Zhang Xiaofan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Zhang Xiaofan (张小凡)
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Qingyun Sect; Great Bamboo Peak
Occupation/Role	Disciple of Tian Buyi; former resident of Cao Miao Village
First Appearance	Chapter 3

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Tai Chi Xuan Qing Dao, Second Level	21	Reached after three years on Great Bamboo Peak. His concurrent cultivation of Great Brahma Prajna and blood-and-qi depletion from refining the Soul Devouring Cudgel severely slow his visible progress. 21

Background / History

Zhang Xiaofan grew up in Cao Miao Village. There, he befriended Ye Yun and Lin Jingyu, helping them trap sparrows, spear fish, and establish a cave as a secret base. He waited beside the sleeping Ye Yun until he woke, an act that convinced Ye Yun to help him avoid the tragedies of the original course of events. 3 4 5 6

Concerned about Pu Zhi's injury, Zhang Xiaofan secretly went to the Grass Temple at night to deliver medicine. He witnessed Pu Zhi's battle with the disguised Cang Song and was thrown unconscious by the clash. 7

Before dying, Pu Zhi accepted Zhang Xiaofan as a disciple, passed on Tianyin Temple's methods, and entrusted him with the Bloodthirsty Bead for disposal. Pu Zhi later removed the villagers from Cao Miao Village and burned its buildings to make the incident appear to be the work of demonic cultivators. 8

Zhang Xiaofan, Ye Yun, and Lin Jingyu were taken to Qingyun Mountain. After answering True Master Dao Xuan's questions, Zhang Xiaofan and Ye Yun were accepted into Great Bamboo Peak under Tian Buyi, with Song Daren assigned to guide their initial training. 11 12 13 14

Personality

Zhang Xiaofan is kind-hearted and considerate. He waits for Ye Yun rather than leaving him alone, prepares the cave base with straw, and risks sneaking out at night because he worries about Pu Zhi's wound. 5 6 7

He is also innocent and somewhat naive, referring to True Master Dao Xuan as an “immortal grandpa” and repeatedly kowtowing beyond the required nine times during his apprenticeship ceremony. 12 14

His poor apparent aptitude leaves him discouraged after learning that Great Bamboo Peak accepted him partly as compensation for Ye Yun's talent. Nevertheless, he responds to Ye Yun's encouragement with renewed determination and persists in training two incompatible cultivation methods despite repeated setbacks. 16 19

Abilities & Skills

Tai Chi Xuan Qing Dao

Zhang Xiaofan studies Great Bamboo Peak's Qingyun Sect cultivation method.

• Requires opening the body's orifices to draw in and circulate spiritual energy.
• His progress is hindered because Great Brahma Prajna closes the orifices opened through Tai Chi Xuan Qing Dao practice. 16
• Reaches the second level after three years of cultivation. 21

Great Brahma Prajna

A Tianyin Temple method secretly imparted by Pu Zhi.

• Cultivated alongside Tai Chi Xuan Qing Dao, despite their opposing principles. 8 16
• Seals sensory and conscious thoughts to enter a Nirvana-like state and consolidate the foundation. 16
• Converts spiritual energy gained through daytime cultivation into nourishment for his body at night, creating an exceptionally firm foundation despite his lack of visible progress. 16

Blood Refining

Zhang Xiaofan successfully uses blood refining to merge two spiritual items despite Ye Yun having drained their malevolent power.

• Fuses the altered Bloodthirsty Bead with Soul Devourer. 21
• The process causes substantial blood and qi deficiency, leaving him barely able to cut a single stalk of Black Knot Bamboo. 21

Cooking and Domestic Work

Zhang Xiaofan takes over Great Bamboo Peak's kitchen duties after Du Bishu descends the mountain.

• Is noted to possess talent for cooking despite limited instruction and ingredients. 21 23
• Helps with kitchen work and prepares meals for the Great Bamboo Peak disciples. 19 21

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Bloodthirsty Bead / Spirit Storage Orb — entrusted to Zhang Xiaofan by Pu Zhi. Ye Yun secretly drains its blood energy and returns it in an altered form that stores spiritual energy instead. 8 10
• Soul Devouring Cudgel — formed when Zhang Xiaofan blood-refines and fuses the Spirit Storage Orb with Soul Devourer. 21
• Black Knot Bamboo cleaver — used for his required bamboo-chopping practice on Great Bamboo Peak. 15 19

Relationships

• Ye Yun — Childhood friend and fellow Great Bamboo Peak disciple. Zhang Xiaofan waits for Ye Yun in Cao Miao Village, shares the cave base with him, and later regains confidence after Ye Yun encourages him to persevere. 5 13 19
• Lin Jingyu — Childhood friend and fellow survivor of Cao Miao Village. They work together with Ye Yun before the village's destruction; years later, Lin Jingyu accidentally injures Zhang Xiaofan during a sparring incident. 3 5 29
• Pu Zhi — Secret Tianyin Temple master. Zhang Xiaofan tries to bring him medicine, witnesses his battle with Cang Song, and receives Tianyin Temple's methods and the Bloodthirsty Bead from him. 7 8
• Tian Buyi — Master of Great Bamboo Peak. He accepts Zhang Xiaofan as his disciple and later expects him to participate in the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament. 13 14 30
• Song Daren — Eldest senior brother and initial guide at Great Bamboo Peak. He introduces Zhang Xiaofan to the peak, helps ease his sadness, and later rushes to support him after Lin Jingyu injures him. 13 15 29
• Tian Ling'er — Senior sister. Zhang Xiaofan blushes when first meeting her; she later intervenes violently when Lin Jingyu injures and belittles him. 14 29

Story Role / Major Arcs

Cao Miao Village

• Joins Ye Yun and Lin Jingyu in catching and roasting birds, fishing, and establishing a hidden cave base. 3 4 5 6
• Attempts to bring medicine to Pu Zhi and is caught in the aftermath of Pu Zhi and Cang Song's battle. 7
• Receives Tianyin Temple's inheritance and the Bloodthirsty Bead from Pu Zhi. 8

Great Bamboo Peak Apprenticeship

• Is brought to Qingyun Sect after Cao Miao Village is destroyed and becomes Tian Buyi's disciple alongside Ye Yun. 11 13 14
• Struggles to balance Tai Chi Xuan Qing Dao with Great Brahma Prajna, making little outward cultivation progress despite relentless effort. 16
• Reaches the second level after three years and creates the Soul Devouring Cudgel, at significant cost to his health. 21

Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament Preparations

• Is accidentally injured and publicly belittled by Lin Jingyu, prompting Tian Ling'er to defend him. 29
• Is required to participate in the upcoming Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament under the revised rules for Great Bamboo Peak. 30

Notable Quotes

“I will work hard. I definitely won't disappoint Master.” 19