Yu Ci

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Yu Ci (余慈)
Alias(es)	Soul Chaser Daoist; Lu Dun; Jiu Yan; Ghost Aversion
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Li Chen Sect, Zhixin Temple; later associated with the Shangqing lineage
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; talisman master; sword cultivator; rebuilder of Shangqing
Status	Active
First Appearance	33

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Intermediate Spirit Tong; Yin God condensed	123	Defeats seven fellow disciples and Senior Brother Bao De after condensing his Yin God; develops a unique “mind image.” 123
Upper Spirit Tong	204	He Qing identifies him as being at the upper stage of Spirit Tong and guides his further cultivation. 204
Early Core Formation	356	Void Stepping cultivators dismiss him as an early Core Formation cultivator before his swordsmanship proves far more dangerous than expected. 356
Purple Mansion	728	Having cultivated the Heavenly Barrier Natal Golden Talisman, he ascends to the Purple Mansion during the Six Talismans of the Primordial Stars; his Original Spirit surpasses his physical cultivation. 728
Longevity True Man realm	1485	Observers identify him as remaining in the True Man realm despite possessing exceptional Void Divine Abilities and combat power. 1485

Background

Yu Ci was born in the central-southern Chen Kingdom. Orphaned and impoverished, he survived by begging before joining the Twin Immortals Sect. His five years there were marked by repeated brushes with death and the need to carefully read Crimson Yin’s moods to stay alive. 108 900

He later became an outer disciple of the Li Chen Sect, cultivating at Zhixin Temple under the guidance of Yu Zhou. His early goal in Juebi City was to strengthen his cultivation and create the opportunity for his Yin God to fully take shape. 190 131

Yu Ci’s connection to the Li Chen Sect eventually became politically fraught; outside accounts later called him an apostate or renegade. He nevertheless retained ties to its figures, including Yu Zhou and Xie Yan. 900 1518

By his later career, Yu Ci had taken responsibility for rebuilding the Shangqing lineage at Xi Yu Lake. He recognized that this required more than personal strength: information, balance, alliances, and long-term planning were essential. 1408 1452

Appearance

Yu Ci’s natural appearance is often described through his recurring unkempt disguise: a scruffy beard and a neglected, weathered presentation. He frequently alters his form or identity to conceal himself.

• Has a beard; his features remained recognizable enough for the Heavenly Evasion Sect to identify him from a sect portrait. 1309
• During a period in the Northern Wilderness, he let his appearance deteriorate into a scruffy, bearded look reminiscent of his time in Yinkui City. 608
• Can alter his appearance with Three-Party Primordial Energy; one disguise resembles the disheveled gambler Zhang Yan. 939
• Has also concealed himself as the dark-skinned “Jiu Yan.” 716 772

Personality

Yu Ci is observant, adaptive, and difficult to corner. He gathers information before acting, makes use of aliases and projections, and treats preparation as a combat advantage. His tracking of Zhao Ziyue, use of Guiyuan Chess pieces to classify factions, and manipulation of public messages all reflect this habit. 406 536 548

He is not a grand strategist by temperament. Yu Ci himself recognizes that he lacks the systematic planning of major sects, but he compensates through rapid adjustment, decisive action, and confidence in chaotic confrontations. 1408 1668

Despite his caution, he is willing to take risks when a situation demands it, such as remaining to face Bai Ri Mansion, entering the Nether Lake directly, and confronting far stronger opponents through talismans, sword intent, and misdirection. 54 1181 1310

Yu Ci is also protective toward people he considers his own. He saves Xiao Jiu, worries for Ye Chi, praises Xiao Wu’s intervention, and repeatedly aids allies even when doing so exposes his identity or complicates his plans. 54 1180 1181

Abilities & Skills

Talisman Arts

Yu Ci is an exceptional talisman cultivator whose techniques encompass combat, protection, refinement, deduction, and control of spiritual bodies.

• Uses sword talismans to disrupt enemy formations. 352
• Subdues ghost cultivators and refines Yin bodies with Talisman Arts. 476
• Employs the Taiyi Demon Slaying Talisman against major threats. 1128
• Integrates sword energy into talisman arrays capable of wounding Longevity True Men. 1310
• Can adapt talismans mid-crisis to prevent a refining process from collapsing. 920

Sword Cultivation

Yu Ci’s sword path is rooted in Life and Death, precision, killing intent, and the ability to turn sword intent into direct control over his qi.

• Defeats a black shadow demon with a single sword strike. 172
• His “Sword Sha Startling Spirit” sword intent affects everyone within a warehouse. 175
• Uses sword intent to condense Innate Qi into a self-contained circle of sword qi, reducing the harm of Nine Heavens Gang Wind. 181
• Wields the Xuan Huang Killing Sword and later the Primordial Formless Sword. 406 1583
• States that sword fighting is ultimately about killing the enemy to secure victory and emphasizes seeing one step ahead. 1066

Void and Projection Techniques

Yu Ci’s cultivation develops into powerful spatial, clone, and Inner Void abilities.

• Uses mental-image clones independently of his true body. 740
• Projects consciousness over vast distances and fights through clones. 1310 1668
• Demonstrates Void Stepping and massive cross-spatial teleportation. 896 1583 1584
• Breaches the Three Origins Secret Array through Void Teleportation. 1679
• Possesses the supreme divine ability known as a “Self-Created World.” 1485 1494

Zhaoshen Bronze Mirror and Zhaoshen Map

Yu Ci relies extensively on the Zhaoshen artifacts for reconnaissance, tracking, and spiritual detection.

• Uses the Zhaoshen Map to observe people who are following him. 33
• Uses the Zhaoshen Bronze Mirror to see through Crimson Yin’s Ghost Fire Yin Prison. 156
• Employs the Mirror to scan void rifts for living beings. 331
• Plants divine-intent star gleams to monitor targets such as Zhao Ziyue. 536
• Uses the Map to investigate distant events, including activity in Yinkui City and Red Fang Workshop. 476 706

Yin Yang and Emotional Divine Abilities

Yu Ci studies Yin Yang transformation, emotional manipulation, and the interactions between form, spirit, and mind.

• Learns the Great Dream Yin Yang Method from He Qing to reshape his Yin God and perceive external qi. 204
• Uses emotional divine abilities and Rakshasa Illusory Power to guide Ye Chi’s sword intent through a controlled illusion. 1461
• Can perceive and influence emotional states while retaining clarity of mind. 1408 1521
• Probes memories and thoughts, though advanced brain-palace structures remain difficult even for him. 1170 1686

Divine Intent

Yu Ci develops formidable divine-intent control through repeated clashes with stronger opponents.

• Learns that divine-intent combat depends on skill, adaptability, and advantageous positioning rather than raw power alone. 1354
• Raises his divine-intent impact strength to roughly 500,000–600,000. 1354
• Uses divine intent to create voids and maintain a defense against Wu Yuanchen and Chu Yuanxiang. 1354

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Zhaoshen Bronze Mirror / Zhaoshen Map — reconnaissance, tracking, spiritual detection, and suppression of demonic corruption. 33 156 331 1404
• Xuan Huang Killing Sword — Yu Ci’s principal high-level sword; central to his later sword cultivation and Law of Life and Death techniques. 356 1583
• Primordial Formless Sword — immensely powerful sword used with the God Slaying Thorn. 406
• Pure Yang Talisman Sword — sword used to shape and contain his sword qi. 181
• Fish Dragon — spirit-controlled companion used for investigation and sensing; Yu Ci later seeks a Marrow-Generating Crown Horn specimen. 131 172 175
• Heavenly Barrier Natal Golden Talisman — natal talisman connected to stars and the life-and-death profound mechanism. 691 728
• Taiyin Banner — artifact crafted and sold to Yu Ci by Lu Qing. 442
• Heartless Treasure Fan — gifted by Xue Pingzhi; simulates forms, spirits, and energy flows. 939
• Hidden Star — sword crafted for Yu Ci by Xu Yang. 945
• Tiger Chariot Jade Carriage Hidden Wheel — Shangqing-linked chariot that later manifests a White Tiger and grants extraordinary speed. 1406 1411
• Azure Firmament Jade Codex — strategic intelligence map of the Northern Territories. 1407 1408

Relationships

• Yu Zhou — elder and mentor in the Li Chen Sect; guides Yu Ci’s cultivation, gives him a Dharma Seal, and entrusts him with affairs in Juebi City. 121 123 124
• Xie Yan — senior Li Chen Sect figure and major protector; his intervention saves Yu Ci during the Moon Demon incident. 156
• He Qing — demanding but generous cultivation mentor; teaches Yu Ci the Great Dream Yin Yang Method and Yin Yang Genesis. 204 389
• Shi Xin (Xiao Jiu) — initially a young cultivator Yu Ci rescues; later becomes his disciple and helps improve his public standing at Xi Yu Lake. 54 1679
• Lu Qing — artifact crafter and comrade-in-arms; their relationship deepens through shared secrets, mutual aid, and cooperation in dangerous situations. 442 467 744
• Zhu Wenying — Core Formation cultivator assigned to support Yu Ci’s cover identity; serves as a highly capable attendant and ally. 715 722 740
• You Rui — Spirit Sorcerer subordinate and intelligence agent; Yu Ci grants her limited divine abilities while remaining wary of her ambitions. 736 1516 1585
• Xiao Wu — spirit of the Five Sacred Peaks True Form Diagram and Yu Ci’s spiritual companion; possesses powerful Void Divine Abilities. 687 1180 1773
• Xue Pingzhi — powerful ally linked by shared enemies and Yin Yang cultivation; assists Yu Ci in stabilizing his energy at critical moments. 1668 1696 1697
• Ye Chi — ally whose sword intent Yu Ci guides through illusion and emotional divine abilities. 1128 1461
• Crimson Yin — former Twin Immortals Sect superior whose past treatment of Yu Ci left lasting trauma; their later relationship remains complex and ambiguous. 108 156 1682
• Zhao Ziyue — recurring enemy and target of Yu Ci’s surveillance; Yu Ci deliberately allows him room to move in order to expose his connections. 536 548
• Shen Wan — intelligence collaborator and later companion in Yu Ci’s political maneuvering around Flying Soul City and the Northern Territories. 548 1408 1411
• Yu Qing Xuan — powerful protector and adviser who helps Yu Ci conceal his identity and guides him on mental cultivation. 772 1682

Story Role / Major Arcs

Juebi City and the Yin God

Yu Ci rescues Xiao Jiu, learns Bai Ri Mansion is pursuing him with the Soul Searching Mirror, and chooses to remain rather than flee. He later enters Juebi City on Li Chen Sect business, where he pursues the formation of his Yin God while being drawn into conflicts involving Bai Ri Mansion, Crimson Yin, and Xie Yan. 54 121 123 131

Sky Rift Valley and Sword Growth

Yu Ci confronts demons in Sky Rift Valley, advances his sword intent, and develops the Fish Dragon as a reconnaissance companion. He acquires techniques and artifacts while learning to combine swordsmanship, talismans, and spiritual perception. 172 175 181

Northern Wilderness Identities

Operating under identities such as Soul Chaser, Lu Dun, and Jiu Yan, Yu Ci becomes involved with Yinkui City, the Three Families Market, Fengdu City, and the Yellow Springs Secret Mansion. His disguise, talisman mastery, and use of the Zhaoshen Mirror allow him to operate among competing demonic and orthodox factions. 442 476 552 715

Shangqing Revival

After his power and influence grow, Yu Ci turns toward rebuilding Shangqing at Xi Yu Lake. He gains the Tiger Chariot Jade Carriage Hidden Wheel and the Azure Firmament Jade Codex, begins engaging with the Northern Territories’ political structure, and recognizes that rebuilding a sect requires organization beyond individual cultivation. 1406 1408 1452

Conflicts with Divine Lords and Demonic Powers

Yu Ci repeatedly clashes with the Rakshasa Ghost King, the Great Black Heavenly Buddha Mother Bodhisattva, the Great Brahma Demon King, and other major demonic forces. He develops the ability to fight through the Law of Life and Death, the Xuan Huang Killing Sword, Self-Created World, and large-scale Void Teleportation. 1404 1583 1693 1812

Trivia

• Yu Ci’s earliest recorded need for a replacement weapon arises after the Nine Yang Talisman Sword is vaporized fighting ghost beasts. 33
• He considers the Zhaoshen Map’s surveillance function refreshing enough to enjoy while drinking cold tea. 33
• Yu Ci’s divine ability carries a severe cost: Zhan Shuicheng determines that it depletes his Innate Vital Energy and leaves him with only about twenty years of lifespan. 676
• He is called a “general store” because the Inner Void’s inclusiveness allows him to integrate numerous otherwise distinct methods and structures. 1782