Xu Yuan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xu Yuan (许元)
Alias(es)	Xu Changtian; Zhou Chen; Xu Changge (used while concealing his identity) 23 202 591
Species/Race	Human; later possesses traits of humans, Strange Ghosts, the Yantian Divine Soul, and Yingui 432
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Prime Minister's Estate; Great Yan; master of the Ink Hidden Pavilion 743 776
Occupation/Role	Prime Minister Xu Yinhe's third son; Crown Prince; political and military planner 3 743
Status	Alive 854
First Appearance	Chapter 3

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Initial entry into cultivation	28	Officially began cultivating the Blood Origin Heart-Meteor Art; his frail body had not yet noticeably strengthened. 28
Ninth Realm	33	Reached the Ninth Realm after less than a month of cultivation under Zhou Chen's guidance, aided by a Spirit Locking Array and medicinal pills. 33
Soul Condensation	222	Reached Soul Condensation in under a year, fueled by exceptional resources, pills, medicinal meals, and baths. 222
Fifth-Grade Soul Condensation	244	Identified himself as a fifth-grade Soul Condensation cultivator. 244
Mortal Shedding power (temporary)	336	Had previously wielded Mortal Shedding power, but had fallen back to Soul Condensation by this point. 336
Origin Beginning physical realm	393	In the Bewitching God Illusion Realm, his physical cultivation synchronized with Jing He's past advancement and had reached Origin Beginning. 393
Body Fusion	647	Was described as a Body Fusion powerhouse, invincible within his realm against Li Junwu. 647
Grandmaster	716	Broke through from Body Fusion to Grandmaster in just over two years, using the Life-Death Dao Rhyme as his foundation. 716
Mortal Shedding	805	Fought Wen Xinyun as a Mortal Shedding cultivator, though the gap to an existence beyond Saint remained overwhelming. 805

Background

Xu Yuan awakened as the Prime Minister's third son, initially known as a weak and cowardly young master. When Ran Qingmo threatened him at swordpoint, he remained composed, used his knowledge of a state-shaking secret to test her motives, and attempted to turn their confrontation into an alliance. Ran Qingmo ultimately knocked him unconscious rather than kill him. 3

While confined with Ran Qingmo, Xu Yuan learned the fundamentals of cultivation, including Soul Intent, sensing Origin Qi, and the Lotus Sword Art. He then repeatedly pushed himself to the brink of death to complete the Blood Origin Heart-Meteor Art, accepting the risks of residual foreign Qi in exchange for faster preparation. 20 21 23

Although he retains memories from a past life and knowledge of Cangyuan's possible storylines, Xu Yuan recognizes that his identity has merged with Xu Changtian's rather than simply replacing it. His family memories, loyalties, and resentment toward his brothers are therefore genuine parts of him. 27 144

Appearance

Xu Yuan was originally burdened by a frail, drug-damaged body and weak stamina, though cultivation and the Blood Origin Heart-Meteor Art improved his health rapidly. 9 28 36

• Handsome features and narrow phoenix eyes. 144 432
• Can manifest crimson eyes and abnormal markings while using Strange Ghost-derived power. 327
• His later hybrid state lets him perceive the world's energy and matter with unusual clarity. 432

Personality

Xu Yuan is calculating, observant, and difficult to intimidate. He habitually tests others through conversation, identifies incentives and weaknesses, and favors gathering information before committing to a course of action. 3 75 600

He is willing to use ruthless measures when he considers them necessary for stability or survival. In Western Pacification Prefecture, he advocated purging those who would not submit to absolute force; elsewhere, he spared Bai Zhao because the man's local knowledge and potential usefulness outweighed the value of revenge. 191 665

Despite his cynicism and appetite for power, Xu Yuan is protective of people he accepts as his own. He repeatedly supports Xu Xinyao's work, helps Li Junwu consolidate power, and is willing to take extreme risks to protect those close to him. 487 670 715

Abilities & Skills

Innate Dao Body

Xu Yuan possesses an Innate Dao Body, granting him exceptional adaptability in cultivation.

• Has no ordinary cultivation bottlenecks. 248
• Allows broad compatibility rather than specialization in a single element or path. 339
• Its advantages were initially limited by his frail physical condition. 28

Blood Origin Arts

Xu Yuan's primary cultivation path began with the Blood Origin Heart-Meteor Art and later includes techniques associated with the Blood Origin Heart-Fall Technique.

• Used the Blood Origin Heart-Meteor Art to regulate his breathing, refine Qi, and restore his body. 28
• Endured repeated near-death cultivation sessions to complete the Heart-Meteor Art. 23
• Used the Blood Origin Heart-Fall Technique and Blood Marrow Bone Drill to probe Aurenli's spellcasting methods. 509
• Can use Blood Ink Jade: Circular Dance, a sword technique wrapped in blood-ink Qi. 208 362

Void-Stepping Slash and Void Flash

Xu Yuan's signature mobility art lets him attack through instantaneous movement.

• Void-Stepping Slash wounded a Grandmaster despite Xu Yuan's lower realm. 153
• He used conversation and stalling tactics to wait for its cooldown before striking. 153
• Void Flash allows successive short-range teleportation, but consumes Source Qi and can be overcome by a major realm gap. 406 696
• Tianyan's Four Symbols Seal Art can anticipate and counter its landing point. 809

Spirit Sight and Soul Techniques

Xu Yuan uses Soul Intent, Will Soul, and Spirit Sight for reconnaissance, analysis, and combat awareness.

• Learned to sense Origin Qi and cultivate independently through Soul Intent. 21
• Can locate pursuers and scan people, objects, and cultivation signatures with his Will Soul. 171 248
• His Spirit Sight is normally difficult to detect, but Mu Zhiyun can sense and repel it. 571
• Can perceive everything within the range of his soul mist. 583

Charm God Dao Rhyme

Xu Yuan can use the Charm God Dao Rhyme to resist and deploy charm-based effects.

• Resisted Su Jinxuan's Charm Soul Demon Body and disrupted her technique. 248
• Manifested cherry-blossom petals while preparing to fight Tang Ruofu. 405
• His Charm God poison can be used to treat Tianyan's recurring episodes, though doing so requires direct Qi transmission. 393

Life-Death Dao Rhyme

Xu Yuan developed a Life-Death Dao Rhyme through his encounters with Yingui, Strange Ghosts, and Mu Nuo.

• Used it as the basis for his breakthrough from Body Fusion to Grandmaster. 716
• Resisted Mu Nuo's attempt to erase his existence and resurrected after being reduced to blood mist. 715
• Can establish a Life-Death Dao Domain during combat. 717

Strange Ghost and Yingui Integration

Xu Yuan survived a possession attempt by the Thousand-Thorn Ghost Willow and incorporated part of its saint-grade Yin Source.

• Turned a Saint-rank ancient willow that sought to possess him into his puppet. 428
• Can wield the Willowwood Ghost Blade more safely because he shares its origin. 432
• His body was later internally devastated by the fusion of a Strange Ghost and an Yingui, despite a major increase in physical strength. 452
• Requires a sustainable Source Qi supply to avoid cultivation deviation. 487

Pattern-Stacking and Arrays

Xu Yuan supplements direct combat with complex techniques and prepared formations.

• Pushed the Pattern-Stacking Secret Art Nameless to its limit against Wen Xinyun. 720
• Activated the Blood Slaughter Entrapment Array to pin Wen Xinyun and create a killing trap. 720

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Clear Abyss — Feng Jiuxuan's spirit sword; it accepted Xu Yuan when offered to him. 208
• Clear Speech Sword — Sword used with Blood Ink Jade techniques. 280 362
• Willowwood Ghost Blade — A dangerous weapon with a “Devours Its Master” trait; Xu Yuan can gradually integrate it through his shared origin with the ghost willow. 432
• Black Death Fungal Armor — Controlled by Luo Xiran; held his damaged flesh together after a Mortal Shedding expert pierced his chest. 444
• Sumeru Ring — Used to store cultivation materials, weapons, and other items. 33 280

Relationships

• Ran Qingmo — Tianyuan Sword Sect disciple, cultivation teacher, longtime companion, and romantic partner. She taught him cultivation in their early confinement, protected him repeatedly, and became central to his plan to save the Sword Sect. 21 551 785 854
• Xu Yinhe — Father and Great Yan's Prime Minister. Their relationship is built on political trust, mutual analysis, and Xu Yuan's growing assumption of authority. 181 538 776
• Xu Changge — Eldest half-brother. Xu Yuan once feared his surveillance and power, but later defeated him in a brief exchange after Changge reached Mortal Shedding. 27 734 743
• Xu Xinyao — Fourth Sister and foster sister. Xu Yuan supports her formation research and relies on her work to stabilize his abnormal cultivation. 176 487 546
• Lou Ji — Elder sister and Black Scale Guard leader. She is protective of Xu Yuan while also treating him as a political figure capable of extending Xu Yinhe's ideals. 191 743
• Zhou Chen — Retainer, teacher, and protector. His guidance helped Xu Yuan rapidly reach the Ninth Realm, and he later served as head of the Black Scale Guard in Western Pacification Prefecture. 33 600
• Feng Jiuxuan — Maternal uncle and swordsmanship mentor. Feng protected Xu Yuan against enemies beyond his realm and offered to teach him the way of the sword. 208 690
• Li Qingyan — Princess Wu Yuan and later Empress of Great Yan. A political ally and romantic partner whose military authority, trust, and jealousy of Ran Qingmo shape their relationship. 328 339 854
• Li Junwu — Western Pacification Prefecture's commandery princess and Xu Yuan's ally. He helped her seize control of the prefecture and later sacrificed himself to save her. 670 715
• Tianyan — Heavenly Oversight Pavilion Holy Maiden, ally, sparring partner, and romantic interest. Her intimate knowledge of his techniques makes her one of the few people able to counter him effectively. 130 393 809
• Tianye — A separate presence able to use Tianyan's body. She alternates between aiding, manipulating, and provoking Xu Yuan. 461 627
• Bai Muxi — “Little White,” a trusted companion from the Underground Palace. She proposed a formal political arrangement with Xu Yuan, which he accepted in principle. 293 561
• Su Jinxuan — Possessor of the Charm Soul Demon Body. Xu Yuan initially used her as bait against Qin Mo; their later interactions are marked by mutual teasing and her dangerous charm abilities. 46 248

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early Survival and Cultivation

Xu Yuan survives Ran Qingmo's initial assassination attempt by using political knowledge rather than strength. During their month-long confinement, he learns cultivation from her and forcibly completes the Blood Origin Heart-Meteor Art through repeated near-death experiences. 3 21 23

Wanxiang City

Xu Yuan enters Wanxiang City alongside Ran Qingmo and Xu Xinyao, discovers that thousands of Black Scale Army troops have been smuggled inside, and works with Yuan Hao to decide the city's fate. He later spares the traitor Bai Zhao, giving him a new identity in exchange for his usefulness and local knowledge. 171 172 191

Northern Border and the Underground Palace

Xu Yuan accompanies Li Qingyan to the Northern Border, becomes involved in the Underground Palace conflict, and recruits or assists survivors including Bai Muxi and Qin Yuan. His exposure to the Black Death Fungal Armor, Strange Ghosts, and military formations fundamentally changes his understanding of power. 294 327 339

All Swords Valley and the Ghost Willow

While working with Tianyan, Xu Yuan faces powerful Yingui and the Thousand-Thorn Ghost Willow. He survives its possession scheme, gains control over part of its Yin Source, and begins integrating the dangerous Willowwood Ghost Blade into his own power. 405 428 432

Western Pacification Prefecture Crisis

Xu Yuan helps Li Junwu seize authority in Western Pacification Prefecture, using the Kirin Wolf and political manipulation to defeat Lu Baizou's faction. When Mu Nuo attacks the city, Xu Yuan dies protecting Li Junwu, resurrects, and breaks through to Grandmaster through the Life-Death Dao Rhyme. 670 715 716

Crown Prince and the Sect War

After becoming Crown Prince and master of the Ink Hidden Pavilion, Xu Yuan prepares Great Yan's campaign against the sects. His strategy includes bypassing the Sword Sect's array mist by airdropping a military formation, while his personal plan seeks to preserve the Sword Sect by forcing it into a sealed secret realm rather than annihilating it outright. 743 776 785

Notable Quotes

“Hold the position, plan its affairs. Accept its benefits, bear its responsibilities.” 755

“Kill people. Purge them. Turbulent times call for heavy punishment.” 665