Prince Xue Xing

Biodata

Appearance

Prince Xue Xing is a middle-aged man who favors luxurious robes. He is described as dignified, though later appearances show visible fatigue and strain from political pressure. 141

• Middle-aged man with a dignified face 141
• Wears luxurious or brocade-like noble attire 141
• Often maintains a composed public expression despite private anxiety 115 119

Personality

Xue Xing is cautious, politically perceptive, and highly aware of the risks surrounding the imperial succession. He recognizes that Xue Beng’s wastrel persona is a necessary defense against Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, yet worries that revealing too much intelligence—or offending a powerful new faction—could expose Xue Beng to danger. 115 119

He is willing to act diplomatically when necessary. After Xue Beng offends Shrek Academy, Xue Xing immediately accepts responsibility, promises to discipline him, and later personally returns to apologize. 117 141

Although he privately supports Xue Beng’s survival, Xue Xing does not allow that loyalty to override political judgment. When Emperor Xue Ye directly asks which prince is more suited to inherit the throne, he names Xue Qinghe, recognizing that Xue Beng’s public temperament and position make him the less suitable candidate. 188

Xue Xing is also pragmatic about preserving Heaven Dou’s political stability. When Qinghe remains missing, he supports appointing Xue Beng as crown prince while deliberately leaving open the possibility of restoring Qinghe if he is found. 275

He believes an emperor must possess independent judgment and decisive, ruthless methods rather than blindly follow advisers. When a minister prompts Xue Beng to speak at an inopportune moment, Xue Xing identifies the interference and privately resolves to train his nephew more thoroughly and remove advisers who offer harmful counsel. He fears that Xue Beng’s susceptibility to others would eventually allow powerful ministers to reduce him to a figurehead. 319

His political pragmatism also extends to accepting reputational costs for a useful result. Although embarrassed by Heaven Dou Royal Academy’s transfer of its first-team main members into the second team’s reserves, he considers the rules-permitted maneuver tolerable if it secures a respectable tournament placement. However, Xue Beng’s subsequent public humiliation of the empire leaves him regretting his years of support and doubting that his nephew could govern at all. 330 331 332

Background & History

When Shrek Academy’s expansion and its connection to Poison Douluo Dugu Bo become known in the Heaven Dou court, Xue Xing and Xue Beng recognize that they have overlooked an influential force within Tiandou City. The pair decide to investigate the academy immediately. 114 115

During the journey, Xue Xing warns Xue Beng that maintaining his wastrel act could offend Shrek Academy, while abandoning the act could alert Xue Qinghe to his true capabilities. He decides to test the academy himself and instructs Xue Beng to behave ordinarily. 115

Their visit goes poorly when Xue Beng provokes Mo Jue and is punished with a spiritual attack. Xue Xing is unable to protect him in time, realizes the academy does not fear the imperial family, and urgently has Xue Beng thank Mo Jue for showing mercy. 116 117 118

Learning that Mo Jue possesses a Black Swan martial soul further unsettles him because the Swan is the Heaven Dou imperial family’s inherited martial soul, yet he knows of no imperial relative with her variant. After the visit, he regrets not approaching the academy through Dugu Bo, whose relationship with them might have provided a smoother introduction. He promises to strengthen Xue Beng’s protection and urges him to endure rather than flee the empire, while seeking another opportunity to repair relations with Shrek. 117 119

Xue Xing later returns to Shrek Academy with Xue Beng to make amends. At the gate, he encounters Ning Fengzhi and enters alongside him, seeking to reduce the awkwardness of his own visit while observing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s substantial gifts to the academy. 141

He witnesses Qian Daoliu’s visit and Yun Ming’s victory over the rank ninety-nine Spirit Hall Grand Worship. The event confirms to Xue Xing that Shrek Academy possesses strength capable of affecting Heaven Dou’s succession and political balance. 142 145 187

When Xue Beng hopes to obtain the academy’s backing for his claim to the throne, Xue Xing recognizes that their previous offense and Shrek’s overwhelming independence make such support unlikely. After Yun Ming rejects Xue Beng’s attempt to secure a private audience, Xue Xing hurriedly takes his nephew away to prevent the situation from worsening. 145

After reporting these developments, Xue Xing advises Emperor Xue Ye that Shrek Academy refuses ordinary gifts. He nonetheless comes to understand Xue Ye’s reasoning for offering the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, since conventional wealth would hold little value to an academy with multiple Limit Douluos. 187 188

He accompanies Xue Ye, Xue Qinghe, Xue Beng, and Xue Ke on the imperial visit to Shrek Academy’s Heaven Dou Branch. During the presentation of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud to Ya Li, the treasure unexpectedly breaks free and flies away. 188

During the Shrek Academy tournament, Xue Xing continues to witness Xue Ye’s confidence in Xue Qinghe as Heaven Dou’s future ruler, leaving him privately troubled over the obstacle the crown prince poses to Xue Beng. 230

After Xue Qinghe disappears from the tournament grounds, Xue Xing truthfully tells Xue Ye that he has not seen the crown prince. He and Xue Beng are then ordered to lead guards in searching for Qinghe. 237

After the search continues for roughly a month without results, Xue Beng becomes provisional crown prince with Xue Xing’s assistance. Xue Xing instructs him to abandon his former wastrel image and present himself as a capable, ideal successor, while remaining aware that Xue Ye still doubts whether Xue Beng can replace Qinghe. 263

As Qinghe’s disappearance continues, Xue Xing helps manage the succession crisis. He proposes that Xue Beng be prepared as crown prince while preserving the possibility of replacing him if Qinghe returns. Xue Ye accepts the arrangement and orders Xue Beng to assist him in handling state affairs. 275

Xue Beng’s position later collapses when he blames Shrek Academy for Heaven Dou Royal Academy’s recruitment difficulties and proposes using the Imperial Guard to stop Shrek from recruiting within the empire. Xue Xing notices that a minister from Xue Beng’s own faction has encouraged him to speak and privately condemns both the advice and his nephew’s lack of judgment. When Xue Ye removes Xue Beng as acting crown prince, Xue Xing remains silent, recognizing that pleading for him during the emperor’s anger would be unwise. 319

After court, Xue Ye privately tells Xue Xing that he intends to let Xue Ke inherit the throne. He explains that her successful admission to Shrek Academy gives her access to an education that could produce a wise ruler, even if the academy itself cannot be bound to Heaven Dou. Stunned, Xue Xing wonders whether the emperor had already contemplated this outcome and merely used Xue Beng’s misconduct as the occasion to remove him, while acknowledging that his nephew had been given a chance and failed to seize it. 319

At the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, Xue Xing tells Xue Beng that Heaven Dou Royal Academy’s first team has virtually no chance against Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun. He judges that even retaining Dugu Yan at her former academy would not have overcome the disparity, while noting that her strength after joining Shrek Academy would allow her to defeat both opponents alone. The first team is subsequently eliminated. 323

When Xue Beng returns to the spectator seats in a conspicuously good mood, Xue Xing asks what he has done. His nephew refuses to explain beyond promising that it will benefit the empire. Xue Xing fears another misjudgment but avoids pressing the matter in front of Xue Ye. He is already embarrassed by the transfer of the first team’s main members into the second team’s reserves, though he accepts that maneuver as a permissible sacrifice of face in pursuit of victory. 330

Xue Beng’s recruitment of Tang San and Dai Mubai into Heaven Dou Royal Academy’s second team then provokes public criticism and gives the Star Luo emperor an opportunity to mock Xue Ye. Seeing the emperor’s reaction, Xue Xing concludes that Xue Beng has ruined his chances of ever becoming crown prince. He regrets the time, effort, and resources invested in his nephew and wishes he had supported Xue Qinghe instead. Even after Tang San and Dai Mubai secure victory and Xue Beng attempts to claim credit, Xue Xing remains disheartened, privately believing that entrusting the empire to Xue Beng would spell its ruin. 331 332

Relationships

• Xue Beng — His nephew, the Fourth Prince. Xue Xing helps preserve Xue Beng’s wastrel disguise, warns him of the danger posed by Xue Qinghe, and attempts to repair the damage caused by Xue Beng’s behavior at Shrek Academy. 115 117 119 141 After Qinghe’s disappearance, Xue Xing leads Xue Beng and imperial guards in the emperor-ordered search. 237 He later helps Xue Beng become provisional crown prince and advises him to act as a capable, reliable successor. 263 275 His confidence deteriorates as Xue Beng follows poor advice, antagonizes Shrek Academy, and loses his acting appointment. By the tournament, Xue Xing regrets supporting him and believes he would be disastrous as emperor, despite his team’s victory over Star Luo Royal Academy. 319 331 332
• Emperor Xue Ye — His elder brother and the reigning Heaven Dou emperor. Xue Xing reports on Shrek Academy’s power and carefully endorses Crown Prince Xue Qinghe when questioned about succession. 187 188 Xue Ye later entrusts him with locating the missing crown prince. 237 During the succession crisis, Xue Xing acts as a mediator between Xue Ye’s preference for Qinghe and Xue Beng’s claim to greater responsibility. 275 After removing Xue Beng as acting crown prince, Xue Ye privately confides his intention to make Xue Ke his successor, shocking Xue Xing. 319
• Xue Qinghe / Qian Renxue — His apparent nephew and the crown prince. Xue Xing regards Qinghe as a dangerous political opponent and fears she may uncover Xue Beng’s true nature. 115 119 After Qian Daoliu ends Qian Renxue’s Heaven Dou undercover operation, Xue Xing is among those ordered to search when Qinghe vanishes from Shrek Academy. 230 237 Even after supporting Xue Beng’s provisional succession, he acknowledges Qinghe’s superiority and leaves open the possibility of his restoration. 263 275 Following Xue Beng’s tournament scandal, he wishes he had supported Qinghe from the beginning and imagines that he might then have been able to help when Qinghe disappeared. 331
• Xue Ke — His niece, a Heaven Dou princess and Shrek Academy student. Xue Xing accompanies her on the imperial visit to the academy and later learns directly from Xue Ye that she is his intended successor. He is stunned by the prospect of her becoming empress through the advantages of her Shrek education. 188 319
• Dugu Bo — Poison Douluo, whose connection to Shrek Academy prompts Xue Xing’s initial investigation. After the disastrous first visit, Xue Xing regrets not using their existing relationship with Dugu Bo to obtain an introduction and establish goodwill. 114 119
• Ning Fengzhi — Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. The two meet at Shrek Academy and enter together, each recognizing the political value of the encounter. 141
• Shrek Academy — Initially an unknown force he seeks to investigate; after Xue Beng’s offense and Yun Ming’s victory over Qian Daoliu, Xue Xing treats the academy as a power the Heaven Dou Empire cannot afford to antagonize. 115 117 145 188 He later recognizes the extraordinary improvement Dugu Yan has achieved there and learns that Xue Ye views the academy’s education as a means to cultivate Xue Ke into a capable sovereign. 319 323

Story Role / Major Arcs

Investigation of Shrek Academy

• Learns in court that Shrek Academy has a Tiandou City branch and ties to Dugu Bo. 114
• Travels with Xue Beng to investigate its background and potential connection to Xue Qinghe. 115
• Is forced to follow Qian Renxue through the academy after unexpectedly encountering her there. 116

Xue Beng’s Offense

• Watches Mo Jue, a five-ring Spirit King, punish Xue Beng for his behavior. 116 117
• Promises Mo Jue that Xue Beng will be disciplined and makes him offer thanks for her mercy. 117
• Concludes that the academy’s indifference toward imperial status makes it far more dangerous than anticipated. 118 119
• Regrets not seeking an introduction through Dugu Bo and promises to strengthen Xue Beng’s protection while finding a chance to repair relations with Shrek Academy. 119

Shrek, Spirit Hall, and the Succession Crisis

• Returns to Shrek Academy with Xue Beng to apologize and encounters Ning Fengzhi and Qian Daoliu. 141 142
• Witnesses Yun Ming defeat Qian Daoliu, confirming Shrek Academy’s overwhelming strength. 145
• Takes Xue Beng away after Yun Ming rejects his request for a private audience, warning that remaining would only worsen their position. 145
• Reports the outcome to Heaven Dou’s court, helping drive Emperor Xue Ye’s attempt to win Shrek Academy’s favor with the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. 187 188
• Responds carefully when Xue Ye asks whether Xue Qinghe or Xue Beng should inherit the throne, naming Xue Qinghe as the more suitable successor. 188
• Accompanies the imperial delegation when the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud unexpectedly flies away during its presentation to Ya Li. 188
• Privately remains concerned that Xue Qinghe’s continued favor with Xue Ye leaves Xue Beng with little prospect of succeeding to the throne. 230
• After Qinghe disappears, helps Xue Beng become provisional crown prince and advises him to maintain a responsible public image. 263
• Proposes a temporary and reversible succession arrangement, allowing Xue Beng to stabilize the empire without permanently closing the possibility of Qinghe’s return. 275

Xue Qinghe’s Disappearance

• Confirms to Emperor Xue Ye that he has not seen Xue Qinghe after the crown prince disappears from Shrek Academy’s tournament grounds. 237
• Obeys Xue Ye’s order to search for Qinghe, departing with Xue Beng and a contingent of guards. 237
• Continues supporting the search after Qinghe remains missing for approximately one month, during which Xue Beng becomes provisional crown prince. 263
• Helps present Xue Beng as a viable successor while acknowledging that Qinghe’s reputation, ability, and character remain superior. 263 275
• Supports Xue Ye’s decision to have Xue Beng assist with state affairs while leaving open the possibility that Qinghe may reclaim the succession if found. 275

Xue Beng’s Removal and Xue Ke’s Intended Succession

• Recognizes that a minister backing Xue Beng has encouraged him to speak during Xue Ye’s anger and condemns his nephew’s tendency to follow poor advice. 319
• Privately considers better training and the removal of harmful advisers necessary to prevent Xue Beng from becoming a puppet of powerful ministers. 319
• Remains silent when Xue Ye removes Xue Beng as acting crown prince for proposing military interference with Shrek Academy’s recruitment, judging the moment unsuitable for an appeal. 319
• Learns in a private conversation that Xue Ye intends Xue Ke to inherit the throne, relying on her Shrek Academy education to help develop her into a wise ruler. 319
• Wonders whether Xue Ye had already planned this alternative succession, while accepting that Xue Beng failed to make use of his opportunity. 319

Continental Tournament and Disillusionment with Xue Beng

• Correctly assesses that Heaven Dou Royal Academy’s first team has virtually no prospect of defeating Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun, while contrasting its limitations with Dugu Yan’s growth at Shrek Academy. 323
• Worries when Xue Beng returns to the spectator seats boasting of an undisclosed action intended to benefit Heaven Dou. 330
• Accepts the embarrassment of moving first-team members into the second team’s reserves as a rules-permitted measure that could be justified by a strong tournament result. 330
• Watches Xue Beng’s recruitment of Tang San and Dai Mubai provoke public criticism and imperial humiliation, leading him to conclude that his nephew’s succession prospects are ruined. 331
• Regrets his investment in Xue Beng and wishes he had supported Xue Qinghe instead. 331
• Remains disappointed despite Heaven Dou’s victory over Star Luo Royal Academy, privately believing that Xue Beng’s eventual rule would destroy the empire. 332

Notable Quotes

“After we arrive, I will be the one to test that academy.” 115

“If you continue to maintain the appearance of a wastrel, you may directly offend that academy.” 115

“Endurance. That is the only thing you can do right now, and the only correct path. Only by enduring can you wait for a chance to turn things around.” 119

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