Xu Zhi

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Xu Zhi (许秩; “Zhi” meaning order) 48
Alias(es)	Xu Ling (Spirit Vessel identity); Saintess; Archbishop of Sloth 385 366 383
Species/Race	Human Transcendent; after reaching her second major stage, she is described as no longer fully human 132
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Founder and protector of Cloud City's Old Residential District; student of the Light Institute 53 262
Occupation/Role	Transcendent, Familiar master, Spirit Vessel user, and territorial ruler of Cloud City 52 136
Status	Alive 449
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Familiar-link recovery	2	Little One's evolution to Lv2 and Lv3 begins easing Xu Zhi's chronic weakness and breathing difficulty.
Bloodlust Lv3	4	Extracts her first Familiar trait after Little One reaches Lv10.
Eye of Secrets	16	Awakens a [Moth]-aligned supernatural ability after consuming two [Moth] Attribute Cores.
Evolution Lv1 and Sharpness Lv5	30	Draws traits after Little One reaches Lv20; Evolution can only be improved by Xu Zhi herself.
Strength Lv5 and Endurance Lv5	43	Gains major physical reinforcement and improved tolerance through trait draws.
[Moth] ability	60	Passes an initial trial after consuming three high-grade cores; gains thought- and behavior-influencing Moths and pale gray eyes.
Second major Transcendent stage / Evolution Lv8	132	Following the [Cup] sacrifice and fragment incident, she becomes a second-stage Transcendent, surpassing an Archbishop in raw standing.
[Authority]	136	Gains limited control over Cloud City's Black Fog and the ability to open entryways into the city.
[Lamp] activation	194	Her [Lamp] attribute anchors her during a world-shattering impact and increases her mental and physical attributes.
Level Five Enlightened	258	Rebuilds her extraordinary circuit in the academy system and reaches Level Five through Attribute Cores.
Immortal	279	Advances after consuming Lamp cores; her supernatural and physical injuries heal.
[Moth] Circuit, Level Three Mastery	284	Raises her Moth circuit and awakens a stronger Eye of Secrets.
Longevity Rank One	310	Advances while asleep after returning from the Lost Land.
Named One	360	Completes the Great Dream trial, gains Walking on Air, and can transfer belongings to a Spirit Vessel.
[Cup] Devotee — Spirit Vessel	366	Her Spirit Vessel resists a [Cup] ritual while gaining [Cup]-aligned power and attracting a deity's notice.
Archbishop of Sloth — Spirit Vessel	383	Completes the Blood-Red Stairway trial and forms an Archbishop foundation.
Rule comprehension	410	Her life level rises after gaining rule-related power; her body becomes increasingly energy-like.
Midnight’s Key / full rule comprehension	422	Fully comprehends Midnight’s rules, causing a Key to emerge from her circuits.

Background

Xu Zhi was chronically ill before receiving the Game Console. Her heart disease left her exhausted, short of breath, dizzy, and physically frail; she had little formal education and had become isolated from others. She was left behind in Cloud City during the crisis because of her health. 2 11

The Game Console changed her condition through the growth of her Familiars. Little One’s early evolutions eased her breathing, while later upgrades removed the debilitating limitations of her illness and gradually gave her a healthy, powerful body. 2 4 28

Appearance

Xu Zhi initially appears pale, severely underweight, and weak enough to rely on a wheelchair. As her power grows, her body becomes healthy, resilient, and deceptively strong. 4 28 131

• Her eyes turn faint pale gray after awakening [Moth], an outward sign of extraordinary power. 60 61
• She commonly presents herself as gentle, delicate, and nonthreatening despite her combat ability. 10 262
• During her recovery in the lower districts, she wears silver-rimmed glasses fitted with supernatural circuits to restore her vision. 238
• Her [Cup]-aligned Spirit Vessel has dark crimson hair and scarlet eyes, giving it a distinctly sinister appearance. 367

Personality

Xu Zhi is fiercely independent and rejects the idea that anyone else will save her. Her decisions are usually driven by survival, curiosity, freedom, and the need to acquire resources—especially Attribute Cores. 15 50

She is pragmatic in negotiations and conflict. Xu Zhi trades information for leverage, delegates management to more capable people, and treats authority as something earned through strength. 18 50 53

Her calm demeanor often conceals ruthlessness. She can manipulate enemies and allies alike, views some people as tools when it benefits her plans, and refuses to submit to stronger supernatural beings. 74 154 175

Despite this, she develops genuine attachment to her Familiars and increasingly accepts responsibility for people under her protection, even if she rationalizes that protection as guarding her “property.” 137 175

Abilities & Skills

Familiar Bond and Evolution

Xu Zhi’s Game Console allows her to raise Familiars through hunting, Attribute Cores, and Evolution Points. Their growth feeds back into her own body and can grant her extractable traits. 2 4 43

• Commands and observes Familiars through the Game Console. 2 139
• Gains physical improvements as Familiars evolve. 2 28
• Can extract Familiar traits such as Bloodlust, Strength, Endurance, Sharpness, Vigilance, and Evolution. 4 30 43
• Uses Familiar tattoos to gain additional eyes and broaden her field of vision in battle. 200
• Her major Familiars include Little One, Doggie, Xiao Zhen, the Black Cat, Little Aberration, and Cursed Speech. 112 139 387

Eye of Secrets

A [Moth]-aligned perception ability that reveals information hidden within living beings, supernatural energy, and abilities. 16

• Identifies attributes through their corresponding energy signatures. 16
• Reveals an opponent’s supernatural level, physical condition, energy reserves, and impending ability use. 292
• Allows Xu Zhi to analyze extraordinary-energy circulation and identify weaknesses in abilities. 143 144
• Initially lasts only seconds and severely drains her supernatural energy. 16
• Cannot safely peer into secrets greater than Xu Zhi herself; doing so risks backlash. 16
• Becomes effectively passive after her later advancement, automatically revealing laws within her sight. 423

Moth

Xu Zhi’s [Moth] ability creates subtle influence over others’ thoughts, perceptions, and judgment. 60

• Leaves a persistent Moth-like mark on a target’s mind after successful influence. 60
• Can deepen influence over time until Xu Zhi severs the connection. 60
• Used to manipulate Zhong Lingfan’s loyalty and suppress Yu Shenwei’s conflicted thoughts. 137
• Carries an inherent risk of emotional distortion, obsession, and loss of rational restraint. 60 105

Remnant Land

A [Moth]-derived domain ability that lets Xu Zhi establish a contained “lost world” with a rule of her choosing. 359

• Xu Zhi becomes the ruler within the domain. 359
• Can impose restrictive conditions on supernatural abilities. 371
• Used to kill two Named Ones by limiting which supernatural beings could use their powers. 371

Authority

A highly versatile ability that Xu Zhi describes as the right to connect to and control all things. 280

• Controls portions of Cloud City’s Black Fog and senses events within the city. 136
• Opens doors and creates passes for entry into Cloud City. 136 154
• Disrupts an opponent’s circulation of extraordinary power at critical moments. 200
• Links with Cursed Speech to strengthen commands enough to kill Immortals. 359
• Conceals Little Aberration and temporarily isolates Midnight’s mark on her palm. 286 359
• Its scope remains constrained by Xu Zhi’s supernatural level and energy reserves. 280

Cursed Speech

A command-based ability that directly imposes Xu Zhi’s spoken instructions on targets. 293

• Can freeze multiple same-rank opponents with commands such as “Don’t move.” 293
• Can enhance allies or weaken enemies through altered command effects. 293
• Becomes far deadlier when amplified through Authority. 359
• Its effectiveness depends on Xu Zhi’s power and the target’s resistance. 291

Spirit Vessel

Xu Zhi can create remote bodies using Attribute Cores, allowing her to act in dangerous locations without physically traveling there. 23 48

• A vessel’s duration and strength depend on the number and type of cores invested. 23 48
• Can be equipped with selected traits and abilities at additional core cost. 48
• Later becomes linked through Authority and can receive transferred belongings. 360
• Her [Cup]-aligned Spirit Vessel infiltrates cults, becomes a Saintess, and eventually advances into the Archbishop of Sloth. 366 383

Cup Archbishop Abilities

As the Archbishop of Sloth through her Spirit Vessel, Xu Zhi gains [Cup]-aligned powers centered on weakening, deterioration, and destabilization. 383

• Can fatigue and weaken physical materials, including extraordinary weapons. 383
• Can make supernatural circuits fragile and prone to failure. 383
• Possesses attack-oriented effects that burst blood vessels, disrupt extraordinary energy, and shatter weakened circuits. 383
• Her Archbishop foundation grants power but also functions as a restraint tied to the [Cup] deity. 383

Physical Combat and Self-Healing

Xu Zhi combines supernatural traits, exceptional durability, and direct close-quarters aggression. 43 280

• Learned basic Tang saber techniques from Shen Jinwen. 59
• Uses Sharpness to reinforce bladed tools and Strength to improve her body without altering her appearance. 30 43
• Can regenerate severe injuries rapidly through her extraordinary constitution. 295 349
• Her body later integrates with talent circuits, allowing her flesh and bones to deliver extraordinary attacks. 359
• Fights aggressively even while unarmed, using fists, elbows, kicks, and overwhelming physical force. 349

Rule Mastery and Midnight

Xu Zhi’s later growth gives her direct contact with rules, Midnight, and the forces surrounding ascension. 410 422

• Can look directly at broken rules, though understanding them requires further knowledge. 196
• Comprehends Midnight’s rules and gains a Key from her circuits. 422
• Uses her bond with Midnight to resist attacks from [Cup], [Forge], and [Blade]. 418
• Her physical body withstands the opposing force of divine powers that would tear apart ordinary Transcendents. 418 419

Equipment

• Game Console — The source of Xu Zhi’s Familiar system and the vessel of the Narrator. 2 193
• Tang hengdao — A black saber forged from Little Aberration’s limbs and claw; it absorbs blood to strengthen itself and leaves difficult-to-heal wounds. 137
• Circuit glasses — Silver-rimmed glasses with circuits engraved into their chain, restoring Xu Zhi’s damaged vision. 238
• Standard-issue Tang saber — A regulated weapon used during Light Institute league matches. 327

Relationships

• Narrator / Game Console — Xu Zhi’s guide, advisor, and constant companion. It later reveals itself to be composed of remnants of extraordinary souls and claims it exists for Xu Zhi’s birth. 16 193
• Little One — Xu Zhi’s first Familiar, originally a small snake that evolves into a massive python/boa. Its growth begins restoring Xu Zhi’s health. 2 21 29
• Doggie — A wolf-like Familiar used for protection, pursuit, and close combat. It is openly affectionate toward Xu Zhi. 18 28 386
• Xiao Zhen — A gyrfalcon Familiar used for scouting, rapid travel, and message delivery; it later gains Divine Wind. 32 139
• Little Aberration — A powerful [Cup]-aligned Familiar that acts as Xu Zhi’s parasite, weapon, guardian, and rift-sealer. 132 165 200
• Black Cat / Kitty — A Familiar capable of Nightmare Creation and dream-based manipulation. 112 375
• Shen Jinwen — Early ally, information-trading partner, and Xu Zhi’s basic saber instructor. 18 59
• Zhong Lingfan — Administrator of the Old Residential District. Xu Zhi relies on her organizational ability while later using Moth influence to secure her loyalty. 53 137
• Yu Shenwei — The Saintess whose incomplete ritual makes her the Archbishop of Jealousy. Xu Zhi manipulates her faith and initially regards her primarily as a tool. 99 154
• Qi Yanxin — The woman who shelters the severely injured Xu Zhi in the lower districts and becomes her adopted “sister.” Xu Zhi ultimately chooses not to leave her behind. 208 210 243
• Lin Zizhen — Federation official and recurring negotiator who recognizes Xu Zhi’s growing importance and seeks to align himself with her. 53 153 155
• Jiang Qing — A powerful [Lamp] rival whose encounters with Xu Zhi are shaped by prophecy, fear, and mutual hostility. 347 371

Story Role / Major Arcs

Cloud City Survival

Xu Zhi begins as an isolated, chronically ill survivor in sealed Cloud City. The Game Console and Little One give her a route to health, power, and independence; she soon decides that merely becoming healthy is not enough. 2

She forms an early alliance with Shen Jinwen, exterminates the Fanatics around Affiliated Middle School, learns about Attribute Cores, and awakens Eye of Secrets. 16 18 21

Establishing the Old Residential District

After demonstrating overwhelming control over Mutated Animals, Xu Zhi forces Zhong Lingfan’s group to cooperate and establishes the Old Residential District as a protected territory that pays her in cores. 52 53

Rather than manage the district herself, Xu Zhi grants Zhong Lingfan and Shen Jinwen broad administrative authority while keeping final power in her own hands. 53

Conflict with Cup and the Archbishops

Xu Zhi becomes involved with [Cup]-aligned Fanatics, Yu Shenwei, Huo Ze, and the failed Archbishop ritual. Her interference places her directly against the [Cup] supreme being and its followers. 74 77 99

After sacrificing [Cup] and empowering Little Aberration, Xu Zhi becomes a second-stage Transcendent and gains Authority over Cloud City’s Black Fog. 129 132 136

She defeats three invading Archbishops in Cloud City, then captures the surviving Lust and feeds him to Little Aberration. 149 154

Cataclysm and a New Identity

During the conflict surrounding the Black Sun and the mysterious imprisoned being, Xu Zhi absorbs immense energy, survives a world-shattering impact, and activates [Lamp]. 193 194

She later awakens severely injured in a lower-district slum with no memory of her origin, where Qi Yanxin takes her in and Doctor Zhuang treats her. 204 208

Light Institute and the Lost Land

Xu Zhi’s exceptional Lamp affinity draws recruitment offers from major factions. She enters the Light Institute, rapidly progresses through the academy’s ranks, and conceals much of her true power. 240 250 258

She advances through Immortal, Longevity, and Named One while becoming a dominant combatant in the academy selection and league matches. 279 310 347

In the Lost Land, Xu Zhi reunites with her Familiars, uncovers talent-circuit experiments, confronts Jiang Qing, and begins pursuing deeper secrets concerning rules and ascension. 368 370 371

Cup Archbishop and Midnight

Using her Spirit Vessel, Xu Zhi infiltrates a [Cup] cult, becomes a devotee, and ascends as the Archbishop of Sloth while remaining distrustful of the power granted by the [Cup] deity. 366 383

She enters Midnight, masters portions of its rules, withstands attacks by multiple gods, and ultimately gains a Key through complete comprehension of Midnight’s rules. 413 418 422

War Against the Gods

Xu Zhi fights gods and proxies directly, using Authority, rule power, Familiars, and layered supernatural abilities to exploit weaknesses that stronger beings overlook. 434 446

By the final confrontation, [Cup] recognizes Xu Zhi as a dangerous equal rather than a disposable pawn. 449

Notable Quotes

“I need cores, but I don't want to be a robber. So I provide you with protection, and you provide me with cores.” 50

“If you gave it to me, then it's really mine.” 383