Claude

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Claude (克劳德)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Martial Soul Hall; secretly serves Lan Aotian as the operator of his Hidden Pawn network 52 54
Occupation/Role	Red Robe Cardinal; later Cardinal Archbishop; intelligence handler and covert recruiter 53 54
Status	Active 81
First Appearance	Chapter 22

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Level 69 Soul Emperor	52	His cultivation had been bottlenecked at Level 69 before accepting Lan Aotian's offer.
Level 70 Soul Saint	52	Consuming a drop of Blue Silver Life Essence healed hidden injuries and enabled an immediately stable breakthrough.
Level 71 Seven-Ring Soul Saint	53	Stabilized his advancement and acquired a 50,000-year seventh soul ring.

Background / History

Claude initially served as a Red Robe Cardinal escorting a Martial Soul Hall supply convoy toward Martial Soul City. During repeated attacks on the convoy, he discovered a Shadow Tower Guest Elder token and sealed letters connected to Star Luo border nobles, concluding that the mission information had been leaked from within Martial Soul Hall. 26 41

He first encountered Lan Aotian under the latter's identity as Lin Yue. After Lan Aotian repeatedly protected the convoy—most notably by defeating enemy Soul Saints, Soul Douluo, and assassins—Claude's initial respect became fear and reverence. 24 29 30 38

Following the convoy's arrival in Martial Soul City, Lan Aotian recruited Claude as his agent within Martial Soul Hall. Claude accepted after receiving Blue Silver Life Essence, which healed his injuries, extended his lifespan, and raised him from Level 69 to Soul Saint rank. 52

His breakthrough and service earned him a promotion from Red Robe Cardinal to Cardinal Archbishop. Lan Aotian then entrusted him with creating a secret network of reliable personnel inside and outside Martial Soul Hall. 53 54

Appearance

Claude is an older-looking Martial Soul Hall cleric whose appearance is often marked by the physical strain of escort missions and combat. He wears the robes appropriate to his rank.

• Initially appears in a bishop's robe, pale and injured after the convoy battles. 26
• Later wears a new Cardinal Archbishop robe and badge following his promotion. 54
• Was described as having wrinkles that made him appear noticeably younger after his Soul Saint breakthrough. 53

Personality

Claude is cautious, politically aware, and skilled at judging stronger figures. He recognizes when information is dangerous to pursue, such as when he suspects that a high-ranking Martial Soul Hall figure leaked the convoy's route. 41

He is also ambitious and materially motivated. Rather than rejecting Lan Aotian's recruitment, he directly asks what benefits he would receive; the promise of advancement and Blue Silver Life Essence secures his loyalty. 52

After submitting, Claude is diligent and increasingly proactive. He screens hidden agents, manages funding, gathers intelligence on the tournament, the Worship Hall, and the stone tablets, and treats Lan Aotian's assignments as both opportunities and tests of his worth. 54 60 78 79

Abilities & Skills

Iron Feather Eagle Martial Soul

Claude possesses the Iron Feather Eagle martial soul, which grants aerial combat and wind-based offensive capabilities.

• Released seven soul rings while attempting to intercept attackers targeting the convoy. 22
• Can manifest an Iron Feather Eagle phantom for combat. 24
• Uses his martial soul in aerial engagements against enemy Soul Saints. 24

Martial Soul True Body

As a Soul Saint, Claude can activate his seventh soul skill to assume an Iron Feather Eagle true body.

• Used his Martial Soul True Body during the outpost night battle. 25
• His transformed eagle form suffered heavy Soul Power consumption against the Shadow Demon Wolf Soul Saint. 24

Sky Splitting Eagle Assault

Claude's sixth soul skill is a direct aerial attack.

• Used it after Lan Aotian's vine domain restrained and weakened the Shadow Demon Wolf Soul Saint. 25

Intelligence and Covert Recruitment

Claude functions as Lan Aotian's principal informant within Martial Soul Hall.

• Investigates attacks on the convoy and identifies evidence of internal leaks. 26 41
• Collects tournament rosters and intelligence on Shrek Academy. 51
• Screens and recruits Hidden Pawns based on loyalty, background, and usefulness. 54 60
• Investigates the Worship Hall's stone tablets and the movements of its enshrined elders. 78 79

Relationships

• Lan Aotian / Blue Emperor — Master and patron. Claude swears loyalty after receiving Blue Silver Life Essence and becomes the manager of Lan Aotian's covert network in Martial Soul Hall. 52 54
• Salas — Superior within Martial Soul Hall. Salas recognizes Claude's breakthrough and promotes him to Cardinal Archbishop. 53
• Jason — Fellow convoy officer and one of Claude's earliest Hidden Pawn candidates; Claude considers their shared life-and-death experiences proof of Jason's reliability. 57 60
• Tie Shan — Former convoy guard captain whom Claude recruits as a potential Hidden Pawn. 54 59
• Ying Shu — A greedy but capable prospective Hidden Pawn recruited through promised rewards. 54 59
• Bibi Dong — Pope of Martial Soul Hall. Claude reports on her interest in Lan Aotian's discussions with Tang San but does not openly challenge her authority. 64
• Tang San — Subject of intelligence reports Claude supplies to Lan Aotian during the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. 51

Story Role / Major Arcs

Martial Soul Hall Supply Convoy

Claude serves as a convoy bishop during the mission to transport sealed supplies to Martial Soul City. He survives multiple assassinations and comes to rely on Lan Aotian's protection after witnessing his overwhelming strength. 24 26 29 38

Recruitment by the Blue Emperor

Lan Aotian chooses Claude as his first major human-world subordinate due to his caution, fear, connections, and usefulness within Martial Soul Hall. Claude accepts the arrangement and advances to Soul Saint rank through Blue Silver Life Essence. 52 53

Hidden Pawn Network

As Cardinal Archbishop, Claude recruits vetted personnel for Lan Aotian's covert organization. His long-term assignment is to establish an intelligence network spanning every level of Martial Soul Hall. 54 67

Stone Tablet Investigation

Claude investigates the three ancient stone tablets stored in the Worship Hall, reporting their location, access restrictions, and the identities of the enshrined elders guarding them. 72 78 79

Trivia

• Claude rose from Level 69 Soul Emperor to Level 70 Soul Saint in roughly half an hour after consuming Blue Silver Life Essence. 52
• His seventh soul ring is approximately 50,000 years old. 53
• Lan Aotian considers Claude's fear more useful than ordinary respect when deciding to recruit him. 52