Xiao Ce

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xiao Ce (萧策)
Alias(es)	Master Xuantian 123
Species/Race	Human 30
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Clan; Guest Elder of Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy 113
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; alchemist; Inner Academy guest elder 113 145
Status	Active 154
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
First-stage Dou Qi	1	Began cultivation roughly half a year earlier; his natural talent was initially only upper-middle.
Third-stage Dou Qi	1	Reached at age six after two years of disciplined cultivation and medicinal baths.
Eighth-stage Dou Disciple	6	At age eleven, defeated ninth-stage Xiao Yan in their third training-ground match through superior technique mastery.
Ninth-stage Dou Qi	7	Prepared to condense his Dou Qi Cyclone.
Dou Practitioner	8	Used Juqi Powder and the Yin-Yang Foundation Establishment Chapter to form a black-and-white Dou Qi Cyclone.
Dou Grandmaster	13	Revealed enough of his real strength to reassure Xiao Hai before departing Wutan City at age fifteen.
Nine-star Da Doushi	20	His deep foundation and Xuantian Yin-Yang Dao cultivation made his Dou Qi far denser than that of comparable cultivators.
Nine-star Dou Ling	38	Revealed his true cultivation to Hai Bodong, whose sealed strength had led him to underestimate Xiao Ce.
Dou King	48	Broke through within two months while dual cultivating with Xiao Yi Xian; perfected Cloud Treading Traceless.
Two-star Dou King	56	Advanced another star during two months in the Snake-People Tribe's Holy City.
Five-star Dou King	78	His concealed realm shocked Xiao Yan.
Eight-star to nine-star Dou King	89	Reached eight stars through cultivation, then used the Dou Ling Pill to advance to nine stars while retaining a stable foundation.
Dou Emperor	105	Broke through after three days of cultivation while preparing to develop the Guiyuan Sword Art.
Four-star Dou Emperor	110	Easily defeated the Purple Lightning Thunder Wolf King, which had once forced him into a desperate chase.
Six-star Dou Emperor	122	Used perfected movement and combat techniques to overwhelm Black-Corner Domain experts.
Eight-star to nine-star Dou Emperor	134	Reached eight stars, then advanced to nine with the Imperial Extreme Pill.
Dou Zong	125 136	Reached the Dou Zong realm after his campaign against Han Feng's faction and subsequent dual cultivation with Queen Medusa.

Background

Xiao Ce was born into the Xiao Clan of Wutan City as the only surviving close relative of Third Elder Xiao Hai. His parents, key members of the clan, were ambushed and killed by Jialie Clan experts while transporting goods. The trauma awakened memories of his previous life: he had been a web-novel writer who died from overwork while writing Battle Through the Heavens. 1

His past-life knowledge included the Dou Di inheritance he had created, the Xuantian Yin-Yang Dao. Although his initial cultivation talent was not exceptional, he devoted himself to building a flawless foundation, deliberately keeping much of his real strength hidden from both the Xiao Clan and outsiders. 1 9

After leaving Wutan City, Xiao Ce sought out Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin, whose special constitutions could complement his cultivation method. His travels through Qingshan Town, the Magic Beast Mountain Range, Shimo City, and the Tagor Desert rapidly expanded both his power and his network of allies. 14 42 69

He later adopted the identity Master Xuantian in the Black-Corner Domain, subdued the Eight-Fan Sect, killed Han Feng and Old Demon Di Mo, and turned Black Seal City into a source of resources and influence. 111 125 127

Appearance

By his mid-teens, Xiao Ce is a tall, slender youth with fair skin, refined features, and a composed bearing. He is consistently described as exceptionally handsome, drawing attention even when attempting to remain low-profile. 10 14

• Often wears blue or blue-and-white robes. 8 75
• Has bright, deep eyes and a faint habitual smile. 6 75
• His hair grew longer during his travels, with loose strands falling over his forehead. 75
• Possesses an unusually powerful physique; even after reaching Dou Emperor, his casual physical attacks exceeded what Yun Yun expected from a cultivator of that realm. 105

Personality

Xiao Ce is methodical, ambitious, and highly cautious. He understands the danger of attracting attention too early, routinely disguising his aura and publicly displaying a realm far beneath his actual strength. His concealment technique includes multiple layers intended to mislead even opponents capable of seeing through an initial disguise. 41 141

He is strategic in both combat and negotiation. Rather than confronting superior enemies directly without preparation, he redirects threats against one another, builds factions through rewards and intimidation, and turns valuable experts such as Hai Bodong and Yuan Yi into long-term allies. 30 40 112

Despite his confidence and playful manner around those close to him, he is ruthless toward enemies. He ordered the destruction of hostile forces, exterminated the Jialie Clan to avenge his parents, and showed no hesitation in killing Han Feng and Demon Flame Valley's leadership. 88 125 127

Abilities & Skills

Xuantian Yin-Yang Dao

A Dou Di inheritance designed by Xiao Ce in his previous life. Its Dou Qi-stage component, the Yin-Yang Foundation Establishment Chapter, creates an exceptionally strong foundation and cultivates unique Yin-Yang Dou Qi. 1 8

• Produces black-and-white Yin-Yang Dou Qi after the formation of his Dou Qi Cyclone. 8
• Can transform into fire, wind, lightning, earth, water, wood, and other attributes. 8
• Greatly improves cultivation speed even without dual cultivation, functioning at a level comparable to a high-grade Heaven-tier technique. 9 56
• Grants unusually dense Dou Qi and a physique far beyond cultivators of the same realm. 8 20
• Gains greater feedback when Xiao Ce dual cultivates with partners possessing stronger cultivation or special constitutions. 1 17

Dou Technique Mastery

Xiao Ce's greatest innate talent lies in his comprehension and refinement of Dou Techniques. He can use perfected Xuan-tier techniques with the efficiency and speed of ordinary attacks. 20 59

• Mountain Crushing Fist — Low Xuan-tier fist technique perfected before his departure from the Xiao Clan. 10 20
• Flame Dragon Palm — Mid Xuan-tier palm technique; Xiao Ce can unleash repeated strikes in rapid succession. 10 59
• Crimson Flame Shield — Mid Xuan-tier defensive technique. 10
• Swallow Return Strike — High Xuan-tier technique capable of rebounding incoming attacks, including attacks from multiple enemies. 10 122 125
• Nine Turns of the Wandering Dragon — High Xuan-tier movement technique used for evasive combat and high-speed pursuit. 10 30
• Cloud Treading Traceless — Low Di-tier movement technique perfected by Xiao Ce; it enables nearly soundless, traceless movement. 48 59
• Yin-Yang Sky Splitting Palm — Mid Earth-tier trump card later perfected by Xiao Ce; immensely powerful but initially far more costly than his Xuan-tier techniques. 71 89
• Guiyuan Sword Art — A killing technique that combines Dou Qi and soul power; Xiao Ce used it to kill Old Demon Di Mo. 104 127
• Lightning Flash Instant Shadow — Mid Di-tier movement technique acquired in the Black-Corner Domain and used against Queen Medusa. 129 135

Alchemy

Xiao Ce possesses exceptional soul talent, extensive resources, the Green Lotus Core Flame, and occasional guidance from Yao Lao. These advantages allowed him to become an alchemist at an extraordinary pace. 80

• Became a fourth-rank alchemist in under three months. 80
• Reached fifth-rank alchemy while perfecting the Yin-Yang Sky Splitting Palm. 89
• Advanced to sixth-rank alchemy before leaving for Jia Nan Academy. 108
• Refined sixth-tier pills, including the Spirit Fusion Pill and Imperial Extreme Pill. 112 132
• Achieved tier-seven alchemy, attracting the attention of the Jia Ma Empire's major factions. 145
• Uses alchemy to strengthen allies, fund the Xiao Clan, and secure political loyalty. 80 112 151

Aura Concealment

Xiao Ce can mask his actual cultivation so effectively that even higher-realm experts frequently misjudge him. 41 75

• Conceals his realm from family members, allies, and hostile experts alike. 41 78
• Employs a second layer of disguise that appears to reveal a false realm one major stage below his actual strength. 141
• Uses the technique to maintain a low public profile while preparing decisive advantages. 107 110

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Green Lotus Core Flame — Heavenly Flame acquired following his deal with Queen Medusa. 69
• Ten Thousand Beast Cauldron — Medicinal cauldron ranked thirteenth on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking. 132
• Nether Sea Ring — High-grade Storage Ring obtained from Han Feng. 127
• Heavenly Demon Puppet Crafting Method — Secret method recovered from Demon Flame Valley. 127
• Puppet One — Heavenly Demon Puppet refined using Old Demon Di Mo's corpse, Protector Yin's soul, and a seventh-tier Magic Core. 132
• Heavenly Fire Three Mysterious Changes — Technique purchased in the Imperial Capital's Treasure Hunting District. 145

Relationships

• Xiao Hai — Grandfather and Third Elder of the Xiao Clan; raised Xiao Ce after the deaths of his parents and consistently supports his ambitions. 1 13
• Xiao Xun'er — Childhood companion and Xiao Ce's acknowledged official wife; she supports his cultivation and gave him several of his foundational Xuan-tier techniques. 10 95
• Xiao Yi Xian — Dual-cultivation partner and close companion; her Woeful Poison Body and rising cultivation greatly enhance Xiao Ce's progress. 15 48
• Qing Lin — Protected younger companion with the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils; Xiao Ce rescued her from discrimination and later secured her inheritance. 42 133
• Xiao Yan — Cousin, childhood rival, and eventual friend; Xiao Ce consistently acknowledges Xiao Yan's potential despite their enormous difference in cultivation. 12 137
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li — Cousins and leaders of the Moti Mercenary Group; Xiao Ce's revealed strength emboldened their expansion in Shimo City. 41 45
• Hai Bodong — The Ice Emperor and Xiao Ce's early investor; he agreed to protect the Xiao Clan in exchange for Xiao Ce's help breaking Queen Medusa's seal. 40 109
• Yun Yun — Misty Cloud Sect leader and ally; she guarded Xiao Ce during his breakthrough to Dou Emperor. 105
• Queen Medusa — Former adversary who entered a three-year wager with Xiao Ce; after losing their battle, she accepted him as her master in private. 103 135 154
• Ya Fei — Mite'er Family associate who manages resources and helps convert Xiao Ce's surplus treasures into alchemical materials. 80 108
• Yuan Yi — Eight-Fan Sect master forced into submission; Xiao Ce made him his representative in Black Seal City. 111 112

Story Role / Major Arcs

Xiao Clan Prodigy

Xiao Ce awakens his past-life memories after his parents' murder, inherits the Xuantian Yin-Yang Dao, and becomes one of the Xiao Clan's foremost young talents. He repeatedly defeats Xiao Yan despite presenting a lower cultivation realm. 1 6

Qingshan Town and the Magic Beast Mountain Range

After leaving Wutan City, Xiao Ce travels to Qingshan Town to locate Xiao Yi Xian. He enters the Magic Beast Mountain Range for combat experience, loots guarded treasures, and survives pursuit by the Purple Lightning Thunder Wolf King by manipulating it toward the Amethyst Winged Lion King. 13 14 29 30

Shimo City and the Snake-People Tribe

Xiao Ce reunites with Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, finds Qing Lin, supports the Moti Mercenary Group's expansion, and advances to Dou King. He later negotiates with Queen Medusa, obtains the Green Lotus Core Flame, and returns safely to Shimo City. 42 48 69

Return to Wutan City

After returning home, Xiao Ce brings Hai Bodong into the Xiao Clan's orbit, advances his alchemy, reveals only a fraction of his strength at the coming-of-age ceremony, and exterminates the Jialie Clan to avenge his parents. 74 80 85 88

Black-Corner Domain Campaign

Xiao Ce enters the Black-Corner Domain with Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin, subdues the Eight-Fan Sect, becomes Master Xuantian, and uses Black Seal City as a resource base. He later defeats Han Feng's allies, kills Han Feng and Old Demon Di Mo, and acquires the Heavenly Demon Puppet crafting method. 110 112 123 125 127

Jia Nan Academy and the Dou Zong Breakthrough

Xiao Ce becomes a guest elder of Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy, where he teaches students in alchemy and Dou Techniques. After securing Qing Lin's inheritance and fulfilling his wager with Queen Medusa, he defeats her and rises to Dou Zong. 113 133 135 136

Notable Quotes

“I will eventually surpass our ancestors and lead the clan to rise once again!” 45