Xu Qian

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xu Qian (徐谦)
Alias(es)	Xu Changsheng; “Formation Pill Hermit”; “Divine Doctor”
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Heavenly Prison of the Great Xuan Dynasty
Occupation/Role	Former probationary Guard; steward of Blocks C and D in the West Layer; formation, alchemy, and medical consultant
First Appearance	1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Houtian Mid-stage	45	Had reached this stage by the arrival of the Mute Martial Monk; sought physical-tempering insights to strengthen his foundation.
Houtian Late-stage	59	Secretly broke through; his strength, True Qi flow, speed, and control of Sword Intent improved.
Xiantian Early-stage	93	Had already entered Xiantian and prepared an outwardly visible “official breakthrough” to stabilize his foundation.
Xiantian Mid-stage	137	Broke through after half a month of cultivation; his increased True Qi capacity required upgrading his Spirit Gathering Formation.
Xiantian Late-stage	158	Broke the bottleneck with help from the Yin-Yang Cycle Formation; his True Qi began acquiring characteristics of Gang Qi.
Xiantian Perfection	177	Combat strength became comparable to an early Grandmaster, supported by the Hegemon Body Art, pills, talismans, formations, and refined equipment.
Grandmaster Realm	222	True Essence, martial will, and Sword Intent underwent qualitative advancement.
Late Grandmaster Realm	284	Emerged from seclusion with stronger True Essence, Spiritual Sense, swordplay comprehension, and formation mastery.

Background

Xu Qian was a 21st-century corporate worker who transmigrated into the body of a sixteen-year-old probationary Guard in the Great Xuan Dynasty’s Heavenly Prison. He awakened in the guards’ cramped, filthy dormitory and was immediately forced to adapt to the prison’s hierarchy, dangers, and punishing routine. 1

After awakening the Longevity Dao Fruit, Xu Qian decided that concealment—not open ambition—was the safest route to survival. He cultivated in secret at night, maintained the image of a timid and diligent junior guard by day, and treated the Heavenly Prison’s prisoners as potential sources of knowledge rather than merely threats. 6 7 9

His position gradually changed from inconspicuous guard to a trusted technical figure within the prison. He gained responsibility for West Layer Blocks C and D, supervised formation repairs, built Longevity No. 1 Workshop into a concealed base, and developed influence through medicine, alchemy, formations, and intelligence gathering. 210 271 272 299

Personality

Xu Qian is cautious, patient, and intensely pragmatic. Even when he gains power, he prioritizes hiding his cultivation, cleaning evidence, preparing escape routes, and strengthening defenses over displaying his abilities. 6 33 284

He combines a modern corporate-worker mindset with a cultivator’s long-term discipline. He organizes information, treats relationships as networks to manage, and deliberately uses resources from competing factions without becoming dependent on them. 246 281 299

Despite his calculating nature, Xu Qian remembers kindness and repays it. He equips Zhang Meng with armor and weapons, supports his advancement, and continues to care for Old Zhou after the latter’s retirement. 87 153 234

Abilities & Skills

Longevity Dao Fruit

A mysterious Dao Fruit that supports Xu Qian’s cultivation and turns incomplete observations into usable knowledge.

• Absorbs and refines the Heavenly Prison’s Yin Sha Qi during his secret cultivation. 7 59
• Analyzes fragmented information—such as movements, breathing rhythms, or written traces—to deduce techniques. 9
• Helped him derive missing information from the incomplete Hundred Herbs Pill Scripture. 140
• Its capacity and cultivation benefits continue to grow alongside Xu Qian’s strength. 237

Qi Gazing Technique

An auxiliary perception technique naturally acquired through the Longevity Dao Fruit.

• Observes qi associated with cultivation, attributes, condition, emotional fluctuations, fortune, and danger. 7
• Lets Xu Qian identify violent, dying, physically gifted, or unusually skilled prisoners and plan safer routes through the prison. 8
• Revealed the concealed Azure Qi of the Mad Old Man, leading Xu Qian toward sword cultivation. 8
• Became more discreet after his Xiantian breakthrough, as he could operate it through a strand of divine sense rather than visibly activating it through his eyes. 103

Sword Intent

Xu Qian’s principal offensive path, initially developed from the Mad Old Man’s traces and later refined through cultivation and seal-related experiences.

• Formed a Sword Intent Seed in his dantian after deducing rudimentary sword movements. 32
• Projects sharp True Qi through objects; a broom empowered by the seed sliced cleanly through a solid brick. 33
• At the Grandmaster Realm, can attack a target’s soul as an intangible spiritual sword or enhance a weapon and True Essence. 222
• Later gained traits associated with exorcising evil, purification, and minor sealing after confronting negative energies around the Heavenly Prison’s seal nodes. 298

Divine Sense and Spiritual Sense

Spiritual perception that became available after reaching Xiantian and expanded substantially at Grandmaster.

• At early Xiantian, could clearly perceive details within roughly ten to fifteen zhang and extend concentration to around thirty zhang at significant cost. 103
• Detects aura flows, breathing, heartbeats, distant movement, and details through stone walls. 103
• At Grandmaster, grants highly precise awareness of Spiritual Energy and improved surveillance and reaction capabilities. 224
• Nearly doubled in range and improved in precision upon reaching late Grandmaster. 283

Alchemy and Medicine

Xu Qian develops practical alchemical and medical expertise, eventually earning a discreet reputation as the Heavenly Prison’s “Divine Doctor.”

• Refined Qi Replenishing Pills from a recipe and materials supplied through Zhou Kang and Lord Zhao. 85
• Reached stable fourth-grade pill refinement and occasional fifth-grade refinement under Bai Shi’s guidance. 140
• Uses medical treatment and consultations to gain resources, information, and access to otherwise inaccessible social circles. 271 272
• Treated Deputy Warden Zhao Dehai’s hidden ailment, gaining operational convenience on the prison’s third layer. 272

Formations, Talismans, and Artifact Refining

Xu Qian applies cultivation knowledge to strengthen both himself and the Heavenly Prison.

• Crafts improved Golden Armor Talismans rapidly after reaching Xiantian; one can withstand a full-power strike from a Houtian Perfected expert. 103
• Maintains and repairs prison formations, including the Earth Binding Spirit Locking Pattern used to suppress prisoners’ True Essence circulation. 211
• Upgraded Longevity No. 1 Workshop with gathering, conversion, warning, concealment, soundproofing, and defensive formations. 162 184 284
• Refined close-fitting Scale Armor and custom daggers carved with Sharpness and Fortification Formations. 153

Hegemon Body Art

A body-tempering art that augments Xu Qian’s physical durability and strength.

• Reached minor accomplishment in the first layer, Bronze Skin Iron Bones, after seven days in the Earth Fire Chamber. 152
• Advanced the first layer to major accomplishment using the Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Pill; his body could contend with Houtian martial artists even without True Qi. 152
• His strengthened physique provided a stronger foundation for later Xiantian cultivation. 158

Equipment / Items

• Longevity Dao Fruit — Xu Qian’s central cultivation aid and deduction tool. 7 9
• Hidden Dragon Jade Pendant — Used to disguise himself as “Xu Changsheng.” 177
• Laojun Alchemy Furnace — Assists with pill refinement and the production of stronger talismans. 162 218
• Scale Armor — Close-fitting armor refined for himself; designed to resist attacks from Houtian peak martial artists. 153
• Custom daggers — One short dagger for concealed close combat and one longer dagger for slashing or throwing; intended to receive Sharpness and Fortification Formations. 153
• Concentric Sound Transmission Pendants — Three secure communication pendants received from the Drunkard. 170
• Teleportation Talisman and Yin Thunder Talismans — Used to escape the Black Robe Grandmaster during the Heavenly Prison crisis. 192

Relationships

• Zhou Kang / Old Zhou — Former head guard and longtime protector. Zhou Kang recognized Xu Qian’s restraint after the Scarface Li incident, intervened when the Ministry of Punishment sought to remove him, and later shared his military past with Xu Qian. 12 125 234
• Zhang Meng — Colleague, protector, subordinate, and trusted confidant. Zhang Meng initially shields Xu Qian from workplace mistreatment; Xu Qian later teaches, equips, and plans to delegate part of his network to him. 11 87 153 299
• Yue Qingcang — General whom Xu Qian treats and respects. Their relationship develops through Xu Qian’s care, Yue Qingcang’s stories of war, and mutual trust during the political case surrounding the general. 133 150 137
• Yue Lingyun — Ally and strategic partner who entrusts Xu Qian with major responsibilities and provides intelligence support. 137 177 210
• The Drunkard — Formation mentor and collaborator. He upgrades Xu Qian’s Spirit Gathering Formation and later provides secure communication pendants in exchange for Xu Qian’s promise to deliver a message to Yun Zhongzi if possible. 137 170
• Bai Shi — Alchemy mentor who gives Xu Qian the incomplete family heirloom Hundred Herbs Pill Scripture. 140
• Zhao Dehai — Deputy Warden whose hidden ailment Xu Qian treats; the resulting favor helps Xu Qian expand his contacts on the third layer. 271 272
• Prison Head Cui — Prison superior whom Xu Qian quietly influences through formation expertise and practical problem-solving. 245 246
• Mute Servant — Special inmate recruited through a secret agreement; skilled in disguise and stealth, he is offered protection, improved conditions, and possible legitimate release in return for cooperation. 299

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early Heavenly Prison Survival

Xu Qian begins as a probationary guard, awakens the Longevity Dao Fruit, and establishes his guiding principle: remain steady, hide his strength, and cultivate through the prison’s resources. 1 6 7

Prisoner-Based Skill Acquisition

Using Qi Gazing Technique and the Dao Fruit, Xu Qian identifies prisoners with valuable abilities. The Mad Old Man’s concealed sword-related aura becomes the basis for Xu Qian’s Sword Intent. 8 9 32

Rise Within the Guard Corps

After defeating Scarface Li without excessive harm, Xu Qian earns Zhou Kang’s approval and becomes increasingly protected by Zhang Meng and respected by fellow guards. 11 12 36

Yue Qingcang Case

Xu Qian becomes involved in the political persecution of General Yue Qingcang, providing treatment and navigating pressure from the Ministry of Punishment and Eastern Palace investigators. 125 133 144

Workshop and West Layer Stewardship

Xu Qian develops Longevity No. 1 Workshop as a fortified cultivation base and is appointed steward of Blocks C and D, where he manages repairs, formations, and post-war reconstruction. 180 210 211

Grandmaster and Seal Crisis

After entering the Grandmaster Realm, Xu Qian discovers that declining Dragon Qi may weaken an ancient Heavenly Prison seal. His connection to a mysterious core fragment places him near the center of the coming disaster. 222 283 285

Neutral Technical Power Broker

By treating illnesses, repairing formations, and providing technical assistance without openly joining any faction, Xu Qian becomes a sought-after intermediary among prisoners, prison officials, and princely factions. 271 281 289

Trivia

• Xu Qian deliberately presents himself as an ordinary, harmless, slightly timid guard while concealing his cultivation and expertise. 7 8
• He views skilled prisoners as “Humanoid Skill Books” and “Experience Packs,” provided he can acquire information without attracting suspicion. 9
• His private logbook is written in a code combining simplified characters from his previous life, symbols, and local hidden jargon. 281
• Over five years, he transforms from a powerless newcomer into an “invisible power broker” centered on the Heavenly Prison. 246