Liao Ji

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Liao Ji (廖纪)
Alias(es)	Ash Emperor; Lord Ash; Dr. Liao Ji
Species/Race	Human; a man from another world reborn into the wasteland world 3
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Revolutionary Army — accepted as its leader 101
Occupation/Role	Revolutionary leader; former Falling player; operates under a forged identity as a doctor of ancient studies 1 171
Status	Alive 351
First Appearance	Chapter 1: Ash Emperor

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Level 1 novice	3	Reborn from a stone coffin with skills retained from his previous life, but reduced to novice level.
Red Lotus Wings state	134	Materializes Jiu You as wings through Corrupt Calamity Touch; his Strength and Agility rise from roughly D+ to S rank.
Three-item equipment loadout	173	Uses Optimization to gain an additional equipment slot, allowing him to equip Healing Holy Armor, Red Lotus Wings, and A-Xue's cleaver simultaneously.
Danger-class Corrupted	255	Is described as having reached the Danger class; his broader strength comes primarily from his Commander template and inherited skills.
Level 150 all-round protagonist	312	Can perform ultra-long-range teleportation effortlessly.

Background / History

Liao Ji completed the wasteland simulation game Falling, whose player character recruits and develops Corrupted allies to build a refuge against monsters and Zhuo'e pollution. His completed playthrough featured five elite female Corrupted from the setting's major classes. Immediately afterward, darkness consumed his vision. 1

He awoke reborn five centuries later inside a stone coffin in a post-apocalyptic world. Grave robbers sought the “Legacy” within the coffin, while the scavenger Irin briefly used him as leverage against them. Though he retained abilities from his prior life, he began again at Level 1. 3

Irin’s knowledge of the Ash Emperor made Liao Ji realize that the identity and legacy associated with that title had survived his disappearance. Concerned for the fate of his five personal guards, he began investigating the history of the intervening five centuries. 7

Appearance

Liao Ji is a black-haired young man with fair skin, a refined scholarly bearing, and a tall, well-proportioned build. His composed manner and polished appearance allow him to pass easily as a high-status noble or academic. 7 33 244

• Often presents himself in tailored formalwear when navigating Black Cave Settlement. 33
• Uses a silvery-gray researcher’s trench coat, black trousers, and worn brown combat boots while posing as an ancient-studies doctor. 176
• Carries himself with an upright posture and deliberate, restrained manner. 33 176

Personality

Liao Ji is calculating and cautious, preferring preparation over direct confrontation. He avoids needless trouble, but treats threats that cannot be avoided as opportunities to gain experience and improve his position. This pragmatism informs his destruction of the secret chamber, his manipulation of hostile forces, and his decision to build ideological support rather than rule the Revolutionary Army through force alone. 10 18 85 125

Despite his habit of presenting himself as Lord Ash, he is sensitive to whether he deserves the faith others place in him. He privately fears that his ordinary, imperfect self may not live up to the Ash Emperor’s image, yet repeatedly shows compassion toward subordinates, civilians, and even defeated enemies. 131 135 230

He is also notably independent: he rejects expensive gifts he cannot repay, works diligently even in low-paying employment, and does not complain about difficult circumstances. 321 335

Abilities & Skills

Contract

Liao Ji can establish Contracts with Corrupted, binding them to him and enabling him to inspect their status and assist their growth.

• Used the Contract to restrain and control Irin, though resistance places a heavy mental burden on him. 7 10
• Contracted Corrupted possess status panels; Jiu You only became contractible after a ritual temporarily weakened her. 148
• Can use a Contract to transmit inherited knowledge, such as Karl’s Shaman inheritance to A-Xue. 119
• Expects subordinates to recognize his authority and prioritize him, but accepts cooperation over constant coercion. 10 18

Holy Healing

A protagonist skill retained from his previous life.

• Can repeatedly treat Irin’s ill mother in a single day. 10
• Restores severe combat injuries within moments. 256

Calamity Magnetic Pulse

An S-rank control skill copied from Zero, initially available in its Lv. 1 form. 20

• Releases an electromagnetic pulse that disables firearms and intelligent weapon components within its range. 20
• Can destroy weapons regardless of material if they are designated as targets. 20
• Plunders nearby energy while disarming enemies, then temporarily converts it into an attribute-enhancing buff for Liao Ji. 20
• Is stated to evolve into Super Calamity Magnetic Pulse as his level increases. 20

Dragon Blood Combustion

An ultra-S-rank Calamity-tier ability originally awakened by Jiu You in Liao Ji’s prior playthrough. 85

• Greatly enhances his physical attributes, causing his blood and dragon markings to blaze with power. 254 255
• Lets him contend with elite dragonkin combatants such as Tang. 254 256
• Can be paired with Jiu You’s Red-Eyed Slash, a defense-ignoring execution technique. 254 257

Elf Protection

A defensive ability associated with Anno.

• Protects Liao Ji from overwhelming Corrupt Calamity and allows him to traverse hazards that force Irin and 86 to retreat. 125
• Forms a powerful natural barrier that absorbs most incoming damage. 255
• Can still be breached by an attack of sufficient strength, as Tang’s Red-Eyed Slash shattered it. 256

Annihilation

A powerful Superpower-class ability originating from Rena. 256

• Draws in surrounding Corrupt Calamity and concentrates it around Liao Ji. 256
• Generates black holes around a target, twisting space and devouring everything within their range. 256

Corrupt Calamity Touch

A skill acquired after Anno helps Liao Ji absorb and purify the Corrupt Calamity surrounding the altar and Bone Curse Jade. 131

• Grants authority over Corrupt Calamity and allows him to command it through a materialized item. 132
• Can convert compatible Corrupted into equipment or tool forms linked to their nature. 132 151
• Requires a target to qualify for materialization; Baal cannot become an item because he is already a Corrupt Calamity monster. 135
• Allows Liao Ji to merge with willing allies, such as Jiu You, and manifest their power as equipment. 133
• Initially limits him to one Calamity-grade item or two Disaster-grade items; Optimization expands this capacity. 173

Dreamscape Combat

Through 86’s terminal form, Liao Ji can access Dreamscape and operate alongside mechanical lifeforms. 151 152

• Combines with 86 into a humanoid combat mecha with a linked consciousness interface. 215
• Deploys an energy shield, high-speed mobility systems, a light sword, and forty-eight miniature tracking missiles. 215
• Uses Dreamscape to investigate past events, confront witches, and awaken Zero. 215 243 275

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Red Lotus Wings — Jiu You’s equipment form; grants immense Strength and Agility and lets Liao Ji dominate aerial and close-quarters combat. Their size and power decline after Jiu You is weakened, but remain formidable. 134 173
• Healing Holy Armor — Stia’s equipment form; raises Endurance to S rank, provides exceptional recovery, and grants Degradation and Optimization. 172
• Emerald Cleaver — A-Xue’s equipment form; restores health and mana after each attack. 173
• Dreamscape Terminal — 86’s ring-shaped headset form; lets Liao Ji enter Dreamscape with a thought and keeps 86 close while concealing her android identity. 151 176
• Vanishing Light Brand set — Brands used to summon Stia into Zero Dreamscape. 236
• Sword of the Great Emperor — A genuine sword Liao Ji possesses and later uses to create a birthday “miracle” for Lotus and Or. 351

Relationships

• Irin — First major subordinate and eventual partner. Their relationship begins with coercion and distrust, but develops into mutual reliance; Irin trusts him to fulfill his promises and protect her mother. 3 10 47
• Jiu You / Tang Jiuyou — His contracted wife, former game character, and strongest Vanguard ally. She willingly becomes his sword and equipment form, while Liao Ji works to understand and protect her past. 102 133 148 256
• Anno — An elf guardian who comforts Liao Ji when he confronts his fears and helps him obtain Corrupt Calamity Touch. He vows to find her again in reality after she disappears from the consciousness space. 130 131
• Stia — A nun among his most powerful companions. Her Holy Healing saves him in battle, and her materialized form becomes the Healing Holy Armor. 1 172 256
• Rena — A succubus strategist who supplies Liao Ji with identities, plans, and the ability Annihilation. He continues to trust her despite recognizing her tendency to manipulate events several steps ahead. 171 256 282
• Number 86 — His mechanical maid and loyal servant. She can become a Dreamscape terminal, motorcycle, or combat mecha in order to remain at his side. 151 199 215
• A-Xue — A catgirl sheltered and educated by Liao Ji’s household. His care inspires her to protect him from the Revolutionary Army’s plans against him. 84 88 119
• Luo Xiaoji — A wealthy young scholar who befriends Liao Ji during the Mechanical Alliance academic exchange and later recruits him for a Magic City Media film. 178 179 285
• Tang — Jiu You’s mother, encountered through the Evil Dragon Dreamscape. She entrusts Jiu You’s future to Liao Ji, and he later fights her to challenge the tragedy she engineered for her daughter. 249 254 256
• Nono — A woman who gives Liao Ji temporary shelter, mends his cloak, prepares meals for him, and treats him with nurturing affection. 323 337

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Black Cave awakening — Awakens in a stone coffin, survives the grave robbers, allies with Irin, and burns the secret chamber to erase evidence of his return. 3 10
• Kalleva conflict — Protects Irin from Kalleva gang gunmen with Calamity Magnetic Pulse and later infiltrates the gang’s territory to recover what belongs to him. 20 36
• Revolutionary Army leadership — Seeks to win the Revolutionary Army ideologically rather than through force, becomes its leader, and sets a three-month goal of unifying the Southern Border’s demi-human races. 85 101
• Ancient Wolf Clan crisis — Investigates the cursed Bone Jade and the source of Corrupt Calamity, gains Corrupt Calamity Touch, materializes Jiu You as Red Lotus Wings, and defeats the corrupted Baal. 125 131 133 134
• Mechanical Alliance expedition — Assumes the identity of Dr. Liao Ji, enters the Mechanical Alliance with Irin and 86, and pursues the means to repair Zero before the observation entities awaken. 171 176
• Zero Dreamscape — Battles witches, organizes Machine Servants, investigates Jiu You’s past through the Evil Dragon Dreamscape, and eventually awakens Zero. 215 243 256 275
• Magic City activities — Returns with Zero and other Calamity-class wives, supports Luo Xiaoji’s film project, and enters Rena’s diary to witness events surrounding the Ash Emperor’s disappearance. 282 285 289
• Later civilian life and Falling II — Works diligently at a convenience store, demonstrates exceptional tactical-game skill, and later provides powerful aura buffs for players facing a World BOSS. 321 340 346

Notable Quotes

“I just hate trouble. But if trouble comes knocking on my door, I don't mind turning them into experience points.” 18

“I want to fight you. This fight is for Jiu You.” 254