Gu Cheng

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Gu Cheng (古城)
Alias(es)	Gu Xia's Second Grandpa 2
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Gu Clan
Occupation/Role	Grand Elder; one of the Gu Clan's Three Immortals; seventh-tier alchemist 1 3 6
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Gu Cheng was one of the Gu Clan's Three Immortals, a group of senior figures known as “bachelor nobles.” He remained in seclusion when Gu Dao adopted Gu Xia, only emerging a year later and learning that his fellow Immortal had acquired an adopted grandson. 1

His first encounter with Gu Xia ended with him being knocked unconscious by an empty baby bottle. After waking in Gu Dao's cave dwelling, however, Gu Cheng immediately became fond of the child, allowing Gu Xia to play with his carefully groomed beard despite the danger. 1 2

Jealous of Gu Dao's good fortune in finding such a talented grandson, Gu Cheng offered an eighth-grade Spirit-Calming Pill to be recognized as Gu Xia's “Second Grandpa.” Gu Dao accepted the arrangement. 2

Rather than returning to secluded cultivation, Gu Cheng and Gu Dao later built a residence near Gu Yuan's home to help raise Gu Xia. Gu Cheng also introduced Gu Xia to alchemy, though the child's unconventional refining methods profoundly unsettled him; he supplied Gu Xia with alchemy primers and unusual pill formulas before retreating to pursue an eighth-tier breakthrough. 6 25

Appearance

Gu Cheng is an elderly man with the bearing of an immortal cultivator.

• White robes, white hair, and a long white beard. 1
• His beard is a treasured feature that he normally does not allow others to touch. 2
• Possesses a wrinkled face and a messy beard when attempting to ingratiate himself with Gu Dao. 2

Personality

Gu Cheng is affectionate, indulgent, and openly jealous where Gu Xia is concerned. Although initially bewildered by Gu Dao's adoption, he quickly develops a strong attachment to the child and eagerly buys his way into the role of Second Grandpa. 1 2

He has a playful but reckless streak. He repeatedly teases Gu Xia with candy pills despite already knowing the consequences of upsetting him, resulting in Gu Xia sending him flying into Gu Yuan's wall. 6 During important clan discussions, he is easily distracted by competing with Gu Dao for the chance to hold the sleeping child. 3

Abilities & Skills

Seven-Star Dou Saint Cultivation

Gu Cheng is a Seven-Star Dou Saint and one of the Gu Clan's Three Immortals. 1

• Can fly as a streak of light. 3
• Holds sufficient status for Gu Yuan, the Gu Clan leader, to personally receive him. 4
• Is durable enough to survive Gu Xia's childhood attacks, though these incidents have left him unconscious, buried in rubble, or embedded in walls. 1 2 6

Alchemy

Gu Cheng is a seventh-tier alchemist and Gu Xia's early source of alchemical knowledge. 6 25

• Refines pills with blue flames and a green pill cauldron. 6
• Produces orange-flavored pill candy for Gu Xia. 6
• Possesses rare and unusual pill formulas, including Beauty-Nourishing Pills and the Heavenly Fragrance Pill formula. 25 27
• Owns a soul-cultivation method later sought by Gu Xia. 81

Grand Elder Authority

As a Gu Clan Grand Elder, Gu Cheng can represent the clan in high-level meetings and act with institutional authority. 3

• Distributed Spirit-Breaking Pills to Gu Clan disciples who had looked after Gu Xia. 3
• Participated in Gu Clan deliberations concerning the Soul Clan's unusual activity. 3

Equipment / Items

• Eighth-grade Spirit-Calming Pill — Given to Gu Dao as the price of becoming Gu Xia's Second Grandpa. 2
• Alchemy cauldron — Used to refine pills, including orange-flavored candy pills. 6
• Alchemy primers and pill formulas — Passed to Gu Xia after witnessing his unconventional approach to refining. 25

Relationships

• Gu Xia — Adoptive grandson. Gu Cheng bought the right to become Gu Xia's Second Grandpa and is deeply indulgent toward him, despite frequently being injured by the child's strength. 2 6
• Gu Dao — Fellow Gu Clan Immortal and Gu Xia's adoptive grandfather. Their relationship is marked by camaraderie, rivalry over Gu Xia's attention, and Gu Cheng's envy of Gu Dao's grandson. 1 2 3
• Gu Yuan — Gu Clan leader who treats Gu Cheng with considerable respect due to his standing and contributions to the clan. 4
• Gu Qingyang — A Grand Commander whose loud interruption woke Gu Xia during a council meeting; Gu Cheng and Gu Dao silently anticipated the consequences. 3 4

Story Role / Major Arcs

Gu Xia's Adoption

Gu Cheng emerges from seclusion, discovers Gu Dao's adopted grandson, and is immediately knocked unconscious by Gu Xia's thrown baby bottle. He later secures the title of Second Grandpa with an eighth-grade pill. 1 2

Gu Clan Council

Gu Cheng attends the Gu Clan's emergency meeting over the Soul Clan's movements. Rather than engaging with the debate, he focuses on protecting Gu Xia's sleep and competing with Gu Dao to hold him. 3

Gu Xia's Alchemical Beginnings

While caring for Gu Xia near Gu Yuan's residence, Gu Cheng discovers that the toddler can create third-tier orange-flavored pills without visible flames. He becomes Gu Xia's first alchemical instructor, though Gu Xia's methods eventually drive him into seclusion. 6 25

Trivia

• Gu Cheng allowed Gu Xia to tug his beard even though he had previously refused to let Gu Yuan's daughter touch it. 2
• His attempts to tease Gu Xia over candy have repeatedly ended with him becoming a “human-shaped portrait” on Gu Yuan's wall. 6