Gu Bai

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Gu Bai (古白)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Gujian Sect; formerly Upper Purity Temple / the Three Purities 215
Occupation/Role	Founder and Sect Leader of the Gujian Sect; master to Zhu Ying, Zheng Lingxi, and Wu Ming 3 2
Cultivation	Nascent Soul True Person; Dao foundation severely damaged and meridians severed 1 91
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Gu Bai founded the Gujian Sect more than twenty years before Wu Ming joined it. The sect is based on Yan Mountain and initially consisted only of Gu Bai, Zhu Ying, Zheng Lingxi, and later Wu Ming; Gu Bai describes it as little more than a signboard convenient for cultivation. Its only stated rule is to “conduct yourself well.” 3

Before settling in Qiongzhou, Gu Bai was a disciple of Upper Purity Temple and had, for a time, mastered the teachings of all Three Purities. He was subsequently expelled from the sect and remains bound by a prohibition connected to Sanqing, though the underlying events are not disclosed. 215 95

In his youth, Gu Bai cultivated to the Nascent Soul Realm and was regarded as exceptionally gifted. A severe injury later ruined his Dao foundation, diminished his divine abilities, and left him physically frail. Despite this, he retains formidable life force, cultivation knowledge, and enough power to use high-level techniques when necessary. 4 25

Gu Bai raised Zhu Ying from childhood and accepted Zheng Lingxi before taking in Wu Ming after Zheng Lingxi rescued him. Though he initially considers Gujian Sect an unsuitable place for an aspiring immortal cultivator, he recognizes Wu Ming's sincerity and unusual potential, ultimately accepting him as a disciple. 1 2

Appearance

Gu Bai appears as a weathered, unadorned old Daoist rather than an imposing immortal. His damaged foundation often leaves him bent, coughing, and visibly exhausted, though periods of recovery reveal the vitality still contained within his Nascent Soul body. 1 8 25

• Usually wears a patched gray Daoist robe. 18
• Has a hunched posture, withered complexion, and dim, murky eyes when his injuries worsen. 8
• Can recover a healthier, “old tree meeting spring” appearance after seclusion. 25
• Is often mistaken for an impoverished neighbor rather than a Nascent Soul True Person. 1

Personality

Gu Bai is gentle, self-deprecating, and habitually dismissive of his own accomplishments. He frequently calls himself crippled, old, or useless, even when demonstrating insight or power that far exceeds ordinary cultivators. 7 18

As a master, he is patient and perceptive. He identifies Wu Ming's pure-heartedness beneath his erratic speech, rewards diligent progress, and tailors guidance to each disciple's needs. He emphasizes steady accumulation, caution, and learning through repeated mistakes rather than chasing rapid advancement. 2 15 25

His apparent passivity has clear limits. Gu Bai endures insults directed at himself, but becomes sharp and uncompromising when his disciples are threatened or deprived of what they have earned. He knowingly accepted the political danger attached to the Taiyi Dharma Sword rather than abandon Wu Ming's rightful prize. 4 18 19

Gu Bai is also notably poor at resisting smoke powder. Zhu Ying regularly disciplines him over the habit, while Wu Ming and Zheng Lingxi occasionally help conceal gifts of Golden Rouge or little red sticks from her. 8 9 24 26

Abilities & Skills

Nascent Soul Cultivation

Gu Bai remains a Nascent Soul True Person despite his damaged Dao foundation. His power is restricted and physically costly to use, but he can still overwhelm lesser opponents through experience, preparation, and decisive techniques. 1 6 25

• Killed the Golden Core cultivator Liu Xi after anticipating his ambush, though the strike further weakened him. 6 7
• Retains extraordinary vitality even with a severed Dao foundation. 25
• The Full Restoration Pill improved his condition but could not reconnect his broken meridians. 91

Sword Arts

Gu Bai is an experienced sword cultivator capable of producing powerful Sword Qi and handling the Taiyi Dharma Sword.

• Demonstrated a golden Sword Qi that cleaved a large boulder in half. 8
• Used a desperate sword strike to kill Liu Xi during the latter's attempted robbery and murder. 6
• Recognized the Taiyi Dharma Sword's functions and its connection to Immortal Mansion exploration. 8

Movement and Spatial Techniques

Gu Bai can transport himself and others despite his injuries.

• Travels by Cloud Carpet, though prolonged flight can aggravate his condition. 3 8 9
• Uses Five Elements Evasion to move visitors from Yan Mountain's foot directly to the Sect Leader Temple. 18
• Creates a protective Dharma Array from his robe, providing shelter, sound isolation, and warmth. 8

Cultivation Instruction

Gu Bai possesses extensive knowledge of cultivation systems, Spirit Roots, Immortal Mansions, and foundational training methods.

• Explains the Nine Grades of Spirit Root aptitude and methods for improving aptitude through the Human Emperor Scroll and Immortal Mansion opportunities. 8
• Passes cultivation knowledge to Wu Ming through Fire Inheritance Book Ash, advancing Wu Ming from early to middle stage of the second Qi Refining tier. 21
• Teaches the Spirit-Melting Qi-Transformation Art and Green Pine Stance, and supports Wu Ming's Root Stance-based physical training. 23 25
• Identifies opponents' temporary enhancement medicines and intervenes when a duel becomes unfair. 20

Equipment / Items

• Cloud Carpet — Flying artifact used for travel between Yan Mountain and Dinghuang Prefecture; becomes unstable when Gu Bai overextends himself. 3 8
• Taiyi Dharma Sword — Ranxiang Workshop Dharma Sword won by Wu Ming; Gu Bai demonstrates its five-element phenomena and gives it to his disciple for Immortal Mansion exploration. 8
• Cultivation notebooks — Includes his insights into the Three Pure Ones Orthodox Method and techniques transmitted through Fire Inheritance Book Ash. 15 21
• Little Red Sticks / Golden Rouge — Smoke-powder products Gu Bai enjoys despite Zhu Ying's objections; Golden Rouge is described as harmless compared with ordinary smoke powder. 8 25 26

Relationships

• Wu Ming — Disciple. Gu Bai accepts him after recognizing his sincerity and Immortal Fate, protects his claim to the Taiyi Dharma Sword, and carefully prepares him for the dangers of the wider cultivation world. 2 19 215
• Zhu Ying — Eldest disciple, raised by Gu Bai since childhood. She is fiercely devoted to him and regularly scolds him over his health, finances, and smoke-powder habits. 1 9 26
• Zheng Lingxi — Disciple. Gu Bai trusts her kind nature and entrusts sect responsibilities to her and Wu Ming during Zhu Ying's absence. 2 16
• Shen Yueqing / Lord Yanliu — Former acquaintance from the Three Purities and a Dao Lord interested in taking Wu Ming as a disciple. Their conversations reveal Gu Bai's past expulsion and shared concern for Wu Ming's future. 94 95 96
• Liu Xi — Hostile cultivator with a longstanding grudge against Gu Bai and Gujian Sect. Gu Bai killed him after Liu Xi ambushed him and Wu Ming. 6 7
• Liu Sanlang — A Liu Family scion with whom Gu Bai gradually establishes a more measured relationship after the conflict caused by Liu Xi and other Liu elders. 22 31

Story Role / Major Arcs

Accepting Wu Ming

Gu Bai shelters the injured Wu Ming, offers to help him find family or work, and is persuaded to accept him as a disciple after the Three Trials of Spirit Signs. He then brings Wu Ming to Dinghuang Prefecture to register his cultivation and receive the Human Dao Seal. 1 2 3

Dinghuang Prefecture and Liu Xi's Ambush

Gu Bai supports Wu Ming during the Human Emperor Scroll competition and secures official verification of his extraordinary result. After Wu Ming wins the Taiyi Dharma Sword, Gu Bai anticipates Liu Xi's attempted ambush and kills him, suffering further strain on his damaged body. 5 6 7

Defense of the Taiyi Dharma Sword

When Liu Family representatives attempt to seize the Taiyi Dharma Sword through a manipulated Prefecture Edict, Gu Bai confronts their claims directly. He refuses to surrender Wu Ming's prize and exposes their failure to provide the resources that should accompany the sword's responsibility. 18 19

Preparing Wu Ming's Foundation

Gu Bai restricts Wu Ming's cultivation curriculum to foundational arts, Root Stance, Green Pine Stance, and steady daily practice. His caution stems partly from an unwillingness to let Wu Ming become overly marked by major sect inheritances before he has built a durable foundation. 23 25 135

Three Purities Revelation

After Wu Ming returns from the Delusive Immortal Mansion, Gu Bai advises him to seek growth through competition at Sanqing Outer Mountain. Before Wu Ming departs, he reveals his Upper Purity Temple past, warns him to avoid deep karmic entanglements within the Three Purities, and directs him to seek Yu Jianwei if even Shen Yueqing cannot resolve a future crisis. 214 215

Notable Quotes

“Just remember the four words ‘conduct yourself well,’ and that should be enough.” 3

“The path of immortality is treacherous—never let your guard down... Don't squander your good Immortal Fate!” 8

“If, during your cultivation in the Three Purities, you encounter some trouble that truly cannot be resolved—trouble that even Shen Yueqing is helpless against... then go find the Chief Lecturer of Celestial Master Manor, Yu Jianwei.” 215

Trivia

• Gu Bai's sect initially has only four members, including himself. 3
• He is an unexpectedly skilled cook, though Yan Mountain's former poverty prevented him from displaying that skill often. 250
• Zhu Ying can intimidate Gu Bai so thoroughly that the Nascent Soul True Person falls silent when she shouts at him. 1