Chen Fan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Chen Fan (陈帆)
Species/Race	Human; transmigrator
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Zhao Family Village; Great Tang; emerging human–demon community
Occupation/Role	Inventor, village organizer, cultivator, prospective Great Human Sage
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Mortal	1	A refugee settled in Zhao Family Village; physically ordinary compared with the world’s strong villagers and cultivators.
Cultivation beginner	22 25	Receives the Clear Heart Art from Zhang Tianshou, but initially cannot comprehend the manual.
Improved Clear Heart Art cultivation	27 28	Bai Qianli corrects his circulation speed; Chen Fan’s cultivation growth increases by roughly fifty percent and becomes more refined.
Qi Refining and Spirit Manifestation	44	Has entered the Qi Refining and Spirit Manifestation stage, reportedly through dual cultivation; still lacks basic spells such as the Heavenly Eye Technique.

Background / History

Chen Fan transmigrated into the Primordial World and spent nearly two years living as a refugee in Zhao Family Village. Though his reclaimed land produced little, his quick thinking kept him from starving. He delayed making larger moves until Li Shimin had secured the throne, wary of the world’s powerful mortals, cultivators, gods, and demons. 1

He initially sought an ordinary life and family, but became entangled with Zhang Tianshou and her sisters after recognizing that One-Eyed Wolf’s public harassment of them was likely part of a larger plot. His analysis attracted Zhang Tianshou’s attention and began their cooperation. 3 4

Chen Fan helped uncover an Incense and Fire extortion scheme that shortened the lives of beggars and refugees. Rather than immediately punish One-Eyed Wolf, he allowed the gang to continue operating so that the entire network could later be exposed. 6 7

At Clear Water River, he used Zhang Tianshou’s strength and his own negotiation to force the Fish Head River God into contracts benefiting Zhao Family Village. The agreements secured waterworks, river dredging, and fertile silt for farming while generating merit for Chen Fan, the witnesses, villagers, and river spirits. 13 16 17

Chen Fan later married Zhang Tianshou, the Eldest Princess of the Heavenly Court. Their marriage risks violating Heavenly Law, prompting Chen Fan to seek protection and political recognition through the human realm. 35 38 39

Appearance

Chen Fan is described as a handsome young man whose looks draw attention from women in Zhao Family Village. 1

• A former refugee living in Zhao Family Village. 1
• Initially physically weak by the standards of the Primordial World. 1 4
• Often carries Zhang Tianshou’s crimson jade token and later wears the Yuhua Bagua Mirror with it. 25

Personality

Chen Fan is pragmatic, calculating, and strongly focused on survival. When Dazhuang wanted to confront One-Eyed Wolf, Chen Fan restrained him because retaliation could endanger their families and village. 2

He combines modern knowledge with sharp political instinct. He recognizes social hierarchies, anticipates retaliation, and prefers dismantling hostile networks over winning isolated confrontations. 3 6 19

Despite his self-interested ambitions for wealth, status, longevity, and a family, Chen Fan repeatedly organizes projects that improve village life. His contracts, tools, and industrial plans bring merit while strengthening Zhao Family Village and the Great Tang. 7 16 17 32 44

He is also protective of Zhang Tianshou. Though he desires to marry her, he worries that a secret engagement would damage her reputation and refuses to let her bear that burden alone. 35 39

Abilities & Skills

Strategic Planning

Chen Fan excels at identifying broader threats and turning dangerous situations into long-term advantages.

• Recognized that One-Eyed Wolf’s attack on richly dressed women was likely orchestrated by a hidden party. 3
• Spared One-Eyed Wolf to avoid alerting the organization behind the Incense and Fire scheme. 6
• Used the River God’s exploitation of lesser demons to create pressures that could draw other factions into conflict. 19
• Sought imperial attention as protection against local and supernatural threats. 7 29

Leadership and Negotiation

Chen Fan gradually becomes a central organizer in Zhao Family Village.

• Negotiated with the Fish Head River God for water conservancy, dredging labor, and silt for agriculture. 16 17
• Organizes river demons as laborers through compensation in Incense and Fire. 18
• Earned the Old Master’s support and was adopted as his biological grandson, raising his standing in the village. 19
• Commands respect among the village’s younger generation after humbling the River God. 15

Cultivation

Chen Fan practices the Clear Heart Art, also called the Qingxin Jue.

• The art is upright and peaceful, allowing future conversion to other cultivation methods without loss. 22
• His aptitude is poor, and he initially fails to understand the manual. 25
• Bai Qianli’s guidance improves his circulation and raises his cultivation efficiency by roughly fifty percent. 27 28
• His Human Dao marking suppresses his cultivation speed; Bai Qianli believes this restraint will remain until Chen Fan completes his merits and ascends to Huoyun Cave. 28

Innovation and Craftsmanship

Chen Fan introduces practical technologies that affect agriculture, industry, and village development.

• Qu Yuan Plow — designed to improve grain yields; he also proposes a cheaper modification to the existing Straight Plow for wider adoption. 30 32
• Human–demon labor system — employs demons according to their physical strengths, such as plowing, hauling, dredging, and excavation. 24 40
• Steel production — develops a simple kiln-based process for steel, aiming to support village development and gain imperial recognition. 40 41
• Merit Blast Furnace — produces exceptional steel with spiritual properties, though its toxic smoke pollutes spiritual energy and requires a solution. 41 42 44 50

Merit and Human Dao Fortune

Chen Fan’s actions repeatedly attract merit associated with the Human Dao.

• The Qu Yuan Plow Shadow automatically deflects most of Xiao Qi’s Misfortune Curse. 2
• His River God contract produces celestial merit phenomena and manifests a Golden Wheel of Merit. 16 17
• He possesses two layers of the Golden Wheel of Merit after the contract; further merit is expected from its continuing effects. 17
• His status and fortune are significant enough that others identify him as a potential Great Human Sage. 5 16 28

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Qu Yuan Plow — a Merit Sacred Artifact and agricultural invention; its shadow protects Chen Fan from hostile magic. 2 29 30
• Iron Pot / Merit Pot — a Merit Sacred Artifact used for cooking and later as the core of Zhang Tianshou’s formation. 9 11 21
• Crimson jade token — Zhang Tianshou’s token; allows Chen Fan to command gods and spirits, with City Gods and Earth Gods expected to obey it. 5
• Yuhua Bagua Mirror — conceals heavenly secrets, aura, destiny, and Chen Fan’s notable artifacts; also protects its wearer automatically. 25
• River God contract — formalizes the exchange of Incense and Fire for river silt and labor, generating ongoing merit. 16 17
• Merit Blast Furnace — sacred industrial furnace used to produce steel; its emissions contain toxic malevolent energy. 41 50
• Steel knife — forged from the first batch of furnace steel; produces blade energy and can repair damage by absorbing similar material. 44

Relationships

• Zhang Tianshou — wife; the Eldest Princess of the Heavenly Court. Their partnership begins over the Clear Water River crisis and develops into marriage. 5 13 35 39
• Zhang Tianxian — Zhang Tianshou’s Fifth Sister; initially dislikes Chen Fan, but comes to admire his merit and becomes more familiar with him. 13 16 17 18
• Zhang Tianyu — Zhang Tianshou’s youngest sister; teases Chen Fan but gives him the Yuhua Bagua Mirror for protection. 8 25
• Dazhuang — close villager companion; loyal but frequently misunderstands Chen Fan’s plans and relationships. 1 6 13
• Village Chief — elder and mentor-like figure who supports Chen Fan’s village initiatives. 9 10 16
• Madam Zhou — benefactor who helped Chen Fan establish himself in Zhao Family Village; treats him with familial warmth. 9 10 11
• Old Master Zhao Dagou — adopts Chen Fan as his biological grandson and publicly protects him. 19
• Bai Qianli — mysterious cultivator and adviser; improves Chen Fan’s cultivation, secretly reinforces his concealment, and takes interest in his Human Dao path. 27 28 30
• Wei Zheng — Great Tang official who evaluates Chen Fan’s projects and supports the promotion of his agricultural innovations. 29 32 40 44
• Nezha — Heavenly Court figure Chen Fan keeps nearby as both a safeguard and a source of power for steelmaking. 39 41
• Fish Head River God — coerced into contracts supporting Zhao Family Village’s waterworks and agriculture. 13 16 17

Story Role / Major Arcs

One-Eyed Wolf and the Incense and Fire Scheme

Chen Fan sees through the staged harassment of the Zhang sisters, helps expose One-Eyed Wolf’s employers, and develops a plan to reveal the wider Incense and Fire network rather than settling for a single arrest. 3 4 6 7

Clear Water River Development

Using Zhang Tianshou’s power, Chen Fan confronts the Fish Head River God, forces negotiations, and establishes contracts for dredging, river silt, farming, and demon labor. These actions create substantial merit and elevate his influence in Zhao Family Village. 13 15 16 17 18

Cultivation and Concealment

Zhang Tianshou gives Chen Fan cultivation methods, while Bai Qianli corrects his Clear Heart Art practice. The Yuhua Bagua Mirror conceals Chen Fan’s extraordinary destiny and artifacts from hostile divination. 22 25 27 28

Agricultural Reform

Chen Fan unveils the Qu Yuan Plow and proposes an affordable upgrade to the Straight Plow, attracting Wei Zheng’s interest and advancing his goal of gaining Great Tang’s support. 30 32

Marriage to the Eldest Princess

Chen Fan and Zhang Tianshou marry despite the danger posed by Heavenly Law. When Nezha warns that the Jade Emperor knows of the relationship, Chen Fan resolves to find protection through the human realm and keeps Nezha close. 35 38 39

Steelmaking and Industrial Development

Chen Fan begins producing steel with a Merit Blast Furnace, relying on Nezha’s Wind Fire Wheels for heat. The resulting steel knives possess blade energy and self-repairing properties, but the furnace’s toxic emissions create a major unresolved problem. 40 41 42 44 50

Notable Quotes

“Don’t forget your father, mother, Er Zhuang, and San Zhuang. And Uncle Sizhu’s Xiao Hua. So sit down first.” 2

“If we kill the One-Eyed Wolf, it will only alert the person behind him.” 6

“Sometimes even villains have their uses!” 19

“I only need to ensure that when I look back years from now, I will not regret my past mediocrity. Nor will I regret the choices I made!” 50

Trivia

• Chen Fan’s casual modern vocabulary repeatedly confuses those around him, including his use of “niu” to mean “amazing.” 5
• He keeps Zhang Tianshou’s jade token on him even while bathing. 25
• He initially mistakes Zhang Tianshou’s divine token for a prestigious Zhang Clan name tag. 5
• Although he promotes human–demon coexistence, Chen Fan’s practical motivation is that demons are cheaper and more convenient laborers for heavy work. 40