Yang Shengrong

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Yang Shengrong (杨升荣)
Gender	Male
Occupation/Role	Hidden Dragon Ranking martial artist; challenger to Lu Yun
Ranking	98th on the Hidden Dragon Ranking at the time of his challenge 15
First Appearance	Chapter 15

Background / History

Yang Shengrong was an established lower-ranked expert on the Hidden Dragon Ranking. Although he had not broken through to the Bone Forging realm, his standing reflected combat strength beyond that of ordinary Inner Strength Perfection martial artists. 15

He publicly challenged Lu Yun, staking 500 Origin Stones and demanding that Lu Yun return the 500 stones he had previously won if defeated. He viewed Lu Yun as an unworthy martial artist from a small mountain village and accepted the challenge only because someone had paid him to act. 15

Appearance

Yang Shengrong appeared as an elegant, noble young swordsman during his duel with Lu Yun. 15

• Dressed in white “pure as snow.” 15
• Had long hair draped over his shoulders.
• Carried a long saber.
• His hair came loose after being struck by Lu Yun, leaving him in a disheveled state. 17

Personality

Yang Shengrong was arrogant and dismissive toward opponents he considered beneath him. He expected to settle his fight with Lu Yun in a single slash and treated surviving one move as the minimum standard for recognition. 15 16

His confidence collapsed rapidly after Lu Yun caught his saber barehanded and overwhelmed him with two spear strikes. The defeat left him fearful, despairing, and questioning his identity as a Hidden Dragon Ranking genius. 16 17

Abilities & Skills

Saber Arts

Yang Shengrong wielded a long saber and possessed a proficient mid-grade martial skill.

• His opening slash carried more than 2,700 jin of force. 16
• The attack combined his essence, energy, and spirit into a full-power strike. 16
• His saber light was considered powerful enough that an ordinary Internal Strength Perfection martial artist would struggle to withstand it. 16
• Lu Yun caught the saber barehanded, preventing Yang from retreating or recovering his distance. 16

Combat Strength

As a Hidden Dragon Ranking expert, Yang possessed strength that distinguished him from ordinary martial artists of the same broad stage.

• Had not entered the Bone Forging realm at the time of the duel. 15
• His ranking was built through repeated victories against challengers over the years. 17
• He was widely expected to defeat Lu Yun, and most spectators bet on his victory. 15 16

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Long saber — Used for his mid-grade saber technique against Lu Yun. 15 16
• 500 Origin Stones — Wagered as the stake for his challenge against Lu Yun. 15

Relationships

• Lu Yun — Challenger and opponent. Yang underestimated Lu Yun, declared that one slash would be enough, and was defeated in two spear strikes. 15 16 17
• Unnamed employer — Someone paid Yang Shengrong to issue the challenge against Lu Yun. 15

Story Role / Major Arcs

Challenge to Lu Yun

Yang Shengrong publicly issued a challenge to Lu Yun, wagering 500 Origin Stones. His status as the 98th-ranked Hidden Dragon Ranking expert made the duel a major event in Clear Distance City. 15

Arena Defeat

Yang opened the duel by declaring that Lu Yun only needed to survive one slash to earn his recognition. Lu Yun caught Yang’s full-power saber strike with his bare hand, then countered with a spear strike that shattered Yang’s arm. 16 17

Lu Yun’s second spear strike smashed Yang’s shoulder and forced him to his knees. Yang’s Dao heart shattered under the humiliation, and he collapsed in despair. Lu Yun withheld the promised third strike because Yang could no longer resist and they held no life-and-death grudge. 17

Notable Quotes

“One slash!” 16

“As long as you can withstand one move from me, I'll acknowledge that you possess strength around the hundredth rank below the Hidden Dragon Ranking.” 16

“How can there be such a freak in this world? I'm a genius on the Hidden Dragon Ranking!” 17