Chen Yan

Biodata

Feature	Detail
Name	Chen Yan 50 106 114 138 153 169 173 206 220 236 265 269 282 283 312 356 382 388 406 434 537 538 543 579 585 662 680 726 727 746 948 995 1107 1153 1160
Alias	Yan Chen 169 200 220; Si Chen 265; Chen Cheng 265 269; True Person Ducang 662; Sect Master of Chenping Continent 662 680; Wu Xu 1020 1021; Supreme Cardinal Chen 746; Governor Chen 798; True Lord Du Cang 904; True Lord Chen 1160
Age	7 (at one point) 726; 10 (at one point) 727; 15 (at several points) 1 419 796; 22 (at one point) 537; 26 (at one point) 282
Cultivation Realm	Early-stage Qi Condensation Realm (at one point) 727; Martial Spring Realm (at one point) 79 538; Qi Sea Realm (at one point) 265; Divine Ability Realm Peak (after reincarnation) 579; Ascension Realm (at one point) 585 598; Guiyi Realm (at one point) 927 1000; Mid Void Return Realm (sealed accumulated cultivation) 1067; Hedao Realm (at one point) 1109
Affiliation	Kongyuan Demonuntain (disciple) 50 106 114 382; Empty Demonuntain Sect (disciple) 727; Beiguan Sect (External Affairs Hall Elder, fabricated) 265 269; Water Mirror Pavilion (Steward) 283; Qingxuan Immortal Sect (new disciple) 537 538; Luoling Sect (disciple and later Sect Master's personal disciple) 834 891 893; Forgotten River City City Lord's Manor (retainer and Wei Yang's instructor) 995; Bright Azure Sect (handyman disciple, at one point) 1105 1107
Dao Companion	Cheng Ziying (former) 206
Family	Chen Family of Suishuo City; Chen Zhengye (father); Madam Chen (mother); Chen Dong (elder brother); Chen Peng (younger brother) 364 724 871
Titles and Positions	Kongyuan Demonuntain Chief Disciple 79 114; Scripture Hall Elder 741; Great Yan border army Deputy Governor and commander of the Yanbei Iron Cavalry 796; Marquis Jingyuan (formerly) 870 900; Supreme Law Elder of the Empty Mountain Sect (at one point) 753

Physical Description

Chen Yan is consistently described as handsome, with features such as red lips and white teeth, and star-like eyes 90. He possesses a healthy tanned complexion 538. His demeanor is often noted as refined and unconventional, even when he is a junior 420. He can appear to be in his twenties 272. When he was younger, at seven years old, he had a cute and pitiable appearance 726.

• Hair: Dark 19.
• Robes:
  • Wears a pure white Daoist Robe, sometimes embroidered with gilded cloud-and-crane patterns on the sleeves, signifying his status from Kongyuan Demonuntain or the Empty Demonuntain Sect 90 272 579 746.
  • Has also worn a moon-white Daoist Robe 286.
  • When disguised, he has worn tattered Daoist Robes 579.
  • Has worn an ink-black Daoist robe while using the identity Wu Xu 1021.
  • Has worn a dark green Daoist robe as a Qingxuan Immortal Sect Inner Sect disciple 540.
  • His alternate-timeline self wears a plain white Daoist robe and possesses the same facial structure, build, and Dao Rhyme aura as Chen Yan, though his bearing is more ancient and marked by incomplete time-space fractures 1153.
• Disguises:
  • Uses a mask given by Mister You, said to be made by Mirage Palace 236.
  • Has used a human skin mask to impersonate "Chen Cheng," an elder of the Beiguan Sect 265.
  • Can alter his skin color to completely dark and transform his face into that of a middle-aged man with wrinkles and lines to appear weathered 689.
• Facial Features (when disguised/transformed):
  • A middle-aged man, about forty years old, with a beard streaked with white and deep wrinkles at the corners of his eyes 286.
  • His past self, a "corpse" emerging from the Black Tide, had an ashen-white, lifeless, handsome face 579.

Background

Chen Yan was born into an ordinary merchant family in Suishuo City, Qingque Kingdom 364. At age five, his exceptional martial arts potential was recognized by Grandmaster Zhao 724. News of his talent spread, leading the influential Pu Family to support his family, and at age seven, an elder from the Empty Demonuntain Sect invited him to cultivate immortality on Wenyuan Demonuntain 724. He joined the Empty Demonuntain Sect's Outer Court, initially believing he would be in the Inner Sect 726.

Chen Yan was a Transmigrator, reborn at age 15 after living 100 years as an outer disciple with limited cultivation progress 1. In his first known life, he began body tempering at nine, reached Qi Condensation at forty-one, and only entered Qi Condensation Realm Mid-stage at seventy-two 2. In a reborn life, he quickly progressed, reaching the Qi Condensation Realm Mid-stage by age fifteen, a level he only achieved at one hundred in his previous life 1. He attended lectures by Lu Li, an exceptional instructor from Yuanhua Demonuntain, who taught the Empty Demonuntain Art 727. Lu Li noticed Chen Yan's talent and gifted him Qi Guiding Pills 2 727. At age 13, Chen Yan became Lu Li's personal disciple 727. In one altered reincarnation, however, Lu Li responded coldly to Chen Yan's attempts to distinguish himself and killed him, teaching Chen Yan the danger of prematurely revealing exceptional qualities 4.

Chen Yan's repeated reincarnations return him to prior Record Points while allowing him to inherit accumulated cultivation and certain settlement rewards 7 8. Early settlements increased the depth of his cultivation through accumulated-cultivation coefficients rather than merely advancing his realm 210. Over time, the Reincarnation System's records became fixed Karma anchors in the River of Time; touching an anchor could restore his previous reincarnation cultivation, while the disruption prevented him from receiving new realm rewards before such recovery 773.

He served as the Dao Gate Walker for 12 years, visiting 172 Cultivation Sects, and returned to the Empty Demonuntain Sect at 34, at the peak of the Qi Sea Realm. Five years later, he broke through to the Spirit Tong Realm, qualifying him to become a Peak Elder 741. Chen Yan's cultivation talent was significantly enhanced by cycles of reincarnation, elevating him beyond his initially poor talent 697. He later became the Scripture Hall Elder 741.

Across later reincarnations, Chen Yan repeatedly re-cultivated from a mortal body in other regions and eras. He served Great Yan as a scout and military commander, gaining fame after killing the Black Mountain Tribe chieftain Saurur and later becoming Deputy Governor of the border army 785 787 796. He subsequently entered the Luoling Sect, where his cultivation rose rapidly and he became associated with Sect Master Cong Linshan's lineage 834 891 893. In Forgotten River City, he served as City Lord Wei's retainer and instructed Wei Yang while pursuing his own plans 954 986 995.

In a later cycle, Chen Yan entered the Bright Azure Sect as a handyman disciple. Two years after surviving the Willow River Village calamity, he revealed Martial Spring Realm cultivation before Bright Azure Sect disciples and subsequently raised his realm through the Spirit Tong, Wanhua, Guiyi, Divine Ability, and Hedao Realms in moments 1105 1107 1109. He later encountered another Chen Yan manifested from Karma light: a counterpart from a different timeline whose Dao Rhyme and temperament had been shaped by different experiences 1153.

Cultivation Progression

Cultivation Level	Time Period	Details
Body Tempering Realm	Age 8	Achieved Body Tempering 726.
Qi Condensation Realm	Age 10	Successfully drew Qi into his body 726.
Qi Condensation Realm Early-stage	Age 10, 1.5 years of cultivation	Lu Li notes this speed is comparable to Inner Sect prodigies like Chu Xiyao and Li Haowen 727.
Qi Condensation Realm Mid-stage	Age 15	Reached this level in a previous life at age 100; in a reborn life, achieved it at age 15, a major realm ahead of his previous self at 19 1.
Qi Condensation Realm Late-stage	Age 15	After consuming four of Lu Li's Qi Guiding Pills during two weeks of seclusion, Chen Yan reached the late stage 3.
Qi Condensation Realm Peak	Age 15	In one reincarnation, his actual cultivation approached the peak despite outward concealment 5 10.
Martial Spring Realm	Age 15	Qin Qingyu reached Martial Spring Realm Mid-stage at this age 730. Chen Yan's breakthrough to Martial Spring Realm was expected due to his talent and status as Kongyuan Demonuntain's Chief 79.
Martial Spring Realm Early-stage	Age 15	Defeated a mid-stage Martial Spring Realm opponent using Qi Condensation Realm basic techniques 117.
Martial Spring Realm Mid-stage	Age 18	253.
Martial Spring Realm Late-stage	Age 20	253. Zhou Jinyun also reached this stage 477.
Martial Spring Realm Peak	Age 22	253. Chen Yan felt he couldn't maximize the power of the clear rainbow from the Hidden Immortal Art at this level 165.
Qi Sea Realm	Age 23	253.
Qi Sea Realm Mid-stage	Age 26	253.
Qi Sea Realm Peak	Age 34	Returned to Empty Demonuntain Sect at this level after 12 years as a Dao Gate Walker 741.
Spirit Tong Realm	Age 39	Broke through five years after returning to the sect, qualifying him to become a Peak Elder 741.
Wanhua Guiyi Realm	Over 300 years after beginning cultivation in one cycle	Became a Supreme Elder of the Supreme Cardinal Court and was addressed as Supreme Cardinal Chen 745 746.
Guiyi Realm	Unknown	Revealed his Guiyi Realm cultivation, causing a stir 262. Chen Yan believes his talent can likely only support him to this realm 752.
Guiyi Realm Peak	Unknown	Reached the peak after a Reincarnation Reward and stood one step from the Divine Ability Realm 519.
Divine Ability Realm Peak	Unknown	Received a major-realm advancement after an S-rank reincarnation settlement and later faced the Black Tide at this realm 576 577 579.
Ascension Realm Mid-stage	Unknown	Chen Yan's cultivation level after being hunted by the dried eyeball in cycles of Reincarnation 697.
Void Return Realm	Unknown	Previously possessed Void Return Realm cultivation before falling back to the Guiyi Realm in a later reincarnation 1001.
Mid Void Return Realm	Unknown	His accumulated cultivation was sealed at the Mid Void Return Realm during a reincarnation settlement 1067.
Spirit Tong Realm to Hedao Realm	Unknown	In a later cycle, Chen Yan displayed a rapid rise from the Spirit Tong Realm through Wanhua, Guiyi, Divine Ability, and Hedao 1109.
Hedao Realm	Unknown	After ascending from Spirit Tong through several major realms, Chen Yan reached the Hedao Realm within two breaths 1109.
Spirit Tong Realm Early-stage	Unknown	An earlier reincarnation settlement advanced Chen Yan from Qi Sea Realm Peak to the early Spirit Tong Realm, greatly amplifying his divine sense 261.
Divine Ability Realm	Unknown	In another route, Chen Yan comprehended Hidden Truth Returning Silence and advanced from Guiyi Realm Peak to the Divine Ability Realm after only half a day of seclusion 753.
Qi Condensation Realm	Later re-cultivation cycle	Chen Yan advanced from Body Tempering Realm to Qi Condensation Realm in half a stick of incense by relying on his extraordinary control over Spiritual Energy 820.
Spirit Tong Realm Early-stage	Luoling Sect cycle	After reappearing following years of seclusion, he was known to have risen from Martial Spring Realm Mid-stage to Spirit Tong Realm Early-stage within five years 862.
Guiyi Realm Mid-stage	Heaven-Stabilizing Continent cycle	While residing in Forgotten River City, Chen Yan possessed Guiyi Realm cultivation 953.
Void Return Realm	Past attainment	Chen Yan identified himself as a cultivator who had reached Void Return Realm and adopted the Daoist name Du Cang 904.

Abilities

Reincarnation

Chen Yan possesses a system-driven ability to end a life, receive a reincarnation evaluation and settlement, and return to an earlier Reincarnation Record Point with inherited accumulated cultivation 7 8. The quality of his evaluations determines whether he receives meaningful rewards, making knowledge, reputation, altered fates, and survival central to his progress 8.

• Applications:
  • Returns Chen Yan to prior Record Points after a reincarnation ends, allowing him to restart life with accumulated cultivation 7 8.
  • Grants coefficient rewards that deepen his accumulated cultivation within a realm, such as a 1.1-fold increase after a D+ settlement 7 210.
  • Allows his consciousness to resonate with and briefly control a past version of his body 519.
  • Has supplied major-realm advancements and techniques, including the rewards that raised him to Divine Ability Realm Peak and unlocked Kan Shui Art 577 580.
  • Allows him to regain prior reincarnation cultivation by contacting fixed Karma anchors in the River of Time 773.
• Limitations:
  • Repeated meaningless deaths yield poor evaluations and may provide no reward 8.
  • Reincarnation records can become fixed anchors after Karma and Dao Rhyme are disrupted, preventing additional cultivation-realm rewards until Chen Yan recovers his existing cultivation 773.
  • Reincarnation exposes Chen Yan to severe Karma backlash, memory erosion, and increasingly dangerous entities tied to the River of Time 595 637 697.

Hidden Immortal Art

The Hidden Immortal Art is a core cultivation technique that allows Chen Yan to conceal his aura and cultivation level, even from true immortals 55. It also enhances the purity and circulation efficiency of his True Qi, making him formidable against cultivators of the same realm 63.

• Applications:
  • Conceals cultivation level and aura 55.
  • Enhances True Qi purity and circulation efficiency, making Chen Yan "invincible among those of the same realm" 63.
  • Activates the Po Bing Needle, allowing it to pierce through protective True Qi of cultivators at the same level 139.
  • Can be used to generate a "point of Clear Light" that can melt away opposing True Qi and shatter protective barriers 125 519.
  • Allows for a powerful physical strike when operating at full speed, capable of severely injuring or killing opponents 33.
  • Can suppress his displayed realm to mislead cultivators, such as presenting himself as an early Qi Condensation Realm rogue cultivator 326.
  • At Great Mastery, produces a clear rainbow that Chen Yan considers one of his strongest offensive methods 165.
• Limitations:
  • Without the Hidden Immortal Art, Chen Yan would not be a match for most cultivators at the same realm 580.
  • Its effectiveness in combat is limited by Chen Yan's mastery of attack techniques; he initially had few Martial Spring Realm attack techniques 63.
  • Its concealment is compromised if Chen Yan's meridians are shattered and he cannot activate it himself 239.

Great Evolution Art

The Great Evolution Art is a core cultivation technique that provides Chen Yan with significant healing capabilities and allows him to evolve immortal qi 299 444. It is considered overpowered, enabling him to fight across major realms 299.

• Applications:
  • Heals severe injuries 444.
  • Allows for the evolution of immortal qi, providing a "dimensionality reduction strike" against lower-level opponents 299.
  • Can manifest an "External Incarnation" that can withstand attacks and dissipate into spiritual energy upon destruction 440.
  • Can be used to activate the Leaving Fire Whip 579.
  • Enhances healing and spiritual senses 577.
  • Erupts innate Spiritual Energy from the body, causing cracks in the ground and facilitating movement techniques 548.
  • Can repeatedly derive replacement immortal artifacts from Spiritual Energy after previously manifested ones deteriorate 549.
  • Can create External Incarnations whose Karma may later be erased through Hidden Truth Returning Silence 1015.
  • Repairs minor damage to his clothing without drawing attention, as seen when it restored a tear in his Daoist robe 970.
• Limitations:
  • Chen Yan believes his actions are not truly fighting across realms when using the Great Evolution Art, as it provides a high-level combat advantage 299.
  • Its full potential requires mastery, as noted when an External Incarnation was "mastered to perfection" 440.

Swift Wind Step

The Swift Wind Step is a movement technique considered one of the top in its world, known for its adaptability 241.

• Applications:
  • Allows for rapid evasion when an opponent closes in 241.
  • Can be used to launch fierce attacks during gaps created by transformation between reality and illusion 241.
  • Facilitates quick movement, allowing Chen Yan to cover distances rapidly 33 548.
• Limitations:
  • Requires an adaptable movement technique to maximize its effect 241.
  • Without the Swift Wind Step, Chen Yan would not be a match for most cultivators at the same realm 580.

Void Annihilation Method

The Void Annihilation Method is a powerful technique that allows Chen Yan to sever Karma connections and withstand potent attacks 568.

• Applications:
  • Severs Karma connections, protecting individuals from spiritual sense attacks 568.
  • Can sever a target's connection with the wider world for less than half a breath, during which neither the target nor the outside world can affect the other 568.
  • Allows Chen Yan to remain unharmed against powerful lightning strikes from Divine Ability Realm cultivators 568.
  • Can be used to avoid attacks from immortal artifacts like the Li Huo Whip 579.
  • Can vaporize opponents 579.
• Limitations:
  • Without the Void Annihilation Method, Chen Yan would not be a match for most cultivators at the same realm 580.
  • The duration of the Karma severance Chen used to protect Su Hongzhen was less than half a breath 568.

Leaving Fire Seal / Leaving Fire Whip

The Leaving Fire Seal is a technique that can be inscribed onto swords to upgrade them 444. It can also manifest as the Leaving Fire Whip, an immortal artifact 549 577 579.

• Applications:
  • Can be inscribed onto a sword to upgrade it, creating a "Swift Fire Sword" 444.
  • The Leaving Fire Whip can defeat multiple Guiyi Realm cultivators rapidly 549.
  • Can be used to counter attacks and black tides 577.
  • Can be activated by the Great Evolution Art 579.
  • Killed twelve of twenty-seven Guiyi Realm cultivators in two strikes during a prolonged battle 927.
• Limitations:
  • Without the Leaving Fire Seal, Chen Yan would not be a match for most cultivators at the same realm 580.
  • A past version of Chen Yan, at Guiyi Realm Peak, was killed by his future self using the Li Huo Whip 579.
  • Using the Li Huo Whip consumes immense Spiritual Energy and can leave Chen Yan with less than one-fifth of his reserves 927.

Hidden Truth Returning Silence

Hidden Truth Returning Silence is Chen Yan's first unlocked innate divine ability, obtained alongside the Kan Shui Art after his accumulated cultivation coefficient reached the required threshold 580. In another cultivation route, he comprehended the same ability upon entering the Divine Ability Realm 753.

• Applications:
  • Erases or conceals the Karma of an object, causing it to vanish as though it never existed 580.
  • Erased the manifested Li Huo Whip held by Chen Yan's corpse 580.
  • Can erase an External Incarnation's Karma so completely that it becomes forgettable even to Chen Yan and hostile observers 1015.
• Limitations:
  • Its failure against later interference suggests that a sufficiently powerful party can establish a connection between Chen Yan's External Incarnations and true body 1067.
  • A Karma-erased External Incarnation cannot reveal Chen Yan's true identity; doing so immediately causes the concealment to fail 1017.
  • In one route, Chen Yan could not erase the existence of cultivators at the Spirit Tong Realm or above 753.

Innate Sword Intent: Void Intent

Void Intent is an Innate Sword Intent acquired as a reincarnation reward after Chen Yan erased the concepts of heaven and earth and reincarnated 1015.

• Applications:
  • Directly damages Karma, allowing Chen Yan to threaten opponents far above his cultivation realm 1019 1021.
  • Damaged the Karma and Dao Rhyme of Shan Chong, a Void Return Realm True Lord 1021 1022.
  • Can be wielded by Chen Yan's External Incarnations 1051.
• Limitations:
  • Its advantage diminishes once its methods and principles are understood by stronger opponents 1051.

Purple Mansion Empty Mountain Art

The Purple Mansion Empty Mountain Art is a cultivation art created by Chen Yan from the Empty Mountain Art 77. It enhances the power of his techniques and was instrumental in his victory over Ye Xiu during the Dao Asking Assembly 121.

• Applications:
  • Amplifies Chen Yan's use of the Hidden Immortal Art and Kongshan Finger in combat 121.
  • Represents an original cultivation-method creation regarded as sufficient merit for Chen Yan to enter the Heavenly Peak Dao Asking 77.
• Limitations:
  • Chen Yan initially lacked a broad repertoire of high-level offensive techniques despite his cultivation and experience 112 115.

Other Abilities

• Martial Arts Prowess: Recognized as a martial arts prodigy from a young age, with potential to become a Martial Dao Grandmaster 724. Even without cultivation, he is confident no martial arts grandmaster could gain an advantage over him 406.
• True Qi Control: Can easily defeat opponents by breaking their sword with a single finger, demonstrating exceptional True Qi control 375. His control over Qi and Spiritual Energy below the Spirit Tong Realm became extraordinary after repeatedly re-cultivating, enabling an extremely rapid Qi Condensation breakthrough 820.
• Cross-Realm Combat: Can kill across major realms, attributed to the Great Evolution Art 299. He has defeated Qi Condensation Realm cultivators while in the Martial Spring Realm 139 328.
• Immortal Artifact Manifestation: Can manifest three immortal artifacts, demonstrating his power and intimidating others 485. At his Ascension Realm height, his true self appeared accompanied by one hundred thousand immortal artifacts 600.
• Spiritual Energy Purification: Has a unique ability to purify Spiritual Energy 549.
• Divine Sense: His spiritual sense abilities reached a higher level after reincarnation 579. He can perceive the flow of True Qi within others 267.
• Clear Light: A point of Clear Light can disperse opposing True Qi 125.
• Kongshan Finger: A technique used in combat 125.
• Demonuntain Splitting Palm: A technique used in combat 112.
• Thousand Cloud Transformation: A technique allowing for rapid evasion and fierce attacks by transforming position between reality and illusion 241.
• Kan Shui Art: A Reincarnation Reward technique that enabled Chen Yan to manifest the Kan Shui Mirror, which dispersed the Li Huo released by his corpse 580.
• Qian Tian Ling: An immortal artifact capable of immobilizing opponents, used by Chen Yan against Guiyi Realm adversaries 927.
• Falling Star Sword and Palm Heaven Seal: Dormant immortal artifacts within Chen Yan's Qi Sea during a later re-cultivation cycle 819.
• External Incarnations: Chen Yan created thirty-six Divine Ability Realm External Incarnations and used them as the foundation for the Thousand Faces Sect 1051.
• Rapid Realm Advancement: In a later reincarnation, he raised his cultivation from the Spirit Tong Realm to the Hedao Realm in two breaths 1109.

Character Relationships

• Chen Yan and Zhou Jinyun: Chen Yan is a senior figure who extracts information from Zhou Jinyun, a cautious and intelligent disciple from Mirage Palace's Weaving Dream Tower 443. He entrusts her and Su Hongzhen with authority to deal with a possessed disciple 475. Zhou Jinyun initially views Chen Yan as an unfathomable senior 443 and later shows respect for his authority 475. She is hesitant to reveal too much about Mirage Palace's secret illusionary arts 443.
• Chen Yan and Su Hongzhen: Chen Yan observes Su Hongzhen's interactions with Zhou Jinyun, noting that Su Hongzhen likely forgave Zhou Jinyun long ago 477. Su Hongzhen struggles with the moral implications of killing and the rules of the world 475. Chen Yan protects Su Hongzhen from Upper Three Realms cultivators, heals his severe wounds, and upgrades his sword into the Swift Fire Sword 444 568. Chen Yan treats Su Hongzhen like a younger brother and guides his cultivation, while Su Hongzhen regards him as an elder brother and mentor 415 434. In a distant future, Su Hongzhen, then known as the Falling Star Sword Immortal, helps the soul-damaged Chen Yan recover memories of his past and recognizes his role as the sole variable in a destined plan 595.
• Chen Yan and Fu Qian: Fu Qian, an elder on Qingchan Peak, initially seems dismissive of Chen Yan but provides him with a token 59. Chen Yan has significant ties to Fu Qian's lineage 131. Fu Qian keeps secrets about a list hidden 107.
• Chen Yan and Bai Qiming: Chen Yan visits Bai Qiming, an elder on Qingchan Peak, who is aware of Chen Yan's actions at Kongyuan Demonuntain 67. Bai Qiming is suspected of playing a larger game related to a future calamity 57.
• Chen Yan and Lin Xinyang: Lin Xinyang suspects Chen Yan's involvement in Qin Yue's death 102. Lin Xinyang shows unwavering trust in Chen Yan when seeking a solution to a complex plot 131. Lin Xinyang later becomes acquainted with Chen Yan through Li Haowen and is noted for his unusually pure disposition 732.
• Chen Yan and Kang Congdan: Chen Yan avoids becoming enemies with Kang Congdan, giving him a heads-up when he learns Kang Congdan is looking for him 431. Kang Congdan is being used by an Elder from Mirage Palace for an experiment 431.
• Chen Yan and King Yun: King Yun recognizes Chen Yan as a disciple of Kongyuan Demonuntain and asks about Zhao Bin, an Immortal Master from Kongyuan Demonuntain who saved his life 43 44.
• Chen Yan and Mister You: Mister You informs Chen Yan that several True Persons from different sects cannot kill him for ten years due to a deal, and that they all want him dead because of the Karma backlash he carries 317. Mister You later saves Chen Yan from the Black Tide despite suffering Space-time Faults across his own body 580.
• Chen Yan and Chu Xiyao: Chu Xiyao knows that He Furen once sent people to assassinate Chen Yan, and she suspects He Furen is also related to Song Mingde's death 107. Chen Yan also faced Qin Qingyu in the Dao Asking Assembly, where Qin Qingyu suppressed her realm and was nevertheless surprised by Chen Yan's Clear Light 125.
• Chen Yan and Jing Miao: Jing Miao is the Ceremonial Officer of the Internal Affairs Hall, and Chen Yan questions if he appointed her 283. Jing Miao, along with others on Tian Ding Demonuntain, appears to be a living person, yet not entirely 283.
• True Person Caiyun Kong Yang and True Person Shi Ri Liang Huan: They have a feud 653.
• True Person Shuangyu Yin Xia and True Person Xuzhou Lou Ye: They have a feud 653.
• Cultivators of the Five Great Sects and the two Ascended Immortals from Tian Ding Demonuntain: They have a severe enmity 653.
• Kong Yang and Yin Xia: They maintain an alliance against Tian Ding Demonuntain despite their shared suspicion of each other's motives 653.
• Kong Yang and Chen Yan: Kong Yang reveals he ordered support for a young girl from Xuansheng Sect at True Person Chen's request 653.
• Li Haowen and Bai Jinye: They share a deep friendship, finding solace in each other's company despite their circumstances 661. Bai Jinye is injured and stagnant in cultivation, while Li Haowen is reclusive and known as "Li the God of Slaughter" 661.
• He Qingling and Li Haowen: Their relationship evolves from curiosity to closeness, then to conflict and eventual separation, with He Qingling witnessing Li Haowen's ruthless side and lying to protect him 767.
• Zhou Jinyun and Su Hongzhen: They discuss the moral implications of Mirage Palace's actions, with Su Hongzhen unable to accept Zhou Jinyun's stance, leading to them parting ways 594. Su Hongzhen encourages Zhou Jinyun to follow her heart 481.
• Zhou Jinyun and Supreme Elder Jing: Zhou Jinyun is familiar with Supreme Elder Jing's name and deeds but has never met him 443. She warns Chen Yan that Supreme Elder Jing has met him before, making it inadvisable for Chen Yan to reveal himself 452.
• Xiao Bo'an and Zhou Jinyun: Xiao Bo'an is the Chief Disciple of Weaving Dream Tower and is knowledgeable about its history 612. He is aware that Zhou Jinyun is the successor of Weaving Dream Tower's Night Sky Observation Heavenly Mirror and has the greatest talent in illusionary techniques in a thousand years 612.
• He Furen, Wen Hongli, and Huo Mu: They are manipulative and power-hungry figures 131.
• He Furen and Chen Yan: He Furen knows Chen Yan knows the secret of a list and has allowed Chen Yan to grow because he still holds value 131. He Furen has sent people to assassinate Chen Yan 107.
• Fu Qian and Kong Yang: Kong Yang purged Qingchan Peak, replacing its leadership, which reflects a power struggle with Fu Qian 347.
• Qian Xun and Li Hanzhou: Li Hanzhou suspects Qian Xun's mind was tampered with, causing his erratic behavior 66.
• Qin Yue and He Furen: He Furen targets Qin Yue to prevent her from becoming a significant piece in Bai Qiming's plans 59.
• Qin Yue and Lin Xinyang: Lin Xinyang is determined to find out who killed Qin Yue 102.
• Song Mingde and Chen Yan: Chen Yan is determined to uncover the truth behind Song Mingde's murder 59. Chen Yan suspects Song Mingde's death is related to He Furen 107.
• Ye Xiu and Old Demon: Old Demon is a senior figure who resides within Ye Xiu's mind 126. Old Demon informs Ye Xiu that Chen Yan defeated him 126.
• Zuo He and the "Mysterious Woman": Chen Yan seeks to extract secrets from Zuo He, including information about the "Mysterious Woman" 637.
• Chen Yan and Lu Li: Lu Li recognized Chen Yan's extraordinary talent in the Outer Court, gave him Qi Guiding Pills, and later accepted him as a personal disciple 2 727. Their relationship deepened over centuries, and Chen Yan feared Lu Li would be targeted by Huo Mu after Lu Li entered the Supreme Zhenwu Court 746. In an altered reincarnation, Lu Li instead displayed cold indifference and killed Chen Yan after their post-lecture exchange 4.
• Chen Yan and Cheng Ziying: Cheng Ziying was Chen Yan's childhood neighbor and junior sister, and later became his Dao companion across many reincarnations 3 206. Her survival of the Outer Court calamity proved to Chen Yan that he could change fate 206.
• Chen Yan and Bai Chen: Bai Chen's remnant soul resents Chen Yan for sealing him, but the two later discuss Chenping Continent and exhibit a degree of mutual appreciation 1000 1001.
• Chen Yan and Shan Chong: Shan Chong repeatedly killed Chen Yan's External Incarnation but became unable to treat him lightly after Void Intent damaged his Karma and Dao Rhyme 1019 1021 1022.
• Chen Yan and Pu Wenyu: Pu Wenyu recognizes Chen Yan's poor innate talent despite his past Ascension Realm status and suspects that he reincarnated and re-cultivated 988. Chen Yan considers Pu Wenyu both a potential source of support and a dangerous manipulator 981 1067. Pu Wenyu later reveals himself as Supreme Saint Qingfeng, a True Purity Realm cultivator, confirming the overwhelming disparity between them 978.
• Chen Yan and Wei Yang: Chen Yan serves as Wei Yang's instructor in Forgotten River City and claims he can guide him onto the immortal path within three months, though he does not regard Wei Yang as exceptionally talented 954 986 995.
• Chen Yan and Chen Dong: Chen Dong, Chen Yan's elder brother, later became Marquis Jingyuan. His political rise was aided by Chen Yan's former prestige and Jia Wen's subsequent support 870 871.
• Chen Yan and Jia Wen: Chen Yan met Duke Jia Wen in Great Yan's Chengxin Hall after earning renown on the frontier 798. Chen Yan later regarded Jia Wen as an important stabilizing figure in Great Yan and a Luoling Sect inner disciple 842.
• Chen Yan and Shen Yunshen: Shen Yunshen sheltered Chen Yan in Willow River Village, but their views diverged when Chen Yan questioned whether revenge could restore the dead 1089. Shen Yunshen later reacts with astonishment and hostility upon learning Chen Yan has become a Martial Spring Realm cultivator in the Bright Azure Sect 1105.
• Chen Yan and Liu Fanyue: Liu Fanyue is moved by Chen Yan's detached account of his suffering in Willow River Village and later recognizes his unexpected advancement to the Martial Spring Realm 1089 1105.
• Chen Yan and Shen Cang: Bright Azure Sect Master Shen Cang attempts to handle Chen Yan diplomatically after he demands sparring matches with Spirit Tong Realm experts 1107.
• Chen Yan and Wu Kuang: Wu Kuang senses danger from Chen Yan's sudden appearance and secretly alerts the Mystic Mechanism Palace 1107.
• Chen Yan and Lin Qifeng: Lin Qifeng became Chen Yan's master after recognizing his performance in the Outer Court Grand Competition and repeatedly protected him during conflicts with Song Wencheng and the sect's factions 24 33 105. Their connection remained important enough that Chen Yan later sought a private audience with Lin Qifeng and Sect Master Yun Yichen after becoming a powerful senior 680.
• Chen Yan and Li Haowen: Though initially associated through the Empty Mountain Sect's younger generation, Li Haowen later receives exceptional access to Du Cang Hall from Chen Yan, leaving him unable to understand why Chen Yan treats him with such consideration 662.
• Chen Yan and Zhou Yan: Zhou Yan first encounters Chen Yan as a Glazed Mountain cultivator and remains wary of his concealed identity and status 948 995. In Willow River Village, Zhou Yan develops a tense and jealous dislike of Chen Yan, particularly over Liu Fanyue's attention 1089.
• Chen Yan and the Alternate-Timeline Chen Yan: Chen Yan encounters a counterpart formed from streams of Karma light, whose appearance and Dao Rhyme are identical to his own but whose ancient bearing and temporal scars reveal a different life path 1153.
• Chen Yan and Yin Ji: Heaven Stabilizer True Lord Yin Ji meets Chen Yan in a marsh pavilion and addresses him as True Lord Chen. Chen Yan recognizes Yin Ji as the foremost cultivator of the Immortal-Rising Land 1160.

Major Events

• Chen Yan is conscripted into the army Chen Yan is conscripted into the army and sets off for Xingyuan City with fellow villagers, aiming to achieve merit and break through to the Body Tempering Realm to begin cultivation 781.
• Chen Yan infiltrates the grasslands After becoming a scout in the Dingzi Camp, Chen Yan volunteers to infiltrate the Black Mountain Tribe's territory alone to locate the enemy 785.
• Chen Yan kills Saurur Chen Yan single-handedly kills the Black Mountain Tribe chieftain Saurur and returns with his head, earning recognition from Battalion Commander Zheng and an opportunity for advancement 787.
• Chen Yan becomes Deputy Governor of Great Yan's border army Following his battlefield achievements, the Great Yan Emperor appoints Chen Yan Deputy Governor, grants him command of the Yanbei Iron Cavalry, and entrusts him with broad independent military authority 796.
• Chen Yan is taken to Kongyuan Demonuntain Zhao Bin, a Senior Disciple Brother from Kongyuan Demonuntain's Pill Hall, takes Chen Yan to Kongyuan Demonuntain on a giant white crane, where Chen Yan is given a residence and a communication jade talisman 38. This event causes Chen Yan to begin to see Zheng Fuyue in a new light, appreciating his loyalty 38.
• Chen Yan participates in the Dao Asking Assembly Chen Yan returns to the Sect after fifteen years and participates in the Dao Asking Assembly, with his match approaching in the twenty-first group on Arena Seven 114. He is determined, analytical, and concerned about the well-being of his fellow disciples, and aware of the power struggles within the Sect 114.
• Chen Yan defeats Ye Xiu Facing death during the Dao Asking Assembly, Chen Yan combines the Hidden Immortal Art, Kongshan Finger, and Purple Mansion Empty Mountain Art to defeat Ye Xiu and destroy the arena 121.
• Chen Yan is confronted by Ye Xiu During the Dao Asking Assembly, Chen Yan is confronted by Ye Xiu, who expresses animosity and a desire to humiliate Chen Yan and the Empty Demonuntain Sect 120.
• Chen Yan learns about the Black Flood Dragon Remnant Soul Chen Yan recounts his speculations to the direct disciples of Kongyuan Demonuntain, including the matter of the Black Flood Dragon Remnant Soul being stolen and falling into He Furen's hands 131. He realizes he has long been a pawn in the schemes of powerful figures 131.
• Chen Yan is placed under confinement After returning to Kongyuan Demonuntain, Chen Yan is placed under a confinement order by Elder Zhengfa, his Uncle-Master Zhong Yin, to protect him from the Law Court 190. Chen Yan knows when the Law Court will come for his life 190.
• Chen Yan returns to the Outer Court Chen Yan reappears in the Outer Court after being missing for nine days, and the Cautionary Hall escorts him back to Kongyuan Demonuntain due to the tense situation between Kongyuan Demonuntain and the Law Court 189. His status has risen significantly, making him intimidating to former acquaintances 189.
• Chen Yan visits Yuanhua Demonuntain Chen Yan and Lu Li visit Yuanhua Demonuntain to meet Qian Xun, where Chen Yan uses a token from the Empty Demonuntain Law Court to gain entry 159. He expresses concern for Qian Xun's slow cultivation progress 159.
• Chen Yan realizes he can change fate Chen Yan realizes he can change other people's fate, including Destiny itself, after Cheng Ziying survives the great Outer Court calamity in this reincarnation 206. This excites him, despite the continued occurrence of the calamity 206.
• Chen Yan stays at Xing Manor Chen Yan decides to stay at Xing Manor for two weeks to gather information about his current situation, which he learns is three years after the great calamity of the Outer Court of the Empty Demonuntain Sect 201.
• Chen Yan joins the Biqiu Sect's recruitment Under the alias Yan Chen, Chen Yan passes the first round of Biqiu Sect's assessment and becomes the only Xing Family disciple to qualify 209.
• Chen Yan is attacked and killed by an unknown assailant Chen Yan discovers a massacre at an inn and is subsequently attacked and killed by an assailant from the Xing family 211. He suspects his death was part of a larger plan against the Biqiu Sect 211.
• Chen Yan begins to notice anomalies Chen Yan, serving as a Steward, begins to notice strange anomalies in the world, where people ignore or freeze when asked about his past interactions 283. He investigates and takes drastic action, killing Steward Zhao 283.
• Chen Yan witnesses the destruction of Tian Ding Demonuntain Using a fragment of the Tian Ding Mirror, Chen Yan sees Elder Wen Mian's past and witnesses a seven-colored golden fairy statue destroy Tian Ding Demonuntain and all its cultivators 286. He learns about his connection to an impending calamity 286.
• Chen Yan and Si Youyou leave their residence Chen Yan and Si Youyou leave their temporary residence, with Chen Yan revealing their next destination as Fushang Island 305.
• Chen Yan visits his biological family Chen Yan visits his biological family, the Chen Family, in Suishuo City, where he discovers his father has been forging letters from the Immortal Sect 366. He warns his father to stop, threatening the clan's annihilation 366.
• Chen Yan encounters Chu Xiyao and Kong Yang Chen Yan encounters Chu Xiyao, who doesn't recognize him, and meets Kong Yang, who reveals Qin Qingyu has ascended and suspects Chen Yan's true identity 356. Kong Yang knows Chen Yan seeks Ancestor Yan's Dao Foundation 356.
• Chen Yan and Su Hongzhen arrive in Liaolong Chen Yan and Su Hongzhen arrive in Liaolong, where news of a bandit attack on Matou Village has spread, drawing attention from the Liaolong Court and Great Yu 415. Chen Yan plans to leave for Yunxi 415.
• Chen Yan survives the Black Tide Chen Yan repeatedly confronts a corpse of his past self within the Black Tide, acquires the Kan Shui Art and Hidden Truth Returning Silence, and is eventually pulled free by Mister You 579 580.
• Chen Yan displays one hundred thousand immortal artifacts As an Ascension Realm cultivator, Chen Yan's External Incarnation is destroyed by the Great Sun Seal before his true body appears with one hundred thousand immortal artifacts, overwhelming the Ascended Immortal combatants 600.
• Chen Yan learns about the illusion of Yuxu Continent Chen Yan meets Imperial Void Saint Bai Chen and reveals that the Yuxu Continent they are on is an illusion created by the Tian Ding Mirror 760. He recounts the history of Chenping Continent's crises and his future self's plan to save it 760.
• Chen Yan learns about the "Calamity Cause" Chen Yan, having lived eight thousand years ago, revisits the past to complete his mission by tearing apart his soul to plant the "Calamity Cause" and trigger the era of the severed Immortal Path 597. He accepts his destined role and prepares for his final act 597.
• Chen Yan, as True Person Ducang, meets Li Haowen and Bai Jinye Chen Yan, now True Person Ducang and Sect Master of Chenping Continent, meets Li Haowen and Bai Jinye, showing interest in Li Haowen's upcoming breakthrough to the Wanhua Realm 662. He displays his power and status 662.
• Chen Yan creates Karma-erased External Incarnations After gaining Void Intent, Chen Yan uses the Great Evolution Art to create an External Incarnation and Hidden Truth Returning Silence to erase its Karma and remove it from all recollection 1015.
• Chen Yan confronts Shan Chong Under the Wu Xu identity, Chen Yan repeatedly returns after Shan Chong kills him and uses Void Intent to damage the Void Return Realm True Lord's Karma, forcing Shan Chong to apologize and negotiate 1021 1022.
• Chen Yan founds the Thousand Faces Sect Chen Yan uses thirty-six Divine Ability Realm External Incarnations as the basis for the Thousand Faces Sect, intending to unite the Southern Bright Region's strongest forces 1051.
• Chen Yan confronts the Bright Azure Sect Chen Yan rapidly raises his cultivation to the Spirit Tong Realm, challenges Bright Azure Sect experts to spar, and prompts the sect to secretly contact Mystic Mechanism Palace 1107.
• Chen Yan reaches the Hedao Realm before the Bright Azure Sect Chen Yan's cultivation continues rising before the shocked sect cultivators, advancing from the Spirit Tong Realm through Wanhua, Guiyi, and Divine Ability to the Hedao Realm in two breaths 1109.
• Chen Yan encounters his alternate-timeline self A second Chen Yan manifests from streams of Karma light. The counterpart's identical appearance and Dao Rhyme, but more ancient temperament and time-space scars, establish him as Chen Yan from another timeline 1153.
• Chen Yan meets Heaven Stabilizer True Lord Yin Ji In a pavilion amid the great marsh, Chen Yan receives Yin Ji and recognizes him as the foremost cultivator of the Immortal-Rising Land 1160.

Themes and Demontifs

The narrative explores several overarching themes, often intertwined with the protagonist Chen Yan's journey through reincarnation and his struggle against predetermined outcomes 8 53 206 286 595 597 725 754 760.

• Destiny vs. Free Will: Chen Yan frequently grapples with his role in a "destined plan" and the unchangeable nature of certain events, even as his reincarnations alter the fates of others 53 81 188 206 286 595 597 725 754 760. He is a "variable" in a larger scheme, yet his attempts to intervene often lead to unforeseen consequences or reinforce the original destiny 8 53 188 206 456.
• Reincarnation and its Consequences: The cycle of reincarnation is central to the story, with Chen Yan repeatedly returning to past lives, accumulating knowledge, and facing the "Karma backlash" of his actions 53 187 271 274 519 637. This process leads to the erosion of his Dao Rhyme and memories, highlighting the personal cost of his repeated journeys 595 637 754. Later reincarnations also allow him to generate External Incarnations and repeatedly challenge vastly stronger opponents, but expose him to increasingly dangerous Karma-based threats 1015 1021 1067. The transformation of his Reincarnation Record Points into fixed Karma anchors further makes his accumulated past both a source of strength and a restriction on future growth 773.
• The Price of Power/Sacrifice: Chen Yan's pursuit of power and knowledge, often for the sake of others, leads to his severe soul damage and the necessity of tearing apart his last wisp of soul to fulfill a mission 595 597. This theme underscores the sacrifices required to achieve significant goals or to alter grand destinies 597.
• Karma: Karma is a pervasive force, influencing existence, connecting individuals across time, and dictating the consequences of actions 579 597 612 613 637 686 754 760. Chen Yan's efforts often involve manipulating or understanding Karma threads, particularly those linked to the Supreme Saint of Imperial Void 597 612 613 686 754 760. Void Intent and Hidden Truth Returning Silence expand this struggle by allowing him to wound or erase Karma directly 1015 1021.
• Memory and Identity: Chen Yan frequently struggles with memory loss and the blurring of his identity due to his reincarnations and soul damage 595 597. Characters around him also experience dissociation or altered memories, raising questions about the nature of self and continuity 177 283 392 595. His Karma-erased incarnations further complicate identity by becoming forgettable even to their creator 1015. The manifestation of an alternate-timeline Chen Yan gives this theme a literal form, confronting him with a self shaped by another sequence of experiences 1153.
• Passage of Time and Change: The narrative spans vast periods, observing the decline of families and sects, the aging of individuals, and the transformation of the world 318 356 719. Chen Yan's long existence allows him to witness these changes and reflect on the impermanence of things 318 356 376 597 610.
• Isolation: Despite his many interactions, Chen Yan often experiences a profound sense of isolation, particularly due to his unique circumstances and the knowledge he carries from countless lives 8 376.
• Illusions and Reality: The distinction between illusion and reality is blurred, with events sometimes revealed to be part of a dream, an illusion created by artifacts like the Tian Ding Mirror, or a predetermined timeline 283 456 760. This challenges characters' perceptions and understanding of their world 283 760.

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