Gu He

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Gu He (古河) 9
Alias(es)	Pill King; Master Gu He 14 44
Gender	Male 14
Affiliation	Yunlan Sect 14 110
Occupation/Role	Sixth-tier alchemist; renowned alchemist of the Jia Ma Empire 14 42
First Appearance	Chapter 9 (mentioned) 9

Background / History

Gu He won an Alchemist Grand Meeting at the maximum eligible age of thirty. Afterward, he rejected Fa Ma and the Alchemist Association's efforts to retain him, joining the Yunlan Sect for its resources instead. His departure dealt a significant blow to the association's reputation. 110

He joined the Yunlan Sect partly because of Yun Yun, whom he had pursued for years. Despite his devotion, Yun Yun maintained distance from him and regarded him as a friend rather than a partner. 14 16

Gu He's rise also brought conflict with Forest King Lin Sen. Lin Sen withdrew from public view after their dispute, only resurfacing later as Yang Chen's subordinate. 19

Personality

Gu He is proud of his position as a sixth-tier alchemist and reacts strongly when his status, sect, or feelings for Yun Yun are challenged. His jealousy of Yang Chen overrides his judgment at Cloud Mist Mountain, leading him to attack despite Yun Yun's direct attempts to stop him. 14 15

He is pragmatic when necessary. Faced with the Snake-People Tribe's overwhelming strength and the possibility of losing access to the Green Lotus Core Flame, he accepts an expensive long-term arrangement rather than abandon his objective. 42 45

Fa Ma considers Gu He talented but utilitarian and overly concerned with reputation and resources; their remaining goodwill ended after Gu He refused Fa Ma's private attempt to persuade him away from the Yunlan Sect. 110

Abilities & Skills

Sixth-Tier Alchemy

Gu He is a recognized sixth-tier alchemist, giving him exceptional wealth, influence, and access to high-grade medicinal pills. 14 42

• Offered a Transformation Pill, four Sect-Breaking Pills, four Spirit-Doubling Pills, and a future seventh-tier pill in exchange for the Green Lotus Core Flame. 45
• Possesses formidable connections throughout the Jia Ma Empire due to his standing as an early sixth-tier alchemist. 110
• His alchemical status is influential enough that Fa Ma considers him a major force within the Yunlan Sect. 12 110

Purple Beast Flame

Gu He can wield a purple beast flame in combat, enveloping his body and channeling it through his palm strikes. 14 15

• Used the flame when attacking Yang Chen on Cloud Mist Mountain. 14
• His empowered strike was blocked by Yang Chen's Eight Trigram barrier and repelled without visibly affecting Yang Chen. 15

Items

• Storage ring — used to carry and produce medicinal pills during negotiations with Medusa Queen. 45
• Transformation Pill — offered as part of his bargain for the Green Lotus Core Flame. 45
• Sect-Breaking Pills — four promised in his final offer; one was given as the initial payment. 45
• Spirit-Doubling Pills — four promised in his final offer; one was given as the initial payment. 45

Relationships

• Yun Yun — longtime friend and the object of Gu He's unreciprocated affection; his jealousy over her interaction with Yang Chen triggers his attack at Cloud Mist Mountain. 14 16
• Yang Chen — romantic rival over Yun Yun and competing alchemist seeking the Green Lotus Core Flame; Yang Chen repeatedly dismisses Gu He's claims of victory. 14 42 46
• Medusa Queen — negotiated with her to acquire the Green Lotus Core Flame, agreeing to provide rare pills over two years. 44 45
• Yun Leng — Yunlan Sect ally; Gu He travelled with him to the Snake-People Royal City and later offered Medusa Queen additional pills in an attempt to save him. 42 46
• Fa Ma — former senior from the Alchemist Association who once valued Gu He's talent but became disillusioned after Gu He chose the Yunlan Sect. 110
• Lin Sen — has an old grievance with Gu He that contributed to Lin Sen's disappearance from public view. 19
• Yan Shi and Feng Li — Dou King experts invited by Gu He to accompany him into the Tagore Desert. 42 44

Story Role / Major Arcs

Cloud Mist Mountain Incident

Gu He mistakes Yang Chen's respectful interaction with Yun Yun for coercion and romantic provocation. Ignoring Yun Yun's explanation, he attacks Yang Chen with his purple beast flame; Yang Chen blocks and repels him with ease. 14 15

Green Lotus Core Flame Negotiation

Gu He enters the Snake-People Royal City with Yan Shi, Feng Li, Yun Leng, and two Yunlan Sect elders to negotiate for the Green Lotus Core Flame. The combined strength of Yang Chen's side and the Snake-People Tribe immediately undermines his confidence. 42

Medusa Queen names an initial price that exceeds Gu He's means. Desperate not to lose the opportunity, he increases his offer to a Transformation Pill, four Sect-Breaking Pills, four Spirit-Doubling Pills, and the refinement of a seventh-tier pill. 44 45

Medusa Queen accepts an initial payment of one Sect-Breaking Pill and one Spirit-Doubling Pill, requiring the remaining pills at six-month intervals. She warns Gu He that obtaining the flame later will still depend on his own ability. 45

Attempt to Save Yun Leng

After Yun Leng and two Yunlan Sect elders are captured, Gu He offers Medusa Queen three additional Spirit-Fighting Pills—one for each captive—to secure their rescue. Yang Chen ultimately releases the prisoners himself, while Lei Na and Lin Sen severely injure Yun Leng after his attempted retaliation. 43 46

Notable Quotes

“You are a grown man, yet you bully a weak woman. How utterly shameless!” 14

“Your Majesty, name your price. So long as I can afford it, I will not haggle!” 44

Trivia

• Gu He's status as a sixth-tier alchemist is central to the Yunlan Sect's prestige and influence. 12
• He is described as one of the earliest prominent alchemists in the Jia Ma Empire to reach the sixth tier. 110
• Although he seeks the Green Lotus Core Flame, Yang Chen states that an alchemist can generally refine only one special flame in their lifetime. 47