Zhang Xiaofan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Zhang Xiaofan (张小凡)
Alias(es)	Ninth; Junior Brother Xiaofan 83 87
Species/Race	Human 31 32
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Great Bamboo Peak, Qingyun Sect 38 42
Occupation/Role	Ninth disciple of Great Bamboo Peak 87 92
Status	Alive; later reaches early Yuqing Realm Layer Nine 150
First Appearance	31

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Spiritual Energy sensed	46	Senses the spiritual energy of heaven and earth after training and taking a Marrow Cleansing Pill.
Yuqing Realm Layer Two, peak	59	Reaches the threshold of Layer Three through persistent cultivation.
Yuqing Realm Layer Three	86	Confirmed after his encounter with Soul Seizing; the Foundation Replenishing Pill has widened and strengthened his meridians.
Yuqing Realm Layer Four	87	Breaks through and receives a refined ancient staff from Ye Xuan.
Yuqing Realm Layer Six, peak	89	Enters the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament with a cultivation base no weaker than several senior disciples.
Yuqing Realm Layer Seven	141	His unusually rapid advancement draws Tian Buyi's attention after the Flowing Wave Mountain campaign.
Yuqing Realm Layer Nine, early stage	150	Breaks through from mid-stage Layer Seven to early-stage Layer Nine overnight.

Background

Zhang Xiaofan grew up in Caomiao Village alongside Lin Jingyu. Though Lin Jingyu was recognized for exceptional talent, Puzhi noted that Zhang Xiaofan possessed a resilient spirit and could achieve something through diligent effort. He also showed compassion by bringing a quilt to Puzhi during the night. 31 32

After arriving at Qingyun Sect, he became Tian Buyi's disciple at Great Bamboo Peak. Tian Buyi initially considered his aptitude mediocre, while Zhang Xiaofan feared that he would disgrace his master or be expelled for being too slow to learn. Ye Xuan argued that his steadfast character and great destiny made him worth accepting. 37 38 39 42

Ye Xuan supported Zhang Xiaofan's early cultivation with a Marrow Cleansing Pill and later other medicinal pills. The assistance greatly improved his physique and cultivation speed, allowing him to progress from sensing spiritual energy to the higher Yuqing layers in only a few years. 46 59 86

Appearance

Zhang Xiaofan is initially depicted as a plain, honest-looking and reserved child. After two years on Great Bamboo Peak, he has grown noticeably taller, though he retains his habitual awkwardness and simple smile. 39 64 112

• Often lowers his head or scratches the back of it when embarrassed. 64 112
• Commonly wears a faded Qingyun Sect disciple uniform. 112
• Carries the dark-gold Firewood Stick, which becomes his defining Magic Treasure. 104

Personality

Zhang Xiaofan is deeply self-conscious about his supposedly poor aptitude. Even after reaching the tournament's top four, he attributes his success to luck and fears becoming a burden to stronger companions. 39 112

His timidity does not prevent him from acting when others are in danger. He worries for Tian Buyi and Tian Ling'er when he hears of the conflict at Flowing Wave Mountain, insists on searching for Ye Xuan after the Black Water Mysterious Snake battle, and shields Bi Yao after learning she saved his life. 122 129

Beneath his awkwardness is exceptional perseverance. Against Lu Xueqi, he continues fighting despite a major gap in cultivation, repeated injuries, and the certainty of defeat; this resolve earns Tian Buyi's respect. 108 109

Abilities & Skills

Tai Chi Xuan Qing Dao

Zhang Xiaofan cultivates Qingyun Sect's foundational Tai Chi Xuan Qing Dao. Although initially slow to understand its incantation, he develops a solid and rapidly improving foundation through persistent practice and medicinal support. 42 46 86

• Can circulate a complete Heavenly Cycle after his early training. 46
• Uses Yuqing Realm spiritual energy to empower his Firewood Stick in combat. 92 104
• Can ride the Firewood Stick in flight, though controlling it is initially strenuous. 113

Staff Combat

His fighting style is instinctive, direct, and centered on overwhelming force rather than refined technique. Ye Xuan teaches him to treat combat as if he were chopping ribs: commit to a decisive downward strike. 92

• Defeats Zhao Tiezhu with a single strike in the opening tournament match. 92 93
• Repels a Wind Return Peak disciple's flying sword with a horizontal sweep. 94
• Breaks Chang Jian's Immortal Sword during their match. 100
• Defeats the Yuqing Layer Seven Tian Yun despite suffering torn hands from the recoil. 104 105

Resilience

Zhang Xiaofan repeatedly withstands fear, injury, and psychological pressure without abandoning his companions or his duties. 108 122 131

• Continues resisting Lu Xueqi's attacks while badly injured and outmatched. 108
• Endures the aftermath of his first kill, then follows Ye Xuan back to the Qingyun Sect outpost. 131 132
• Adapts to the dangers of the Dead Spirit Abyss and Flowing Wave Mountain. 116 132

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Firewood Stick — A dark-gold staff refined by Ye Xuan from Soul Seizing rare iron. It is extremely hard, heavy, and capable of releasing formidable power when infused with Zhang Xiaofan's spiritual energy. 86 104
• Soul Seizing — The malevolent ancient iron weapon from which the Firewood Stick is refined. It recognizes Zhang Xiaofan after drawing his blood and possesses a dangerous, awakening ferocity. 83 86 101
• Little Gray — A rare Three-eyed Spirit Monkey that becomes inseparable from Zhang Xiaofan, assists with his chores, and gathers spirit herbs and fruits in the back mountains. 85 86

Relationships

• Ye Xuan — Seventh Senior Brother and principal mentor. Ye Xuan provides him with pills, refines his Magic Treasure, encourages him through his inferiority complex, and repeatedly protects him in battle. 46 86 109 120
• Tian Buyi — Master. Tian Buyi initially doubts Zhang Xiaofan's aptitude but comes to value his courage, growth, and place within Great Bamboo Peak. 38 42 105
• Su Ru — Mistress and supportive elder figure who tends to his injuries, encourages him before matches, and sees him off when he leaves the mountain. 84 96 112
• Lin Jingyu — Childhood friend and fellow Great Bamboo Peak disciple. Lin Jingyu promises that they will remain together despite Zhang Xiaofan's fears of failure. 31 39
• Bi Yao — A Ghost King Sect cultivator who rescues Zhang Xiaofan in the Dead Spirit Abyss. He defends her before Ye Xuan and later questions whether righteous and demonic paths must always be enemies. 119 122 128
• Little Gray — Spiritual companion. The Three-eyed Spirit Monkey stays with Zhang Xiaofan while he trains, cooks, and travels around Great Bamboo Peak. 86

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Joining Great Bamboo Peak — Arrives at Qingyun Sect with Lin Jingyu and becomes Tian Buyi's ninth disciple despite being judged less talented than his childhood friend. 38 42
• Soul Seizing Incident — Falls unconscious beside the ancient demonic iron in Great Bamboo Peak's back mountains. Ye Xuan recovers him, subdues the weapon, and later refines it for Zhang Xiaofan. 83 84 86
• Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament — Enters as an underestimated Great Bamboo Peak disciple, defeats several stronger opponents, and reaches the top four before losing to Lu Xueqi after Ye Xuan neutralizes the Divine Sword Thunder Control True Art. 92 100 105 109
• Kongsang Mountain and Dead Spirit Abyss — Falls into the abyss during the clash with the Blood Refining Hall remnants, encounters Bi Yao, and survives the Black Water Mysterious Snake crisis through Ye Xuan's intervention. 116 119 120
• Flowing Wave Mountain — Accompanies Ye Xuan toward the righteous sects' encampment, makes his first kill against a Demonic Cult cultivator, and returns to Great Bamboo Peak more hardened by the experience. 129 131 132

Notable Quotes

“I'm going to find him.” 122