Xuan Kongzi

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xuan Kongzi (玄空子)
Alias(es)	Xuan Zi 20
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Pill Tower; one of its three Giants 42 45
Occupation/Role	Pill Tower Giant; Eighth-grade Alchemist 42 45
Status	Active 46
First Appearance	Chapter 20

Background / History

Xuan Kongzi is a longstanding friend of Ling You and an alchemical contemporary of Yao Chen. He rejects the claim that Yao Chen died from alchemy backlash, regarding it as implausible given Yao Chen's skill, and is aware that the Soul Hall has increasingly targeted alchemists. The Pill Tower itself has lost many alchemists to the organization. 21

When Ling You brings Ling Xi to the Pill Tower after leaving the Ling Clan, Xuan Kongzi receives them warmly. He permits them to remain at the Tower and invites Ling Xi to address him as “Xuan Zi,” noting that he has a disciple around Ling Xi's age. 20

He later arranges for Ling Xi to train in the Pill Tower's newly stabilized trial space. Although he is curious about Ling Xi's unusual soul and devouring ability, Ling You repeatedly prevents him from pressing the matter. 21 23

Appearance

Xuan Kongzi is an elderly man with white hair and a white beard, usually dressed in white robes. 20

• Keen-eyed and refined in bearing. 20
• His presence and seniority command immediate respect from Pill Tower juniors such as Cao Ying and Song Qing. 42

Personality

Xuan Kongzi is perceptive, candid, and patient with exceptional talent. He recognizes Ling Xi's potential early, but his interest is not purely detached: he attempts to understand Ling Xi's background, mutated soul technique, Exotic Flame, and possession of the Purple Abyss Cauldron. 42 44 45

Despite his curiosity, he does not force Ling Xi to reveal everything. After learning that the Eye of the Netherworld mutated during cultivation, he accepts the partial explanation rather than continuing to pry. 45

He is protective of Cao Ying, though easily exasperated by her behavior, and maintains an abrasive but affectionate friendship with Ling You. 21 23

Abilities & Skills

Cultivation and Soul Power

Xuan Kongzi is a peak Dou Venerate-level powerhouse stated to be close to Half-Saint. 21 44

• Countered Ling Xi's released Soul Power outside his room; their collision made space tremble and produced a thin spatial crack. 42
• Probed Ling Xi's body with Soul Power and discovered the unusual devouring property within his soul. 23
• Was briefly drawn into a daze when meeting Ling Xi's gaze after the latter's Eye of the Netherworld mutation. 42 43

Alchemy

As an Eighth-grade Alchemist and Pill Tower Giant, Xuan Kongzi possesses extensive knowledge of pills, flames, and soul cultivation. 42 45

• Identified Ling Xi's dark-red flame as the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, ranked twenty-second on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, on sight. 45
• Recognized the celestial anomaly above the Pill Tower as the phenomenon associated with creating a Heavenly Rank cultivation method or Dou Technique. 42 43
• Understands that Spiritual Qi participates in the transformation of Soul Power when an alchemist advances from the seventh to eighth grade. 23

Pill Tower Authority

Xuan Kongzi can provide access to Pill Tower resources and training opportunities. 21 45

• Allows Ling You and Ling Xi to stay at the Pill Tower. 21
• Recommends the Pill Tower's newly opened trial space for Ling Xi's training. 21
• Offers to help Ling Xi refine the ninth-ranked Three Thousand Burning Flame if Ling Xi joins the Pill Tower. 45

Relationships

• Ling You — Old friend and fellow alchemist. Their conversations are filled with mutual teasing, but Xuan Kongzi respects Ling You and offers the Pill Tower as refuge for him and Ling Xi. 20 21
• Ling Xi — Ling You's disciple and a talent Xuan Kongzi seeks to recruit into the Pill Tower. He investigates Ling Xi's abilities while also offering him support and access to the Three Thousand Burning Flame. 23 45 46
• Cao Ying — His disciple. Xuan Kongzi is openly proud of her formidable Soul Power, though he calls her troublesome and reacts impatiently to her curiosity. 21 23
• Yao Chen — Former alchemical peer and the subject of an old bet with Xuan Kongzi. Xuan Kongzi regrets Yao Chen's death and doubts the public account that he died from alchemy backlash. 21

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Arrival at the Pill Tower — Receives Ling You and Ling Xi, grants them sanctuary, and introduces Cao Ying to them. 20 21
• Ling Xi's breakthrough — Witnesses the Spiritual Qi vortex caused by Ling Xi's cultivation and discovers that Ling Xi's soul can devour incoming Soul Power. 22 23
• Heaven and Earth Phenomenon — Identifies the anomaly caused by Ling Xi's secluded cultivation and shields Cao Ying and Song Qing from Ling Xi's released Soul Power. 42 43
• Purple Abyss and the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire — Questions Ling Xi about the Purple Abyss Cauldron and ultimately acknowledges that Ling Xi is qualified to wield it; he also confirms Ling Xi's refinement of the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire. 44 45
• Recruitment attempt — Offers Ling Xi Pill Tower membership and eventual assistance with the Three Thousand Burning Flame, but Ling Xi declines out of loyalty to Ling You. 45 46

Notable Quotes

“Your master and I have been friends for many years. There's no need to be so formal.” 20

“Of course, I have one condition: you must join the Pill Tower!” 45