Third Prince

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xu Tiancheng (徐天成)
Alias(es)	Third Prince; later Crown Prince
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Sun Moon Empire; Sun Moon Imperial Family; formerly backed by the Imperial Clan
Occupation/Role	Imperial prince, soul engineer, military commander, claimant to the throne
Status	Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire; secretly controlled by Huo Yuhao
First Appearance	501

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Soul Douluo, Rank 82	503	Originally possessed a Sun Martial Soul, seventh-level soul engineer certification, and an eight-ring configuration of two yellow, two purple, and four black rings. His cultivation was largely supported by high-grade pills.
Rank 86	522	Reached after Huo Yuhao’s cultivation methods raised his innate soul power from Rank 7 to Rank 8.
Rank 87	533	Advanced through cultivation with captured Soul Masters; his aura became noticeably more wicked and alluring.
Rank 89	567	His innate soul power rose to Rank 9, while the Sun Martial Soul began transforming.
Rank 90	569	Reached the bottleneck for Titled Douluo, but his physique was initially too weak to bear a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring.
Titled Douluo, Rank 94	570 571	Completed the first layer of the Nine Deaths Divine Skill, then absorbed the Hundred-Thousand-Year Purgatory Demon Dragon’s fire-attribute soul ring and right-arm soul bone.
Super Douluo, Rank 95	608	The second layer of the Nine Deaths Divine Skill balanced the yin and yang forces in his body, granted Innate Full Soul Power, and awakened an acquired second Martial Soul.
Super Douluo, Rank 97	754	Completed the third layer of the Nine Deaths Divine Skill, obtaining a Destruction Spiritual Body and transforming his Sun Martial Soul’s fire into Ultimate Fire/Destruction Fire.
Limit Douluo aura	851	Silenced the representatives of numerous major factions by revealing a Limit Douluo aura.

Background

Xu Tiancheng was the Sun Moon Empire’s Third Prince and one of the principal contenders in the imperial succession. Before Huo Yuhao’s intervention, he was supported by the Imperial Clan, controlled the Royal Family Inspection Team, and sought to use wealth, underground forces, and noble influence to compete for the throne. His position depended on bringing benefits to the Imperial Clan, which regarded him more as its spokesperson than its leader. 501 503

Originally, Xu Tiancheng’s talent was respectable but not exceptional. He possessed Rank 7 innate soul power, a comparatively ordinary Sun Martial Soul, and Rank 82 soul power in his twenties; much of his advancement came from consuming expensive cultivation pills. 503

Huo Yuhao, operating through the Death God Messenger identity, infiltrated Xu Tiancheng’s estate with Eunuch Gao. The pair subdued the prince, his guards, and his hidden Titled Douluo protectors; Huo Yuhao then used the Life-Reaping Sanskrit and Three Lifetimes Spirit Communication Pill to take control of Xu Tiancheng as a puppet. 501 502

Under Huo Yuhao’s control, Xu Tiancheng’s strength, aptitude, political influence, and military reputation rose dramatically. He passed the eighth-level soul engineer assessment by producing the Rank 8 Zhuge Divine Crossbow Cannon, gained Prince Guosheng’s support, and began openly challenging Crown Prince Xu Tianran’s authority. 519 527

During the campaign against the White Lotus Sect, Xu Tiancheng took command of a demoralized military camp, rallied the troops into a counterattack, and won repeated victories. His authority over the Beast King Legions, the Southern Legion, and more than a thousand Soul Engineers earned him the reputation of the “God of the Army.” 642 643 649 740

After Xu Tianran’s death, Xu Tiancheng became the empire’s uncontested heir. He stabilized Mingdu, accepted Jing Hongchen and the Hongchen Family’s submission, consolidated the empire’s military forces, and was thereafter addressed as Crown Prince. 740 806

Appearance

Xu Tiancheng is a tall, upright young man with sternly handsome features, short black hair, and dark skin—a trait regarded as noble in the Sun Moon Empire. His bearing became increasingly sinister and alluring after his cultivation changed his body and aura. 522 533 608 812

• Often wears luxurious red robes with white jade at his waist. 522
• Later appears in bright yellow court robes befitting his authority. 812
• Developed a faint sun mark between his brows and a pale ghost claw on his left hand after completing the first layer of the Nine Deaths Divine Skill. 570
• His eyes can show a blood-red shadow after cultivation involving Soul Master flesh and blood. 533
• When using the Purple Emperor Annihilation Heavenly Dragon, his eyes become draconic and dragon-scale patterns appear across his skin. 666

Personality

Before being controlled, Xu Tiancheng was aloof, condescending, and detached from common people. He valued the White Lotus Sect primarily as a potential private force that could provide money, resources, and political leverage. 501 506

After Huo Yuhao took control, the Third Prince’s public persona became far more theatrical and provocative. He openly humiliated Xu Tianran, cultivated an indulgent reputation among nobles, and used displays of power to draw supporters and intimidate opponents. 522 612 637

As a commander, he is forceful and decisive. He is willing to strike subordinates, demand immediate obedience, and use fear or charisma as needed to restore discipline. 643 806

Abilities & Skills

Sun Martial Soul

Xu Tiancheng’s original Martial Soul is the Sun. Its quality improved substantially after he absorbed a Hundred-Thousand-Year fire-attribute soul ring and cultivated the Visualization Method and Nine Deaths Divine Skill. 503 571

• Possesses nine soul rings: two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red. 571
• His Hundred-Thousand-Year Purgatory Demon Dragon ring and soul bone brought two domain-type and two enhancement-type soul skills. 571
• His Sun Martial Soul later attained the Ultimate Fire Attribute, also called Destruction Fire. 754
• He can use the Sun Martial Soul to project a scorching presence over an entire battlefield and establish authority over his troops. 642

Purple Emperor Annihilation Heavenly Dragon

After completing the second layer of the Nine Deaths Divine Skill, Xu Tiancheng gained the Purple Emperor Annihilation Heavenly Dragon as an acquired second Martial Soul. 608

• The Martial Soul possesses the Destruction Attribute, which can wear down and destroy incoming soul skills. 666
• Its dragon might forced Zhongli Wu’s Bone Dragon King to recoil and release Xu Tiancheng. 666
• It is regarded by the Sun Moon Imperial Family as the true emperor Martial Soul and a qualification for the throne. 666 667
• Fusion with the Destruction Soul Core further strengthened and evolved the Martial Soul. 753

Nine Deaths Divine Skill

Huo Yuhao used the Nine Deaths Divine Skill to forcibly reconstruct Xu Tiancheng’s body, aptitude, and cultivation foundation. 570 754

• First layer — Bone cultivation: Shattered and remolded his bones, tendons, and physique; greatly improved his physical and cultivation aptitude. 570 754
• Second layer — Viscera cultivation: Regulated the five qi, balanced the conflicting yin and yang forces in his body, and elevated him to Innate Full Soul Power. 608 754
• Third layer — Spiritual body cultivation: Required his flesh and blood to be stripped away and remolded using rare resources; resulted in a Destruction Spiritual Body. 754
• The technique consumes lifespan, with the first two layers costing three years and twenty years respectively. 608

Soul Engineering

Xu Tiancheng became an eighth-level soul engineer after passing the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy’s assessment. 527

• Developed the Rank 8 Zhuge Divine Crossbow Cannon for his assessment. 527
• Commands and equips large formations of Soul Engineers after consolidating the empire’s military. 806
• Established the Imperial Reverse Scale, a special legion whose members must be at least eighth-level soul engineers or eight-ring Soul Douluo. 806

Yin Claw Hand

The Yin Claw Hand is an evil cultivation technique that developed a pale ghost claw on Xu Tiancheng’s left hand. 570

• Its yin power initially conflicted dangerously with the yang power of his Sun Martial Soul. 605 608
• The second layer of the Nine Deaths Divine Skill temporarily stabilized this conflict through the five viscera. 608

Equipment

• Zhuge Divine Crossbow Cannon — Rank 8 soul tool developed for his eighth-level soul engineer assessment. 527
• Sun Shooting Divine Crossbow Cannon — Rank 9 long-range combat soul tool. 649
• Black Blade Dual Swords — Rank 9 close-combat soul tool. 649
• Blazing Sky Net — Rank 9 combination soul tool. 649
• Invincible Shield — Defensive soul tool. 649
• Unbreakable Divine Shield — Defensive soul tool formerly belonging to Zheng Zhan. 751
• Guardian Pearl — Support soul tool acquired from the Xi Shui Alliance. 751
• Delay Ray — Rank 9 control-type soul tool that slows targets with a special beam. 751
• Hundred-Thousand-Year Purgatory Demon Dragon Right Arm Bone — Fire-attribute soul bone absorbed alongside his red soul ring. 571

Relationships

• Huo Yuhao — Secret controller of Xu Tiancheng’s body and the architect behind his rapid growth, military rise, and political schemes. 502 570 754
• Xu Tianran — Elder brother and principal rival for the throne. Their hostility escalated into open conflict; Xu Tiancheng later joined the effort to kill him. 612 661 751
• Prince Guosheng — Imperial uncle, manager of the Imperial Clan, and Xu Tiancheng’s staunch supporter; later brought under Huo Yuhao’s control. 519
• Celadon Douluo — Controlled Titled Douluo subordinate who assisted with the Nine Deaths Divine Skill and military campaigns. 570 643
• Ink Shadow Douluo — Controlled Titled Douluo subordinate who assisted with Xu Tiancheng’s cultivation and served as a battlefield aide. 570 643
• Jing Hongchen — Head of the Hongchen Family, who submitted to Xu Tiancheng in exchange for his family’s survival. 740
• Zhongli Wu — Holy Spirit Cult leader who attempted to recruit and kill Xu Tiancheng; their battle exposed Xu Tiancheng’s second Martial Soul. 665 666
• Tang Ya — Allied figure who coordinated with Xu Tiancheng during the Soul Master Competition to expose damaging secrets. 902
• Na Na — A subordinate responsible for private communication between Xu Tiancheng and Ju Zi. 806

Story Role / Major Arcs

Seizure of the Third Prince’s Body

The Death God Messenger arranged a meeting with Xu Tiancheng under the pretext of discussing the White Lotus Sect. Huo Yuhao and Eunuch Gao infiltrated the prince’s estate, suppressed its defenders, and converted Xu Tiancheng into a controlled puppet. 501 502

Eighth-Level Soul Engineer Assessment

Xu Tiancheng shocked Mingdu by applying for an eighth-level soul engineer assessment. He passed after unveiling the Rank 8 Zhuge Divine Crossbow Cannon, dramatically raising his prestige and making Xu Tianran view him as a major threat. 518 527

Rise Through the Southern Campaign

Sent to suppress the White Lotus Sect rebellion, Xu Tiancheng used military strategy, battlefield authority, and decisive counterattacks to seize control of the camp. His victories won him the loyalty of Soul Engineer legions and transformed him into a genuine imperial power. 625 637 643 649

Conflict at the Ming King Divine Artifact

Xu Tiancheng and Xu Tianran jointly entered the mountain containing the Ming King Divine Artifact, though both intended to eliminate the other. During the ensuing chaos, Xu Tiancheng killed Xu Tianyuan and fought Zhongli Wu, revealing the Purple Emperor Annihilation Heavenly Dragon Martial Soul. 661 664 666

Consolidation of the Throne

Following Xu Tianran’s death, Xu Tiancheng returned to Mingdu, received the Hongchen Family’s loyalty, suppressed underground forces, and stabilized the empire. He later consolidated the national military into a force answerable only to him. 740 741 806

Soul Master Competition

As Crown Prince, Xu Tiancheng presided over the Soul Master Competition, displayed overwhelming authority before domestic and foreign attendees, announced extraordinary prizes, and used the event to reshape continental faction politics. 812 851 853

Notable Quotes

“I am the empire's Third Prince. From this moment on, I will take control of the military camp! Who approves, and who opposes?” 642

“If anyone causes trouble, give them only one warning. If there is a second time, show no mercy. Use blood to tell every outsider that this is my territory!” 806

Trivia

• Xu Tiancheng originally had no evident potential for further Martial Soul evolution; Huo Yuhao’s intervention eventually gave him acquired Twin Martial Souls. 501 608
• His public reputation for indulgence and “parties” led nobles to offer daughters and female Soul Masters to gain his favor. 637
• Despite his public title as Third Prince, he was already being addressed as Crown Prince by the time he directed Mingdu’s security preparations for the Soul Master Competition. 806