Ding Xiulun

Biodata

Background / History

Ding Xiulun was a high-ranking deacon at the Notting City Spirit Branch Hall. When Yu Xiaogang passed through the branch, Ding greeted him but took offense at Yu’s indifferent acknowledgement, considering the “Grandmaster” arrogant and beneath his own status. He later disparaged Yu to Tang San, inadvertently making Tang more curious about Yu’s knowledge and distrustful of Ding’s character. 11

He retained Tang San’s cooperation by offering to take him to obtain his First Soul Ring. To reduce expenses, he chose the slowest carriage for their three-day journey to the Soul Hunting Forest, then used his Spirit Hall warrant to gain entry. 11 12

In the forest, Ding guided Tang toward a two-hundred-year Solitary Bamboo. He used his two Power of the Rake soul skills to bring the Soul Beast down, allowing Tang to finish it and absorb its Soul Ring. 13

Afterward, Tang lived in Ding’s home. Ding provided food, shelter, and lessons on Spirit Masters and Soul Beasts, while repeatedly implying that he wanted Tang as a disciple. He also claimed to have applied for Tang’s admission to a specialized Spirit Hall Academy, though he had not done so; the claim was intended to keep Tang at his side. 16

Tang ultimately resolved to leave Ding for Notting City Elementary Spirit Master Academy, partly due to the negative impression Ding’s conduct had left on him. Ding had nevertheless submitted Tang’s information—including his Full Innate Soul Power—to the Spirit Hall, though the report initially drew no response. 23 56

Personality

Ding Xiulun is status-conscious and boastful. He resented Yu Xiaogang’s dismissive treatment despite Yu’s lack of visible standing, and he flaunted his Spirit Hall warrant while entering the Soul Hunting Forest. 11 12

His treatment of Tang combines genuine practical support with self-interest. He housed and taught Tang, helped him acquire a Soul Ring, and continued treating him kindly after Tang declined apprenticeship. However, his false academy application and repeated attempts to retain Tang reveal that he wanted the talented child as his own disciple. 13 16

Abilities & Skills

Soul Master Combat

Ding Xiulun possesses two Soul Rings, one white and one yellow, and identifies himself as a Great Spirit Master. 12 13

• Wields a rake in combat. 12 13
• Uses both his First and Second Soul Skills, each called Power of the Rake, to strengthen his weapon with earthy-yellow light. 13
• His combined skills can fell a two-hundred-year Solitary Bamboo, though he could not directly damage it with an ordinary rake strike. 13

Equipment / Items

• Spirit Hall warrant — Grants access to the Soul Hunting Forest. 12
• Rake — His combat weapon. 12 13

Relationships

• Tang San — Hosted and instructed Tang after helping him obtain his First Soul Ring; sought to make Tang his disciple, but Tang repeatedly declined and planned to leave him. 13 16 23
• Yu Xiaogang — Dismissed and disparaged Yu after feeling slighted by his indifferent greeting. 11
• Duan Fan — Duan identified Ding as a useful means of influencing Tang San’s fate and later monitored Ding’s role in Tang’s life. 11 12
• Spirit Hall — Serves as a high-ranking deacon of its Notting City branch and submitted Tang San’s information to the organization. 11 56

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Tang San’s First Soul Ring — Serves as Tang’s initial guardian and guide following Tang’s Spirit awakening, escorting him to the Soul Hunting Forest and helping him obtain the Solitary Bamboo ring. 11 13
• Tang San’s Departure from Ding — His arrogance, manipulative promises, and desire to claim Tang as a disciple help drive Tang toward Notting Academy and Yu Xiaogang instead. 16 23
• Spirit Hall Report — His submission of Tang’s Full Innate Soul Power information becomes part of Tang’s Spirit Hall record, though it receives no immediate attention. 56