Xu Shi

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xu Shi (许时)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Serpent Coil; Star River Federation
Occupation/Role	Chairman of Serpent Coil; leader of the Star River Federation
First Appearance	Chapter 7

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Ascendant	52 66	Pursued Ability “Ascension” using Serpent Coil’s drug Heng Wo; later confirmed as a high-level Ascendant by Xie Qingyan’s Ability Nullification.
Second Ability: United Will	195	Chose and underwent implantation of United Will to complement Malice Entropy.
United Will activated; abilities fused	232	Fused Malice Entropy and United Will during a confrontation within the Sea God, gaining full control over both.
Liminal Space unlocked	232	Malice Entropy developed a new effect after the fusion.
Near SS-class	319	Reported to be close to advancing to SS-class.

Background / History

Xu Shi initially presented himself as a reckless young master who indulged in parties and dangerous driving, but Su Lin eventually realized he had long concealed his competence. As a Serpent Coil director, he maintained detailed knowledge of his subordinates’ histories and used that information strategically. 7

As chairman of Serpent Coil, Xu Shi became embroiled in a power struggle with Lin Wenhua. Assassinations against corporate board members were widely perceived as fallout from their conflict, while increased dividends and Xu Shi’s apparent strength drew more employees toward his side. 63

He pursued Ability Ascension to gain leverage against his fiancée and rival collaborator, Xie Qingyan, whose Ability Nullification could counter Malice Entropy through physical contact. 52 66 He subsequently formed resource-sharing partnerships with Prism and later worked with Xie Qingyan on research, fleet construction, and overseas expansion. 66 195 196

Xu Shi led an expedition across the Rust Fog to investigate the Heavenly Principle and the Sea God. In the Hualan Empire, he used Night Sin City’s superior weapons and political bargaining to establish trade arrangements with Cheng Gujian rather than pursue outright conquest. 198 213 214

After returning from sea, he continued expanding Night Sin City’s influence. Three years later, he had become a principal leader of the Star River Federation, a council-based alliance of city-states, while focusing on a sixth-generation Rust Fog purification upgrade. 319

Personality

Xu Shi is calculating, politically adept, and highly pragmatic. He routinely turns conflicts into leverage: cultivating Lin Yue as a future force in Sin City, using Pan Feng’s duel to force the Hualan court into trade, and seeking alliances with powerful figures such as Cheng Gujian and Xie Qingyan. 62 213 214

He often conceals serious intentions behind humor, teasing, or apparent nonchalance. Despite this, he can be considerate toward people he accepts as his own: he comforts Pan Ling over her mind-reading burden, refuses to use Malice Entropy on Xie Qingyan when it could damage her personality, and delegates responsibility to subordinates he has trained. 209 219 249 319

His methods can be coercive. He tests, manipulates, and trains others to serve his plans, including Shen Qin, whose memories and submissiveness were affected by his training. 62 211

Abilities & Skills

Malice Entropy

Xu Shi’s original Ability, associated with mental erosion and manipulation.

• Initially required physical contact and operated slowly, leaving him vulnerable against opponents such as Xie Qingyan. 52
• Its complication manifests as suspicion; Su Lin has helped him manage it. 7
• Its strength was sufficient to strain Xie Qingyan’s Ability Nullification. 66
• It resisted the Sea God’s remnant will after Xu Shi’s later development. 249
• Developed the Liminal Space effect after fusion with United Will. 232

United Will

Xu Shi’s second implanted Ability.

• Selected as a strategic complement to Malice Entropy. 195
• Initially remained inactive, apparently because of a restraining relationship with Shen He’s power. 196
• Fully activated after Xu Shi fused it with Malice Entropy within the Sea God. 232

Strategic Leadership

Xu Shi combines corporate authority, negotiation, technological resources, and Ability research.

• Persuaded Wen Shengkui to support Feather Pen against Dragon City. 103
• Advocated cooperation with Night City when it could improve Sin City’s education and broader living conditions. 131
• Negotiated independent Hualan trade posts by offering Cheng Gujian weapons and profit-sharing. 214
• Established and leads the Star River Federation’s council system. 319

Mental Power

Xu Shi demonstrated notable mental power after entering a mysterious white, light-filled world through a glowing door. 340

Equipment / Resources

• Heng Wo — Serpent Coil-developed drug used to support Ability Ascension below A-class. 52
• Serpent Coil resources — Used to fund Ability research, security, corporate reforms, and expeditionary projects. 52 63 66
• Night Sin City weapons technology — Used to demonstrate military superiority in the Hualan Empire and secure trade. 213 214
• Fleet — Inspected the completed fleet before setting sail to investigate the Heavenly Principle. 196 198

Relationships

• Su Lin — Trusted subordinate and Serpent Coil’s Human Resources Director; monitors his condition during Ascension and manages projects on his behalf. 7 52 66
• Xia Wuyou — Close companion and confidante; Xu Shi knows her past, relies on her in strategic discussions, and receives her concern after dangerous operations. 7 232 272
• Xie Qingyan — Fiancée, rival, and eventual close collaborator; their relationship balances mutual caution, Ability research, political cooperation, and growing trust. 52 66 195 249
• Jiang Chengcheng — Loyal companion who openly fears losing him and supports his decisions. 62 196 232
• Tang Shuang — Initially refuses his offer to become his bodyguard; later credits him with helping reduce crime and supports his expedition. 63 136 198
• Wen Shengkui — Maternal grandfather; Xu Shi seeks his support for Feather Pen and gradually develops a closer relationship with him. 103 131
• Pan Ling — Disciple who later becomes his Special Assistant; Xu Shi teaches her to cope with mind-reading and entrusts her with federation affairs. 209 219 319
• Pan Feng — Xia Wuyou’s disciple and Xu Shi’s junior protégé; Xu Shi pushes her to prove Night Sin City’s weapons against Fan Shigui. 209 213
• Cheng Gujian — Hualan Empire grand duke and political partner; they exchange training knowledge and establish a private trade agreement. 214 219
• Shen He — Persistent adversary whose power conflicts with United Will; Xu Shi defeated him in a virtual-world confrontation, but Shen He later reappeared in a reanimated state. 161 195 196
• Xia Ke'an — Treated as Xu Shi’s daughter and close family; she worries for him, travels with him, and later reveals her controllable adult transformation. 161 208 257

Story Role / Major Arcs

Serpent Coil Power Struggle

Xu Shi strengthens Serpent Coil, directs Xia Wuyou on an escort mission, and reveals his hidden awareness of his subordinates’ pasts. His conflict with Lin Wenhua later destabilizes the company through a wave of assassinations and suspicion. 7 63

Ascension and Prism Cooperation

To overcome Malice Entropy’s limitations and counter Xie Qingyan, Xu Shi undergoes Ability Ascension. He then secures a cooperative arrangement between Serpent Coil and Prism while retaining caution toward Xie Qingyan’s motives. 52 66 67

Hualan Expedition

Xu Shi leads an overseas expedition through the Rust Fog, investigates the Sea God, and establishes Night Sin City’s presence in the Hualan Empire. He uses force, trade, and infiltration to build influence while studying foreign Ability-training methods. 206 213 214 219

Sea God Incident

After confronting the Sea God, Xu Shi enters a stalemate between Malice Entropy and United Will, fuses the two powers, and awakens after several days with Liminal Space newly unlocked. 232

Star River Federation

Following his return, Xu Shi helps shape a federation of city-states. By this period, he delegates extensively to Pan Ling, holds exceptional influence within the council system, and develops Rust Fog purification technology while nearing SS-class. 309 319

Trivia

• Xu Shi describes Ability-enhancing drugs such as Heng Wo as analogous to cultivation-boosting pills, but considers them an example of technology and Abilities advancing together. 52
• He was known as the “Young Chairman” during the Serpent Coil succession conflict. 63
• In formal work settings, he expects Pan Ling to address him by his title rather than “Master.” 319