Blazing Blade Sect

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Blazing Blade Sect
Alias(es)	烈刀门
Affiliation	Independent sect operating around South Ridge City
Occupation/Role	Second-rate martial sect; manages businesses, trains disciples, and maintains local security
Status	Active 35
First Appearance	Chapter 1 1

Background / History

The Blazing Blade Sect is a second-rate sect based on Feather Mountain, thirty li from South Ridge City. Its Sect Master, Song Lieyang, is an eighth-level Innate Martial Master, making him a notable expert within a hundred-li radius despite the sect's limited overall standing. 1 2

Zheng Hetong, the Third Elder, found the starving Zhao Ping'an by the roadside and brought him to the sect. Zhao was accepted as Zheng's personal disciple because he resembled Zheng's deceased son; he spent the following four years on Feather Mountain before beginning formal martial training. 1

The sect's strongest arts are two first-rate cultivation methods, which only the elders and Sect Master can fully cultivate. It possesses a signature top-tier saber art, the Explosive Blade Art; normally restricted to Innate Realm practitioners, Zheng taught its first three forms to Ji Xiangming for protection while he worked outside the mountain. 9 10

Organization

Position	Known details
Sect Master	Song Lieyang, an eighth-level Innate Martial Master. 1
Four Great Elders	All are Innate Martial Masters and rank directly below the Sect Master. 1
Third Elder	Zheng Hetong; Zhao Ping'an's master. 1
Second Elder	Song Feichen, stationed long-term in South Ridge City. 24
Deacons	Ten deacons, each at least seventh-level Houtian Martial Artist; they oversee outside businesses and internal affairs. 1
Personal disciples	Directly accepted by the Sect Master or an elder. Their nominal status equals that of a deacon, though their actual influence depends on strength. 1
Inner disciples	Bound to the sect, sharing its prosperity and hardship. 1
Outer disciples	Fee-paying students who may study martial arts regardless of age; the sect does not intervene if they cause trouble outside. 1

Territory and Holdings

Feather Mountain rises 1,300 meters and has sheer cliffs on three sides, leaving only an eastern mountain path for access. This defensive terrain makes the sect's headquarters difficult to assault. 2

• The sect owns Feather Mountain and the surrounding five li. 2
• Its mountain holdings include two lumber yards, three mines, and five medicinal gardens. 2
• A settlement at the foot of the mountain is also commonly called “Blazing Blade Sect.” It is enclosed by a four-meter-high, two-meter-thick bluestone wall with two gates. 13
• Every industry in that settlement belongs to the sect, including taverns, inns, medical halls, grain and oil shops, and a brothel. 13
• In South Ridge City, the sect's sphere of influence covers three streets in the western district. 16
• The Blazing Blade Sect is one of South Ridge City's five major powers, alongside the Zhao and Wang Families, Poison Wolf Gang, and Qingyuan Escort Agency. 24

Martial Arts

Body Tempering Art

The sect's foundational Martial Trainee cultivation method is divided into nine levels across three stages:

Stage	Levels	Purpose
Muscle Training	1–3	Temper the muscles. 2
Bone Quenching	4–6	Temper the bones. 2
Skin Grinding	7–9	Temper the skin. 2

After completing all three stages to their limits, a practitioner undergoes blood replacement and advances to the Martial Warrior Realm. Zheng Hetong stresses that complete tempering expels impurities and benefits future cultivation. 2

Explosive Blade Art

A top-tier saber art of the Blazing Blade Sect. It is ordinarily available only after reaching the Innate Realm, though exceptions may be made by an elder. 9

• Ji Xiangming was taught its first three forms by Zheng Hetong before conducting work outside the sect. 9
• Those three forms allowed Ji to reverse several dangerous battles. 9

Story Role / Major Arcs

Zhao Ping'an's early life

The sect serves as Zhao Ping'an's home after his rebirth. Zheng Hetong and Zhao Xiuyun raise him alongside Zheng's other personal disciples: Ji Xiangming, Cui Kang'an, Mu Yunmeng, and Liu Zhe. 1 3

Although Zhao lives in the elders' courtyard, most ordinary sect disciples barely know he exists. His initially ordinary talent causes direct disciples to disregard him, while elders and stewards show courtesy largely out of respect for Zheng Hetong. 12

Conflict with the Sun Family

When Zhao Ping'an and Zheng Hetong assault the Sun Family, Zheng activates the Blazing Blade Sect's emergency signal. Song Feichen arrives first with fifteen mounted sect members, responding immediately despite the sect's internal divisions. 24

After Zhao defeats the Sun Family's main strength, Song Feichen directs a purge of the family estate. The sect subsequently helps secure the Sun Family's properties, while the City Lord's Mansion deploys soldiers to assist. 25 26

The final division grants the Blazing Blade Sect thirty percent of the Sun Family's total assets. Zhao Ping'an claims the medicinal mountain and alchemy workshop, while the City Lord's Mansion receives forty percent for stabilizing the aftermath. 26

Zhao Ping'an's separation

Following the Sun Family affair, Zhao Ping'an states his intention to sever ties with the Blazing Blade Sect once the matter is settled. Zheng Hetong considers leaving as well, believing that remaining could invite Song Lieyang's suspicion and create trouble for Zhao. 26 27

Zhao later arranges for Zheng Hetong and willing senior disciples to manage the former Sun Family Alchemy Workshop in South Ridge City. Liu Zhe initially remains with the Blazing Blade Sect. 28

Search for Tian Yiming

Song Lieyang later dispatches all available sect manpower, led by ten late-Houtian deacons, to search around Wu'an Mountain for the fugitive Tian Yiming. The sect suffers significant casualties during the ensuing chaos at the mountain. 35

Relationships

• Zhao Ping'an — Personal disciple of Third Elder Zheng Hetong; he grows up under the sect's protection but later intends to cut formal ties after gaining overwhelming power. 1 26
• Zheng Hetong — Third Elder; rescued Zhao Ping'an, accepted him as a personal disciple, and retains deep emotional attachment to the sect. 1 27
• Zhao Xiuyun — Zheng Hetong's wife; helps foster a harmonious environment among Zheng's disciples. 2
• Song Lieyang — Sect Master and eighth-level Innate Martial Master; negotiates the sect's share of the Sun Family assets with Zhao Ping'an. 1 26
• Song Feichen — Second Elder and Song Lieyang's cousin; leads the sect's response during the destruction of the Sun Family. 24 25
• South Ridge City Lord's Mansion — A higher-ranked local force; cooperates with the sect to stabilize and secure the Sun Family's former properties. 14 26
• Sun Family — Former major power of South Ridge City; its assets are divided after its destruction by Zhao Ping'an and the Blazing Blade Sect. 25 26