Li Yuan

Biodata

Feature	Detail
Name	Li Yuan 9 23 27
Gender	Male 9 16 23
Species	Human
Rank	Sixth Grade Great Perfection; Gang Body minor success 51 214 215
Affiliation	Acting Vice Principal and former Director of the Teaching and Research Office at Lingshan No.1 High School; represented Lingshan City in the Youth Martial Tournament and won first place; qualified as the education line's representative for the Lanwu Trial 62 67 89 183
Martial Arts Techniques	Cloud Treading Step, Six Martial Chain Blade, Cloud Extreme Fist, Collapse Extreme Fist, Heavenly Refining Body, Wiping Blade, Mountain Bodyguard Qi 33 35 39 45 51 194 200
Unique Talent	[Mind Enlightenment], [Enlightenment to Perfection], [Martial Recruitment Accelerator], [Flaw Insight], [Photographic Memory], [Nimble Hands], [Technique Self-Adaptation] 2 3 15 43 97 150 217
Mentor / Teacher Figure	Xia Zhao (shared practical experience on martial cultivation, fierce-beast combat, and advancement during their encounter in Qijia Town) 39 43
Notable Feats	Defeated Gu Yu to secure his tournament qualification and again in their rematch; killed his first C-grade fierce beast, a Great Coil Snake; won first place in the Youth Martial Tournament; secured the education line's Lanwu Trial qualification; completed consecutive B-grade Lanwu Trial missions; earned Second-Class Merit at the southern border; severely injured Jin Fan during their Stone Peak River confrontation; advanced from Sixth Grade initial stage to Sixth Grade Great Perfection in a single breakthrough 22 53 62 67 77 106 157 176 214

Background

Li Yuan was a 30-year-old martial arts teacher at Lingshan No.1 High School, having lived in the High Martial World for ten years after being transported there 1. He had been stuck at the Fourth Grade Realm for years, and his financial situation was dire—he was afraid to answer his parents’ calls at night, knowing he had little savings and could not afford even moderately expensive medical bills 1. The only path to advancement was to break through to Fifth-Rank, which would qualify him for the Intermediate Lecturer selection 1. To that end, he had spent three years trading credits and sacrificing his winter and summer breaks to earn a spot in the Southeast Region Youth Martial Artist Exchange Tournament, a month-long event that provided each participant with daily B-grade Nutrient Fluid—resources essential for his breakthrough 1.

Although Li Yuan had been regarded by the school administration as having limited martial potential, he had actually reached Fourth Grade at age twenty-one and had spent many of his prime cultivation years prioritizing his responsibilities as a teacher 2. He routinely covered classes for colleagues such as Jin Fan and dedicated significant energy to his students, contributing to his prolonged stagnation in martial cultivation 4.

The turning point came when Li Yuan activated [Mind Enlightenment] and discovered a Talent Tree within his mind, a system that allowed him to unlock talents by collecting Light Points—experience orbs dropped by students during teaching sessions 2. He immediately unlocked a talent that enhanced his comprehension and learning speed, and he began gathering Light Points around the school to gain more experience and unlock further talents 2. This newfound ability gave him the confidence and energy to fight for his rightful place in the tournament.

Shortly after awakening, Li Yuan learned that the school leadership had decided to give his hard-earned qualification to Jin Fan, a younger teacher who had been at the school for only a year but was already renowned as the "Top of Fourth Grade" and a disciple of a Grandmaster 1 9. At a weekly meeting, Director Ma Tingde publicly announced that Jin Fan would represent the school, thanking Li Yuan for his "efforts" 1. Li Yuan refused to accept this, standing up and directly challenging the decision, declaring that he intended to participate himself 1. The confrontation escalated when Principal Yin accused Li Yuan of lacking a sense of the big picture and threatened to cancel the school’s participation altogether, but Li Yuan remained firm, arguing that the qualification was rightfully his, earned through three years of hard work 1 17. Eventually, the principal relented and arranged an internal competition to decide the representative, a match that heavily favored Jin Fan 2.

Despite the odds, Li Yuan trained diligently and, with his newly enhanced comprehension, advanced his cultivation of the Zhou Tian Dao Yin Technique 5. He also invested time in preparing his students, teaching intensive classes before his leave and maintaining his teaching duties even as he fought for his own opportunity 5 25. The internal competition took place after Gu Yu substituted for Jin Fan, and Li Yuan defeated Gu Yu in a sparring match, forcing the school to submit his name for the tournament 19 22. Principal Yin, Director Ma, and other school leaders were visibly disappointed, but Li Yuan remained humble and focused, arriving early each day and giving them no excuse to criticize his conduct 23.

With the spot secured, Li Yuan faced continued opposition. Rumors spread that his participation would harm Lingshan City’s ranking and development, and organizations pressured him to yield his place to Jin Fan 24. Principal Yin again asked Li Yuan to reconsider during a meeting about an upcoming Open Class inspection, but Li Yuan calmly held his ground 26. Deputy Director Zeng Chang of the Education Bureau called Li Yuan to a private meeting and offered his support, revealing his own political ambitions and promising B-grade Nutrient Fluid and a wilderness training session in exchange for Li Yuan fighting for a top-30 spot in the tournament 30. Li Yuan accepted, understanding the arrangement’s transactional nature 30. He took a 20-day leave to focus on his training, during which he broke through to Fifth-Rank Martial Artist, though he discovered that his basic cultivation method, the Zhou Tian Dao Yin Technique, had limited effects at the new rank 32. He also analyzed the rules of the light orb drop system and realized he should concentrate his teaching at Lingshan No.1 High School to gain more experience points, planning to obtain his fourth Talent Point before the tournament 25.

Li Yuan’s wilderness training in Qijia Town became a pivotal stage in his growth. Under the cover identity “Wuling Education,” he entered the beast-infested ruins to gain practical combat experience 33 34. There he encountered Xia Zhao, an injured Eighth Grade Martial Artist, and used his knowledge of medicinal herbs to treat her infected wound over several days 37 39. While sheltering together, Li Yuan and Xia Zhao exchanged martial knowledge: Xia Zhao shared her tested experience in fighting fierce beasts, overcoming obstacles at Fifth Grade, and advancing toward Sixth Grade, while Li Yuan’s exceptional comprehension enabled him to identify deeper principles and even resolve problems in her difficult Feather Blade technique 39 40 41. Before they separated, Xia Zhao gave him an annotated copy of the Heavenly Refining Body cultivation method 40 43.

After returning home, Li Yuan studied the Heavenly Refining Body, rapidly condensed Gang Qi, and began forging a Gang Body 45. His continued cultivation elevated his physical strength to Fifth Grade mid-stage before the tournament, while his Gang Body’s minor success improved his defense, stamina, energy, and recovery 51.

In the final days before departure, Li Yuan helped his friend Chen Yong prepare for an Open Class, visited Lingshan No.1 High School to answer students’ questions, and received a protective inner armor from Gu Yu, who expressed concern for his safety 47. On the morning of departure, Li Yuan arrived at the provincial sports center where the martial artists from Lingshan City gathered 47. At the roll call, he clashed with Ma Qi from the Water Resources Bureau over Li Yuan’s decision to drive Jin Fan to Chishan City, but Li Yuan assertively defended his actions 48. He also learned that Director Zeng was facing potential demotion, and that Zeng’s support for him was tied to the hope that Li Yuan would achieve a high enough ranking to alleviate the pressure on the city administration 48. Li Yuan then set off with the other participants, maintaining a low profile and focusing solely on the tournament ahead 49.

During the Youth Martial Tournament, Li Yuan applied his cultivated techniques and [Flaw Insight] in genuine wilderness combat. He killed a C-grade Great Coil Snake for his first fierce-beast kill, then hunted a pack of Rock-Skin Hyenas to surge into second place on the Ranking Points Board 53 55. Despite being dismissed by many as a temporary “dark horse,” Li Yuan ultimately won first place in the Youth Martial Tournament, helping Lingshan City reach tenth place and secure an Economic Inspection Team visit 61 62. The victory transformed his public standing: he was no longer seen merely as an ordinary high-school teacher, and promotion and improved treatment became widely expected 62.

After the tournament, Li Yuan completed his intermediate professional title evaluation and returned to Lingshan No.1 High School, where he found that the school had prominently celebrated Jin Fan’s Snow Shadow Mountain training qualification rather than his own championship 69. He remained committed to teaching and cultivation despite the slight. As Principal Yin’s dissatisfaction deepened and the conflict between them became increasingly irreconcilable, Li Yuan continued cultivating the Heavenly Refining Body and approached Fifth Grade Perfection 72.

As the first-place winner in the education line of the Youth Martial Tournament, Li Yuan gained the qualification to participate in the Lanwu Trial, a valuable training opportunity awarded to each line’s champion 67. Young Master Liu also sent him A-grade Nutrient Solution, further supplementing his cultivation resources as he prepared to make another advance at Fifth Grade 72.

Li Yuan defeated Gu Yu again in their subsequent arranged rematch, demonstrating perfected Fifth Grade strength and a physical foundation that completely surpassed Gu Yu’s 75 77. This victory vindicated Deputy Director Zeng’s support and helped confirm Li Yuan’s promotion within the school system. Zeng also promised to assist him in acquiring a Snow Shadow Mountain training opportunity 77.

The conflict with Jin Fan escalated from rivalry into a life-and-death feud after Jin Fan attempted to ambush Li Yuan outside Lingshan City. Li Yuan escaped into a monitored area, preventing Jin Fan from acting openly, but both men understood that their hostility had become irreconcilable 84 85. Seeking greater security for himself and his parents, Li Yuan later moved his family to Heavenly Vista Garden 85 87.

Before departing for the Lanwu Trial, Li Yuan accepted a blind date arranged by his parents and met Xu Nianxing, an internet-company employee from the provincial city 87 88. Although Li Yuan frankly disclosed his dangerous enmity with a Grandmaster’s disciple, Xu Nianxing was not immediately deterred, and the two continued communicating afterward 88 123. Their developing relationship was later strained by Xu Nianxing’s mother’s disdain toward Li Yuan’s parents and her fixation on status and wealth 123 187.

In Lan Eagle City, Li Yuan entered the Lanwu Trial intending to obtain more advanced movement arts and martial skills, recognizing that Cloud Treading Step and Six Martial Chain Blade were becoming insufficient against powerful opponents 91. He unexpectedly reunited with his university ex-girlfriend Zhuang Meng, who served as a liaison officer for the trial and tried to pressure him into leaving because of concerns about her fiancé 91 93. Li Yuan completed the deliberately difficult “Clear Ash and Remove Obstacles” mission in only two and a half hours, decisively disproving Zhuang Meng’s poor assessment of him and changing liaison officers to Chen Moying 99 100.

Li Yuan rapidly established himself as one of the Lanwu Trial’s most capable participants, successively completing B-grade missions involving dangerous locations and complex machinery 106 110. His experience and Xia Zhao’s earlier guidance enabled him to break through to Sixth Grade after three days of intensive cultivation 109. His superior physique, Gang Qi, and combat ability also let him repel a B-grade Little Rock Bear during a mission in Wugang City 110.

Following his promotion to Director of the Teaching and Research Office, Li Yuan used his authority to reform Lingshan No.1 High School’s instructional work. He personally organized large lectures for all three grades, imposed stricter standards on teachers, and led intensive training ahead of the provincial Open Class inspection 115 117 119. His instruction successfully raised his colleagues’ standards, secured favorable Open Class results for the school, and strengthened his administrative authority despite Principal Yin’s attempts to undermine him 120 123 128.

Li Yuan volunteered for southern-border training, where he led and protected fellow martial artists during dangerous missions 136 151. While trapped in a laboratory with Xia Yao, he gained his sixth Talent Point and unlocked [Nimble Hands], allowing him to fashion tools and perform the extremely precise work needed to open a complex lock 150. He later used the same talent to dissect fierce-beast corpses and independently recover valuable materials 156. His contributions at the border earned him Second-Class Merit, an honor Lingshan City had not awarded in nearly thirty years 157.

The merit award and his continued achievements made Li Yuan an increasingly important figure at Lingshan No.1 High School. He investigated suspicious expenditures in the dissection course and exposed Huang Bo’s misuse of high-grade fierce-beast corpses for personal profit 159 161 163. He was subsequently elevated to acting Vice Principal, gaining broader authority over academic affairs and school funding 183.

At the Stone Peak River Teaching Research Conference, Li Yuan impressed senior educators by conducting a profound analysis of the elementary Zhou Tian Dao Yin Technique, earning support from respected teachers Zhang Xu and Han Zhuoxun 170. Jin Fan attempted to exploit their practical demonstration match to seriously injure him, but Li Yuan instead defeated Jin Fan and inflicted severe injuries that likely damaged Jin Fan’s martial foundation 170 176 215. Xia Zhao later revealed that Jin Fan had suffered a third-degree internal-organ concussion injury, while Li Yuan admitted that he had deliberately struck hard because Jin Fan had repeatedly sought his life 215.

During a fourth-tier treasure-hunting expedition in Yanling Town, Li Yuan deciphered ancient stone slabs with [Mind Enlightenment] and forwarded their contents to Xia Zhao 193. He acquired the high-level Wiping Blade martial skill and the defensive Mountain Bodyguard Qi from the expedition, both of which complemented the extraordinary stamina and Gang Qi produced by the Heavenly Refining Body 194 197. He mastered the three realms of Wiping Blade in roughly ten days and used it to defeat an assassin sent against him 200.

Li Yuan later returned to Lan Eagle City to undertake a difficult command-headquarters operation amid political conflict and defamatory rumors spread by Zhuang Meng and her associates 198 203 204. Xia Zhao openly backed his ability to resolve the dangerous mission, further demonstrating her trust in him 205. After following Xia Zhao’s advice to take S-grade Nutrient Tonic only after exhausting himself, Li Yuan made a leaping breakthrough from Sixth Grade initial stage to Sixth Grade Great Perfection 214. He returned to Lingshan City determined to personally teach every senior-year class while remaining alert to the Jin Family’s ongoing surveillance and possible retaliation 215.

• Age 30, teacher at Lingshan No.1 High School: Stuck at Fourth Grade Realm for years, struggling financially, and relying on the Youth Martial Tournament as a critical opportunity for cultivation resources and breakthrough to Fifth-Rank 1.
• Earned Youth Martial Tournament qualification over three years: Sacrificed winter and summer breaks, trading credits to secure a spot, only to have the school attempt to give it to Jin Fan 1 17.
• Activated Mind Enlightenment and discovered the Talent Tree: Unlocked a talent that boosted comprehension and learning speed, and began collecting Light Points from students to gain experience and unlock further talents 2.
• Confronted school leadership over the qualification: Publicly challenged Principal Yin and Director Ma at a weekly meeting, leading to an internal competition to decide the representative 1.
• Won the internal competition: Defeated Gu Yu, who substituted for Jin Fan, in a sparring match; then ensured the school submitted his tournament registration 19 22.
• Advanced to Fifth-Rank Martial Artist: Took a 20-day leave to train intensively, broke through to Fifth-Rank, but found his basic cultivation method inadequate at the new level 32.
• Survived and trained in Qijia Town: Rescued and treated the injured Xia Zhao, learned from her practical experience, and received the annotated Heavenly Refining Body method 39 40 43.
• Secured support from Deputy Director Zeng Chang: Accepted an offer of B-grade Nutrient Fluid and wilderness training in exchange for aiming for a top-30 finish in the tournament 30.
• Departed for the tournament: Arrived at the provincial sports center for the gathering, clashed with Ma Qi over a driving incident, and joined the other participants from Lingshan City 47 48 49.
• Won the Youth Martial Tournament: Rose from an early fourth-place ranking to second place and ultimately claimed first place, contributing to Lingshan City’s tenth-place finish 54 55 61 62.
• Qualified for the Lanwu Trial: Earned the education line’s sole Lanwu Trial qualification as the line’s Youth Martial Tournament champion 67.
• Approached Fifth Grade Perfection: Continued cultivating the Heavenly Refining Body after the tournament, received A-grade Nutrient Solution from Young Master Liu, and prepared for a rematch with Gu Yu from a position of confidence 69 72.
• Defeated Gu Yu in a rematch: Overwhelmed Gu Yu with perfected Fifth Grade strength and confirmed that the gap between them had widened rather than narrowed 75 77.
• Entered the Lanwu Trial and completed B-grade missions: Defied Zhuang Meng’s attempts to discourage him, changed to Chen Moying as liaison officer, and rapidly became a leading trial participant 99 100 106.
• Advanced to Sixth Grade Martial Artist: Broke through after three days of cultivation and subsequently refined his Gang Qi again through the Heavenly Refining Body 109 110.
• Earned Second-Class Merit: Received rare official recognition for his southern-border service, dramatically raising his standing in Lingshan City and at Lingshan No.1 High School 157.
• Became acting Vice Principal: Rose from classroom teacher to teaching-research director and then acting Vice Principal, gaining authority over academic affairs and related funding 89 183.
• Defeated and severely injured Jin Fan: Turned Jin Fan’s attempted ambush during the Stone Peak River practical demonstration against him, leaving Jin Fan with serious internal injuries 170 176 215.
• Reached Sixth Grade Great Perfection: Used S-grade Nutrient Tonic according to Xia Zhao’s advice and advanced from Sixth Grade initial stage to Great Perfection in a single leap 214 215.
• Unlocked [Technique Self-Adaptation]: Obtained his seventh Talent Point and gained the ability to adapt techniques to his own physique, foundation, and cultivation path 217.

Abilities and Skills

[Mind Enlightenment]

[Mind Enlightenment] is Li Yuan’s initial Talent Tree ability. It awakened the Talent Tree in his sea of consciousness and sharply improved his learning speed, reading efficiency, and basic comprehension. It also allows him to collect Light Points generated when others genuinely gain understanding from his teaching or discussion, converting accumulated experience into Talent Points 2 3.

• Li Yuan’s reading speed and understanding of Grandmaster Fang Jianxian’s analysis of Cloud Extreme Fist improve dramatically immediately after the talent awakens. 2
• Through teaching and interacting with students, Li Yuan gathers Light Points to condense further Talent Points. 2 8 9
• The talent enables him to understand ancient, fragmented writing on stone slabs in the dangerous fourth-tier treasure-hunting area. 193
• [Mind Enlightenment] forms the foundation of Li Yuan’s later Talent Tree development, allowing him to accumulate seven Talent Points by Chapter 217. 217

[Flaw Insight]

[Flaw Insight] is a talent that grants Li Yuan the ability to perceive the weaknesses and imperfections in any technique or movement he observes. Rather than simply seeing the surface execution, he intuits the underlying structural faults, allowing him to exploit them in combat or deepen his own understanding by recognizing flaws in others’ practice. This talent activates automatically when observing opponents or practitioners, making it a powerful tool for both offense and learning.

• In the Youth Martial Tournament, Li Yuan uses [Flaw Insight] to identify the precise moment a Great Coil Snake (C-grade) exposes a gap in its attack pattern, enabling him to land a killing blow with his Cloud Treading Step and blade. 53
• While observing elderly residents practicing the Body-Strengthening Tranquil Heart Technique, Li Yuan sees the flaws in their movements, which helps him refine his own practical combat instincts. 46
• The talent sharpens his general combat awareness, allowing him to adapt mid-fight by targeting an opponent’s weakest points rather than engaging them head-on. 43 53
• Its utility was central to Li Yuan’s ability to efficiently hunt large numbers of C-grade fierce beasts during the Youth Martial Tournament. 56 69
• Li Yuan expects [Flaw Insight] to expose the numerous weaknesses in Gu Yu’s relatively limited practical combat experience, even if Gu Yu has studied the Cloud Extreme Fist. 72
• At the southern border, Li Yuan considers [Flaw Insight] a major source of his advantage in practical combat against varied opponents and fierce beasts. 137

[Enlightenment to Perfection]

[Enlightenment to Perfection] is a talent unlocked from the Enlightenment branch of Li Yuan’s Talent Tree. It transforms his comprehension ability from mere understanding to a deep investigation of the root, principle, and essence of whatever he observes. This allows him to see past surface explanations and grasp the core mechanics of techniques, cultivation methods, and even the interplay between different martial concepts. The talent dramatically accelerates his learning and mastery, as he can now deconstruct and rebuild techniques at a fundamental level.

• Upon first activating [Enlightenment to Perfection], Li Yuan rereads the Zhou Tian Dao Yin Technique and realizes the key concept of "Dao Yin"—guiding qi into the body and circulating it through Zhou Tian cycles—which he had previously missed. This insight allows him to perform multiple Zhou Tian refinements per breath, increasing cultivation efficiency several times over. 3
• He applies the talent to his martial techniques: the Collapse Extreme Fist, Six Martial Chain Blade, and Cloud Treading Step, gaining new insights that improve their proficiency within only two days of practice. 4
• The talent boosts his overall martial strength by nearly forty percent, as he is able to deepen his mastery of all his core techniques. 8
• It also enhances his teaching ability; when he instructs Class Fourteen in Sinking Mountain Fist, his deep understanding (derived from [Enlightenment to Perfection]) leads to student breakthroughs and rapid learning. 6 8
• Li Yuan’s understanding of the Cloud Extreme Fist eventually surpasses that found in analytical books written by Grandmasters, giving him confidence that Gu Yu cannot truly unravel the technique through study alone. 72
• While in Qijia Town, Li Yuan uses this comprehension to discuss difficult martial techniques with Xia Zhao and provide insights into her Feather Blade technique that she later verifies as effective in practice. 40 41 63
• At the Stone Peak River Teaching Research Conference, his explanation of the Zhou Tian Dao Yin Technique earns the serious attention and praise of senior educators Zhang Xu and Han Zhuoxun. 170

[Martial Recruitment Accelerator]

[Martial Recruitment Accelerator] is a talent that greatly increases Li Yuan’s speed of mastering martial skills. It effectively shortens the time required to learn new techniques and raise their proficiency, making him a rapid learner in practical combat arts. This talent complements his other Enlightenment talents by focusing specifically on the recruitment and internalization of martial skills into his muscle memory and reaction.

• With this talent, Li Yuan finds the Cloud Extreme Fist technique much easier to master than expected, allowing him to reach a high level of competence in a short period. 15
• He uses it to accelerate his preparation for the match against Jin Fan, planning to condense a talent point for the Combat branch while relying on [Martial Recruitment Accelerator] to quickly build skill in the Cloud Extreme Fist and other techniques. 15
• The talent allows Li Yuan to condense Gang Qi after only one hour of practice following his study of the Heavenly Refining Body. 45
• It helps make Li Yuan’s application of Cloud Extreme Fist comparable to that of a martial artist who has refined the technique for more than a decade. 34
• It supports Li Yuan’s extraordinarily rapid progress with new combat skills, including his ability to make Wiping Blade usable in actual combat after only about ten days of practice. 200

[Photographic Memory]

[Photographic Memory] is a later Talent Tree ability that allows Li Yuan to rapidly and accurately memorize written material, mission information, and technical details. It complements his Enlightenment talents by preserving information perfectly for later analysis and application 97.

• Li Yuan uses [Photographic Memory] to memorize all mission details and safety regulations for the “Clear Ash and Remove Obstacles” Lanwu Trial mission. 97
• Together with [Mind Enlightenment], the talent allows him to read and retain complex manuals at exceptional speed. 190
• Its practical value extends beyond martial arts, helping Li Yuan handle highly detailed technical procedures and mission requirements. 97 205

[Nimble Hands]

[Nimble Hands] is the first Talent Li Yuan unlocks in the Skill branch. It greatly improves fine hand control, precision, and the accuracy of delicate operations 150.

• Li Yuan unlocks [Nimble Hands] while trapped in a laboratory with Xia Yao, after using a martial-arts discussion to gather the final experience needed for his sixth Talent Point. 150
• He uses the talent to create suitable lockpicking tools from available materials and attempt the laboratory’s highly precise lock cylinder. 150
• After returning from the border, Li Yuan uses its enhanced control to dissect fierce-beast corpses himself, avoiding dissection fees and recovering materials independently. 156
• The talent gives him the precision necessary for technical tasks that ordinary martial strength alone cannot solve. 150 156

[Technique Self-Adaptation]

[Technique Self-Adaptation] is an Enlightenment-branch talent unlocked with Li Yuan’s seventh Talent Point. It allows him to deeply understand a technique and modify its form so it properly fits his own physique, cultivation foundation, and practical requirements 217.

• The talent improves technique compatibility, deepens Li Yuan’s understanding, and accelerates further cultivation. 217
• It addresses the problem that most modern techniques were designed around their creators’ physiques rather than Li Yuan’s unusually powerful body and Gang Qi foundation. 217
• Li Yuan considers it especially important for avoiding the stagnation that can result when prodigies merely imitate inherited techniques instead of rebuilding and adapting their foundations. 217

Zhou Tian Dao Yin Technique (Foundation Cultivation Method)

The Zhou Tian Dao Yin Technique is Li Yuan’s primary foundational cultivation method, divided into a breathing method and a body refinement technique. It does not directly grant combat ability but is the root of a martial artist’s growth, responsible for tempering the body, advancing martial realms, and converting nutrient fluid into personal power. Proper execution involves guiding qi into the body through inhalation and circulating it through Zhou Tian—the full body’s energy channels—to refine the physique.

• After applying [Enlightenment to Perfection], Li Yuan understands that the technique’s essence lies in the term “Dao Yin”: guiding qi internally. He learns to perform several cycles of Zhou Tian refinement per breath, greatly increasing cultivation speed. 3
• His thorough mastery of the technique allows his martial foundation to reach the peak of Fourth Grade before his match with Gu Yu. 19
• He cultivates through the night after unlocking [Enlightenment to Perfection], leading to a clear increase in his physique and greatly improved cultivation efficiency. 3
• After advancing to Fifth Grade, Li Yuan recognizes that the method’s effects have become too weak to sustain his higher-level cultivation needs. 32 39
• Despite later replacing it with the Heavenly Refining Body as his primary cultivation method, Li Yuan retains an exceptionally deep grasp of the Zhou Tian Dao Yin Technique and uses it as the subject of an acclaimed teaching-research presentation. 170

Cloud Extreme Fist (Martial Technique)

Cloud Extreme Fist is a fist technique that Li Yuan practices as part of his core combat repertoire. It features several distinct forms, including Cloud Gathering Form (defensive/redirection) and Flowing Cloud Form (offensive pursuit). The technique emphasizes fluidity, adaptation, and seizing opportunities in battle. Li Yuan’s mastery of this technique—aided by his talents—proves superior to that of more experienced opponents like Gu Yu.

• Li Yuan uses Cloud Gathering Form to counter Gu Yu’s attack from a tricky angle, surprising everyone. 20
• He follows up with Flowing Cloud Form to push Gu Yu back, demonstrating the superiority of his Cloud Extreme Fist over Gu Yu’s fundamentals. 20
• Under the influence of [Martial Recruitment Accelerator], he masters the Cloud Extreme Fist quickly, becoming confident in its application. 15
• Its frequent changes and refined structure made it difficult for Gu Yu to read during their first encounter, though Li Yuan believes the technique’s depth—not merely its unfamiliarity—was decisive. 19 34
• Li Yuan’s understanding of the technique continues to advance after the tournament, leaving him certain that Gu Yu cannot overcome it merely through a month of study. 69 72
• Gu Yu’s later rematch confirms Li Yuan’s judgment: even after studying the technique, Gu Yu cannot overcome Li Yuan’s superior foundation, comprehension, and practical application. 75 77

Cloud Treading Step (Movement Technique)

Cloud Treading Step is Li Yuan’s movement technique, enabling agility, evasion, and rapid closing of distance. It is used in conjunction with his fist and blade techniques. Xia Zhao praised his skill in this technique during their training together, and Li Yuan has continued to refine it.

• During the Youth Martial Tournament, Li Yuan uses Cloud Treading Step to outmaneuver a Great Coil Snake and evade its strikes, then to close in for the kill. 53
• He reviews and trains the technique after unlocking [Enlightenment to Perfection], further improving its proficiency. 4
• Li Yuan understands that the technique’s core lies in integrating movement with offense rather than treating it solely as an evasion art, giving him superior coordination compared with practitioners such as Yin Yi. 19 20
• Xia Zhao considers Li Yuan’s Cloud Treading Step honed to perfection and regards his practical movement ability as exceptionally refined. 38
• Li Yuan later recognizes that, despite his mastery, Cloud Treading Step is fundamentally too ordinary to match higher-level movement arts such as Jin Fan’s. This deficiency motivates him to seek a superior movement art through the Lanwu Trial and later training expeditions. 85 91

Collapse Extreme Fist (Offensive Technique)

Collapse Extreme Fist is a powerful, straightforward punch that Li Yuan uses as an opening attack. It relies on explosive force and good timing. Li Yuan has adapted this technique to seize opportunities as they appear during matches.

• He initiates his match against Gu Yu with a Collapse Extreme Fist punch, which catches Gu Yu off guard due to its unexpected power. 19
• During the fight, Li Yuan’s Collapse Extreme Fist adapts and finds openings, showing his improved control and tactical sense. 20
• Its core mystery lies in its withdrawal and pause after the initial release, allowing Li Yuan’s fist momentum to continue escalating in a manner that surprised Gu Yu. 19
• Li Yuan’s version can retract, shift, and maintain offensive continuity rather than exposing the obvious openings normally associated with the fist art. 20

Sinking Mountain Fist (Teaching Practice)

Sinking Mountain Fist is a lower-tier martial technique that Li Yuan teaches to Class Fourteen. Through his own deep understanding of the technique (enhanced by [Enlightenment to Perfection]), he is able to convey its core essence effectively, leading to breakthroughs for many students who had previously struggled.

• Li Yuan’s lesson on Sinking Mountain Fist helps students like Shen Zhongyu gain confidence and a real understanding of cultivation. 6 7
• His teaching is recognized as superior even to fast-track classes and private tutors, as he explains the underlying principles rather than just the surface moves. 8
• Director Ma later considers Li Yuan’s instruction superior even to accelerated-class placement and expresses willingness for his own child to study under Li Yuan in the future. 61
• Li Yuan also uses the fist art in personal training because its method of channeling force from the ground is useful for refining strength and building a foundation for weapon techniques. 14

Six Martial Chain Blade (Weapon Technique)

Six Martial Chain Blade is a bladed weapon technique that Li Yuan studies and practices alongside his fist techniques. He read the manual and trained it after obtaining [Enlightenment to Perfection], gaining new insights into its application.

• Li Yuan rereads and practices Six Martial Chain Blade as part of his two-day transformation before the Youth Martial Tournament qualification matches. 4
• Xia Zhao recognizes Li Yuan’s use of the technique in Qijia Town and offers him pointers on blade arts during their discussions. 39
• Li Yuan’s deepened understanding reveals that the “Six Martial” refers not merely to six moves, but to foundational forms that can be paired to create new blade variations and more flexible linked momentum. 4
• His practical use of the technique during Qijia Town prepares him to prioritize blade combat against fierce beasts during the Youth Martial Tournament. 46
• Although still useful, Li Yuan later judges that Six Martial Chain Blade has become inadequate for the increasingly dangerous fierce beasts and high-level opponents he faces. 91

Heavenly Refining Body (Cultivation Method)

The Heavenly Refining Body is a cultivation method given to Li Yuan by Xia Zhao, with her personal annotations. It focuses on using condensed Gang Qi to temper the physique, achieving mutual refinement between the body and the internal energy. Li Yuan spends time reading and understanding the method, finding it profound.

• Li Yuan easily condenses Gang Qi in just one hour using his [Martial Recruitment Accelerator] talent after studying the method. 45
• He then begins tempering his physique with the condensed Gang Qi, experiencing a mutual refinement process that strengthens both his body and his energy. 45
• Continued practice raises Li Yuan’s physical strength to at least Fifth Grade mid-stage before the Youth Martial Tournament. 51
• The method enables him to forge a Gang Body; after achieving minor success, his physical strength, passive defense, stamina, energy, and recovery all improve significantly. 51
• After winning the tournament, Li Yuan continues cultivating the method and senses that he is nearing Fifth Grade Perfection. 72
• The method gives Li Yuan unusually strong stamina and energy for his rank, even exceeding that of some martial artists at higher ranks. 72
• The Heavenly Refining Body gives Li Yuan a physical foundation that can overwhelm same-rank opponents, as demonstrated when he defeats Gu Yu in their rematch. 75
• Li Yuan’s ability to use a full bottle of A-grade Nutrient Solution and endure intense Gang Qi tempering is closely connected to the method’s exceptional strengthening effects. 164
• The method’s Gang Qi protection combines effectively with Mountain Bodyguard Qi, allowing Li Yuan to sustain defensive techniques that would overtax ordinary martial artists. 194
• Under Xia Zhao’s guidance, Li Yuan uses the method and S-grade Nutrient Tonic to make a leaping advancement to Sixth Grade Great Perfection. 214

Wiping Blade (Blade Art)

Wiping Blade is a high-level blade art acquired by Li Yuan during his fourth-tier treasure-hunting expedition. It emphasizes neutralizing force, weakening opponents through subtle wounds, and concealing decisive techniques inside deceptive wiping motions 197 200.

• Its three realms are described as “wipe away force and shed strength,” “leave wounds with wiping traces,” and “hide techniques within wiping shadows.” 200
• Li Yuan masters the three realms in approximately ten days, an extraordinary rate that makes the art combat-ready almost immediately. 200
• He uses Wiping Blade against an assassin, leaving accumulating wounds that reduce the opponent’s blood and qi and prevent escape. 200
• Li Yuan believes that had he possessed this level of blade skill at Stone Peak River, he could have killed Jin Fan during their confrontation. 200

Mountain Bodyguard Qi (Defensive Martial Skill)

Mountain Bodyguard Qi is a rare body-protection martial skill discovered in fragmented form on ancient stone slabs in the fourth-tier treasure-hunting area 194.

• The technique creates a powerful protective aura comparable to a mountain, supplementing Li Yuan’s existing Gang Qi defense. 194
• Most martial artists lack the physical strength and mental energy to maintain body-protection skills alongside movement arts and offensive techniques. 194
• Li Yuan’s vast stamina and energy reserves from the Heavenly Refining Body allow him to use the skill practically in battle. 194

Power Progression

Stage	Key Event	Notes
Before Awakening (Pre-Talent)	Li Yuan was stuck at Fourth Grade for years, despite dedicated training.	He was a martial arts teacher at Lingshan No.1 High School with “limited talent” and had not yet unlocked any Talent Points. His physical strength was at the peak of Fourth Grade 4 13 32.
Initial Talent Awakening: [Mind Enlightenment]	Li Yuan activates [Mind Enlightenment] and discovers the Talent Tree within his sea of consciousness.	The Talent Tree allows him to collect Light Points produced through teaching and convert accumulated experience into further Talent Points. Its initial effect greatly improves his reading comprehension and learning speed. 2
Second Talent Point: Enlightenment to Perfection	Li Yuan allocates a newly condensed Talent Point to the "Enlightenment" branch, unlocking the ability to gain deeper insights into his techniques.	After gaining 10 experience points, he condenses the Talent Point and immediately begins practicing the Zhou Tian Dao Yin Technique and Cloud Extreme Fist, significantly improving his physique overnight 3. He rereads Collapse Extreme Fist, Six Martial Chain Blade, and Cloud Treading Step, achieving rapid proficiency 4.
Third Talent Point: Martial Recruitment Accelerator	Li Yuan continues teaching and training, accumulating experience points to condense his third Talent Point and invest it in the Combat branch.	The resulting [Martial Recruitment Accelerator] greatly enhances his aptitude and the speed at which he can turn understanding into practical martial proficiency, particularly with Cloud Extreme Fist. 9 14 15
Peak of Fourth Grade	After intense training with ample B-grade Nutrient Fluid, Li Yuan pushes his physical strength to the peak of Fourth Grade.	He fast-tracks students from other classes, gathering more Light Points. His progress is driven by hard work and the effect of the B-grade Nutrient Fluid 13 32.
Victory over Gu Yu	Li Yuan defeats the Fifth Grade Gu Yu, who suppresses his realm for their qualification sparring match.	Li Yuan’s superior integration of Cloud Treading Step, Collapse Extreme Fist, and Cloud Extreme Fist allows him to overcome Gu Yu and secure his tournament registration 19 20 22.
Promotion to Fifth Grade	After years of stagnation, Li Yuan finally breaks through to Fifth Grade martial arts rank.	He achieves this at 4 a.m. after combining B-grade Nutrient Fluid and self-cultivation. His eyesight, hearing, and reaction speed improve dramatically. However, the Zhou Tian Dao Yin Technique becomes very weak at this rank 32.
Condensation of Gang Qi (Heavenly Refining Body)	Li Yuan studies and successfully condenses Gang Qi using the Heavenly Refining Body cultivation method.	He spends nine hours reading Xia Zhao's annotated version, then uses his [Martial Recruitment Accelerator] talent to condense Gang Qi in just one hour. He begins tempering his physique with the Gang Qi, achieving mutual refinement 45.
Practical Application of [Flaw Insight]	Li Yuan uses his newly acquired [Flaw Insight] talent to observe elderly practitioners and improve his combat skills.	He practices martial techniques against imaginary ferocious beasts and gains practical combat insights. His physical strength and Gang Qi integration improve significantly overnight 46.
Fifth Grade Mid-Stage (Gang Body Minor Success)	Li Yuan continues tempering his physique with the Heavenly Refining Body, reaching the mid-stage of Fifth Grade.	By his own assessment, his strength is at least Fifth Grade mid-stage. His Gang Body has achieved minor success, increasing his physical strength, passive defense, stamina, energy, and recovery 51.
Youth Martial Tournament Champion	Li Yuan applies his refined techniques, practical wilderness experience, and [Flaw Insight] against fierce beasts throughout the tournament.	He kills a C-grade Great Coil Snake, climbs to second place after hunting Rock-Skin Hyenas, and ultimately wins first place in the tournament 53 55 62.
Lanwu Trial Qualification	Li Yuan earns the education line's Lanwu Trial place through his first-place Youth Martial Tournament finish.	Each affiliated line receives one trial qualification, awarded to its tournament champion. The opportunity gives Li Yuan access to a new stage of training and advancement. 67
Approaching Fifth Grade Perfection	Li Yuan continues cultivating the Heavenly Refining Body after returning from the tournament.	He feels ready to advance to Fifth Grade Perfection, receives A-grade Nutrient Solution from Young Master Liu, and remains confident that his continuing growth will keep him ahead of Gu Yu 69 72.
Fifth Grade Perfection and Second Victory over Gu Yu	Li Yuan defeats Gu Yu in their rematch after Gu Yu spends a month studying Cloud Extreme Fist.	Li Yuan’s physical foundation, Gang Qi, and perfected Fifth Grade strength completely suppress Gu Yu, confirming that the gap between them has widened. 75 77
Fifth Talent Point: [Photographic Memory]	Li Yuan obtains a fifth Talent Point during preparations for and participation in the Lanwu Trial.	The resulting Talent allows him to rapidly memorize mission details, safety regulations, and technical information for later analysis and application. 94 97
Lanwu Trial B-Grade Missions	Li Yuan rapidly completes difficult trial missions and accepts consecutive B-grade assignments.	His ability to complete challenging machine-operation and dangerous-zone missions makes him a highly valuable trial participant and enables Chen Moying to benefit as his liaison officer. 106 110
Promotion to Sixth Grade	Li Yuan overcomes the bottleneck between Fifth and Sixth Grade through three days of intensive cultivation.	His understanding of the Heavenly Refining Body and Xia Zhao’s prior guidance help him advance to Sixth Grade and re-condense his Gang Qi afterward. 109 110
Sixth Talent Point: [Nimble Hands]	Trapped with Xia Yao in a laboratory, Li Yuan obtains a sixth Talent Point and invests it in the Skill branch.	[Nimble Hands] greatly improves his fine hand control and lets him create lockpicking tools for an extremely precise lock mechanism. 150
Southern Border Service and Second-Class Merit	Li Yuan participates in border training, leads his team through danger, and returns with rare official recognition.	His border service earns Second-Class Merit, a distinction that transforms his public standing in Lingshan City and supports his rise to acting Vice Principal. 151 157 183
Acquisition of Wiping Blade and Mountain Bodyguard Qi	Li Yuan explores a dangerous fourth-tier treasure site and obtains higher-level offensive and defensive martial skills.	He learns Wiping Blade and the fragmented Mountain Bodyguard Qi, addressing deficiencies in his prior blade arts and defense. 194 197 200
Sixth Grade Great Perfection	Li Yuan exhausts himself before taking S-grade Nutrient Tonic according to Xia Zhao’s instructions.	Rather than merely advancing one minor stage, he leaps from Sixth Grade initial stage to Sixth Grade Great Perfection in a single breakthrough. 214 215
Seventh Talent Point: [Technique Self-Adaptation]	Li Yuan invests his seventh Talent Point in the Enlightenment branch.	The talent allows him to adapt techniques to his uniquely powerful physique and cultivation foundation, improving compatibility, comprehension, and future cultivation efficiency. 217

Relationships

• Chen Yong: Li Yuan’s close friend and fellow teacher at Lingshan No.1 High School. Li Yuan frequently helps Chen Yong prepare for inspections, Open Classes, and martial training, offering insights into his techniques 28 29 47. Chen Yong is supportive but often lacks focus and dedication in his training, contrasting with Li Yuan’s serious attitude 29. He celebrates Li Yuan’s successes, such as his surge to second place on the Ranking Points Board, though he is scolded by Director Ma for drawing attention 55. Their bond is marked by easy conversation, shared concerns about border-front issues, and Li Yuan’s willingness to help Chen Yong improve 16 33. After Li Yuan’s tournament victory, Chen Yong remains one of his most outspoken supporters and keeps him informed about the school leadership’s private discussions 69 72. After Li Yuan rises in position, Chen Yong becomes more mindful of maintaining Li Yuan’s authority in public while remaining his trusted friend in private 186. He later alerts Li Yuan to suspicious figures around the school and helps strengthen security in response to the Jin Family threat 215.

• Gu Yu: A Grandmaster’s disciple and the top scholar of Jiangbei Province from two years ago. Gu Yu first replaces Jin Fan in a match against Li Yuan, displaying humility and confidence 16. Li Yuan defeats him in the qualification sparring match, despite Gu Yu suppressing his realm to Fourth Grade strength 19 20 22. Gu Yu later becomes an intern at the school, challenging Li Yuan to a rematch after the Youth Martial Tournament and setting a one-month deadline to study and counter Li Yuan’s Cloud Extreme Fist 27. Despite their rivalry, there is mutual respect: Gu Yu gives Li Yuan protective inner armor for the tournament and expresses concern for his safety, while also setting a timeframe to defeat him 47. When Gu Yu lacks involvement in teaching, Li Yuan shows understanding but notes his single-minded focus on cracking Li Yuan’s techniques 33. After becoming tournament champion, Li Yuan remains certain that Gu Yu’s study of the Cloud Extreme Fist will not allow him to close the widening gap between them 69 72. Their rematch confirms this assessment, as Li Yuan’s perfected Fifth Grade physique and practical strength overwhelm Gu Yu’s improved technique. 75 77

• Principal Yin: The principal of Lingshan No.1 High School, who shows persistent animosity toward Li Yuan. Yin wants to withhold Li Yuan’s bonuses due to his lack of progress in martial cultivation, despite Director Ma’s defense of Li Yuan’s teaching schedule 28. He urges Li Yuan to give up his spot in the Youth Martial Tournament to Jin Fan, prioritizing the school’s reputation over Li Yuan’s individual efforts 26 12. Yin is stubborn, displays favoritism toward Jin Fan and Yin Yi, and treats Li Yuan with disdain 28. Their interactions are tense, with Li Yuan remaining calm and composed in the face of Yin’s pressure 26. Li Yuan’s tournament championship further damages Yin’s authority and intensifies Yin’s dissatisfaction; Yin subsequently uses his experience and connections to arrange teaching assignments intended to undermine Li Yuan 61 72. As Li Yuan becomes Director of the Teaching and Research Office, Principal Yin attempts to use an accelerated provincial Open Class inspection to damage his evaluation and reclaim authority, but Li Yuan’s training reforms instead strengthen his position 119 128. Principal Yin is later forced to receive the delegation presenting Li Yuan’s Second-Class Merit plaque, confronting the achievements he had repeatedly dismissed. 157

• Director Ma: An administrator who defends Li Yuan against Principal Yin’s attempts to withhold bonuses, arguing that he deserves them and that withholding would be unjust 28. Ma demonstrates integrity and willingness to risk his position to stand up for Li Yuan 28. Later, he shows concern for Li Yuan, warning him not to invite trouble after his rapid rise in the tournament rankings 55. He also expresses regret for approving Li Yuan’s leave request but ultimately supports Li Yuan’s actions, hinting at a change in attitude 31. However, in an earlier interaction, Ma clashed with Li Yuan over the tournament representative decision, prioritizing the school’s reputation 1. Following Li Yuan’s success, Ma increasingly recognizes his exceptional teaching ability and considers having his own child taught by Li Yuan in the future 61.

• Deputy Director Zeng Chang: A high-ranking Education Bureau official who maintains a polite but guarded relationship with Li Yuan. Zeng is portrayed as amiable but not to be trusted, yet he shows genuine appreciation and support for Li Yuan 29 47. He faces potential demotion and offers Li Yuan a position at Lingshan No.2 High School, demonstrating respect for his abilities 48. Zeng expresses concern for Li Yuan’s safety during the Youth Martial Tournament and refuses interviews when reporters hype Li Yuan as a “dark horse,” supporting him while worrying about the attention 55. Li Yuan reports his training progress to Zeng, showing respect and understanding of the pressure Zeng is under 33. Li Yuan’s championship substantially improves Lingshan City’s standing and Zeng’s political position, and Zeng later hints that Li Yuan is likely to receive a promotion 61 69. Their interactions are marked by mutual respect and understanding 48. Zeng later uses Li Yuan’s victory over Gu Yu to confirm his promotion and continues supporting Li Yuan’s rise through director and acting Vice Principal positions. 77 183

• Jin Fan: A rival martial artist and disciple of Grandmaster Yao Jianyue. Initially chosen to represent the school over Li Yuan in the Youth Martial Artist Exchange Tournament, Jin Fan remains calm but displeased during Li Yuan’s confrontation with school leadership 1. He later switches to represent Chishan City, showing no remorse and displaying confidence when exchanging glances with Li Yuan 51. After Li Yuan wins first place in the Youth Martial Tournament, Jin Fan publicly challenges Li Yuan to a duel to prove his strength, but Li Yuan declines, citing a lack of benefits and potential downsides 62. Their rivalry is characterized by tension and competition, with Jin Fan’s threats hinting at future consequences 62. Jin Fan later ambushes Li Yuan outside Lingshan City, turning their conflict into an explicit life-and-death enmity 84 85. At the Stone Peak River Teaching Research Conference, Jin Fan tries to seriously injure Li Yuan during a practical demonstration match, but Li Yuan defeats him instead and inflicts injuries severe enough to likely damage his foundation. 170 176 215

• Xia Zhao: An Eighth Grade Martial Artist who meets Li Yuan while injured and stranded in Qijia Town 37. Li Yuan treats her infected wound with herbs, shares his supplies, and helps keep watch while she recovers; the two become increasingly familiar over their days of survival together 38 39 40. Xia Zhao shares practical experience concerning fierce-beast combat, Fifth Grade cultivation, and future breakthroughs, while Li Yuan’s extraordinary understanding of martial arts helps her resolve longstanding problems in her Feather Blade technique 39 40 41. She gives Li Yuan her annotated Heavenly Refining Body cultivation method and later quietly investigates “Wuling Education,” hoping to provide him assistance without directly revealing herself 40 43 44. Xia Zhao develops romantic interest in Li Yuan and later verifies that his guidance for her Feather Blade is effective in practice 40 41 63. She later reconnects with Li Yuan openly, supports him at the Stone Peak River conference, gives him information concerning Jin Fan and the Jin Family, and helps connect him with influential educators. 170 176 177 Her advice on using S-grade Nutrient Tonic is directly responsible for Li Yuan’s leap to Sixth Grade Great Perfection, and she remains a trusted ally against the Jin Family’s retaliation. 214 215

• Young Master Liu (Liu Moxing): A high-status individual interested in Xia Zhao who becomes jealous after learning that she has sought information about Li Yuan 49. He has Secretary Hong investigate Li Yuan, initially because of Xia Zhao’s attention 49. After the tournament, Liu Moxing is impressed by Li Yuan’s performance, decides to send him a gift, and provides him with A-grade Nutrient Solution 63 72.

• Old Yan (Yan Ge): The head referee of the Youth Martial Tournament who acts as a mentor figure to Li Yuan. He defends Li Yuan against Jin Fan’s public challenge, criticizing Jin Fan’s behavior and emphasizing that challenges must be earned 62. Li Yuan thanks Old Yan for his support, and their interaction demonstrates mutual respect and understanding 62.

• Ma Qi: An official from the Water Resources Bureau who clashes with Li Yuan over his decision to drive Jin Fan to Chishan City. Ma Qi accuses Li Yuan of harming Lingshan City’s interests, but Li Yuan assertively defends his actions 48. Ma Qi reveals selfishness and lack of integrity, prioritizing his own gain over the collective good, leading to a tense argument 48. After Li Yuan’s championship, officials from Ma Qi’s department become markedly more respectful, recognizing that Li Yuan’s future influence may affect their prospects 62.

• Yin Yi: A teacher favored by Principal Yin who had previously received opportunities Li Yuan believed were diverted from him. Yin Yi attempted to discredit Li Yuan during the qualification event, but Li Yuan’s victory over Gu Yu left him unable to defend his prior claims and caused him considerable humiliation 18 22. He subsequently took leave from school because he could not face the aftermath of the sparring match 23. During Li Yuan’s later teacher-training reforms, Yin Yi recognizes the value of Li Yuan’s lessons and becomes more serious about participating. 120

• Xu Nianxing: Li Yuan’s blind-date partner, a 27-year-old employee of a major internet company in the provincial city 87 88. She is initially positively surprised by Li Yuan’s appearance and demeanor, then remains interested even after he honestly explains his dangerous conflict with a Grandmaster’s disciple 88. The two maintain regular contact, with Li Yuan sharing health and cultivation advice and Xu Nianxing showing interest in meeting his parents 91 123. Their relationship becomes strained by the snobbish behavior of Xu Nianxing’s mother, though Xu Nianxing herself rejects a wealthy fifty-million matchmaking arrangement and compares Li Yuan favorably to potential matches. 187 197

• Zhuang Meng: Li Yuan’s university ex-girlfriend and a Lanwu Trial liaison officer in Lan Eagle City 91 93. Unlike her cheerful university self, she is arrogant and dismissive toward Li Yuan, repeatedly attempting to make him leave the trial because she fears his presence will disrupt her engagement to Tang Shuchen 93 100. Li Yuan rejects her interference, completes a supposedly discouraging mission with ease, and transfers to Chen Moying as his liaison officer 99 100. Zhuang Meng later remains unable to accept that Li Yuan has no lingering interest in her and contributes to rumors maligning his character. 198 199

• Chen Moying: A Lanwu Trial liaison officer who takes over responsibility for Li Yuan after his transfer away from Zhuang Meng 100. She recognizes his exceptional potential early, secures increasingly valuable B-grade missions for him, and benefits substantially from his successes 106 107. Her support is partly pragmatic, but she consistently advocates for Li Yuan when others underestimate or obstruct him. 205

• Xia Yao: A younger member of the Xia Family who resembles Xia Zhao and meets Li Yuan during his southern-border training 137. Though initially wary of Li Yuan, she becomes trapped with him in a laboratory and participates in the martial-arts discussion that helps him unlock [Nimble Hands] 150. Li Yuan treats her with an elder-brother-like protectiveness, which Xia Yao finds uncomfortable because she wants to be regarded as an independent adult. 156 She develops a favorable impression of Li Yuan during their shared danger and remains in contact with him afterward. 152 187

• Luo Jinfan: Li Yuan’s former student from his internship at Clearwater First High School and a member of a southern-border special squad 137 138. Luo initially discourages Li Yuan from demonstrating his abilities again during recruitment, but later recognizes Li Yuan’s superior judgment and leadership after ignoring his warnings creates danger for the team 137 151. His respect reflects Li Yuan’s enduring influence as a teacher. 151

• Huang Bo: A skilled but prideful dissection teacher at Lingshan No.1 High School whom Li Yuan investigates after noticing suspicious course expenses 159. Li Yuan discovers that Huang Bo used expensive B-grade fierce-beast corpses beyond course requirements, apparently intending to profit from their materials afterward 161. Their conflict highlights Li Yuan’s increasingly active role in enforcing professional standards as a school administrator. 163