Ling Chen

Biodata

Feature	Detail
Name	Ling Chen
Alias	Li Tianyi (pseudonym used in Slaughter City); also known as the "Severed Limb Demon Child" (title) 9 18
Age	6 years old upon arrival in Slaughter City; 7 years old by Chapter 24; later physically restores his original adult body after absorbing excess soul power 1 24 45
Gender	Male
Species	Human
Affiliation	Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect (disciple of Sword Douluo Chen Xin); Shrek Academy and Shrek Six Monsters; temporarily coerced into Spirit Hall under Hu Liena 19 24 36 52 56
Status	Alive
Martial Soul	Primary: Green Steel Sword (tool-type); Secondary: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon; Third: Six-Winged Angel 19 35 94
First Appearance	Chapter 1: Hellish Start – Descent into Slaughter City 1

Appearance

Ling Chen is a child whose appearance belies his extraordinary and violent abilities. At the age of six, he is small and lean, a result of his harsh survival in Slaughter City, where his body has been eroded by killing intent and he has been forced to scavenge and hide 1 2 4. By the time he reaches seven, he has grown a bit taller and his body has become more robust, taking on an ethereal, sage-like quality with his long hair 24. Despite his youthful frame, his temperament reveals the cold, ruthless nature of a sword cultivator, and his face often twists into a strange, excited grin when confronting enemies 24 34. He is frequently described as a "mere brat" or "little brat," and his shabby, ill-fitting clothing marks him as an outsider in more civilized settings 17 18 15. The contrast between his innocent, childlike features and the terrifying killing intent he radiates shocks those who meet him, such as Ning Fengzhi and the Title Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect 18 16.

Following his imprisonment in Spirit Hall, the accumulated soul power extracted through the Green Steel Sword restores Ling Chen to his original adult body rather than merely accelerating his childhood growth. The excess energy extends his lifespan without causing further premature aging. By his return to Shrek, his mature appearance is sufficiently different that he initially approaches the academy disguised as an adult 45 56 58.

• Height: Small and lean for his age at six, though he grows taller and more robust by seven, with a frame that makes his powerful strikes all the more startling 2 24 33. After his restoration, he possesses the body of a young adult 45 58.
• Hair: Worn long, giving him an ethereal, sage-like appearance; its color is not specified in the provided context 24.
• Clothing: Shabbily dressed in a soul tool originally belonging to the scar-faced man he killed in Slaughter City; the garment is repeatedly folded and tucked to fit his small body, making him appear like a poor commoner and eliciting disdain from those at establishments like Moonlight Pavilion 17 18.
• Scars: No permanent scars are explicitly described, though his body bears the marks of numerous wounds and the erosive effects of killing intent from his time in Slaughter City, such as when he cleans his wounds in his kennel 2 4 1.

History

Descent into Slaughter City

Ling Chen, a transmigrator from another world, was searching for the legendary Green Steel Sword in Fuxian Lake when he accidentally fell into a whirlpool and regressed to the age of six, landing in Slaughter City—a lawless realm on the Douluo Continent where only slaughter reigned 1. In this nightmare environment, everyone could summon their Martial Soul but could not use soul skills, placing Ling Chen, who had no awakened Martial Soul, at a severe disadvantage 1. For three months, he survived by hiding in dark corners, scavenging for scraps, and covertly observing the killing methods of others, all while exercising his body daily to improve his chances of survival 1. His initial discovery of a sealed room containing a skeleton and a white Spirit Ring hinted at early opportunities for growth 1.

Ling Chen's first major breakthrough came when he looted corpses, gathering Martial Soul Origin and low-level Soul Rings. He briefly manifested his Martial Soul and learned from a Golden Dragon entity about the potential for enhancement through Martial Soul Origin 3. After a confrontation with a scar-faced hunter who had been pursuing him, Ling Chen killed him using his wits and the environment, taking his storage ring. This first kill solidified his resolve to leave Slaughter City 3. He later discovered the functions of Martial Soul Origin, including the ability to manifest and strengthen Martial Souls, and attempted to strengthen his Green Steel Sword, depleting most of his points 6. Pursued by a group, he deliberately entered the Hell Slaughter Arena to face nine opponents, using his agility and cunning to provoke them into fighting each other while he looted their corpses 6 7. His brutality in the arena—severing limbs to concentrate Martial Soul Origin—and his coldness in decapitating corpses to prevent ambushes made him a feared figure despite his young age 7 10.

Alliance with Tang San

The arrival of Tang San (under the alias Tang Yin) in Slaughter City marked a turning point. Recognizing the timeline, Ling Chen understood that Tang San's presence meant an opportunity to escape. They formed a strategic alliance, agreeing to intersperse their matches to allow Ling Chen rest and to prevent him from being overwhelmed by challengers 9. Hu Liena, initially disdainful of Ling Chen due to his age and ruthless methods, also joined the alliance, acknowledging his strength 9. The three worked together to survive the inner city's dangers, with Ling Chen looting corpses for Martial Soul Origin while Tang San provided cover with his Clear Sky Hammer 10. Ling Chen's strategy involved slaughtering the city's inhabitants to harvest both Martial Soul Origin and Soul Rings, and he warned Tang San about faked deaths to avoid ambushes 10.

Their cooperation deepened during a large-scale ambush in the inner city. Tang San held off enemies with his Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer while Ling Chen retreated toward the Hell Slaughter Arena 13. When the King of Slaughter blocked their path, Ling Chen provoked him but also gave him face, leading to their entry into the Hell Road—a narrow bridge over magma and blood-colored miasma 13. Facing the Hell Road's poisonous miasma tested their inner demons and killing intent 13.

Escape and the Peerless Domain

After successfully traversing the Hell Road, Ling Chen, Tang San, and Hu Liena each obtained a Divine Slaughter's Domain. Ling Chen's domain, "Peerless Under Heaven," was revealed as an absolute control domain where he became invincible amidst endless slaughter, suppressing opponents' abilities while enhancing his own 15. In a spar with Tang San, Ling Chen's domain suppressed Tang San's skills, demonstrating its power 15. Ling Chen also obtained the inner core of the Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent but did not gain its Soul Ring; he later gifted the core to Hu Liena 15. The three exited Slaughter City, and Hu Liena developed feelings for Tang San, while Ling Chen remained focused on his next steps 15.

Awakening and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect

After leaving Slaughter City, Tang Hao, Tang San's father, decided to take Ling Chen to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to awaken his martial soul. During the journey, they visited the Moonlight Pavilion, where Ling Chen's killing intent—condensed from countless kills—proved so intense that it shocked even Title Douluo 17 18. Upon arrival at the sect, Ling Chen's terror-inducing aura stunned sect master Ning Fengzhi and the attending Title Douluo, who could not comprehend how a child without a martial soul possessed such power 18. His martial soul was awakened as a tool-type Green Steel Sword with Innate Full Soul Power of level 10 19.

Sword Douluo Chen Xin challenged Ling Chen to a duel in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Battle Tower to test his abilities. Ling Chen initiated the fight by charging at Chen Xin, aiming to sever his legs, and landed a strike on the Seven Kill Sword that chipped the blade—an feat that forced Chen Xin to acknowledge the boy's power 19. Impressed, Chen Xin took Ling Chen as a personal disciple, and Ling Chen began training in sword intent and cultivation under his guidance 24 31. Over the next year, Ling Chen's leveling speed skyrocketed, reaching level 16 by age seven, and his temperament took on the cold, ruthless nature of a sword cultivator 24.

Training and Conflicts

Ling Chen's time at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was not without controversy. His habit of looting corpses—honed in Slaughter City—led to confrontations. After a fight with Shrek Academy students over corpse looting in the Heaven Dou City Great Soul Arena, Chen Xin intervened, revealing himself as Ling Chen's master and protecting him 26. However, the six students' humiliation of Ling Chen provoked his anger, and he contemplated revenge before Chen Xin warned him about the consequences of revealing his domain 26. Ling Chen also began studying funeral rites in the sect's library, planning to obtain Martial Soul Origin from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's graveyard—a risky move that would be condemned if discovered 27. He used his soul skill to send clones toward the clan's graveyard, leaving footprints that sparked an investigation 28. The grave robbing drew the ire of Yu Xiaogang and Flender, but Ling Chen denied involvement, and Chen Xin's authority shielded him 28 31.

Ling Chen's intelligence network grew. He learned that Spirit Hall was targeting him, and he warned Chen Xin about an upcoming attack within the month, though he refused to reveal his sources 31. When Spirit Hall did strike, Ling Chen participated in the battle with unrestrained ferocity, using his domain to suppress enemies and nearly burning himself out. Chen Xin and Gu Rong had to stop him from charging into the enemy ranks mindlessly, fearing he would become a "meat grinder" 36. After the battle, the once magnificent Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect lay in ruins, and nearly two thousand disciples had perished in a sea of fire 36. Ning Fengzhi decided to move the sect into the empire for protection, and Chen Xin concluded that Ling Chen's uncontrollable killing intent made him a danger to both himself and the sect.

Enrollment at Shrek Academy

To protect Ling Chen from Spirit Hall and to prevent further chaos within the sect, Chen Xin and Ning Fengzhi decided to send him to Shrek Academy. They sealed his killing intent and martial soul entirely, though Ling Chen could still use his domain and soul skills 36. Upon arriving at Shrek Academy, Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin discussed the situation with Yu Xiaogang and the academy's dean, Flender, who agreed to enroll Ling Chen following the usual rules 36. Ling Chen's reputation preceded him: the Shrek Five Monsters, especially Ning Rongrong, were wary of him, and Flender was eager to study the "freak" 36. Yu Xiaogang, while disapproving of Ling Chen's grave-robbing methods, acknowledged the boy's effectiveness in drawing the attention of the major sects and allowed him to stay 36.

Soon afterward, Liu Erlong and Flender questioned Ling Chen over suspicions that he might be a Spirit Hall mole. He handled the interrogation calmly and retreated into the Dragon Pillar Space to consider the future of his clones and second martial soul 37. His period at Shrek was interrupted when Spirit Hall captured and imprisoned him in the dungeon once used to hold Bibi Dong 45.

Spirit Hall Captivity and Return

While imprisoned, Ling Chen's body reverted to his original adult form after the Green Steel Sword extracted excessive soul power from Soul Saints he had killed. He continued sword training in confinement with a seventy-jin iron sword and avoided recognition when Hu Liena brought food to his cell 45. Spirit Hall later escorted him into the Star Dou Great Forest for soul-ring acquisition, where he used a beast tide and shadow clones to mislead Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo while investigating the order in which his stripping ability absorbed targets 49.

Ling Chen selected and killed an approximately 800-year Hundred-Blade Centipede, gaining his second soul skill, Execution Sword Formation 50. After displaying ring-age enhancement before the Spirit Hall elders, he was taken to Bibi Dong, who attempted to recruit him 51. He rejected the offer to become Spirit Hall's Holy Son, citing the repercussions from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and internal conflicts within Spirit Hall. Bibi Dong instead compelled him into Spirit Hall and made him Hu Liena's disciple 52. Though this arrangement limited his freedom, Ling Chen exploited it to accumulate rings, improve his abilities, and prepare an eventual return to his allies.

A year after his disappearance, Ling Chen returned to Shrek in an adult disguise. He challenged the Shrek Seven Devils and demonstrated Soul Elder-level cultivation with multiple ten-thousand-year rings before Chen Xin identified him as Li Tianyi and halted the spar 56. Chen Xin subsequently arranged for him to train alongside the Shrek Six Monsters 56.

Sea God Island and Later Development

Ling Chen travelled with the Shrek group toward Sea God Island. During their voyage, he protected his companions, including by defeating a sea viper and stripping its Origin and soul ring, but was separated from the group when his boat was blown away near Purple Pearl Island 64. On Sea God Island, he displayed the Green Steel Sword Martial Soul Avatar to Bo Saixi and began cultivating Chen Xin's Seven Kill Formula, forming its first-stage killing heart after three months of painful training 72.

Bo Saixi's fourth trial required him to completely defeat Xiao Bai without using his domain within one year. Ling Chen developed the killing form and killing momentum of the Seven Kill Formula, sought Tang San's guidance on killing momentum, and ultimately completed the trial after overcoming Xiao Bai's illusions and the Demon Soul Great White Sharks 73 75. He later used million-year rings to overwhelm Xiao Bai in direct combat, though Tang San and Bo Saixi stopped him from inflicting further harm 74.

After concentrating his ring stacking, Ling Chen evolved a nine-million-year ring to ten million years, awakening Heavenly Law, Earthly Manifestation. He returned to Sea God Island and challenged its seven Title Douluo, rapidly defeating Sea Horse Douluo and Sea Spear Douluo with his Peerless Domain 79. He eventually revealed nine rings—six golden and three blue—and fought Bo Saixi using Heavenly Law, Earthly Manifestation and the enhanced Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation 81. His ninth ten-million-year soul skill, Sword Wheel, broke through Bo Saixi's ocean-based attack, although the extreme consumption of his strongest skills forced him to fight strategically rather than continuously 82.

Additional Martial Souls and the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well

After completing the Sea God's Seventh Trial, Ling Chen learned that his Eighth Trial was to assist Tang San in killing the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King within five years 83. He used shadow-clone substitutions to move between Purple Pearl Island, Spirit Hall, and other locations, and extracted Martial Soul Origin from Qian Daoliu's corpse following the latter's sacrifice to open Qian Renxue's divine passage 83.

Ling Chen later completed the seventh Origin enhancement of the Green Steel Sword, whose increased mass, hardness, and sharpness allowed a test drop to destroy half a mountain 84. He tempered the sword in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, then returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to consult Chen Xin on the Seven Kill Formula. There he demonstrated Heavenly Law, Earthly Manifestation and the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation, overpowering Chen Xin and withstanding Gu Rong's Bone Dragon 85.

On Purple Pearl Island, Ling Chen secretly condensed two more martial souls: the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and Six-Winged Angel. The Angel martial soul began at level 20. He confirmed that he could summon and combine all three martial souls simultaneously, rather than being restricted to conventional twin-martial-soul usage 94. Rather than immediately cultivate the new souls, he began planning to seize the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and use its accelerated growth of vegetation to establish a renewable garden of plant-type soul beasts 95.

Abilities & Skills

Green Steel Sword

Ling Chen’s primary martial soul is a tool-type Green Steel Sword, which manifested with Innate Full Soul Power of level 10 upon awakening 19. The sword is exceptionally heavy—weighing a hundred catties—yet Ling Chen can wield it with one hand, giving him explosive striking power far beyond his age 21. The sword can be strengthened using Martial Soul Origin, increasing its mass, destructive force, and quality with each enhancement; later enhancements impose a tenfold increase in required origin points 6 15. After the fourth enhancement, the sword’s power became sufficient to sever wood and bone alike, even breaking the soul skills of Soul Ancestors 33. Following Ling Chen’s battle with Chen Xin, his martial soul was sealed for a year by Chen Xin to allow him to train in fundamental swordsmanship with an ordinary iron sword 23.

By its seventh Origin enhancement, the Green Steel Sword's weight, hardness, and sharpness have reached a level at which it can destroy half a mountain merely by falling upon it. Ling Chen later tempers it in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and it is regarded as the world's number-one tool martial soul, with only divine artifacts considered capable of resisting it 84 95.

• Applications: Delivers powerful, heavy strikes that can crush defenses and break weapons; can be thrown and used as a lethal projectile; after repeated enhancements, can shatter soul skills such as the Ten Tree Wall 33; its weight makes it extremely difficult for opponents to block or deflect; can manifest an enormous Martial Soul Avatar 72.
• Limitations: Extremely heavy, only usable due to Ling Chen’s innate strength; after sealing, cannot be manifested for a year; each enhancement requires escalating Martial Soul Origin (1,000, 10,000, 100,000, 1,000,000 points respectively); the sword’s power is tied to the amount of origin invested. His highest-level sword skills consume immense Soul Power and, in some cases, additional Martial Soul Origin 82.

Soul Ring Stacking

Through his Dragon Pillar Space, Ling Chen can strip soul rings from deceased soul masters or soul beasts and stack them onto his own rings to increase their age. The stacking limit is capped by the age of the newest ring absorbed. He used this ability to transform a 400-year yellow ring into a 999-year ring by stacking six 99-year white rings and one 10-year white ring onto it 21. White rings are automatically fused by the White Dragon Pillar to their stacking limit, while higher-quality rings can be stored and added later 5.

Ling Chen later raises his stacking limit to 99,999 years by absorbing a ten-thousand-year ring, evolving both his clones and sword formation in the process 55. Continued stacking ultimately creates million-year and ten-million-year rings, and his revealed nine-ring configuration consists of six golden rings and three blue rings 79 81. The White Dragon can additionally disguise the apparent age and level of his rings, helping conceal his true strength 83.

• Applications: Artificially elevate soul ring age without hunting higher-year beasts; combine elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth) from multiple rings to gain new attributes; can create rings that are far more powerful than normally possible for a low-level spirit master; evolves the associated soul skills as ring age increases 55.
• Limitations: Cannot exceed the age of the newest ring absorbed; the process requires corpses with intact soul rings; white rings are automatically absorbed and cannot be manually allocated; stacking consumes the stored rings and cannot be reversed. High-age rings and their evolved skills impose immense Soul Power costs 82.

Hundred Demon Shadow Clone

Ling Chen’s first soul skill, obtained from a 400-year Hundred Shadow Demon Crow. He slams his hands on the ground, summoning ten clones that crawl from his shadow. Each clone can cast ten phantom images, all controllable by Ling Chen. Ling Chen and his clones can swap positions with any phantom at will. Clones possess only 10% of his attributes but can merge into a single entity with 100% attributes, at the cost of losing the speed provided by the phantoms. Clones that are not destroyed can be stored indefinitely within his shadow to preserve their strength 22. However, when actively summoned, clones have a limited lifespan of about half a day 26. Ling Chen used clones extensively for grave robbing, looting corpses, and gathering Martial Soul Origin 28.

As the corresponding soul ring is stacked to higher ages, the clone ability evolves. Ling Chen uses shadow clones for long-range deception, substitution, corpse looting, and maintaining separate presences at locations such as Purple Pearl Island and Spirit Hall 55 83.

• Applications: Outnumbering enemies with ten clones and 100 phantoms; retrieving items or looting without personal danger; escaping via position swap; merging clones into a full-power copy for a decisive strike; storing clones for later use; conducting simultaneous schemes in distant regions 83.
• Limitations: Clones have only 10% attributes and are easily destroyed; active clones last only half a day unless stored; merging loses all phantom speed; cannot create clones if his martial soul is sealed.

Execution Sword Formation and Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation

Ling Chen’s second soul skill, Execution Sword Formation, comes from an approximately 800-year Hundred-Blade Centipede. It is a wide-area sword-based ability selected specifically because Ling Chen wanted a soul skill capable of affecting multiple targets 50. Its power grows alongside the stacked age of its soul ring, eventually evolving into the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation 55.

When enhanced by Heavenly Law, Earthly Manifestation, the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation can expand from one hundred thousand Green Steel Swords to one hundred million swords, forming a dense defensive and offensive barrier capable of shredding vast amounts of seawater and resisting Sea God divine power 81.

• Applications: Area suppression; mass combat; creation of a sword barrier; attacking or trapping enemies from multiple directions; defense against overwhelming large-scale attacks 81.
• Limitations: The formation's strongest forms require exceptionally high Soul Power; use alongside high-age rings and other ultimate skills risks exhausting Ling Chen's reserves 82.

Peerless Domain (Peerless Under Heaven)

This domain was granted upon leaving the Slaughter City and is described as an absolute control domain where Ling Chen is invincible amidst endless slaughter 15. It provides an all-around buff to his own attributes (up to 81% increase reported) while simultaneously suppressing all enemies within its range. The domain expands as combat continues, and each collision or exchange further boosts its effect 15. It can be fused with killing intent to plunge enemies into terrifying illusions 34. However, the domain does not distinguish between friend and foe, affecting allies as well 24. When Ling Chen’s martial soul is sealed, he uses Martial Soul Origin to power the domain, and it depletes rapidly the larger it grows—40,000 points were exhausted in a short spar 16.

At later stages, the domain remains potent enough to suppress and rapidly defeat Sea God Island's Title Douluo, though it cannot independently resist the cleansing force of Bo Saixi's Sea God's Light unless infused with killing intent 79 81.

• Applications: Huge attribute boost to self and debuff to all enemies; area denial; illusion-casting when combined with killing intent; can break enemy formations and cause mental paralysis.
• Limitations: Friendly fire—allies within range are also debuffed or shocked; consumes Martial Soul Origin heavily when martial soul is unavailable; expansion uncontrollable; can lead Ling Chen into a reckless, bloodthirsty state if killing intent overwhelms him; Sea God divine power can counter its ordinary form 81.

Dragon Pillar Space and Martial Soul Origin

An inner space containing three dragon pillars: White (soul rings), Golden (Martial Soul Origin), and Black (unknown potential). The White Dragon strips soul rings from corpses, while the Golden Dragon strips Martial Soul Origin—a unique energy that can be used for several functions. The Martial Soul Origin can be used to briefly manifest his martial soul (useful when it is sealed), to strengthen his martial soul (improving quality and sometimes acquiring characteristics from the consumed origin), and to awaken a new martial soul (requires 100 million points of a specific category) 2 6 35. Strengthening requires escalating amounts: first enhancement 1,000 points, second 10,000, third 100,000, fourth 1,000,000, fifth 10,000,000 11 15 35. The space also stores spirit rings and their elements, allowing stacking 5. Notably, spirit bones are also automatically absorbed into the space, preventing Ling Chen from fusing them directly 5.

Martial Soul Origin can also be converted into Soul Power Levels, enabling Ling Chen to exceed the ordinary limits imposed on a single martial soul 55. He continues harvesting Origin from exceptional corpses, including Qian Daoliu after the Limit Douluo's sacrifice 83.

• Applications: Generate a temporary martial soul manifestation; permanently increase the sharpness, weight, and power of the Green Steel Sword; condense additional martial souls; convert Origin into Soul Power Levels; harvest soul rings en masse for stacking 55.
• Limitations: Martial Soul Origin is scarce outside Slaughter City; cost for each enhancement increases tenfold; condensing a new martial soul requires the death of a Title Douluo (or equivalent) to obtain 100 million points; spirit bones cannot be personally fused.

Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon (Second Martial Soul)

After accumulating over 100 million points of beast-type Martial Soul Origin from Title Douluo corpses (including Yu Yuanzhen and Bone Armor Douluo), Ling Chen condensed a second martial soul—the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon 35. The condensation process inflicted immense pain and a Thunder Tribulation that scoured his body. This beast-type martial soul gives Ling Chen twin martial souls, allowing him to later equip it with ten-thousand-year soul rings while keeping his primary Green Steel Sword at a lower level 35.

Ling Chen later secretly awakens the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon on Purple Pearl Island alongside the Six-Winged Angel. It can be summoned in combination with either or both of his other martial souls 94.

• Applications: Provides an alternative combat style based on lightning and dragon-type abilities; can be cultivated separately to maximize soul ring advantages; can be used simultaneously with Ling Chen's other martial souls 94.
• Limitations: Condensation required tremendous Martial Soul Origin, obtainable only from killing powerful Title Douluo; extremely painful and dangerous process; its independent ring cultivation remains less developed than the Green Steel Sword's 94.

Six-Winged Angel (Third Martial Soul)

Ling Chen condenses the Six-Winged Angel martial soul in secret on Purple Pearl Island, deliberately avoiding detection by the Heaven Dou Empire, Shrek, and Spirit Hall during the Jialing Pass conflict. The Angel martial soul begins at level 20 94. Its awakening establishes Ling Chen as a possessor of three martial souls rather than a conventional twin-martial-soul master.

• Applications: Provides a third independently cultivable martial soul and a potential holy/light-based combat path; can be paired with the Green Steel Sword and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon in any combination 94.
• Limitations: Newly awakened and not yet prioritized for cultivation; Ling Chen has not yet confirmed the full details of its ring-stacking potential or developed its soul skills 94 95.

Killing Intent

Ling Chen’s time in the Slaughter City cultivated a terrifying killing intent that can overwhelm weaker minds. He can release it consciously, causing enemies to freeze in fear or experience hallucinations 18 34. When fused with his Peerless Domain, the killing intent amplifies the domain’s illusion aspect, making enemies believe they are being dismembered in a hellish vision 34. However, the killing intent is not fully under control; he nearly lost mastery twice—once during a fight that drew Chen Xin’s intervention 21 and once in the battle against Soul Kings when his domain and intent overwhelmed him 34.

Ling Chen later incorporates killing aura into the Seven Kill Formula. By itself, this aura does not necessarily induce madness, though he discovers an additional hidden power within himself and continues working to understand the relationship between killing aura, killing momentum, and his domain 73.

• Applications: Intimidation and psychological warfare; enhances domain illusions; can incapacitate weaker opponents without striking; forms the foundation of the Seven Kill Formula's killing heart and killing form 72 73.
• Limitations: Risk of losing control if anger or bloodlust peaks; can affect allies if not carefully managed; requires a strong will to prevent rampage.

Seven Kill Formula and Nine Kill Formula

The Seven Kill Formula is an advanced sword-cultivation technique taught by Chen Xin. Ling Chen forms its first-stage killing heart after three months of cultivation and later develops a killing form represented by the character “kill,” which can generate destructive waves 72 73. He subsequently obtains the cultivation method for the Nine Kill Formula and continues refining his sword path with Chen Xin's guidance 86.

• Applications: Converts killing intent, sword intent, and killing momentum into direct sword techniques; strengthens Ling Chen's understanding and control of the Green Steel Sword; supports powerful self-created soul skills 73 86.
• Limitations: Demands extensive cultivation and extremely high Soul Power for complex manifestations; Ling Chen initially cannot release two “kill” characters simultaneously because of the cost 73.

Heavenly Law, Earthly Manifestation

Heavenly Law, Earthly Manifestation is Ling Chen's evolved seventh soul skill, obtained after he stacked a nine-million-year ring to ten million years. It manifests as a colossal phantom larger than the seven Sacred Pillars of Sea God Island and greatly amplifies the range and force of his other soul skills 79 81.

• Applications: Massively amplifies the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation and other soul skills; provides large-scale battlefield control and destructive power 81.
• Limitations: Requires a ten-million-year soul ring and considerable Soul Power; prolonged use against opponents such as Bo Saixi remains taxing 81 82.

Sword Wheel

Sword Wheel is Ling Chen's ninth ten-million-year soul skill. It gathers Green Steel Swords into escalating layers of wheels—beginning with ten swords, then twenty, and continuing through tens of thousands of layers—which charge through and pierce enemy defenses 82.

• Applications: Breaks through massive area attacks; concentrates innumerable manifested swords into a devastating forward assault; carved an enormous crater into the seafloor during Ling Chen's battle with Bo Saixi 82.
• Limitations: Its ten-million-year status makes it extraordinarily expensive, capable of draining Ling Chen's Soul Power and consuming a substantial amount of accumulated Martial Soul Origin 82.

Treasure-Appraising Wise Eye

After absorbing a 15,300-year skull bone from a Wolf Bandit leader, Ling Chen gains Treasure-Appraising Wise Eye. The skull bone increases his spiritual power and allows him to appraise objects, including Tang San's Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges soul tool 59.

• Applications: Appraises treasures and soul tools; improves spiritual perception 59.
• Limitations: The complete scope and combat utility of the skill have not yet been established 59.

Power Progression

Stage	Soul Power Level	Soul Rings	Enhancements	Notes
Initial Awakening 19	10	0	0	Innate full soul power; Green Steel Sword awakened. No soul rings or enhancements.
First Enhancement 3	~10	0	1	Used 1 portion of Martial Soul Origin to strengthen Green Steel Sword; weight slightly increased.
Slaughter City Accumulation 2 5 11	~10	0 (stored white rings)	2	Stacking limit 99 years; accumulated many white soul rings and Martial Soul Origin. Second enhancement performed (10,000 points).
First Soul Ring Absorption 21	~11	1 (yellow, stacked to 999 years)	2	Absorbed 400-year Hundred Shadow Demon Crow soul ring; stacked six 99-year and one 10-year white rings onto it. Stacking limit increased to 999 years. Obtained Hundred Demon Shadow Clone skill.
One Year of Training 24	16	1 (999-year yellow)	2	Martial soul sealed by Chen Xin; only soul skills can be used. Improved swordsmanship, insight into sword intent. Can wield a 20-pound iron sword with ease.
Second Martial Soul Condensation 35	~16+	Green Steel: 1 (999-year); Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon: 0	Green Steel enhanced further (count unknown)	Condensed Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon as second martial soul using 100 million Martial Soul Origin. Endured Thunder Tribulation. Simultaneously enhanced Green Steel Sword.
Second Soul Ring 50	Soul Grandmaster-level or higher	Green Steel: 2	Green Steel enhanced further (count unknown)	Absorbed an approximately 800-year Hundred-Blade Centipede ring and gained Execution Sword Formation.
Ten-Thousand-Year Ring Stacking 55	Increased through Origin conversion	Multiple rings, including a ten-thousand-year ring; stacking limit 99,999 years	Green Steel enhanced further (count unknown)	Learned to convert Martial Soul Origin into Soul Power Levels. Ring stacking evolved his clone and sword-formation abilities.
Return to Shrek 56 58	45	At least 4 ten-thousand-year rings	Green Steel enhanced further (count unknown)	Returned in an adult body. Yu Xiaogang notes that Ling Chen had risen to level 45 and acquired four ten-thousand-year rings within a year.
Sea God Island Advancement 79 81	Title Douluo	9 rings: 6 golden and 3 blue, including million-year and ten-million-year rings	Green Steel enhanced further (count unknown)	Evolved Heavenly Law, Earthly Manifestation after stacking a ring to ten million years; revealed nine rings during his battle with Bo Saixi.
Seventh Origin Enhancement 84	Title Douluo	9 high-age rings	7	Seventh Origin enhancement drastically increased the Green Steel Sword's weight, hardness, and sharpness; it destroyed half a mountain in a test.
Third Martial Soul Awakening 94	Title Douluo; Six-Winged Angel begins at level 20	Green Steel: 9; Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon: unrecorded; Six-Winged Angel: 0	7	Secretly awakened the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and Six-Winged Angel on Purple Pearl Island; confirmed all three martial souls can be summoned together.

Relationships

Tang San

Tang San, initially under the alias Tang Yin, forms a strategic alliance with Ling Chen (then Li Tianyi) in the Hell Slaughter Arena. Recognizing Ling Chen's extraordinary combat prowess despite his youth, Tang San proposes they intersperse their matches to give Ling Chen time to rest, shaking hands on a partnership. Throughout their time in Slaughter City, Tang San shows consistent concern for Ling Chen's safety, preventing Hu Liena from entering the arena to attack him and arriving just in time to save Ling Chen when he is surrounded. After leaving Slaughter City, Tang San spars with Ling Chen to test his newly acquired Peerless Domain, leading to mutual respect and interest in each other's abilities. Tang San later vouches for Ling Chen to his father Tang Hao, insisting that Ling Chen is trustworthy based on their shared life‑and‑death experiences on the Hell Road. He also advocates for Ling Chen to be taken to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to awaken his martial soul. Their bond remains strong; when Ling Chen warns Yu Xiaogang of Spirit Hall's impending attack on the Upper Three Sects, Tang San is present and later discusses the threat with the others, showing continued cooperation 9 11 15 17 31.

At Sea God Island, Ling Chen seeks Tang San's help in understanding killing momentum for the Seven Kill Formula, reflecting his willingness to learn from his longtime ally. They continue to share a friendly rivalry as Ling Chen completes trials and rapidly develops his sword path 73 75. Tang San later intervenes with Bo Saixi to stop Ling Chen from further harming Xiao Bai, and the two remain connected through Ling Chen's Eighth Sea God Trial, which requires him to assist Tang San in killing the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King 74 83.

Hu Liena

Hu Liena initially appears disdainful toward Ling Chen due to his young age and ruthless methods, yet she recognizes his strength and agrees to the temporary alliance with Tang San. She accompanies Ling Chen and Tang San through Slaughter City and participates in their strategies, though she is often hesitant about Ling Chen's extreme plans. After they escape the city, Hu Liena develops feelings for Tang San but remains friendly with Ling Chen; he gifts her the inner core of the Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent, leading to a cordial interaction. However, her dependence on Yellow Spring Dew during the Slaughter City period causes her to act recklessly, with Tang San having to restrain her from attacking Ling Chen. Later, under Bibi Dong's orders, she reports to her teacher about events in Slaughter City but deliberately omits Tang San's involvement, indicating a lingering loyalty to her former partner and a desire to protect him 7 9 11 12 15 24.

During Ling Chen's Spirit Hall captivity, Hu Liena delivers food to his cell without recognizing his restored adult form. She later acts as his guide during the Star Dou Great Forest expedition and mediates between him and Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo 45 49 50. After Bibi Dong forcibly makes Ling Chen her disciple, Hu Liena attempts to use Fox Charm to seduce him, but he breaks her illusion and challenges her to determine their master-disciple relationship through a duel 52. Their relationship becomes a mixture of suspicion, attraction, coercive sect ties, and lingering familiarity from Slaughter City 47 53.

Chen Xin (Sword Douluo)

Chen Xin becomes Ling Chen's master after witnessing his potential during a duel in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Battle Tower. Initially underestimating the six‑year‑old Ling Chen, Chen Xin grows serious when Ling Chen's Green Steel Sword chips his Seven Kill Sword. He takes Ling Chen as his personal disciple and seals the boy's martial soul for a year to force him to train with an ordinary iron sword, demonstrating strict but caring mentorship. Chen Xin repeatedly protects Ling Chen, intervening when six Shrek Academy students attack him after corpse‑looting, and later deciding to keep Ling Chen within the sect to shield him from Spirit Hall's machinations. He shows deep concern for Ling Chen's safety, even threatening to storm Spirit Hall if they try to take him. Chen Xin also confides in Ling Chen about Ning Rongrong's distress, showing trust in the boy's judgment. The master‑disciple bond is strong: Ling Chen secretly resolves to protect his master's hand, and Chen Xin acknowledges that Ling Chen's abilities make him difficult to fathom 19 23 24 26 31.

After Ling Chen returns to Shrek in an adult disguise, Chen Xin immediately recognizes him and prevents the spar with the Shrek Seven Devils from escalating. He remains proud of Ling Chen's growth and arranges for him to train with the Shrek Six Monsters 56. Ling Chen later returns to the sect to seek Chen Xin's counsel on the Seven Kill Formula; their spar confirms that Ling Chen has surpassed his master in raw combat strength, though Chen Xin remains the central source of his sword-cultivation foundation 85 86.

Gu Rong (Bone Douluo)

Gu Rong, as Chen Xin's old friend and fellow Title Douluo at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, develops a fondness for Ling Chen. He takes Ling Chen to hunt his first soul ring, guiding him to a Hundred Shadow Demon Crow and expressing envy that Chen Xin has such a powerful disciple. Gu Rong also tests Ling Chen's new sword alongside Chen Xin and Ning Rongrong, and later discusses the threat of Spirit Hall with Ling Chen, showing protective concern. He is present when Ling Chen demonstrates his Hundred Demon Shadow Clone skill and remarks on the strange color of his soul ring. Gu Rong expresses a desire to find his own disciple, but Ling Chen is uncertain about his chances 21 22 23 31.

Following Ling Chen's later return to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Gu Rong witnesses his overwhelming development, including his ability to withstand the Bone Dragon attack. Though he treats Ling Chen playfully, he recognizes that the former child has reached the level of a Title Douluo and hopes he will establish his own great Douluo title 85.

Ning Rongrong

Ning Rongrong, the young sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, has a complex relationship with Ling Chen. She is initially competitive and tsundere, refusing to believe in Ling Chen's strength and attempting to lift the Green Steel Sword only to fail despite amplifying her power. She later summons Ling Chen to Shrek Academy to help clear his name regarding grave‑robbing accusations, though she admits she does not know him well. Ling Chen is aware that Ning Rongrong is missing Oscar, though he pretends not to know. Their interactions are limited; Ling Chen notes that he has seen her only a few times while training in the Seven Kill Sword Pavilion. When Ling Chen warns about Spirit Hall, Ning Rongrong's heart tightens, showing her concern over the threat to the support sect 22 23 24 29 31.

Tang Hao (Clear Sky Douluo)

Tang Hao is initially reluctant to keep Ling Chen, considering him a potential threat, but agrees to test his character at the Moonlight Pavilion after Tang San vouches for him. He observes Ling Chen's restraint and self‑awareness, and later decides to take him to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to awaken his martial soul, noting that Ling Chen might inherit Chen Xin's mantle as a future Sword Douluo. Tang Hao listens to music with Ling Chen and Tang San to suppress their killing intent, and expresses concern for Ling Chen's well‑being during their travels. He departs after delivering Ling Chen to the sect, having concluded that Ling Chen is a talent worth nurturing 17 18 22.

Ling Chen later encounters Tang Hao at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and respectfully acknowledges him as a senior while explaining his intention to temper the Green Steel Sword there 84.

Yu Xiaogang

Yu Xiaogang first encounters Ling Chen when the boy warns him about Spirit Hall's imminent attack on the Upper Three Sects. Yu Xiaogang is skeptical of the child's words but later acknowledges the accuracy of the intelligence, especially after Ling Chen reveals detailed knowledge of Spirit Hall's Title Douluo. Yu Xiaogang also investigates Ling Chen's involvement in grave‑robbing incidents, sending the Shrek Five Monsters to invite him for questioning. However, he ultimately approves of Ling Chen staying at Shrek Academy, noting that "this little guy really has something special about him" 29 31 36.

When Ling Chen returns in an adult body at level 45, Yu Xiaogang is deeply skeptical of the explanation for his extraordinary physical and spiritual growth, though he accepts that Ling Chen possesses opportunities beyond normal understanding 58.

Ning Fengzhi

Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, is shocked by Ling Chen's terrifying killing intent upon first meeting, questioning how a child without a martial soul could possess such power. Later, when Ling Chen demonstrates his new soul ring and skills, Ning Fengzhi teases Gu Rong about his disciple hunting plans. He entrusts Ling Chen to Shrek Academy after the grave‑robbing investigation, departing with Chen Xin after giving a few instructions to Ning Rongrong 18 22 36.

Ning Fengzhi later witnesses Ling Chen's return and immense growth at the sect, initially remaining wary of his intentions but observing his respectful reunion with Chen Xin and Gu Rong 85.

Bibi Dong

Bibi Dong initially becomes interested in Ling Chen through Hu Liena's report from Slaughter City and is displeased that Hu Liena failed to bring him to Spirit Hall 24. After Ling Chen's capture, she seeks to recruit and control his unusual abilities, offering him the position of Holy Son and later revealing her hundred-thousand-year soul ring to pressure him 51 52. Ling Chen refuses voluntary allegiance and counters her intimidation with his knowledge of powerful figures such as Tang Chen.

Bibi Dong ultimately forces Ling Chen to join Spirit Hall and places him under Hu Liena as a disciple, though their relationship remains adversarial and defined by mutual calculation. She sees his ring-stacking ability, weapon designs, and future potential as assets for Spirit Hall's campaign, while Ling Chen exploits her resources without abandoning his own plans 49 52 53.

Bo Saixi

Bo Saixi meets Ling Chen on Sea God Island and is impressed by his Green Steel Sword Martial Soul Avatar, even considering him a potential successor 72. She assigns his fourth trial against Xiao Bai in part to restrain his rapid advancement and resolve their conflict 72. As Ling Chen's cultivation accelerates, she becomes increasingly wary of his spiritual power, Peerless Domain, and abnormal ring configuration 79.

Their conflict culminates in a battle in which Ling Chen reveals nine extraordinarily aged soul rings and uses Heavenly Law, Earthly Manifestation, the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation, and Sword Wheel against her Sea God power. Bo Saixi acknowledges his immense potential and considers him highly suited to divine inheritance, while Ling Chen remains determined to grow beyond even the Sea God 81 82.

Xiao Bai

Xiao Bai, the Demon Soul Great White Shark king, becomes Ling Chen's opponent during the Sea God trials. Their hostility begins with Bo Saixi's fourth trial, which requires Ling Chen to defeat her without his domain 72. Ling Chen develops the Seven Kill Formula through repeated conflict with her, eventually overcoming her illusions and shark clan to complete the trial 73 75.

Although Xiao Bai later confronts him with the confidence of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, Ling Chen's million-year rings overwhelm her. Tang San and Bo Saixi intervene before he can seriously injure her further 74. She remains fearful of his rapidly increasing spiritual power and difficult-to-read motives 79.

The Shrek Five Monsters (Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, Ma Hongjun, Tang San, Ning Rongrong)

As a group, the Shrek Five Monsters are sent by Yu Xiaogang to invite Li Tianyi (Ling Chen) for questioning about the grave robbing. They test his abilities, with Ling Chen agreeing to a sparring match using his clones rather than his martial soul. Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun are present during the encounter, with Dai Mubai suggesting that Tang San's history with Ling Chen might help secure his cooperation. Zhu Zhuqing questions why Ling Chen does not use his martial soul. Their interactions are cautious but not hostile, with Ling Chen displaying confidence and avoiding direct confrontation 29.

After Ling Chen's return in an adult body, the Shrek group is initially intimidated by his power but eager to test itself against him. Chen Xin places Ling Chen with the Shrek Six Monsters for further training, and Ling Chen later protects and travels with them, though his overwhelming strength and occasional bullying—particularly toward Ma Hongjun—make their relationship both familial and tense 56 59 64.