Xiao Ding

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiao Ding (萧鼎)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xiao Clan; Green Blade Mercenary Group; Princess Yao Yue's guard retinue; Jia Ma Empire
Occupation/Role	Eldest Xiao brother; leader of the Green Blade Mercenary Group; Town Chief of Green Mountain Town; Captain of Princess Yao Yue's Guards; crown prince 90 91 95 133
Status	Alive; peak Dou Ling as of his latest documented appearance 133
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Four-Star Dou Zhe	1	At age sixteen, he is already concerned that his cultivation is falling behind that of Xiao Li and Xiao Yan.
Peak Dou Shi	90	Reaches this level rapidly through the Siphon Technique and a high-grade Xuan-class wood-attributed Qi Method provided by Xiao Li.
Da Dou Shi	90	Receives the mid-grade Di-class Forest of Myriad Treasures and other techniques; within a week, he defeats Master Yao and seizes Green Mountain Town's medicinal-herb trade.
Two-Star Da Dou Shi	92	Advances after a month of hunting Carrion Ghost Woods and consuming Blood Pills in the deathly forest.
One-Star Dou Ling	93	Survives the gray phantom's possession attempt; fusion with the emerald skeleton and absorbed soul fragments raises his realm and improves his aptitude.
Three-Star Dou Ling	99	Has continued cultivating while investigating the Xiao Clan's past and preparing for its return to the Imperial Capital.
Four-Star Dou Ling	104	Recognized by Jia Xingtian as a leading young genius of the Jia Ma Empire.
Peak Dou Ling	133	Maintains cultivation despite the administrative burdens of being crown prince.

Background / History

Eldest Brother of the Xiao Family

Xiao Ding is the eldest of the three Xiao brothers. At sixteen, he is a four-star Dou Zhe and takes pride in the extraordinary talent of Xiao Li and Xiao Yan, though their rapid growth also drives him to train harder. 1

He later leads the Mo Tie Mercenary Group in Shimo City, where he has been stationed for two years. When Xiao Li reunites with him and Xiao Yan, Xiao Ding accepts the Siphon Technique, a resource Xiao Li considers especially suited to his elder brother's comparatively ordinary talent. 61 62

Green Mountain Town

After Xiao Yan destroys the Mo Clan, Xiao Ding relocates the Mo Tie Mercenary Group to Green Mountain Town and renames it the Green Blade Mercenary Group to avoid retaliation from the Misty Cloud Sect. 90

Su Fei delivers a Storage Ring from Xiao Li and Xiao Yan containing the Di-class Forest of Myriad Treasures, several wood-attributed Dou Techniques, gold, and a letter promising that the brothers will reunite at the Misty Cloud Sect. Empowered by these resources, Xiao Ding defeats Master Yao, takes over the town's medicinal-herb business, and orders the elimination of rival mercenary leaders and core members. 90

Following the purge, Xiao Ding becomes Green Mountain Town's new town chief. He enters the Magical Beast Mountain Range to hunt beasts and refine Blood Pills, seeking strength so he will no longer need to be protected by his younger brothers. 91

The Deathly Forest

In a forest saturated with deathly energy, Xiao Ding hunts Carrion Ghost Woods and reaches two-star Da Dou Shi. He eventually investigates an emerald skeleton protected by the creatures, using bottles containing Xiao Yan's Green Lotus Core Flame and Xiao Li's Blood-Shatter Heaven-Striking Thunder to test it. 92

The skeleton's gray phantom attempts to seize his body. Xiao Ding resists with Blood Thunder Bottles, but the explosion tears open his abdomen. He survives after the phantom shatters and its soul fragments, along with the emerald bones, fuse into him. The incident elevates him directly to one-star Dou Ling, improves his affinity for surrounding elements, and reduces accumulated Blood Pill impurities. 93

Imperial Capital Investigation

Seeking records of the Xiao Clan's forced departure from the Imperial Capital, Xiao Ding enters Princess Yao Yue's bodyguard selection. Although the candidates are Da Dou Shi-level cultivators, he easily defeats a two-star Da Dou Shi and causes his next opponent to concede, while concealing his true Dou Ling cultivation. 94

Yao Yue appoints him Captain of the Guards. Xiao Ding uses his position to speak with longtime clan guards and gather intelligence on the Imperial Capital's history and power structure. 95

Jia Xingtian offers to take Xiao Ding as a disciple, but Xiao Ding declines. Jia Xingtian then reveals that the Xiao Clan was once a great Imperial Capital family descended from Xiao Lin. Learning this shatters Xiao Ding's composure, but he ultimately accepts that revenge must wait until he has at least reached Dou King. 96 97

Restoration of the Xiao Clan

After returning to the Xiao Clan as a three-star Dou Ling, Xiao Ding shares his findings with Xiao Zhan and Xiao Li. The brothers agree that the family will return to the Imperial Capital after Xiao Yan fulfills the Three-Year Agreement. 99

During the conflict with the Misty Cloud Sect, Xiao Ding abandons his Imperial Family ties to stand with Xiao Li and Xiao Yan. After the sect's defeat, Xiao Li assigns him Yin Bone Elder, five Dou Kings, and one hundred experts to eliminate everyone responsible for persecuting the Xiao Clan in the past. 106 114

By the time Xiao Yi Xian begins expanding into the Chu Yun Empire, Xiao Ding is crown prince. He manages the growing Jia Ma Empire's borders, trade, diplomacy, and defenses while continuing to cultivate. 133

Appearance

Xiao Ding is a youthful, refined-looking man whose bearing is considered suitable for serving beside royalty. His distinguished appearance and age initially lead others to underestimate his true cultivation. 94 95

• Carries a long sword, the three-foot Green Blade, at his side. 90 91
• Uses a composed, formal demeanor while serving Princess Yao Yue, even when dealing with Imperial Capital nobles. 95
• His eyes become blood-red and his aura murderous after learning of the Xiao Clan's past. 96

Personality

Xiao Ding's identity as the eldest brother is central to his actions. He is proud of Xiao Li and Xiao Yan, but refuses to remain the brother they must protect; this pride drives him to enter the deathly forest and pursue dangerous opportunities for growth. 1 91

He is cautious and strategic when confronting unknown threats. He keeps his distance from the emerald skeleton, tests it with the bottles left by his brothers, and escapes before the Blood Thunder Bottles detonate. He similarly restrains his desire for revenge after Jia Xingtian explains that the Xiao Clan's old enemies still possess Dou Ling-level strength. 92 97

In matters of family and power, Xiao Ding can be ruthless. After defeating Master Yao, he accepts the surrender of ordinary mercenaries but orders the deaths of rival leaders and core members, reasoning that they could later undermine the Green Blade Mercenary Group. 90

Abilities & Skills

Wood-Attributed Cultivation

Xiao Ding cultivates wood-attributed Dou Qi and receives increasingly powerful techniques from Xiao Li and Xiao Yan. 90

• Forest of Myriad Treasures — Mid-grade Di-class Qi Method that accelerates vitality recovery, strengthens the body, and can aid others' recovery from injuries. 90
• His supplied techniques cover cultivation, offense, defense, movement, medicinal-herb cultivation, and practical wood-attributed Dou Qi applications. 90

Blood Furnace and Blood Pills

Xiao Ding possesses a Blood Furnace and uses the Siphon Technique to accelerate his cultivation through Blood Pills. 61 90 91

• Refines magical-beast corpses into Blood Pills within seconds. 91
• Uses Blood Pills extensively while hunting Carrion Ghost Woods, enabling his breakthrough to two-star Da Dou Shi. 92
• Recognizes that repeated Blood Pill use leaves impurities in his body and may limit his future cultivation; the skeleton fusion later reduces some of these impurities. 91 93

Wood Shadow Escape

A low-grade Xuan-class movement technique that allows Xiao Ding to move through trees or shadows for evasion, concealment, and sudden repositioning. 90

• Appears behind Master Yao during their fight inside Ten Thousand Medicine Pavilion. 90
• Escapes the Carrion Ghost Woods' encirclement in the deathly forest. 92
• Materializes beside Yao Yue to escort her away from persistent noble youths. 96

Hundred Poison Wood Spike

A mid-grade Xuan-class offensive technique that infuses Xiao Ding's attacks with poisons capable of causing paralysis, dizziness, or death. 90

• Defeats Master Yao by spreading violent poison through his body. 90
• Gives Xiao Ding a decisive advantage against ordinary Dou Shi-level opponents. 90

Shield of the Forest

A mid-grade Xuan-class defensive technique that forms a tree-like barrier from Xiao Ding's Dou Qi or the surrounding natural environment. 90

Soul and Aptitude Enhancement

After surviving the possession attempt in the deathly forest, Xiao Ding gains improved elemental sensitivity and talent. 93

• Absorbs fragments of the gray phantom's shattered soul. 93
• Fuses with the emerald skeleton, healing his fatal abdominal injury. 93
• Breaks through from Da Dou Shi to one-star Dou Ling during the recovery. 93

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Green Blade — Xiao Ding's three-foot sword, used during his takeover of Green Mountain Town. 90
• Blood Furnace — An internal furnace used to refine magical-beast corpses into Blood Pills. 90 91
• Storage Ring — Received from Su Fei; contains techniques, gold, and a joint letter from Xiao Li and Xiao Yan. 90
• Blood Thunder Bottles — Bottles left by Xiao Li containing Blood-Shatter Heaven-Striking Thunder; Xiao Ding uses them against the gray phantom, at severe personal cost. 92 93
• Fire Spirit Bottles — Bottles left by Xiao Yan containing Green Lotus Core Flame power, used to test the emerald skeleton. 92

Relationships

• Xiao Li — His second younger brother. Xiao Ding respects Xiao Li's overwhelming talent, receives the Siphon Technique and cultivation resources from him, and is entrusted with the Xiao Clan when Xiao Li leaves to seek Strange Lightning. 61 90 120
• Xiao Yan — His youngest brother. Xiao Yan jointly provides Xiao Ding with techniques and supplies; Xiao Ding also uses the Fire Spirit Bottles Xiao Yan leaves behind during the skeleton incident. 90 92
• Xiao Zhan — His father. They share the determination to restore the Xiao Clan and avenge its forced exile from the Imperial Capital. 99
• Princess Yao Yue — Employer and growing companion. She appoints Xiao Ding as Captain of her Guards, trusts his protection, and frequently relies on him to handle unwanted attention from noble youths. 95 96
• Jia Xingtian — A peak Dou Emperor who attempts to recruit Xiao Ding as a disciple. He reveals the Xiao Clan's Imperial Capital history and persuades Xiao Ding to delay revenge until he is stronger. 96 97
• Yao Ye — Yao Yue's elder sister. She recognizes Xiao Ding's potential, investigates his background, and remains concerned after his meeting with Jia Xingtian. 95 96
• Green Blade Mercenary Group — Xiao Ding's mercenary force, which he relocates, renames, and uses to establish Xiao Clan control over Green Mountain Town. 90 91

Notable Quotes

“I'm the eldest brother. What kind of joke is it if I'm worse than my younger brothers?” 91

“I want it all!” 90