Contents
Biodata
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Gu Rong (古榕) |
| Alias(es) | Bone Douluo |
| Gender | Male |
| Martial Soul | Bone Dragon 390 432 |
| Affiliation | Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in the Dark World; joins the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan instead of accepting the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's invitation in the parallel-world storyline, then travels with Yu Xiaogang's group to Sea God Island and the Sun Moon Continent. 431 440 442 453 496 544 |
| Occupation/Role | Titled Douluo; later accompanies Yu Xiaogang's expedition group 432 442 |
| First Appearance | 11 |
Appearance
During Yu Xiaogang's visit in Vast Sea City, Gu Rong is described as a tall, middle-aged man with a towering build, gaunt face, shriveled skin, and deeply sunken eye sockets. His Bone Dragon Martial Soul noticeably affects his appearance. 390 432
- Tall and broad-framed.
- Gaunt facial features and sunken eyes.
- His Bone Dragon is associated with black mist and gives him an ominous appearance. 390
Personality
Gu Rong is observant, cautious, and difficult to impress. When Yu Xiaogang presents the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's recruitment offer, Gu Rong does not immediately accept; he evaluates the danger of opposing Spirit Hall, questions Yu Xiaogang's authority within the clan, and presses for concrete benefits. 433 434 435 439
He possesses sharp deductive ability. By connecting Yu Xiaogang's Thousand Year First Soul Ring, the clan's sudden release of ring-age-enhancing Secret Medicine, and Yu Xiaogang's unusual influence over clan affairs, Gu Rong correctly deduces that Yu Xiaogang discovered Whale Rubber himself. 435 436
Gu Rong is openly ambitious and pragmatic about becoming stronger. He admits that his younger self was willing to gamble, swallow his pride, and pursue any opportunity that could improve his strength. This mindset drives his decision to follow Yu Xiaogang closely rather than merely join the clan from a distance. 439 440 441
His pursuit of strength is closely tied to his pride as a Titled Douluo. Although he is deeply troubled by the prospect of confronting Bo Saixi, he refuses to abandon a trial whose reward could raise every one of his Soul Rings by 20,000 years and give him an eight-black, one-red Soul Ring configuration. 463 464
Gu Rong is willing to rely on allies and adapt his plans when facing an overwhelming opponent. Upon realizing that his Sea God trial does not restrict participant numbers, he considers joining forces with Yue Guan and Gui Mei, while accepting Yu Xiaogang's suggestion to wait for their subsequent trials. 463
Despite his insight in cultivation and negotiation, Gu Rong is less diligent about gathering intelligence concerning the Sun Moon Continent's Titled Douluos, a shortcoming exposed during his travels with Yu Xiaogang. 496
He remains enthusiastic about investigating possible opportunities for advancement. When he and Yu Xiaogang hear of Azure Cloud Road in the Spirit Sea Mountain Range, Gu Rong recognizes its resemblance to Sea God's Light and supports exploring it despite the route's uncertain rewards. 552
Background / History
Gu Rong was once Yu Yuanzhen's rival: both possessed dragon-type Martial Souls, were of similar age, and had comparable talent. Their contests never established a clear winner, though Gu Rong later recognized that Yu Yuanzhen had surpassed him. 431 432
Before joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in the Dark World, Gu Rong was a lone wanderer from a poor background. He later gained resources and a stable position within the sect, which changed the way he carried himself before its younger generation. His parallel-world counterpart was likewise considering Ning Fengzhi's invitation but chose the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan instead. 439 441 544
While watching the Heavenly Screen in the Dark World, Gu Rong tests Yu Xiaogang's finding that Soul Rings can store Soul Power. He successfully stores power in his First Soul Ring and releases Soul Skills using it without apparent ill effects. 170
Recruitment by Yu Xiaogang
In the parallel-world storyline, Yu Xiaogang seeks out Gu Rong in Vast Sea City and personally delivers an invitation to join the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Gu Rong is initially curious about the visit and is favorably impressed by Yu Xiaogang's respectful manners, composure, and achievements. 432
Yu Xiaogang explains that he is recruiting powerful allies to prepare for a potential future conflict between the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Spirit Hall. Gu Rong considers the proposal dangerous, but listens as Yu Xiaogang offers resources for Gu Rong's descendants, talent-enhancing Secret Medicine, and access to the clan's research. 433 434 435
Gu Rong's interest becomes commitment after learning of the clan's secret arts, including methods related to Soul Power reserves, Self-Created Soul Skills, Martial Soul Evolution, spiritual power, Soul Master power cores, and advancement to Titled Douluo. He agrees to join under two conditions: a reasonable path to obtain these secrets and the opportunity to travel the continent alongside Yu Xiaogang. 440 441
After finalizing the agreement, Gu Rong leaves his inn, joins Yu Xiaogang's group, and participates in their discussion of creating a Soul Core before their sea voyage. 442
Sea God Island Trials
After reaching Sea God Island with Yu Xiaogang's group, Gu Rong receives a Black-Level One Trial. The limited number of trials reflects that he is already a Titled Douluo rather than a lack of talent. 453
His sole task is to withstand Sea God Douluo Bo Saixi for the duration of one incense stick while she does not hold back. The reward for success is a 20,000-year increase to every Soul Ring, sufficient to raise his ninth Soul Ring beyond 100,000 years and create an eight-black, one-red configuration. 462 463
While accompanying Yu Xiaogang's cultivation under Sea God's Light, Gu Rong reaches the 137th step before the pressure forces him to stop. He witnesses Yu Xiaogang continue to the 156th step, recognizing that Yu Xiaogang's Soul Power reserves, physique, and overall foundation surpass even his own as a Titled Douluo. 466
Gu Rong later breaks through to level 93 during the group’s Sea God Island training. He also successfully condenses a Soul Power Vortex alongside Yue Guan and Gui Mei. 469 470
As Yu Xiaogang continues climbing Sea God's Light, Gu Rong watches his progress with Yue Guan and Gui Mei. He expresses confidence that Xiaogang can create opportunities for himself, but evades their questions about what he knows of Xiaogang's potential. 475
Sun Moon Continent Expedition
Gu Rong continues traveling with Yu Xiaogang to the Sun Moon Continent. There, he learns of the Sun Moon Empire's imperial succession struggle, its many Titled Douluo, and the danger posed by Prince Minggan, who regards Yu Xiaogang's public identity as the Bloodlight Dragon-Man as an enemy. 496
He also joins Yu Xiaogang in considering the Sun Moon Empire's concealed connection to Fallen Soul Masters and the possibility that its ruling class deliberately maintains this system of control. 497
After learning that a Sun Moon Empire prince employed Fallen Soul Masters, Gu Rong and Yu Xiaogang discuss whether such practices extend further into the imperial family. They also consider whether the continent's concentration of powerful rulers and young talents could be connected to the era's flourishing fortune and the possibility of attaining godhood. 497
Gu Rong accompanies Yu Xiaogang and Xu Aoxin toward the Spirit Sea Mountain Range. From accounts of the Sun Moon Emperor's earlier visit and subsequent growth, Gu Rong and Yu Xiaogang suspect a connection to a divine trial. They hire Chen Ming as a guide and choose the route through Azure Cloud Road, whose unusual pressure reminds them of Sea God's Light. 526 541 552
During their campaign against Fallen Soul Masters, Yu Xiaogang gives Gu Rong a fifty-thousand-year torso Spirit Bone because Gu Rong lacks one. Gu Rong recognizes that Xiaogang could have kept the valuable bone for himself or his clan and regards the gift as a major favor. He later reflects that joining Xiaogang instead of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect led him to experiences and opportunities he would otherwise have missed. 541 544
Power Progression
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Titled Douluo | Already a Titled Douluo by the time Yu Xiaogang seeks him out in Vast Sea City; he is capable of living independently as a lone powerhouse. 432 439 |
| Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan recruit | Joins Yu Xiaogang's parallel-world branch after being offered access to its Secret Medicine and cultivation knowledge, including techniques concerning Soul Power reserves and Soul Cores. 440 442 |
| Black-Level One Trial recipient | Receives a Sea God Island trial requiring him to endure one incense stick's time against Bo Saixi; its completion reward is a 20,000-year increase to all Soul Rings. 453 463 |
| Level 93 Titled Douluo | Breaks through to level 93 while training on Sea God Island. 469 |
| Soul Power Vortex user | Successfully condenses a Soul Power Vortex, increasing his Soul Power recovery rate and providing highly refined Soul Power. 470 |
| Fifty-thousand-year torso Spirit Bone recipient | Receives a torso Spirit Bone from Yu Xiaogang's gains against Fallen Soul Masters. Its absorption is not established. 541 544 |
Abilities & Skills
Bone Dragon Martial Soul
Gu Rong's Martial Soul is the Bone Dragon, a dragon-type Martial Soul associated with black mist and an intimidating appearance. Its nature led Yu Yuanzhen to initially mistake Gu Rong for a Fallen Soul Master, but Gu Rong's power was cultivated through legitimate means. 390
- The Bone Dragon's appearance visibly affects Gu Rong's physical features. 390 432
- It experiences attribute-based suppression from the Angel Martial Soul, though not the special suppression directed at Fallen Soul Masters. 390
- Its dragon nature made Gu Rong a longstanding rival to Yu Yuanzhen and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul. 431
- It possesses a degree of spatial ability that Yu Xiaogang considers superior to the Shadow Wolf's Shadow Swap skill. 547
Titled Douluo Strength
Gu Rong is a Titled Douluo capable of living independently without needing the protection of a major faction. His status and power make Yu Xiaogang's attempt to recruit him a significant strategic move. 432 439
- Considered a peer of Yue Guan and Gui Mei, both high-level Soul Douluos with Titled Douluo-level combat power through their Martial Soul Fusion Skill. 442
- Seeks further growth despite already being a Titled Douluo, particularly through the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's secret techniques. 439 440 441 442
- Reaches level 93 during the Sea God Island expedition. 469
- Can endure the pressure of Sea God's Light to the 137th step, though this remains below Yu Xiaogang's initial limit. 466
Soul Power Vortex
Gu Rong participates in the group's Soul Core research and successfully condenses a Soul Power Vortex on Sea God Island. 442 470
- The vortex increases the rate at which he recovers Soul Power. 470
- It refines the quality of recovered Soul Power, strengthening the foundations of prolonged combat. 470
- Gu Rong views the vortex as especially valuable when combined with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's Soul Power storage technique, since greater reserves and continuous recovery can overwhelm ordinary opponents in a battle of attrition. 442
Sea God Trial Reward
Gu Rong's Black-Level One Trial offers a reward unusually suited to a veteran Titled Douluo: every Soul Ring would gain 20,000 years of age upon completion. 463
- His ninth Soul Ring is already above 80,000 years, so the reward would elevate it to the 100,000-year level. 463
- He expects the resulting eight-black, one-red configuration to substantially enhance both his strength and prestige. 463 464
- The trial's extreme difficulty stems from requiring him to face Bo Saixi for an incense stick's duration without her holding back. 463
Relationships
- Yu Xiaogang — Recruited by Yu Xiaogang into the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's parallel-world branch. Gu Rong becomes convinced of Xiaogang's talent, research ability, and future potential, then asks to travel alongside him. 432 433 434 435 436 437 438 439 440 441 442 Gu Rong later guards Yu Xiaogang throughout the latter's absorption of a God-Bestowed Spirit Bone and continues to rely on his strategic advice during the Sea God trials. 462 463 Their bond deepens when Xiaogang gives him a fifty-thousand-year torso Spirit Bone obtained from hunting Fallen Soul Masters, a favor Gu Rong resolves to remember. 541
- Yu Yuanzhen — Former rival with a similarly draconic Martial Soul. Gu Rong later acknowledges that Yu Yuanzhen's strength has surpassed his own. 431 432
- Ning Fengzhi — Associated through the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in the Dark World. Ning Fengzhi recognizes that the parallel-world Gu Rong's decision to leave is understandable given the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's offers. 431 441 In the parallel world, Gu Rong had considered Ning Fengzhi's recruitment offer but joined Yu Xiaogang instead. 544
- Chen Xin — Fellow Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Titled Douluo in the Dark World. Chen Xin is initially astonished that Gu Rong's parallel-world counterpart would choose to follow Yu Xiaogang. 431 441
- Yue Guan and Gui Mei — Fellow members of Yu Xiaogang's expedition group. Gu Rong greets them as peers and joins their effort to develop a Soul Core. 442 He later considers joining forces with them against Bo Saixi if their respective trials permit it, and all three successfully condense Soul Power Vortices. 463 470
- Bo Saixi — Sea God Island's High Priest and the opponent designated for Gu Rong's Black-Level One Trial. Gu Rong must last one incense stick against her to receive his Soul Ring-age reward. 462 463
- Xu Aoxin — Sun Moon Empire princess who travels with Gu Rong and Yu Xiaogang toward the Spirit Sea Mountain Range while pursuing questions about her father and the empire. 541 552
- Chen Ming — Guide hired for the Spirit Sea Mountain Range expedition. His knowledge of its hazardous routes and poisonous plants helps Gu Rong's group prepare for the journey. 541 552