Pang Lai

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Pang Lai (庞莱)
Alias(es)	Old Pang Lai 62 63
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Great Xia; Imperial Magic Association / Imperial Palace; National Academy Team 29 36 185
Occupation/Role	Chief of the Imperial Palace, Great Xia Court Mage, National Academy coach, Summoning Mage, Array Master 29 63 185 218
Status	Active 219
First Appearance	Chapter 28

Background

In his youth, Pang Lai dedicated himself to cultivation, hunted Demonic Beasts, and entered dangerous human forbidden grounds. He later spent much of his life stationed at the Imperial Magic Association, viewing continued service as his duty for as long as Great Xia needs him. 81 183

Pang Lai became renowned as the world's foremost Summoning Mage after opening gates connected to the Thousand Races Elf Tower, Ten Thousand Dragon Valley, and Tomb of the Fallen Kingdom Beasts. He abandoned ordinary summons in pursuit of recognition from a creature within the Tomb, a goal that remained unresolved. 183

At some point, he attempted to force his way up Parthenon's Goddess Mountain to see Yi Zhisha regarding the Holy Son. The mountain's suppression formation reduced his four Super-level systems to barely above High-level; the guardian stone sculptures severely injured him, and his cultivation regressed during the three-month recovery. 217

Appearance

Pang Lai is an elderly, bearded man whose age belies the pressure he exerts when fighting at full strength. 62 185

• Often described by Chen Lang as an “old man” or “old geezer.” 62 106
• His beard visibly bristles when provoked by Chen Lang's teasing. 80 183
• Despite his advanced age, he can project overwhelming magical pressure. 185

Personality

Pang Lai is disciplined, duty-bound, and stern toward younger mages, particularly Jiang Yu and Chen Lang. He prioritizes cultivation, practical experience, and responsibility to Great Xia, and is quick to reprimand those he believes are neglecting their roles. 80 106 204

Despite his authority, he tolerates Chen Lang's familiar disrespect and frequently engages in banter with him. Pang Lai is also playful and cunning when arranging cultivation opportunities, but becomes serious when national security or a student's future is at stake. 63 155 182

He is candid about his own failures and limitations, openly recounting his defeat on Goddess Mountain rather than concealing it. 217

Abilities & Skills

Summoning System

Pang Lai is recognized as the world's number one Summoning Mage. Rather than relying on conventional contract summons, he has pursued recognition from an exceptionally powerful being in the Tomb of the Fallen Kingdom Beasts. 183

• Has opened summoning gates connected to the Thousand Races Elf Tower, Ten Thousand Dragon Valley, and Tomb of the Fallen Kingdom Beasts. 183
• Can call on old allies from other summoning realms, though they may not always answer; one Elf Tower ally failed to appear because it was sleeping. 183
• Can summon the Crimson Flame Dragon, a pure-blooded True Dragon one step from the Emperor level. 184
• The opening of his advanced gate once repelled an entire powerful tribe even though the creature he sought did not appear. 183

Array Mastery

Pang Lai is an accomplished Array Master, a specialty noted as rarer than ordinary spellcasting. 63

• Activated the concealed formation leading to the Imperial Secret Realm beneath the Imperial Magic Association. 63
• Operated a complex magic-circle network that opened the underground elevator and Secret Realm entrance. 63
• Raised a formation around the Imperial Palace to prevent civilians from noticing the Crimson Flame Dragon's manifestation. 184

Super-level Combat Power

Pang Lai possesses four fully cultivated Super-level systems, four elemental domains, One Thought Constellation, a great spiritual realm, and a complete set of Magic Tools. 217

• His full power is considered unquestionable below the Forbidden Curse level. 36
• His wind-based pressure and silver strike incapacitated Cardinal Nine Infant in a single move. 185
• Even Chen Lang judged that he might not have had an opportunity to act against Pang Lai at full power. 185
• His power can be drastically suppressed by Parthenon's Goddess Mountain formation; during his past intrusion, he was reduced to barely above High-level. 217

Leadership and Evaluation

Pang Lai assesses talent pragmatically and invests resources in mages who can strengthen Great Xia. 28 36

• Accepted Chen Jin's proposal to decide National Academy membership through sparring rather than family status. 28
• Promoted Chen Lang to the official National Academy Team after his victory over Mu Zhen. 29
• Secured Chen Lang access to the Imperial Secret Realm and a two-thousand-year-old cultivation spring. 63 64
• Entrusted Chen Lang with eliminating Vatican remnants on Chongming Island after accepting his judgment about Bai Xu. 182

Relationships

• Chen Lang — Student, subordinate, and frequent sparring partner. Pang Lai cultivates Chen Lang's talent, assigns him national duties, and values his political judgment despite their constant bickering. 63 155 185
• Jiang Yu — Direct disciple. Pang Lai is strict with Jiang Yu and disapproves of Chen Lang's influence on him. 62 80 106
• Chen Jin — Old acquaintance and Chen Lang's grandfather. They coordinated Chen Lang's entry into the National Academy Team and his cultivation arrangements. 28 63
• Bai Xu / Cardinal Nine Infant — Former Southern Guardian whose Vatican identity was exposed through Chen Lang's warning. Pang Lai personally captured him. 182 184 185
• Hailong — Knight Hall Master and past rival. Pang Lai states that he defeated Hailong when they were younger, though he considers Hailong stronger under Knight Hall's divine blessing. 218
• Yi Zhisha — Pang Lai once tried to reach Goddess Mountain to see her over a matter involving the Holy Son; he denied that the attempt was romantic. 217

Story Role / Major Arcs

National Academy Team

Pang Lai oversees Great Xia's struggling National Academy Team and permits Chen Lang to challenge its members on merit. After Chen Lang overwhelms Mu Zhen, Pang Lai makes him an official member and relegates Mu Zhen to substitute status. 28 29

Imperial Magic Association

He offers Chen Lang a nominal post in the Imperial Magic Association, requiring him to obey dispatches when necessary. He later brings Chen Lang into the Imperial Secret Realm and provides access to the Association's ancient cultivation spring. 36 63 64

Vatican Infiltration

Pang Lai initially trusts Southern Guardian Bai Xu, but accepts Chen Lang's warning that Bai Xu is a Vatican Cardinal. When Bai Xu is exposed as Nine Infant, Pang Lai subdues him immediately and credits Chen Lang with removing a major danger from Great Xia. 182 184 185

National Academy Supervision

As Chen Lang serves as Grand Tutor, Pang Lai continues to monitor the National Academy Team and scolds him for neglecting his responsibilities. 204

Return to Parthenon

Pang Lai guides the Great Xia group through Parthenon's Knight Hall territory, explains the dangers of Goddess Mountain's suppression formation, and confronts the disrespectful Hall Master Hailong without yielding his dignity. 217 218

Trivia

• Pang Lai's Crimson Flame Dragon is a pure-blooded True Dragon only one step below Emperor level. 184
• He considers the entity in the Tomb of the Fallen Kingdom Beasts the central pursuit of his life, even if it never answers his summons. 183 184
• Chen Lang's casual treatment of Pang Lai is unusual enough that Jiang Yu openly envies their relationship. 106