.
Body of a Hundred Attributes	662, 740	Physique exceeds 100 after Number 3 Potion and Spirit Ginseng Fruit; later all four attributes exceed 100.
B-class Professional	883	Demonstrates B-class-level power by killing Wang Wu with one saber strike.
Calamity Suppressing Token · Luck Stealer upgrade	878	Gains Yin Commander, Soul Book, Yin Mansion, and improved Corpse Soul Modification.
Four hundred attributes	901	The Five Dragon Bracelet and released essence energy raise all attributes to approximately 400.
Black Sarira enhancement	919	Attributes rise to Strength 470, Agility 500, Constitution 500, and Spirit 550.
Entry onto the Way	927–928	Merges mental energy and the Black Sarira through Stitching Lines, allowing him to form Malevolent Qi formations without external materials.

Background / History

Xiao Ran began as a corpse-related professional whose strength grew through Corpse Stitching, Curse Marks, Cursed Objects, and techniques taken from the dead. After rescuing three children from the woods, he refused the villagers' gratitude and left for the city; when Xiao Jiahui's gang ambushed him, Xiao Ran defeated them and warned them never to target Cousin's Wife and her daughter again. 15

He repeatedly uses Corpse Stitching to repair bodies, retrieve memories, acquire skills, and create or modify Corpse Slaves. His work as a mortician is respected by colleagues such as Uncle Li and Old Zhou, while his ability to command or bargain with ghosts gives him influence beyond ordinary human circles. 111 269 871

During his travels through the Lost City and the martial world, Xiao Ran develops multiple professional paths, becomes a Nether Envoy, and later receives an Underworld decree appointing him Law Enforcement Envoy with authority over Yin and Yang. 269 438 He establishes Jingqi Pavilion as more than a rare-item shop: it is intended as an intelligence network, distribution hub, and foundation for a new Initiate power. 762

Personality

Xiao Ran is observant, pragmatic, and highly adaptable. He habitually records clues in a notebook, arranging scattered information until he can identify patterns or traps. 126 In battle, he favors preparation, deception, exploitation of enemy weaknesses, and decisive force over fair confrontations. 142 323 844

He can be ruthless toward threats, including killing enemies after extracting needed information, but he is not indiscriminately cruel. He protects vulnerable people, repairs corpses with care, performs surgery to restore children’s sight, hearing, and speech, and shows mercy to enemies who surrender. 15 687 822 889

Despite his growing authority, Xiao Ran does not primarily seek office or status. He quickly dismisses the temptation of power in Ruzhou, focusing instead on practical goals: protecting allies, strengthening Jingqi Pavilion, and securing resources. 769 He is also emotionally vulnerable regarding Gao Yuting; her loss causes his mental power to destabilize space and time. 763

Abilities & Skills

Corpse Stitching

Xiao Ran repairs corpses to recover Energy Value, memories, Skill Books, Curse Marks, and other benefits.

• Repairs faces and bodies with professional-level precision. 111 170
• Obtains skills and Curse Marks from stitched corpses, including Spirit Bestowal and Horse Taming Technique. 215 889
• Uses Corpse Soul Modification to implant acquired Memory Books and Skill Books into corpses. 871
• Can create Corpse Slaves, including Tiger and a mutated Mechanical Craftsman corpse made from Senbei. 170 269
• Corpse Stitching of powerful corpses is dangerous because accumulated Malevolent Qi can reanimate the body. 871

Calamity Suppressing Token

A core Cursed Object and the source of several identities, privileges, and corpse-related techniques.

• Awakens or extracts buried memories and skills, such as Skillful Hands, Empty Pockets. 36
• Grants Nether Envoy authority, Evil Warding Seal, and Demon Suppressing Incantation after an upgrade. 269
• Later grants Yin General authority and a Yin General Dharma Idol capable of suppressing dangerous corpse qi. 871
• Its Luck Stealer form grants Yin Commander, Soul Book, Yin Mansion, and enhanced Corpse Soul Modification. 878
• Requires Energy Value for upgrades; Xiao Ran regrets destroying useful corpses before collecting them. 871

Martial Arts and Blade Techniques

Xiao Ran is a versatile martial artist whose techniques are elevated by Extraordinary Power.

• Uses Tiger Fist, Black Dragon Eighteen Hands, Fang Family Saber Technique, Li Jingqi's Fist Techniques, and other acquired martial arts. 15 195 209 323
• Practices and refines multiple saber techniques rather than relying on a single style. 216
• Reaches Dao Attainment in Blade Techniques after killing the ghost king. 430 432
• Combines Drifting with the Wind with footwork learned from the Great Monk for unpredictable movement. 475
• His blade receives Tai Hua's blessing and can invoke divine aid. 430 475

Mental and Spiritual Power

Xiao Ran possesses exceptional mental power, eventually surpassing 300 and later reaching far greater levels.

• Can identify opponents’ likely professions and combat traits through observation. 653
• Uses mental force to scan areas, assess attributes, and overwhelm weaker enemies. 639 764
• His mental power is unaffected by the Magistrate's forced “Justice and Brightness” personality imprint. 681
• Can use Half Gate Yin Yang to imitate death and conceal his living aura. 596
• His emotional instability can cause time to freeze and space to distort. 763

Yan Sheng Art and Suppression Arts

Xiao Ran employs Yan Sheng methods for warding off evil, suppressing enemies, and manipulating Malevolent Qi.

• Turns Yin Soldiers into scriptures and manifests a black Vajra to defend the East Gate. 665
• Creates Corpse Qi armor that can conceal his presence and form weapons or shields. 557
• Uses Six-Character Measuring Sword · Luck Stealer to accelerate the decay of Gu Xuan's Fungal Seed. 844
• Eventually creates Malevolent Qi formations without Nether Paper or Suppression Artifacts. 927
• His suppression arts trace back through the Gu family lineage. 551

Physical Attributes

Xiao Ran’s physical development becomes one of his defining strengths.

• Can temporarily boost attributes through the Black Swan Brooch's Tempering privilege. 27
• Reaches 45 Strength by Chapter 271 and can temporarily exceed 100 by allocating stored attributes. 271 302
• Gains Dragon Spine Strength after Physique surpasses 100. 662
• Gains Iron Furnace after Strength surpasses 100, making him immune to Yin Souls, curses, spells, and Daoist magic below C-class. 673
• Ultimately reaches Strength 470, Agility 500, Constitution 500, and Spirit 550 after absorbing the Black Sarira. 919

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Executioner's Blade — Xiao Ran's primary saber; empowered by Tai Hua's blessing. 430
• Headhunter Sword — C-class flying sword capable of long-range attacks within an 800-meter diameter. 871
• Black Swan Brooch · Scholar — Detects murderous intent; its Tempering privilege temporarily improves attributes when Xiao Ran is attacked. 27 209
• Purple Gold Tiger Prop — Alters gravity within three meters and magnetically controls nearby metal. 196
• Gilded Cloak · Iron Body — Provides powerful short-term defense against physical attacks. 238
• Eight Treasures Flowing Light Mirror — Contains the Dazzling Light Escape privilege. 238
• Five Dragon Bracelet — Devours mycelium souls and converts them into Xiao Ran's spiritual power. 820
• Black Sarira — Enhances his physical body and becomes part of his self-created spell formation. 919 927
• Dragon Banner — Symbol of his Law Enforcement Envoy authority. 438
• Yin Virtue Tablet — Granted by Tai Hua; initially contains eighteen thousand Yin Virtue. 430

Relationships

• Wu Man — Close friend and trusted partner; they support one another through advancement, combat, Jingqi Pavilion’s development, and personal crises. 170 694 763
• Gao Yuting — Xiao Ran's wife and a powerful swordswoman; their relationship deepens through mutual trust, affection, and shared journeys. 398 399 762
• Zhong Yi — Xiao Ran's Company supervisor and a friendly acquaintance who supports him with information, tickets, and a red business card. 83 532
• Zhao Qingming — Friend, adviser, and later “Grandpa Zhao”; he worries about Xiao Ran’s safety and shares Zhao family knowledge. 195 499
• Xiao Zhenye — Xiao Ran's grandfather; proud of Xiao Ran’s achievements and concerned for his safety. 497 822 825
• Yinshan Daoist — Xiao Ran's master, whose relationship with him deteriorates into betrayal and open hostility. 214 302 304
• Lu Cheng — Trusted companion and military leader; Xiao Ran worries about him and consults him on major events. 380 399
• Huang Le — Former companion whom Xiao Ran later assists and acknowledges as a brother. 36 662 665
• Mo Ju — A familiar, teasing ally from Hong Village who provides information about the Yinshan Daoist's group. 142 871 872
• Tai Hua — Mysterious divine backer who grants Xiao Ran the Yin Virtue Tablet and blesses his blade. 430 475

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early Corpse Stitcher and Initiate Period

• Rescues children, defeats Xiao Jiahui’s gang, and leaves his village for the city. 15
• Acquires skills and Cursed Objects through the Calamity Suppressing Token and Corpse Stitching. 36 46
• Investigates the Wang Family treasure, Human Incense, and a suspected trap aimed at Initiates and martial artists. 125 126

Martial Monk and Underworld Advancement

• Advances from Martial Monk to the D-class Iron Body profession and obtains Extraordinary Power. 215 216
• Gains the Nether Envoy identity after upgrading the Calamity Suppressing Token. 269
• Enters the Netherworld, breaks with the Yinshan Daoist, and develops ties to Underworld figures. 302 304

Plum Blossom Daoist and Sword Evaluation

• Builds his reputation through martial arts, suppression arts, and alliances. 323 398
• Gains Dao Attainment in Blade Techniques and Tai Hua's divine backing after killing a ghost king. 430 432
• Is appointed Law Enforcement Envoy overseeing Yin and Yang. 438
• Defeats Guxin Hall at the Sword Evaluation, gaining fame in Chang'an. 475

Jingqi Pavilion and Ruzhou

• Plans Jingqi Pavilion as a major resource, intelligence, and distribution network. 762
• Gains enough influence that Ruzhou officials and The Company treat him as an authority comparable to Lu Cheng. 769
• Becomes an uncrowned power in Ruzhou, able to command Company units in the absence of an official leader. 860

Lost City, Tomb Country, and Beyond

• Reaches Body of a Hundred Attributes and later battles mycelium-based enemies with overwhelming physical and spiritual power. 662 740
• Uses a split consciousness, Number Two, to deceive Gu Xuan and launch an ambush. 844
• Advances his token to Luck Stealer and becomes the Underworld-appointed Yin-Yang Patrol Envoy. 878 883
• Absorbs immense essence energy and the Black Sarira, pushing his attributes into the hundreds. 901 919
• Develops a self-created method to merge mental energy, Black Sarira, and Stitching Lines, stabilizing a Treasure Ship amid a fate storm. 927

Trivia

• Xiao Ran habitually writes down clues and rearranges them to organize his thoughts. 126
• He is skilled at cooking and seeks unusual flavors. 83
• He can go without sleep due to his powerful mental strength. 872
• He regards corpses as both professional materials and sources of information, skills, and Energy Value. 211 871
• A doppelgänger identical to Xiao Ran in appearance, clothing, and equipment is born from an egg, but possesses a distinctly different, killing-focused aura. 930