Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Gu Yuan (古元) |
| Gender | Male |
| Affiliation | Gu Clan 14 |
| Occupation/Role | Patriarch of the Gu Clan 14 |
| Cultivation | Late-stage nine-star Dou Sheng 14 16 |
| Age | Several thousand years 15 |
| Family | Xiao Xun'er — daughter 14 17 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 14 14 |
History
Investigation of Ning Chen
Gu Yuan personally investigates Ning Chen after receiving a letter from his daughter, Xiao Xun'er, describing the mysterious cultivator's actions. He conceals himself near the Magic Beast Mountain Range, but Ning Chen infers his presence from the Surprise Points notifications generated by his reactions. When Ning Chen openly calls him out, Gu Yuan emerges and apologizes for his intrusion 14.
Despite sensing only Dou Wang cultivation from Ning Chen, Gu Yuan cannot reconcile that realm with the young man's apparent ability to detect his concealment. He suspects Ning Chen may be a hidden powerhouse and questions whether his stay with the Xiao Clan concerns the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade 15.
Ning Chen's claim that he stayed to revisit an old acquaintance convinces Gu Yuan that he knows the Xiao Clan's origins as the Xiao Tribe. When Ning Chen gives his holy title as Qing Di, Gu Yuan becomes more skeptical: the use of “Di” suggests a standing that even he would not claim. He proposes a spar to test whether Ning Chen's strength supports the title 15.
Desert Spar
Concerned that their battle could harm nearby inhabitants, Gu Yuan moves the encounter to a remote desert. He releases his late-stage nine-star Dou Sheng pressure, then uses the Gu Clan's ancestral Di Yin Jue, combining five seals into the Gu Di Yin 15 16.
Ning Chen counters with a cyan lotus manifestation and the Green Emperor Finger, using his system to withstand Gu Yuan's power. Their clash leaves a hundred-mile-wide crater, while Ning Chen remains uninjured 16 17.
Gu Yuan interprets this result as evidence that Qing Di is at least his equal and possibly stronger. The display reminds him of Xiao Xuan's power during his failed attempt to reach Dou Di. Unwilling to risk a disastrous conflict with an unknown opponent, he abandons further testing, acknowledges Ning Chen's abilities, and invites him to visit the Gu Realm 17.
Reassuring Xiao Xun'er
After returning Ning Chen to the Magic Beast Mountain Range, Gu Yuan visits Xiao Xun'er in Wutan City. He conceals his conclusions about Qing Di, fearing that revealing the identity of a powerhouse who apparently wishes to remain disguised could endanger his daughter and the Gu Clan 17.
Instead, he tells her that Ning Chen is an eighteen-year-old three-star Dou Zong, likely a genius secretly cultivated by Danta. Xiao Xun'er accepts the explanation. Before leaving, Gu Yuan reminds her to remain careful and contact him in an emergency 17.
Appearance
- Apparent age: Middle-aged, despite having lived for thousands of years 14 15.
- Features: Refined face, gentle eyes, and a faint, calm smile 14.
- Clothing: A simple linen robe at his first appearance 14.
- Presence: Blends so naturally with the surrounding forest that his presence is barely perceptible without seeing him directly 14.
- Combat aura: Blazing golden light floods the surroundings when he releases his power 16.
Personality
Gu Yuan maintains a courteous, composed exterior even while privately shocked or suspicious. He apologizes when confronted about his hidden observation and frames his challenge to Ning Chen as a polite request to exchange pointers. Nevertheless, he seeks concrete proof of strength rather than accepting an unfamiliar title or an impressive story at face value 14 15.
His caution extends to both civilians and his clan. He chooses an isolated battlefield to avoid harming innocents, then stops the spar when further confrontation appears to offer little benefit and considerable danger 15 17.
With Xiao Xun'er, he is openly affectionate and protective. He welcomes her embrace, asks about her daily life, and gives safety advice before departing. His fabricated explanation of Ning Chen's background is intended to reassure her while avoiding a potentially dangerous disclosure 17.
Abilities & Skills
Late-Stage Nine-Star Dou Sheng Cultivation
Gu Yuan stands among the continent's strongest cultivators, with thousands of years of experience 14 17.
- His released pressure illuminates the night sky and fractures the surrounding void 16.
- His clash with Ning Chen produces a hundred-mile-wide crater and extensive spatial cracks 16 17.
- His full-force attack fails to injure Ning Chen because of Ning Chen's equal-match system; Gu Yuan mistakes this for evidence of concealed superior strength 17.
Di Yin Jue — Gu Di Yin
An ancestral Gu Clan Dou Skill. Gu Yuan combines five seals into one, producing the Gu Di Yin 16.
- Forms a brilliant golden seal containing a towering emperor phantom 16.
- Seals off the opponent's escape directions 16.
- Is described as powerful enough to kill an ordinary Dou Sheng instantly 16.
Spatial Manipulation and Concealment
Gu Yuan uses spatial control for hidden observation and travel 14 15 17.
- Conceals himself near Ning Chen before emerging through rippling space 14.
- Transports himself and Ning Chen to the desert and back with a sleeve movement 15 17.
- Enters and leaves Xiao Xun'er's room through spatial distortions 17.
- Repairs the shattered void as his power recedes after the spar 17.
Relationships
- Xiao Xun'er — Daughter. Her letter prompts his investigation of Ning Chen; afterward, he hides the encounter's implications to protect her and the Gu Clan 14 17.
- Ning Chen / Qing Di — Initially an unknown figure to investigate and test. After their spar, Gu Yuan treats him as a formidable peer or possible superior and invites him to the Gu Realm, unaware that his apparent strength comes from a system 15 16 17.
Notable Quotes
“I did not intend to spy, but because of what my daughter mentioned in her letter, I was curious and came to see for myself. If I have been abrupt, I hope you will forgive me.” 14
“Your Excellency Qing Di, your divine abilities are peerless. Gu... is impressed.” 17
Trivia
- Gu Yuan's shock generates substantial Surprise Points for Ning Chen, including a 100,000-point notification when Ning Chen calls out his concealed presence 14.
- Ning Chen later jokingly thanks him as a “top-tier donor.” The points earned largely from their encounter help fund subsequent system purchases, including the Heaven Swallowing Demon Flame Art 17 23.
- Ning Chen later uses his successful Qing Di bluff against Gu Yuan as the model for deceiving Tie Protector with another false identity 28.