Lu Chen

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Lu Chen (路晨)
Alias(es)	Underworld Martial and Virtuous General; Plague-Wielding Young Lord; Lu Family Head; Cult Leader; True Person; Horse-Fodder Registrar 29 123 171 381 410
Species/Race	Human; a former Taoist priest from another world living in a mortal body 1 29
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Lu Clan Temple; Netherworld; Plague Department; Spirit Void Sect; former Rakshasa Cult members under his leadership 117 123 407 410
Occupation/Role	Spirit User, temple head, Lu Family patriarch, Underworld general, Plague Department official, sect founder and master 29 123 171 410 412
Status	Active 421
First Appearance	Chapter 1
Age	Eighteen, by the time he becomes a newly wealthy family head 171

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Peak Rank One	29	King Yama appoints him Underworld Martial and Virtuous General, grants divine power, and extends his lifespan by three years. His first spirit lamp ignites. 29
Rank Two	67	Integrates four river-dragon spirits; rapid healing and the resulting surge of spiritual power carry him into Rank Two. 67
Third Rank	113	His two spirit lamps blaze with silver radiance, then a third lamp condenses; he leaps from early Rank Two directly into Third Rank. 113
Mid Third Rank	160	Publicly suppresses Zhao Zhihong with mid-third-rank spiritual pressure at the City Lord’s Assembly. 160
Initial Fourth Rank	200	Heaven-Man Resonance and Emperor Wenchang’s blessing form a fourth spirit lamp, allowing him to break from peak third rank into Fourth Rank and achieve flight. 200

Background

Lu Chen was a young Taoist priest of Clear Breeze Temple before arriving in a parallel world where incense offerings allow mortals to commune with gods. His former life’s knowledge of rituals, scriptures, divine pantheons, and Daoist debate gives him an advantage in a society without Taoist priests. 1 2 198

He awakens in a financially strained household in Southern Mountain Residential Compound with his father, mother, and younger sister Lu Wan. Determined to improve their lives, he seeks out the overlooked Lord God of Wealth, identifies the deity as Chai Rong, and earns divine favor through offerings and sincerity. 4 6 10

Lord God of Wealth’s blessings rapidly change Lu Chen’s circumstances. He wins multiple lottery prizes, gains the Fortune-Bringing Gold Ingot and Treasure Appraisal Eye, and becomes the deity’s sworn younger brother. 8 11 12

Appearance

Lu Chen is repeatedly described as handsome and distinguished. His appearance shifts noticeably with his status: a tailored suit gives him the bearing of a rising family head, while his ritual attire emphasizes his identity as a Daoist master. 130 158 160 410

• Wears formal suits when attending the City Lord’s Assembly and other elite functions. 158 160
• Performs rites in a yellow Daoist robe and ritual crown. 303
• Later adopts a crimson ritual robe embroidered with cloud, thunder, Eight Trigrams, and crane motifs. 410
• Has broad shoulders and a strong physique, further enhanced through fleshly sanctification opportunities and dragon-spirit nourishment. 166 281

Personality

Lu Chen is pragmatic, opportunistic, and exceptionally business-minded. He treats divine worship, spirit money, temple construction, and ritual services as both spiritual responsibilities and viable enterprises, while remaining willing to invest heavily when it earns him allies or divine support. 25 36 76 323

He is fiercely protective of his family. His early ambitions center on feeding and housing his parents and sister; later, he immediately returns to help when his parents are detained over disputes involving his spirit-money business. 6 93

Although often outwardly calm and humorous, Lu Chen does not tolerate intimidation. He openly confronts Song Hao, Zhao Zhihong, Zhao Wanliang, and other figures who attempt to pressure him, but can also act with restraint when taking responsibility for others or handling political conflicts. 41 117 118 160 396

Abilities & Skills

Daoist Ritual Mastery

Lu Chen’s former life as a Taoist priest gives him a rare command of liturgy, altar rites, deity visualization, and Daoist scripture.

• Performs altar purification and furnace-invocation rites capable of drawing divine acknowledgement. 60 204
• Uses offerings and ritual procedures to establish contact with deities and obtain their favor. 10 136
• Can visualize deities and invoke their power while drawing talismans. 280
• His expertise in Daoist classics allows him to debate the Dao directly with Emperor Wenchang. 198
• Divine seats and temple invitations still require the deity’s consent; ritual knowledge alone cannot compel a god to reside in a temple. 2

Fortune-Bringing Gold Ingot

A treasure bestowed by Lord God of Wealth.

• Brings extraordinary financial fortune, demonstrated by Lu Chen winning multiple top lottery prizes from only four scratch cards. 8 11
• Provides the foundation for his early wealth, temple ambitions, and spirit-money business. 8 36 76

Treasure Appraisal Eye

A divine ability granted by Lord God of Wealth.

• Displays the mundane monetary value of objects in Lu Chen’s sight. 11
• Cannot appraise divine statues, which appear as question marks rather than a price. 11

Underworld Authority

King Yama appoints Lu Chen as Underworld Martial and Virtuous General and grants him authority over underworld affairs. 29

• Can commune with the Netherworld and dispatch underworld emissaries. 29
• Commands Xie Qingyi and Fan Rusong, the daughters of White and Black Impermanence. 31 32
• Wields underworld miasma and can assume a terrifying Yanluo form. 41 42
• Uses the Yama Command Token to access his available underworld divine abilities. 36
• The higher-level Heart-Stirring Yama Mantra, which summons Yama’s avatar, remains inaccessible until Grade Five. 36

Underworld Divine Lightning

A Netherworld lightning art mastered immediately after Lu Chen begins cultivating it. 36

• Releases black lightning capable of guiding struck souls into the underworld. 36 79
• Functions as both a combat technique and a public demonstration of his connection to King Yama. 41 161
• Its ordinary exchange requirement is a Divine Service Rating above 25% with one of the Ten Kings of Yama and 6,000 military merit. 79

Four River Dragon Spirits

Lu Chen integrates four immature dragon spirits after subduing the Four Waterways. 66 67

• Jiang River Dragon King’s spirit — strengthens defense and resides among his five organs. 67
• River Dragon King’s spirit — increases killing power by at least 30%, grants armor-piercing force, and sharpens attacks. 66 67
• Huai River Dragon King’s spirit — raises spiritual-power reserves by roughly 30–50%, restores vitality, and rapidly heals nonfatal wounds. 66 67 71
• Ji River Dragon King’s spirit — improves his constitution, refines his primordial spirit, and purges toxins, curses, inner demons, and evil influences. 66 82
• Water Vein Profound Connection — boosts his speed in water and enables rapid water traversal. 72 93

Plague Department Powers

Lu Chen holds a divine office connected to the Plague Department and identifies himself as the Plague-Wielding Young Lord. 123 190

• Summons the Five Direction Plague Envoys, who acknowledge him as their junior brother. 189
• Wields plague miasma in battle. 41 117
• Uses the Plague Emperor Banner as a combat artifact and means of flight before obtaining a proper flight technique. 117
• Possesses a statue and hall dedicated to the Plague-Wielding Young Lord in the Plague Lord Hall. 256

Talisman Crafting and Spiritual-Treasure Refinement

Lu Chen can refine spiritual treasures and create high-grade talismans through ritual methods and divine assistance. 280 406

• Draws spiritual-treasure-grade talismans with Broom Star’s aid. 280
• Creates Talismans for Sweeping Away Calamity that form barriers against attacks. 280 406
• His talismans can rebound an opponent’s divine power back at its caster. 406
• Uses prepared talismans to survive repeated divine punishments from the Lunar Star Lord. 282

Lunar Dharma Eye

A scouting ability used during his investigation of Chang Residence.

• Allows Lu Chen to pass through solid walls. 297
• Lets him observe people inside the residence without being noticed. 297
• Helps him identify the cypress tree sustaining the Chang family’s surveillance network. 297

Literary and Scriptural Talent

Lu Chen’s knowledge of poetry and Daoist teachings can move even Heavenly Court authorities. 196 198

• Recites poems at Wenchang Hall, causing literary aura to rise to the Dipper and ringing Heavenly Court’s bells. 196
• Uses Daoist debate to win Emperor Wenchang’s attention and blessing. 198 200
• Receives Heaven-Man Resonance, which strengthens his comprehension and spirit sense. 200 202

Sect Teaching

As founder of the Spirit Void lineage, Lu Chen develops and teaches cultivation methods to his followers. 406 407 412

• Teaches the Five-Dragon Spiritual-Root Visualization Method to assess spiritual-root aptitude. 406 407
• Tests 3,000 former Rakshasa Cult members; 39 qualify to join his sect. 407
• Establishes four disciple ranks within the Spirit Void lineage, beginning with the First True Register. 412

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Fortune-Bringing Gold Ingot — Lord God of Wealth’s treasure that supports Lu Chen’s extraordinary financial luck. 11
• Yama Command Token — stores and grants access to King Yama’s divine abilities. 36
• Plague Emperor Banner — a plague-aligned magical treasure used for miasma projection and flight. 117 161
• Qilin Saber — a valuable acquisition that broadens the range of deities he may invite in the future. 70
• Profound Mystery Divine Canon — another major Dragon-Tiger County acquisition with similar value for deity invitation. 70
• City Lord’s Token — granted by Yu Feng after Lu Chen’s Yanluo transformation. 42
• Realm Pivot — seized from the Grass Temple Village secret realm; potentially allows him to enter and leave that realm at will. 206 251
• Crane’s Return to the Nine Heavens Step — an aerial movement technique gifted by Sun Qingcang. 249
• Talisman for Sweeping Away Calamity — a refined spiritual treasure that blocks and rebounds attacks. 280 406

Relationships

• Lord God of Wealth (Chai Rong) — Lu Chen’s sworn elder brother and earliest major divine ally. Lu Chen revitalizes his incense offerings and promises him a grand temple; in return, Chai Rong grants blessings, treasures, and support. 10 11 12 81
• King Yama — patron deity and later foster father figure. King Yama appoints Lu Chen an Underworld general and grants him authority over underworld emissaries. 29 31 289
• Sun Yourong — trusted combat partner and daughter of the Sun family. She repeatedly supports Lu Chen, helps his family, accompanies him on missions, and shares an unresolved but increasingly close bond with him. 70 93 161 316
• Yu Feng — City Lord who recognizes Lu Chen’s potential, defends his choice to worship King Yama, grants him a City Lord’s Token, and offers political guidance. 42 78 251
• Lu Jianming and Mother Lu — Lu Chen’s parents. Their safety and wellbeing remain central motivations behind his pursuit of wealth and power. 6 93 247
• Lu Wan — Lu Chen’s younger sister, who deeply trusts and admires him. 6 246
• Zeng Rou — former Rakshasa Cult elder who becomes one of Lu Chen’s most loyal subordinates and assists with his sect-building efforts. 114 117 406
• Wang Zhidong — former Rakshasa Cult member who accepts Lu Chen as cult leader and later helps manage his followers. 117 123 406
• Lan’er — a flood-dragon guardian spirit of the secret realm who aids Lu Chen’s escape from the Seven-Treasure Exquisite Pagoda and becomes a trusted companion. 213 247 267
• Wang Yiming — a prestigious-family heir who becomes Lu Chen’s friend and ally during the Rongcheng secret-realm incident. 195 196 200
• Li Ruoyi — Lu Chen’s classmate and early supporter, who encourages him and maintains faith in his abilities. 1 36 38
• Song Hao — arrogant classmate and bully who resents Lu Chen’s rise; Lu Chen humiliates him during their sparring confrontation. 1 41 42
• Zhao Wanliang — major rival from the Zhao family. Their public conflict escalates into political, spiritual, and underworld confrontations. 160 161 396

Story Role / Major Arcs

Rise through the Lord God of Wealth

Lu Chen begins as an impoverished student but uses his ritual knowledge to gain Chai Rong’s favor. His lottery windfalls, Divine Service Rating, and wealth quickly make him a public curiosity and place him in conflict with Zhao Clan Temple supervisor Zhao Zhihong. 8 13 14

Worship of King Yama

Defying conventional fear of underworld deities, Lu Chen chooses to worship King Yama. He obtains an underworld divine office, develops Underworld Divine Lightning, and publicly reveals his Yanluo transformation when Song Hao challenges him. 19 29 36 41

Dragon-Tiger County and Spirit-Money Enterprise

While resolving the Dragon-Tiger County rainfall crisis, Lu Chen acquires the Four River Dragon Spirits, the Qilin Saber, and the Profound Mystery Divine Canon. He subsequently develops a spirit-money business intended to connect the living with their ancestors and expand worship of King Yama. 66 70 76

Rakshasa Cult Leadership and New Noble Status

Lu Chen absorbs the Rakshasa Cult rather than destroying it, demanding that its 3,000 members abandon evil or leave. He accepts responsibility for their conduct, gains their loyalty, and rises to become Jiangdu’s youngest newly wealthy family head. 117 118 171

Rongcheng Secret Realm and the Seven-Treasure Exquisite Pagoda

Lu Chen breaks the Dry-Sky Musical Array with aid connected to Emperor Wenchang, enters the secret realm, and obtains the Realm Pivot. Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King captures him inside the Seven-Treasure Exquisite Pagoda, where he survives successive trials and eventually returns home after two months. 200 206 222 246 251

Divine Offices and Heavenly Court Conflicts

His expanding ties to the Netherworld, Plague Department, and Heavenly Court draw him into conflicts involving the Four Heavenly Kings, City Gods, Zhao Wuya, and Wang Lingguan. He reveals an official Heavenly Court token, temporarily assumes divine ranks, and becomes a figure watched by major immortal powers. 323 331 363 371 382

Founding the Spirit Void Sect

Lu Chen begins transforming his followers into a formal sect. He teaches the Five-Dragon Spiritual-Root Visualization Method, selects qualified disciples, defines the Spirit Void lineage, and adopts the title “True Person” during its ritual establishment. 406 407 410 412

Notable Quotes

“From now on, at this ritual ground, you shall address me as—True Person!” 410

“Enough. I did not say all this to show off. There is only one purpose: to let you know that running an evil cult has no future.” 123

Trivia

• Lu Chen’s former-life Taoist knowledge is so unusual in his new world that he considers it a built-in advantage. 1
• Sun Yourong gives him a pink business van after he calls her “bro,” deliberately embarrassing him in retaliation. 110
• He initially claims that he never wants to work for anyone else and instead intends to build his own business. 8