Niehuo Thorn

Biodata

Power Progression

Background and History

Guen obtained the Niehuo Thorn as an active seed and fed it his blood, establishing a connection when it sprouted. Moto then screened materials from Guen's space rings to sustain its rapid growth 71.

After absorbing water from the pool that nurtured the Origin Mask, the Niehuo Thorn fell into a prolonged coma. Guen continued feeding it, then accepted Ji Yu's proposal to use a ritual involving the Flame Star Behemoth's origin to awaken it. The plant recovered, grew dramatically, and took the initiative to stop the behemoth's attempted escape 108 115.

The absorption changed its development: conventional Niehuo Thorn cultivation formulas no longer suited it, and advancement required its own understanding of origin laws as well as resources. Yanqing Hou later examined the mutation, and Guen obtained treatment to stabilize its life genes 116 187 214 225 226.

As Guen grew stronger, he relied on the Niehuo Thorn less often. It continued cultivating and eventually broke through to Immortal God in the Fire Beard Vein. Guen then recognized why their power coordinated so closely: the plant had absorbed Origin Pool water, while his Origin Mask was born from that same source 577 617.

Appearance

The Niehuo Thorn's appearance changes with its growth and when it forms armor around Guen.

• Its seed has a withered yellow surface streaked with black; its first shoot darkens toward purple at the tip 71.
• Its vines are flexible and thorn-covered, with a bulkier root system. When attached to Guen early on, they resemble a heavy coat with a tasseled cloak 71.
• After awakening, its thick vines bear blade-like thorns and small leaves; later, its coloration shifts from purple-red toward golden-red 115 187.
• At World Master Level, it has eighty-one main vines, each over ten thousand kilometers long 345.

Personality

Unlike ordinary auxiliary plant lifeforms, the Niehuo Thorn develops independent consciousness and can speak to Guen. It is loyal and eager to help, but also expressive: it argues with Moto, fears Yanqing Hou's examination, and asks Guen for help when treatment becomes painful 225 226 260 345.

It takes pride in being useful to Guen. After stronger companions and auxiliary lifeforms take over some of its duties, it cultivates in hopes of helping him again. Later, it accepts that becoming a King would take an exceptionally long time and takes a less urgent approach to cultivation 577 617 671.

Abilities and Skills

Soul-Burning Fire

• Its vine strikes ignite flames that attack a target's soul. Extinguishing them requires substantial Origin Power; enduring them can impair combat performance 71.
• At ninth-stage Planetary Level, its soul attack was weaker than that of a comparable Spirit Reader, but it still drove away transparent blue snakes that lacked skill in defending their souls 77.
• Its later golden-red flames are difficult to extinguish and can drain Origin Power while exerting mental and illusion-like effects 123.

Vines, Domains and Combat

• Its vines can whip, entangle and confine opponents; at Domain Lord Level, they restrained enemies fighting alongside Guen's Lightning and Flame Domains 122 123.
• It possesses an inextinguishable Flame Domain, though a Xiulouluo opponent's sixth-level Wind Domain forced it back 130.
• It mastered the Thousand Shadow Fire Whip and improved it beyond the level Guen had prepared for it 474.

Armor and Power Sharing

• It can attach to Guen as armor and lend him its strength. At Domain Lord Level, this let him exert power far beyond his own Star Level foundation 117 130 132.
• After becoming Immortal, it transferred power to Guen with an unusually complete connection, providing a boost equivalent to 6,000 times World Master power 577.
• Together with the Origin Mask, it allowed Guen to burn its Immortal God Power for a temporary thousandfold increase. Its immense divine body made brief use inexpensive, but continuous burning would still require replenishment 578.
• Its armor adds a layer of defense, but sufficiently powerful attacks can pierce its divine body 577 589.

Relationships

• Guen — Master and long-term companion. Guen raises, treats and invests in the Niehuo Thorn; their shared connection to the Origin Pool water lets them coordinate power exceptionally well 71 225 577.
• Moto — Guen's intelligent companion, who initially selects the plant's food. The two later bicker and compete for credit 71 260.
• Ji Yu — Proposes and performs the ritual that awakens the Niehuo Thorn using the Flame Star Behemoth's origin 115.
• Yanqing Hou — Plant-lifeform specialist who examines its mutation and helps address its unstable life genes 225 226.
• Leisi — Fellow companion under Guen; his growing usefulness contributes to the Niehuo Thorn's concern that it can no longer help their master enough 577.