Xu Tianran

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Xu Tianran (徐天然)
Alias(es)	First Prince; Crown Prince; Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire 13 14 16
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Sun Moon Empire; covert collaborator with the Holy Spirit Cult 11 111
Occupation/Role	Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire; former Crown Prince
Status	Alive as of Chapter 117 117
First Appearance	Chapter 1 1

Background

Xu Tianran became Xu Tianyao's principal guardian after their mother died early. Their large age gap and Tianran's absorption of the Empress's former factional resources left Tianyao outside the succession struggle, allowing the younger prince to survive as an enfeoffed prince under Tianran's protection. 1

His early concern for Tianyao was inseparable from political calculation. After Tianyao offended the Red Dust Family, Tianran reprimanded him severely but promised to seek an imperial marriage to Meng Hongchen if he awakened an exceptional Martial Soul. He later formally proposed the match, recognizing that a union with Meng Hongchen would bind Mingde Hall and Jing Hongchen more closely to his own faction. 1 3

Appearance

At his coronation, Xu Tianran appears in formal imperial regalia befitting the Sun Moon Empire's new sovereign. 16

• Wears the Nine Dragon Sun Moon Imperial Robe. 16
• Wears a Twelve Pattern Dragon Robe and imperial crown during his ascension. 16

Personality

Xu Tianran is normally controlled and guarded, even when dealing with political opponents. His anger toward Tianyao's misconduct is unusual precisely because he generally conceals his emotions; despite this sternness, he shows rare familial warmth toward his younger brother. 1

He possesses an intensely authoritarian view of rulership. He regards imperial heirs as inherently above their subjects and treats the ruler's will as law, viewing power as the proper basis for hierarchy and obedience. 1

His ambition increasingly overrides family loyalty. Although proud of Tianyao's achievements and publicly supportive of their brotherly bond, he later treats Tianyao's death as an acceptable cost for consolidating power, launching war, and unifying the continent. 34 43

Xu Tianran is also deeply self-justifying. He considers the Holy Spirit Cult a usable instrument rather than an evil in itself, dismisses morality as an obstacle to great ambitions, and believes his administrative achievements should validate his methods. 111

Abilities & Skills

Purple Imperial Heaven-Destroying Dragon Martial Soul

Xu Tianran inherited the Sun Moon imperial family's orthodox Purple Imperial Heaven-Destroying Dragon Martial Soul. 111

• His talent is described as not being greatly inferior to Xu Tianyao's. 111
• His personal cultivation is believed by Xu Tianyao's side to have possibly reached the Titled Douluo level, though this is presented as intelligence rather than a confirmed rank. 116

Political Rule and Administration

As emperor, Xu Tianran personally oversees the empire's military, fiscal, and administrative affairs. He considers a centralized, technologically advanced Sun Moon Empire essential to his plans for continental unification. 111

• Accepted trade with the three Douluo nations while preserving control over strategic resources. 16 17
• Approved an exchange-student program with Shrek Academy but refused to expose Mingde Hall to foreign visitors. 16
• Entrusted Xu Tianyao with organizing the Sun Moon delegation to Shrek Academy and ordered him to demonstrate the empire's young talent and Soul Tool capabilities. 35

Factional Manipulation

Xu Tianran excels at turning personal relationships and political crises into tools for consolidating authority.

• Used Tianyao's engagement to Meng Hongchen to draw Jing Hongchen and Mingde Hall toward his side. 3 13
• Exploited the failed coup by the Second and Third Princes to force the old emperor's abdication and purge participating princes, relatives, and officials. 13 14
• Maintains intelligence within Mingde Hall, including a high-ranking informant who reports Kong Deming's actions. 111

Military Command and Covert Operations

Xu Tianran relies on imperial Soul Engineer legions, loyal relatives, and covert alliances to secure his reign. 11 13

• His cousin Xu Tianyuan, commander of the Imperial Dragon Soul Engineer Legion, is one of his most loyal supporters. 11 13
• Maintains a mutually exploitative relationship with the Holy Spirit Cult, monitoring and using it as a political weapon rather than fully trusting it. 21 111
• Tacitly supported an operation intended to kill Xu Tianyao during the Shrek exchange, intending to use the resulting outrage as a pretext for war against the three Douluo nations. 43 114
• Later canceled a further interception plan against the returning exchange delegation when Kong Deming's and Mingde Hall's movements made the risk unacceptable. 111

Relationships

• Xu Tianyao — Younger brother whom Tianran largely raised after their mother's death. He initially protects and promotes Tianyao, but later sees his growing prestige as a threat and becomes willing to sacrifice him for imperial ambition. 1 34 43 114
• The Old Emperor — Father and predecessor. Xu Tianran compelled him to abdicate after suppressing the palace coup. 13
• Jing Hongchen — Mingde Hall Master and Tianyao's future grandfather-in-law. Tianran first appeases him over Tianyao's actions, then uses Tianyao's engagement to secure his support during the succession crisis. 1 3 13
• Kong Deming — Tianyao's grandfather and a decisive power within the empire. Tianran fears that Kong Deming's planned reorganization and support for Tianyao could threaten his throne. 111 117
• Ju Zi — His concubine and trusted court confidante. She helps him reframe the failed assassination attempt as an opportunity to publicly hunt Evil Soul Masters and pressure rival nations. 48
• Zhongli Wu — Leader of the Holy Spirit Cult. Zhongli Wu follows Tianran's orders regarding the Cult's operations, including the cancellation of an assassination plan. 111
• Xu Tianyuan — Cousin and loyal military supporter who leads the Imperial Dragon Soul Engineer Legion in defense of Tianran's claim. 11 13

Story Role

Rise to the Throne

Before becoming emperor, Xu Tianran secretly established terms with the Holy Spirit Cult while positioning himself for the succession struggle. 1 11

When the Second and Third Princes launched a palace coup, Tianran survived the assassination attempts against him, held his position through the battle, and benefited from Xu Tianyuan's return with the Imperial Dragon Soul Engineer Legion. He then demanded the old emperor's abdication and oversaw a nationwide purge of those tied to the rebellion. 13 14

Early Reign

Xu Tianran's coronation publicly emphasizes unity with Tianyao: the new emperor appears with Prince Ming half a step behind him, elevating Tianyao above the empire's other princes. 16

He permits limited foreign trade and an academy exchange with Shrek while protecting Mingde Hall's secrets. His public elevation of Tianyao also helps create the prestige that later makes the younger prince a political danger. 16 17 37

Conflict with Xu Tianyao

As Tianyao's talent, Mingde Hall ties, Kong Deming connection, and public reputation grow, Xu Tianran concludes that coexistence is impossible. He allows the Holy Spirit Cult to target Tianyao, calculating that Tianyao's death could unite the Sun Moon Empire behind a war of revenge. 42 43

The assassination attempt causes Tianyao to question his brother's loyalty, while Tianran becomes increasingly alarmed that Tianyao has learned of his involvement. 42 114

Threat of Deposition

Kong Deming's intention to reorganize the empire makes Tianran suspect that the Consecration Hall and Mingde Hall may be preparing to replace him with Tianyao. 111

By Chapter 117, Tianyao and his supporters are preparing for an eventual contest for the throne, while Tianran still retains substantial support from Soul Engineer legions and the Holy Spirit Cult. 116 117

Notable Quotes

“Under imperial power, all living beings are subjects.” 1

“Our will is the law.” 1

“Those destined for great deeds should never be bound by so-called morality.” 111