Fang Qingshan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Fang Qingshan (方青山)
Alias(es)	Teacher Fang; Uncle Fang
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Notting Junior Spirit Master Academy; Spirit Hall Academy
Occupation/Role	Spirit Master; former academy teacher; library administrator at Spirit Hall Academy; Duan Fan's adoptive uncle and mentor
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Fang Qingshan grew up alongside Duan Chengjun, Duan Fan's father. Though Duan Chengjun was only a few days older, Fang Qingshan regarded him as an elder brother: Chengjun protected him from childhood bullies and looked after him after their grandparents died. 5

After Duan Chengjun and Ye Lanxin—both Spirit Hall deacons and Spirit Kings—died during a mission that destroyed an entire Spirit Hall branch, Fang Qingshan was unable to identify or avenge their killer. He raised Duan Fan in their place, withholding details of the tragedy until Duan Fan became a Spirit Master with Full Innate Soul Power. 5

Before moving to Spirit City, Fang Qingshan worked at the Notting Junior Spirit Master Academy. He later secured a position as a library administrator at Spirit Hall Academy, where access to extensive Spirit Master and Soul Beast literature suited his long-standing research interests. 1 29

Appearance

Fang Qingshan is tall and burly; after activating his Martial Soul, his body becomes substantially more robust and grows prominent ox horns. 7

• Azure Ox Martial Soul possession manifests cyan light and enlarged physical stature. 7
• Wears worn leather boots while working at Spirit Hall Academy. 29

Personality

Fang Qingshan is intensely devoted to Duan Fan, treating his nephew as his own son and often prioritizing his wishes over those of his daughter, Fang Qian. He is protective to the point of excessive concern, but supports Duan Fan's decisions—including his enrollment in Spirit Hall Academy and pursuit of stronger Soul Rings. 2 13 16

He is also a dedicated researcher of Martial Souls and Soul Beasts. He fills notebooks with his findings, studies academy library materials, and eagerly tests the properties of Duan Fan's summoned creatures. 6 9 29

Abilities & Skills

Azure Ox Martial Soul

Fang Qingshan possesses the Azure Ox Martial Soul and was a level 34 Spirit Elder at the time of Duan Fan's awakening. 1

• Has three Soul Rings: two yellow century-level rings and one purple thousand-year ring. 7
• Martial Soul possession greatly enhances his already powerful physique and manifests two large ox horns. 7
• His combat approach is direct and forceful, combining physical charges with empowered horns. 7
• Easily defeated a 400-year Dream-Weaving Spider to allow Duan Fan to claim its Soul Ring. 7

Soul Beast and Martial Soul Research

Fang Qingshan has extensive practical and theoretical knowledge of Soul Beasts and Soul Ring selection. 6

• Researched suitable first-ring targets for Duan Fan using records and Ye Lanxin's Soul Ring configuration. 6
• Proposed the Snow Deer, Dream-Weaving Spider, and Wind Sound Sparrow as paths emphasizing control-assist, summoning-creation, and mental attack respectively. 6
• Identified Soul Beast habitats, territorial behavior, age indicators, and combat traits while guiding Duan Fan through the Soul Hunting Forest. 6 7
• Assessed Duan Fan's first summoned Dream-Weaving Spider as equivalent to a 600-year Soul Beast and its woven Giant Spider as roughly 650 years. 9

Equipment / Items

• Spirit Hall tokens of Duan Chengjun and Ye Lanxin — Used to establish Duan Fan's family connection to Spirit Hall and gain entry to Spirit Hall Academy. 14
• Research notebooks — Fang Qingshan has compiled more than a hundred notebooks concerning Spirit Masters and Soul Beasts. 6

Relationships

• Duan Fan — Adoptive nephew and surrogate son. Fang Qingshan raised him after his parents' deaths, guided his Soul Master development, and moved his family to Spirit City to remain close to him. 2 5 16 29
• Duan Chengjun — Childhood friend and sworn-brother-like figure; Chengjun was Duan Fan's father and often protected Fang Qingshan when they were young. 5
• Ye Lanxin — Sister-in-law by association and Duan Fan's mother; Fang Qingshan referenced her Paintbrush Martial Soul and Soul Ring configuration when planning Duan Fan's development. 5 6
• Ding Yutang — Wife and Duan Fan's aunt. They jointly support Duan Fan's cultivation and initially planned to accompany him to the Soul Hunting Forest. 3 4
• Fang Qian — Daughter. Fang Qingshan is affectionate but notably indulgent toward Duan Fan, which Fang Qian recognizes. 2 48
• Li Yi and Li Ruolan — Spirit Hall Academy teachers who later assume responsibility for taking Duan Fan to obtain his second Soul Ring. 29

Story Role / Major Arcs

Duan Fan's Spirit Awakening

Fang Qingshan accompanies Duan Fan to the Notting City Spirit Hall branch for his awakening. He is astonished and overjoyed when Duan Fan manifests Full Innate Soul Power, then immediately prepares to help him obtain a first Soul Ring. 1 2

First Soul Ring Hunt

He escorts Duan Fan to the Soul Hunting Forest, explains Soul Beast knowledge throughout the journey, and defeats a 400-year Dream-Weaving Spider with his Azure Ox Martial Soul. He remains awake to guard Duan Fan during Soul Ring absorption and later tests the resulting Life from the Brush skill. 6 9

Revealing the Past

During the journey, Fang Qingshan tells Duan Fan about his parents' ranks, their deaths, and his own inability to pursue justice. He urges Duan Fan to become strong enough to uncover the truth and avenge them if possible. 5

Spirit City Relocation

After supporting Duan Fan's decision to attend Spirit Hall Academy, Fang Qingshan uses Duan Fan's parents' Spirit Hall tokens to enroll him. He later relocates Ding Yutang and Fang Qian to Spirit City and becomes the academy library administrator. 13 16 29

Witnessing Duan Fan's Growth

Fang Qingshan observes Duan Fan's second Martial Soul, thousand-year second Soul Ring, and increasingly powerful summoned Soul Beasts. By the time Duan Fan reaches level 30, Fang Qingshan openly acknowledges that he is no longer capable of defeating his nephew. 40 41 44

Trivia

• Fang Qingshan considers the library administrator position preferable to his former teaching work because it gives him time to read and research. 29
• He once compared Duan Fan's intense cultivation focus to that of Duan Chengjun. 5
• His preference for Duan Fan's requests is so conspicuous that Duan Fan worries Fang Qian may resent it. 2