Xu Heng

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xu Heng (许恒)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Huo Academy; later cooperates with the Song Family
Occupation/Role	Martial artist; Huo Lin's personal disciple
Status	Active
First Appearance	10

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Grade B-Upper aptitude	10	Tested with a rare Grade B-Upper physique upon joining Huo Academy, immediately drawing Huo Lin's favor.
Skin Realm	17	Broke through the Skin Barrier roughly a month and a half after entering the academy; Huo Lin formally accepted him as a personal disciple.
Clear Force	23	Grasped Clear Force in under two months of academy training, becoming an entry-level martial artist.
Bone Realm	46	Reached the Bone Realm after only four months of training, causing a stir at Huo Academy and in Qingyuan County.
Dark Force	64	Revealed mastery of Dark Force during a spar with Chen Yuan; his force could penetrate defenses and numb the opponent's internal organs.

Background

Xu Heng entered Huo Academy with Grade B-Upper aptitude, a rarity among its disciples. Huo Lin personally instructed him from the outset, waived his tuition, and covered his food and medicinal supplements. His rapid progress led Huo Lin to view him as a candidate for the upcoming Martial Examination. 10 12 17

Before entering the academy, Xu Heng's mother supported his martial training by weaving fishing nets until exhaustion. Xu Heng resolved to rise through martial arts so that she could live well. 11

His talent translated into extraordinary advancement: he entered the Skin Realm in about a month and a half, attained Clear Force in under two months, and reached the Bone Realm within four months. 17 23 46 His rise attracted gifts from fellow disciples, sustained support from Huo Lin, and later an agreement with the Song Family for deeper funding and protection. 17 24 47

Personality

When first introduced, Xu Heng is courteous, nervous around Huo Lin, and respectful toward Chen Yuan. He admires Chen Yuan's willingness to endure bitter training, connecting it to his own determination to repay his mother's sacrifices. 10 11

After associating closely with Song Qiao and rapidly surpassing his peers, Xu Heng becomes cold, arrogant, and increasingly brutal in sparring. He dismisses Chen Yuan as too weak to remain his training partner and frames strength as the only safeguard against being exploited. 12 17

Despite this arrogance, Xu Heng recognizes ability when he sees it. He considers Chen Yuan worthy of pursuing his “shadow,” expresses confidence in Chen Yuan before the latter's life-and-death fight with Chen Kai, and later voluntarily spars with Chen Yuan to guide him after his Bone Realm breakthrough. 47 57 63 He also intervenes against Changhong Martial Hall disciples, resolving their campaign of challenges against Huo Academy. 77

Abilities & Skills

Exceptional Aptitude and Cultivation Speed

Xu Heng possesses Grade B-Upper aptitude, giving him an exceptional advantage in martial cultivation. 10 24

• Reached the Skin Realm far ahead of most academy disciples. 17
• Attained the Bone Realm in four months, a pace that made him a major Martial Examination prospect. 46 47
• Comprehended Dark Force within roughly seven months of beginning martial arts. 64

Six Harmonies Mind Boxing

Xu Heng is highly proficient in Six Harmonies Mind Boxing, including its Five Elements foundation and Twelve Forms variations. 63

• Seamlessly changes between forms such as Dragon, Tiger, Snake, Sparrowhawk, Swallow, and Chicken. 63
• Uses redirection, deflection, and timing to neutralize attacks with minimal effort. 63
• Identifies technical flaws while sparring, such as Chen Yuan's overly direct Dragon Probing Claw. 63
• Demonstrated a level of understanding far beyond Chen Yuan's Clear Force-level application of the art. 63

Dark Force

Xu Heng's Dark Force gives his strikes concealed penetrating power beyond ordinary Clear Force. 64

• Force travels through an opponent's guard and affects the body internally. 64
• A restrained strike numbed Chen Yuan's internal organs without seriously injuring him. 64
• Can withdraw and release force with exceptional control, allowing fluid transitions between techniques. 63 64

Equipment / Items

• Blood Qi Pills — received three as congratulatory gifts upon entering the Skin Realm. 17
• Bone-Strengthening Pills — received three from Song Qiao to support his anticipated Bone Realm advancement. 24
• Huo Lin's supplements — his master personally covered food and medicinal supplements during his early academy training. 10

Relationships

• Huo Lin — Master and personal patron; Huo Lin personally trains Xu Heng, funds his supplements, and intends to prepare him for the Martial Examination. 10 12 17
• Chen Yuan — Fellow disciple, rival, and occasional sparring partner. Xu Heng initially respects Chen Yuan's diligence, later dismisses him, but eventually recognizes his growth and offers him guidance. 11 12 63 64
• Song Qiao — Senior brother and close associate who influences Xu Heng's harsher outlook; later provides valuable pills and helps connect him with the Song Family. 12 17 24 47
• Tao Ping — Senior brother at Huo Academy who observes Xu Heng's growth and helps facilitate instruction and academy matters. 10 12 64
• Changhong Martial Hall disciples — Opponents defeated by Xu Heng when he went to their hall to end their harassment of Huo Academy. 77

Story Role / Major Arcs

Favored Genius of Huo Academy

Xu Heng's arrival establishes him as Huo Academy's exceptional new talent. His special treatment under Huo Lin highlights the gap in opportunity and natural aptitude between him and ordinary disciples. 10 11

Rivalry with Chen Yuan

Xu Heng and Chen Yuan begin as friendly training partners, but Xu Heng's rapid advancement and association with Song Qiao turn their relationship distant and competitive. 11 12 Their later Bone Realm spar shows that Xu Heng has reached Dark Force and remains decisively stronger, though he treats Chen Yuan with more respect than before. 63 64

Rise to Local Prominence

Xu Heng's Bone Realm breakthrough draws attention from powerful local families. The Song Family secures his cooperation, shielding him from hostile recruitment or interference and cementing his value as a rising martial talent. 46 47

Defeat of Changhong Martial Hall

When Changhong Martial Hall repeatedly challenges Huo Academy in the aftermath of Yu Yan's death, Xu Heng personally leads a response. He defeats their younger disciples alone, ending the immediate conflict and indirectly protecting Chen Yuan from further pressure. 77

Notable Quotes

“Senior Brother, you are too modest. Being able to persist through bitter training is a skill in itself. I should learn from you.” 11

“I suggest you make chasing my shadow your lifelong goal; if you can keep up, you will have nothing to worry about in this life.” 47