Biodata
| Feature | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Zhang Lanfeng (寮楄椢寰) |
| Alias(es) | Demon King of the Thirteen Heavenly Kings; “Demon Blade”; Dean of the Imperial Academy 98 135 |
| Gender | Male |
| Affiliation | Imperial Academy (Dean); Anubis Legion (leader); Suo Town Academy (leader); formerly associated with the Broken Soul Academy 103 132 134 135 |
| Occupation/Role | Academy leader, instructor, strategist, and legion commander 116 134 135 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 51 |
Power Progression
| Stage / Realm / Level | Chapter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spiritual power in the “forty-something” range | 100 | At thirteen, he is identified as an exceptional prodigy during the Demon Blade’s recruitment attempt; he refuses to join the Demon Soul Academy. 103 |
| Eighty-eighth-rank attacker; entered the Demon Realm | 128 | His Demon Realm status causes an immediate stir among the onlookers. 131 |
Background
Zhang Lanfeng was isolated for much of his life and carried the stigma of his family’s betrayal. His Demon Blade was mocked as a “broken sword,” leaving him with a strong need to prove his worth and secure recognition. 116 131
His spiritual power was severely damaged after an encounter with a cultivator of immortal arts, leaving him vulnerable despite his status and background. After being branded by the Demon Blade, he sought an ally strong enough to defend his position—but also controllable enough not to threaten it. 106
Appearance
Zhang Lanfeng is described as tall and later appears in shimmering obsidian armor while carrying a black jade pendant set with obsidian-like eyes. 85 132
- Tall stature. 85
- Once wore a tattered shirt while drinking with Suo. 85
- Wears obsidian armor during the Suo Town Academy dispute. 132
- Carries a black jade pendant that he presents as a Demon Blade. 132
Personality
Zhang Lanfeng is proud, calculating, and intensely conscious of status. He responds to threats with intimidation, seeks to maintain control over useful allies, and can be ruthless toward those he wishes to manipulate. 106 118
His ambition is also tied to exhaustion with constant conflict. He initially wants to withdraw from the life of fighting and establish himself through a Child’s Academy, refusing to settle for an ordinary institution. 85
Despite his arrogance, he finds renewed purpose in teaching younger disciples. The Demon God’s ability to inspire hope affects him deeply, and he begins treating the future of the Spirit Academy as a personal responsibility. 116
Abilities & Skills
Demonic Power
Zhang Lanfeng possesses powerful demonic force and is recognized as an eighty-eighth-rank attacker who has entered the Demon Realm. 114 131
- Intervenes between the Star God and Tang Guoge, separating them with demonic power. 114
- Uses overwhelming pressure and authority to force cultivators into submission after revealing himself as the Imperial Academy’s Dean. 135
- Attempts to use a Spirit Skill against Time during their battle, though Time defeats the attempt through illusion. 134
Strategy and Academy Instruction
He is an organizer and tactician capable of developing cultivation methods, directing disciples, and using institutional authority to pursue his aims. 106 116
- Developed the Seven-in-One Fusion Technique, regarded as a rare Demon Blade treasure. 106
- Trains the Cai family’s high-level disciples alongside Suo Ling through punishing physical drills. 116
- Uses harsh discipline, including weighted runs and direct verbal pressure, to build the Spirit Academy’s fighting strength. 116
- Schemes to secure allies while preparing contingencies against rivals and potential betrayal. 106
Demon Blade Brand
The Demon Blade’s brand is both a source of political danger and a personal weakness. 106
- Its influence leaves him under the Demon Blade’s shadow. 106
- His previously damaged spiritual power makes maintaining authority more difficult. 106
- His determination to protect the Demon Blade later drives him into a reckless confrontation with Time. 134
Equipment / Items
- Black jade pendant — A pendant fitted with obsidian eyes, which Zhang Lanfeng claims is a Demon Blade. 132
- Obsidian armor — Armor worn during the conflict between Suo Town Academy and Lingering Light Academy. 132
- Gold card — Gives Suo Qi a rune-covered card marked with “500,000.” 116
Relationships
- Suo Ling — Associate and co-instructor; Suo hears Zhang Lanfeng’s plan to enter a Child’s Academy and later helps train the Cai family disciples. 85 116
- Demon Blade — Branded by it and determined to protect it; its severe injury during the battle with Time pushes Zhang Lanfeng into desperation. 106 134
- Shi Nian — Zhang Lanfeng infiltrates Shi Nian’s courtyard while seeking an ally, beginning a tense encounter between the two. 106
- Tang Guoge / Demon God — Adversarial and complicated relationship; Tang Guoge disrupts Zhang Lanfeng’s ceremony, yet Zhang later recognizes the Demon God’s power to inspire hope. 114 116
- Di Wei — Zhang Lanfeng humiliates him and tells him to focus solely on revenge and becoming stronger, prompting Di Wei to swear vengeance. 118
- Zhan Tai Lei — A powerful subordinate who stands with Zhang Lanfeng during Suo Town Academy’s confrontation with Lingering Light Academy. 132
- Time — Overpowers Zhang Lanfeng through illusion during the battle that leads to Zhang’s downfall. 134
Story Role / Major Arcs
- Decision to pursue an academy — Tired of endless conflict, Zhang Lanfeng declares his intention to enter a Child’s Academy and seek a new path rather than retire quietly. 85
- Eternal Mansion conflict — Arrives at Eternal Mansion with Suo Ling, reacts with alarm to Gu Ling’s sword spirit, and reveals himself as the Demon King of the Thirteen Heavenly Kings after being challenged. 98
- Demon Blade recruitment — Rejects the Demon Blade’s offer to recruit him into the Demon Soul Academy despite being recognized as a young prodigy. 103
- Search for leverage — After the Demon Blade brands him, he looks for an ally he can use against stronger rivals and enters Shi Nian’s courtyard. 106
- Grand ceremony disruption — Stops the Star God and Tang Guoge’s clash, but Tang Guoge humiliates him and ruins the planned ceremony. 114
- Spirit Academy training — Oversees severe training for the Cai family’s advanced disciples and begins planning the academy’s future around its younger generation. 116
- Suo Town Academy dispute — Leads Suo Town Academy against Lingering Light Academy’s growing influence, boasting about his institution while relying on Zhan Tai Lei’s strength. 132
- Fall against Time — Leads the Anubis Legion against Time, attempts a surprise attack to protect the wounded Demon Blade, and becomes trapped in an illusion built from his deepest desires. 134
- Dean’s reveal — Reveals himself as the Dean of the Imperial Academy after other cultivators mistake him for the mocked “Demon Blade.” 135
Notable Quotes
“A Child's Academy!” 85
“This old man is Zhang Lanfeng. I am the Dean of the Imperial Academy.” 135