Xiao Hongchen

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Hongchen (笑红尘)
Alias(es)	Brother Xiao; Young Master Xiao
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Hongchen Family; Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy
Occupation/Role	Soul Engineer; academy student; reputed soul-tool prodigy
First Appearance	Chapter 42

Background / History

Xiao Hongchen is the grandson of Jing Hongchen, the Master of Mingde Hall. His family position gives his word considerable influence at the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, where Wang Chong believes Xiao can intervene on behalf of students in trouble. 48 49

He is publicly regarded as the Sun Moon Empire and Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy’s greatest soul-tool genius in a thousand years. Qian Yuhan describes him as a fourteen-year-old quasi-Soul King and a prodigy of soul engineering, while Xiao later identifies himself as a four-ring Soul Ancestor and Level 4 Soul Engineer. 45 50

Before meeting Qian Yuhan, Xiao had earned Wang Chong’s admiration by occasionally helping students from poor backgrounds. Wang Chong’s trust in him leads him to reveal that a man in black—called an Elder—had entered Mingde Hall, indicating possible corruption within the institution. 49

Appearance

Xiao Hongchen is described as refined and handsome, with a fair face. He considers himself presentable but privately acknowledges that Qian Yuhan is far more striking. 42 50

• Often carries his sister Meng Hongchen’s shopping bags. 42
• His face visibly reddens when embarrassed, angry, or provoked. 46 50
• Can encase himself in a dense, cannon-covered metal combat configuration likened to a “big hedgehog.” 50

Personality

Xiao is deeply conscious of his reputation. When Qian Yuhan suggests that a fleeing stranger has made him appear to be a bullying young master, Xiao panics over the possibility of public rumors and insists on pursuing the matter to clear his name. 46

He is vain and easily swayed by praise, especially when Qian Yuhan recites his prestigious reputation. Despite this arrogance, he genuinely wants to be seen as a righteous senior who protects juniors, helps classmates, and upholds the academy’s honor. 45 47 49

His sense of justice is sincere but theatrical. He initially imagines himself executing a flawless rescue operation and receiving recognition for protecting a junior, defeating criminals, rescuing hostages, and preserving public order. When Qian Yuhan rushes in first, Xiao is left scrambling to catch up. 47

Abilities & Skills

Soul Master Cultivation

Xiao is a four-ring Soul Ancestor. He manifests two yellow and two purple soul rings, and can activate his first and third soul skills together. 50

• Identifies himself as a Level 4 Soul Master. 50
• Is reputed to be a fourteen-year-old quasi-Soul King. 45
• Can keep pace with Qian Yuhan only by using a propulsion Soul Tool. 46
• Admits that against two Soul Emperors, he can likely only protect himself rather than safeguard others. 50

Soul Engineering

Xiao is a Level 4 Soul Engineer and a celebrated young soul-tool talent. 45 50

• Uses a storage Soul Tool to deploy rare metals and pre-carved Soul Tool core formations. 50
• Rapidly liquefies and shapes metal around his core formations to construct combat armaments. 50
• Activates his first and third soul skills while assembling his Soul Tool array, producing a powerful fluctuation. 50

Metal Cannon Array

In battle, Xiao can create a full-body artillery configuration from rare metals and Soul Tool components. 50

• Forms a metal “big hedgehog” covered in cannon barrels. 50
• Assembles 64 metal cannon barrels for concentrated firepower. 50
• Selects targets pragmatically, initially favoring a larger opponent because of the greater target area. 50

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Storage Soul Tool — stores rare metals, Soul Tool components, and other equipment. 44 50
• Propulsion Soul Tool — used to accelerate while pursuing the gray-robed kidnapper. 46
• Rare metals and carved core formations — used to construct his artillery array. 50
• Defensive Soul Tools — supplied to Xiao and Meng by Jing Hongchen for self-defense. 50

Relationships

• Jing Hongchen — Grandfather; Master of Mingde Hall. Xiao relies on his influence when offering to help Wang Chong seek leniency. 47 48
• Meng Hongchen — Younger sister. Xiao is protective of her, though he admits he has little control over the family’s favored daughter. 42
• Qian Yuhan — Initially a new acquaintance, then self-styled “brother.” Xiao is flattered by Qian’s praise and repeatedly drawn into Qian’s schemes concerning the Evil Soul Masters. 45 46 48 50
• Wang Chong — Academy schoolmate who trusts Xiao as a righteous senior figure. Xiao promises to help him expose the mastermind behind his coerced kidnapping activities. 47 48 49
• Xu Tianzhen — Acquainted through Meng and Qian Yuhan. Xiao mistakenly believes Tianzhen is threatening Qian and attempts to “rescue” him from her. 42 44 45

Story Role / Major Arcs

Meeting Qian Yuhan

Xiao arrives while Xu Tianzhen and Meng Hongchen are with Qian Yuhan, carrying Meng’s shopping bags. He immediately compares his own appearance to Qian’s and feels jealous of Qian’s effortless treatment during the outing, though the two greet each other politely. 42

After noticing Qian and himself both scanning their surroundings, Xiao assumes Qian is uncomfortable around Xu Tianzhen and decides to rescue him. His dramatic intervention instead consists of asking Qian where the public restroom is, providing both boys an excuse to leave the girls behind. 44 45

Pursuit of the Gray-Robed Man

Qian’s praise quickly wins Xiao over, and Xiao embraces their new “brotherhood.” When a gray-robed man panics after colliding with him, Qian convinces Xiao that failing to pursue the stranger could permanently ruin his reputation. 45 46

Xiao follows Qian into an alley, using a propulsion Soul Tool to keep up. They discover three kidnappers holding two young men captive. 46 47

Wang Chong’s Confession

Qian defeats the kidnappers before Xiao can enact his planned rescue. Xiao recognizes one of them as Wang Chong, a schoolmate, and offers to seek a lighter punishment if Wang Chong reveals the mastermind behind the kidnapping. 47

When Wang Chong tries to accept all responsibility, Xiao explains the severe legal consequences of kidnapping and continues urging him to cooperate. Qian then pressures Xiao into formally taking responsibility for Wang Chong’s case by emphasizing his family status and future position. 48

Wang Chong reveals that he was coerced by a man in black who threatened his family and village, and that this figure had infiltrated Mingde Hall. Xiao reacts with anger and embarrassment, but Wang Chong’s faith in his character leaves him committed to helping. 49

Confrontation with the Evil Soul Masters

When the Great Holy Spirit, Second Holy Spirit, and Wang Jinwei arrive, Xiao is mocked as an undeveloped genius. Qian provokes him into fighting, and Xiao deploys his metal cannon array against the two Soul Emperors. 50